twenty-three. voice.

[goryteller]

[Katurian sounds tired and frail. His voice carries its usual tremor.]

As a human being-- like all human beings, I make a tremendous amount of mistakes. A tremendous amount. I'm not a role model. That isn't-- That isn't something I could say.

[Vocalizing those words nearly kicks his breath away. Pause. Then, feverishly:]

I wanted to apologize for the state I found myself in this last week, a state in which-- in which many of you saw me, and I wanted to let everyone know that it was my fault. I thank you for your concern, I really do, but the most important thing for any of you to know is that it was my fault. And I don't want pity, that's never something I want, even if it seems like a very easy thing to give, even if it seems like I deserve it, because I don't deserve pity and I don't want it either. That doesn't mean I deserve to be treated like shit, g-granted, I don't want to see anyone using that as a fucking excuse, but I-- I'm--

[He catches himself. Breathes.]

But I'm all right.

[Click.]

Comments

[culver]

It was not your fault.

[NONCHALANTLY SIDEEYES EDDIE THOUGH HE IS NOT PRESENT ATM]

[goryteller]

--But it needed to be public, in a sense, or else how else would I have been helped? That's the beauty of this place.

[A hard swallow]

And the curse.

[culver]

I guess.
How did you get better?

[goryteller]

Edward found a nice man who was willing to help me. It was a very generous thing. For both of them.

[culver]

That is good. I am glad he was able to help.
Do you feel okay now?

[goryteller]

A little sore. A little out of sorts. But I'm fine. I'm completely fine.

[culver]

Have you eaten?

[goryteller]

Ha ha. You're starting to sound like me.

[culver]

I am just worried.

[goryteller]

I know. [Pause.] I've eaten. You're still doing all right, aren't you?

[culver]

Good. And yes. I think my powers are going away.

[goryteller]

Your powers, huh? The ones with those-- with those pretty dresses and some sort? [Pause.] The wings?

[culver]

Yes. But the wings are not a power. They were put there by a man before I came here.

[goryteller]

Right. Right, they were. I remember.

[culver]

There are worse things.

[goryteller]

[A hard exhale.]

It-- still isn't a very good thing.

[culver]

No it is not.