002

[littlesoul]

[River is settled on the roof of the castle, her journal opened up in front of her. She's staring at it for a long time before she begins to write, her letters lacking the panic and scribbling manner they had during her other journal entry.

Tell me a story.

{It's a simple request, one that might even seem childish to anyone who isn't her. She knows what she's looking for though, knows that she needs something to block out the noise in her head.

See, it's loud today. Louder tan she'd like. The world feels like it's crashing in on her, hence why she's outside, under the sky.

It's safer under the stars than it is with a roof over your head. If she can't be in the sky, she can at least have it blanketing her.]

Comments

[littlesoul]

[She giggles, delighted and a little high off the music.] Music is so goo. It fills the holes, makes everything echo with beautiful noise.

[inafadingcrown]

[A laugh] I suppose it does.

[littlesoul]

Music and laughter. That's what I want. I want to hear it forever. I want it to fill me up and make me drown. It's so much better than screaming.

[inafadingcrown]

[Her tone shifts slightly, a little more openly concerned.] Do you hear the screaming still?

[littlesoul]

[She bites her lip] No, not as much. There are so many things, frustration, concern, confusion, love, hate, apathy, boredom but not screaming. Not the way it used to be. It used to always be screaming.

[inafadingcrown]

I am glad. I know how distressing the noise may be, particularly for those who have no means with which to keep it at bay.

[littlesoul]

You do?

[inafadingcrown]

I do. We share a gift, little one, though I believe you may regard yours as more of a curse.

[littlesoul]

No, not a gift. I never asked for it, I never wanted it. It's always loud, always there. It mixes up the world and makes it wrong.

[inafadingcrown]

Nevertheless, if ever you should wish to have guidance with it, or even a sympathetic and understanding ear, you need but ask for it.

[littlesoul]

Help me? Please? [Her voice cracks a little when she speaks and her mind is almost desperate at the idea of being able to control it.]

[inafadingcrown]

I can promise you nothing, save that I will try my utmost. [These things seem to work differently for everyone.]

[littlesoul]

I understand.

[inafadingcrown]

Then I would do well to introduce myself, would I not? [She's met River, but River has no reason to know her.] I am the Lady Galadriel.

[littlesoul]

It's a pleasure. [She's smiling and it rings true in her voice.] I'm called River.

[inafadingcrown]

The pleasure is mine. [Best to tell the "you've been here before and I met you then" thing in small pieces, she thinks.]

[littlesoul]

Thank you. I...I know you can't promise anything but thank you. For understanding.

[inafadingcrown]

You need never thank me for that.

[littlesoul]

I do. I do because not everyone does. Most people don't. They don't understand and they think I'm wrong.

[inafadingcrown]

I know. And oft people fear what they cannot understand. It may be a lonely talent, even for me, and it is revered and respected among my people.

[littlesoul]

It doesn't have to be. [The offer is in her tone and in her mind. 'Let me be a friend. Let me be someone you can talk to and be the same for me]]

[inafadingcrown]

[She hears the offer easily, and the answer is in her own tone.] I suppose it does not. [Accepted. And gladly so.]