[network] Noisy Black, Part Four [open] [horror/surgery effects/note specifics please]

[snowblindmods]

[Soon, everything will be over.]

Comments

[termineur]

I don't-

[ -think so. But the way chaos is calling him by his name, the way he insists there's more, it resonates with him. That part is right. ]

Ye- yeah. There is an outside. That's where you are. Can you...describe it to me? What is it like?

[cosmicwords]

There's snow and ice. It's cold but there's light and wind and air to breathe and enough room to stretch weary limbs.

[He could show a video but he wants Sylar to reach for that image with his mind first.]

[termineur]

Cold.

[ That part is still in there, the cold. Pervasive as the pain is now, it was an ever-present companion. ]

Cold, and empty. Isn't it? And dead.

voice > video

[cosmicwords]

It's empty and cold but it's not dead yet. I think...there is still something here. Something that can be saved.

Even in the darkness there's still hope, Gabriel.

Besides, the snow can be beautiful, don't you think?

[He switches video on and there is a brief glimpse of translucent blue-green eyes and silver hair before he walks up to a window and points the camera out towards the snow, letting light from the device illuminate the drifting snowflakes.]

[termineur]

[ There's a sharp intake of breath as Sylar sees the snow, something that feels like a dream he had, with his own eyes. The individual flakes shine in the tablet light, and even the glass of the window it reflects off of is something different. Sylar can almost feel how cold each flake is, remembers how it chilled him to the bone. ]

It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. You said it was there, and I see it.

[ He sounds a little choked up about it, even. ]

[cosmicwords]

[He keeps the feed going.]

It's here, Gabriel, and we're here too.

People on the outside.

[A hand wrapped in an orange glove reaches out and gently taps the glass.]

What can you remember?

[termineur]

There are people. I don't usually like people, but here it's not so bad.

[ It feels like shadows slowly gaining shape. He can do this. He thinks hard about it, and the concentration is clear on his face. ]

Al. The armor. He was with me. I remember walking with him. He wasn't always here.

[cosmicwords]

Good!

That's good, Gabriel.

[There is an audible smile in his voice.]

Try to keep hold of that memory. See if you can remember sights or sounds, anything that will help keep you anchored until you're free.

[Because they will have to be free eventually, there's no other option.]

[termineur]

[ He closes his eyes to try and do just that, but quickly his face turns into a wince. ]

It's hard to focus. There's a lot of pain.

[ Those words seem to make him grunt with annoyance- he sounds so whiny. He has to pull through this. Focus. ]

There was a time when my leg was hurt. It was ruined, and Al had to carry me for awhile. The metal was cold, but it- it wasn't bad. Having someone look out for me then.

I can remember that. I think.

[cosmicwords]

That could work. Try and remember what his armor felt like...

Maybe hold on to the bars of your cell, see if the feeling of the metal can help make that memory more clear.

[termineur]

[ That actually gets a chuckle- almost a giggle- bubbling out of him. He shifts the tablet camera, pulling away to show his new metal arm with its intricate clockwork pieces. ]

I can't feel the bars. Not really. But I'm closer, anyway. We talked about automail before.

[ His free hand reaches up and its jolting movements scratch him on the chin. But then he gets it into position to lean his chin lightly on the palm. It looks a little weird, but some of the light comes back into Sylar's eyes. ]

Yeah, I think this'll work. Thanks. ...what's your name again?

video >> voice

[cosmicwords]

[chaos makes a small sound of sympathy at the sight but the spark of something there gives him hope.

He twists his own tablet around to turn it off and for a moment his face is visible- youthful and tired with eyes that have the light of something ancient within them. His expression is a loving one, almost like the love a parent has for a child.

Then the feed clicks off and it's back to voice.]

I'm chaos.

[termineur]

[ The look on Sylar's face is not exactly a smile, but he seems calmer and more present now. He's hopeful it'll last awhile longer. ]

That's right, you said that before. It's a strange name.

I actually don't know if we've met before, but it's- I'm glad to meet you. Maybe next time it'll be better.

[cosmicwords]

Don't worry if you don't remember seeing me around, Gabriel.

I'm pretty quiet most of the time.

And next time we meet it will be under more pleasant circumstances, I'm sure.

[termineur]

I hope so.

I won't forget this, chaos.

[ It's both a promise to stay focused and a measure of his thanks. His mind means more to him than most, and chaos helped him find it again.

He nods at the screen before he disconnects. ]