seven. voice.

[afeatherpillow]

[Katurian still isn't so great at public speaking - aside from his storytelling - and when the communicator clicks on, it takes him several moments to find his words. All the same, he's steadier than usual. Controlled.]

I have good news. Everyone. [Pause.] As of this morning, I've entered a reformation program to help me adjust to living in the outside world. Because I will be living in the outside world. I will be leaving this hospital.

[Pause.]

I can pick up private filters now. It's a transition communicator, and I've had it since yesterday. They trust me enough.

[Another pause, longer, where he considers turning off the communicator. The voice function can't pick it up, but his hand lingers above the switch. He pulls back.]

I'll be staying on to see to the musical, though, you shouldn't worry about that, I mean, if you were worrying about that, in any case, but I don't leave things like that incomplete, that's not what I do. I mean, talk about sloppy storytelling. Nothing keeps me from finishing what I start.

[Beat.]

It's going to be brilliant, by the way. Everyone involved has been brilliant. [The slightest wavering:] I've never been more proud.