[ contrived is a word for it, but in theory, everything is contrived so long as anyone believes in some manner of deity, right? and having had to deal with several gods before, eliot can't help but feel that, yes, in some way, this must all be manufactured for someone's amusement, but as long as that someone isn't ember or the monster, which if it were eliot is pretty sure there would have been a lot more death and whimsy by now, it actually feels kinda okay to think of it all as happenstance.

especially since in this happenstance there is a handsome voice over the receiver and most people that deny it are usually a) exactly that but modest, b) none the wiser to their handsomeness, or c) in denial, because when you feel ugly, you usually just say, "no, I'm ugly," which even eliot has felt like saying sometimes. ]

I think i'll wait until I have proof otherwise before I agree, handsome. [ because even if he isn't physically so, it is actually comforting to hear the other man's voice, especially given the circumstances. ]

Not sure on that though. Did you also suddenly arrive here with no explanation or indication of where and why? If so, I'm going to start leaning toward yes.