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[Hope's voice is clear and clipped.]

If you would like to leave a message, you may do so here. I can't promise to respond. I have many demands on my time, and this sort of thing is far down the list. Still, if you would like to, you may.

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[ That would be cause for startling if Drake wasn't expecting it -- since he was he just offers Hope a (still nervous) smile, and tries to figure out the best way to phrase this. ]

So you know I'm -- I mean, I've been sick since I got here. I really appreciate you managing it but the second anything happens to you, I'm a danger to everyone. I've been staying how I am even though I hate it just because most of the time it's not so bad, it might even be helpful... I'm stronger and faster and harder to hurt, but with how often I've become a liability instead I think... maybe I should face whatever's coming as a human, just in case.

What I'm saying is I want a cure. I know you've given people new bodies before -- like Lup, when she came back stuck as a lich? What's the price on this kind of thing?

Quite high. Human bodies are difficult for me.

[But regardless, he wouldn't refuse the request - particularly not when it's for such good reasons.]

I would ask the same of you as I did of her. Bring hope to six different people. How you do that is entirely up to you.

[ Drake nods, considering that... if it's doable or not, but at this point he's leaning towards "it's gotta be." He can find six people, figure out how to bring them hope. There's a reason he usually deals with Love instead, but he'll make it happen. ]

Okay. What's the process? Do I just come back when I think I've hit six? And is it a transformation or does this body have to die?

Yes. I will have received the power you create by then, and can do it at that time. As for your other question -

[Hope pauses for a moment, considering it.]

While I could try to do either, it's likely safer for you if your body dies. I cannot promise that any alterations I make to your current form would work as well as you might wish.

Okay. I'll check back, then.

[ The death part isn't an ideal answer but Drake nods again, understanding the reasoning. There's just no gentle or easy way to do it and he's pretty sure asking for help would be a mistake... he'll deal with it. He's a little more unnerved by the level of trust he's putting in Hope than the thought of dying, honestly. But the god has kept him alive for over a year and a half now, he's earned it. ]

Don't suppose you would handle that part too? I'd kind of make a mess of your temple doing it myself.

I would rather you not bleed out in my temple. I will take care of that part as well.

[Technically Hope can't kill, but this isn't quite that - so he can manage it.]

[ Drake smiles a little, and decides not to clarify that it wouldn't even be just blood, he'd have to blow his brains out and that's just gross. Even for a god to deal with. ]

Thanks, Hope. I'll see you soon, probably.

[ Another look of gratitude, and Drake heads out to get to it. The power of his efforts actually starts coming in pretty quickly, but it takes him awhile to return to the temple because he's just not sure. Hope is a tricky thing to make people feel, and he's still second guessing the deal and its potential consequences until the last minute. In the end he wound up attempting to inspire over a dozen people and succeeding with eight, not just the necessary six, although he's not certain of the final number. In fact when he returns to the temple several weeks and grand gestures later, he half expects Hope to tell him he hasn't done well enough, but has his fingers crossed that he hit the quota... because who knows how much time they have left? He's dressed simply, his ring and weapons left at home, and has shown up alone. A deep breath, then he clears his throat and squares his shoulders, as ready as he's ever going to be. ]

Hope? It's me again. Is this a good time?

Of course.

[Hope appears again, as if he was waiting, though that seems somewhat unlikely.]

You have done as I asked, so I will do the same for you. Are you ready?

[ The question earns Hope a grin, and oddly enough Drake's posture seems to relax a little. 'As ready as he's ever going to be' doesn't actually feel all that ready -- he still has doubts, and will probably be wondering if he made the right choice all the way up until he's settled somewhere peaceful, if that ever happens -- but he's not scared, either. Every other time he faced death, even as he pushed through because something else mattered more, some part of him was afraid. Not now. ]

Yeah, I... I think I am. Will I feel anything?

You won't. I can keep you from feeling pain in this instance. It will simply be as if you have fallen asleep and are waking up.

[A pause.]

It'll be easy, I believe, to adjust.

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