Okay so for this story we're going to pretend that the timeline for LOTU starts on the same year that the first book came out. (2008) So yah. I've only read a few of the books, so please tell me if you see something I should add. The first few chapters will be Torin and my character communicating through out the years. They will be very short, but I want to create a dynamic between them before they meet in person. Please bear with it for a while, and tell me what you think. If anyone wants to be my beta reader and help me with storyline and keeping Torin in character, then PLEASE contact me.

Chapter 1: Even The Most Complicated Of Things Start Out Simple

April 10th, 2008

"And this is how it looks when I am standing on the edge

And this is how I break apart when I finally hit the ground

And this is how it hurts when I pretend I don't feel any pain

And this is how I disappear when I throw myself away"

Nel mouthed the words to the song as she stared at her computer. She watched pictures pass on the blue background and smiled when a few caught her interest. She reblogged the ones that made her laugh, meant something, or just generally caught her interest. After about fifteen minutes, she was fully engrossed in this cycle. She was so engrossed, in fact, that she almost didn't hear the small 'bing'.

She spent a second confused before she realized where it was coming from. She flitted through her tabs before pulling up the window containing a chat room. She'd opened it up more than a few weeks ago, and after about 2 hours she'd given up on finding anyone remotely interesting to talk to. She usually left it open just for the hell of it. It didn't bother her, or anyone else, so she didn't see any harm in it. Besides, as long as she remained idle, no one would bother her anyway. It seemed, however, that someone had deemed her interesting enough to talk to.

Slightly weary, she began to type back.

Tor: TAO?

Tor: Hello?

010101000100000101001111: What?

Tor: TAO? You went through all that trouble to put it in binary code. What does it stand for?

Nel sat back in her worn office chair and blinked owlishly. She hadn't expected anyone to actually understand her obscure screen name. Thinking back on it though, she probably should have. What with her being on the internet and all, someone had to get it eventually.

010101000100000101001111: You can actually read it?

Tor: Yes.

010101000100000101001111: Really?

Tor: Yes. Now are you ever going to answer my question?

010101000100000101001111: It's just something stupid.

Tor: Well it can't be stupid if it meant enough for you to choose it.

010101000100000101001111: Touché my friend. It's just an acronym.

Tor: Your name?

010101000100000101001111: Not quite. It's more of an embodiment. It stands for 'The Awkward One'

Tor: Hahaha, why would you choose that of all things?

010101000100000101001111: Weren't you listening? It's an embodiment of me. I'm awkward as fuck.

Tor: Language

010101000100000101001111: What about it?

Tor: You should watch it.

010101000100000101001111: Why? It seems you're already doing it for me.

Tor: Someone's witty.

010101000100000101001111: So I've been told. Try to keep up.

Nel smiled and prepared herself for a night of typing.

Miles and miles away, a pale haired man did the same.