[He knows that voice. He knows it too well even after going so long without hearing it. It's the voice he had never quite figured out whether to hope or dread to hear in this world. He still doesn't know whether he's overjoyed or horrified.]
[Ouka. The name is right there on the contacts list. The message is right there in his inbox. He still can't quite believe it's real. He calls back, frantic and there's no other thought going through his head but the instinct to find her now.]
[ She smiles when she gets the call, but takes as long as she can to answer. He'd made her wait, after all.
Finally, at the very last moment, she answers. Ouka is a little surprised when Omi's face pops up on the screen -- she didn't know that there were video phones out already, but this was actually rather cool.
[It's even stranger seeing her face. Omi nearly drops the Dreamberry and in fact turns it so she won't see him cringe in an effort to push back the feeling he's about to throw up. All of the grief and heartache and remorse from that awful night has just come rushing back to the surface and it's almost too much.
She can't see anything, but she might hear his raw gasp for breath. The long silence following as he holds his breath until his composure has returned.]
...I do know. I know the name of this city and world. The city is called Somni, and the village in the middle is Espoir. If you can describe your surroundings better, I might be able to pinpoint where you are.
What's immediately around you? Does it look like countryside or the city?
[Omi runs as fast as he can to the central fountain in Espoir. It's still so hard to believe she's really there. And now that she's in his field of vision, he'd almost rather run away because how can he stand to face her after all that happened? His stomach hurts worse than ever.
But no more can he stand to turn and leave her. He has to be the one to help her, and really, who else would he allow? It ought to be him. He wants it to be...
He finishes his approach and stands a few feet away, still half in shock.]
[Oh, shoot. That was going to take some explaining, wasn't it? Problem was, Omi didn't think he had the heart to explain the truth. No, not yet, not already. She was already distressed and upset and needed help and it just wasn't a good time!
That was as good an excuse as any, wasn't it?]
N-nothing... I'm sorry, Ouka-san. You'll be wanting somewhere to stay, right? I have a place you can borrow.
That voice.]
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Ouka! Are you still there? Where are you?!
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Finally, at the very last moment, she answers. Ouka is a little surprised when Omi's face pops up on the screen -- she didn't know that there were video phones out already, but this was actually rather cool.
Her expression looks a little offended. ]
It's about time, Omi-kun.
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She can't see anything, but she might hear his raw gasp for breath. The long silence following as he holds his breath until his composure has returned.]
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S-sorry, for any delay. Where can I find you?
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She sits in a slightly stunned silence. Something didn't feel quite right. ]
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At his question, she looks around her, a little uncertain what to say. For a moment, her huffy facade falters. ]
I-I don't know.
I was hoping you would know.
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What's immediately around you? Does it look like countryside or the city?
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The countryside, I think. There are a lot of little cottages here. And I'm sitting by a tiny fountain.
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Understood. I know where to find you. I'll be there as soon as I can!-- Fifteen minutes!
[He hangs up.]
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But no more can he stand to turn and leave her. He has to be the one to help her, and really, who else would he allow? It ought to be him. He wants it to be...
He finishes his approach and stands a few feet away, still half in shock.]
Ouka...
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She hadn't even noticed he was there until she heard her name. She bounces onto her feet when he calls her name. ]
It's about time! First, you disappear on me, and then you make me wai--
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For a moment, she's at a loss for words. ]
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[ She's barely able to get her words out, because Ouka's a little too flustered to think straight. ]
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That was as good an excuse as any, wasn't it?]
N-nothing... I'm sorry, Ouka-san. You'll be wanting somewhere to stay, right? I have a place you can borrow.
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