SWITCHBOARD

[transmittable]

If you'd like to ask the Transmitter something over the phone, go right ahead! The Transmitter will answer the phone as soon as she's available. Leaving messages is impossible, given how old these phones are, but you should be able to reach her at almost all hours.

Comments are screened for privacy; all Patients are offered confidentiality, didn't you know?

Comments

[transmittable]

Uhh, why not...at the end, for a little surprise? Did- did you call me first thing after you woke up?

[cadmiums]

Sure. [ Ahh is he getting called out? He'll have to make the effort to sound extra cheerful and awake now.]

Maybe, but I don't like getting up early no matter what time I go to bed. Why?

[transmittable]

[ He is ABSOLUTELY getting called out. ]

Oh, it's nothing like, judgmental, 'cause NO teenager likes waking up early, you know? It just surprised me that you did this first. Were you...really looking forward to it?

[cadmiums]

Yeah, I was. I really like talking with you, it makes me happy. [ It might be the early hour that makes his voice sound softer than it has before. ]

[transmittable]

Ever the charmer...

[ In contrast, there's something almost guarded in her words. She hesitates. ]

You really still think that, even after everything you've seen this weekend?

[cadmiums]

[ There's only a slight pause before he responds, as it was something he was expecting to answer, something he had thought over since everything had concluded.]

I do, I...

It makes me sad, that everything had to happen the way it did. I wish Arietta didn't feel that way, and I wish that the punishment for taking a life wasn't a life in return. But you said that's the way things are and I understand. I'm not sure why I understand, but I can't be mad at you for something that has to happen, and I truly feel like that's the truth. [ Once things had begun, there was no way to stop them.]

You said you were sorry and I believe you.

[transmittable]

[ Crackling feedback picks up, and Ryoji can hear a relieved sigh. ]

I probably have no right to, but... I was hoping you were going to say something like that. I like talking to you. I wanted to keep doing so.

[cadmiums]

[ For some reason, he's a little relieved too after saying all of that.]

Ah, can I ask why you like talking to me?

[transmittable]

[ She hesitates, thinking. ]

Because it's really, really easy to do. Talk to you. You're... You remind me of better times, ones I don't want to let go of yet. You're sweet, and kind, and I've missed conversations with people like you.

[cadmiums]

Then I think we'll be going on a lot more dates. Ah, pretty soon you might become the person I've taken out the most. [ It's something he's just realized, but by the sound of it he doesn't seem to mind it in the slightest.]

[transmittable]

Really? Even with all the other people here...?

[ She sounds...embarrassed? Definitely embarrassed. ]

[cadmiums]

Yeah, I've taken some of the girls out once, or I've planned to but- you're the only one I've taken out twice. Even at home, the most I've taken someone out for is two dates. I like that, though. [ So by pretty soon he meant next date, now that he thinks of it. He's had a lot of first dates, so.]

[transmittable]

Guess there aren't a lot places to take someone to around Beacon General, anyway. ...You'll find a few more when you go out today, by the way.

I have to say I am a little surprised; I'd think someone like you would have a whole bunch of third, fourth, fifth, anything dates under his belt.

[cadmiums]

Oh? I can't wait to see. [ More places to go and see is always good.]

Ah, can I be honest? [ But it's a rhetorical question and he continues, though the hesitation is clear in his voice.] Sometimes I can't remember a lot about my past, so maybe I have. I'm not really sure.

[transmittable]

Oh.

I was wondering if that was something you were dealing with. I know...some things about you. I have to, to have put those profiles together, and I know some of you have talked about inconsistencies. I just wasn't sure how it was affecting you.

[cadmiums]

Does that mean you know what an appriser is?

[transmittable]

Sort of...? It was hard for me to hold on to. Uh. It's hard to keep everything straight.

[cadmiums]

Yeah, that must have been difficult writing profiles for all of us.

[...]

I'm sorry, I feel like I've asked you so many questions today. Would you like to ask me something instead?

[transmittable]

It's okay. There's a lot to ask questions about...and there's still a lot you don't know about me.

Uh... I don't know, though, what about... What do you do for fun? If you weren't here... If both of us weren't here, what would you want to do?

[cadmiums]

Whenever you want to tell me more, I'd love to hear it. [ But as for the question...]

I'd want to go somewhere outside... maybe an amusement park or a music festival. Somewhere we could experience something new and create good memories.

[transmittable]

I'd love a music festival. Ohh, it's been so long since I've been to a concert. There's more to do at an amusement park, though. That'd be...a good early date.

[cadmiums]

Sometimes they have concerts at amusement parks, right? If we're lucky we could go on the rides until it gets dark, and then listen to a concert together at night.

[transmittable]

They do! Wouldn't have to really worry about getting seats either, they make sure those things have a lot of room.

What, uh... What kind of music do you like?

[cadmiums]

That sounds like a perfect date.

Ah, I'm not sure what kind I like the best. My friend is always listening to music when we're not in class, so I usually just grab an earbud and listen to whatever he has on. If I had to pick... classical I think. But I like listening to everything, if it's with someone special.

[transmittable]

Classical, huh? Yeah, that seems to scan. Usually I, uh...find it boring, but...listening with someone else, that could make a few degrees higher of cool.