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]

[ Her response is instant. ]

No way. There's no way anything's better without you.

[cadmiums]

[ That clearly catches him off-guard, but in a good way.]

O-Oh-! Thank you. [...] I don't know why I feel that way sometimes but I can't seem to help it... but when I talk to you, it doesn't bother me as much.

[transmittable]

[ She's quiet for a moment. ]

It- it's okay. Everyone's...insecure about themselves, sometimes. You know? I'm just glad that...I can do something to help.

[cadmiums]

Mm, yeah. [ Insecurity doesn't seem right, but he doesn't have a better guess to what it could be.]

...I still meant what I said before.

[transmittable]

Which part? ...We've talked a lot, you know.

[cadmiums]

I mean everything I say to you. But I meant about being affectionate with you. [ It's said softer than how he usually speaks.]

[transmittable]

[ ... ]

Oh... I- I'm glad. I'd... I'd like that too. I still wish I could hold your hand.

[cadmiums]

[ A part of him knows that he should probably press a little harder on why not now, but he's never been that way, and he probably never will be.]

I wish I could show you how much that means to me. [...]

Hm, we can't do most of those things you mentioned that you would like to try but...maybe we can do one of them.

[transmittable]

We can? Which- ...oh- ohh, you mean the doofy pet names thing, don't you?

[cadmiums]

I do! Unless there's a park in the hospital that we could visit together.

[transmittable]

Pff, no, probably not any time soon. ...You kinda already have one for me, though. Mita-chan.

[cadmiums]

That's too bad, I'd like to be able to see nature again.

[ As for the rest, he thinks for a moment.]

Yeah, but that was when I didn't know you very well. I know you probably can't tell me your name, but it would be nice to have something a little more personal to call you by.

[transmittable]

[ She's quiet, contemplative. Hesitantly, she'll ask... ]

Do you...want to know my middle name? I think...I can get away with that.

[cadmiums]

Yes, I'd love to!

[transmittable]

It's Renee.

[cadmiums]

...that's a beautiful name. Renee. [ From the sound of it, he likes the way it feels on his tongue.]

Thank you for telling me, Renee.

[transmittable]

[ He's heard it a few times, that sharp intake of breath. A little surprised, but mostly happy. The static dies down a little. ]

I like hearing you say it.

[ A very girlish giggle. ]

What...do you want me to call you, Ryoji?

[cadmiums]

Renee! [ The simple name makes him very happy, and it's pleasant to say even if there's a definite accent when he does.]

Calling me Ryoji is special enough to me on it's own...when I hear you say it, it just sounds right, like it was meant to be all along. Ah, but if you had another idea I don't think I'd mind if it was from you.

[transmittable]

[ She takes a moment to soak it in. ]

I- ...If I think of something else later, I'll run it by you? But I kinda like this too.

[ ... ]

And lover-boy, of course, but that's more a descriptor.

[cadmiums]

[ He laughs.]

OK! I like that too, especially because I'm only one to you.

[transmittable]

Ha- you're like...the king of getting the "what's a girl to say to that" reaction, you know that?

...Thanks. This feels...good, like- really good.

[cadmiums]

I have to be, in order to sweep you off your feet. [ Punctuated with a wink.]

I'm really happy to hear that--it's mutual, you know.

[transmittable]

Of course you can, you're so tall.

[ She chuckles. ]

I know. I mean- I do. I can tell, just from...how relaxed you sound.

[cadmiums]

[ Oh, this is nice going back and forth like this. It makes him laugh, and he's too endeared to make a comeback for once.]

Ahh, I guess I can't help it. Even when I talk about you I can't help it.

[transmittable]

Oh, God, then we already are those grossly adorable people in the park, just- without the park. No one's...giving you a hard time over it, right?