IC Contact;

[nohalfway]

[Automated Voice]

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"Holy shit, I don't fucking know how to do a regular message, what is wrong with this thi--"

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[abduxel]

[He looks for a moment like he doesn't understand the question.]

All of what?

[--Oh. Plainly,]

Yes. Of course I did.

[Is she upset because he saw her emotionally vulnerable? Or maybe because he saw her kiss another girl? (Wouldn't that be a riot.) He looks at her quizzically, waiting for it to come out.]

[nohalfway]

Shit.

[ Ellie sighs, lowering her head a moment to try and keep herself from practically freaking out. Of course he saw all of it. ]

Just...

Can you keep all of that to yourself? Please?

[abduxel]

I'm not interested in telling other people your life story, Ellie, even if someone were to ask me.

[He smiles.]

So did you die, or did the disease not affect you?

[nohalfway]

[ It's getting easier to contain herself, but hardly any easier to process everything she'd just seen. It shows on her face, and she still finds tears needing to be wiped away from her eyes. Ellie takes her sleeve and pulls it over the heel of her hand, drying her face with the fabric. ]

I'm immune.

[ She says very matter-of-factly, but not without deep regret in her voice. ]

[abduxel]

You're so young to have been through this much.

[He says it plainly, not with a sympathetic tone; he isn't great at comforting. He hesitates, unsure what to say.]

I've outlived friends, too. And I died. For what it's worth, I still prefer surviving.

[nohalfway]

Still waiting for the surviving to just...

[ She shrugs. ]

Stop.

[abduxel]

Why?

[It's an honest question, point-blank and unpadded.

He can guess why, of course, but he wants to hear what she'll say.]

[nohalfway]

I don't know. I just.

I feel like it should have been me. Not her.

[abduxel]

[He shrugs a shoulder.]

What would change, if it was? This would all still be happening. She'd be feeling like you are, now, instead of you. And you would be wherever the dead go.

[nohalfway]

Yeah.

[ Another sight, and Ellie puts her face in her hand. ]

Yeah, I know.

[ Christ, she feels like she shit her heart out and someone shoved it back in. ]

[abduxel]

[He rubs his hands together on the table, feeling the blackened cuts across his fingers.]

...You okay, kid?

[nohalfway]

[ Ellie nods, lowering her hand again. ]

No. But I will be.

[ For the first time in a while, she tries a smile. ]

Look, I know it was probably awkward sitting through that, but...

I mean, five minutes ago, I wouldn't have been able to say that I had seen my mom's face before or heard her voice.

All I had was a letter, a knife, and her name.

Thank you.

[abduxel]

It wasn't awkward, Ellie. This is what I do.

[Okay, it was a little awkward. The crying.

But he smiles back at her.]

You're welcome.