[The voice she hears is one that she feels in her gut.]
[Angela raises her head slowly, terrified that she's imagining it. But no, there he is. Genji Shimada. Another patient she lost, in a way. Sure, he had survived the procedure, due in no small part to many sleepless nights and months of physical therapy. But at what cost to him? At what cost to her?
But he looks solid, and he's not running, and he's so much closer than the other apparitions. And he looks well. The relief that floods through her is brief but it's enough to give her the strength to wipe away her tears and clear her throat.]
Genji. My apologies, I did not expect...
[Her voice sort of trails off into a sigh. Is there a point in trying to hide it? He's already seen the tears, already knows the facade of the unbreakable doctor is just that - a false front. It's an act for his benefit, but she squares up her shoulders and forces a weak smile.]
I was speaking to...well, myself, mostly. But also to them.
[She gestures all around her, to the figures out of reach, off in the trees, staring at her even now. Can he see them, too, in this shared dream?]
HOW DARE YOU
[Angela raises her head slowly, terrified that she's imagining it. But no, there he is. Genji Shimada. Another patient she lost, in a way. Sure, he had survived the procedure, due in no small part to many sleepless nights and months of physical therapy. But at what cost to him? At what cost to her?
But he looks solid, and he's not running, and he's so much closer than the other apparitions. And he looks well. The relief that floods through her is brief but it's enough to give her the strength to wipe away her tears and clear her throat.]
Genji. My apologies, I did not expect...
[Her voice sort of trails off into a sigh. Is there a point in trying to hide it? He's already seen the tears, already knows the facade of the unbreakable doctor is just that - a false front. It's an act for his benefit, but she squares up her shoulders and forces a weak smile.]
I was speaking to...well, myself, mostly. But also to them.
[She gestures all around her, to the figures out of reach, off in the trees, staring at her even now. Can he see them, too, in this shared dream?]