[She’s… actually kind of smiling, though? Faintest little bit? Hardly notices herself. That squeeze back—that, Aubrey noticed. It feels something like progress.]
But, ah… no. You’re right. [Shouldn’t get too comfortable.] I’ve been… pretty awful to you. [Both of you. But Omori can hear that as he will.]
I am… sorry, about that. [He’s just a boy.] Really.
[Omori really is just a boy. Everything about his demeanor is different than Sunny's - or...perhaps like a Sunny that once was. Maybe it's not as clear when he's writhing and raging, but sitting here, talking quietly about his only friend...
[Omori may not notice himself, but it's so terribly young. His mind wants young things, at the end of the day; to protect, to connect, to succeed...
[It's important to say "I'm sorry," but it's more important to mean it. Omori doesn't know what he can trust. Aubrey might be sorry now, but she wouldn't be if she knew the truth. That won't change. It can't.]
I can't get rid of you...[It's...non-threatening, really, the way he says it - like a concession with a schoolyard bully.
[Aubrey's really not that.]
Adam helps me...
That helps Sunny. [He can keep her from the truth if she lets him.]
[It’s familiar yet not, the way he holds himself. Certainly nothing Aubrey’s seen from Omori yet, even when he was (played at, dreamed of being?) vulnerable.
[He can’t get rid of her. A concession. There’s no satisfaction in it, really; it’s just true.]
Omori… [Still a bit strange, on her tongue.] I know we’re not friends, you and me. And I won’t push you to be, if you don’t want that.
You never asked me to leave Sunny alone, and you’re right that now I won’t… not as long as he wants me there. I just…
He’s… [A pause. Omori insists he knows Sunny better. All Aubrey has is what’s happened since, and…]
I like… the way he smiles. [Soft. Sweet.] I know he doesn’t like to do it much, but… it’s in his eyes, sometimes. [Gentle.] When Kenma comes in his window, or he’s drawing, or just… being silly.
I like his voice. [Hers is wavering.] He’s always been quiet, and I know that talking is hard for him, too… but that way, what he says, he really means it. He’s—you’ve both even figured out how to talk without speaking, on the phone. And I’m glad.
I like, just… how he sees the world. What I can understand of that. I mean, he thought this was a dream—and I don’t need to tell you that, Omori, and it breaks my heart [hot tears rolling down her cheeks again], but—he would dream up somewhere like this, huh? [Hah. She’s smiling.] Somewhere to explore, and just… get away from it all, and.
[Pause. Shaky breath in. Out, slowly. At some point, early, Aubrey’s gaze dropped from Omori onto their hands, still held together. She pulls her blurred sight back to his face.]
I love Sunny.
[She’ll have to lose him again.]
I do.
[And she’d do it all again in a heartbeat, if it meant one more day.]
[Well, sure - then, it's a promise. Friends always keep their promises without fail, right?
[At the end of the day, there's only one person who can protect Sunny, but there's been a need to adapt. Aubrey isn't going away. Cooperation has to do...]
Is that all?
[An invitation, perhaps; whether in or out, it's unclear.]
[It’s. Surprising, actually. Has Omori ever not been just as eager to get away from her? Aubrey’s too drained for it to show much, but her eyes do widen just a hair. They’re thoroughly bloodshot.
[Thoughts swim in a fog. Could he handle that right now? Can she?]
Mm… [Aubrey glances aside. Tries to think about it anyway.
[It’s not like she doesn’t know exactly what he’s asked of her, ultimately. But leaving him alone is something she refuses to do again.]
When… you say “protect Sunny.” [“I would have put him to sleep.”] What… do you mean by that, really…?
[Not a threat, despite. She doesn’t fully expect an answer.]
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[Very, very warily… Aubrey gives his hand a little squeeze. Briefer than anything, lest he think it’s another surprise grab.]
I’m… [Deep breath.] …glad.
Yeah. I’m glad that… you can talk to him.
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Adam is nice.
When I say no, he listens. [Post-stabbing, but let's not split hairs.]
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Ouch.
[She’s… actually kind of smiling, though? Faintest little bit? Hardly notices herself. That squeeze back—that, Aubrey noticed. It feels something like progress.]
But, ah… no. You’re right. [Shouldn’t get too comfortable.] I’ve been… pretty awful to you. [Both of you. But Omori can hear that as he will.]
I am… sorry, about that. [He’s just a boy.] Really.
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[Omori may not notice himself, but it's so terribly young. His mind wants young things, at the end of the day; to protect, to connect, to succeed...
[It's important to say "I'm sorry," but it's more important to mean it. Omori doesn't know what he can trust. Aubrey might be sorry now, but she wouldn't be if she knew the truth. That won't change. It can't.]
I can't get rid of you...[It's...non-threatening, really, the way he says it - like a concession with a schoolyard bully.
[Aubrey's really not that.]
Adam helps me...
That helps Sunny. [He can keep her from the truth if she lets him.]
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[It’s familiar yet not, the way he holds himself. Certainly nothing Aubrey’s seen from Omori yet, even when he was (played at, dreamed of being?) vulnerable.
[He can’t get rid of her. A concession. There’s no satisfaction in it, really; it’s just true.]
Omori… [Still a bit strange, on her tongue.] I know we’re not friends, you and me. And I won’t push you to be, if you don’t want that.
You never asked me to leave Sunny alone, and you’re right that now I won’t… not as long as he wants me there. I just…
[Is she talking too much? It’s too late.]
I want to help.
[Keep him safe.]
Both of you.
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[They were friends once. She was always so happy to see him. He liked her bow, but pretended not to see. She could Pep Talk him through anything.
[That feels like a long time ago, now. Sunny's dreams have changed.]
Listen to me...[Now, yes, but in general, too. Just listen...]
I know him better. [He does. Better than anyone. Better than Sunny even knows himself. How could anyone deny it?]
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[She wants to deny it. Very, very badly.
[It’s been four years.
[For once, Aubrey keeps her mouth shut, and nods.]
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What do you like about him?
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[Ah....]
He’s… [A pause. Omori insists he knows Sunny better. All Aubrey has is what’s happened since, and…]
I like… the way he smiles. [Soft. Sweet.] I know he doesn’t like to do it much, but… it’s in his eyes, sometimes. [Gentle.] When Kenma comes in his window, or he’s drawing, or just… being silly.
I like his voice. [Hers is wavering.] He’s always been quiet, and I know that talking is hard for him, too… but that way, what he says, he really means it. He’s—you’ve both even figured out how to talk without speaking, on the phone. And I’m glad.
I like, just… how he sees the world. What I can understand of that. I mean, he thought this was a dream—and I don’t need to tell you that, Omori, and it breaks my heart [hot tears rolling down her cheeks again], but—he would dream up somewhere like this, huh? [Hah. She’s smiling.] Somewhere to explore, and just… get away from it all, and.
[Pause. Shaky breath in. Out, slowly. At some point, early, Aubrey’s gaze dropped from Omori onto their hands, still held together. She pulls her blurred sight back to his face.]
I love Sunny.
[She’ll have to lose him again.]
I do.
[And she’d do it all again in a heartbeat, if it meant one more day.]
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[Once he does:]
What do you hate about him?
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[Nothing. Hah. Patent bullshit; they all know it.]
I hate… that he ever went away at all.
[Hands released, Aubrey wipes lightly at her eyes. More left over.]
Sometimes when I’d talk to him, for hours and hours, I’d feel like… maybe he wasn’t listening anymore. Not that I can blame him.
I wish… he’d felt like he could talk to us, too.
[It wasn’t his fault.]
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[She really doesn't know Sunny, at all.]
You hate me.
[It's no secret, now, is it? They're part of each other.
[He hasn't let go of her face...]
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[Aubrey tells herself one thing: No matter how this turns out, she will not take it out on him.]
Look, Omori…
[Tentatively, she starts to reach for his wrists; stops, before making contact. It’s familiar....]
You frustrate me. You do.
I can’t hate you if it kills me.
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I don't believe you.
[Simple as that.]
That's okay. I don't need to.
[They've come to an understanding. No need to rehash the whole thing.]
We will protect Sunny.
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[She wasn’t trying to convince him. Actions speak louder, anyway.]
[Simply, Aubrey nods.]
We will.
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[At the end of the day, there's only one person who can protect Sunny, but there's been a need to adapt. Aubrey isn't going away. Cooperation has to do...]
Is that all?
[An invitation, perhaps; whether in or out, it's unclear.]
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[It’s. Surprising, actually. Has Omori ever not been just as eager to get away from her? Aubrey’s too drained for it to show much, but her eyes do widen just a hair. They’re thoroughly bloodshot.
[Thoughts swim in a fog. Could he handle that right now? Can she?]
Mm… [Aubrey glances aside. Tries to think about it anyway.
[It’s not like she doesn’t know exactly what he’s asked of her, ultimately. But leaving him alone is something she refuses to do again.]
When… you say “protect Sunny.” [“I would have put him to sleep.”] What… do you mean by that, really…?
[Not a threat, despite. She doesn’t fully expect an answer.]
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[Omori watches Aubrey.
[He doesn't have to tell her anything he doesn't want to.]
Sunny is weak. He's a coward.
I'm not afraid of anything.
If I'm there, Sunny doesn't want to be.
[True enough, but there is only one real Truth. Omori couldn't protect Sunny himself from it, but he can protect him from everyone else.
[He will. He'll do whatever's necessary.]
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[Is he, really?
[For now, Aubrey doesn’t question it aloud. At least half of those statements have proven true, it seems.
[“It’s not fair…”]
I’m… sorry you have to carry that. [Aubrey searches his face; for what, she’s not sure. Sunny doesn’t want to be having this conversation, so…
[That’s all.]
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[Omori feels sad.]
Someone has to.
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Alone, huh…? [Only barely a question. He knows him better than anyone, but…
[Almost on instinct, she reaches for his hand.]
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[He's only a kid.]
No.
Adam is my friend.
[And that's all.]
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[Understood. Aubrey can’t force anything from Omori that he doesn’t want, not really.
[Her hand falls back to her lap, then.]
Okay.
[He’s a good one.]
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[He isn't asking her to leave, however; just gets up.
[He'll only wait a second to see if she has anything else to say. Maybe she'll try to stop him...
[The tests may be never-ending, at this point.]
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[Aubrey does, very nearly, take that as a cue to leave. But Omori could say it if he wanted to; there’s nothing to be afraid of.]
[Just, softly:] Good night… Omori.
[She’ll sleep on the couch.]
we can wrap here hnnng