[Either Ellie would or wouldn't call her back. As much as she hopes she does, Asami isn't too embarrassed either way while she minds other things throughout the few hours after her call. Her response comes as a pleasant surprise to her.]
Hi, Ellie! I'm so glad you called me back. I know it must've been weird to be called out of the blue by a stranger like that.
[There's a measured pause, here. Handsome? Uh. Ooookay. She's sure she's talking about Joel, though--how many gruff men would be looking for her in this place?]
[Asami doesn't suppose Ellie wants to talk about her long story, and she doesn't want to put that pressure on her either. She nods although Ellie can't see, and there's a bit of a pause, and then in a way she repeats herself:]
I see. Well I'm glad you guys were able to find each other. Not very many people wind up with the company of their friends and families around here.
[Her voice sounds more somber, but it's without a trace of envy or jealousy. She has friends from home around here, and she's had them from the beginning. She considers herself extremely lucky.]
Anyway, let me know if you guys need anything, alright?
audio
Hi, Ellie! I'm so glad you called me back. I know it must've been weird to be called out of the blue by a stranger like that.
audio
audio
audio
We found each other. We're good.
audio
audio
And--no, he's not my dad. It's a long story.
audio
I see. Well I'm glad you guys were able to find each other. Not very many people wind up with the company of their friends and families around here.
[Her voice sounds more somber, but it's without a trace of envy or jealousy. She has friends from home around here, and she's had them from the beginning. She considers herself extremely lucky.]
Anyway, let me know if you guys need anything, alright?
audio
I know. I'm lucky he's around.
[In every way possible.
Another pause on this end.]
Hope he didn't freak out on you too much.
audio
Wait hold on.]
—he doesn't freak out on you, does he?
audio
audio
For a moment you made it sound like he loses his temper often.
audio
What, do you think I meant like he--agh, no. I just meant freaked out like worried.
audio
audio
audio
[She'll take that as her cue to leave her alone.
A beat.]
Hey, um. Before I let you go, would you mind telling me his name?
audio
Joel.
audio
Joel. Alright! Thank you so much, Ellie. Like I said, let me know if you guys need anything.
audio
[Is this where she ends the call? Ellie doesn't know phone etiquette, so there's an awkward pause before she figures out how to hang up.]