*SILICA'S POV*

Pina: "Kyuuu?"

Silica: "sniffle i- it's nothing Pina, don't worry about me. sniffle I was just wondering about U/N again is all..."

Pina: "Kyu! Kyu!"

Silica: "I know! I know! But... I really miss them... and they haven't sent me a message in weeks, I- sniffle I don't think they've even read the ones I sent them!"

Pina: "Ssskraw..."

I just can't help but worry, I know they're super strong and all but... why haven't they replied to any of my messages? And Lisbeth said that U/N hasn't sent her any messages either.

I keep tracking them through the Friend's List, but I don't have any of the mapping data of that Hollow Area place, so all I can see is U/N's blip moving around a blank map. But it's still oddly comforting to see them at all, even if its just a couple of pixels on a menu...

I wish that Asuna never tried to recruit U/N into that Three Month Plan of hers, that she never argued with U/N about their needing to help with Boss Fights.

After all, I'm in no rush to get out of here... out of Aincrad. Not without U/N! 

Every moment I spent with U/N by my side has been some of the greatest memories I've ever had in this world- I always wanted an older sibling after all, and U/N is exactly how I always imagined it would be like.

Whenever I was even the slightest bit upset, U/N would notice, even when I tried my best to hide it, and they would take time out of their schedule to be with me, to make me smile and laugh, and to tell me that everything will be okay... and whenever I was with them, everything was okay!

They kept me safe, just like they did everybody else... they were so strong, but they never looked too far away from us: U/N's friends, and our problems. They always looked so happy to help!

If things could go back to the way they were before Asuna made them upset... I don't think I would be at all sad with having to spend another year in here, within Aincrad- as long as U/N was by my side again... I'd be happy!

I just wish they'd reply to my messages, I really miss you U/N! I really do! I wish that I could tell you that with my voice rather than through words. 

But I can't go to the Hollow Area, no matter how many times I tried, the Teleport Gate wouldn't acknowledge me when I asked to teleport there... only U/N and Kirito seem to be able to instigate a teleport over there, but Asuna and Kirito both agree that we should all give U/N space to cool off over there without us stepping in.

But... OH!

I completely forgot! For my last Birthday, Kirito gave me that Angel Ring item, right?

*FLASHBACK*

Kirito: "That's the reward item for the Angel's Ring quest, which showed up recently. It's proper name is Ring of Angel's Whisper. It doesn't really raise stats, but it does have a pretty powerful magic ability..."

Silica: "...Magic... ability?"

Kirito: "Yep. It can send voice messages to registered players once a month. You know, Silica, don't you send me messages abut that often? It must be tough for you to think of what to write each time, so you can use that ring like a cellphone from now on."

Silica: "...Like a...cellphone? ...Umm... Thank you very much Kirito. I'm so happy!"

*END OF FLASHBACK*

I don't think I ever actually used it, because the Front Lines ended up clearing Floor 75 just a little while later after that, and then I ended up moving up to Floor 76 with everyone else. So I had no real need to use it...

But I could use it now, right? And it would appear differently than a standard message right? So U/N would be more likely to see it and maybe respond? Gosh I hope so!

I guess I can give it a try... so I materialise the ring from my inventory and I place the small ring in the palm of my hand.

. . .

How do I use this? Should I ask Kirito? He should know how it works right? Maybe I could ask Argo? But... if I asked either of them how to use it, then they'd know that I wanted to use it to send a message to U/N. 

Would they help me then? Or would they dismiss it and tell me to not waste my time and to give U/N space...?

sniffle

I... I don't know what to do! Normally I'd go to U/N for help, but I can't! U/N... please help me! I miss y- DING

Silica: "Huh? A message? Oh, please, please, please! Please be U/N!"

Pina: "Kyuu?"

Silica: "gasp! It is! It is from U/N!"

Pina: "Kyu! Kyuu!"

_______________________________

NEW MESSAGE - SENDER: U/N
_______________________________

Hey Silica,

I'm REALLY sorry that I went radio silent on you.

In hindsight, it was really stupid & mean of me.
I hope that you'll forgive me,
but I would understand if you don't.

Philia has... encouraged me to visit Aincrad again.
So, if you're willing, then I'll see you real soon!

~ U/N
_______________________________

Silica: "U/N's coming back! sniffle Yay! I'm-... I'm so happy!"

Pina: "Kyu! Kyu! Kyuuu!"

Silica: "I should send them a message to tell them that I'm excited to see them again, right? Ooh! I should try and use this ring to do it!"

Filled with a newfound excitement, I started poking at the winged ring in my palm. Hoping that it would bring up a menu or something that would help me to use it properly, but nothing was happening...?

Pina: "Kyu! Kyu! nibble"

Silica: "Ouch! Pina! Don't nibble on my fingers!"

Pina: "Kyuuuuu!"

And now Pina was poking her head against the ring... oh! Is Pina saying that I should wear the ring first? It's worth a shot, and I guess it does make sense!

So I take the ring with one hand and place it on the ring finger of my other hand... but nothing happened yet? Maybe I need to tap it again whilst it's on my finger...?

And so I try this, and that's when a menu popped up!

_______________________________

Ring of Angel's Whisper
AVAILABLE TO SEND VOICED MESSAGE
_______________________________

CHOOSE RECIPIENT:
(Favourited Friends will appear at the top)

** U/N
* Lisbeth
* Lux

Agil
Argo
Asuna
Kirito
Leafa
Sinon
Strea

_______________________________

So then I guess all I have to do is click on U/N's name then? ... And then what?

Ring: "RECIPIENT SELECTED. AFTER THE BEEP, BEGIN WITH YOUR MESSAGE."

Silica: "Oh?"

Ring: "WHEN YOU ARE READY TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE, TOUCH THE RING ONCE MORE."

beep!

Silica: "o-Oh! It's started already?! Oh! Ummm... Hi U/N! I'm using an uh-... I can't remember its actual name, but its that Angel Ring-thingy that Kirito got me for my birthday. And I uh- I just saw the message you sent me. And I'm really excited! I can't wait to see you again!"

Silica: "I-... I really missed you! ... y-You know... this is actually kind of embarrassing! To talk to a ring like this and knowing that you'll be hearing it, I guess it's just like what you'd do with a phone right? But with a phone normally you can both hear each other right?"

. . .

Silica: "AHH! This is way too embarrassing! Ring: Cancel! Uh... Ring: Stop? Oh! Right, I have to tap the ring again to end the message... w-well, I hope it gives me the option to cancel this and try again... but just in case, I'll say goodbye for now and I can't wait to see you again U/N!"

I then tapped the ring once more like it had told me to, I expected another menu to pop up to give me the options to send the message alongside maybe previewing it or cancelling it. But instead the ring simply responded:

Ring: "MESSAGE SENT."

Silica: "Oh? What?! It just sent it, just like that?! Oh no!"

Pina: "Ssskraw...?"

Silica: "Oh uh... don't worry Pina, I'm not really upset!"

Pina: "Kyu! Kyu!"

Silica: "Yeah! I'm really excited Pina! Let's go to the Teleport Gate and wait for U/N! Come on!"

Pina: "Ssskraw!!"

Silica: "w-Wait! Not that fast Pina! Wait for me!"

* * *

I managed to catch up to Pina, and now the two of us were sitting down on a nearby bench, watching the Teleport Gate like hawks! I wanted to make sure I didn't miss U/N arriving, and Pina likes to copy me when I'm all excited!

It's been a couple of minutes now and they still weren't here...? I guess U/N didn't say when they would be back, they just said soon... well, U/N said "real soon" so that has to be soon soon, right?! Please?

*DING!*

Ooooh! A message! And it's from U/N again!

_______________________________

NEW MESSAGE - SENDER: U/N
_______________________________

Floor 77's Town

_______________________________

Oh! They're on the 77th Floor? Why did they go up there instead of just coming down here to the 76th Floor where everybody else is...? 

... w-Wait!! Did they only tell me that they were coming back today? So they're just going to see me today?!

. . .

w-Well, I guess I shouldn't keep them waiting, right?! I should head there right now and find them!

Silica: "Let's go Pina, to the Teleport Gate!"

???: "Hmm? And where are you off to then, Silica?"

Silica: "h-Huh? Oh! Umm... h- hi Asuna!"

Asuna: "You're not planning to head out to the Field on your own, right?"

Silica: "Out onto the Field? Oh no! I just... I just wanted to go up to the 77th Floor, I wanted to just walk around the town is all, I guess?"

Asuna: "Hmmmm... I suppose we haven't really explored that town yet have we? Considering... what happened the day we unlocked it... Are you you sure you're doing okay, Silica?"

Silica: "Me? Yeah! I'm doing fine! I uh-... I guess because I know I'll see U/N again eventually after all!"

Asuna: "Oh? Well I suppose it is nice to see you with a smile on your face again!"

Pina: "Kyu! Kyuuu!"

Silica: "sh-Shhhh Pina! Shhh!"

Asuna: "..."

Silica: "a-Anyways... uh-"

Asuna: "Say-... would you be so kind as to say hi to U/N for me too?"

Silica: "! wh-What? Why would you think that I'm meeting U/N?!"

Asuna: "Haha! I suppose it's just that you're far too innocent to lie I guess Silica! Go on then, go and meet them and I'll make sure nobody follows follows you up there."

Silica: "o-Oh! Ummm... Thanks Asuna!"

*TELEPORT: FLOOR 77*

This is actually my first time being up on this Floor, I wasn't a part of the Boss Raid so I didn't come up here from the Boss Room. And for a couple of weeks after the party, only Kirito and Asuna ever really came up here, because they needed to map out the Fields and the Labyrinth.

But now the rest of the Front Liners are all able to go out to the Field to level up and get ready for the next Boss Raid... but I guess I've been too sad about losing U/N that I never even thought about exploring the new town that I now had access to... it's really, really pretty!

And thinking of U/N... where are they? All they said was Floor 77 after all, so I'm not sure exactly where I would find them-... THERE THEY ARE!

*Y/N'S POV*

I wonder if I'll have to send her another message so that she'll know exactly where I am? I had to find a spot that wasn't too obvious, because I'd rather not be spotted by anyone else just yet...

This spot by the canal is discrete enough that nobody else I know should come across me-

???: "U/N! U/N!"

Silica clearly didn't need the extra directions, as she had ran straight into me with more than enough momentum to throw both of us into the canal's river if I didn't manage to convert her energy into a spin, lifting her feet up off the ground as I swung her around in a circle until the momentum had diminished enough that I could place Silica safely back down to the ground. 

Silica: "U/N!"

Y/N: "Hey Silica, it's nice to see you again!"

Silica: "I... sniffle I missed you!"

Y/N: "... I'm sorry Silica, really sorry... I shouldn't hav-"

Silica: "-I don't mind that! sniffle I'm just happy you're back!"

Y/N: "..."

Silica: "... You're back, right?"

Y/N: "w-well..."

Silica: "You're going to start coming back to Aincrad again at least? sniffle Please?"

Y/N: "I... can I say that I'll try? Can you give me some more time?"

Silica: "Tee-hee! As long as I get so see you more often please... and... c-could you promise that uh-..."

Y/N: "Could I promise...?"

Silica: "Please, don't ever leave me! I'll be too sad! We have to be together forever! Okay?"

Y/N: ". . ."

Silica: "You promise, right? That we'll be together forever?"

Y/N: "I promise Silica, I'll stay by your side all the way up to Floor 100!"

Silica: "And then we'll find each other in the real world, right? Then you can meet the real Pina!"

Y/N: "... Let's just focus on getting through this world first, before we start thinking too far ahead... but I would love to meet both you and Pina in the real world someday Silica!"

Silica: "Tee-hee! I guess I'll take that! I'm just glad that you're finally back!"

???: "Ah... I think I wasn't supposed to see this... Hehehe... s-Sorry guys!"

A new voice had joined the conversation, and it sounded familiar... but turning towards the source of the recently joining converser I realise who exactly it was that had stumbled upon the two of us and our secret meeting together.

. . .

Silica: "L-Leafa?!"

Leafa: "ahaha... Hey Silica! And hi U/N, it's nice to see you again!"

Y/N: "Oh- uh... Hi Leafa, it's been a little while!"

Silica: "How did you get here?! I thought that Asuna was watching the Teleport Gate?"

Y/N: "Asuna is watching the Teleport Gate??"

Silica: "Oh right! I forgot about that! Asuna figured out why I was heading towards the Teleport Gate really quickly, she said that she'd make sure nobody else came up here and interrupted us... and she also wanted me to say hi to you too!"

Y/N: "o-Oh? Uhm... that was nice of her! I guess I can send her a message later."

Leafa: "Send her a message? So you really aren't coming back down to Floor 76 anytime soon?"

Y/N: "... It's-... it'd be kinda awkward, right? After what happened..."

Leafa: "Well, I mean... it was a little bit-... b-But! You'll have to come back eventually, right? You can't just hide from it forever after all!"

Y/N: "i... I know that, but... th-there's no rush, right?"

Silica: "But we can help! We don't blame you for what happened after all, right Leafa?"

Leafa: "Right! I don't totally understand what's going on with that Hollow Area or the girl that's trapped over there, but from what I do understand: it doesn't NOT make sense as to why you said the things you did."

Y/N: "... t-thanks guys..."

* * *

The three of us continued to talk amongst ourselves, drifting away from the initial conversation and instead towards a more casual conversation, like that between friends, chatting of what everyone had been up to during the past two weeks whilst I had been gone.

Silica: "Hey Leafa? I'm still kind of uh- kind of wondering, but... did Asuna not stop you from teleporting up here at all?"

Leafa: "Hmm? I didn't see her there no. But... how long has she been there for? Because I've been here for a good couple hours now. The town up here is really pretty, right?"

Silica: "It actually is quite nice! The canals are really pretty! What do you think U/N?"

Y/N: "Yeah, I really liked this town. With the canals down here and then the floating islands up there! It really speaks to me."

Leafa: "Oh? You're a fan of floating islands too?"

Y/N: "Definitely! I've always wanted to... ah- never mind that!"

Silica: "No! I want to hear it! What have you always wanted?"

Y/N: "... Well, I guess I did tell Kirito and Asuna last time we were up here..."

Leafa: "You did? ... Oh! Yeah you did! I remember Kaz- I mean, I remember Kirito and Asuna mentioning something about a dream house or something?"

Y/N: "they-... They did? Huh..."

Silica: "Hmph! You never told me about your dream house before!"

Y/N: "Haha! Well, I guess that's just because you never asked!"

Silica: "...w-well, can you tell me now?"

Y/N: "I was just about to!"

Silica: "oh! ehehe!"

Leafa: "..."

Y/N: "It's really not that interesting... but I guess I've always wanted to have a home situated up high on a floating island. But not quite like the ones up here, these buildings are too large and royal-looking to me... I'd want something smaller, more rustic and simple, I think."

Silica: "That... That sounds really nice!"

Y/N: "It does?"

Leafa: "It does! And if you're uh-... if you're not too worn out on VRMMO's after we all get out of here: you should try out ALfheim Online sometime, there's quite a bunch of player-ownable homes like that in that game."

Y/N: "Oh right! I remember you mentioning that actually, back when I was helping you catch up on levels back on Floor 76 right?"

Leafa: "Oh right, yeah! I actually kinda forgot about that, but you remembered that little conversation between us? Should I feel honoured? Ahaha!"

Y/N: "Well, I mean... ALfheim Online does sound like a pretty cool game. Especially with the whole flight mechanic that provides a new plane for players to interact with... although the PvP stuff..."

Leafa: "Not a fan? Oh right, I suppose the idea of PvP would probably leave a sour taste after all that you guys have had to deal with in here, right?"

Silica: "Right... with those scary Player Killers... I just don't know why anyone would do something so... so evil!"

Y/N: "..."

Leafa: "It's just a shame that this game ended up being the way it was, it's such a fantastic concept and I bet it would have been so much more fun if death wasn't permanent!"

Y/N: "... It's still a pretty great world, but I agree: it definitely would have been better if death in the game wasn't synonymous with death in real life."

Silica: "Yeah! And I think that we'd probably have reached Floor 100 by now right? If players could just attempt the Floor Bosses whenever they wanted... although I bet you'd have solo'd them all ages ago if that was the case, right U/N? Tee-hee!"

Y/N: "You're probably right Silica! Although some of the Bosses have been pretty hard, to the point that I'm not sure if I could have solo'd them even with a major level advantage..."

*ding*

Silica: "Oh? Did someone get a message?"

Leafa: "That was me, seems like Asuna's wondering where I've been and is asking me to head back to the inn for lunch... you guys want to come with?"

Silica: "Sure! I'm getting a bit hungry myself, and its about time I give Pina her lunch too."

Pina: "Kyu! Kyu!"

Leafa: "What about you U/N? Coming with?"

Y/N: "... ummm..."

Silica: "You're going to come and have lunch with us, right? Please? f-For me?"

Y/N: ". . . l-lead the way then."

Silica: "YAY! Thank you U/N! Thank you! Tee-hee!"

<3434 words>