[ it's almost had to breathe through the pulsing, fluttering tangle of emotions all tied up in her chest. their need to confirm the other is real through touch is quite mutual -- almost reflexively she lifts her hands again to press them over his, then grips his left hand with her right and presses it to her cheek, momentarily shutting her eyes, overwhelmed. her next words come out breathy, just above a whisper. ]

You feel real...

[ she lowers his hand, but retains her grip on it. ]

There's ... there's another replica, from my world. He's here, but ... you ... it just sounds so similar. I never thought...

[ I'd meet another person like me. But the words don't quite come out. Rep's a Replica, Naoki's a monster, but Luke ... his similarities to her own hit home in a different way. Suddenly, the knowledge that he got to live hits home in a very different way, and a quavery smile crosses her face. lost for words, she just squeezes his hand. ]