exsilium | video;

[Exsilium might not be expecting to see a smiling face on their network so soon after the battle, but that's what you get with this guy being among your ranks. He gives the camera a little wave.]

Hello! Is everyone recovering from the battle? It's good that the Initiative can resurrect people, don't you think? Otherwise that would have turned out rather badly.

Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to the people who tried to come to the rescue of my world. If we've not met, I'm Elmer C. Albatross, the person who was sent back. After what happened, it might be hard to think about this positively. But there's a few things we can take to heart! Like the fact that people can be ressurrected, or that while one world may have been taken over, it probably wasn't your world, and you might still be able to return to your own someday!

As for mine, well... Not much can be done about that, now. I suppose Exsilium is my home, now. The friends I was travelling with are like me, so they'll survive no matter what. I just hope someday things will return to normal there, so the survivors can find reasons to smile again! You're all still here, fellow transports, so I hope you continue to smile on as well!

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[ Lucky him, as those happen to be his favorite places, too. ]

That's fine. I'll meet you up there in... ten? Twenty? Or would you rather it be another time?

Ten should be fine! I'll see you up there.

[Elmer is indeed up there, standing near the ledge and looking over the town. There's no smile on his face, but a rather unreadable blank expression.]

[ Caesar arrives not too long after Elmer does, quietly closing the door after himself. He has something in a bag with him, kept under one arm. ]

Hello? Mr. Albatross?

[ He says it in a questioning way, to double-check if the man at the ledge is actually him, as well as to let him know he's not alone up here now. One shouldn't startle people on roofs. ]

[Elmer turns when he hears his name, a serene smile coming across his face.] Yes! Elmer is just fine. You're Caesar?

Yeah. I am. [ Identities confirmed, he leaves the door behind and crosses the roof to where Elmer stands, stopping to peer over the edge briefly. ] Even with such a crappy city, the view from up here is still all right.

Views up high are always nice, even with the rain. So, what was it you needed to tell me? It must be important.

Yeah...

[ Agreeing on both counts, the view and the importance of what he has to say. First, he holds out the bag he's been carrying tucked under his arm to Elmer, though only after stepping back from the edge. ]

But first, this is from your world, from Paris. I have no idea if you drink wine or not, but I thought you might want it as a keepsake or, well, something.

Really? You managed to take something with you? [He takes off the bag to get a good look at the bottle, grinning the whole while.] I'm amazed anyone could manage that.

People steal stuff to bring back through all the time, so it's not that impressive.

[ Though maybe he meant finding an intact bottle in a war zone... ]

As for what I have to tell you, well, it's... I just... [ How does he even begin this? ] Has the Initiative told you how the UE found your world yet?

But that you made it out with it is pretty extraordinary. Thanks a lot!

Ah, something about following the signal, tracking us... Possibly a spy. I've heard a few things. Why, have you heard something?

Yeah, I guess...

[ Considering he'd remained in the background, well, whatever. It doesn't matter so much, since here comes the worst part. ]

Kind of an unintentional one. The UE got to one of the people sent back to retrieve someone I decided to leave behind, during the spaceship theft. As much as I would like to simply blame the Initiative, the destruction of your world is as much my fault as it is theirs.

Sorry doesn't do anything to bring back a whole world, but it's all I have right now, so... I'm sorry.

Oh? [He considers all this for a moment, his expression turning thoughtful.] What had happened during the spaceship theft? Why did you have to leave someone behind?

He was someone who I had given a different mission, to go another way on his own. We were supposed to meet him again, but the ship threw those plans out the window.

So it sounds like it was quite out of your hands. You shouldn't blame yourself so much. A lot of things probably contributed to it, so don't take it all on your own shoulders.

I... [ This is not how he expected this to go. This guy. Well, he isn't wrong. ] I guess that's true. More than one action led to what happened, but I still contributed, so the apology stands.

I appreciate it. But try not to be too upset, okay? [Elmer claps a friendly hand on Caesar's shoulder.] Stay strong for the people who need you here!

[ He's comforting him? This is so surreal. Elmer, why. ]

Uh. [ The stare he is giving him, man. It is very confused. ] I'll... try. Sure.

I hope that you do! [Because you're not smiling, kiddo. It's so simple.

Smiling, he holds up the bottle for a moment.] Meanwhile, this should be saved for a very special occasion. Or maybe I should never open it. I'm not sure what's a better tribute.

[ In the end, he at least manages a tired smile. As confusing as this is, at least Elmer is taking it pretty well. ]

Who knows. Maybe you can save it for the day we reverse what happened.

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