[ It has been a long time. Longer than he can even find the words to express. When he first saw her, he thought the summoning had somehow gone awry, hence the reason he approached her cautiously. As things are, it feels like he's talking to a ghost instead -- someone who yet lives but is destined to die. This isn't what he wanted or envisioned, what he waited for all this time.

He exhales slowly, though. He has to take this in stride and do what he can in the meantime.

His fingers curl a little tighter, and there's the faintest flicker of a smile. ]

The strongest? Nah. Just stubborn.

[ It's all he had to go on sometimes -- a tenacious will that refused to be conquered by time or loneliness.

Finally, he release her hand. ]

Not really sure how long we'll be here or if there's a way to get back, but...anyway. We'll make the best of it.