The hug jolted him, surprised him. Human contact like this was so foreign to him. He took a moment before responding in kind, mirroring the motion. Two narratives ran his mind, one stricken by the traitorous touch (Katurian-born) and one burning with familiarity, recognition. He remembered Eridan, he remembered these emotions.

"Arkady, then."

The name resonated from his teeth.

"And they did, almost. I was captured for -- a year, it's been over a year. I've been gone for over a year."