[Raynie lets out a loud "whoa" and jerks back when the chair moves. She clamps a hand over her mouth almost immediately, eyes shifting around. People – monsters are still asleep!! Realizing Stocke is staring at her, she drops the hand and grins sheepishly.]

Hey, not a bad trick! [She means it.] Sorry, it just surprised me.

[A surprise which she seems to get over quickly, sitting comfortable with one arm draped over the backrest.]

Alistel… it's doing well. Raul's prime minister now, and there's no better person to pull everything together. General Rosch too - [Raynie pauses, like she just realized how much Stocke really missed. She turns in her chair, fully facing him.] Oh yeah, he really jumped up the ranks! He's doing really well these days, with the promotion and the baby on the way…

[It comes out without thinking. Raynie hesitates for a split second when her brain catches up with her mouth, but the words keep spilling out. She wants to tell him everything that he missed, everything that came to be thanks to him.]

Marc and I got promoted too. We're captains now. [She smirks.] Marc's still gotta work on his leadership skills though. He keeps arguing with me in front of the new recruits.

[Yes, Marco is the one who can't keep his mouth shut. Raynie's playful smile softens into a more somber expression as she sits up a little straighter.]

Things aren't perfect. It's gonna take a lot of hard work to fix all the mess, but… we're on the right way. Thanks to you. I – we're all waiting for you to come back and see it.