[ It feels like his nerves are pulled cable-taut, each breath, each blink, each little sound that filters through the air enough to send a violent tremors through them. And it's only when he hears Eustace's voice -- that familiar voice saying his name in a familiar cadence -- followed by the breathless sound of Gray breaking down into quiet sobs that that tension snaps.

It's okay. Eustace is back. Eustace is back, and whole, and free.

They protected him.

He'd stiffened almost imperceptibly when Eustace's eyes had landed on him, but at that low question Gen stumbles back a half-step. It feels like all the muscles in his body have suddenly gone slack, and though habit dictates that he not permit himself to look weak -- Gen still ends up leaning against the wall to his side. He wouldn't be able to remain standing otherwise. ]

It's ... [ He needs a moment to take a hoarse breath and swallow thickly before he can try again. ] ... we're at the Seeker shrine. [ Another deep breath. This is mortifying, he knows, and so he fights to drive all his emotions deep down in his chest, bury them deep like he always does. It just isn't as easy as he'd hoped it would be. Gen closes his eyes as he rests his head against the wall. ] It's been four days now. Since everything at Achamoth. We figured this one'd be pretty empty, and I've been keeping an eye out for anyone who might come looking. So.

[ The exhaustion's been compounding over the last few days, but it suddenly seems to grow exponentially as the realization truly sinks in -- that Eustace is alive once more, and without the Regent's influence tainting his soul -- Gen breathes another low sigh. Then permits himself to say quietly, ]

... welcome back.