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Of course.

[It's easy, though, even as he shifts topics a little.]

I did receive another memory of him, briefly. While you were speaking to Cumore.

Oh, did you? What was it about?

[He's perfectly fine with the topic change, though of course we have to talk about Birkin...]

We were setting something elaborate up, some sort of...task, or puzzle of some sort, involving a piano. Anyone trying to bypass it had to play something on it in order to get a door open.

I didn't play very well in that life, either; I believe Birkin had to finish it, but he made me try to do it first.

[That gets a soft laugh out of him.]

I'm not surprised he made you do it first... I'm a little baffled that a puzzle involved playing the piano somehow, but it sounds like it'd be very difficult to get past something like that, so I suppose it must have worked!

[How many people know how to play the piano anyway? It's not like half the Resident Evil cast can!!]

Apparently so.

[He's just...not going to tell you why that puzzle existed and just focus on the memory itself, that sounds like a valid idea.]

It wasn't a bad memory, all things considered. The last one before that wasn't a bad one, either.

[Thanks, it's appreciated...]

I'm glad you've gotten some memories lately that aren't bad. Aside from whatever Retrospec's been doing to the world, things have been okay lately, ja?

Remind me to tell you about Ada sometime. I've remembered a bit more about her, I think I was fond of her.

[You know, the woman in the red dress that he gave the sunglasses to.]

In general, however - things have been going fairly well for me. I can't say I have much to complain about, at least, outside of the dogs having difficulties.

Oh, of course! I would like to hear more about her.

[He makes a noise at that though, like he's trying really goddamn hard not to laugh.]

Hopefully they'll go back to their usual selves soon enough! I don't blame you for being a bit disturbed by them, though...

I really am glad you're doing well, Albert. I'm really happy to see it.

[He keeps his eyes on the road still, but he does nod a bit.]

...I've been trying to process things. For a long time I wasn't doing that; I was simply trying to move past them, in a way that allowed them to keep building. I can't keep living like that anymore.

I'm still learning to let go of things myself. To accept that perhaps there's nothing I can do about what happened. I need to be able to live with myself.

Yes. I think it'll always be difficult, but I'm glad you're trying to process things and work through it. You're definitely right, though; holding onto them forever isn't going to do anyone any good, though I'm sure learning to let go isn't an easy process.

[He's quiet for a moment before speaking up again.]

You've come a long way since we first met as well. I'm really happy I can be here to support you. I'm really proud of you, Albert.

I don't often feel like I have. It's good to hear that you think so, however.

You take good care of me.

I do my best! I always want to do everything I can for you, no matter what. You've been going through a lot and I know it's really tough on you, but you always find a way to keep going. I'm sure you'd be fine without me, but you'll never have to experience that. I'll always be right here by your side and I'll always do whatever I can to help you.

I know I wouldn't be fine without you.

[It's evenly-stated, more a fact than anything.]

It's good to know that I'll never experience it, because I know I wouldn't manage very well, nor would I have come this far.

[He'll resist the urge to reach out and touch since you're driving, but it's probably pretty obvious that's what he wants to do.]

You'll always have me, I promise. There's nothing that could ever make me want to leave your side. I love you so much, Albert.

[We're almost home, don't worry. You can do that soon enough.]

Likewise. I'll be with you for as long as I can.

[Good, because he's not going to want to let go once he starts!!]

I know. Nothing could ever make me happier!

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