The young adult had his eyes glued to the tear marks stratified along his jacket’s sleeve when a light, but just as catching grip abruptly fell onto his shoulder. The only thing preventing the kid from leaping out of his skin and well into orbit was his ability to process information at a cursory rate. His head whirled around to instantly verify that it was indeed a familiar face to his side, which did more than alleviate the already tense pilot. Still, given how naturally startled he was, a faint yelp managed to escape his lips despite the comfort he felt. In all honesty he had expected playful punch and found himself staring at his teammate’s hand for a few extra seconds, each moment filled with just as must angst and remorse as the one prior. 

It didn’t take an intelligence officer to conceptualize why he had received the greeting that he did. Nat also understood the gravity of their current state of affairs. In fact, she definitely had a far better understanding. In the past three months, he has picked up bits and pieces here and there. Through frontal conversation of course. Having never stepped outside of his morals, he would never do something as sly as to eavesdrop. Yet he was still new, and only had a minute fraction of the picture assembled.

It’s war. Everybody loses somebody or something. This was just Erwin’s first time experiencing the oppressive sensation that was lamentation.

[color=#F0FFF0]”T-Thanks Natalie. Glad you made it back too.”[/color] It was rare to see his comrade in such a dispirited state. With that said, the kid could go the rest of his days- or if he was lucky, years without ever seeing the sight of a remorseful Natalie Vehrs from this point on. Aware of his frame of mind, Nat managed a meager smile that tugged at the corners of her face, acting independently of whatever emotions that currently painted her conscience. His voice still exhibited its usual sheepish tone, but there was a distinct strain to it. Perhaps he wasn’t bawling enough tears to fill a ship’s reservoir because reality had yet to sink in. His nerves had been entirely numbed by what felt like an equivalent to shell shock.

At least he was still able to process relief. Before he could follow up with his prior statement, Erwin instantly fixated his gaze in the direction of another arrival. His shoulders slackened slightly, but it still looked like they were attached to a plank running across his back. He expectantly traced Web’s figure as the pilot disembarked from his MAS and made his way over to his comrades. Unsurprisingly, he was also worse for wear. Under the intense lighting that lined the hangar roof, Erwin could practically single out every trail of sweat among the many that covered his face. The always amiable Web had been rattled by the turn of events, as any human being would be, regardless of tolerance. 

He glanced between his two superiors mousily, thankful for the fact that they had survived the conflict, but any positive emotions were negated by the lack of mechs to follow. He couldn’t really tell what kind of expression currently painted his face, but surely the kid looked like he was about to burst into incessant weeping. As muffled explosions ringed off in all directions, the timorous pilot somehow maintained his footing. [color=#F0FFF0]”S-sure. Um, I mean, definitely Web.”[/color] A faint voice managed to utter chopped up words. Pained brown irises rose and met those of his teammates, [color=#F0FFF0]”And… thanks for making it back to us.”[/color] His vision remained on his comrades for a few brief moments before shifting over to the vacant landing bays behind them. Five designated areas laid barren. Just a few hours earlier they were filled with their respective MAS’s. 

Erwin wordlessly moved past the two pilots and came to a halt after a few paces. He took in the sight in its fullest, accepting the five empty bays for what they were, and what they had become. The young adult mended his posture, leveled his chin, and in one deft motion, crisply saluted the desolate space. The reverberating sound of fabric barely managed to catch up with the swift movement. For a moment, it seemed like even the opposing fire bombarding the Solace had ceased in honor of this silent requiem. After keeping the form for a little bit longer, the black-haired pilot turned around and nodded at the two. His countenance still bolstered the dam that held back the flow of tears, but the unexpectedly soldier-like action casted a mature air around the kid, if only for a short-lived instant. [color=#F0FFF0]”I’ll gladly brew the c-coffee. You two deserve some R&R.”[/color] He offered politely, waiting for one of the two to take lead.