[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RNWOm5W.png[/img]
[color=DEBA42]LOCATION:[/color] The Maw
[color=DEBA42]WORD COUNT:[/color] 844 (+2)
[color=DEBA42]MENTIONS:[/color] Sakura
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Mirage's expression folded into a sadder one, to be sure.

He partially thought he knew what this had to be about, but Sakura's self-worth wasn't exactly in that assumption. He had still seen her as the girl who was fighting just as hard as anyone else back aboard Shippy. She had a good mind, too, making safe traversal through that crazy first area, too. But, be it with what happened back with Moreau, or the situation with the chefs, she was definitely down about herself. And that, of all things, was definitely not an easy fix by any means. 

He was pretty sure he'd be unable to help much, honestly. But did that mean heeding her words and going off to check on the others? He wasn't quite sure, as splitting up more than they had sounded pretty dangerous to him. There was no telling what tricks this place had left, and he didn't want to risk that. [color=DEBA42]"No-can do."[/color] He responded, simply keeping his seat. [color=DEBA42]"King Bowser and them ought to be back soon from the storeroom. Once they pass back through, we'll group up and go together. Don't wanna split up more."[/color] He informed, though it was just his words. It didn't regard what Peach, or Bella, might do. But his intent to budge was zero.

Though, sitting around quietly wasn't exactly a strong trait he had. He tried to leave things alone, but after a moment he piped up again. [color=DEBA42]"You know, I knew a guy. Name was, uh-- Elliot. He thought he was pretty useless when he was a kid, too."[/color] Utterly different circumstances, sure, but that wasn't about to stop him once he started yapping. [color=DEBA42]"He was in a fair-sized family. Ma, and three brothers. Father was out of the picture, I guess."[/color] He began to explain, eyes drifting upwards to stare at the darkness above. [color=DEBA42]"He was the youngest-- By a fair amount. To the point his three brothers were sent to war and he had to stay behind, despite wanting to go with them. They exchanged a message, here or there. But eventually they stopped comin'. Year after year, even after the war, they tried to find out why. He and his Ma never got an explanation for what happened to those three, and he grew up blaming himself for not going alongside them."[/color]

[color=DEBA42]"Thought he'd failed his family entirely. Mother was distraught, but always drowned in work-- She was a remarkable engineer. But kind of, uh... Forgetful."[/color] His expression sunk further than it had when Sakura had first moved. [color=DEBA42]"Some medical stuff, that started cropping up in those between years. He started investing himself into the same line of work as her: Learned to tinker, and became her assistant during his teen years. They formed this huge, unbreakable bond during that time-- Practically glued together all the time. But once her condition started worsening, he couldn't handle the work himself, and both fell into a really bad spot, which he blamed himself for again. Started working in a bar his uncle owned, trying to make the money to support her care. Wasn't enough, obviously, so he started looking into other options."[/color]

Taking a moment, he continued with a small smile curving to his face. [color=DEBA42]"That's when he heard it, from a passing [url=https://apexlegends.fandom.com/wiki/Pathfinder]Tin Can[/url]."[/color] He spoke fondly. [color=DEBA42]"A competitive bloodsport-- Very dangerous stuff, but the payout and fame was huge. He was always spending time in the shadows, but wanted to be hugely acknowledged. And knew the money could pay for his Ma's bills, too. So partaking in the qualifiers seemed like the only way at that point."[/color] 

For a slight dramatic affect, he added: [color=DEBA42]"But he needed gear."[/color]

[color=DEBA42]"He tried working on it himself, with the engineering skill he had. But it wasn't enough to get everything operating properly,"[/color] He explained with a slight chuckle, as if additional mishaps may have came to mind. [color=DEBA42]"But, his Ma took notice. And despite her worsening condition, she'd prepared a surprise: A personal replica of the military-technology she had worked on. Stuff was [i]insanely cool,[/i] let me tell you--"[/color] Realizing he was getting off track, or perhaps the entire story was off track, he got to the point that mattered. [color=DEBA42]"-- But, uh. That wasn't what hit him the hardest! It was what she said afterwards that struck things home."[/color]

Recalling the words seemingly from heart, he raised one hand slightly. [color=DEBA42]"As long as someone believes in you, Elliot, you're capable of anything."[/color] His hand lowered, pulling off his goggles to fiddle with them. Momentarily he glanced at the inside, remembering when people used to make fun of his initials, though he took pride in the E.W marked there. Nothing he could've been prouder of.

Showing at least a little self-awareness, unsure if Sakura was even listening to him ramble or had slipped away,  he laid his goggles on his chest and sighed. [color=DEBA42]"Anyways-- Moral of the story? No matter the situation, y'know, even if you doubt yourself, you've got folks that're both looking after ya and maybe depending on you sometimes, too."[/color] Feeling satisfied, if a little awkward because he talked so much, he decided to finally shut himself up.

[color=DEBA42]"So, once we regroup, we'll charge on [i]together[/i] and finish it as a team. Everyone can contribute. But for now, I s'pose we'll just wait."[/color]