Let's have a quick storytime.

[After the Cold]

"So."
"So."
"They actually did it, then?"
"Well, I'm here, and I have never lost before, so yes, they actually did it."
"They did it, didn't they? I don't believe it."
"...."
"Any plans?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I asked what do you plan to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you're here now with me and everyone else. Anything you want in mind?"
"I.... I want to go back."
"I'm afraid there's no way."
"But I... There's so much I need to do. People who I miss. People who need me. What about-"
"If there was a way to return, I would. There's just no way to go back."
".... Really?"
"It's a lot to take in, I know. I didn't like it either, but I learned to deal with it. I've spent time here."
"You seem so young to be here. How did you.... You know?"
"Hum.... Accidents and mistakes, I think. It was something we didn't expect to happen, but it did."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah."
"How did you cope with this?"
"It just takes time. Eventually, it'll be easier for both you and those who are still there to keep moving forward."
"Do you miss anyone? Anything you wish to do?"
"Oh, I miss a lot. I miss being with my friends at work, the best people I knew. I miss working on a project, spending 30 hours working even though none of my co-workers could keep up. I miss dancing around, making my coworkers jealous of me. I miss holding my pet cat, despite Noodle making my allergies act up like wildfire."
"Noodle? That's a silly name!"
"Yeah, it is."
"There's someone I know. Someone I left behind. Since he was more scrawny than most of the guys people called him a noodle."
"That's not nice."
"It wasn't. I helped him get better and stronger, though. He was the first real friend I had."
"Sounds like you like him."
"I do."
"Did he know?"
"Not until a few minutes before I came here. It was the heat of the moment, but I knew that would be my last moment with him."
"You miss him, don't you?"
"Very much so, yes. I want to see him again, and tell him everything will be alright. If only. Did you leave anyone behind?"
"I did."
"If you don't mind, may I ask who?"
"My wife."
"How long were you married?"
"A few months shy of a year."
"I'm sorry. It's just... You look so young, and to lose your wife so soon. You must think of her often."
"All the time. I think about her very dearly. I remember sending flowers to her work, surprising her halfway across the country. I remember getting nervous, being flustered and preparing to talk on the phone while my friends kept telling me that I got this. I remember trying to look my best just when I'm just talking to her through a video call. I remember surprising her when I asked her to marry me. I remember her sitting on my lap, her arms around me as I worked. She was amazing."
"Will you see her again?"
"I will, eventually. You'll see your noodle boy again, too."
"Do you know when?"
"No, not at all. It's not for me to decide."
"How long do you think it'll be?"
"I'll never know. But I know it's for a while. All we can do is simply wait."
"Sounds like something one of my other friends would say. It's funny how you sound similar to him."
"Well, the wise learn from somewhere."
"I suppose so."
"Well, it was nice meeting you. I'll be going now, though."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm meeting some friends. It's how we pass the time here. Most of the time we talk about the past, or wonder how our old friends are. Sometimes we play games. One of my new friends rivals my dancing skills, she's quite remarkable."
"I see...."
"Goodbye, then. It was nice meeting you."
"Can I come?"
"Huh?"
"Can I come with you? While we wait?"
"I guess there's no harm doing so."
"Well, that's just grand!"
"Come, I think you might know this friend of mine."
"Who is it?"
"She says you two just met, but due to some unknown circumstances you two had to cut your meeting short. She doesn't blame you, though."
"Really?"
"Yeah. No sorry's will be needed."
"I just realized something."
"What's that?"
"I never asked you your name."
"Monty Oum."
"I'm Pyrrha Nikos."
"It's nice to meet you, miss Nikos. Ah, here she is."
"Oh, hello again!"
"Sa-lu-tations!"