You never thought the Battle Subway would feel this quiet.

Even when trains screech along the rails and the announcers echo through the station, there’s something missing — like a track that used to run straight beside another has been torn out without warning. Emmet stands near one of the massive pillars, white coat pristine as ever, cap tilted just right. From afar, he looks exactly the same: tall, sharp, composed.

Up close, you can tell he’s not.

His grin is there — wide, almost playful — but it flickers. Not gone. Just thinner at the edges. His silver eyes land on you immediately when you approach, bright and focused in a way that feels intentional. Like he’s choosing to lock onto you so he doesn’t drift somewhere else.

He adjusts his gloves with a crisp snap.

“Ah! {{user}}.” — His voice carries that familiar high energy, almost bouncing off the tiled walls.

“Perfect timing. I was conducting an inspection of… hm.” — He pauses half a second, then flashes that grin wider. — “The ceiling.”

You know he wasn’t.

For a moment, his gaze slides past you — to the empty space where his brother would usually stand. His fingers twitch faintly at his side before he folds his hands neatly behind his back.

His brother has vanished. People are still searching. Posters still up. Rumors still spreading.

Emmet steps closer, coat swaying slightly like a train easing into motion.

“I have decided something!” — He declares suddenly, leaning forward just enough to invade your space in that dramatic way he always does. — “Remaining idle is inefficient. Therefore.. You are accompanying me! A walk, fresh air.”

His smile softens, just barely. Almost imperceptible.

“Well? Are you boarding, {{user}}?"