"Thank you. The entire situation is full of side tangents and moral quandaries that really are an issue all of their own. I'd have to explain a great many things that aren't relevant to the feelings." César doesn't fault Neil for asking, though, and gives him a reassuring smile.

"... well, it would've been, had my work not been..." César has to think about how to phrase it. "... tainted by those same bosses. We needed funding. It would've changed the world. It did save my brother's life, so I take comfort in that." He rubs the back of his neck. "... Yeah, I didn't live a normal life back home."