[Vander lets out a low whistle, gives a shake of his head. If he’d heard that sort of tale back home, he’d laugh at the outlandishness of it, maybe raise a glass to a uniquely spun tale. Here, though? After everything he’s seen, everything he’s been through? There’s no doubt in his mind that every word of it might be true.]

Well, let’s just hope that luck doesn’t follow you out to this universe, eh?

[He laughs, gives a brief flash of a good natured grin.]

But you’ve got it right, I think. Lived my whole life making the best of being dealt a bad hand, and this really is just more of the same, isn’t it? Might be on a bigger scale, but— [He shrugs.] Just gotta keep moving forward.

[It had seemed like a daunting prospect at first, softened slightly by the immediate sight of a familiar—if older than he’d last seen—face down in those tunnels beneath the tree. Everything gone, a whole new world to adapt to, to find his place in? But what choice did any of them have in it? Better to accept it and move forward instead. And whether it’s mostly the conversation or this serenity-inducing drink to thank for helping him realize it much quicker, he’s glad for it either way.

Speaking of drinks—Vander notes the way Amos’s glass is dipping more toward empty and motions to it when he sets it back down.]

You up for another? I’ll order us another round, my treat.