[ your loss, Eustace... actually, it's all of our loss because we don't get to enjoy his abs.

The question isn't taken with offense. Johnny's been around the block by now; he's far from trusting in whatever he's shown, and he's asked himself that same question plenty of times. Ultimately, he doesn't have a good answer. ]

How do we know any of this is real? Maybe this is all some big test we're getting put through by the guy who was in charge before. [ the name "regent" has been ebbing from his memory since he arrived. He shakes his head. ] I just know it's compelling.

[ He'd rather believe that everything he left behind hasn't been erased from existence, so he chooses to. ]