"You're right," Devero says, his voice subdued. He gives himself a little shake and stands straighter, and says it again with more certainty. "You're right. It is what it is and all we can do is move forward with what we have."

He turns to face Zechs directly. "I never introduced myself," he says, and makes a flicking gesture with one hand-- that freezes and falls an instant later. Transmission failed.

Oh.

"Uh. I'm Devero," he continues after an awkward pause.