[Noel nods. Ethlyn is right about that, at least -- it seems pretty peaceful here, so far. It's kind of a relief, for the most part...though he can't help feeling like they're waiting for the other shoe to drop.

He's quiet for a moment at her question -- her observation. He knows it's stupid to hesitate, and yet he does it anyway. Here he is spilling his guts, and he's afraid to answer one simple little question? It's almost embarrassing. Still, it takes him a minute to answer, and when he does, his voice is a little softer. It's been a while since he thought, really thought, about what happened to Pulse.]

... A long time ago. Yeah. [There's some reluctance in his tone, but he powers through anyway.] The whole world was nearly destroyed, and then people spent the next few centuries killing each other over the resources that were left.