"To bear the mantle of solitude in itself is not a strength." Elidibus would know, now that he has the capacity to look back and truly understand what it had meant to be the last of his kind.

A soft sigh. Popp would not know that. What he needs is reassurance.

"You have admirable strength, but more importantly," and he pulls back to look Popp in the eye before finishing, "you are enough. As you are now, as you were then."

Especially then. While he does not know the lead-up to those memories, what they contained was a self-sacrifice that Elidibus would make himself, if it came to it. TO give all he was in order to bring salvation for those he loves.

"There is no shame to be had when those who love you wish to keep you safe."