Alan closed his eyes happily. Ah, pettings. Yes, Jr., shower him with affection!

"And somehow you ended up being its pilot? Yeah, I guess you could call that fate." A slight, cool breeze was now working its way through the leaves, sending a quiet rustling through the air.

"Personally, I think they should make the Nightmare a little sturdier." Not that they were any less sturdy than the multitudes of fighter planes, ships, and other vehicles Zouichi had unceremoniously exploded over time.