They'll workshop alibis later, but as Nida begins his works, Squall can't help but wonder if the right person is in charge when the other SeeD looks so much more natural behind the desk than he does. It's Nida's drive that he's always admired and he's not so far removed from the minutiae of what happened during the war that he can't recognize merit or distinction and how Nida operated with both. Kadowacki is alive because of him, after all. So are many of the junior classman.

And now Nida's brought him this. He owes him more than just orders. He certainly owes him more than flippant remarks about a war they're both processing in different ways.

The room's melody urges him to keep moving. To not be stuck in the singular moment where Nida's face crumpled even though his brain is playing it on loop. If he'd been bad about being trapped in his thoughts before, it's only worsened since Time Compression.

"A meal too, I'm sure. I'll bring up both."

Squall idles for a moment, fingertips lingering on the tabletop where the record player spins, then sets his knuckles to the wood, bracing himself for the ache that always comes when vulnerability is on display. "And thank you...for bringing me this information. I'm glad it was you who found him. There's few others I would trust with his whereabouts."

The salute honors that. It's not the half measured one he'd given upon receiving Nida in the room. It's one that has him at full attention, his respect and admiration worn openly. "I'll give you the room."