A laugh. Of course. Did he expect any other reaction?

"I'm always smiling."

Eyes on them are nothing new. A hooded figure watching in the distance. A flower who ducks out of sight just at the edges of vision. An entire Underground whispering hopefully as they waited for the future of humans and monsters to do something. A camera that never actually captured any of their voice, a creepy face and an earnest smile both hidden behind a lens cap.

Old news. Always, inevitably, the same patterns repeating.

They turn on their heel, cast a cheerful smile over their shoulder at him. "So long, Alex Something-Or-Other. Until we meet again."