It's a shame that this had to happen, he thinks. But perhaps Eric's arrival is punishment upon the Art for growing so complacent in this place, for thinking that perhaps he could have a chance to do what needed to be done without quite as much concern for consequences. For thinking that he could be somewhere with even one less reminder of Ellie haunting him constantly. But it really is his own fault for thinking that anything would ever change, even here.

"This place has a cruel sense of humor, it seems." The words are almost spoken to himself, punctuated with an empty chuckle as Humpty Dumpty steps back up to Eric to examine those unfamiliar scars.

"Where did these come from?"