Elliott hadn't really known what to do with himself in the city, they told him about gems, monsters, gods and... touching? Sort-of? And sent him on his way. It wasn't... awful. So far. But it surely wasn't the city he was used to, wasn't the comforts of Solace he had adapted to-- or even the hellscape that was some of the planets they hosted the games on.

So he tried to head toward what was familiar; and that was bars. Not that he was a heavy drinker, even if he could put down a few, it was more a comfort thing. He'd spent years of his life working away in a bar. and it was a decent place to socialize. If he had thought a new planet with people he knew was stressful, being in some strange gem-world with strangers was much worse.

Which probably amplified his surprise when he heard a familiar voice. He didn't believe his ears at first, but it's hard not to recognize that shock of green out of the corner of his eyes that puts the pieces together. "Oct--" The name chokes in his throat for a moment, head on a swivel as his companion sits, and for a few seconds he's stunned but it does nothing to damper the smile that comes after. "I didn't think-- they got you too?"

Part of him feels guilty about being happy to see him, because that also meant that they were both stuck in the same kind of situation. "I got here this morning, same as you I'd imagine?" It'd make sense, considering he had seen Octavio the day before.