El blinked owlishly, caught off guard by Watson's indignant warbles. "H-hey, easy buddy - I wasn't talking about you being pudgy, it's alright." They attempt to clarify with a surprised half-laugh. "You're definitely leaner than he was, back then." Though then again, with how this little guy was reacting, it was almost as if...?

Any thoughts would be nudged to the side though, at being told that this totodile's name was Holmes. El couldn't help but pause and blink at this - even at the explanation given. They stared at Blackjack for a few moments - faintly flabbergasted - but... Their expression soon shifted to that of a half-awkward smile. "Holmes is a nice name," They respond politely, nodding.

Even if they couldn't help but wonder whether they were fully convinced by Blackjack's response.

But, with El promising to keep an eye out for Cygne, Blackjack would offer his gratitude - before turning around to saunter off. As he glanced back to ask that they stay safe, they smiled a bit. "Yeah! I- I'll stay safe, and you do, too! Though.."

Trailing off and taking a second to think, they'd soon question "If-- When I find Cygne... Is there any way I could find you, or reach out to you?" It'd probably be a lot of weight off of Blackjack's back, if he knew that this important someone was okay, after all. Or if they could even reunite the both of them, somehow!

The mention of a camp had El's eyes quickly lighting up. "That's a great idea!" They spoke with a warm laugh, wholeheartedly wanting to support Blackjack on this. Having someone else keeping an eye out for people in need honestly helped encourage their own desires to help others, too - especially now that El had a go-to for where to direct people who need a way out. "Maybe I'll send the people that I help your way, too, then?" They'd suggest, eager to work alongside the associate.

As Blackjack laid out the plan for them to bring Swan to this base camp once they found her though, they'd nod along. One way or another, they were ready to make sure that she'd be okay. It was the least they could do for Blackjack, even setting aside the fact that they'd help anyone in need regardless. "That red ore stuff... Maybe you could do something with it, if you can get your hands on some? You can make structures with the crystals that form when you break em." They'd suggest - the mysterious ore was quite handy, honestly, even if they'd already used up their share of it.

The thanks though, would be met with a similar smile from El, as they gave Blackjack a quick one-armed hug. "Thank you too, Blackjack - I feel like I should be the one owing you." They admitted with a gentle laugh, as they straightened back up. "Be careful out there, okay?"