The balloon landed, having scraped on the ground a little before doing so. It probably had to do with the fact that Jules Verne was not riding alone.

He was riding with a friend.

It had been quite a while since Verne finally had gotten to talk to Dr. Thaddeus Morocco. When he had gotten that piece of paper, all those hours ago, he was excited to hear from his old friend of 140 years again, but upon seeing what he had become...

He had only one choice, he kept telling himself. Any sane human would've done so.

But, there was still that nagging thought in the back of his head, the only that loudly spoke about morals and the like, pointing out that his "friend" was currently barely conscious.

But, all the while, it had been the right choice... right?

He carefully shook Morocco fully awake, dusting off his suit vest.

"Mon ami? Are you awake?" Verne asked. He braced himself for the worst, for Thaddeus to yell at him, or for him to not be who Verne thought he was in the past: A good friend that just went a bit sour.

"Jules?" Morocco asked, opening his eyes. "Jules, is that you? I thought you had gone home for the night?" Thaddeus forced himself more upright. "Mind, I-" He looked around him, seeing the woven basket of the hot air balloon. "Jules, where are we?"

"In the future of France," Verne said.

"But I-" Morocco stopped himself and, to Verne's surprise, smiled. "You planned a surprise trip for me, friend?"

"Oui."

"I... don't know what to say. I'm touched," Morocco said, putting his hands over his heart. Verne shuffled his feet a little.

What was he supposed to say to a long time friend, one who never knew anything outside of the friendship he had with Verne? He must've been lost in his train thought for quite some time, as Morocco looked worriedly at Verne and asked, "Jules? Are you okay?"

Verne sighed. "Mon ami, there are a lot of things I need to say," he admitted, "but, for now, let us explore Paris together." He offered his hand.

Morocco took it. "I suppose we could," he said, "but I want to know what you mean, Jules."

"Soon, my friend. Soon."