"There's not really a 'just' about it," he says in what he vaguely hopes is an optimistic tone of voice. "I was dead at first - but it was apparently necessary in order to, ah."

He stops awkwardly, eyebrows compressing down. "To - get to where I am now." Working up to the 'Ascension' business might be more conducive to being more directly helpful than indirectly unhelpful, which is rather what he's felt like he's been ever since catching the guy in his metaphysical net in the shape of a room that, if he's a little more honest and aware with himself, is more than a little disconcerting in its total blankness and dry warmth.