The opportunities would always be there - to find another pilot. But given how deep resentment ran among some of the pilots, Gadreel had begun to lose hope that any of them would be drift compatible with him. They might fight and move well together, but if that last component wasn't there? It meant nothing. One willing pilot wasn't enough to pilot a Jaeger.

He'd been surprised to find himself staring at Sam Winchester, one of the few Jaeger pilots who had come to his defense on more than one occasion. The only pilot to survive an influx of Kaiju blood into his system. A faint smile plays at his lips as he checks the balance of his own staff, padding lightly onto the mat.

"I have never taken a day away from it. I will admit, I am looking forward to testing my abilities against a pilot of your skill."