"Washington was my domain for a time, yet after things became dire...well my associates and I traveled through the various states until we ended up in Beacon Hills, California." Of course it was vastly more complex than that, yet his words were true enough.
"I see. Well it must have been surprising and good too that your friend was already here. When I realized that there were some familiar faces here when I arrived I was elated...and slightly confused for a bit."