FOR SALVATION.

I want to be where you are.

"I thought you'd be more elated to get some more familiar company in your neck of the woods." The shade turned over his shoulder, in some attempt to gather what information he could from Vanth's expression. "Hah. Do you think it's a bad fit?" Shadow dodged Vanth's question with another.

❝ And before you get defensive or something, I'm not even blaming you! I wouldn't know how to tackle that kinda sad and mushy talk, either. ❞ In fact, Vanth has a history of leaving without warning—his past self, that is. He won't get into that terrible falling out, though. (Especially not with a certain birthday around the corner.) His image flickers out for a moment, and then Vanth reappears a few paces ahead of Shadow, walking backwards with his hands joined behind him to continue their talk. ❝ Actually, I'm dying for some neighbors out here! It's too quiet, drives me nuts. But you know... Maybe he'll worry less if I'm right next door to you. ❞ After another pause, Vanth gives a sudden, slight snort. ❝ Well, probably not by much. I'm a bad influence! ❞

certified! 🌈💜🤍💚✨

"Why did you order so much? I'm not gonna be able to finish all of this." Which highly meant that Vanth would be helping him~!

Vanth shyly scratches over his nose as his stomach gurgles a loud and resounding 'yes' to that question. ❝ O- Okay, it's not normal! But I can show you the ropes! That's what I'm here for, ain't I? ❞ Reaching for the bucket of fries within the bag, Vanth mutters an unintelligible string of embarrassment that Juliyah might manage to catch bits and pieces of. ('Hulked out like that... Mumble mumble... what am I s'pposed to think... Mumble mumble... My stomach's like a black hole in a spidery ass body...') ❝ Here. ❞ Vanth pushes past his ramblings to set the fries between them. ❝ Start small, and work your way up. Now, are you a chicken or a beef kinda guy? ❞ A chicken sandwich and a hamburger held up in each hand, Juliyah is presented with a choice. ❝ This is like, the food equivalent of your Lairs and Liches class. ... You know what Lairs and Liches is, right? ❞

Oh, Sebastian had decorated? Octavo glances around the room. "It's... nice. Reminds me of the castle I lived in briefly. I wouldn't mind seeing your design sensibilities sometime..."

For a moment, Vanth's quiet focus lies with setting aside the plastic bottle of peroxide in trade for the roll of gauze. He starts wrapping up Octavo's right hand before adding: ❝ One of the rooms in the castle is mine... It's where I keep a guitar, buncha records, and... other things I like. Next time I see you, you can visit it. ❞

"You kind of look like you need a hug, but I don't really want to give you one. Nothing personal, just not a fan of touching people I don't know well." He makes a face. "Unless you really need it? I can tough it out for like fifteen seconds. Maybe."

❝ You... know a lot of Gods? ❞ He laughs slightly, a raspy, worn down little sound. ❝ I only knew one back home... He sat back and watched me suffer a lot. I guess... I hope that it was for a laugh 'cause any other reason... just feels too bad. ❞ Gradually, the fur beneath Vanth's fingers starts to feel warmer. With his head down, he can't see the smoke from Monkey King's mouth, but he can feel it once it floats close enough to ghost against his scalp. Vanth uses all his might to hone his focus there, on that warmth. ❝ Mgh... ❞ Through his teeth, he sharply sucks in air, holds it, then slowly lets it out. His hands give one last twitch as his body eases into stillness. ❝ No, that's okay, ❞ he declines, perhaps a bit too quickly. ❝ I'm not used to hugging. I'd feel like, a wooden board to you probably... Maybe, you'd even get splinters. ❞ A reference to his thorns. ❝ So if you don't like hugs either, it's totally a-ok to me... ❞ Vanth pulls his hands away, bringing them to his lap. However, his head remains down. ❝ Thank you, and... sorry for the touching. I'm chill now, I... I swear. ❞

He sits back on the stairs as Vanth returns, frowning slightly at Vanth's request. Dominant hand? He looks at his scratched palms as he holds the left out to start. "I never though of one as being more dominant than the other."

Vanth prepares a cotton pad with some disinfectant before pressing it to the center of Octavo's palm. ❝ ... Sorry if it stings, ❞ he murmurs. ❝ Did you get a good look around? Sebastian decorated. ❞ Vanth clarifies, almost as if he'd heard Octavo wondering that while exploring the foyer. ❝ If it was me, you'd be able to tell. My tastes... are kinda out there. Sebastian's got a much more elegant touch than me. ❞