Dust looks over the rim of his cup of coffee as Cross tries to reason Killer out of his body.

Killer however does not wish to leave said body as he is trying to make his way across the room to get all up in Dust's business again.

Dust knows there must be something seriously wrong with him that he doesn't mind the idea anymore.

Worse is that Ash has learned this and is loudly very disapproving of everything related to it.

It... Dust isn't sure how to feel about this. It is all just confusing and he isn't sure why he even feels like this. He knows he shouldn't. Killer is dead for crying out loud. It doesn't matter that he is funny and easy to hang out with. How it isn't hard to talk to him or that he seems to listen. Killer jokes and teases a lot and sure he pushes but he never hurt him. In any way. Which he easily can do aparently as he is insanely strong?! but he is still dead! There... There can't be anything! Dust doens't know anything about relationships, not really, but he is pretty sure a body is necessary? And the only reason he sometimes has a body is becuase of Cross.

Thinking about Cross just gives his soul more confusing feelings. Cross is... his friend. His only friend honestly. A friend Dust never thought he would gain. All because Cross had wanted to help him, save him, way back then. When Cross realised that Ash was 'haunting' Dust. but as Cross tried to convince him to let Ash go and move on they spend more and more time together. Dust would just explore places and Cross would come with. Yet... Cross just... He is different now. he isn't that awkward scared teen anymore. The one who was older than Dust but more afraid and hesitant and seemed to be clueless on the word of spirits... Dust remembers teaching Cross about curses when Cross's adoptive asshole father would be rude again. But now? Now he is just... different. He is taller than Dust, well he was always taller but now he feels taller. He is respectable and tries his best. It is strange to have someone watch his back the whole time. To look out for him. Well aside from Ash of course... It doesn't help that... Cross is warm and strong and the few times he would wake up in his arms as Cross was still asleep? Dust isn't sure how to react to that. How to feel about it.

Dust watches as Horror gets between the fray and starts to calm the others down.

Horror is another person who Dust isn't sure how to feel about. He is calm and quiet. He is still new to being a spirit but is very stable and doesn't seem to lose energy as quickly as others would. Meaning that with the energy he gains from being around Dust it means he is growing stronger by the day. Yet he never seems interested in more power of energy. Not even in finding a spot to haunt. He seems content to just be near them and listen more often than not. Except for the days where he asks if he could borrow Cross's body. Which he spends getting groceries before making an amazing meal and cleaning out Dust's shit apartment. Fuck Dust feels so guilty about it each time. Trying to tell him it is fine. No need to clean. But Horror just says it is no trouble. He just wants to make sure he is okay and ate good food. Dust also has not forgotten about horror jsut casually admitting he is interested in Dust?! Which... Why?! Dust wasn't even the one who invited Horror along! that was Killer! Wouldn't it make sense for Horror to like him?!

Nightmare joins his side as he leans against the table Dust is seated on. Watching the spirits argue as he hums "No wonder your neighbors hear interesting sounds." He looks highly amused.

Dust glares at him before pulling his coffee closer as he feels his warm starting to grow warmer "They are stupid." He focuses away from the spirits and stares at the walls. They used to be yellow, he thinks, the paint is flaking off and there is a horrible ugly brownish white under the colour. Dust never really spend a lot of time at his home... Not until all the spirits appeared and it just got better to remain in one place. Use his apartment as a base to get the things he needed for nightmare and the spirits.

Nghtamre chuckles and nods "Indeed. But not every mortal cna be intelligent as you."

Dust's face grows a lot warmer as he pulls hismelf deeper into his hoody "Not smart..."

Nightmare looks amused "I supose we still disagree on that fact." and he turns back to watch the spirits.

Dust finds himself watching the fallen angel from the corner of his eyes. He is still strange to look at. Dust knows other mortals see nightmare as a skeleton. From what others said and how the incubus and succubus reacted? A very attractive one at that. But that isn't the form Dust sees. He sees this dark sludge covering Nightmare. These dark tentacles. Dust would watch the slime like sustance and notice that Nightmare did not leave any traces of it on anything. It doesn't even sink into his clothes. The few times they touched, when Nightmare would pick him up or move him out of the way or even just hold him for a moment -which happens more often than Dust thinks is normal but it probbaly is normal what does he know about angels-, anyway, whenever they happen to touch the goop is cool to the touch but it doesn't actually feel wet and while it clings slightly to his own limbs it doesn't feel sticky or mess up any surfaces or clothes. It is so strange.

The two forms seem to overlap. The only time when it doesn't is when Nightmare dismisses his disguise and the gooped over form becomes visible. Killer had once asked the angel if all angels are goopy. Ngihtmare had been amused and casually mentioned that it was because of his fall. that his fall altered him.

Dust... thinks nightmare seemed a bit too casual about soemthing that Dust would think would be traumatic. But Dust doesn't want to mention it... if nightmare doens't mention it he probbaly doesn't want to focus on it...

The problem is... Nightmare can feel him emotions. and now each time Dust feels those confusing feelings Nightmare will glance at him and smile smugly. Sometimes this is when Nightmare does that tight embrace think and whisper a question. Always something like "Feeling alright?" or "do you wish to explore some feelings?"

It is insane. It is driving him mad!!

Dust never wants it to stop.

Which... He knows they will eventually leave.

Nightmare will leave once he has those artifacts and energy.

Horror will eventually grow strong enough to find his place in this world.

Cross will leave once he has regained full control of his body.

And Killer? Killer will leave once he realises there is no future for them...

and those thoughts hurt.

nightmare suddenly looks at him with a frown "Is something wrong?"

Dust grabs his hood and tugs it tighter around his face "Stop feeling my emotions."

Nightmare answers quickly "I can not stop that." he studies him as a hand nudges his forhead and feels the temperature. Dust freezes.

"mmh... You aren't cold. So it should not be some after effects from the Banshee's Breath." Nihtmare checks his neck and Dust still is afraid to move "You are a bit warmer than usual but not feverish." Nightmare sounds thoughtful before shooting him a knowing grin as his own eye glances at the arguing spirits "something distracting you?"

Dust pulls his head away and glares at Nightmare. Feeling mad and confused and thorn. Mostly just... hurt...

Nightmare frowns immediantly "Dust-"

The phone rings.

Dust is quick to use the escape as he goes towards the wall holding the apartment phone. Soemthign that comes with each unit. It is a landline but mostly used by the apartment manager for important updates or emergencies. Or is a tendant wants to complain.

Dust picks it up and mutters "808."

The line is always bad and today is no different. It cracks and creeks as static comes through. The apartment owner's voice comes through "You are late on rent."

Dust frowns "What? No I paid like two weeks ago." He knows as he used some of the old cult payment to make sure of it! Because he wants this exact situation to not happen?!

"Not according to my files."

Dust frowns as he looks towards his pile of books and papers "Wait I know i did. I will search my stuff for the payment confirmation-"

"I want that money. You pay either by the end of the week or you come by today with that confirmation." and the other hangs up.

Dust groans as he lays his skull against the wall. What the hell?! He knows he paid!

He glares as he makes his way towards the mess of paper and starts searching. It doesn't take long before he finds it! Dust holds it close and checks it. He was right! it is paid! Two weeks ago for two months!

Nightmare looks ove rhis shoulder "Seems to be fine."

Dust freezes and pulls the piece of paper closer as he nods "Just need to show it." He glances around the apartment but sees no spiders. which is good as he doubts his landlord would want to know all the shenanigans he gets up to "I will go show it to him."

Nighmare nods as he waits by the door.

Dust shoots him an unimpressed look "You aren't on the lease and I don't want him to ask for more cash with you and cross technically living here."

Nightmare nods but still frowns at him "About before."

Dust is already out of his apartment. He walks down the hall and goes to the staircase.

All the way down to the ground floor before going towards the side door next to the staircase. He has to shoulder the door open and his shoulder already feels tender.

See?! This is why he tries to keep his landlord on his good side!

he follows the staircase down as he looks around.

Still no spider in sight.

Weird. Dust can't remember the last time he saw this little spiders around the building. wiht his landlord being a spider monster it is just part of the contract that spiders come and go wherever they want.

He gets to the bottom of the stairs and tries to light. Still out since his last visit it seems.

He looks around as he makes his way deeper into this den.

He still is unsure why the owner of this place wnats the shittest spot for himself. Then again maybe dark and damp places are things that spider monsters prefer? Even if Dust can see the mould growing in the corner.

He steps over discarded maps on the ground. Stuff about who lives where in the building and when the last payments were made.

He glances around "Tuff? I am here with the info?" He glances around again and glances up. he isn't near the ceiling.

Dust has gotten jumped by this guy one to many times. Some predator spider instincts that run high if he is on a bad trip or seomthing. Tuff is always apologetic about it and never actually hurt shim. As soon as Tuff catches someone his instincts calm and he wakes up.

Does't mean Dust enjoys the experience.

It is different!! When the others pick him up and move him around it feels diffferent! When Tuff does it feels... Wrong?

He gets to the back and spots the empty desk. Dust glances around again...

"Tuff-"

Something stabs him in the neck adn he feels his whole body spasm before he starts to fall over. someone starts to drag him out even as his body is still actively shutting down.

Dust struggles to move and glance around when a hand grabs his face and he is forced to look up.

His gaze is starting to grow hazy but he manages to see someone look down at him.

It is that guy! That council person! With the cult ring!!

"Sshh shh. No need to panic. Just a little of a change of plan. You are about to be the honour guest. Isn't that exciting?"

panic? what does? oh... his body is rattling... That isn't good. He thinks he made a noise? It is hard to focus...

He can't see anymore but feels his limp body be moved as the man speaks. his voice comes from far away...

"Don't worry about any left over debt you have little medium. It will all be payed back in full." a moment of silence "mmh?"

Dust struggles and thinks he asked why him. Why this? or maybe he tries.

A chuckle "Having someone able to survive and withstand the Banshee's breath? That is much to rare. You will be very useful very soon."

Dust feels the last of his mind slipping as the voice comes from farther and farther away.