PC: ACE 💀

[resumed]

Comments

[selfimmolation]

Demons, huh. [ there's nothing wry there. hmmm. holds out his hand for shame to sniff???? does it work like a regular pet he doesn't know ] Does that mean you've got more of these back home?

[resumed]

Yeah. [ shame blinks white, pupiless eyes at ace and chirrups curiously as it shuffles closer. it doesn't necessarily sniff, but it does examine him and seems to vibe contently. ] There's at least another five or so. They could have gone anywhere and they decided to come with me and Will.

[selfimmolation]

Maybe they just liked the attention? [ which, speaking of, he's tentatively moving his hand over to sort of pet shame, slow to make sure not to spook it. ] It seems pretty attached to you and all.

[resumed]

Well. I think more than that they also wanted to escape the situation they were in after I freed them. I couldn't leave them behind when it was obvious they wanted to be saved. [ ace can pet shame, and it feels sort of like he's petting smoke. it's not quite a solid form even though it looks pretty solid on nico's shoulder, but it's smooth and wispy. ]

Lucky for it, I'm a little attached now, too. We're learning to live with each other like this.

[selfimmolation]

[ petting and touching smoke isn't really new for him, so he's not too bothered, though it is weird for it to be living too. it's fun. ]

I had something similar happen once, but mine was just a lynx. [ "just" ] How'd these little guys get trapped anywhere?

[ they're smoke... smoke can go through walls... ]

[resumed]

A...monster lynx? [ that is his understanding suddenly. that seems to be less relevant though because ace is probably the first person to really ask. so nico pauses, trying to decide if he feels like explaining. ]

It's a very long story. But let's just say they were someplace that made them feel beholden to staying. Once we set them free, I gave them the option to make their own choice on where to go. So when we escaped, they escaped with us.

[selfimmolation]

He's a little weird but I dunno that I'd call Kotatsu a monster... More of a coward.

[ well. he is a freak lynx. who is ace to decide. story time is more important ]

They might've felt indebted to you. Or maybe they just liked you because you freed them. But I'm glad you got them out of there.

[resumed]

Fair enough. [ shame rises up a little into ace's hand, and given how nico pauses again it is maybe a little clear that's not the entire story. but it's the entire story he feels like telling right at this moment. ]

Maybe that's it. I don't know. I'm glad, too, though. The thought of leaving them there didn't sit right with me once we realized they didn't want to stay. But I do feel sort of bad this one came with me to Oceanside.

[selfimmolation]

Maybe it just wanted to keep an eye on you to make sure you stayed safe! [ he has no idea what it means that shame rose up but he's still like. attempting to pet smoke, so. he'll keep going on that. ] Snuck in with you on purpose.

[ it's a joke ]

[resumed]

[ the cacodemons are weird they're like petting smoke but they're solid enough for, like, cuddles or attacks so it's some weird half-tangible half-not thing. anyway shame is pleased. ]

Somehow that wouldn't surprise me. It had made a nest in my clothes before I even woke up our first day here.

[ so he had to embarrass himself by running around as pikachu. ]

[selfimmolation]

Is that why you didn't change for a while? [ he cannot talk. but he is. he's laughing as he keeps petting shame. who's a good cocoa puff. yes. ] You didn't want to move it?

[resumed]

[ chirp chirp. nico just lets this happen. ]

It didn't want to when I asked. [ dry. but there's also...a hint of fondness. ] And then I figured it was probably scared it was by itself so I left it alone while I went to see what was happening around the hotel. It made itself too comfortable in the time I was gone though.

[selfimmolation]

I wonder if it's like with animals. They like stuff smelling a certain way, you know?

[ pet pet ]

Your clothes must've been the only thing familiar for the little guy.

[resumed]

I suppose so. [ he says, not really being that familiar with animals. ]

It eventually found Will, too, but it seems to prefer my things over his. So I think it's a losing battle more than anything.

[selfimmolation]

I get it, you're the favorite. Poor Will's been abandoned.

[ has he ]

[resumed]

Like that matters because Will's my favorite. [ it's said more reflexively than anything and he, like, pauses. that was bad. even for him. why did he say it like that. ]

But I think I'm the favorite because I also let it eat whatever it wants, so what can it complain about?

[selfimmolation]

[ he's. yeah he's laughing. gay. ]

Uh-huh. Is Will harder on the diet?

[resumed]

Will's a doctor. [ tiredly. ] It's hit or miss depending on if he feels like contradicting me that day or not.

[selfimmolation]

[ laughing at nico's pain ]

Oh, so it's like that? Abusing his doctor knowledge?

[resumed]

Yeah, he's a menace. [ completely deadpan and ignoring that he is also a gremlin child. ] Whenever he wants me to do something I don't agree with he tacks on that it's "doctor's orders" so I don't even get to say no.

[selfimmolation]

That's your own fault for letting it work on you. I'm great at ignoring doctor's orders.

[ he's faux bragging. but also. yea. he is. ]

[resumed]

I kind of get the feeling you're great at ignoring orders in general, Ace.

[ you know. pirate. ]

[selfimmolation]

Hey, I listen to my captain.

[ most of the time. ]

[resumed]

Until he says something you don't agree with? [ he senses the chaos, dude. ]

[selfimmolation]

[ this laugh is a little more wry as he scratches the back of his head, ducking to look away ]

Ah, well. [ well. ] It's rare he can't convince me even when I'm being stubborn.