[He snorts but says nothing. He just grins a little, wry and imagining the things Cliff must know about him in his strange alternate-worldly way. A him that's younger and him that's less... that's more what he wants to be.

He doesn't want to think about that for long. It hurts. So in truth, he's grateful for the distraction. At least for a moment.

The next moment his heart squeezes in a way that isn't good at all. And then he just feels sorry.]

No. [He answers softly, quiet.] I would've made sure. I'd want to know you weren't a cultist, that you weren't an Aegle. I might've hurt or threatened you, ruined things between us, but I'd make sure. Then, when I was sure, I would've killed you. But, no, I wouldn't have liked it.

[They were monsters. He's not sorry for them. But still... His eyes close.]

I've fought demons. I suppose you can count killing monsters. But as far as another person, I've only killed one. I don't regret it. He deserved it. And it needed to be done.

But it felt awful. It doesn't leave my head. You lose something of yourself, doing that. I lost something...