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Riley's hand tightened around the claws she held when she was given the run down on exactly what had occurred in the cornfields. Her skin went pale, and her expression mystified. It was difficult to comprehend why.. why Christof saw..

You weren't bad. I thought I told you to quit the self-deprecation. I can't deal with it right now. I need to think.

She lifted her head and sighed. What I don't understand, is why you thought I would have ever.. and then Jericho.. Her eyes drifted back to Christof, expressing just a touch of hurt. Do I frighten you, Christof? Is that the only reason you are with me?

Granted, she did enjoy being feared. But for him to believe in a hallucination of her telling him to kill Barth. If it had told her to kill Calder, sure, she would have understood, but..

What must you think of me, Christof..

His breathing quieted, brows furrowing as he tried to comprehend the question, but at least it seemed the initial anxiety attack was over. His broken mind scrambled for coherent though before, gently, the thoughts came back to him. I.... I do, Mistress, but... but that is what I like about you. You command respect and people respect you. They fear you. They listen to you. You are a born leader, and that is why you are Perfect. His eyes were slightly unfocused, but seemed decided all the same. He swallowed thickly, eyes dipping down again. You know how It Is Done.

And then, much quieter, almost as though he hadn't meant it broadcast, he murmured, I love you, Mistress. I would do anything-

Barth's voice rattled him to glance up and over, his face flushing as he averted his gaze with a quiet, suddenly shy nod.

Christof's words were both ego-boosting, and disheartening. She wanted to command respect. She wanted to be feared. Christof made her sound like she'd already managed these goals - but she wanted something else now. She wanted something that she didn't think Christof would manage to-

I love you, Mistress. I would do anything-

Riley was infinitely grateful for Barth's distraction, as Christof turned away just as tears threatened to spring from her eyes. There was a declaration she hadn't expected to ever hear, but it was obviously touching just the same. When he turned back, she squeezed her eyes shut tight, and waved a goodbye to Barth and Mandy without letting them see her face. She would have more to say to them at another time - her time now was wholly consumed by Christof.

Well. A hoarse sounding voice emitted. Well. That. I'm. I. Well.

Broken. Thanks a lot, Christof.

Her hug tightened fiercely. She might have popped a few stitches in her fervor. Good. That's all I wanted to hear.

"Yes, err, very demony. Especially the backpack. I've got one very similar to it."

Barth leaned in immediately, grateful for any sort of support, and that Mandy took the change of subject in stride. Just a little more walking, and he wouldn't have to worry about anything but sleeping for the foreseeable future.

Well, until he woke up.

But that wouldn't be for a while.

The hunchback wobbled, glassy, mismatched eyes rising up to meet her smiling eyes before he sniffed, taking his severed arm back to wipe his eyes with, both hands trembling, I... I... I should go. Sleep. Haven't. Um. Please tell Master Malodore thank you but an Igor should be self-sufficient with repairs. Stiffly, he backed away, pushing the arm back into place clumsily.

Nervously, he gave them both a stiff, but heartfelt bow.

Thank you, he managed before turning to lurch away, alone.

Calder hated him, he was sure of it. Barth no longer had him marked, he didn't want him.

But it was okay.

His Mistress loved him.

The minute Petro had entered her line of vision and offered her a hand, Astra looked up at him with big watery eyes, and taking his hand she was quick to latch onto his leg (she wasn't tall enough to hug him any higher). Her hug didn't last long, as again she was being embraced by lizzy, and once she realized who it was she hugged the pink haired spider demon tightly. She did not know her very well, but all the same she was glad to see Lizzy was alive and well.

Before long, she was picked up by someone else. and seeing that it was riley who wa sholding her made her bawl even more. "r-r-rileeyy..." she wailed "I thought you were gone f-foreverrrr..." She was making a huge spectacle of herself, by she didn't have the capacity to care at the moment. The only time she did manage to stop was when Riley was being embraced by Jericho, in which she kept silent. Long enough for him to walk away and herself to be put down.

For now, the only thing she wanted to do was to be comforted, and to give comfort, if that was possible. She didn't move very far, but if someone had wanted a hug, she was sure to give it, although weather they wanted to have a sobbing fairy hugging them was another question.

Arachne watched Lizzy head over to speak to Jericho, watching as she hugged the boil and gave a faint smile. Despite all her friend's protestations she still thought there was something there, on Lizzy's part if not both, and she watched them closely whilst trying to not look like she was watching. When the dragon boil had gone, she squeezed Sepheran's hand and let go, slipping over to Lizzy and tapping her on the arm.

'You okay?' she asked quietly, now they were afforded a small amount of privacy. She wanted to tell Lizzy what she'd just done, but that could wait for a moment.

"Well you know I'll be around to help yah whenever you need it." Bul smiled humbly to the living doll. Not that there was much he could do to help but it was polite to offer anyways. They watched Sarias vanish with Junko and the half beast's eyes lit up for a moment. "If Junko is here..." he paused.

Bul stood but stayed next to Mei and watched until Seiji appeared in the crowd and started to rush over. He grinned and gave a return bro-hug to the Hungry Ghost. Trying not to laugh at the terrible pun directed at Mei, Bul knelt again. "It's good to see you alive bro. I figured after I started seeing everyone coming back I'd be seeing you again. You don't know how relieved I am that nobody will be left behind. I'm going to sleep REALLY well tonight.." he sighed. He hadn't slept in forever and it just now occurred to him how exhausted he was. A nap was a brilliant idea.