[This time, the relief is visible. It settles on his companion's shoulders, laying down the burden that he had fretted over, even unconsciously. Ryo meant it; and this time, Esteban could believe him.]

People-- do dumb shit when they're scared.

[Esteban included. It's why he wants so much to work with the young healer-- because he's been dumb and scared.]

[The mention of the other dragon has him shake his head, leaning his back against the counter so he can keep the conversation going easily.]

I've seen 'im, [Hard not to when the dragon had half-squeezed himself into the storage unit like an overgrown snake. Still, he could recognize another of his kind. He wondered if Jingyi was water-based as opposed to his own fire.] But I haven't gotten a chat in.

[It isn't the same thing. Esteban is just a half-- his form does not reflect who he was born from, and that had caused... misunderstandings before. He'd met people that were scared, and people that were not. He isn't ashamed of his form per say, but he'd since learned that trust went a long way from making him into a walking nightmare to just... Esteban.]

[Too many had assumed he was going to curse them after all. And a dead demon was less dangerous than a live one.]

But I'll get to know him one day, just y' wait!~ [His grin returns with the lightness to his speech, feeling more refreshed all of the sudden, just to have spoken, even a bit with his companion.]

But yer not gettin' rid of me that easy. D'you mind 'f I stick 'round? [A declaration followed by a question. He's trying to be polite at least?]