ً

( oblivious, focused on making sure the one around his neck is sitting properly again. huffing slightly when he finally gets it right. )

( adjusting his harnesses.. damn things have been a little irritating lately. )

it certainly had its charm back then. i don't know if it would have the same effect on me now, though. ( he's moved on to now pinching pierro's cheeks, gently pulling on them. )

well, you are older than me. and i'm pretty old myself. ( he chuckles at that glare, gently poking at him with a gloved finger. ) .. and you were a little grumpy when we met.

you've always been an old fart, as far as my memory goes. but i can see a bit of youth in you now. ( he teases, pressing a kiss to the area he bit as an apology. )

you still have that face. nothing about that is different. ( he puts a hand on pierro's shoulder, pulling him down enough to bite his cheek. ) you just look a little younger without all that hair.

it'll just take some getting used to. though i think i do prefer the beard. * 🫪

my little——what? don't be ridiculous. not having any facial hair changes nothing..

i'm not upset. just.. bewildered. i'm not used to seeing you without facial hair.

.. * 😐

put it back on.

ew.

finally my true self is being witnessed

ow—— ( covering his forehead with a hand, grumbling. ) .. it is something i am happy to endure if it means my experiments succeed. a vengeful spirit cannot stop a man of science and reason.

you don't need to give it much thought. just throw them into the sea.

it would cost more to have safety nets for them. they are a disposable asset——at worst, i will just need to go collect new subjects myself, which does not eat into the project funding unless it requires a specific type of test subject.

test subjects do not need safety nets.

ahem. do you mean when you frustrate me by pointing out all potential flaws in my ongoing projects? * 😒

for the younger segments you are. they usually go back to work after a brief scolding, so it's never been too big of an issue. perhaps 65 thinks you are there to distract me specifically..