[On some level he knows what this is. What Polnareff's doing. He knows, he does, and he's grateful for it and annoyed by it all at once. But this is the job of a consigliere, the most thankless job there is: to be the reason and the guidance behind the passion.]

[He hates himself for thinking that everything will be all right, now that Polnareff is here. On many levels it's obviously not true. But on some levels, it really is.]

[He squeezes Polnareff's hands and exhales again, his breathing beginning to even out.]

Ah, soon, soon. These things take time, even for me. I have fingers in a few pies.

[#spiderhumor]

My Gold Experience is gone. [He almost bites his lip, then stops himself, fangs tripping back into his mouth.] There are other . . . former users here with no Stands. It's a bit lonely.

. . . I mean that I missed you. That's what I mean.