If she did not teleport away at every moment she got.

She shrank herself in an effort to avoid expungement.

...

Finally, some sense is coming out of your mouth.

Your stature is perfectly acceptable for the time being.

[He concentrated for a moment, then gently tapped his finger to their current robes. He transformed them from the plain uniformity of the past, to that of an Ascian.]

There. Much better.

I suppose the Warrior of Light would be suitable. But they are neither here nor there. A shame you ran into me, and not them.

[he frowns]

The sundered are we who were split by the Light. 14 fragments scattered to be collected again. In time... in time...

However, you need new robes.

Kidnapping is, rather unfortunate with the desperate unsundered. Ransom money demands... There is more that I will not go into detail as it would likely send you into a spiral.

[His lips twitch into the /tiniest/ hint of a smile]

Pretend to do as the mammets do: follow someone.

Very well.

Did he now...

[He stared at them.]

I sense his magicks upon you. I will not ask why, as frankly, I do not care what it is he plans. However, it is rather foolish to allow an adorable little thing to wander alone.

Why, someone with nefarious plans could snatch you away and sell you to a child.

You look tense. Have you need of my expertise again?

If it is he who has been looking after you, then I see no reason to put a stop to that.

[He keeps his hand steady]

For now, at least.

But now you are the size of a toy.

[He holds them a bit more gently in his other hand.]

Hm. I sense you have been with Emet-Selch, yes?

[Picks them up by the scruff for examination]

Do I have a /reason/ to put you somewhere again?

Oh.

You're here too.

/Delightful/.

I've actually not piddled my penis to anyone since I've returned. Does that make you jealous, little whore?

A hag. Beautiful as you are with that face. What a shame you waste it being so….

[he gestures up and down]

That is why Elidibus calls you "lazy".

I am the /speaker/, you know I cannot.

You know I will always make time for you, Hedone. You, your shards, it matters not.

Sure.

...No. I am content to tinkering with toys and enjoying the freedoms granted to me by my 'death'. Bathed in the aetherial sea, I was cleansed of my tempering to Zodiark, as well as the corruption set in by my late wife.

[He kept his tone as even and neutral as possible.]

We may.

You are correct. I do not mind her boldness. It is rare to see such things in the shards these days.

Heh. Adorable too, really.

Do you, now?

Your enthusiasm is refreshing.

Repairing a toy for a child under my care.

[He takes out a rather tiny concept crystal from a small, wooden box. The mammet turns itself over, and the crystal is inserted into its back.]

I can be.

Depends on how they are used. Binding, penetration, gagging. There are many ways they might be used.

Yes, tentacles. When I transform, I have them.