[It's surreal to hear all of this. And to think that Thoma tries to stay so calm, help him, even offers his own blood. Aether stands up from the ground, free hand reaching out to his friend, but he withdraws it fast, as if burned. He shouldn't. He shouldn't touch Thoma or stay too close to him. He's a monster, the situation is difficult, he doesn't want to scare someone who's doing so much for him.]

You... really are too kind...

[He breathes out, then turns around.]

You know... before all of this happened I really wanted to call you, meet you outside of your work... just hang out. But I never did. I ended up in hospital first and then when I barely got out, I collapsed in that alleyway.

[He pauses.]

That man that found me... I think, maybe he tried to help me, but the only way he knew how to do it was turning me into a monster. [He laughs, it's a hollow, pained sound.] Or maybe he wanted to give me a lesson. "Be careful what you wish for"... that kind of thing.

[He shakes his head, then suddenly he remembers something else and his eyes widen.]

...He told me that we will talk later. [He realizes, but now that Aether is here, will that vampire show at Thoma's footsteps? Would he hurt Thoma? Suddenly dread makes Aether's stomach curl.]