[He could read her tone enough to know that unspoken "if" hung in the air between them. But he lets it go - the last thing she needs is an argument right now, and he has no intention of providing further negativity. For once.]

[When Anabel shows Nanu how bad her amulet has gotten, he expertly holds back a wince. The unnaturality of the crystal fusing with her skin amplifies the anger and worry he'd already been feeling, clenching his teeth and balling his hands into fists. They relax only when she gently brushes the side of his face, and his eyes break away to look into hers again.]

[Her next words make him snort. Not entirely amused, but glad that she's trying for her own sake, forced as it may be.] I could ride in on Raikou. Noble steed, more authenticity.

[His joking, too, is forced, though he manages his usual casual air of teasing fairly well. Still, talk of the endless stupidity currently wreaking havoc makes Nanu's lip curl.]

Those fools want control, and that's all it is. They think they can establish a foothold by taking out one of the reigning powers and don't care a lick about the balance of this world or the people suffering because of it.

[Can she tell he's angry? Because he's angry. And truth be told, it's entirely because she's suffering.]