[He brings the mask up over his face and takes another few moments to collect himself. But then he stands, his countenance holding none of the instability and unease it had moments earlier. He masks it well.]

For now, we make a tactical retreat. It seems something else has taken the dragon's interest. We should use this opportunity to regroup with others who are fighting and work on a strategy to prevent this from happening again.

[As he speaks, he reaches up and pulls his black coat open, shrugging it off his shoulders and tossing it aside -- only for it to disappear in a little poof anyway. His clothes underneath are similarly dark colored -- a wine-colored dress shirt and black slacks -- but now it's a bit more obvious why. While some of the blood staining his shirt had simply soaked through the coat, most of the little spots here and there are Mephisto's.]

[And even without the coat, he still reeks of blood.]

...you did well in bringing me back. I can see now that I made the right decision in choosing to keep you by my side.