[Normally, it took quite a bit to get under Mephisto's skin. There were few topics that really angered him, and fewer still that could provoke an honest reaction out of him. But not even Mephisto himself could have predicted that this would be one of them -- a reminder of his own perpetual existence in this world, and the weight of what that means as the only long-lived being from Assiah to remain awake.]

[Human lives were fleeting and fragile. That's something he's long since come to accept. But to remain waiting in limbo for if and when they might reawaken from stasis, for as long as he's going to live-- even to a demon like himself, it feels almost cruel.]

[...or maybe he's just never missed someone's company quite this much. For as much as he might excel in faking it, he really didn't process emotions in the same way a human did. And right now, even he might struggle to explain why Rin's words have his expression turning cold, filling him with a desire to leave this conversation before-- before what? He doesn't know.]

...I'm not here to tell you what to do. If you'd prefer to travel along the path of least resistance, far be it from me to stop you.

[He turns, putting his back to Rin and raising up one hand, prepared to snap his fingers and teleport himself away.]

I'm returning to Olympia. Given the tensions between the two cities, this may be the last time we see each other for some time.

But I'll be in touch.