[ he pauses, steps slowing so that he can turn to look at nick properly. for a few moments, he's silent, head tilting. then he reaches for the package, gloved fingers plucking one of the cookies delicately out of the plastic. he holds it up, turning it so nick can observe a perfectly ordinary oreo. he draws it to his mouth, then, touching it briefly, barely to his lips. immediately, the cookie begins to rot in his hand, going through the process and then finally collapsing into something like ash in his palm in mere seconds.

he shakes the mess off his palm, smiling mildly, then turning to get them walking again. ]

That was a rather dramatic demonstration, I suppose, but you get the picture. Living flora--trees, flowers, plants of all sorts--die when I'm nearby, usually within twenty meters or so. Even things like microorganisms. [ he should be beyond the weary resignation he feels at the thought of it, of the countless memories he has seeing it. he shouldn't be able to feel anything anymore, and yet.. ] I literally, as the saying goes, salt the earth where I step. So it's easier in cities, where no one is trying to grow things on sidewalks anyway.

[ his shoulders lift once more, neutral expression twitching into a faint frown. ] I do feel a bit badly about any houseplants my neighbors will try to keep, though.

[ he'll have to explain to them, he supposes. but that's a problem for another time. ]

We have three months, yes? [ it's such a short time to attempt to get to know someone, but he supposes, given his position here, he doesn't need to know them overly well. it's enough to help someone achieve some independence, even if it means signing some sort of contract with cain. ]