[Don't give him a reason to need to keep them, Mephisto, and he won't. As it stands, he may give them to the kids and tell them to play arts and crafts. Not that he'd admit that, because ooh boy.

Still. He pauses, meeting that gaze, and...smiling, wryly]

I probably wouldn't have made a deal with you if you'd tried to force me. The fact you gave me an option is part of why I made the offer I did. [And, may as well admit it;] I was also counting on you wanting to keep me around for a while.

[And he...looks away. Back to the wings, finishing up the last few plumes]

...you're good company, Mephisto. I know you're still trying to figure things out, but if it helps, so am I.