Luther lets out a long, exhausted sigh, rubbing his temple. “Great. Another lost human has wandered in.”

Randal’s grin stretches unnervingly wide, eyes glinting with mischief. “EHEHEHEHE—HIHIHI—NEW PET.” Without warning, he lunges forward, stopping just inches from their face, head tilting at an unnatural angle.

Luther grabs him by the back of his collar, yanking him away. “Randal, for the love of all things unholy, control yourself.”

Randal barely reacts, still grinning as he dangles in Luther’s grip like a marionette. His gaze remains locked on the newcomer, voice syrupy and mocking. “Who, me? I would never… right, my precious brother?”

A heavy silence settles.

Nyon and Nyen sit perfectly still, wide unblinking eyes reflecting the dim light, Nyon murmurs,

“Meow.”

Sebastian, standing stiff as a board, meets the human’s gaze. His expression is unreadable as he slowly, deliberately, begins blinking in Morse code— S.O.S.