You have control here, you said, so I'm not afraid.

Maruki's brows furrowed as he heard those words, chest fleeting in calm as he heaved in a deep breath. The smile surfaces on his lips all too easily, her trust in him easing away any doubt or insecurity threatening to crack him otherwise. To hear someone just...state those words so easily, even if it was in the context of trusting him in his own lab.

Sometimes he couldn't find himself trusting Azathoth either and Azathoth was supposed to be a mirror of his own mind.

He took it as his cue to listen in anyway, getting little hints of her interest or how she used to watch anime. Her fascination with the staff here- "I believe it comes from the fact that despite not being actual people, their souls are connected. Just as all of ours is to the collective subconscious. How we view other marvellous people as gods and describe them as such throughout history...for all we know they could have a heart of their own."

The humming, the looking in between. So excited. Hm, he could still make good use of her skills too, she seemed to hold a myriad of them.

When Ichinose turns her attention to him his expression melts- carefully regarding her.

"You already are a fellow researcher in this field- I don't see why I should bar you from the opportunity of wanting to help the others here or back in your world," he answers honestly. "But that aside, for now- you are a guest. A lot has happened in these past few hours so its best if you relax a little."

"Your enthusiasm is very much appreciated but please don't feel the need to compensate for my assistance. You can use one of the couches there for now while I set up a room for you."

"Oh also-! Snacks! What kind do you really prefer- sweet or savoury?"