[ Nikolai is more curious than ever when Brook says he doesn't want to get into the details. What could a demon possibly be useful for? Something violent. Nikolai's first assumption is that Brook must be some kind of soldier, but is that just his own biases informing him? He isn't going to press the issue. Not when Brook set such a clear boundary.

The name 'Satan' doesn't stir any recognition in Nikolai's face. He walks beside Brook and listens in silence, grateful that he was wrong. Brook had made his choice, evidently. That's good. Better than the alternative. ]

You were a soul without a body?

[ There's another question hovering behind that one - one that Nikolai isn't quite sure how to ask. Were you a ghost? But it's difficult to know where to begin, speaking to someone from a completely different world. Maybe plenty of people in Brook's world don't even have bodies to begin with. Maybe that's the default state, and being corporeal is the exception!

Nikolai rubs a hand against the back of his neck, overwhelmed but also a little giddy. ]

And- I'm not asking for details, I promise, but - you can control your, ah, demon?

[ Is it foolishly optimistic for Nikolai to hope that maybe Brook will be able to give him some tips? Of course, their situations might be too different for that, but... no harm in asking. Probably. ]

I do apologize for asking so many questions. This is the first time I've met someone else with a similar... situation.