[While Nikolai describes the monster he's cursed to carry, Brook finds himself nodding in recognition. That's exactly what the demon is like. What he called primal feelings, those intense, selfish urges to lash out at threats and protect itself, that's all he's ever felt from the demon that inhabits his own skin. He has no doubt that he'd experience its ravening, too, if he had a body that hungered--which he does now, he supposes, but it seems like the demon's weakened here just as much as he has, if not more. If there's been a change in its appetites, he hasn't noticed.

All right. So, like Scarlet, Nikolai needs a way to block off the beast's roads in when he's most vulnerable. It seems the difference, according to him, is that the key is his mind, not his emotions.]

Okay.

[...]

...I don't really know how to do that. [As though he knows that news will be a disappointment, he shrugs a little and continues:] Until I came here, I hadn't needed to sleep in a century. I have no idea how it works or what the mind is doing while we nap.

[As he finishes, he looks at Nikolai.]

But I can stand by while you try things. If nothing else, I have experience fending off Scarlet when she's completely out of control. I've kept her from hurting others or herself. [And, just in case it's in question:] Without killing her.