[What Van is doing is starting the stock for dinner while he leaves the rice to soak, and waiting for the coffee to brew. He's quiet for a long time. Almost disconcertingly long.

There were ways Asch could have followed that threat that would have made Van proud of him. There were ways he could have followed that threat that would have made Van indifferent. He has managed, through gross miscalculation, to hit upon the one way he could have followed that threat that has made Van honestly disgusted with him.]

Yet never attention enough. [Van's tone is glacial. He's never been indulgent with Asch the way he was with the replica, but it's still a rare occasion that his voice is this devoid of warmth.] Your advantage is that I've neither reason nor reputation for violence, and am content to leave it that way.

This isn't Auldrant, Asch. I want you. I don't need you.

[He sets the refilled mug down at Asch's place. Coffee always goes so well with rejection.]