[ Squalo raises an eyebrow. He's not actually annoyed, but he's not going to miss a chance to be a bitch. He finds it fun. Bit of namecalling and it'd almost feel like home. ] And I reiterated mine. It doesn't always end after one back an forth, if you were wondering.

[ He nods, barely noticeably, allowing her to touch him, a huge show of trust between people like them, but he's willing to take that risk. He gives her a crooked smile. ]

Of course. Like hell. My -- [ he twists his mouth a bit, uncomfortable with whatever he's recalling, but then goes on, ] -- my normal teeth fell out, all in the span of a few minutes, then these grew in. Ripped through everything. I had to bite on a belt. Still need chew toys sometimes. [ He shakes his head, and gestures at the horns. ] And this was one hell of a migraine. Literally felt them coming out of my skull.

[ And he never had a serum of any sort. His own Flames, unfortunately, did not work on himself, just like a scorpion wouldn't get poisoned by its own venom. ]