( Emotion, tone, even facial expressions, often get lost to Paimon. Oh he's no pure stranger to those things; they do come with the territory of working so closely and intimately with his summoners over time.

But it's all on a level that goes.... beneath the surface. Spiritual, some may say. Energy, others might claim. For Paimon, it would be both. He feels the spirits, the energy of his summoners, melts into it and they into his. An exchange of life force, the most important thing.

This is... different. He watches the strange smile the man wears, the one that doesn't light up his green eyes at all, and doesn't quite know what to make of it. Whatever energy he's capable of perceiving from the man isn't deep enough to be able to truly feel his emotions.

Paimon stares as though he's something very hungry. Not with the intent to destroy, but to understand — but the alien intensity with which he studies the other's features may be difficult to discern as any one thing. Only... hungry. )

Personal....? ( He certainly understands a need for discretion, but for this scenario, he thinks rewards and desires should be voiced. Intention made. )

Yes. ( He agrees with another head tilt. It is personal. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite grasp social norms, staring at Hakkai expectantly, thinking this simply confirms things. )

So it is true? You desire... a person. Yet the only force here that could achieve such a task... is the ocean Herself.

However... there may be ways to help coax their spirit inwards. Have you been thinking of them often?