[ Thing is, it's actually good to be made fun of by children, to have them watch him get dressed down and be amused by it. Because it means they're getting the chance to actually be kids, and that matters more than anything else.

Amos shakes his head at the boy, but it's all self-deprecating playfulness. And then it's all back to Ciel. ]

Yeah, alright. Swear that's what I was coming here to do to begin with, just got distracted by the smell of baking is all.

[ So if you think about it, this is actually Ciel's fault! But it's said with good humour, like he knows that isn't the case. He just doesn't want to take his lumps without dishing out some of his own in return, as obviously false as they are.

Amos follows her over to the table, eyes tracking the girl's journey, the small assembling of ingredients starting to form. He's already got the bread knife in hand, ready to get things going there when Ciel speaks up again.

... That's kind of a question, isn't it. After a moment's thought he shrugs. Really nothing to do but be honest. ]

Better's the right word for it, yeah. I got pretty fucked— messed up in Venera, [ wow, that wasn't even close to a save, ] but nothing I can do about that now. Just be better. So... I'm gonna do that.

[ Like it's that simple. Although considering how his earlier coping mechanism had been a tantrum of indulgence, maybe it actually is that simple for him? Either way, he does speak with something of a good air. Contented, as he looks around the kitchen, at the whole operation she's got going here. ]

This is good. Hard not to feel better here, anyway. [ A beat. ] You're a hell of a lot more productive than I am.