A note from the author: Above is a song that fits Niko's and Mallomor's realationship well so far.

When Niko woke up and recovered from the poison, he felt someone's arms around him. Arms whose wrists had bat wings on them. He pushed the demon out of his bed.

Mallomor was surprised and got a bruise on his lower back. "What was that for?"

"You slept in my bed! That's a massive breach of my privacy!"

Mallomor stood up, keeping his calm composure. If I can just get him on my side and calm Niko down, I might escape punishment for failing a possession. I might even be able to convince him to let me live here.

Mallomor was about to speak with Niko, but a wave of nausea came over Niko. He ran to the bathroom and puked for an uncomfortably long time. Possessions are nasty business for the victim.

Mallomor knocked on the bathroom door, checking up on Niko. "Piss off!" Niko told him.

"You're badly sick, and you need help. I'm sorry for possessing you, and I'm willing to make up for it by helping you out." Niko went quiet, considering it. "No! Leave me alone." He then went back to puking.

Mallomor stepped back, deeply concerned. When he was finished, Mallomor came in to check on Niko. He seemed paler and sluggish. Niko stood up, but couldn't keep his balance. Mallomor caught him.

Niko pulled away. "Keep your hands off me."

As he said this, he lost his balance again.

Mallomor caught him, again. "Like it or not, you need me. So why don't you let me help you?"

"You have a very punchable face."

Mallomor blinked. "Is that a threat or...?"

"Just something I thought you should know."

Niko spent the rest of the day being miserable in bed. There was a bucket for his puke next to his bed, used frequently. He didn't feel like doing much else other than sleeping.

Tsarina sent an email to his commissioners that their commissions would be pushed back.

Mallmor woke Niko up for lunch-a fish taco.

Niko refused it. "I'm not hungry."

Mallomor was clearly concerned. "You haven't eaten the entire day, and you look so pale."

"I'll eat later. Just leave me alone." Niko turned over in his bed.

Mallomor felt frustrated. Shaking the taco, he offered "Eat half of it and I'll leave you alone."

"No! I said I'm not hungry!"

"Please? Just for me?"

Niko turned to face Mallomor and snatched the sandwich away from him. He glared at Mallomor before eating the sandwich.