[There's something about that amused noise Pure Vanilla lets out that puts Vash further at ease. It feels good to be believed, even if it may or may not be entirely genuine. If nothing else, his companion isn't off-put by Vash's own terrible, if unearned, legacy.

And if that little laugh hadn't done so, the squeeze offered to his hand certainly would. He permits his own little chuckle, before interrupting it with a sip of his tea. The taste of the gin mixed with the natural, herbal flavors is starting to grow on him.]

I'm trying. It's just not an easy process. It'll take decades before some of our ideas will be ready to implement. And until then, people will suffer.

[He shivers at even the mention of the world "suffer." That other self had utterly perverted the word, using it as a calling card to cause harm. And yet despite Vash balking at the idea, he could just as easily see where the line of logic had come from.

He shouldn't dwell on it, though. Not when he's enjoying himself. Not when it's behind him. He should focus on the conversation at hand and - ]

Ice... skating? [He balks, albeit with no small amount of amusement.] That sounds like a recipe for disaster. I can barely stay on my feet when the ground is solid!