That's not a great thing to encounter right off. That...house, I mean.

[ Credence is actually surprised by the profanity, because Lev doesn't seem like the type to just drop fuck like that. He's gotten used to people saying it like it's nothing, but he's never once said it himself.

He shakes the surprise off, though. ]

It's a bad place. It's not all bad all the time, but...you're right. It's a bad place.

I've been here for a long time, though. You kind of get used to it.

[ That's not very hopeful, probably, but Credence isn't very good at reassurances. And he doesn't lie if he can help it. ]

He looks down at his hands again, remembering that weird porcelain stiffness.

I'm glad I found you. I don't know what would have happened if I stayed in that place a lot longer.