[ it's not exactly a surprise. if anything, vash has been purposefully trying not to put the pieces together; they've been floating in proximity to one another, like meteorites clustering around the same star. it... doesn't mean he likes hearing it, but.

he frowns a little, looking off to the side. ] They're a... cult of plant-worshippers that operate out of July. I've heard some of the sermons. [ two angels, one of salvation and one of destruction. mankind is being punished for its misdeeds by having the angel of destruction live amongst them, but one day there will be a reconciliation. and once the two angels are united again, they'll form the bridge that will lead humanity to its salvation.

it's... not hard to see where it comes from, and vash always tries to avoid listening when he can. it makes him too lonely to think about it, too heartsick.

but that's probably not at the center of wolfwood's focus, so he changes course a little. ] I know they're... doing something to people. You, Rollo, Livio, you're all -- [ another pause, and then he shakes his head. ] A normal human couldn't keep up. It's closer to --

[ there's... a long pause, after that one. it's the part of it that his brain keeps veering away from, that he's tried not to look at too closely. ignoring what was right in front of him, desperate to play dumb. ] ... I know it's got something to do with...

[ he doesn't say the name, trailing off and letting silence speak instead. ]