If Firo had the presence of mind, he'd be touched at that trust and concern. As it is, that was something he would marvel over later when he came back to life and had some time to actually think.

He smiled with a confidence he didn't feel at all. But maybe it would help his friend feel a little better about this. "I'll be fine. And, hey, watch close and you might even get to see something pretty neat."

Most people tended to run screaming or try to kill him when they saw his immortality manifest, but at least Phil had something of a warning. Firo took in a deep breath, then focused to draw the spilled blood back into his arm. Slowly, it followed his command, wriggling back into the wound like worms.

It took much longer than it usually did and he had yet to put on the final touches and close up the cut when he looked up to smile again at Phil. "See?"