Very, very carefully.

You decided to take a casual approach. You weren’t sure if these bots were properly programmed to adapt, or if they were hardwired to stick to their original programming as closely as possible. That in mind, the real Etna would probably not take too well to an outright offer of kindness.

“Look, it’s gonna be trouble for me if you stay here,” you began, trying not to sound too aggressive.

“Psh, like I care,” she replied instantly.

“-so,” you continued unfazed, “maybe you could stay with me instead. It’d be easier to have a guest than put up with the hell I’m going to get if they find out I was here and let someone keep living here.”

“See the previous answer! Now beat it, I’ve gotta start making this place feel like a-“ She cut off abruptly. You wondered if she didn’t just think you weren’t worth continuing that sentence, but the pain in her eyes told you differently.

Right. This was a Banished Etna. You needed to take a… CASUAL-er approach.

“Alright, fine. Just promise me you’ll clear out of here before too long; I’m sure you’ve got a friend you can stay with.”

Ouch. If it had been hot in here before, now it was ice cold. You felt her freeze as much as you saw it, and you braced yourself. Something was definitely about to-

“You ASS!”

You felt one powerful blow to your chest that pushed you against the wall, then another, and a third, and a dozen more. Your ribcage was caving in under the pressure, you thought you heard something crack and- actually, no, you felt pretty fine. Impressive, considering a demon was pounding you into what should’ve been a fine paste. But her blows barely felt like they were having any effect at all. Then you realized why.

She was crying, despite herself clearly trying not to. She had her eyes clenched shut and she refused to turn her head upward toward you, but you could hear the sobs that she desperately tried to repress.

“W-what did I do?” You asked, genuinely confused.

“You… I just told you I’m a demon! We don’t have friends! I’m gonna live here, so just… get out!”

You wrapped your arms around her, despite her demands that you leave.

“I get it. Listen, a warehouse is no place for anyone to live, even a demon. Why don’t you come stay with me? Just until you can get back on your feet, find a better place. Shouldn’t be hard for a demon.”

“Wh-why would I wanna stay with a loser like you?” She retorted, huffing and pushing you away. Despite that, she made no move to hit you – not even for daring to touch her.

“Well, if you want to call names instead of accepting the invitation, I guess I’ll just be on my way…”

“W-wait!”

You smiled as she pushed away and looked up into your eyes. She didn’t seem happy about it, but her options were pretty severely limited, and she knew it. Still, she was a little too frightened, especially when you hadn’t even moved away from her – hell, as you threatened to leave your arms were still around her.

“I-I’ll come!” She spouted off, pushing herself away, and you harder into the wall. She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest, but made no more threats, or attempts to take the warehouse as her own.

“Alright then. Come on, my car’s outside, my house is further into the city.”

“Car? What a slow way to travel. Lazy-ass,” she spat, rolling her eyes. Despite that, she followed you all the way there. Rather than taking the door you offered her, though, she plopped down in the back seat and kicked her legs all over your windshield. Every time her shoes clacked against the glass when she tapped her feet, you were afraid she’d lose control and smash it, but that was a chance you were willing to take. Compared to what you’d just paid, a window replacement was almost nothing.

Now to get her (and maybe, just maybe, your car) home in one piece.