Oh, he was annoying him. Even with his fear, there was a part of Nick that felt a bit of grim satisfaction at that fact. Vash had always been easy to rile up, and it had always been fun, even when he'd barely known him and had been terrified of what he was. It felt a little weird, the little thought that popped up into his head, to weaponize his own annoying tendencies toward the man instead of just playing with him, but he needed to know what he was working with, here, and he could be an asshole until the end of time.

Aw, I'm crushed, Blondie. After everything we had, you don't remember me? Whatever happened to all that talk of "love and peace," eh? He took a risk stepping closer, evaporating into thin air so that he could shuffle around the vines and take a seat next to him without being seen. When he spoke again, it was as he leaned in and whispered directly into his ear. Got great news for you, though, Cabrón; there's a lot more of us than you think. Me, Rem, even Livio? Meryl an' Milly an' their kids, Brad an' Luida an' Lina an' Grandma Sheryl. I'm just the stubborn son of a bitch that's followin' you around for the Hell of it.

And then he let himself drop through those vines, hoping to avoid another hit like he'd gotten before. It still hurt, to phase through the mass of pure Plant energy-made-matter, but he was able to grit his teeth and bear it long enough to lunge away, hopefully before he could figure out where he was and send more of those lovely little stabbing vines back through his body.

Even saw your brother go into the light. Went with your mom, to be with everyone else that crosses over. They're waitin' for yah, whenever you're ready. I'm supposed to take you t'meet 'em! When it's your turn, at least. So hey, whenever you're ready!