"M-Bot," Serph says sharply when the bot startles upwards at V's scream. He doesn't know what the bot can do, but flitting about in a panic won't help. Better that M-Bot is with him, where he can protect it if need be. The pleasant and even tone he had while speaking earlier dissipates as he commands with authority, "Stay by me. Watch for intruders."

As for Serph himself he stays the respectable distance away, neither approaching nor disengaging. He's not afraid. Large, strange monsters have never been something to fear; the most terrifying things have always come from within.

But anyone who has had the experience of gaining an Atma and is still alive knows better than to approach someone freshly transformed whose control is not confirmed; he'd killed so many the first time and didn't even remember it.

He watches V scream without outward emotion, waits, observes the V's inhale exhale of breath, waits for it to steady. And then...

"V. Status report."

V isn't his tribe but he can't help but fall back on old habits from a role he can no longer carry out (for what is a leader without followers?). He needs to know how lucid V is and how in control he is over this form. And whether he needs to defend himself now that he has potentially identified himself as a target.