immortalpoet | SYNFLUX INBOX

Mm.

[A little nod of acknowledgement, as he move to start leading the way. Those flames...that scarf....]

The red suits you.

[As if they wear any other color.]

That's good, given what I've got to work with.

[Last thing anyone wants is a head with a palette that doesn't suit them.

Once that lighthearted quip's out of their system, they respond more sincerely:]

...It seemed appropriate is all.

[Vergilius falls into a sort of awkward beat, trying to think of what to say.]

Appropriate in what way?

[They glance up at him.]

She's the one who gave me it, so bringing it along...

[...and look away once more.]

I know. I'm being too sentimental.

[In the City, there really is such a thing as too much sentimentality. It's beaten out of you when becoming a Fixer.]

[Vergilius has to think of his reply for a moment - before he shakes his head.]

Perhaps you are. Do you feel that it hinders you?

I don't know?

[Their brow furrows.]

It's hard to say, especially here. But, I'll be honest, thinking of what happened back home, I feel like things have gotten better as I've grown closer to everyone else? I don't know about smoother, but...

But that could just be because I'm gaining experience, too.

[They're overthinking again.]

...

[Well.]

If being closer to them allows you to work well as a Manager...then I wouldn't say its altogether a bad thing.

[...]

Just...be careful.

I know. Things can go wrong at any time. Something might happen that I can't fix, or someone might leave.

[Realities that feel all the more real after the events of La Manchaland back home and the Imugi's rampage here.]

...Do you regret meeting them? Not the Sinners, but the people who...

[A pause--they frown as they search for the right words.]

...who taught you the lessons that made you so cautious.

[Maybe there's no right way to word a question like that.]

[What a question. He's thought about it, here and again. So, although it is a difficult question, the answer, is, surprisingly simple.]

No.

[But...]

I regret them meeting me.

[Since his presence, assuredly, was the very thing that made it all rot.]

[It's not the answer they expected to hear. For a moment their steps falter, but Dante is quick to recover, returning to walk at Vergilius's side.]

They meant a lot to you, didn't they?

[No...]

They mean a lot to you still.

...

[A sigh, like a sound through an oak tree. Of course, Dante would find it surprising, want to ask more.]

Yes. They do. Such is the nature of caring, Dante. As much as I would like it not to be.

[Continuing this line of conversation may as well be dancing through a minefield. But it's not like they don't have one foot in already.]

...Was Garnet one of them?

[There's a palpable swallow at the mention of that name, his eyes overshadowed.]

Yes. He was.

[They catch the sound over the bustle of the city streets--just barely--and wince.]

S-Sorry... Um... What about the others? Ah--happy memories. Any happy memories?

Happy...

[Said a little listlessly. Really, you want to do this, Dante? But fine. Better to think of something happy than the alternative, though it makes that alternative all the more sadder.]

The kids would play pranks on me sometimes. Garnet was always a proper sort. Gave them all a lecture once, even though some were younger than him and regardless if I minded. That's how he was.

[They're reminded of the way he looked at Don Quixote when she challenged that member of the Cinq to a duel.]

Sounds like a good kid. Or maybe "strong-willed" would be a better way to put it?

[...]

Kinda hard to imagine anyone pranking you, though.

Definitely strong-willed.

[The huff that comes is tinged with amusement.]

Sometimes I would get a "kick me" sign on my back.

[Give them a moment. That's an image they have to reconcile with the rest of him.]

...Nope, I still can't imagine it.

[Though he's always been pretty patient with Charon, so maybe...]

Did any of them try it?

[They have to know.]

No, of course not. I was a real terror.

[u don't mess with the red gaze even if you are 5 years old. maybe]

[There's something about the way he says that that makes them squint, but they don't have enough knowledge here to argue.]

I guess someone probably would have stopped them.

[Or told them all off in this case.]

Well, they're kids. Sometimes you can't stop them for the world.

[Except when something, someone...]

Anyways. [He brushes a hand through his bangs.] The past is the past. I guess I have some unruly children to look after on the bus, this time.

It does feel like that sometimes. ...I probably shouldn't say that.

[It's true though.]

Still, it's better than it used to be. At least we don't have to worry about them killing eachother as much anymore.

Oh, yes. Back in the day, I felt like I had to wipe the floor with them if they kept up their idiocy.

[But now, they're more or less in line.]

You still have a long way to go, but...you do hold the reins with a firmer hand these days, you know.

I do? ...I guess I do.

[They sound genuinely surprised.]

That's a relief to hear. I've been trying to improve as a Manager, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wonder if it's... enough.

It's always never enough.

[That's the fact of the matter. Not for Dante, but in general.]

But at the same time, it means there's always room to improve.

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