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[immortalpoet]

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@

red gaze

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NAME

Vergilius

CIVILIAN_NAME

Red Gaze

TEAM

Brimstone

HOUSING_NUMBER

11

❤

Comments

[followyourstar]

[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?

[immortalpoet]

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.

[followyourstar]

[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.

[immortalpoet]

Definitely strong-willed.

[The huff that comes is tinged with amusement.]

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

[followyourstar]

[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.]

[immortalpoet]

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]

[followyourstar]

[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.]

[immortalpoet]

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.

[followyourstar]

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.

[immortalpoet]

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.

[followyourstar]

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.

[immortalpoet]

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.

[followyourstar]

So basically don't get lazy about it.

[It makes sense.]

[immortalpoet]

Of course. Being lazy means that you will be someone else's lunch. Literally, sometimes.

It is...a dog eat dog world. After all. Even here. Complacency will be your end.

[followyourstar]

Even here...

[It's not what they want to hear, but it's something they need to. It lines up with the pieces they've been wishing they hadn't seen.]

Don't worry, I'm still looking for ways to improve. And even if I wasn't, there's always another kaiju to show up and make me.

[immortalpoet]

Well, you shouldn't let your obstacles make an example out of you. That just leads to you being kicked down the road.

[A low sigh.]

Don't be a can if you can help it.

[followyourstar]

[Right. Keep going and keep walking on their own two feet. Something to make sure they remember.]

Be a "can do" instead...

[Unfortunately for all present, this is said with 100% seriousness.]

[immortalpoet]

....





Boo.

[BOOOOO]

[followyourstar]

I thought it was clever...

[Not nearly as inspiring as they hoped, then.]

[immortalpoet]

Don't give up your day job for puns, Dante. My advice for the day.

[followyourstar]

Understood.

[And they'll stick to memorizing Vergilius's advice the old-fashioned way.]

I do appreciate it, though. The advice. I know it's probably frustrating, dealing with someone who knows as little about the world as I do

[immortalpoet]

...

[He will close his eyes at that.]

I have expectations, Dante. I wouldn't call it getting frustrated. You're a far cry from the trembling soul I found in the dark forest back then.

[followyourstar]

[They cringe at the memory. Despite being one of their first, many of the details still stick out in stark detail in their mind.]

In my defense, there was a lot going on at the time.

[immortalpoet]

There was. Even all the Sinners died. Do you remember that?

[They got wiped like yesterday's stain.]

[followyourstar]

Yeah. It definitely made an impression at the time, too. Everyone came in as if they knew exactly what to do, Faust taught me some of the basics of command, and then everyone died right in front of me.

And then, just as I thought I was gonna be next, you came in.