[They can feel him stare at them. Somehow it feels like a great weight upon their back. Uncomfortable.
Their eyes remain locked on the surface of the bar, expression pensive.]
I don't know. Maybe I like feeling normal too. And the people here aren't so bad either.
[Some a little odder than most. Some a bit quicker to anger. Some gentler, and quiet. Some excitable and full of personality. But that's the sort of people they're used to. That's the way people seem to be.]
[He misunderstood. He assumed Dante meant he would miss Vergilius being like this, "normal" and...]
[That was rather selfish of him. Jumping the gun. Why would he think Dante would think about that? They had their own worries and wishes and wants, and...of course. A life free of that albatross of responsibility. He can't blame them.]
...Free of burden. It's understandable. To stand with others as equals.
[It feels like the air's changed. The way he paused before his reply... Had they said something wrong?]
I-It's not a burden, really. That's a bit...
[They rush to correct him, even though there's less to correct than there should be.
They've said too much. Dante keeps the Sinners on their path, and Vergilius keeps them to theirs--a rule that follows them both, even to this world. Even to this moment. They strayed from the path, and as always he reins them back in. For better or worse.
For just a moment, they had let themself forget...]
Not that being able to treat one another as equals isn't nice, but... I know it can't last forever. I haven't forgotten.
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[The life of a Manager is one of being hounded for, constantly. Especially so now that people actually rely on them.]
[The question makes him let out a huff.]
You could say that. I've never been one for luxury. And I'd rather a place where people won't be staring me up and down.
[Like some kind of object.]
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But he does tend to attract a lot of attention back home, now that they think on it. Even in that tent...]
I keep forgetting you're famous back home. Well, maybe "famous" isn't the word for it.
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[A rub of his cheek as he pauses. That's the problem with being a Color. So much freedom, and also none at all.]
I never was one for the celebrity life.
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[The way he holds himself, the way he spoke to Siegfried that one time... Yeah, even if he hadn't just told them he didn't like eyes on him...]
What's it like? Being known like that.
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[But...]
That's all you become, in people's eyes.
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[But while Dante clings to theirs like a lifeline, Vergilius wants little to do with his own.]
This place has to be a nice break in that regard. Nothing like that to worry about here.
[LILITH's weird brand deals aside.]
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[A hum.]
No hounding. No assuming. You're simply one of many. As it always has been.
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[Blending in seamlessly without a single wandering eye, being able to walk around without someone staring at you... They can see the appeal.]
Think you'll miss it when we go back?
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[He could lie about it. But he feels like he can be honest for Dante.]
Yes. I will. More than I probably expect to.
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...Well. If he's going to be honest...]
I'll probably miss it too.
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[Now that earns Dante a quizzical look. He straightens, his eyes fixated on their face.]
Why would you miss it?
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Their eyes remain locked on the surface of the bar, expression pensive.]
I don't know. Maybe I like feeling normal too. And the people here aren't so bad either.
[Some a little odder than most. Some a bit quicker to anger. Some gentler, and quiet. Some excitable and full of personality. But that's the sort of people they're used to. That's the way people seem to be.]
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[He misunderstood. He assumed Dante meant he would miss Vergilius being like this, "normal" and...]
[That was rather selfish of him. Jumping the gun. Why would he think Dante would think about that? They had their own worries and wishes and wants, and...of course. A life free of that albatross of responsibility. He can't blame them.]
...Free of burden. It's understandable. To stand with others as equals.
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I-It's not a burden, really. That's a bit...
[They rush to correct him, even though there's less to correct than there should be.
They've said too much. Dante keeps the Sinners on their path, and Vergilius keeps them to theirs--a rule that follows them both, even to this world. Even to this moment. They strayed from the path, and as always he reins them back in. For better or worse.
For just a moment, they had let themself forget...]
Not that being able to treat one another as equals isn't nice, but... I know it can't last forever. I haven't forgotten.
[So he doesn't need to worry.]
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[Of course. It definitely can't last forever.]
I told you once that you shouldn't make friends with this old guide.
[Because it has to be professional. Because they have to play their roles. There can't be more. They only can do so much.]
[There always has to be space between them, even though-]
But. [A quieter admission.] It hasn't been bad. I suppose.
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[They lower their head, fringe hiding much of their profile. Even so, the faintest hint of a smile, distant yet earnest, peeks from behind.
A memory comes to mind:]
"...Smile, for this is all but a merry dream."
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[A smile. Now that's something he won't see every day. He definitely won't see it whenever they do eventually find their way back to the City.]
[Distracted, he almost misses the second part.]
Pardon?
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[A little while. As if it hasn't been half a year already.]
It seemed fitting.
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[A little huff of a noise.]
At least it isn't a complete nightmare.
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[A shrug.]
But I don't think it's bad advice. We know it won't last forever, so... Why not enjoy it while we can?
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[A funny thought. Can he enjoy this? He doesn't deserve to. Does Dante deserve to enjoy it?]
I'm...not the sort to enjoy things. I will admit.
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[Though leaving it as such doesn't sit well with them, given his reply.]
But if enjoying is a little too much.. I guess there's always just appreciating it.
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[A happy medium, it seems.]
I guess I could...appreciate it, then. The good parts, at the very least. More than I expected.
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Wonder what she would think of this place, hrm.
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