darkinferno | [ic inbox]

You're trying very hard to defend these people you don't know... That's alright, even if you're still misguided. There, is that a better word? Does it hurt your feelings less that way? Oh well, you're still wrong. Even with Retrospec meddling, there could have been any other reaction instead of what I got. But that's nothing new either! So maybe it's better that way. Retrospec doesn't have to tell them to not care... they have that all worked out by themselves.

Has it ever occurred to you, during any of your self-righteous rambling that I never wanted to be with anyone? I don't NEED people telling me what to do or how to act. If they leave, who cares! I don't care because I'm better off alone! I certainly don't need your pity because I don't fit into this manufactured "family."

I guess that makes sense.

[He's well on his way! He's been living on his own for nearly three years now; easy dishes are his saving grace. He's making note of the seasoning though; he's only ever really used salt and pepper with eggs and adding something else really brings it to a different level. Good thinking!

That all being said, he's just gonna. Sit and eat, because although he knows he shouldn't let the silence fall and stretch, he doesn't know what he should say either. So Dante keeps his attention on his plate for now. But there are a bunch of papers on the coffee table in addition to everything else, papers that look to be (should Grell choose to take a look!) a contract between a C. Vanderweele and an unreadable second party, outlining the terms and conditions for building the Retrospec headquarters on land in Recollé and issuing a building permit. Beneath them are a set of blueprints for the building, showing how it spreads outwards beneath the city before emerging above ground outside of the city limits again. Retrospec's roots spread wide!

But once he's finished, Dante's at a loss. Where does he go from there? What is Grell looking for from him? It's true that he feels a little bit less adrift than he did when she first showed up, but he still feels like he's missing something, like there's a question being asked that he doesn't have the answer for.]

So... is this the part where I'm supposed to talk about things?

[Is that what she's waiting for...?]

[she looks, but within the bounds of propriety - she's not going to dig through his papers without him saying it's fine, not linger on them more than the casual look that tells her a lot. Retrospec is enormous, really, and that's important to know. but while he eats, she takes out her phone, composing a quick email for work and checking posts - everything to seem as casual about it as possible. when he asks the question, she looks up.]

Not if you don't want to. I told you, I'm not going to force you to talk about anything - you can tell me in your own time, and in the meanwhile you should know that if you need help or simply to be somewhere that's not here, you can call. I may sleep at human hours, but I'll pick up for you.

[ Well damn. Color him surprised. ]

Then yeah, I guess you are.

Let me know if you've ever got time to go to the range, then. I'll make it happen. And I can teach you a thing or two, if you're new to shooting.

okay hold the fuck up why are you issuing challenges right the fuck now

for real i would more than rise to the occasion if i gave a cat's tail about any of your bull
since i dont stop mouthing off

i will take a strong maybe.
oh! i don't think i realized you were that much my senior, but that suddenly makes more sense. lucky you. i think the dorms might be less annoying over the rest of the year but the jury is still out on that.
and what kind of prank master do you think i am? a REALLY good one does not reveal his secrets early :D

[Oh, that's definitely a scowl on Dante's face as he snorts, a sound of derision.]

Yeah, I know the type of memory you're talking about.

Not accepting it doesn't make it any less real, you know.

Well that's hardly fair.

What sort of sword doesn't lose its edge?

i want you to know that when i tried to look for fashionable sweatpants i had to look at this travesty

if i have to see it, so do you

i could probably pull this off though, sweatpants and all

guy or girl

[...yes, it does actually change the approach a little bit.]

girl

[he's done this before, really he has]

don't call her fat

[He's so very helpful.]

[Okay, no, he'll give Tatsuo some actual advice now, but come on--you should always expect that sort of smartassery from him first!]

okay, here's how you avoid fucking it up:

- if you haven't talked to her about it you probably should
- don't be a shitwipe, don't lie to her and be open about what you're feeling
- don't cheat on her, this should be obvious
- tell her what you like about her
- find out what she likes to do and plan something around it
- don't try to be something you aren't, sooner or later it'll come out and you'll just look like an idiot

basically don't be a dumbass

okay then here's an easy question for you

what did you want them to do when you got back

what reaction did you want them to have since apparently you were looking for one

otherwise you wouldn't be bitching about how "there could have been any other reaction instead of what i got"

so what did you want

You may not want to make that offer. [Dante sets his plate down on the chaise extension so that he can't fidget with it, looking at his hands.] You might wind up getting calls at 4am if you do.

[But even so, there's this tiny spark of warmth inside of him, this feeling he can't quite place. A sense that... that he actually matters to her, that what she offers now is more than a sense of duty owed to him but instead a choice that she's making. A choice, where he is more important than time, than schedules, than approaching the next day with a full night's rest...

Will wonders never cease...?]

It's... pretty dangerous.

Wait. Why is Mako only an 8/10? He's totally a 10!

[sleep, she's found, she can catch up on in various ways. it's more important if someone needs her to get up, to listen - that couldn't be redone. if Dante trusted her enough to call, then she was ready to pick up, and sometimes it was simply easier to say things in the dead of night. to admit to needing help, company, to exist in a way that required someone to not laugh and instead hold out their hand. better he learn that it was fine to exist like that now, instead of going through the motions as he gets older to then crash into it and have to struggle to understand.

if she can give him that, she wants to, and the decision is very simple.]

I think I can handle the danger.

i've got time most days, whenever you want

i've shot before but not much so pretend we're starting from the basics. i want to be prepared in case i lose everything i've remembered again

[There's a plainness in his expression, a vulnerability that few will ever see. Honestly, he doesn't know how to respond to Grell's certainty, except to ask one final question, one last attempt at regaining his balance in this new territory.]

Why would you do all this for me...?

What's the catch?

omg why are you doing this to me
this is exhausting dante why!!!

but ok fair
ia with that

Something more genuine.

Why are you so determined to pry into my life? It's not going to prove anything, I know what I've been through and you trying to shove it back into my face like I'm somehow wrong about it isn't going to

you know what, nevermind, you don't even deserve to finish this conversation with me. I'm not going to sit here while you keep trying to one up me in regards to my own life. I know what I've been through and it's just as bullshit as I've been telling you! You're not listening either!

So leave me alone!

i've had girlfriends before. i'm not some 40 yr old virgin.

it's just been a while.

I know it's real. All of this is real.

[At least, to him it is. Mahoney's answer had been very vague, but he's a firm believer that the memories he keeps getting are as real as the friendships he has in this life.]

But... I can't accept that it was the only way. [His expression falls, gray eyes obviously pained by something. It's about to come out, sorry Dante--] Until I learn more about the other me, I can't accept that it was the right thing to do.

[He sucks in a breath like a wince.]

I killed someone. With his own sword. I...

[It was the only route they had at the time. He knows that, but it goes against everything he is. He feels his stomach twist just thinking about it. The way that blade felt as it sunk through that man's-- Heldalf's-- chest, he...]

Should there be a catch?

[she looks at him with an honest confusion.]

I'm doing it because I want to. Because you're you, and I care about you. That's all the reason there is, promise.

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