[ic inbox]

[darkinferno]

Dante Rantanen

"Hey, you've reached Dante. I'm not in right now--you know what to do."

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

[ keybladers ]
[ shitpost central ]

Comments

[daemonized]

[He laughs at Dante saying anyone could've told him that. As if they had been so obvious about it, when he had come as such a surprise to both of them, really. Maybe self-awareness, to some degree, is not something that can always be achieved when it came to relationships and the state thereof.]

Thank you, Dante.

[And, well, as for the plan-]

Well, I have an actual ring to give her now. Another chance at a slightly more romantic proposal. But when it comes to setting a date, we're not quite that far yet.

[Focusing on getting her settled in his own home, slowly but steadily, is where their attentions lie at the moment.]

[darkinferno]

[It's funny, really: for all Dante's experience of the world, he doesn't know what to say. This is the first time someone close to him has gotten engaged, the first time he's actually cared about someone close to him getting engaged. He doesn't want to brush it off as trivial! So what does he say?]

Just as long as your next propsal doesn't involve stripping.

[...not that.]

[daemonized]

[And that's enough to make him scoff with clear humor, unexpected as it is. He's not sure what he thought Dante might say, but it really wasn't that.]

Sorry, what?

[Stripping, why. He remains oblivious of the fact that his and Grell's little display in the parking lot of her workplace had made the rounds.]

[darkinferno]

You really think word didn't get around that you were stripping for Grell at the hospital?

[How long has he been sitting on this? Really, it's a miracle he hadn't teased Ardyn about it before this.]

I mean, I'm sure she got a kick out of it and all, but it's not exactly romantic, if that's what you're going for.

[daemonized]

Stripping...?

[Stripping for Grell at the hospital. What...? Give him a moment.]

You mean in the parking lot? When I tossed my coat off?

[darkinferno]

[Unseen, Dante waves it off. ...as much as one can with his broken arm, at least.]

I wasn't there, I just heard about it from other people. I heard you both were being pretty overdramatic.

[daemonized]

Yes, but there's been a bit of exaggeration as this story made its way along the grapevine. I wasn't tearing all of my clothes off; only my coat and my scarf.

[What were they even talking about? Their dramatics always reach a threshold of inanity, and while he does love indulging in them, but so often this happens that sometimes the original point is lost.]

So sorry to disappoint, but that's not something we do in public.

[darkinferno]

I'm pretty sure that counts, if it was intentionally done for her benefit.

[Dante's laughing at his other comment, a happy, carefree laugh.]

Trust me, that's not a disappointment. If I want a show, there are plenty of clubs in Tisse to oblige. I don't need to ask my law professor.

[AND HE WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE IT EITHER.]

[daemonized]

[NOR WOULD HE WANT TO, OMG DANTE]

Just wanting to keep the story straight. And for the record, I wasn't the only one tossing off my clothes, just so you realize.

[Grell is just as bad as him, you know, even if not everyone realizes this??]

[darkinferno]

[HE DOES NOT NEED TO KNOW THIS???? THERE IS #REGRET RIGHT NOW]

That part of the story's getting left out.

Besides, I'm pretty sure that's a common aftereffect of proposing. Just don't do it in the middle of it is all I'm saying.

[There is so much regret]

[daemonized]

[HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE STRIPPING IN THE PARKING LOT...................I'M CRYIN DANTE WHY??]

No, I-

[oh my god.]

I wasn't referring to the proposal. I was referring to what you referenced, when I supposedly stripped in front of Grell in the parking lot. I just wanted to clarify that she threw her coat off in return, just to be dramatic about it.

[darkinferno]

[They've played themselves apparently.]

That's the part that's getting left out. Apparently Grell throwing off her coat isn't as interesting.

I'm just telling you not to make it a repeat performance.

[daemonized]

In that case, no promises. I hold no responsibility for what happens in the blind contentment that follows an engagement. Perhaps I'll forever be throwing my coat off in the parking lot from here on out.

[darkinferno]

[Predictably, there's a groan from Dante, even if he's also trying not to laugh.]

Remind me to never go to that hospital, if I've gotta worry about seeing that.

[daemonized]

Don't lie to me, Dante. You'd find it amusing. I throw my coat off unlike any other, with a flourish that many would envy.

[darkinferno]

You're forgetting my old man's a pianist. It might not be throwing off the whole coat, but you've got a lot of work to do if you're trying to beat musicians flipping their coattails up before they sit down.

[He's not admitting that Ardyn's entirely right, he'd laugh.]

[daemonized]

I'd admit defeat if it meant I got to see you walking around with coattails. What a sight.

[darkinferno]

[A snort.]

Why does everyone think it'd be weird for me to wear a formal suit? I used to wear them all the time.

[...okay, not all the time. But close enough!]

[daemonized]

The keyword is that you used to. Not any longer, and therefore no one is acclimated to even imagining such a sight, much less seeing it.

But I can hardly blame you. Formal clothing is so restricting.

[darkinferno]

Only if it's not tailored right.

Besides, you saw me wearing a suit at Ari's gala, remember?

[Not one with tails, admittedly, but still!]

[daemonized]

Yes, but not with tails.

[Pointing that out!]

Next time you're seated at the piano, I all but expect them now.

[darkinferno]

[A huff of derision. How about no, Ardyn...]

Lucky for me I don't plan on playing any concerts any time soon. You'll be waiting a while.

[He says, not thinking about how this conversation got started in the first place. ]

[daemonized]

Do you still play very often at all? You know I've a piano at my house that needs dusting off, and probably a bit of tuning.

[Can you hear the smile on his face? Teasing thing that it is.]

You can practice for the wedding.

[darkinferno]

Pretty often. I could--what?

[He was about to say he might be able to tune it if it's not too terribly out of key, but Ardyn's taken him by surprise. He doesn't actually know whether this is more of Ardyn teasing him, or if he's serious!]

Is that a joke?

[daemonized]

[Well, he had said it teasingly, but-]

Would you be against it?