Someone else from my world is here. His name is Dante.
[A moment while V fashions out a follow-up to that.]
For all intents and purposes, he is my brother. I should warn you that he can be both stubborn and frustrating, but there's no real need to worry if you see an older man with white hair slinking around the apartment, or the immediate area.
[Already assuming that Dante is going to be a presence in his New Amsterdam life now? Yes. He would bet money on it.]
[It's technically true, though visually this makes no sense.]
The group we've just picked up? He was one of them. Apparently they've been here since the very first drop-off, only found now. Which means that he's been in this world longer than I.
I'm sure he'll be finding a place of his own after he moves out of the safehouse. I merely wanted to let you know, so that you're not surprised should you eventually stumble across him.
[duh... that's clearly what's going on here. but there's a sense of relief after the sudden tension that bubbled into a panic as he sent those questions about whether v would want to move out to be with his brother, or something along those lines.]
[he's pretty sure v is doing the whole 'ignoring certain questions he doesn't feel like answering' thing, too.]
[He was 100% ignoring the questions he didn't feel like dealing with quite yet.
And then. This.
??? ? ?? ?]
What do you mean, are we friends?
[Like... is there a reason this is being asked... where did this come from... why is this the second time someone is flinging the idea of friendship around]
[It is a basic question that most would be able to comprehend, yes, but V's mind is trying to land on the context for being asked such a thing. Is this leading to something else? Is a favor about to be asked of him? Why start with asking about friendship at all, why not just get to the point?
Is this perhaps a self-confidence issue, once again made manifest in the glimpses he's seen of Prompto here and there? Would that make it any easier to reply to?
What's the expectation?
The delay is practically audible.]
We are on friendly terms, yes. It would be rather difficult to function as roommates otherwise, wouldn't you say?
This is going straight into awkward town, and with Dante now the subject existing in the forefront of his thoughts, V doesn’t have the mental energy to perform this song and dance.]
Were you wanting me to say “yes, we are definitely friends”?
[Look at Prompto trying to backslide out of this so quickly. Tactics that never worked with Vergil, and certainly do not work with V. He ignores everything, again, for the sake of what he wishes to reply to.]
A straight yes or no wouldn't have been close enough to the real answer.
[Unseen, he closes his eyes and runs a hand through his hair out of habit.]
[Simplicity is easier. At least they've somehow gotten to the point.
It's all a matter of how to reply to it. Honesty deserves honesty.]
Prompto, there is something I should tell you. I was a different person not that long ago. [Quite literally, though he supposes Prompto might take it metaphorically. That would work, too.] The kind that didn't allow anyone to grow or draw near, because my priorities were often laid elsewhere. And even as I've detached myself from that life, old habits die hard. Just because I'm friendly with someone doesn't mean we're friends. In the same vein as being distant doesn't mean I don't care, nor pay attention.
That's what I mean when I say "yes" or "no" wouldn't have been a proper answer.
And change comes slowly. Do you understand? I like you; you're earnest and always positive. We get along well enough. We could make our way towards friendship.
[V could try to embrace the humanity that he represents. He should. Maybe for Vergil's sake, if he ever became whole again, it would only be beneficial. He thinks of his conversation with Gaby over the network, about forming connections that would define his stay in this place. How it would help, instead of hinder.]
But you shouldn't throw the idea away just because you don't receive a favorable answer in this exact moment. Am I making sense to you?
[oh, this is... a lot of text. it's very unexpected, but he figures it isn't unwarranted. also, is it strange that he feels strangely calm after reading it over once, then twice again? it's not a blatant rejection by any means—and that's comforting.]
yeah, it makes sense
[he's going to try and type something out, though he knows it's going to take him a while to get to a point where he's happy with what he's putting forth.]
sorry if it came off as pushy and out of nowhere... you've helped me out a lot! and it's been real great to have you around
cheesy as that sounds wow
like i said, i'd like to be your friend i'll do my best and work towards that if that's okay with you
That’s right. “Hell no”. Though I doubt he would show much interest in visiting at all if I’m not there.
Yes, it’s complicated, as most family matters are. We used to be close, but no longer. Let’s just say that we approach life from too different of perspectives to ever agree on much.
but even despite that, don't you feel some sort of 'happy' that he's here? happy's not the word i'm looking for but it's like you're not the only one from your world anymore
[maybe prompto's sentimentality does not translate to other people]
maybe you guys can... catch up? with that thing you were worried about before getting here
well, in any case, i know you can handle yourself but if you ever need to kick him outta the apartment i'll make use of my strong arms and we can shove him down the stairs if you're feeling like he deserves it lol
Happy? No. It's much better for him to remain on my version of Earth. There's still much to be done, and his abilities are wasted here. There's no need for a warm family reunion between two estranged brothers.
[Or so he believes. But V will be keeping an eye on Dante, regardless. He knows his brother's presence will simply be one difficult to miss.]
There's no catching up if he'll not share the details of his experiences with me. He claims to be from my future. And also, I'd suggest not trying to strong-arm Dante anywhere. He is very... hardy.
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[A moment while V fashions out a follow-up to that.]
For all intents and purposes, he is my brother. I should warn you that he can be both stubborn and frustrating, but there's no real need to worry if you see an older man with white hair slinking around the apartment, or the immediate area.
[Already assuming that Dante is going to be a presence in his New Amsterdam life now? Yes. He would bet money on it.]
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you have a brother????
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[It's technically true, though visually this makes no sense.]
The group we've just picked up? He was one of them. Apparently they've been here since the very first drop-off, only found now. Which means that he's been in this world longer than I.
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was he that guy you were with on the train back?? really long white hair...
oh duh white hair
[he's buzzing]
younger?
[UH]
uh...are you gonna uh wanna room with him eventually? or do you want...him to be here? or..
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No. Neither of us would want that.
I'm sure he'll be finding a place of his own after he moves out of the safehouse. I merely wanted to let you know, so that you're not surprised should you eventually stumble across him.
1/2
[duh... that's clearly what's going on here. but there's a sense of relief after the sudden tension that bubbled into a panic as he sent those questions about whether v would want to move out to be with his brother, or something along those lines.]
[he's pretty sure v is doing the whole 'ignoring certain questions he doesn't feel like answering' thing, too.]
anyway, it's cool, thanks for letting me know!
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And then. This.
??? ? ?? ?]
What do you mean, are we friends?
[Like... is there a reason this is being asked... where did this come from... why is this the second time someone is flinging the idea of friendship around]
no subject
uh
just like.. do you think of me as a friend ?
lol
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Is this perhaps a self-confidence issue, once again made manifest in the glimpses he's seen of Prompto here and there? Would that make it any easier to reply to?
What's the expectation?
The delay is practically audible.]
We are on friendly terms, yes. It would be rather difficult to function as roommates otherwise, wouldn't you say?
no subject
[yikes]
yeah, it would be a bit... cool cool
just wanted to know
[this has resolved nothing for him]
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Wanted to know... why?
[Does he wonder about these things often?]
Did something happen?
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just curious about it, you know
we're roommates and obviously we get along enough to be roommates
guess friendship's like lol a different scenario
aaaAAAHH it's no big deal
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boy, V’s not stupid
This is going straight into awkward town, and with Dante now the subject existing in the forefront of his thoughts, V doesn’t have the mental energy to perform this song and dance.]
Were you wanting me to say “yes, we are definitely friends”?
[Easier to just be blunt.]
no subject
prerogative
[big words]
a straight yes or no would have been less confusing maybe..
sorry i'm a big loser about this stuff
don't worry about it!
i totes look forward to not running into your brother
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A straight yes or no wouldn't have been close enough to the real answer.
[Unseen, he closes his eyes and runs a hand through his hair out of habit.]
Let me rephrase. Do you want to be friends?
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[courage, argentum!]
yeah? i'd like to be friends with you
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It's all a matter of how to reply to it. Honesty deserves honesty.]
Prompto, there is something I should tell you. I was a different person not that long ago. [Quite literally, though he supposes Prompto might take it metaphorically. That would work, too.] The kind that didn't allow anyone to grow or draw near, because my priorities were often laid elsewhere. And even as I've detached myself from that life, old habits die hard. Just because I'm friendly with someone doesn't mean we're friends. In the same vein as being distant doesn't mean I don't care, nor pay attention.
That's what I mean when I say "yes" or "no" wouldn't have been a proper answer.
And change comes slowly. Do you understand? I like you; you're earnest and always positive. We get along well enough. We could make our way towards friendship.
[V could try to embrace the humanity that he represents. He should. Maybe for Vergil's sake, if he ever became whole again, it would only be beneficial. He thinks of his conversation with Gaby over the network, about forming connections that would define his stay in this place. How it would help, instead of hinder.]
But you shouldn't throw the idea away just because you don't receive a favorable answer in this exact moment. Am I making sense to you?
no subject
yeah, it makes sense
[he's going to try and type something out, though he knows it's going to take him a while to get to a point where he's happy with what he's putting forth.]
sorry if it came off as pushy and out of nowhere... you've helped me out a lot! and it's been real great to have you around
cheesy as that sounds wow
like i said, i'd like to be your friend
i'll do my best and work towards that
if that's okay with you
no subject
You’ve aided me just as much, after all. It would take a cold, cruel heart to deny something as harmless as this in return.
1/2
okay! sounds like a plan!!
no subject
[not like he never does it]
so: your brother, dante, old dude with white hair
might be around the place sometimes
access to apartment without you around = hell no??
it's like.. complicated with you guys?
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Yes, it’s complicated, as most family matters are. We used to be close, but no longer. Let’s just say that we approach life from too different of perspectives to ever agree on much.
no subject
but even despite that, don't you feel some sort of 'happy' that he's here?
happy's not the word i'm looking for but it's like you're not the only one from your world anymore
[maybe prompto's sentimentality does not translate to other people]
maybe you guys can... catch up?
with that thing you were worried about before getting here
well, in any case, i know you can handle yourself but if you ever need to kick him outta the apartment i'll make use of my strong arms and we can shove him down the stairs if you're feeling like he deserves it lol
no subject
[Or so he believes. But V will be keeping an eye on Dante, regardless. He knows his brother's presence will simply be one difficult to miss.]
There's no catching up if he'll not share the details of his experiences with me. He claims to be from my future. And also, I'd suggest not trying to strong-arm Dante anywhere. He is very... hardy.
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