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[Zulius watches Vergil react to this, of course. He's always been a people-watcher, good at picking up their subtle clues, and understanding what's going on. Even now, while he's holding himself together with spit and hope, he knows this has made Vergil angry. He's not sure how to feel about that...comforted, maybe? Protected? Maybe a combination of both. That's why he'd called Vergil here after all, wasn't it? Because Vergil made him feel safe, with that stalwart, solid way of his. ]

Nuh-uh. [He shakes his head. He wasn't around for it, but he watched it on the television in Purgatory.] They didn't get enough kills. There was a guy who opened the gate to let everyone out. Pretty sure the gods they were trying to appease by murdering us destroyed the place. Good riddance.

[He's not sorry to see that place go. Zulius is a gentle soul, really. Loud and obnoxious and pushy, yes, but he generally leans more towards pacifism than not. But not this time. He hopes it hurt. He hopes those bastards suffered as their world caved in around them.

And then Vergil says that and Zulius' expression crumples. He'd like to focus on what the man had followed that comment up with. How he wanted to make the Facility regret what they did. But all he can focus on is you lived.]

Oh. ...No, Vergil, Honey, I didn't- [his voice catches, just for a moment, they talked about this in Purgatory plenty, but it feels different voicing it outside there, it makes it...real] Vergil, I died in there. One of those things made itself sound like Rose, and I knew she was dead, she'd died on me. [His words might be coming out a little more panicked, scared, trying to fight the memories surging up. He's already had enough breakdowns today, he needs to keep it together] But they made it so we didn't think. I thought I could save her, but it was just a trap and- and one of those things just ripped my throat out. Took a chunk out of Edward while he was trying to save me, too.

[Which he still feels guilty about, just like he feels guilty about not being able to save Rose, or Moxxie. At least Edward lived. His ears pin back, unsettled, trying not to fall apart- tears prick at the corners of his eyes anyway. ]

I wasn't strong, I just died. Pathetically.

Edited 2023-10-21 01:51 (UTC)

[ there's a dozen thoughts in his head as he tries to consider what Zulius said about this apparent world. Its collapse. The gods who required sacrifice to be appeased. Was the place that zulius had been taken to their 'world'? Or was it a sort of pocket dimension, that by destroying it, was just a loss of their little murder cabin? Could it be made again? ...Would they try again? The Devil in his soul paces, teeth bared, at the very thought of it. Surely, if they tried again, they'd surely try to grab the same people they failed to sacrifice--the ones that 'got away'?

He shakes his head. This isn't what Zulius needed: cold speculation and angry logic. Vergil is terrible at comforting others and reading a room, certainly, but at least even he knows that what Zulius is looking for, here, isn't someone to get angry about what happened, what could happen.

It was looking for someone who he could lean on while he could process what did happen.

Vergil would be the first to say it was a terrible choice to choose him to call, but.
All things recently considered, perhaps that was a wrong thought, too.

He can see the way salt and emotion collect at the corner of Zulius' eyes. And he reaches out now with both hands, to firmly take the Zebrataur's face in both hands. Firmly pulling his eyes up from where they were slowly drifting to the ground as he admits his failures--his regrets. ]

The weight of one's own powerlessness is stifling. If there is anything I understand about the world, it is that without strength, one cannot protect anything.

But finding that strength is a journey that is paved through with struggle and strife. You can only do what you are able to. Putting an expectation on yourself to do better; to be better--is a slippery slope you may well never return from.

Perhaps in this moment you were not strong. Your friends struggled alongside with you. ...others failed to be there for you. The circumstance was far out of your control.

But the price paid for your failure was--you came out of it alive. With the sour regret that you could not--did not do more.
Whatever luck that it was that pulled you out of there still breathing despite feeling the pain of death...

What remains now is to seek the strength to continue on. Surround yourself with those who can be your strength. You failed this time. Perhaps it was pathetic. But you can learn from it. Grow from it.

...And next time, I will so sorely wish I am there to make sure you are reminded of the strengths you do have.

[Zulius hasn't even thought about the possibility of them coming back. That what got destroyed was only a small fraction of the worlds the Facility had control over. He's needed to get through the last few hours wholly believing they were gone and gone for good. The thought they might still be out there and might come back for him would shatter what very little resolve he's managed to build since he got out of there. It's absolutely in his 'don't think about it at ALL' pile.

Which is to say it's a very good thing that Vergil chose not to voice such things. Not yet, anyway. His estimations were very much on the money. Zulius needs someone to talk to, an anchor to steady himself with while he desperately tries to put himself back together again. Perhaps most people wouldn't have reached out to Vergil, with his awkward, stilted lack of social skills. But Zulius still reached out to him first regardless. At this point, he's realising he probably always would.

He really, really wasn't expecting Vergil to reach out and take his face in his hands. He might be having a really bad time, he might have been too busy trying not to break down when the other man touched his chin, but he sure as hell didn't miss this. It would be hard TO miss it. His breath catches again, for different reasons this time, and it takes him a hot minute to focus on what Vergil is actually saying to him.

And this, right here, is exactly why he asked Vergil to come. Well, not exactly, there are other, unvoiced reasons, too, but this right here is a damn solid reason. Vergil doesn't speak with flowery promises that things will magically be better. He doesn't need that right now. If he wanted to cover up all his pain and upset with a sheen of glitter and hope, he would have been able to do that himself. No, what he needed was something sensible and reasonable he could use to work through that nightmare in his head and figure out just how in the hell he was supposed to move forward with it all.

He lets out a slow, uneven breath. Okay, he can deal with this. He'll indulge himself, leaning a little into Vergil's touch. ]

Wow, you actually put that pretty great. I'm impressed. [He's being sincere, too.] I... I dunno. I guess it's been hard to deal with. Moxxie and Rose died because they were trying to protect me. I mean... I'm not stupid, I know I'm not like, the best fighter here...or anything. But... I always felt I should try anyway, y'know? [Because he can't just stand by and let the people he cares about get hurt or killed. He can't do NOTHING while that happens.] ...But I don't know. It feels like I made things worse by doing that this time? Like they might not have died if I just stayed out of the way or...something.

[And that's the regret he has to live with. But Vergil's right. Wallowing about it won't do shit. He isn't quite ready to get out there yet. He needs some serious staying inside and healing time. But maybe this is something he can work on. Because this is one thing he can admit that he's not perfect at. One thing. And he doubts this is the last time danger is going to threaten them. Not by a long shot. ]

...Thanks, Verg. That genuinely did help.

[He does hear what Vergil says about being there next time. That others failed to be there for you. He can read between these particular lines, he'd been prepared for them, even. He reaches up, so his hand curls around Vergil's wrist, fingers at his pulse.]

I don't blame you for not being there, y'know. Me and Rosey talked about it...after. We figured if they could mess with our heads, they were probably messing with yours, too. Like, making it so you didn't notice us missing or...something. I dunno. There was noooo way you guys wouldn't have been trying to break through to get us otherwise. I know that. [His hand squeezes Vergil's wrist gently, just once.] I know you.

[He almost says something else, but swallows it down. He does manage a small smile, an exhausted, weak thing, but it's there.]

Much as I would not want you in that sort of danger, like, seriously, absolutely would not wish that on you ever, I do appreciate being reminded of my strengths. Always happy to hear those.

[He's nowhere near "himself" yet, and the flirty lightness in his tone is certainly more forced than natural, but he's trying for some level of normalcy. ]

[ it's a line of logic he'll pull on later. Not today. He isn't exactly the comforting type; Zulius was 100% right about that--but at the very least, he could be a solid anchor. A voice of reason that's hard not to hear when everything else felt like storms and fog around one's head.

You know. The fact that Vergil is holding Zulius' face like. That. Aside.

He doesn't miss the subtle shift of the other leaning into his hands. But he's also guilty for not pulling his hands away when he does notice it. Deciding that perhaps it's what Zulius needs. ]

I cannot say that, in this life, I have much experience with losing others or having people die in my arms. I cannot say I have that unique, terrifying experience of being unable to do anything for those around me.

But I can imagine the helplessness. [ he's been there. ] Now isn't the time to bring it up, as I feel you may need more than cold logic or strategy right now.

[ he can talk to Zulius later about helping him train his abilities or something along those lines later.

His eyes flicker to the side for a moment as the other mentions something that is, of course: itching on his mind. The fact that he wasn't there. The fact that he couldn't have been the one to save him.

How many times does he remember his past self--begging for someone to please be there for him?
It eats at him.

He closes his eyes with a quiet, heavy sigh. ]

[ He pulls his hand away from the one squeezing at his wrist. He can see the other withdraw a little--and he can tell the other has, at least, come out of that brooding shell just a little.

it'll take more than a day to get over the feelings he has, but. At the very least.

It's an awkward motion--he hasn't done this to anyone but Dante or Nero lately, so he might jostle the. Much shorter Zebrataur a little. But his arms come around the shorter man, a hand shifting to the side of that messy, unkempt mohawk atop of his head, tucking it under his chin so he can hold him there, solidly.

'This is called a hug.' Zulius' own words echoing in his own head--remembering when this was done to him. ]

I seem to recall you telling me you would not 'leave my side;' did you not. So do your worst in 'wishing' I am to avoid danger that may find you. I would defy the so-called gods that be next time, if I am able.

[Zulius definitely needs it, he is too damn tired and emotionally beaten down to exercise the caution he usually does. Keeping his flirting idle and at arm's length. It's an indulgence to be sure, and one he'll probably overthink about doing later. But not now.

He exhales, slow, careful. Everything feels...unsteady still. He's not on a knife's edge now, but it's still not great. He knows better than to rush himself on this one. ]

...Yeah. That's for sure an after thing. Gonna take some time figuring out that one. How to deal with it, y'know?

[He likely won't talk about it to many people. Zulius like to keep the general public's understanding of him a certain way. Letting people see he's deeply, horribly hurt isn't something he generally lets slip. In this life or the last. ]

[He wasn't prepared for the hug.

Vergil's never initiated a hug with him before. Not once. He's returned them when Zulius has been the one to breach that particular chasm but never been the one to start it. He lets out a soft, surprised little sound in the back of his throat as Vergil pulls him in.

It's awkward and he is jostled a little, they have a pretty significant height difference after all. But Zulius doesn't mind. After he gets over his initial shock, he's quick to wrap his arms around Vergil's waist to return the hug.

He'd be quite happy with the hug, really, it was nice. He really needed one. But then Vergil says that- bringing back the words he'd sung when he got the other out of that dank hole Krusnik put him in. It meant a lot, pulling on memories of his past life. Those words were a promise, they meant everything. And what Vergil had to say after that was a lot, too. He spoke those words with such conviction, Zulius couldn't do anything but believe them. Absolutely. It makes something wrench in his chest, tight and unyielding- but not terrible. Far from it. It was warm and inviting, but he knew from past experience it was also dangerous.

Sweet Jesus, he was in trouble.

He tries to ignore it, pushing it to the back of his mind. Don't think about it, it's fine. Instead, he leans into the hug, letting out a soft huff of a laugh.]

...Okay, that was a pretty compelling argument. I guess I can let you win this one. But don't think I'm gonna make a habit out of that.

[ there's a heap of trouble brewing here, just under the surface--but Vergil's never been the type to look before he leaps into something--regardless of how logical and scholarly he is.

He doesn't pull away from the hug. Some small thing in him telling him it's better to let Zulius be the one to pull away. Let him have the comfort for as long as he needs, so to speak. ]

I am afraid my own... coping mechanisms for dealing with feelings such as these are not ones I would aspire to advise you. [ he doesn't need to tell zulius he stayed inside his office and threw things at his friends if they got too close to him without warning. Bad. Hopefully, Zulius would cope a bit... better than that. ] But I can stay for today, if you wish. ...A few days, if you need it. [ being alone was the one thing that vergil didn't get a chance to be during his own return to reality. ]

I am a tactician. I will not lose every battle. I will learn from what was once a loss, and I will come back with new strategies.

Your days are numbered on this.

[He is in so much danger.

Zulius lets the hug linger a little more. He really needed it, and it gives him more strength than Vergil might possibly realise. He closes his eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath. ]

You mean like throwing whiskey decanters at Gil's head? Nick already tattled on you.

[Wolfwood threw him immediately into the river. No regrets. Zulius is pleasantly surprised at the offer. He's not truly alone, either, of course. He has Moxxie. But Moxxie lives in his teapot and has his own...weird Moxxie ways of handling his grief. Moxxie died in that hellscape too, and Zulius doesn't want to interrupt his oldest friend's healing with his own. He pulls back enough to look up at Vergil. ]

You don't mind? I mean, I wouldn't say no if you were offering.

[He doesn't even turn that into an innuendo or anything. But at least he does smile- and this is a natural one, not forced at all.]

Well~ That just sounds like a challenge for me to up my game. Duly noted, Signore Vittore, duly noted.

[He clears his throat, finally releasing Vergil from the hug. He busies himself with smoothing out the front of Vergil's coat while he tries to gather himself again. Before he says (or god forbid, does) something reckless and foolish while he's feeling especially emotionally vulnerable.]

My plan for the evening was to eat junk food while watching The Birdcage again- primo comfort movie FYI- but I can absolutely make that a two-person activity. [Playfully:] I super promise to never tell anyone you partook in the evils of Five Guys again because you don't do that as a distinguished gentleman, as is known.

There are two things I am in this life, Zulius. And that is that I am fiercely competitive--and that I am extremely punctilious. I do not like to lose, and every moment of my day-by-day is carefully planned out. Were it that the idea of keeping you company or aiding you in your time of need disturbed my life so much that it felt like a problem, I would not have offered you my time at all.

[ that's a whole lot of words just to say something that was basically 'youre my friend so i made time for you.' Vittore is Vittore.

Once he's freed from the hug, he doesn't even brush himself off like the feeling had been one that was unwelcome. He straightens his collar like he usually always does, but that's about it. Hand goes back to his sword, and he tilts his head down at the other as he considers what the Zebra's plans were. ]

I cannot say I have heard of 'The Birdcage', but then again. I do not often watch television that is not documentaries or... ... some variant sports programs, when Dante or Nero wrest the Remote from me.

...I would offer to cook for you instead of partaking of evils, but I will make the logical deduction that you do not have the ingredients necessary.
So I will allow the ...bruise to my personage this one time.

I don't know what punctilious means, but it sounds fancy, so I'm gonna assume it means something fancy. [Vergil, he is but a simple drag queen, he's never had to use the word punctilious in his entire life. ] ...Well, I appreciate you making space for me in your usually jam-packed schedule. Really makes me feel important.

[Even if his tone is light and airy, he does mean that. It means a lot that Vergil came with exactly zero notice to help him put himself back together again. Sure, he has plenty of friends who...probably would have if he asked of them. But it means something more that Vergil did it. ]

Oh my goose, it's only the best movie ever made. Like, seriously, Nathan Lane and Robin Williams on their A-Game. It's deffo not a documentary or anything like high brow or whatever. But it's a great pick-me-up. It's one of my favourite things in the whole world.

[Which means that Vergil gets to be blessed with it this day, too. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how he looks at it) Zulius has been running on almost no sleep for the past five days, so as soon as he's got food in him, it's highly likely he'll pass out on Vergil's shoulder before they even get to Albert's rant about tannins. ]

As much as I would love to eat some of your food, Babe, yeah no. We're real low on ingredients. Whatever we did have, Moxx took into his little teapot. He's stress-baking. [Which he's not gonna deny the little lunatic. Zulius deals with his traumas by watching the Birdcage, Moxxie deals with them by baking a shit-ton of cakes.] So you'll have to cope with this terrible bruise, I promise to make it up to you once I'm feeling better. Take you to some real fancy Italian place. My treat.

...Ah. [ he almost apologises, having not thought about having spat out a needlessly complicated word. This is what Nero meant when he said he uses 12 words when 3 is enough, isn't it. ] I keep a schedule. I am someone who is exactly on time, and keeps my day-to-day life on track. [ he won't mention that said schedule he's kept for years has been regularly interrupted by both his family and his new 'friends'--part of him oddly... enjoying how things were different these days. Hard to keep on track.

It was a positive change. ]

'Best ever made', is it. I will put my trust in your words. [ even if Zulius and himself had different views on large numbers of things--they were both still appreciators of the arts and acting--so he doesn't see a reason to be skeptical.

He'll watch it through to the end, even when Zulius passes out asleep against him. ]

Moxxie... that little imp friend of yours. Was he... also spirited away?

[ he's going to move, gesturing a hand to have zulius lead them to where they'll be settling for the night--still purposefully standing close to him, in case he ... needed the support. hm. ]

I will endure it this time. And note such a promise for the future.

[He uses so many words, all the time. But Zulius doesn't mind. It's just one of the many, fussy little idiosyncrasies Vergil has that the zebrataur finds weirdly endearing. He's so proper and formal about everything. It's adorable. ]

That can't be easy with your family and how chaotic this city gets.

[Sometimes, you just need a lot of chaotic gremlins in your life to shake things up and make you actually LIVE your life. Sometimes you just need that. ]

You will not be disappointed. It's AH-MAZE-ING.

[He can enjoy the weird little love story between the extremely over-to-top drag queen and the much gruffer, better put-together-man that loves him. Zulius honestly didn't even think about the VIBES of the damn thing- it genuinely is his go-to feel-good movie, and he needs that right now. That'll just be something fun for Vergil while Zulius is unconscious.

At the mention of Moxxie, the zebra's face falls, looking at the ground. He's dealt with Moxxie dying twice now, but this time ... ]

Yeah. He died. First day. [There's an uneasy quiet for a moment, his tail flicks, uneasy.] ...I saw it happen, it was... bad.

[He tries to shake it off, he doesn't want to go off into The Bad Place again now he's managed ti drag himself out of it. He heads over to his big, plush couch, hopping onto it, folding his little zebra legs under him, then patting the spot beside him for Vergil.]

You can note it, I'll be good for it. Thanks, you suffer a LOT for me, Babe and I appreciate it. We can call it for delivery, then we don't have to leave the building.

This city, my family. They go hand in hand. I used to have days where I would go without seeing or needing to interact with a single person, you know.

[ this sounds... really sad, probably??? but the way vergil says it, it's like it's something he can't quite believe--or something that's so new to him, he still hasn't quite figured out how to balance this new. existence he's living.

He's not going to continue the line about Moxxie dying--deciding that the talk of death or what happened in that terrible place they'd stolen several people into was not how you 'assure' someone everything is going to be okay. Gods knew he didn't want to relive the Krusnik nonsense--distractions and normal conversation worked best. Even wgeb Vergil settling in Zulius' sitting room was very much out of place--he still found himself getting comfortable, despite it. He takes the offered seat, placing his sword aside on what was one gaudy cushion.

He didn't hate the idea.
And for Vergil Vittore, that was a lot. ]

I could come up with a list of many things that are far more suffering this. So assuage your worries about it for now. Graciously.

Trust me, I can believe that one. Still . Glad you figured out how to come out of your shell, Verg. Awkward as you are, you're way too good to be stuck inside by yourself all the time.

[He'll say that as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. The sky is up, water is wet. It's only a good thing that Vergil finally decided to join the rest of the world in existence. It would be far poorer without him being an active part in it, and that's just facts.

He's grateful for that particular thread to be dropped. Over the next few weeks, Zulius will unravel that mess, smooth it out, try and figure out how he wants to heal from it and slowly start winding it back in again. But he doesn't want to do that now. He really just wants to feel normal, like he hasn't just come back from hell.

His couch is extremely comfortable- it's been the resting place of many a poor, weary friend who needed somewhere to put their head for a night. The whole thing is gaudy as all get out, it has layers of gaudiness. As soon as one thinks they've seen as gaudy as it can be, they find something else. Which is probably a lot like its owner, really. Zulius shifts a little closer, he's not trying to make a pass- that much is clear in his body language- he just needs the stable comfort of someone he feels absolutely and completely safe with. Vergil is his chosen anchor tonight and he wants to stay as close as he can without crossing some boundary. ]

Good to know this is so low on your suffering list. What do you want to order? The only food I've had for like three days was discontinued snacks, so I'm gonna like, order one of everything.

I'm not too sure about all of that. [ still forever incapable of taking any sort of compliment gracefully, Vergil takes out his phone for just a moment after they're settled. Sending off a quick message to Nero to lock the shop up--he may not be home tonight.

After that, he turns the phone off--because he can't be normal about anything and just silence it--putting it away without a word once it makes the little shut-down noise.

It's a comfortable couch, all things considered. Given he expects he may be sleeping here the night, he may as well get used to it. He might be a fool when it comes to MOST body language--but even he, in this moment, can tell there isn't anything here but a want for something comfortable, something normal. ]

I admit, I was nearly blind the day that Nicholas dragged me to that terrible store. Thanks to the amount of glaring power coming from several people, that day. [ he's managed to learn how to control the magic sense so people weren't beacons of pure goddamn light, but... ] So I have no honest idea what is on the menu besides what was ordered for me.

...

I do not think I am hungry enough for five cheeseburgers and a tray of fries, this time.

[Zulius gives that little judgemental tongue click of his.]

HARD disagree! A not-good person wouldn't come here to take care of his friend with zero notice and actually be willing to stick around and make sure he was okay. Those are good person activities, ergo, you are a good person.

[Take your goddamn compliment and live with it, Vittore, he's not going to let you dismiss it!

It's a good couch to sleep on. A few months ago, Zulius would have absolutely been bold enough to invite Vergil to his bed, instead. But things have shifted since all that mess with Krusnik. As freaked out as it makes him, Zulius can't ignore that. Vergil means more to him than a quick and dirty rumple in the hay at this point. Even more than offering one. The zebrataur isn't really sure how to handle any of that right now. So he just keeps Vergil at a weird arms-length-but-not area.

Which is to say he absolutely needs something normal right now. The traumatic press of the cabin is too strong to focus on anything else right now. He just needs an evening where he can decompress and quietly put his broken pieces back together again so he can be some semblance of himself once the morning comes. He trusts Vergil to be someone he can do that with. ]

I mean...fair. That one was kinda snuck on you when you least expected it, huh? But that's okay! I'm definitely hungry enough for like, 4 cheeseburgers and a tray of fries, so you can have the one extra - whichever one your heart desires.

[ but admitting he's a good person would mean giving up his hard-earned Scrooge status! It was a matter of principle! And hard work! And... he doesn't try brushing off Zulius' observations this time, simply raising a hand to drag through well-kept hair, as if to fix what doesn't really need fixing. ]

You would do the same. Were our roles reversed. [ he's not about to suggest this is payback for when he was taken by Krusnik either--he's already analyzed and decided such a comment would be ingenuine. ] As such, I suppose it is my loss on the debate again today. [ he aquiesces to Zulius' point, raising a hand and giving him a little wave as if to offer him the higher ground. ]

Ah. Role reversal.
I suppose I can handle taking care of the fifth of what you plan to order. [ ...and then a pause, a consideration. ] Be sure to order those saccharine drinks, as well.

[His principle here is dumb and Zulius will never give up on this one. He's pretty sure he can out-stubborn Vergil on this one if he tries hard enough. ]

I mean, natch, but I don't go around lying and saying I'm not a good person. [That was a very, very wise move on Vergil's part. It definitely wouldn't have gone down well. Zulius would have been clear such acts of kindness shouldn't be repaid. You do them because you care about the people you're doing them for, with no expectation for that kindness to be returned.

As Vergil offers him the higher ground, Zulius is more than happy to take it with a soft laugh, reaching over to pat Vergil on the shoulder. ] It's okay, Big Guy. You might win one eventually.

[Signs point to no on that one, but Zulius likes seeing Vergil try, so he wants to encourage that. He raises one eyebrow slowly upwards at the saccharine drinks comment.]

Is that your weird Vergil way of saying that you want milkshakes? [He chuckles, adding them to to order with a few taps- he gets a couple of flavours, if Vergil is going to live in the sin of eating Five Guys again, he'll make it an indulgent one] Okay, you adorable weirdo, done and done. They'll be here before we know it, blessed be are the powers of Doordash.

I will eventually master your tactics, and you will never again be able to get one over me. Just watch and wait. [ he won't, but he can still threaten, he can still HOPE; or at least put on the facade that he believes there is a battle to be won here.

He makes a face as the other calls the drink a 'milkshake', and he wonders why the english language is such a travesty. ]

...Is that what they are called. That is a terrible name for something, I am certain you are aware. Nearly half as bad as 'Smoothie'. These names are inane.

[ BUT THATS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. he's going to just... nod his head. ]

When it arrives. I will go fetch it, at the very least. [ no need to make Zulius get up and go near the exit. probably for the best? ]

HAH, says you. [He raises his hands in faux-surrender.] Okay, Verg, I'll watch and I'll wait for the magical day you might get one over on me. Like, press X to doubt and everything, but I'll humour you.

[His grin only widens at Vergil's visible distress about the milkshakes. It might be at the other man's expense, but this really is making him feel better. Grounded. More himself again. There's light at the end of the tunnel and it's not an incoming train.]

Well, yeah! You get your milk, you add your ice cream and you shake it. Ergo, milk. Shake. Milk that is shaken. And what's wrong with smoothie? It rolls off the tongue really nice. Smooothiiie.

[And he can at least read between the lines there, and his smile softens, just a touch.]

...Thanks. I'm uh...sticking away from doors and windows for a little while.

[ normal things are offering Vergil chunks of Americanized culture as completely normal. Well read a scholar that he is, he still grew up in Europe and somehow, every day, America manages to make his brain feel like it's leaking out of his ear. ]

I will allow you the logic that milkshakes are spun drinks--but they're not milk. They're ice cream. Ice cream has more egg in it than milk. Heavy cream is closer to butter than milk.

[ do you see his problem?! ]

In Italian, it is Frullato. 'Blended Fruit.' It is far more sensible.

[ the hand gesture is back. ]

I figured such would be the case. It is not a problem.

[America continues to be The Worst and none of them should expect any different.

Zulius Can't Even Cook Toast Bunter frowns at that, confusion spreading across his face almost comically.]

...Wait. What? It doesn't have milk in it? What makes it so liquidy??? I thought that was milk? So there's like, zero milk in it at all? Why do they call it milkshake, then?! It would be not-milkshake if that was the case, right?

[Explain that one, Vittore!!!!

Zulius watches the hand gesture with a wide grin. He mirrors it as he tries to repeat the word. His attempt is, at least, a little better than his previous tries at Italian. He is improving with it. Slowly. ]

Frullato. I mean, okay, yeah, that's literally what it is, but it's not supposed to be sensible, Babe, it's supposed to be fun

Edited 2023-11-20 21:04 (UTC)

I suppose some milkshakes can have milk added in to aid in blending it, I suppose. I cannot claim to be an expert in your fast food, after all. ...Even if adding milk or water would cheapen the whole thing.

...

Fast food is generally cheap, though, is it not. I remember spending no more than 500$ at that place I did not go and it fed everyone. Uncomfortably strange. [ 500$ is how much you spend on wine. ]

I suppose I cannot. Fully argue that the language needs to be stiff.

Especially after seeing what some of America's Fast Food restaurants look like, inside.
...McDonalds has a Playroom for children in it.

I think the whole point is the cheap thing, tbh? Like, it's super popular for a reason, I guess? I mean, I buy it because I love indulging in that fatty, salty goodness. Buuuut I think for a lot of people it's a legit meal for them?

[Zulius is a rich guy but he understands that some people are not, he gets it!]

Glad you could see it my way, Babe. But hey, there's plenty of fun Italian words, too.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh yeah, the kids love Mc-Ds. That's why they have a clown mascot. And...whatever the flunk Grimace is. I remember they had a kids club where you could get like... McDonalds branded radios and stuff if you have a birthday there. Young stage capitalism was wild.

IC INBOX - kaisou

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