gladiius

[gladiius]

➣ . To be made of sin was to be consumed by it. It was to acknowledge and accept that each part of him was no longer his to fully own or to control, and with that Vergilius had made it his mission to remain steadfast. To keep himself contained — controlled — by wrangling each sin that threatened to overwhelm him. The determination to cling onto that illusion of humanity that'd been stripped away from him long ago, as if desperation alone could keep him from bringing harm upon others.

...And yet, the moments in which he found his hand slipping upon the reins... perhaps he ought to consider them testament to his humanity, proof of his flaws and failures. For his hubris had built desire within him with no room for pressure to escape, leaving him woefully vulnerable at times where his grip faltered. Luck, perhaps, that today would not be the day that wrath or envy greeted them. Instead the sins of choice manifested in the form of a weighed body, as if his very vessel were a burden, and the kindling of a burning ache deep within, clouding his mind and his reason with a yearning all-too-familiar.

" ...Whitenight, " their name falling past Vergilius' lips in a drawled mutter, a quiet sigh escaping him as he leaned into their touch, a faint relief. His eyes fluttered, ever-so-slightly, faint hues of familiar colors mixing among the red of his dormant wrath, " ...Must you make me beg ? " ...Couldn't even find the energy to figure out what it was they wanted him to say. Haah... How tedious.

white wings appeared from out of their back as if they had always existed but were invisible. their larger wings positioned at each shoulder blade shielded him from the sight of others while cozily they had him against a tiny nook outside of their home. a faint lulling buzz of their head filling the air, almost as if in content with the way they held him to said wall.

< vergilius? ( @gladiius ) > their voice trickled in. not the usual means- directly transmitted inside of his mind. their hands sliding up his face from his neck with a content little wiggle of their fingers, ending off the action with a soft hold of his face. < or perhaps, i should say mine own devil...? >

< i seeth thy sins has consumed thee whole. maybe if thee ask of me. i would be generous enough. >

[gladiius]

➣ . Surely the Sinners and the Manager are not causing a mess in lieu of his absence...

[gladiius]

➣ . It would hardly do for their guide to burden them with such needless sentiments, now would it ? " ... " you. " ...Nothing of your concern, manager Dante. " their name falling out a smooth rumble, voice roughened by the later hour.

.... only a perhaps? Twiddling their thumbs. < Huh? ...What's on your mind? >

[gladiius]

➣ . " Hm... " ...perhaps... he'd missed them as well.

[gladiius]

❥     𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒    [   𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙿𝚃𝚂    ]   .

headcanon prompts with questions based on plants   &   what they represent in flower language .  happy roleplaying !!  ♡

abatina :   is there anything in life your muse has changed their mind about over time   (   due to becoming more educated on the topic ,   certain experiences  ,   etc .   ) ,    or that they   would   change their mind about under certain circumstances ?  

acanthus :   is your muse deceptive ,   or willing to lie or deceive to achieve certain means ?   why or why not ?   

aloe :   how does your muse handle grief ?

amaryllis :   what is something or someone that your muse takes pride in ?   how do they express that pride ?   

anemone :   how does your muse view the world ;   as a cruel   &   unforgiving place ,   a land full of wonders ,   or something in - between ?  where does that world view come from   (   what experiences ,   life lessons ,   etc .   ) ?  

angelica :   where does your muse draw inspiration in life ?   what motivates them ?

apple blossom :   how does your muse go about expressing or not expressing their sexuality ?  

bachelor’s button :   does your muse actively seek romantic companionship ,   or cherish the liberties of being single ? 

basil :   does your muse have a love - hate relationship with anyone or anything ?

bay tree :   does your muse seek glory   &   accolades ,   or do they favour a simpler ,   more personal life ?  

begonia :   how cautious is your muse ?   are they prone to noticing red flags ,   or paranoid to the point of untrusting most everyone ?   why or why not ?  

belladonna :   how does your muse respond to silence ?   do they take comfort in soundlessness ,   or seek to fill the void with noise ?   

bluebell :   does your muse learn from their past ,   or are they prone to repeating the same mistakes ?  

carnation :   what is your muse’s relationship with their gender ?   how do they express or not express this relationship ?  

chamomile :   what is your muse likely to take away from a painful experience ?   are they one to be haunted by adversity ,   or to use what they’ve gone through to become stronger ?  

chrysanthemum :   how does your muse express romantic love ?  how do they feel about love as a concept ?  

daffodil :   is your muse one to be loyal in relationships ,   or are they likely to quickly move from one bond to another ?

daisy :   did your muse ever feel as though their innocence had been lost ?   what moment in their life could be described as the end of their innocence ?  

edelweiss :   what was the bravest moment in your muse’s life ?  are they known to be courageous from then on ?  

fern :   does your muse believe in magic or cosmic forces ,   or are they more likely to think their life is ultimately a matter of their own control ?  

forget - me - not :   has your muse ever forgotten something that is or was important to them ?   are they afraid of forgetting things like that ?  

gardenia :   is your muse one to confess romantic feelings early on ,   or to conceal them for long periods of time ?  

gladiolus :   describe a moment from your muse’s life that they will never forget .

goldenrod :   does your muse believe in luck or fortune ?  why or why not ?   where do they believe these things come from ?  

heliotrope :   does your muse believe in soulmates ?

hibiscus :   how does your muse view the gentler ,   daintier things in life ?   as things worth preserving   &   caring for ,   or things only bound to wither   &   disappear ?  

holly :   how strong is your muse’s sense of intuition ?  are they aware of it ?   do they ever fear that it is only paranoia ?  

hollyhock :   how strong is your muse’s sense of ambition ?  what’s something they strive for in life ?  

hyacinth :   is your muse athletic ?   does it come naturally to them ,   or have they had to work for their physique and/or skill ?  

hydrangea :   how much does your muse value communication in their relationships with others ?  are they prone to being misunderstood ?

iris :   if your muse could convey one last message to someone they have lost or left behind ,   what would it be ?  

ivy :   what are your muse’s views on marriage ?   do they believe it is something strictly for love ,   or an institution rooted in business   &   social benefits ?   do they desire or have they desired to be married ?

lavender :   how easy is it to gain your muse’s trust ?  once their trust is broken ,   how might one go about mending it ?  

lilac :   what was your muse’s childhood like ?   how has their upbringing affected them as they’ve aged ? 

lily :   how does your muse view their mother ?  

lotus :   has your muse ever felt as though they’ve been reborn ?  have they ever desired the feeling of a fresh start ,   or a better understanding of themself and/or the world around them ?  

magnolia :   describe your muse’s relationship with nature   &   the natural world .  

marigold :   is your muse prone to jealousy ?  how might they handle envious feelings ?  

mint :   does your muse view themself as virtuous   &   moral ?  what do these words mean to them ?

nasturtium :   describe your muse’s relationship with their birthplace ,   or homeland .  

oak :   who would your muse consider the strongest person they know ?  

pansy :   does your muse often reflect on their own actions ?   do they ever think a lot about the past ,   and what they could have done differently ?

parsley :   describe a holiday your muse enjoys ,   and why they enjoy it .

peony :   what would a   ‘  happy life  ’   look like in your muse’s eyes ?

poppy :   what comforts your muse ?

rhododendron :   is your muse receptive to warnings   &   advice given by others ?

rose :   how much does your muse value other people ?   do they wish to have many friends ,   lovers ,   and/or associates ?   are they an easy person to love ?

sage :   what is your muse’s legacy ?   what do they want to be remembered for   &   what might they actually be remembered for ?  

salvia :   is your muse possessive over people or things that matter a lot to them ?  how do they express that possessiveness ,   or lack thereof ? 

snapdragon :   is your muse merciful ?  why or why not ?

southernwood :   how seriously does your muse take themself ?   do they prefer a solemn   &   intellectual atmosphere or do they delight in jokes   &   banter ?  

sunflower :   what brings your muse the most joy in life ?  

tulip :   how does your muse view people in general ?  

violet :   how does your muse respond to betrayal ?

willow :   how does your muse handle sadness   &   depression ?

zinnia :   how has the loss of fallen comrades and/or loved ones affected your muse ?   has it taught them anything or given them any new perspectives ?

[gladiius]

there's a fluttering of wings that comes to a halt when the tiny black bird lands upon his shoulder with its' giant golden eye blinking once. gaze's head twitches over in a notable tilt while it seemed to glare ever vacantly at the face of the male. "WORRY." it squawked out, vocal mimicry of the very man it had been sitting upon. though after a blink its beak leans in to rub against his cheek.

➣ . The weight of living was a burden Vergilius was keenly familiar with. To have survived when he'd thought to die was a sin he had been forced to grow accustomed to and forced to bear time && time again.

But there had always been reason for him to live. A job. A duty. A promise. He had to live, for he was the only one who could. And yet, it was difficult for him to hold onto that when those reasons had all been said && done, && the last remaining threads of promises became increasingly sparse of lacking for him to truly believe in.

Moving in with Dante had made things clearer, made it easier to breathe, unwilling to let the manager ( no longer the manager ) see his weaknesses. Lest they were to do something so foolish as worry over what amounted to nothing.

...Yet on days where Dante found themselves away... when time began to slip from his grip... he found himself unable wanting to do little more than to stay lying down when he woke up with the weight of his sins pressing down upon his chest.

However such coveted respite of sloth was far too indulgent for him to have, the flimsy threat that Dante might return early just enough to have him crawling out of bed, moving to the living room instead where he tried to keep in mind the possibility — such horribly selfish hope — in order to prevent further spiraling... only for his meager strength to continue to wane. Yet he had to be strong, not for himself, never for himself, but for the people around him. For Dante.

...And as of late... for the bird's as well. A reminder brought to him in form of loud screech from Dante's pet abnormality, one that would have typically irritated him on better days, yet now...

" ... " the sound garnered little reaction from Vergilius. His eyes still distant, lost in memories, lost in grief, lost in sin.

...But it was persistent, as always, && gradually... slowly... he was brought back to reality. The past would forever haunt him, but the vibrancy of memories fade as the numbness recedes its tides — gone for now with promise of return, yet he'd made peace with that fate long ago — bringing forth a prickling sensation of needles crawl across his body, allowing reality to sink into his skin && settle deep into the crevices of his cracked heart.

" ...Haah... " he still struggled to find words, his throat clogged up && choked by guilt, &&, truthfully, the idea of speaking made him nauseous. Still, Vergilius made an effort for its sake, " ...There's... There's no need to worry for me, Gaze. " His tongue felt clumsy && awkward in his mouth, the words a murmured whisper, barely audible past the hoarseness of his voice.

He knew his feeble reassurances would only draw further ire from the Gazing Bird, as would his pitiful attempt of a smile, but habit was habit, && he was still human, susceptible as any other to such things.

...Attempt that lasted but a moment as he found himself unable to keep it up for long. &&.. && Vergilius sighed again. Tension in his shoulders remained... the past demanding his attention... but the bird was truly relentless && he was left with little choice but to accept its attempts of comfort, finally blinking — if only for a brief moment — as he rests his head against their feathered form. Letting the warmth of a living being chase away the frozen over hell of his memories. There was still plenty to be reckoned with... but for now...

He would let himself rest in the abnormality's company.

" ... " words continued to remain entrapped within his throat, leaving him tasting acid at his attempts. Still, with numb hand, he brought it up to the bird && stroked the top of its head as gently as he could, clumsier still than if he were returned to clarity in full, but a genuine gesture nevertheless... A quiet thank you, thank you for being there, that... that Vergilius hoped it could understand.

[gladiius]

➣ . This time he's really going to do it.

[gladiius]

➣ . Haaaaaaaah........ When are the higher ups not complaining to either of them about some idiotic drudgery or another... He's expecting at least some results from Dante for this, Ms. Faust. He'll leave their performance in her hands.

she is so not going to talk about this to the higher ups this time. it's your turn getting the 3h30m of yapfest and pray dias is not around.

[gladiius]

➣ . He's not calling you a good manager Dante, that Mirror Dungeon was shit.

[gladiius]

➣ . Tired Vergilius sigh.

[gladiius]

➣ . ...They're going to be having another long discussion regarding E.G.O. gifts and determining the cost verses benefits of trials aren't they. And the Sixth Sinner's Liu Id.... Manager we need to get you some better identities there's only so many times we can have this conversation before we both tire of it ( he's going to end up on the couch again isn't he ).

[gladiius]

➣ . ....Thinking about his wife the manager on company hours.

[gladiius]

➣ . ...Need he remind them of how every single time it's them who wanders off, leaving him to chase after them through following the sound of destruction where he'll inevitably have to save them time && time again ? Only for them to find trouble elsewhere once more the moment he takes his gaze off of them for a single second ?

@gladiius

Log off tumblr manager we've got to mine

i don't want to go caving.... you always abandon me

[gladiius]

《 @toktic replied 》 : < ... >

➣ . Was there something he could help them with,

[gladiius]

okay but like sincerely why does he say their name like that all the time----

[gladiius]

➣ . He sighs, heavy, at her initial comment. That's not true, he wants to say, but the moment passes before he could catch it, leaving him fumbling after her. Such a far cry from the reserved yet competent employer he once was.

" ... "

Her touch burned. Another token towards the possibility that this was real. He finds his hand moving up, as if to cup over hers, as if to reassure himself that she's truly there...

But his hand falls back to his side before he could give it an honest chance. Hah... as if he could ever deserve such comfort of knowledge, " ...I'm glad that you're alive, Denver, " he says instead, voice quiet, his smile fleeting and strained... but genuine, " I see that the... the years must have been rather rough on you. "

Vergilius finds himself tripping over his words, his tongue feels forgien and clumsy in his mouth. It's an unsettling feeling, yet one he understood the origin of its meaning. He's digging through dirt with clawed hands for the man that'd once run an office. He's trying to find that man he'd thought he'd long buried. The boss, not the guide. The differences are just enough to leave him unabalnced.

" ...I... " there's a pause, " ...I believe my answer would be much of the same. Currently, I was simply out... " and he's uncertain how to explain the bags in his hands, filled with snacks he'd been getting for the Sinners and candy for Charon. Stars. Charon, " ...running errands. " was he truly having this conversation ?

"Maybe it would've been better had I." Yet to say she didn't make the decision herself for the spot she ended up in. However the animosity... she felt lingered. It had been so long ago now that it's almost rough to recall. A blur of memories yet the worst of it clung to her. Addiction, being cornered and her hand forced of her. Even now her escape was not one without its problem. Yet... she steps over to him. That former fisted hand coming down to settle on his shoulder in a squeeze which spoke every anguished yet ... relieved feeling which existed within her.

...a silent apology for how she somewhat lashed out. "Haha! Man... still beat around the bush as always?" His vague approach to check in with her. Something that makes her feel fond yet an inexplicable sadness. How was she? "Tired. Beyond exhausted if I'm so honest but... I... well, you know. Gotta keep pushing it. The city never rests nor should I." "What about you, Verg?"

[gladiius]

I really do need to reread through or replay everything. Need to remember how cranky he was in the real.