The Birthday Boy

[Dante Ahti]

It was Dante's birthday, and the man decided to finally go outside and get some air, making his way over to the school. As he walked, he thought long and hard.

Dante wanted to do something with his life. All he did was sit around and stay in his house alone, read books all day. Study, practice, all that jazz. And as much as he loved reading, studying, trying out new spells, he couldn't just center his life around magic anymore. There had to be more out there for him. Right now he was practically a hermit. Only leaving his house when essential.

On top of that, he was running out of funds. His sister, when she was alive, had a lot of money, but he didn't have a job, and was using up her money quickly.

He just didn't know what sort of job to do. He could be a teacher- but the only thing he could teach would be magic, and though he was good at it, he wanted to try something different. He could work at the pub- but that had low pay.He could work at the infirmary- but that also would require magic.

The man simply did not know what to do- so he decided to sit outside of his old school, and wait it out. Finally the man reached his spot, and sat comfortably down, placing his bag beside him. He always got his best ideas from sitting outside of the school, on a bench. It was where he had met a lot of people. Where he had met Phillis.

Dante had moved on by now. He didn't want to be in another relationship. But he was okay with Phillis's death- grieving time had long past. Now, it was time for the good memories to come, and Dante's future to arise.

The man closed his eyes, as the air breezed by his skin. After Avaleur was attacked, he had also thought of leaving. Again. But decided that it was not his time to leave. That he still had something to give to the town. It could be a small thing- like meeting another person. Or cleaning up the center of town. But he felt there was something for him to do, and he would do it.

Before that, he needed to find a job. So he thought. And thought. And thought.

[Phillis Von Christ]

After his awkward encounter with Kyle the previous night, Phillis decided to venture further into Avaleur. It had been quite awhile, and though there were changes, most of it was how he remembered it being. Not many people seemed to be around that day, so he hadn't been recognized yet. Not that he would mind if he was seen at this point, but not many people would look favorably at the fact that his death had been faked.

Of course, his feet led him straight to the public school, the place where he'd first gone to when he arrived in Avaleur. And of course, the place where he first met Dante. He stared at it for a moment, as the memories began to flood back. He looked at the bench where they had originally met, and there he was. Was Phillis' imagination just this good, or was Dante really sitting right there before him? Phillis blinked his eyes a few times. It wasn't an illusion, he really was there.

Smiling a bit to himself, Phillis wondered if he'd be recognized this time. He'd be fine if Dante didn't believe it was him though. Ever since the last time they'd met and Dante didn't recognize him, he came to the conclusion that he was happy to see he was moving on. Dante deserved better. He deserved happiness, and Phillis wasn't going to ruin that for him.

Approaching the bench, Phillis sat beside Dante, trying to think of something cool to say. What should he say in this situation anyways? He was really having trouble finding his words. After a moment of awkward silence, a few words finally escaped his mouth. " It's your birthday today, isn't it?" he asked, though he didn't make eye contact.

[Dante Ahti]

He didn't even notice the man walk up- nearly jumped when he spoke. But Dante just shook it off, and couldn't help but feel he would more than likely laugh later about his absent mindedness.

The sorcerer opened one eye slightly, not catching the man's face. Only the side of his head, and his body. He shut his eye lightly again, then smiled. It wasn't often strangers chatted about these days. People tended to keep to themselves for the most part.
Though Dante couldn't help but feel as if the voice was recognizable- a voice heard long ago. He couldn't recognize it exactly, though.

"Well, yes. Yes it is my birthday. I didn't think I was popular enough for anyone to know that, though!" he grinned, stating it matter-of-factly with a chuckle at the end. Not too many people knew about his birthday, from what he knew. He wasn't really celebrating it this year- not chatting with friends for a while, it seemed pointless.

[Phillis Von Christ]

Phillis nodded as he listed to Dante speak. So, he hadn't recognized him then. It did kind of hurt a bit, but he didn't dwell on it. He hadn't looked at him anyways. He'd probably long forgotten his voice by now. He smiled to himself, trying to push the hurt away. Oh well, shit happens, right? Did I really expect him to think that me being alive was possible? No, that's too selfish. Like he thought earlier, wouldn't it be better this way?

" Of course, it should be common knowledge, right? It's not something that should be easily forgotten." What was he saying?! Now he was almost certain that he sounded like the worlds biggest creeper. Maybe it wouldn't all be so bad, though! Wouldn't Dante feel honoured if he thought he has a fan? Fucking Christ, Phillis, stop thinking like an idiot. he mentally cursed himself.

[Dante Ahti]

Dante raised an eyebrow and opened his eyes, only to begin a light chuckle and a shrug. "I suppose I'm not one to say who should know what, I suppose," he smiled, looking at the man once more. How familiar he seemed- if only Dante could get a good look at his face.
"What're you doing around here, friend?" He asked out of curiosity, hoping the man would look his way to speak to him.

(( sorry for the sucky reply but I'm sort of on my iPhone lol better then I thought it would have been though! ))

[Phillis Von Christ]

((Girl, no, your reply is fabu as ever.))

Phillis tried to resist every urge to face Dante as he spoke. "I was an old resident, so I came to see how the place was holding up, mostly." he managed to answer without budging. " It seems.. about the same, I guess." he rambled on. This was how normal chit-chat went on, wasn't it? It was so mindless and dull though. Phillis sighed to himself.

"But, I'm more interested in you. What're you doing here all by your lonesome?" he asked Dante, and as he finished the question, he turned his head to face him. He mentally cursed himself for doing it, as he quickly moved his eye contact back to the ground.

[Dante Ahti]

(( ;o why thank you dahling! ))

He saw it- just a glance, he wasn't paying enough attention, but he saw it. His eyes went wide, but blank. From what he saw, it looked like Phillis. Dante's face went white. It wasn't him, it couldn't be. The man was murdered for gods sake!

"Thinking of possible career options," the sorcerer answered, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. He scratched the back of his head, trying to shake the thought of Phillis. It couldn't be him- it was impossible.
"I'm sort of jobless right now. Trying to think of a possible fix to that. Don't have too many friends to talk to about this, either," he answered once more, this time replying more to the whole 'lonesome' bit.

But the man could not shake the thought. Phillis. He was over the man- but it didn't mean he didn't still love him, or wish he were here.

[Phillis Von Christ]

"Jobless? That must be hard. But I'm sure you'll find something. You're just that type of person. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. You'll succeed at whatever you try." Phillis realized that each word only made him sound more and more like some random stalker, so he tried his best to change the subject. But to what? Something nonchalant that strangers would discuss, right? Somehow, this was really difficult to do. Why was he afraid to just outright say ' Hey, it's me, Phillis. Still alive! ?

" Are you alright? Your voice sounds kind of.. shaky?"

[Dante Ahti]

Dante listened to his words- no...he had to know this person. Unless it was some creep who knew him, Dante knew this person. They spoke as if they really knew him.
He then realized that his voice was indeed shaky.

Dante gulped down the lump in his throat, and let out a tiny, shaky sigh, barely loud enough to hear.

"You remind me of someone that I used to know," the man stated. "Really remind me."

[Phillis Von Christ]

At this, Phillis sort of awkwardly shifted in his seat. How should he reply to this?! He was very nearly at a loss for words. Biting his lip a bit, he mumbled the question "Who?" just loud enough for Dante to hear.

How was Dante even going to react to all this?! Out of all the people, Phillis thought about him the most. Of course he wanted him to be happy about it, but he wanted to respect his feelings no matter what they might be.

[Dante Ahti]

Dante stared at the man- was he nervous? It seemed so.

"...Phillis. Phillis Von Christ. I'm sure you've heard of him," the man spoke, eyes narrowed as he slowly bent a bit forward, trying to catch a better glance at the mans face.

[Phillis Von Christ]

"Ohhh, I see." Phillis replied as if he'd never heard the name. Through the side of his eye, he noticed Dante leaning forward slowly. He turned his head around completely to the side, so that Dante could only see the back of his head. He laughed awkwardly.

"What are you doing there?" he asked, referring to Dante trying to peek at his face.

[Dante Ahti]

"Why are you hiding your face?" Dante questioned quickly, with pursed lips. If he could just see the mans face, he could figure it out.

[Phillis Von Christ]

"Uh.. Good question." Phillis nodded his head, trying to think of a good excuse. "I'm shy?" he tried to joke, but even he knew that excuse was a failure. He sighed a bit. What was he doing? He just looked dumb now. Time to come clean. No use in hiding.

After what felt like the worlds longest moment of awkward silence, Phillis turned to face Dante. He gave him a bit of an uncertain smile, and mumbled. "Long time no see."

[Dante Ahti]

Dante couldn't help but stare at the man for a long time, a blank sort of stare. It seemed his suspicion was right- it was Phillis. It couldn't have been anyone else not with those eyes.
A sense of joy spread out through Dante's body- along with shock, and, a bit of anger. Something that Dante did not often have.

"I see that you're alive, then," Dante stated, not knowing whether to hug him or punch him in the head. After all, if he had been alive all of this time....why didn't Dante know?

[Phillis Von Christ]

There was no hiding now. Everything was out in the open. "I'm really sorry." Phillis stated, he honestly meant it and hoped that it would appear that way. He felt so bad for having to keep the truth from Dante of all people. A part of him had even secretly hoped that Alice would have slipped the truth to him at some point, but it didn't appear that way.

"I wanted to tell you, I really did, but I couldn't." Phillis frowned. " I don't really expect you to forgive me, in fact I don't blame you if you really hate me for it. It was terrible of me, and I just.. I really am sorry."

[Dante Ahti]

Dante's hands slowly curled up on his knees in frustration, a thin line being made of his lips.
"Why couldn't you have told me? It's been a year, Phillis. A year. Who the hell would still be after you after thinking you're dead? And why aren't you back at the castle yet?"
Thoughts, feelings, questions, they all floated around his head, as his hands gripped his knees tighter and tighter.

[Phillis Von Christ]

"Well, honestly," Phillis looked down, unable to make eye contact anymore. " I didn't want to come back." he shrugged. He really couldn't look into his eyes now. He needed to explain himself a little better, but seeing Dantes reaction.. He didn't think he could bare that.

"I've been staying with this group called the Verganza for a year. They were fairly nice, anyways. They let me change my look, and my name. But it was really going nowhere.. They didn't live up to their promises. So I guess you could say I'm back to being me now. I did try to contact you during all that, but.." Phillis sort of gave a half-hearted laugh. "But you didn't recognize me, so I gave up. I thought maybe that was for the best."

[Dante Ahti]

"You still haven't told me why you couldn't tell me," he stated, shaking slightly. Then, he added, "And how the hell could you say that me not knowing that you were alive was for the best? I was going insane, Phillis! I wanted to murder whoever did it to you. I was ready to kill anyone in my path to get my revenge, I was slowly losing my mind and you thought that it was for the best?!"

Dante couldn't help but express his rage- he might love Phillis, and be relieved to see him alive, but it didn't mean that he wasn't outraged. Tears threatened to spill over his eyes, but he held them in, face going red.

[Phillis Von Christ]

Phillis felt a wave of guilt overcome him. "I just-" he cut himself off, trying to search for the right words to say. " I don't know, it seemed right at the time. It seemed like... Like, if I didn't tell you then I was protecting you from something. I don't know. At the time, it seemed like it was for the best. I wanted you to know, really. Every time I saw you, it really killed me inside. So, I just gave up. You seemed like you were getting over it, and I didn't want to stir anything up again."

He sighed, after having rambled on. Making eye contact was really proving to be difficult. " I couldn't tell you because it was just... it was really difficult. I tried to, I really did. You didn't believe me at the time. It was sort of disheartening but that's when I realized I had to let you go. I didn't want to keep prying. I guess I wanted to wait until the right time, when I knew your head was clear and that you'd believe me."