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It's not unlike muscle memory.

[Except muscle memory is usually restricted to this lifetime, not one long past. So in a way it's not muscle memory at all, but Ardyn still thinks the comparison is apt.]

With enough practice, do you think all of it might return to you?

[A pause of consideration.] Do you even wish for it to, if you had the choice?

Maybe. [Dante frowns, considering the practices he's run through so far.] I'm not sure, though. I don't know what I can't remember.

[For instance, what if he'd been able to use magic like Arlene had? Even though there's a part of him still hesitant to accept her magic, there's another, even tinier part of him that wonders if maybe he'd once been able to do the same. And if he can, is that what he's not remembering in those gaps of memory? Would he be able to remember how to use it just by practicing...?

There's just too much he doesn't know yet. There's no way to answer that question, much like there's no real way to answer Ardyn's other question. Silence reigns as Dante considers both the question and his answer.]

I don't really know. Maybe. [He studies his hands again, closing his right as though around the hilt of a sword.] The past few days, I... still practiced fighting. Even though I didn't want to think about any of the other memories, I still wanted to practice that.

[But why should he want to learn how to fight with a sword? It's not exactly a skill that'll serve him well in this day and age.]

I don't mind remembering that so much. It's kind of relaxing, in a way.

It's the memories I've got a problem with.

I feel as if these new skills of yours are memories in their own right. The memories of abilities long lost.

[That seems to be the biggest implication. He wonders if something would happen if Ardyn did the same, but it's an idle thought at best. He's not going to be one to pick up a sword, swing it around, and see if sword fighting talents rush back to him in a daze. To the professor, the thought is (ironically) laughable at best.]

Slowly but surely, the truth continues to unfold. And in its wake, bringing more questions. [He exhales, and it almost might be taken as a sigh.] Remember what I said about commiseration? It'll make the burden easier to bear, and I still stand by that. [He's still offering an ear to listen to any future memories Dante might experience, if he still wishes to share them to Ardyn.] Who knows? It may not always be doom and gloom. Maybe you'll be visited by images more encouraging next time.

[Dante gives a voiceless snort at Ardyn's refutation, shaking his head. You know what he meant!

Still, he has a point. Dante may not be able to say that he feels entirely back to normal, but the weight on his shoulders feels a bit less heavy for having been able to talk about it. He still doesn't have the answers--he still can't help but worry that he's going to repeat his own history--but there's a small part of him that's daring to hope that maybe, maybe by talking about it here, it's less likely to happen. Maybe by being honest, Ardyn understands a little more.]

Knowing my luck, I doubt it. [But the corner of his lips turn up, a wry, self-mocking smile. But hey, it's something of a smile, right?] But the thought's appreciated.

[A brief pause, and then Dante takes a deep breath.]

Hey, prof...? Thanks. You didn't have to do this.

[Wrenching a smile out of Dante is really all he wanted to see, in the end. It makes Ardyn reflect the expression in return. He wears it sincerely.]

I know I didn't have to. But I wanted to. You really did have me worried; it's unlike you to not show up to class so many days in a row.

[But then that smile of his transforms back into its usual smug state, as he says the following:] You'll have me losing my reputation as the patronizing, theatrical professor at this rate.

[This time it's voiceless huff of air that Dante gives, a sound of disbelief as he slouches back into the bench in a way that suggests he's much more at ease with the conversation's turn.]

Yeah, well, if you do, it won't be because anyone heard it from me. As far as I'm concerned you're still the same old nosy, patronizing smartass prof as ever.

[And if Ardyn believes for a damn second he means those words, he's learned nothing about Dante since all this began.

A moment later, though, he's glancing back again.]

Sorry. I didn't mean to make anyone worry.

[He'd expected that Ari would, but he'd also texted her to let her know he'd be gone, too.]

Ha. No apologies required.

[And with that, he stands from his seat on the bench, turning on his heel to look at Dante. He makes a rather theatrical gesture with his arms, something the young man should be used to seeing in class.]

After all, I don't care about apologies. I'm just a patronizing, smartass professor, remember?

[Do you see this unimpressed look on his face, Ardyn? Because this is the most unimpressed look that Dante's giving.]

Yeah, and you're full of shit, too.

[Yeah okay he's trying not to let that little smirk tinge his expression like it normally does. Stop being dumb, he's trying to angst here!]

[And a shit-eating grin to match.]

You're far too kind, Dante.

[No angst for you, if Ardyn has anything to say about it!]

Now then, I think I've a faculty meeting that I'm running terribly late to. I'll see you in class, then?

Yeah. [A nod.] I'll be there.

[He's just. Going to stay seated on the bench for a little while more though. Ardyn's given him a lot to think about.]

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