At this point in the meal, Vergil is more or less moving things around his plate rather than eating. His overall eating habits have not changed since Kai's arrival, but there have been some subtle changes when he takes his meals with Mizu. When they eat elsewhere, he's more insistent that it be his treat to allow Mizu to order whatever she'd like and to eat to her fill. They still eat at his home and with his family, but leftovers are a rarer occurrence with the bottomless pits he calls his brother and son than they are when it's just the two of them. So, he's arranged for more meals at her place lately on the off-chance there is something to leave behind, and he makes sure the meals are something that requires little effort beyond reheating to eat later. (Assuming, of course, Mizu is taking the time to reheat them in the first place. Vergil would not be surprised if she deemed it a waste of time and just ate whatever food straight out of the fridge.) He also eats a bit slower with her, too. Not that he thinks there's much of a chance for Mizu to be concerned that he's done and waiting for her to be as well, but it is hardly any great sacrifice on his part even if she's immune to feeling self-conscious over it. Hence why even once he's had his fill, he pretends to still be eating.
But that is the only part he is pretending to be doing. When it comes to listening to her, Vergil's attention is focused on her. He's quiet and does not interrupt. Sometimes Mizu will talk herself in a small circle, repeating a piece of information until something new is attached to it. He doesn't mind, however. It's rare to see Mizu so passionate in this way, so lacking in self-consciousness that words spill out easily and she never seems to realize it. She doesn't seem to concern herself with how clearly she's communicating or not, and just seems to implicitly trust he's keeping up. If that's even a concern of hers. Because frankly, Vergil doesn't fault her if it's not and she is merely seeking out a release for her excitement. It's good to see her this way, and feels better knowing he had at least a small hand in making it happen in the first place. So, he speaks when she goes looking for his input or there's an otherwise appropriate lull, but he does not change the subject or unkindly point out that she's told him about the blankets and their fabrics three times this week alone. Frankly, Vergil is more than content to simply listen with a faint smile on his lips if that's all she really needs from him.
"I'm sure it is of little concern to her what the weather is like," Vergil says. A beast willing to go toe-to-toe with a half-devil in a battle of wills is not likely to wilt over the constant presence of snow, but Vergil keeps that part to himself. For as knowing as Mizu's smile is, Vergil does not acknowledge it at all, and maintains the ruse of ignorance as to how the mare came to be in Folkmore. Mizu could be forgiven for assuming it to be a bit of a playful joke between them or even a clumsy attempt at humility, but it is actually quite sincere. He thinks by saying nothing, providing no hint or clue will keep it a mystery, and ultimately negate the importance of the question, which is thoroughly aligned with his intent. After all, if he wanted recognition, he could have sought it several different ways even in just the presentation of the horse alone. All Vergil wants, however, is for Mizu to be happy. For Kai to belong to her and only her as it should have been with no danger of someone taking her away again. She deserves that. So, Kai is not a gift given to her. She is something, someone returned to her. Vergil merely facilitated it happening. That's all and not important.
So, instead of the real reason he knows Kai is not likely one to care about the year-round snow and cold, he says, "Not when you have her living in the lap of luxury and quite possibly turning her into the most spoiled creature in this realm."
no subject
But that is the only part he is pretending to be doing. When it comes to listening to her, Vergil's attention is focused on her. He's quiet and does not interrupt. Sometimes Mizu will talk herself in a small circle, repeating a piece of information until something new is attached to it. He doesn't mind, however. It's rare to see Mizu so passionate in this way, so lacking in self-consciousness that words spill out easily and she never seems to realize it. She doesn't seem to concern herself with how clearly she's communicating or not, and just seems to implicitly trust he's keeping up. If that's even a concern of hers. Because frankly, Vergil doesn't fault her if it's not and she is merely seeking out a release for her excitement. It's good to see her this way, and feels better knowing he had at least a small hand in making it happen in the first place. So, he speaks when she goes looking for his input or there's an otherwise appropriate lull, but he does not change the subject or unkindly point out that she's told him about the blankets and their fabrics three times this week alone. Frankly, Vergil is more than content to simply listen with a faint smile on his lips if that's all she really needs from him.
"I'm sure it is of little concern to her what the weather is like," Vergil says. A beast willing to go toe-to-toe with a half-devil in a battle of wills is not likely to wilt over the constant presence of snow, but Vergil keeps that part to himself. For as knowing as Mizu's smile is, Vergil does not acknowledge it at all, and maintains the ruse of ignorance as to how the mare came to be in Folkmore. Mizu could be forgiven for assuming it to be a bit of a playful joke between them or even a clumsy attempt at humility, but it is actually quite sincere. He thinks by saying nothing, providing no hint or clue will keep it a mystery, and ultimately negate the importance of the question, which is thoroughly aligned with his intent. After all, if he wanted recognition, he could have sought it several different ways even in just the presentation of the horse alone. All Vergil wants, however, is for Mizu to be happy. For Kai to belong to her and only her as it should have been with no danger of someone taking her away again. She deserves that. So, Kai is not a gift given to her. She is something, someone returned to her. Vergil merely facilitated it happening. That's all and not important.
So, instead of the real reason he knows Kai is not likely one to care about the year-round snow and cold, he says, "Not when you have her living in the lap of luxury and quite possibly turning her into the most spoiled creature in this realm."