[ there is a subject there that dante dares not approach, he wonders if the kid had that talk with him sometime fore he died of old age. did dante ever explain himself? he doubts it, as far as he is concerned nero could go the rest of his whole damn life not knowing that dante hadn't considered coming back for that job. that he didn't resist nero's involvement because he thought the kid couldn't cut it, not because he didn't want to kid to not only be involved in the death of his own father but also the witness to his uncle's practical suicide.

dante exhales a noise, something close to a scoff, looking down at his wrists. ]

Might be a little late for that one. [ he leans back, arm extending out over the back of the bench as he levels nero with a crooked smile. ] Already offered my services to the good people around here with the whole capitalist demon problem. They don't seem convinced their current plan is going to pan out, so I'm the back up plan.

[ that reminds him... ]

Now that I think about it, a guy called August mentioned you. [ a beat. ] Mentioned Nox. You planning on marching up to the big bad HQ and knocking on the door?