[The soreness pulses between them as Diavolo's fingers dig in, giving and taking pain in the same instant. He can feel the heat of his own hands, an electric spark turning on him as he presses.
There is room here for doubt. The answer clarifies nothing. Doppio might not remember, or he might not understand the question.]
I must be sure. It was not long after I arrived. After the vortex took me, after I was devoured and pieced back together... I was still careless then. I did not yet believe you to be real. Perhaps if I put my faith in you from the start, this would not have happened. Perhaps if I had been more resolute, you would not need to... stray. In all of our encounters, she has been decisive and willful — traits that I have lacked. You do best with a purpose.
[It hurts to admit such weakness, but his faults pour out relentlessly.]
The audacity with which she speaks to you — the way I've seen you respond — I'm certain she's given you a purpose. But when? Was that the beginning of it? That day we spent together, wandering the city streets, children ripped from space and time? She stayed with us, she spoke to us, fed us and ensured our safety.
[A beat.]
I trusted her then. I... did not have the context to doubt her, or I would have taken you by the hand and taken you away. As soon as I regained my senses, I could only wonder what her intentions are. Was she targeting you from the beginning? To build trust when you needed it most, to sway you to her side? Tell me, Doppio. Tell me you can't remember, now when I can feel it.
DOPPIO IM SORRY
There is room here for doubt. The answer clarifies nothing. Doppio might not remember, or he might not understand the question.]
I must be sure. It was not long after I arrived. After the vortex took me, after I was devoured and pieced back together... I was still careless then. I did not yet believe you to be real. Perhaps if I put my faith in you from the start, this would not have happened. Perhaps if I had been more resolute, you would not need to... stray. In all of our encounters, she has been decisive and willful — traits that I have lacked. You do best with a purpose.
[It hurts to admit such weakness, but his faults pour out relentlessly.]
The audacity with which she speaks to you — the way I've seen you respond — I'm certain she's given you a purpose. But when? Was that the beginning of it? That day we spent together, wandering the city streets, children ripped from space and time? She stayed with us, she spoke to us, fed us and ensured our safety.
[A beat.]
I trusted her then. I... did not have the context to doubt her, or I would have taken you by the hand and taken you away. As soon as I regained my senses, I could only wonder what her intentions are. Was she targeting you from the beginning? To build trust when you needed it most, to sway you to her side? Tell me, Doppio. Tell me you can't remember, now when I can feel it.