[There's the slightest pull at the corner of his lips.]

Ha.

[What does make him say this? Why say anything? Why not simply leave them in the dark—take more drastic measures on his own, without anyone ever knowing, as he always has? He's not even sure of the answer to that himself.

He knows that's not the question Dante is asking, but he can still find some... humor in it, however quickly it fades.]

Every minute I spend with anyone else is time I use thinking about how to use them, or get them out of my way.

[What will Dante do with all of this? With something nearing the truth of who he is? Will they still cling so stubbornly to that hope of theirs? ... it's another question for the list.]

I give no value to what anyone else wants beyond what will make them act the way I want.