no subject

[It's a bit presumptuous of Trip to say that he has anything in common with Dio. He knows so little of Dio both because Dio keeps much of it to himself, but also because what little information he does have has likely come with a biased slant against him, painting each of his actions as insidious to blatantly malicious towards Trip directly. But Dio doesn't correct Trip on this because it's obvious the boy needs and wants some semblance of belonging. If Dio can foster his kinship then perhaps he might be less easily swayed by Dio's detractors.]

[The harshness slowly begins to leave his facial expression, though it's replaced by calm neutrality rather than softness. There's very little about Dio that's soft.]

You may call me Dio. It is just the two of us speaking here. Besides, [Dio says, tipping his head a little to one side,] we are friends, are we not?