As a child, Vigo was known as The King of Dogs. He had been feeding the masterless mutts at the back of his family’s pizzeria. One day, when a group of bullies ran after him through the streets his pack jumped into his defense. After that incident, he was the coolest kid in school. His parents were less amused by the mob of sick dogs hanging around their establishment. Vigo had gotten a beating after his flock attempted to go into the pizzeria and directly to the food source. Even the King of Dogs was powerless when faced with his father's belt. He was banned from the restaurant and was sent to help out his uncle in his mechanic shop in his free time instead.

Once he no longer had anything to give his subjects he quickly lost his kingly status. He remained on good terms with the local gang but he couldn't claim to be top dog.

In high school, he became a boxer, and he was good at it. The money he got from work as a mechanic was spent on luxury shoes and his own trimmed-upp vespa. On the weekends he and his friends would roam around town and try to pick up girls. Vigo loved the attention his body and money got him. He chased after that feeling of being cool. Rico suave. When he awakened as an Esper at eighteen a whole new world opened up to him. His parents had shouted at him to go to university; find a stable job and build himself a future.

High-ranking Espers lived like stars. They were on TV showing their battles and selling shampoo. They were real-life superheroes, and who doesn't want to be a superhero? Even lower-ranking Hunters made more money on a single raid than he did working a full year. It was time for Vigo to change up a gear on his income class! He was an adult. His parents no longer had any control over him.

Vigo was a bright-eyed and green child when he entered the business. A few missions later he had seen death. He had been exploited by trusting in a verbal contract. He had seen the Espers with ichor that would not go away. Soldiers wasting their money on sex, drugs, and rock n roll. Vigo found his purpose, he'd spend all his savings to make up his own Hunter group. With fair contracts, transparency, and camaraderie. Not to say that he could not kick ass when he went out.

At thirty he was no superstar on TV, but he was at his prime with a flock of people who could depend on him. It felt great to be the spider in the web. Logistics became an unexpected passion as he obsessed with how to make the shitty world of Hunting a little more human-friendly. But without a Guide in the guild, it was always only a question of time before the show was over. That's when he learned no one wants to employ someone with black ooze in their eyes. Self-discipline could extend an Esper's warranty, but you can't always control what happens out on the battlefield.

Soon Guild administration was all he had going for him. He still provided for his Hunters, but with no power, he could not be their respected king. When the pain in his body had become too much, and he was kicked out from his job, that's when he became a melancholic old man hanging out in the library in the rundown part of the hive city. He had a place to stay. He had planned enough to have a livable pension. He even had a beautiful vintage motorcycle. Yet he felt so empty. Life was exhausting, even though the days were spent doing mostly nothing. There was regret in Vigo's heart. Melancholy struck when he thought about the fact that he had never found someone to share his life with.

Then Belaphorde came into his life, and a giant Kaiju destroyed everything he had ever known. There were way more chapters left in Vigo's life. The twists and turns did not stop coming.

In the chaos, Vigo was sure there had been an angel who had guided Belaphorde to him on that day. Vigo was given a chance he had given up on, a chance to take care of someone, to pour his love and devotion into someone, to be a father. Belaphorde’s powers had given Vigo back his body. Nothing had given him as much satisfaction, or made him feel as grateful,l as mentoring Belaphorde. The boy was so filled with potential but so eager to work himself into self-destruction. Perhaps Vigo was too soft on the boy for his own good.

After the incident with the Skull Girls, his health had made him a burden upon his son. It pained him, but he kept optimistic as he trusted Belaphorde to do all in his power to help. They would never abandon each other, even if Bel sometimes would think that the best way to show his appreciation was to make others independent from him.

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***

Tina sunk down into her chair as she typed on her tablet. Belaphorde slept with uneasy jerks. His head rested on Vigo’s shoulder, still unconscious after the events of the night.

“Thank you. I understand things could have gone much worse had you not been so perceptive.” Tina brushed her dark hair behind her ears. “Belaphorde has proven to have quite the… stubborn personality. I thought I had made it clear that going to Kaigo was a fruitless, and dangerous, endeavor.”

Vigo had felt Belaphorde leave during the night. When he then noticed a static feeling that could only be the aura of a crystal monster he had called out for help and got upstairs as quickly as he could. By Haven's grace, both boys were uninjured.

“Call it paternal instincts.” He stroked the young Guide's arm and then gave Tina a stern look. “I have some thoughts to share with you about your approach, professor. This recovery plan of yours is not working for my boy.”

“That's forward of you. I assure you I'm using the best-documented methods to help Guide Belaphorde.”

“I do not doubt your expertise, professor. But I do think there's two or three critical errors in your judgment.”

Tina wore an unamused frown. She didn't like old men talking down to her about her field. “I will hear you out. What are these errors you have observed?”

“You are professional about your work, I like that. But the first thing I must point out is that Belaphorde's ‘stubborn personality’ is the one unique aspect you observed from the start. It's what trained him to be unmatched in his capacity. If you leave him be while knowing that of course, he would end up attempting to work beyond his capabilities. I admit I should have been more active in preventing Belaphorde from jumping the gun. My point still stands that this was a predictable outcome, and it will happen again if we don't help him.”

“I do not fully understand what you wish me to do. I can't baby him or put him in a cage. What's your next point?”

“Your models. I don't think they represent someone like Belaphorde. I don't believe you have worked with any Guides with a similar background. I've been listening in on the Guide studying enough to know you want him to open up the blockades in his mind and what have you for the personal Gates. But my Belaphorde has been sitting around becoming more and more miserable.”

“What do you suggest then? We need the best results if we are to meet our deadlines. I want to give him every advantage there's evidence for.”

“The math was on the wrong level for Belaphorde. Similarly, when you send him to therapy, a tested part of burnout recovery I'm sure, you are sending him into something he has no context for. He just sees privilege looking down on him, asking if he's hurting mentally when he's hurting in a way more tangible way. If you want to see results you should spend your energy convincing that manager that Bel needs his identification and funds. Trust me, it will do way more than any number of therapy sessions.”

“You are safe and stable here, are you not? What difference would papers do?” Tina asked with a genuine want to understand.

Vigo thought for a moment. How would he convey the poverty Belaphorde was born into? How he has spent most of his life living without safety, TV, or rights? Vigo was not sure he himself understood why it would mean so much to Bel, but he knew it did matter. Tina was a researcher. She would help if only she had the necessary knowledge.

“Look into the stories of illegal refugees. Your reasons should be found there.” Vigo nodded sagely, happy with his answer. Tina did not look as convinced.

“I will think about it. What is the last error you wanted to bring up?”

“Not an error as much as a potential solution to our problems. Have you ever Guided two people at the same time before?”

“I have not. That sounds dangerous and ineffective.”

“I agree, but the passive Guiding technique requires little from the Guide except physical contact, brain activity for power, and Gates gives it extra properties.”

“Belaphorde can't Guide anyone with ichor in them. He is burned out. There's no capacity. We have proof of that.”

“When I was up there I could feel the healing warmth of our bond and the cold coming in from Kaigo. Like a current going in and out. We are never going to meet that deadline you mentioned by waiting for Belaphorde to recover and build a bond with the Esper. But I am already here. Belaphorde heals when with me. Even if it's by a tiny amount I should be able to give Belaphorde that mimicry of capacity to heal Kaigo. Even if it takes a whole week or more to get the Esper out of the muck I believe it could work. But you are the expert, what do you think?”

Tina dropped her tablet. Vigo could visibly see the gears turning in her head.

“Why did you not say so earlier? This could be our breakthrough!”

“Because I want to make it clear that you can't slack on the other stuff. If this works I still want to stress how important it is that Belaphorde gets the treatment he deserves.”

Belaphorde laid perfectly still. He had been awake for most of the conversation. His mind found it hard to focus as he was still partly in his dream world. Vigo ruffled his hair reassuringly and grinned.

“I now leave it to you professor to do the thinking and the planning. Don't disappoint me. I'm old and could die if you break my heart.”

With newfound vigor, Tina packed her things. “Your feedback has been invaluable, sir Vigo. I have much to think about.”