Vil and Ortho

Vil describes Ortho as “A spudling with broken brakes who seems reasonable, but resorts to extreme measures at the drop of a hat.” 

When Vil and the rest of the over blotting group is kidnapped to STYX Ortho scolds Idia for scaring them. Vil says, “I see you possess the compassion your brother sorely lacks,” but when Ortho follows with, “Besides, subjecting them to excessive levels of stress won’t yield accurate data,” Vil takes it back, saying that the two brothers are exactly the same.

Encouraging Idia to do something about getting the development team for his favorite video game back together, Vil lectures Idia on how “Zero is zero no matter what you multiply it by, right? But if you take some form of action, that zero could potentially become 0.001. And 0.001 has a chance of becoming 100.

In which case, there’s no reason NOT to do it,” which inspires Ortho in a way that Vil had not intended: based on that logic Ortho decides to destroy the world to give Idia and himself a chance at living normal lives, thanking Vil for the “positive nudge in the right direction.”

Vil says he is impressed by the plan (“It’s a major step up from moping about change being impossible”), and while he applauds their effort, he has no intention of joining them: “Much like yourselves, I have a dream I’m not willing to yield. A dream to be the fairest one of all. If I’d already achieved my dream, l’d be perfectly happy to try for it again in your new world, but here we are. I’m going to crush your plan with everything I have.”

The students decide to descend into Tartarus to stop Idia and Ortho and a STYX technician apologizes for not being of more help, but Vil explains, “You hardly need to feel responsible. We’re choosing to venture into Tartarus. After all, it seems I was the one who incited Ortho’s actions.”

It is Vil and Crewel who reach out to Ortho to request his participation in Fairy Gala IF, with Vi saying that he is essential to the fashion show’s success, and “No one is more fitting for the theme of evolution than Ortho Shroud.”

Idia is reluctant to let Ortho participate, with Ortho convincing him through fake crying. Vil applauds Ortho’s performance and Ortho says, “Hearing you say that makes me feel better about my acting.”

Vil is less impressed by Ortho’s catwalk, saying that he was flawless “but that’s all it was. Otherwise? Dreadfully dull. Not stirring in the slightest.”

Vil scolds Ortho for recreating things performed by others, saying that there is nothing less worthy of anyone’s time than an unoriginal show.

Ortho asks how one creates something original and Vil says any answer to that question from anyone else would not be original to Ortho himself: “And more to the point, imitating something else is the exact opposite of evolution.” 

Vil demands that Ortho share his thoughts, not parrot something from the internet, and Ortho is unable to respond.

After Ortho leaves Silver expresses concern, but Vil says, “Ortho’s a full-fledged student now. We’re all equals. You don’t have to be so overprotective. I haven’t a doubt in my mind that he’ll craft a performance unique to him.”

When Ortho says he is going to Playfulland without telling Idia Vil says, “Being brothers doesn’t obligate you to spend your every waking hour together, or to always defer to what he says. You’re a full-fledged student, so you should act on your own initiative.”

Ortho invites Vil to Playfulland after Idia refuses. Vil joins Ortho’s group at the park and defers to where he wants to go. Vil encourages Ortho’s idea to introduce a “little friendly competition” into the day, saying “It’s always more interesting with stakes involved,” and Ortho later beats him at pool.

As a result, he insists that Vil take a group picture with him (and the rest of the group) with their faces in a standee, despite Vil’s initial refusal.

Vil concedes, saying that he cannot go back on his word after making a commitment, but he will “never, EVER stick (his) face in a ridiculous standee like this again.” He also warns against the photo being made available online, saying that he will be “EXTREMELY cross.”

When the drama of Playfulland begins Ortho cautions against the idea of escaping from the ship, as they might never see the prefect, Grim, Lilia or Jade again, and he follows with, “But more to the point-that guy openly trashed us….that would be like admitting defeat to him. I would never do that!” and Vil agrees.

Vil magically pushes Ortho to safety when he is nearly caught under a collapsing stained glass window, getting separated from the group as a result. He sends the younger students away to safety, saying, “Why embarrass myself getting caught in an ungainly scramble to escape? A true pro goes out with grace and aplomb,” but Ortho panics, saying, “Without you, it’s just going to be me and two pieces of dead weight. I can’t possibly fight in those conditions!”

Vil tells him not to be so childish and think about what they need to do, while he buys them time.

Vil and Ortho overlap during Vargas Camp, though Ortho disappears on the afternoon of the first day. Azul observes that Idia has also disappeared, with both housewardens concluding that the two brothers are “playing hooky.”

Vil says that while he would like to drag them back to camp he doubts that they will be easy to find, and that Ortho putting Idia first and neglecting his duties shows that “he clearly lacks the proper attitude for the Film Research Club. I must ensure he learns that our club is not to be trifled with.”

Vil says that the club respects self-reliance and discipline, and skipping out on one’s duties is inexcusable, regardless of reason. Trey asks if he is not a little worried and Vil responds, “Do those brothers even merit our concern? They’re probably off somewhere gaming right now. Dwelling on it will get us nowhere.”

Even after it is revealed that Ortho had been employed by Vargas to keep his eye on Idia (after Idia was caught with a tablet, against the rules of the camp), Vil says that he and Ortho are going to have a long talk about Ortho’s duties as a member of the Film Research Club.

In a rare example of a character from one dorm getting a souvenir for a character of another, Ortho decides to get a fragrance for Vil from the Deuce’s hometown. When the vendor asks Ortho to tell them how he feels about the recipient of the gift (in order to help them select a suitable scent) Ortho responds, “He’s very STRONG!!!”

(Deuce: “They’d never guess we’re buying something for a famous model.”)

The vendor recommends “a very warm scent, with harmonious notes of fresh citrus and an amber accord,” of which Ortho approves. Epel and Ortho end up buying completely different scents, both for Vil.

Vil says, “The level of CG in the Film Research Club’s productions has vastly improved since Ortho joined us. The models themselves are higher quality, and we can render long sequences in no time now.”

In a vignette where Vil gathers representatives from the other six dorms to teach makeup techniques he says that he will not be needing to teach Ortho anything, as Ignihyde’s costumes do not show anyone’s faces. Ortho says that he had been looking forward to learning and Vil responds, “I jest. You’ll likely get sweaty under that headpiece, so I will pick out some skincare products for you.”