"I never said I was going to look good in them," Phil held up his index finger for emphasis, then a sweeping motion to his very covered up body, "Just that they'd be embarrassing as all hell and I'd be very thankful anyone who knows me is stuck way, waaaaaaay back at my old place and not here." He paused, then rattled on a little faster than before, "AndtheyprobablythinkI'mdeadsowin-win."

If the bluntness of the statement affected the former guard, he didn't let it show as he nodded and smiled at Venus with the same brightness and almost pup-like joy as ever. "I know, I know. Maybe this will be the one? I-I know I'll be cheering you on, Milo." This might have been his last day on the Arena but for Phillip Gray, this was the absolute best day of his life.