red grave city au with alastor

[carvemyname]

 

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[carvemyname]

[ Dante returns the kiss, making a happy noise. He doesn't try to push it deeper or anything, knowing Vergil will be back in a minute. But oh, is that tempting. Still, he breaks it off soon enough. ]

- So what is that sense?

[ And heeeree's Vergil, carrying a small, well wrapped package. ]

What sense?

[superstylishsquid]

The one I have that I'm pretty sure neither of you do. Empathy, the actual magical sort. Strong emotions, like, say, what Mundus' followers feel on seeing one of Sparda's descendants? I don't even have to be actively listening to pick those up.

[Which might have something to do with why he's so good at figuring people out.]

[carvemyname]

[ Dante and Vergil respond to that at the same time, their words going over each other. ]

I'd sooner die -

That is hot -

[ Vergil pauses at what Dante said, and gives him an odd look. ]

You're disgusting.

[superstylishsquid]

Relax, I don't make a habit of snooping into the depths of people's hearts. Furthest I go without reason is getting a leg up in judging a reaction.

[He's honestly closer to Vergil. He's always tried to obscure the deeper contents of his own heart...an ingrained habit from trying to project an image other demons would respect.]

But it does come in handy for noticing when there's someone with malicious intent around. Hatred and bloodlust are pretty loud by nature.

[carvemyname]

Well, that's a relief! I was afraid my present had bloodlust!

[ Vergil stares, and stalks closer. ]

What. Did. You. Get. Me.

[ Dante just holds his hands up and laughs. ]

Gotta wait! I really do want to hear more about these empathy powers. Like if they'll come in handy on the mission - or in bed -

[ Vergil grabs for him, but Dante evades. ]

I'm going to kill you, brother.

[superstylishsquid]

Speaking of bloodlust!

[Sorry, he's not going to protect from maimings you bring on yourself.]

Try not to leave my mind's ear ringing too badly.

[carvemyname]

[ Vergil exhales and closes his eyes, counting down from some insanely high number. It's difficult to do when Dante is laughing at him, but he somehow manages to calm down a little. ]

You good, Vergil?

[ Vergil opens his eyes. ]

Shut up and get the present.

[superstylishsquid]

Times like this I envy people who only have human senses...well, this, and the first time I had to smell Dante's office with my actual nose.

[wholelyconsumed]

[ Dante has departed at this point, though he shouldn't be home long. Vergil is happy for the break. ]

I suppose when we came back from Hell wasn't great, either? Neither of us had enjoyed a shower in a long time.

[superstylishsquid]

Let's just say I smelled Dante before I saw him. Remember that sudden rainstorm? That was me trying to wash the Hell stink off of him.

[wholelyconsumed]

His case was worse. He spent a month covered in Qlipoth blood. I'm guessing the rainstorm didn't work.

[ Possibly made it worse? ]

[superstylishsquid]

I made him take a shower while you were out shopping. [He wrinkles his nose.] Blood smells disgusting once it starts to rot.

[wholelyconsumed]

I heard you got him to think better of his demon form, as well. I don't know how you did that, but... [ Awkward pause. ] Thank you.

[superstylishsquid]

Just paid his wings a compliment. Doubt anyone had ever said anything nice about something unique to his demon form before. I know how humans are about things like that.

[wholelyconsumed]

It's not just anyone saying something, it's you.

It's clear your opinion means a lot to him.

[superstylishsquid]

It might be going both ways. My opinion means a lot to him because I appreciate both his human and demonic qualities. I'm sure you know how hard it is to find people in this world who'll accept a demon but aren't gleefully earning their own place in Hell.

[wholelyconsumed]

Oh, I do know.

[ He may be thinking of certain allies in the past, who have become even more evil than he has. ]

I found someone... once. But she's long since gone.

[superstylishsquid]

...My condolences. My offer to introduce my...friends from the movies extends to you, you know. Could even introduce you to the man behind the setting, I can vouch that Blue's willing to give a devil a fair shake.

[wholelyconsumed]

...ah? Really?

[ Vergil looks both grateful and confused. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Sure. He knows exactly what I am, and he treats me the same way he does anyone else. I even looked like this while we discussed an idea he had for me.

[wholelyconsumed]

That's not all I was surprised about.

[ But Vergil isn't sure how to specify the rest? It's embarrassing that he's surprised about making possible friends.

In the meantime, Alastor may be able to sense that Dante is outside the door, lurking for for once trying not to listen, feeling he shouldn't interrupt. There's another, small presence as well. ]

[superstylishsquid]

[His eyes flicker briefly as he does, indeed, pick up on someone just outside the door.]

Ah, feels like Dante's back.

[wholelyconsumed]

...Dante, come in and stop listening.

[ Dante takes a minute to parse what's been said because he's trying so hard not to listen. He's trying to be respectful for once! But he finally realizes and comes in. ]

I wasn't listening! I swear!

[ He's carrying an oddly sized box, covered in a blanket with a bow somehow stuck on top. Vergil eyes it. ]

What did you get me. [He's fully expecting something horrifying. ]

[superstylishsquid]

I think it might be alive?

[He's sniffing the air, trying to catch the scent of whatever's under the blanket.]

[carvemyname]

Okay, look, before you kill me, hear me out. You always wanted this as a kid, but Mom and Dad never let you, Dad threatened to eat it if you got one - don't you remember?

[ Vergil stops stock still in the middle of marching over to Dante. Dante continues. ]

I even searched for one that looked exactly like the name you picked out -

[ Vergil blinks, and leans over to lift the blanket up, getting a look at this. ]

Mr. Lemons.

[ Dante laughs.]

Yes!