red grave city au with alastor

[carvemyname]

 

Comments

[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!

[superstylishsquid]

...Please say that thing is spayed. If it starts spraying the walls, I might eat it just to spare my nose.

[carvemyname]

What, you don't want Mr. Lemons to continue his bloodline?

[ Vergil gives Dante a narrow stare, and Dante just shrugs. ]

I'm sure it is, it's from a shelter!

[ Vergil scoffs, then opens the cage door. The cat gets up, stretches, and takes his time coming out. ]

[superstylishsquid]

I don't want it marking the lobby as its territory.

[For one thing, Devil May Cry is his territory.]

And did you think to get a litterbox as part of the gift?

[carvemyname]

[ Dante looks a little fretful, like he's worried he messed up. ]

Yes! I've got everything! It's all upstairs!

[ Vergil isn't paying attention to anything, having retrieved some of his sausages and sat on the floor with the cat, luring him into his lap with them.

He's content. ]

[superstylishsquid]

[He nods and looks a little relieved.]

Gonna take some getting used to, but not having to rush out and get something for it to pee in is a good start.

...And at least cats are good about dealing with demons.

[carvemyname]

[ Dante just points at Vergil, who's smiling contently as Mr. Lemons licks the bits of sausage up. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Yeah, case in point.

[Be an armrest, Dante.]

Most animals tend to avoid demons even more than they do humans, but cats are one of a handful of exceptions. They can even interact with Purgatorio.

[carvemyname]

Wait, really?

[ Dante doesn't mind being an armrest. He even slips his own arm around Alastor, resting his hand on the small of his back. ]

So if I try to sneak up on him, the cat will totally call me out on it?

[ Lame. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Yep. Not that it wouldn't be able to smell you anyway, but it'll also be able to see and even touch you.

[carvemyname]

That's horrifying.

[ And Vergil is clearly distracted, because he's not commenting on any of it at all. He hasn't even heard it. Dante is pretty happy this has gone over so well with him. ]

You'll protect me from the cat beating me up, won't you?

[superstylishsquid]

[He chuckles.]

What, afraid of a little sourpuss?

[carvemyname]

You bet! That 'little sourpuss' mauled me getting it into the carrier! You just can't tell because I heal so well.

[superstylishsquid]

Can't say I blame him...I'd maul someone too, if they tried to shove me into a tiny cage I'd never seen before.

[carvemyname]

i guess you're right. I didn't think of that!

[ Vergil thinks of something all of a sudden and looks up from the cat. Grabbing the small package from next to him, he tosses it Dante's way and his twin catches it. ]

What's this?

[ Dante looks confused, like he's forgotten it's his own birthday as well or something. Vergil snorts. ]

Your present, idiot brother.

[superstylishsquid]

Or if they tried to call me Mr. Lemons, for that matter.

[Just. A raised eyebrow at Vergil.]

[carvemyname]

Is this because I keep calling you a cat? [ Vergil looks amused. In the meantime, Dante opens his present, and finds a red velvet box inside the wrapping. Opening that, he sees a simple, silver locket for men. The picture inside is a much smaller version of the painting of their family.

He's both obviously touched and unsure what to say. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Just saying, if you try to saddle me with a nickname like that, you'll end up paying a visit to the Emerald City.

[Is he joking? Hard to tell...]

[wholelyconsumed]

I would think Dante would be more likely to give you a stupid nickname.

[ Vergil says this matter of factedly, and Dante looks stabbed. ]

Hey! I didn't do anything to get pulled into this!

[superstylishsquid]

The name you picked out for a hypothetical cat says otherwise.

[wholelyconsumed]

[ Flat stare, while Dante laughs. ]

I was five.