red grave city au with alastor

[carvemyname]

 

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[carvemyname]

[ Speaking of hair, Dante recently got a haircut. He's still getting used to it being super short and it's odd to have his bangs not tickling his cheeks. ]

Wait, you got into a fight? [ Well, Alastor looks okay, at least? ] Are they gonna fight us there, too?

[ He sounds a little excited. ]

[superstylishsquid]

They might, but don't get too excited. All I've seen so far is small fry, weaklings that aren't even worth the trouble of swatting out of the air.

[carvemyname]

Damn.

[ That's not even worth it then, is it? But he's sure there's other reasons the lesson will be interesting. ]

So how do we get there?

[superstylishsquid]

The simplest transportation spell there is. Pay attention.

[It really is simple, the barrier between Purgatorio and the human world is paper thin. The spell he explains and demonstrates creates a circular rune in the air. As Alastor steps through it, he seems to vanish...though to trained eyes, he's standing right on the other side.]

[carvemyname]

[ Dante pays close attention. He's going to remember it. He steps through the rune as well, taking in everything as he does so and noting all the differences. ]

Oh good, you're still here. I'd been afraid you'd disappeared forever! [ He covers his heart, being dramatic on purpose. ]

[superstylishsquid]

[The differences aren't immediately obvious inside Devil May Cry...but looking outside, the humans milling around town have turned translucent, as though made of animate glass.

Alastor laughs and reaches out to poke Dante's nose, claws retracted.]

Nope, just a fun little invisibility trick. Aside from other demons, angels, and the handful of humans that can use magic these days, only a small few types of animals will be able to see us here.

[carvemyname]

[ Dante automatically wrinkles his nose at the poke, though he can't help but grin at it. ]

...wait, really? So I can spy on people?!

[superstylishsquid]

Only if you can get to them anyway, walls are still solid. Humans still cast visible reflections, too.

[carvemyname]

Can we still touch stuff?

[ He's watching the people outside with curiosity. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Inanimate objects, easily. Living things outside of Purgatorio take a bit of active effort.

Oh, and since air counts as an inanimate object, they can still hear any sounds we make.

[carvemyname]

How easy is it to travel? I wanna try something.

[ That something involves messing with Nero. Who can blame him? ]

[superstylishsquid]

Just like traveling in the human world, just invisibly. I'd advise against trying to drive a car from here, though. Might be something of a distraction to other drivers.

[carvemyname]

Follow me.

[ Nero stayed in this city sometimes, in a small apartment that he'd obtained. It was a way to team up for jobs, and he had said he was coming because Dante and Vergil were back.

It's a few blocks down. Dante busts through the door, and looks back for Alastor. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Why do I get the feeling I'm either gonna laugh, or facepalm?

[The fact that he's unsure which is why he does follow after, not bothering to shift to human form as he steps outside. The accuracy of his claims about human obliviousness proves true, as the only response from passers by is surprise over the fact that the door apparently blew open on its own.]

[carvemyname]

Probably both! [ Dante is gleeful about saying this. It's easy enough to remember the way, because he checked out the place a few days before to make sure it was up to snuff for his nephew. They reach there soon enough, it's a standard building with outdoor entrances to each apartment. Dante takes out his keys from his pocket and quickly unlocks the door. ]

Be careful going in. He's got good hearing.

[superstylishsquid]

Uh-huh...

[Maybe teaching Dante about Purgatorio was a mistake...or at the very least, some sort of crime.]

[carvemyname]

...this is Vergil's son. If he can't see us yet, there's nothing wrong with Poltergeisting him, right?

[ It's funny! Dante heads on in, searching quietly for Nero and finding him in the bathroom, brushing his teeth. Before he can do anything, Nero sniffs the air and brings out a can of freshener. ]

...hey! [ Dante looks offended. ]

[superstylishsquid]

[Okay, verdict is: laughing, doubled over and holding his stomach.]

I bet it's your lousy taste in drinks.

[carvemyname]

What, that can be smelled?!

[ Dante hates this. He also isn't amused by all the laughter, and he pushes Alastor a little. ]

[superstylishsquid]

[He takes a step back, but then another step forward to wrap an arm around Dante's shoulders.]

On your breath, yeah. Okay, how's this: I know a guy who's been in the tavern business since taverns were invented, and he accepts demonic currency. I'll show you a place you can drink without having to settle for whatever brew you can get for dirt cheap.

[carvemyname]

What, really?

[ Dante is basically the definition of sparkly-eyed at the moment. ]

Can we go after this?

[ Assuming Nero doesn't figure out he's there and try to kill him. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Sure, but you might wanna keep your voice down. Unless you want your nephew to realize it's not actually coming from outside?

[carvemyname]

Shit.

[ And Dante's gonna be repeating that, because Nero has noticed there's reflections in the mirror other than his own. Without turning away from the mirror, Nero reaches out for Dante, trying to grab his throat.

And goes right through. ]

What kind of fuckery is this?!

[ Dante is surprised, then laughs, flipping Nero off with both hands. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Magic lessons for your uncle, teaching him to see and interact with invisible things.

[Alastor isn't casting a reflection, so his voice truly does seem to be coming from nowhere.]

Sorry about the surprise, Dante thinks he's being funny.

[carvemyname]

I am so funny! You just don't understand my humor!

[ Dante finds himself pouting. Meanwhile, Nero is narrowing his eyes, turning away from the mirror to face them. He circles around, but sees nothing. ]

You're that guy. I can smell you, but I can't see you.

[ It smells like an oncoming storm in this bathroom right now.

One that rains bad beer. ]