A flamboyant half-man half-zebra propositioned me on the Libra app today.
[ he's putting dante's pizza on a plate like a civilized person. Handing it off to him as he takes his own slice and busies his mouth that isn't going to elaborate any furthur than that. too busy eating. ]
[ sorry, one moment dante.exe has ceased functioning please turn your dante off and on again.
it's instinct that has dante take the plate in order to save the pizza from meeting an untimely demise on the kitchen floor, blue eyes blinking rapidly as he tries to process the string of words his twin brother just spoke to him. someone propositioned him. a flamboyant half-man half-zebra propositioned vergil. some truly insane person thought to proposition vergil; mister 'not using a perfectly good knife for cooking anymore because i stabbed you right it', mister 'that shirt was armani and you just used it to clean up blood'.
[ he's eating so much pizza right now. he won't even LOOK at dante as the other's OS crashes and needs a hard reboot as he struggles with the idea that someone had the audacity--bravery? to hit on someone like VERGIL over a network post.
Finish bite of pizza. Still refusing to elaborate. But he will offer: ]
I speak English perfectly, despite the fact that it is my second language.
[ dante moves almost slowly towards the table, putting the plate down, before turning to focus on his brother again. now he's just being an ass and dante feels the beginnings of irritation form in his gut. ]
Just say it again, I need to know if I heard you right.
[ vergil's met with silence first. an almost slack-jawed look of sheer disbelief, before finally, finally, dante just laughs. he doubles over, hand to his gut as though he has just take another knife, and laughs louder than he has ever since he got to kaisou. ]
Y-you─ [ holy shit, he honestly thought he had heard wrong that some half-man half-zebra person hadn't propositioned his brother on the app today but lo and behold. ] Holy shit!
[ his laughter lasts a solid minute before dante is able to stand up straight again, almost winded by the experience, he has tears in his eyes some of which had fallen to stain his cheeks. this is the funniest thing he's heard ever in his damn life. ]
no, dante is LAUGHING and somehow it's the WORST and Vergil is going to slowly quietly just start sinking down into his seat
maybe he could lie on the floor, it is IMMACULATELY clean and he could just stay there, under the table. maybe grow roots in hopes of becoming a tree that'd slowly eat all of Kaisou. This city was hell. Why did he move here. ]
Don't make me stab you again.
I am so, very. Sorely tempted. Don't get close to me.
[ the response comes perhaps a little too quickly, almost flirty in a way that doesn't hit dante until the words have passed his mouth and there is no taking them back so he might as well roll with it. he shakes his head, pulling the chair out to sit down and take a bite from dinner, chewing briefly before speaking again. ]
And? So? Did you take him up on the offer?
[ the answer, of course, is no but dante wants to hear vergil say it. ]
[ he's almost glad vergil doesn't say anything on the initial comment, his focus more on the absolute absurdity of the question instead. still, it's a surprise to hear vergil yell, were he more demon than human he's sure that he would have even jumped a little. yet despite vergil being still very human, the shimmer to the air doesn't go unnoticed ─ dante's pulse almost quickening in response. ]
Not to get hit on by a half-man half zebra? [ his dear brother is on edge, he shouldn't torment him so much but... ] Oh, dear brother mine, to think old dad's looks are finally catching up to you. Because it sure as shit wasn't your personality that go you the attention.
[ dante leans back on the chair, grinning widely. ]
[ when he's less suffering in silence he might think on it later and belatedly snit at you for it sir but for now he's wondering how he got into this mess. even worse? zebra man owns a THEATRE and vergil LOVES the theatre and performative arts and he's got a ticket to an italian play and he wants to die-- ]
You do not need to finish that sentence. [ the shimmer in the air faded, but uh it might make dante's ears ring a little. probably nothing. probably.] My personality is fine, thank you. I will have you know it's how I've made many of my business partners over the years.
...
You have my face, you absolute fool. If you shaved, maybe you'd--
[ it certainly does make his ears ring a little, as though the pressure in the room had suddenly shifted. he rolls his jaw in an effort to pop his ears, grin planted firmly on his face. ]
Vergil, I hate to break it to you but business partners aren't the same as romantic partners. [ how the hell did this guy end up with a kid? ] Pretty sure that guy today wasn't hitting on you because of your 'winning' personality.
[ dante raises an eyebrow, question clearly planted across his face. maybe he'd what? go on, say it. ]
I am aware they aren't the same thing. [ he almost hiSSES ??? with frustration??? and then realises he's getting worked up again. just breathe. hands up. hands on table. tap table. ]
I do not have romantic partners. I learned very young that most people who showed any sort of interest in me were only interested in my money or the prestige of my name. So I keep that at arm's length.
[ oh, he definitely touched a nerve there. dante leans forward, the chair returning to all fours, grin dropping for something a little more somber. ]
No wonder you're all pent up. [ he has to wonder exactly how nero came into being if vergil somehow managed to find someone with who he truly connected. did they laugh together? was he happy? did she somehow come upon him battered and broken after his defeat at dante's hands and nurse him back to health? who was she? how did she die? dante frowns, taking hold of his pizza and taking an almost aggressive bite from it. christ, he shouldn't feel jealous of a dead woman. what is even wrong with him? ] You really gotta find a way to release all that shit you've been bottling up.
I am not pent up. [ maybe he actually is but he'll die on this hill like the stubborn asshole he is. tearing into the crust of the too-fancy pizza he'd bought with a tinge of irritation on his face. he can't exactly how dante's feeling, the jealousy that boils over in his chest over a faceless, nameless woman that vergil, even now can't put a name to--doesn't even remember even having a connection with. in this life he'd never shown interest in anyone either. and now in a city far from home, his only connection was Dante. it's been... oddly good living with him. he's going to glance up at the other with a huff of a sigh. ]
I have been thinking of taking up a martial skill. I've been told it is a good idea to defend myself, in this city. And with no actual abilities other than 'make things float' and 'make someone's ears bleed if I shout too loudly', I am one bad encounter away from a fatal injury in this cursed place.
[ it's stated very matter-of-factly, because of course dante can tell. he knows vergil as well as he knows himself and even dante can admit to being pent up in more ways than one. it's been quiet, he doesn't do quiet, there is very little he can busy his hands with or even fully satisfy desires. dante finishes the piece of pizza quickly, forcing the crease from his brow, and focuses his gaze on vergil again. ]
Well, you were pretty damn good with a sword back in the day. [ he thinks about yamato, about the sword that somehow showed up at nero's condo, familiar and yet not. ] And I know my way around one, could always help you spar.
I am not. [ this is going to devolve into a very childish bickering match good god he can HEAR it in his EARS dante wasn't the only one feeling restless however. regardless of how often he was in his own shop, he was still actively looking for part-time workers to watch it for at least half of the day so he didn't have to work over 50, 60 hours a week. an itch under his skin that he hasn't had the last 10 years he's owned the shop and now it was there and ]
I remember a katana. White-handled. ...A strange weapon to choose, as it's not a very clean weapon, in terms of combat. Usually most katana battles end with just one or two strikes before the blade became warped, you know. [ he's... itching, weirdly. when dante offers to spar. ]
Something tells me you're an ogre when you fight. Would you even go easy on a normal person, Mr. Demon.
Are too. [ this is a hill dante will be dying on and you cannot stop him.
honestly, he is a little glad he isn't... completely himself yet, that the demon in his veins is still bound by unbreakable chains. he's always been good at curbing his more demonic urges but with how peaceful (accidental stabbing aside) things were these days, he'd be worried that his usual tricks wouldn't be enough. it doesn't stop the itch just underneath his skin, the need for more, for blood, for something that isn't sitting on his hands waiting for the next disaster to drop itself on their doorstep.
maybe training would help settle the itch, even if it is only for a little while, plus it'll make sure vergil knows how to defend himself just in case dante isn't around. ]
It's got a name, Yamato. [ he leans an elbow on the table and props his head upon the palm of his hand. ] If it were a normal katana, yeah it'd be a strange weapon to choose. Yamato isn't a normal weapon, it's what I call a 'devil arm' and it was forged by our father.
[ maybe talk of sparda isn't a great idea but if he already remembers fragments of yamato, he isn't that far off remembering something about daddy dearest. ]
Of course, I would. I know when told hold myself back.
I am not pent up, I am stressed out. [ he will die on this hill too goddamn it.
vergil doesn't realise it yet--but parts of his powers have already started to return. the demon still hasn't reared its ugly head, but vergil sits here, blissfully unaware that he, too, could take a knife to the lung and survive it. as much as he avoids violence, he hasn't realised it yet. certainly, once his own demon starts to fight the chains its in, dante's own will be satisfied, but until then, he's just preparing for something that might never happen.
People on the damnable network telling him he could be in danger without a weapon. ]
'Yamato' sounds familiar. [ he mutters the name, a squint on his face as he tries to remember something. ...the memories were odd, they never came when he was actively trying to rack the clouds in his brain, and now isn't any different. but he remembers the feel of that blade in his hand, how his fingers ached almost pleasingly when it struck dante's larger, broader sword. how he flicked it as if it were made of paper from his side, sending waves of... something. The mention of their father, as well. He can't remember his face. ]
Devil Arm. Something stronger than a normal weapon, I'd assume. [ he looks between his fingers at the man, tipping his head to the side. ] ....But very well.
I bought a pair of practice spears to use with an old business partner of mine. But if you're skilled at using such a weapon, I would not be... opposed to learning from you, as well.
You can be pent up and stressed out at the same time, Verg. Trust me, I know what pent up looks like and you're it.
[ he might be projecting a little, to avoid bringing light to his own pent up state, but that is fine really. vergil could probably do with getting some action anyway, it doesn't do a guy any good to go without some sort of release for thirty-seven years. ]
Definitely strong, most of them are made from the very soul of the demon they came from. [ he has, at the very least, one up in his room thrown carelessly onto the floor near his bed. were balrog a talkative type he would probably assume the demon isn't all that happy with that ─ but thankfully for dante none of his devil arms have ever possessed a mouth capable of talking on the level of agni and rudra. ] Some a made from either parts of a demon or something that's been infused with demonic power.
[ dante pulls a face, considering, before shifting back in his chair again. ]
Can't say I'm a master at a spear, but I've dabbled a bit. [ he wishes he had king cerberus with him when he arrived. ] Maybe learning how to wield a sword might knock some cobwebs loose in that head of yours to.
[ it's time for vergil to make that face again. that face where he doesn't like what the other is saying because it means he has to admit he's feeling something other than being just fine thank you and hoo boy he hates being called out when he's feeling something other than just fine thank you.
A hand moving up to rub his temple as he tries to loosen off the pressure of being annoyed at the call-out, looking over his fingers at dante. he's far more interested in the talk of devil arms and weapons with souls than he is about the subject of being pent up. ]
Being that they are made of demons. Can they transform to and from demon-to weapon shape. [ ...a long, quiet pause. ...hold on. ] Does that mean you, a demon, can become a weapon like that, as well. [ he's not sure if that's interesting or terrifying. ]
While I doubt any of my current stock downstairs include any devil arms, I will. I suppose. Pay another visit to that shop downtown to purchase another training weapon.
If I agree to spar with you, at least promise you'll do your best not to break said training weapons.
... [ because as he closes his eyes, he's suddenly hit with another quiet, almost somber memory of being on a playground. The sound of a creaky swingset echoes in the air nearby, and he's sitting on a horse-like seat with a wooden sword between his knees.
"You completely messed up the hand guard. Were you trying to break it out of my hands?" A young voice--one he recognises as his own, scolding that of a small boy sitting at his feet. Knees scraped up and scabbed over, bruises on his calves. He's rubbing his face, trying his best not to look guilty.
"Don't *cry* about it, it can be fixed. But with how often you just want to play swords with me--it's kind of dumb to break my sword, then we get no actual training done. ]
--It's kind of dumb to break my sword, then we get no actual training done.
[ Vergil mumbles, in exact time with the memory that drifts slowly out of his head. ]
[ oh no, he opened up a whole can of worms he can't take back. dante grimaces a little as vergil starts to go down the devil arm shaped rabbit hole, watching the gears literally turn about his brother's head. ]
I'm gonna stop you there, brother mine. [ some things never change and vergil's thirst for knowledge seems to be one of them. ] No, they can't. Sometimes when you defeat a particularly powerful demon its soul can become a weapon, it's a subjugation sort of thing. Depending on the demon the devil arm can be sentient to a degree but they can't change back whenever they want. [ honestly, thank fuck. he doesn't want balrog to suddenly turn back into his original form. ] As for me? Well, sorta? I guess I kinda made my own weapon... [ he holds a hand out and on cue devil sword dante materializes in a surge of red power. ] I absorbed my old weapon and our old man's sword, guess they mixed with my own power to become this.
[ just as quickly as it appeared, devil sword dante vanishes again in a similar surge of red power, leaving his hand empty. it then lays on his chest and grins. ]
Scouts honor, I'll try my best not to break your training weapons.
[ but his grin fades as vergil's attention shifts, a familiar look finding his face that all but screams to dante another memory has slipped through the cracks. he watches his face with a frown, hand falling to the table just nearby his brother's arm just in case. in case the memory isn't a pleasant one, in case vergil freaks and dante has to shake him from it. the threat of his time with mundus, of mallet island, always scratching the back of dante's mind.
but it doesn't come, vergil's expression doesn't twist in pain, he only mumbles something dante hasn't heard in many, many long years. memories of their youth quick to flash across his eyes. ]
[ different world, same vergil. his curiosity cannot be sated once it activates, like a goddamn sponge pulling in everything it can, even though he full well knows there are probably some things he'd rather not think about right now. He doesn't know what the triggers for his memories are and how he can stumble over them, after all.
But he wants to know anyhow. Maybe it's because of his current-self's fascination with weapons that makes him stick to this topic in particular. While most of his stock are boring things like books or classical paintkings or statues that are acclaimed works of art--his most interesting belongings are all weaponry.
Hearing that demons can become a sort of enchanted weapon that has the essence of a demon as their core is ... fascinating. Even moreso is the fact that his brother can just. Summon a blade to his side, like that. Vergil's eyes are a bit wide as he ....takes that in, but. Fortunately, the appearance of the twisted, demonic blade that looked partially organic hasn't activated any old memories to be worried about. yet. So far.
(some things are just buried down so deep, he hasn't been able to find them yet. probably a good thing for them both that any memories or dreams that included three eyes and a voice pitched from hell haven't seeped into Vergil's psyche yet.) ]
I'll purchase them the next time I am out, then. We can find some space to practice with them where we aren't a danger of breaking anything in my building, as well.
[ maybe some.... park, or abandoned road. he doesn't know about nox's fight club warehouse yet. ]
....
And you were crying. You were whining particularly loudly in worry that if I did not fix our practice blades that I'd stop playing with you altogether.
[ he visibly relaxes as vergil continues, the threat of some of the nastier memories resurfacing passing for the time being. it doesn't stop the worry, not completely, but dante's been living with that since the first day he stepped into this place. but for the moment, at least, they are safe to simply continue with this domestic dance they have found themselves in. ]
There has to be somewhere nearby right? If not I know a guy I can ask. [ knowing that nero's already awaken to his demon means the kid has to have somewhere to let loose. ]
You used to threaten me with that all the time! [ those memories are still so crisp, even all these years later. each time he tackled his brother in an attempt to get him to right, every time vergil would threaten to never play with him again if dante didn't allow vergil just a moment to himself. every time little arguments would turn into a flail of fists and teeth that had their mother pulling them apart. ] And I'm pretty sure I wasn't crying.
[ when some of vergil's memories are literal bomb threats, it's no surprise that dante can't relax fully. especially not when vergil can't exactly control what might trigger them--and especially when he's decidedly set on the idea of keeping one of the biggest triggers he has close. ]
If worst comes to worst, I suppose there is always somewhere outside of city limits. There's a forest out there, we would just... have to avoid damage to any major areas, lest we get in trouble for it. [ nero has his fight club and that's probably the best bet, once they both learn of it.
For the moment, though, vergil blinks as dante mentions he used to threaten it. he hadn't remembered that part. really? ]
You must have been on my case pretty hard for me to threaten it quite so often. Bit of a wild child, were you. [ he asks in a tone that... almost sounds teasing, as he tips his head back. an actual smirk moving up his face. ] Perhaps you weren't crying while I was fixing your wooden blade. But you certainly were when I returned it to you.
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[ he's putting dante's pizza on a plate like a civilized person. Handing it off to him as he takes his own slice and busies his mouth that isn't going to elaborate any furthur than that. too busy eating. ]
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it's instinct that has dante take the plate in order to save the pizza from meeting an untimely demise on the kitchen floor, blue eyes blinking rapidly as he tries to process the string of words his twin brother just spoke to him. someone propositioned him. a flamboyant half-man half-zebra propositioned vergil. some truly insane person thought to proposition vergil; mister 'not using a perfectly good knife for cooking anymore because i stabbed you right it', mister 'that shirt was armani and you just used it to clean up blood'.
he isn't sure if he should be upset or amused. ]
A what now?
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Finish bite of pizza. Still refusing to elaborate. But he will offer: ]
I speak English perfectly, despite the fact that it is my second language.
I said what I said.
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Just say it again, I need to know if I heard you right.
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He stops chewing for a second. Looking up. And taking a low breath. ]
A half-man. Half-Zebra.
Propositioned me. Today.
On the Libra app.
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Y-you─ [ holy shit, he honestly thought he had heard wrong that some half-man half-zebra person hadn't propositioned his brother on the app today but lo and behold. ] Holy shit!
[ his laughter lasts a solid minute before dante is able to stand up straight again, almost winded by the experience, he has tears in his eyes some of which had fallen to stain his cheeks. this is the funniest thing he's heard ever in his damn life. ]
Brother, I love you, I needed that laugh.
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no, dante is LAUGHING and somehow it's the WORST and Vergil is going to
slowly
quietly
just start sinking down into his seat
maybe he could lie on the floor, it is IMMACULATELY clean and he could just stay there, under the table. maybe grow roots in hopes of becoming a tree that'd slowly eat all of Kaisou. This city was hell. Why did he move here. ]
Don't make me stab you again.
I am so, very. Sorely tempted. Don't get close to me.
[ i'll sharpen a damn pizza crust. ]
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[ the response comes perhaps a little too quickly, almost flirty in a way that doesn't hit dante until the words have passed his mouth and there is no taking them back so he might as well roll with it. he shakes his head, pulling the chair out to sit down and take a bite from dinner, chewing briefly before speaking again. ]
And? So? Did you take him up on the offer?
[ the answer, of course, is no but dante wants to hear vergil say it. ]
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No!
[ have you heard vergil shout even once--
ah, there's a weird shimmer to the air when he shouted, too. oops. reign yourself in, vergil. ]
No. Of course I didn't take him up on the offer!
I was there to talk about some of my more abyssal memories, not.
...
[ he's gonna take another bite of his pizza. ]
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Not to get hit on by a half-man half zebra? [ his dear brother is on edge, he shouldn't torment him so much but... ] Oh, dear brother mine, to think old dad's looks are finally catching up to you. Because it sure as shit wasn't your personality that go you the attention.
[ dante leans back on the chair, grinning widely. ]
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You do not need to finish that sentence. [ the shimmer in the air faded, but uh
it might make dante's ears ring a little. probably nothing. probably.] My personality is fine, thank you. I will have you know it's how I've made many of my business partners over the years.
...
You have my face, you absolute fool.
If you shaved, maybe you'd--
This is a stupid conversation.
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Vergil, I hate to break it to you but business partners aren't the same as romantic partners. [ how the hell did this guy end up with a kid? ] Pretty sure that guy today wasn't hitting on you because of your 'winning' personality.
[ dante raises an eyebrow, question clearly planted across his face. maybe he'd what? go on, say it. ]
You're the one who brought it up.
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I do not have romantic partners. I learned very young that most people who showed any sort of interest in me were only interested in my money or the prestige of my name. So I keep that at arm's length.
[ change the conversation just change it ]
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No wonder you're all pent up. [ he has to wonder exactly how nero came into being if vergil somehow managed to find someone with who he truly connected. did they laugh together? was he happy? did she somehow come upon him battered and broken after his defeat at dante's hands and nurse him back to health? who was she? how did she die? dante frowns, taking hold of his pizza and taking an almost aggressive bite from it. christ, he shouldn't feel jealous of a dead woman. what is even wrong with him? ] You really gotta find a way to release all that shit you've been bottling up.
[ no subject change. ]
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he can't exactly how dante's feeling, the jealousy that boils over in his chest over a faceless, nameless woman that vergil, even now can't put a name to--doesn't even remember even having a connection with. in this life he'd never shown interest in anyone either. and now in a city far from home, his only connection was Dante. it's been... oddly good living with him. he's going to glance up at the other with a huff of a sigh. ]
I have been thinking of taking up a martial skill.
I've been told it is a good idea to defend myself, in this city.
And with no actual abilities other than 'make things float' and 'make someone's ears bleed if I shout too loudly', I am one bad encounter away from a fatal injury in this cursed place.
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[ it's stated very matter-of-factly, because of course dante can tell. he knows vergil as well as he knows himself and even dante can admit to being pent up in more ways than one. it's been quiet, he doesn't do quiet, there is very little he can busy his hands with or even fully satisfy desires. dante finishes the piece of pizza quickly, forcing the crease from his brow, and focuses his gaze on vergil again. ]
Well, you were pretty damn good with a sword back in the day. [ he thinks about yamato, about the sword that somehow showed up at nero's condo, familiar and yet not. ] And I know my way around one, could always help you spar.
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dante wasn't the only one feeling restless however. regardless of how often he was in his own shop, he was still actively looking for part-time workers to watch it for at least half of the day so he didn't have to work over 50, 60 hours a week. an itch under his skin that he hasn't had the last 10 years he's owned the shop and now it was there and ]
I remember a katana. White-handled. ...A strange weapon to choose, as it's not a very clean weapon, in terms of combat. Usually most katana battles end with just one or two strikes before the blade became warped, you know. [ he's... itching, weirdly. when dante offers to spar. ]
Something tells me you're an ogre when you fight. Would you even go easy on a normal person, Mr. Demon.
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honestly, he is a little glad he isn't... completely himself yet, that the demon in his veins is still bound by unbreakable chains. he's always been good at curbing his more demonic urges but with how peaceful (accidental stabbing aside) things were these days, he'd be worried that his usual tricks wouldn't be enough. it doesn't stop the itch just underneath his skin, the need for more, for blood, for something that isn't sitting on his hands waiting for the next disaster to drop itself on their doorstep.
maybe training would help settle the itch, even if it is only for a little while, plus it'll make sure vergil knows how to defend himself just in case dante isn't around. ]
It's got a name, Yamato. [ he leans an elbow on the table and props his head upon the palm of his hand. ] If it were a normal katana, yeah it'd be a strange weapon to choose. Yamato isn't a normal weapon, it's what I call a 'devil arm' and it was forged by our father.
[ maybe talk of sparda isn't a great idea but if he already remembers fragments of yamato, he isn't that far off remembering something about daddy dearest. ]
Of course, I would. I know when told hold myself back.
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vergil doesn't realise it yet--but parts of his powers have already started to return. the demon still hasn't reared its ugly head, but vergil sits here, blissfully unaware that he, too, could take a knife to the lung and survive it. as much as he avoids violence, he hasn't realised it yet. certainly, once his own demon starts to fight the chains its in, dante's own will be satisfied, but until then, he's just preparing for something that might never happen.
People on the damnable network telling him he could be in danger without a weapon. ]
'Yamato' sounds familiar. [ he mutters the name, a squint on his face as he tries to remember something. ...the memories were odd, they never came when he was actively trying to rack the clouds in his brain, and now isn't any different. but he remembers the feel of that blade in his hand, how his fingers ached almost pleasingly when it struck dante's larger, broader sword. how he flicked it as if it were made of paper from his side, sending waves of... something. The mention of their father, as well. He can't remember his face. ]
Devil Arm.
Something stronger than a normal weapon, I'd assume. [ he looks between his fingers at the man, tipping his head to the side. ] ....But very well.
I bought a pair of practice spears to use with an old business partner of mine. But if you're skilled at using such a weapon, I would not be... opposed to learning from you, as well.
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[ he might be projecting a little, to avoid bringing light to his own pent up state, but that is fine really. vergil could probably do with getting some action anyway, it doesn't do a guy any good to go without some sort of release for thirty-seven years. ]
Definitely strong, most of them are made from the very soul of the demon they came from. [ he has, at the very least, one up in his room thrown carelessly onto the floor near his bed. were balrog a talkative type he would probably assume the demon isn't all that happy with that ─ but thankfully for dante none of his devil arms have ever possessed a mouth capable of talking on the level of agni and rudra. ] Some a made from either parts of a demon or something that's been infused with demonic power.
[ dante pulls a face, considering, before shifting back in his chair again. ]
Can't say I'm a master at a spear, but I've dabbled a bit. [ he wishes he had king cerberus with him when he arrived. ] Maybe learning how to wield a sword might knock some cobwebs loose in that head of yours to.
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A hand moving up to rub his temple as he tries to loosen off the pressure of being annoyed at the call-out, looking over his fingers at dante. he's far more interested in the talk of devil arms and weapons with souls than he is about the subject of being pent up. ]
Being that they are made of demons. Can they transform to and from demon-to weapon shape. [ ...a long, quiet pause. ...hold on. ] Does that mean you, a demon, can become a weapon like that, as well. [ he's not sure if that's interesting or terrifying. ]
While I doubt any of my current stock downstairs include any devil arms, I will. I suppose. Pay another visit to that shop downtown to purchase another training weapon.
If I agree to spar with you, at least promise you'll do your best not to break said training weapons.
...
[ because as he closes his eyes, he's suddenly hit with another quiet, almost somber memory of being on a playground. The sound of a creaky swingset echoes in the air nearby, and he's sitting on a horse-like seat with a wooden sword between his knees.
"You completely messed up the hand guard. Were you trying to break it out of my hands?" A young voice--one he recognises as his own, scolding that of a small boy sitting at his feet. Knees scraped up and scabbed over, bruises on his calves. He's rubbing his face, trying his best not to look guilty.
"Don't *cry* about it, it can be fixed. But with how often you just want to play swords with me--it's kind of dumb to break my sword, then we get no actual training done. ]
--It's kind of dumb to break my sword, then we get no actual training done.
[ Vergil mumbles, in exact time with the memory that drifts slowly out of his head. ]
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I'm gonna stop you there, brother mine. [ some things never change and vergil's thirst for knowledge seems to be one of them. ] No, they can't. Sometimes when you defeat a particularly powerful demon its soul can become a weapon, it's a subjugation sort of thing. Depending on the demon the devil arm can be sentient to a degree but they can't change back whenever they want. [ honestly, thank fuck. he doesn't want balrog to suddenly turn back into his original form. ] As for me? Well, sorta? I guess I kinda made my own weapon... [ he holds a hand out and on cue devil sword dante materializes in a surge of red power. ] I absorbed my old weapon and our old man's sword, guess they mixed with my own power to become this.
[ just as quickly as it appeared, devil sword dante vanishes again in a similar surge of red power, leaving his hand empty. it then lays on his chest and grins. ]
Scouts honor, I'll try my best not to break your training weapons.
[ but his grin fades as vergil's attention shifts, a familiar look finding his face that all but screams to dante another memory has slipped through the cracks. he watches his face with a frown, hand falling to the table just nearby his brother's arm just in case. in case the memory isn't a pleasant one, in case vergil freaks and dante has to shake him from it. the threat of his time with mundus, of mallet island, always scratching the back of dante's mind.
but it doesn't come, vergil's expression doesn't twist in pain, he only mumbles something dante hasn't heard in many, many long years. memories of their youth quick to flash across his eyes. ]
I wasn't crying.
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But he wants to know anyhow. Maybe it's because of his current-self's fascination with weapons that makes him stick to this topic in particular. While most of his stock are boring things like books or classical paintkings or statues that are acclaimed works of art--his most interesting belongings are all weaponry.
Hearing that demons can become a sort of enchanted weapon that has the essence of a demon as their core is
... fascinating. Even moreso is the fact that his brother can just.
Summon a blade to his side, like that. Vergil's eyes are a bit wide as he
....takes that in, but. Fortunately, the appearance of the twisted, demonic blade that looked partially organic hasn't activated any old memories to be worried about. yet. So far.
(some things are just buried down so deep, he hasn't been able to find them yet. probably a good thing for them both that any memories or dreams that included three eyes and a voice pitched from hell haven't seeped into Vergil's psyche yet.) ]
I'll purchase them the next time I am out, then. We can find some space to practice with them where we aren't a danger of breaking anything in my building, as well.
[ maybe some.... park, or abandoned road. he doesn't know about nox's fight club warehouse yet. ]
....
And you were crying.
You were whining particularly loudly in worry that if I did not fix our practice blades that I'd stop playing with you altogether.
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There has to be somewhere nearby right? If not I know a guy I can ask. [ knowing that nero's already awaken to his demon means the kid has to have somewhere to let loose. ]
You used to threaten me with that all the time! [ those memories are still so crisp, even all these years later. each time he tackled his brother in an attempt to get him to right, every time vergil would threaten to never play with him again if dante didn't allow vergil just a moment to himself. every time little arguments would turn into a flail of fists and teeth that had their mother pulling them apart. ] And I'm pretty sure I wasn't crying.
[ he was. ]
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If worst comes to worst, I suppose there is always somewhere outside of city limits. There's a forest out there, we would just... have to avoid damage to any major areas, lest we get in trouble for it. [ nero has his fight club and that's probably the best bet, once they both learn of it.
For the moment, though, vergil blinks as dante mentions he used to threaten it. he hadn't remembered that part. really? ]
You must have been on my case pretty hard for me to threaten it quite so often. Bit of a wild child, were you. [ he asks in a tone that... almost sounds teasing, as he tips his head back.
an actual smirk moving up his face. ] Perhaps you weren't crying while I was fixing your wooden blade.
But you certainly were when I returned it to you.
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