devilblooded: 𝐩π₯𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐀𝐞. (pic#17414067)
D A N T E ([personal profile] devilblooded) wrote2025-04-29 03:30 pm

inbox.



TEXT. VIDEO. VOICE. ACTION. DELIVERY. ETC.
antimetabole: (16)

late april

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-04-30 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
Keep up, Dante, or I will not hesitate to leave you behind, [Vergil warns from where he's stopped a few paces ahead.]

[It's a hollow and empty threat, however, since the whole point of them being in this region of Folkmore is solely for Dante. Despite Tides' reputation as being a bit of an art and cultural center for the realm, it's far too noisy, bright, and busy for Vergil's temperament. So, Vergil has never bothered with setting foot in the underwater metropolis until tonight, and all for the sake of his little brother. Not that Dante actually knows that. Or, well, not in its entirety, anyways. When Vergil proposed that they spend an evening together and secured the time and day, Vergil did not once indicate where they were going, and he's remained unyielding in his unwillingness to divulge even the barest morsel of information that might tell Dante where they are going to tonight. But it doesn't take a particularly gifted mind to tell that they're here for Dante's benefit, not Vergil's after a quick look of the environment even without Vergil's secrecy.]

[The secrecy is, however, something Vergil is beginning to feel a degree of regret over now as Dante would perhaps be less prone to distraction from the street performers and other happenings along the way if he knew what was awaiting him. But Dante had given no indication that he had taken the time to prepare a proper meal for Vergil months ago now, and Vergil intended to maintain the same degree of secrecy with certainty only coming with its reveal. Between that and the fact they are only a block or so away ensures Vergil has enough resilience to not spoil the surprise prematurely. His time researching various locales around Folkmore in the interim since the lasagna will pay off. It must. But it will only do so if Vergil keeps his mouth shut. So he tells himself anyways to exert more patience when Dante lags behind.]


If I had known you were going to be this distractible, I would have invested in one of those backpacks meant to keep children from wandering off.
antimetabole: (06)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-04-30 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Vergil scoffs lightly at the suggestion.]

The boy would likely spontaneously combust from envy were there another child. [Nero does not overtly complain when something or someone else has Vergil's attention, but there have been plenty of times Vergil's personal space has been compromised for the sake of receiving a bit of attention. Especially now that Nero feels more comfortable with intentionally annoying Vergil out of affection when Vergil is not in need of some quiet or a sour mood.] And considering that I am still coming around on the idea of a little brother, I don't believe that Nero likely would any time soon.

[It's dry humor, but it is still just humor. Imperfect as their lives have been, most of that Vergil would argue has been because they were apart. An argument he makes knowing full well he was a significant reason why they had spent so much time apart in the first place.]

[He resumes walking in the direction of their destination once Dante catches up. Vergil is quiet a moment before he hums in amusement.]


Although there would be something rather entertaining about watching him debate the pros and cons of fistfighting with a toddler.

[To that end, Nero would be a far more gentle older brother than Vergil. Not to say that Vergil always dreaded spending time with Dante or didn't equally love playing him the majority of the time, but he had his moments of wanting to be alone or to do something quiet like getting lost in a book. And he did not hesitate in protecting that peace by making Dante eat dirt. Even if Nero were closer in age to a sibling, Vergil doesn't think he'd have it in him to do any of that. There's too much of a protective streak in that child that he'd likely only huff and puff about whatever grievance he has while still doing whatever was requested. It would take a lot to make Nero turn on his kin in any manner otherwise, and even if he did, he would likely be so consumed with guilt over what he did.]
antimetabole: (42)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-04-30 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[No matter how many years it may have been since it was more of a common occurrence, Vergil still instinctively braces himself for the leap on his back when he feels his brother's hands there. But Dante's weight never comes, and while Vergil straightens himself back out, Dante stumbles a little backwards. He says nothing regarding the comment about how Vergil must feel about having Dante back as a regular fixture in his life again. He does, however, wrinkle his nose as Dante wanders off again. As much as it would be aggravating to carry Dante the rest of the way, it would at least make it more difficult for him to be distracted.]

If you would not tarry as much as you do, you would already know. [Which is perhaps a touch hyperbolic, but not that far from the truth.] We are nearly there.

[Indeed, they are only a handful of buildings away from the bar acting as their destination for the evening. It is, however, not a particular mystery what makes this bar different from all the other surrounding nightspots and other establishments as the neon sign of its logo gives it away as a fully-equipped arcade. Various machines and gaming cabinets line the walls on both the ground floor and upon the mezzanine, although some compete for floor space with smaller tables that can be easily moved to accommodate more people or simply having a place to set down one's food and/or drink. Rather than quarters, it's all tokens that can be purchased at a machine near to the bar with Lore. The bar itself has seating, but there are some additional bar-height tables nearby for those that would rather sit while they have a few drinks and food. And in terms of aesthetics? This bar is all-in on its arcade theming. The carpet beyond the bar area looks like the 80's threw up on it as the neon shapes and swirls seem to almost glow in the multi-colored lighting throughout the building. The brick walls have also been decorated to look like they've been graffitied with various references to the machines and gaming cabinets. The drinks and food menus possess the same theme, some being the most groan-worthy puns that could be mustered, and even the music that's meant to blanket some of the machine and cabinet noises has an obvious video game sound to it.]

[In other words, this is perhaps the last place that the eldest son of Sparda would ever wish to be. It's loud and busy. The drinks are quite boozy and the food is extremely greasy. There's really no particular appeal to a place like this for Vergil. But he's here nonetheless because he suspects this sort of establishment would appeal immediately to a big kid like Dante. And because he wants Dante to enjoy himself, Vergil is determined not to be a stick in the mud about it. He's willing to push through how much a place like this makes him want to crawl out of his skin if it means a fonder memory with his little brother.]


You were saying something about needing things to be more light and fun, little brother?
antimetabole: (57)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-04-30 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Vergil gives Dante his moment to take it all in, privately pleased with himself that he appears to have been correct in his assumption that this would be a hit with Dante. Enough so that he doesn't shoot Dante a look for the playful smack to his shoulder. He easily relents the lead he's taken thus far in getting them to this place, allowing Dante to go in further first.]

You may drink, eat, and play to your fill tonight. It's my treat.

[In the months prior to Dante's arrival, Vergil lived a much leaner lifestyle. He spoke to others the exact amount he needed in order to meet his basic needs and have a bit to stash away for the Yamato. Nothing more, nothing less. But these days, living with Nero and Dante while also spending regular time with Mizu means he tends to have more Lore than he knows what to do with at any given moment. Especially when one considers he already possesses the one thing he would ever have any need for a greater amount of Lore. So, he has been trying to instead use his excess Lore for others. He started by reuniting Mizu with her beloved horse. Now it is Dante's turn although Vergil is a little more willing to take credit on this one. With Mizu, Vergil did not want the reunion with Kai to be seen as a gift, something that could be taken back as it once was by the man before him. With Dante...]

[Well, he doesn't think Dante is under some kind of impression that Vergil doesn't truly wish to be his big brother. Vergil would like to believe it's abundantly clear to Dante by now that Vergil isn't running away any longer. But it probably doesn't hurt to communicate that in ways that are more Dante's way of speaking than his own. Foolish nonsense like this entire bar being one of them.]
antimetabole: (54)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-04-30 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[He trails after Dante towards the bar, rolling his eyes at the notion he will come to regret the decision to let Dante spend as much as he likes. He knows Dante certainly won't be modest about spending, but it's unlikely that he will somehow have Vergil spending more Lore than he can recuperate. Hell, there's a good chance he could break even just by being here with Dante.]

I would say if that's what you're in the mood for, but I know if Nero and I decided to stop making food, it would be pizza for three meals a day, every day of the week. [Vergil may be indulging Dante, but that doesn't mean Dante's exempt from any and all grief over his love affair with pizza.] Or perhaps you might change things up every now and again with those pizza rolls Mizu brings for you, but I'm not sure that counts.

[In case Dante was ever wondering how those pizza rolls (olive-free, the way he prefers) sometimes appeared in the freezer before he had a chance to purchase some himself. It wasn't Nero or Vergil that kept the supply going. Vergil was perplexed the first time Mizu brought some along with her when coming to see him. It's not as though it was anything that she would mistake Vergil for enjoying, and Vergil couldn't exactly picture her requesting them for a meal. But he chose not to ask questions, and gave her time to deposit them in the freezer before joining him in the privacy of his bedroom. It wasn't until Nero took Mizu out for a real pizza to change her mind about it that Vergil was informed of Mizu's first experience with the dish. She didn't have to spell out the purpose behind the rolls from there. Vergil figured that part out on his own.]
antimetabole: (94)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-04-30 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[This time, Vergil makes a face at being called a food connoisseur. He's hardly a picky eater, and Vergil would be the first to acknowledge his palate is likewise hardly refined considering what he's consumed in the past. Vergil's relationship to food is a far more neutral, and the needle has not shifted all that much since he's had the ability to eat more or less anything that he could possibly want. Just because he thinks pizza every night sounds like a terrible choice...]

When I was conducting my research for this place, the general consensus was the chicken wings, brisket sandwich, and pulled pork sandwich were stand-out menu items. But if you'd prefer to see how their pizza stacks up to others you've eaten in Folkmore, [he says with a wave of his hand,] then order the pizza.

[He is, in fact, not being sarcastic about Dante following his fancy for food. If Dante wants to gorge himself on slices of pizza, Vergil is not going to complain and stop him from it.]
antimetabole: (54)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-05-02 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
[...Huh, color Vergil surprised. Then again, Dante can certainly pack away a lot. The wings may be just be the appetizer before there's several greasy pies to follow. That would hardly be surprising if it ends up being the case.]

[Dante's drink of choice is set down in front of him by the bartender as well as a puck-shaped pager for when the wings are ready. Reaching over, Vergil takes the pager since he's the one ultimately picking up the tab. He also hardly doubts the wings will be the only food Dante ends up ordering before the night is through the more he thinks on it. Better that he's the one keeping track of the device then rather than leaving it up to Dante. The bartender takes Vergil's drink order, which Vergil is somehow able to get through with a straight face. Fear not, he feels ridiculous on the inside having to call it a "mana potion" rather than just calling it a frozen blue moscato margarita like an actual adult. But it's for Dante. Tonight is for Dante. So, he will suffer the indignity in his efforts to not be a drag on the evening.]

[Vergil brushes right past it though and looks to Dante.]


Anything caught your eye yet?
antimetabole: (76)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-05-05 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Vergil's brow furrows in confusion at the question he receives in return.]

What else would I be referring to?
antimetabole: (145)

[personal profile] antimetabole 2025-05-05 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Vergil's confusion does not lessen enough for him to be flustered in the first place. He spares a glance at the hand patting his shoulder a couple of times before moving his own hand to brush it away.]

The only reason you would win is because I allowed it.