( What a smart aleck. Still, he keeps that smile on his face as he looks to his older brother as they go, hands still behind his back. In a way, itβs almost too bad neither of them had the chance to see Nero grow up. Probably not the best environment for a kid to grow up in, what with their constantly being a target painted on their backs for simply being the sons of Sparda, but. They would have taken care of him. They would have kept him safe by any means necessary. Regardless of where he and his brother had been with one another all those years ago, heβs confident Vergil wouldnβt have left his son without his protection. Granted, maybe neither of them being in his life was the best form of protection for the kid. He doesnβt know. What he does is that Nero grew up to be a pretty good kid. A young man worthy of carrying the Sparda name.
With a bit of a hop, skip, and jump, he comes up behind his brother and pretends as if he might jump up on his back for a piggyback. He only gets as far as pressing his hands against Vergilβs shoulders and giving an enthusiastic little jump behind him before heβs dropping himself down alongside and nearly stumbling as he catches his balance, chuckling as he does. )
Aw, cβmon! You love havinβ me back in your life. I keep it light and fun, things you have sorely needed in your life from the getgo.
( Pointing a finger at his brother, itβs playfully done with a shake of his head before heβs wandering his way off to quickly check out a stall close by, then heading back alongside the other son of Sparda. )
Whatcha bring me out here for anyways? Besides wanting to spend time with your favorite brother, that is.
[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?
( Well golly gee, if it's that important, he's right on it!
He makes haste and all, following alongside his brother while his head swings this way and that way as they go β taking in all the sights and sounds this part of Folkmore has to offer. Honestly, he usually ends up in the desert or swamp when he goes out exploring, so this is a bit of a nice change of pace for things. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere. Doesn't really remind him of home or anything, but hey. Still nice to wander through where he doesn't end up covered in swamp water or get sand in his underpants somehow. Nice change of pace indeed.
But it's when they make it to where Vergil has decided to take them that things really amp up and the youngest son of Sparda is left standing there. Gobsmacked. Now where in the heck did Vergil find this and how was he even able to keep it a secret for as long as he did? Questions he may never have the answer to, but! He's not all that concerned with having them because he's just hella amused that his brother would go and take them to a place like this.
Unable to help himself, he barks a laugh β hand touching his chest as he bends forward some β then straightens himself up with bright blue eyes crinkling in amusement over at his brother. )
Well I'll be damned. You do know how to have fun, huh?
( Playful smack to the back of Vergil's shoulder, he doesn't wait for a reply and, instead, does a hop and skip as he makes his way further into the place. )
C'mon! Let's see what kind of stuff they got here, old man!
[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.]
Oh, brother. You're gonna regret those words, mark my words.
( To which he shakes a finger playfully at Vergil as he turns on his heel to face him for a hot minute before he's making his way throughout the bar again. Hey, if Vergil is willing to treat him to whatever he wants, well. Heck. Of course he's going to take whatever he wants! Starting with a stop at the bar in hopes he can get himself a drink of something. )
And you know I'm gonna order the greasiest pizza they got here. Hold the olives, my brother's treat.
( Which he absolutely is intending to do. Be it a whole pie or a giant slice or two, pizza is absolutely on the menu for tonight and Vergil will just have to deal with it, but. He likes to think he's warming up to his brother's favorite dish. How can a guy not like pizza after all?? )
[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.]
( Everyone's a critic. Or maybe that's just his brother. Either way, he chuckles some as he leans against the bar β nod of his for his drink of choice before he's looking back to his brother with a raised brow. Hand coming to brush over his chin in thought, he hums. )
Alright then. What would you suggest, since you're the food connoisseur between us and all.
( Go on, Verge. Make your recommendation to him for this place. He's so curious to know what it is. )
[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.]
( Well he's not going to go and choose pizza now when Vergil lists off a couple other choices that he clearly took the time to look into prior to his bringing them here. What a guy, that brother of his. He'd pinch his cheek at how sweet he's being if he wasn't so intent on getting something into his stomach. )
Well it's settled then. Sir. Your finest chicken wings for my brother and I, please.
( A tap to the bar counter, he nods his head, smile on his face. )
[...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.]
( With their order[s] placed, he lounges there against the bar counter and glances over to his brother at the question. A slow raise of a brow, he looks around them β takes a moment or two before he's looking back over to Vergil there. )
( Which could be male or female for him, but! Heβs joking. As if his brother would EVER insinuate something such as THAT. Still, it gets Dante to chuckle a little as he rubs the scruff on his chin and he reaches out to give Vergilβs shoulder a couple pats. )
Iβm just messinβ with ya. Donβt get all flustered or anything. At least save that for when I kick your ass in a game.
[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.
( Wow! Check this guy out here. Super rude. The nerve, etc. Chuckle on his lips, he raises both his brows at that and opens his mouth to say something before he stops because, oh look, here come those wings. )
Much obliged, good sir!
( A little salute to the wings being delivered, he plucks one up and takes a bite right away. Giving himself a second or two to see how he feels about it before... )
Well, hot damn. These are pretty good. Try one!
( To which, of course, he holds out the one he's bitten into for Vergil to try. )
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With a bit of a hop, skip, and jump, he comes up behind his brother and pretends as if he might jump up on his back for a piggyback. He only gets as far as pressing his hands against Vergilβs shoulders and giving an enthusiastic little jump behind him before heβs dropping himself down alongside and nearly stumbling as he catches his balance, chuckling as he does. )
Aw, cβmon! You love havinβ me back in your life. I keep it light and fun, things you have sorely needed in your life from the getgo.
( Pointing a finger at his brother, itβs playfully done with a shake of his head before heβs wandering his way off to quickly check out a stall close by, then heading back alongside the other son of Sparda. )
Whatcha bring me out here for anyways? Besides wanting to spend time with your favorite brother, that is.
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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?
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He makes haste and all, following alongside his brother while his head swings this way and that way as they go β taking in all the sights and sounds this part of Folkmore has to offer. Honestly, he usually ends up in the desert or swamp when he goes out exploring, so this is a bit of a nice change of pace for things. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere. Doesn't really remind him of home or anything, but hey. Still nice to wander through where he doesn't end up covered in swamp water or get sand in his underpants somehow. Nice change of pace indeed.
But it's when they make it to where Vergil has decided to take them that things really amp up and the youngest son of Sparda is left standing there. Gobsmacked. Now where in the heck did Vergil find this and how was he even able to keep it a secret for as long as he did? Questions he may never have the answer to, but! He's not all that concerned with having them because he's just hella amused that his brother would go and take them to a place like this.
Unable to help himself, he barks a laugh β hand touching his chest as he bends forward some β then straightens himself up with bright blue eyes crinkling in amusement over at his brother. )
Well I'll be damned. You do know how to have fun, huh?
( Playful smack to the back of Vergil's shoulder, he doesn't wait for a reply and, instead, does a hop and skip as he makes his way further into the place. )
C'mon! Let's see what kind of stuff they got here, old man!
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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.]
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( To which he shakes a finger playfully at Vergil as he turns on his heel to face him for a hot minute before he's making his way throughout the bar again. Hey, if Vergil is willing to treat him to whatever he wants, well. Heck. Of course he's going to take whatever he wants! Starting with a stop at the bar in hopes he can get himself a drink of something. )
And you know I'm gonna order the greasiest pizza they got here. Hold the olives, my brother's treat.
( Which he absolutely is intending to do. Be it a whole pie or a giant slice or two, pizza is absolutely on the menu for tonight and Vergil will just have to deal with it, but. He likes to think he's warming up to his brother's favorite dish. How can a guy not like pizza after all?? )
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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.]
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Alright then. What would you suggest, since you're the food connoisseur between us and all.
( Go on, Verge. Make your recommendation to him for this place. He's so curious to know what it is. )
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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.]
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Well it's settled then. Sir. Your finest chicken wings for my brother and I, please.
( A tap to the bar counter, he nods his head, smile on his face. )
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[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?
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You mean... game-wise?
( That is what Vergil is referring to, right? )
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What else would I be referring to?
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( Which could be male or female for him, but! Heβs joking. As if his brother would EVER insinuate something such as THAT. Still, it gets Dante to chuckle a little as he rubs the scruff on his chin and he reaches out to give Vergilβs shoulder a couple pats. )
Iβm just messinβ with ya. Donβt get all flustered or anything. At least save that for when I kick your ass in a game.
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The only reason you would win is because I allowed it.
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Much obliged, good sir!
( A little salute to the wings being delivered, he plucks one up and takes a bite right away. Giving himself a second or two to see how he feels about it before... )
Well, hot damn. These are pretty good. Try one!
( To which, of course, he holds out the one he's bitten into for Vergil to try. )