Complicated homecoming...

[superstylishsquid]

It had been years since Alastor had last seen this town, bustling with humans and reeking of demons. It was almost comforting...if not for the fact that he knew his master was here. The master he'd abandoned without a word, who would be fully justified in striking him down for his insubordination. But it wasn't in Alastor's nature to run. He'd had his taste of freedom, now it was time to face the consequences. If he was lucky, maybe he could come out on top this time and be truly free.

But that would be once he entered Devil May Cry, something he would wait until daytime for. He didn't want to catch his master just returning from a demon hunt and ready to shoot anything that had fangs and claws. So in the darkness of the desert night, he stood atop a building across from the Devil Hunter's shop. His senses were attuned for any hint of magic approaching him, but he might not register an ordinary human right away.

Comments

[hellspawnedhero]

"Sounds like somebody's pissed about urban development."

He took a bite of his pizza, completely ignoring the comment about Patty's cleaning helping his business. People didn't exactly think about sanitation when worried about demons prowling around, right?

[superstylishschism]

"So I end up doing most of the work."

He shrugged, then stood up and tossed the wrapper to his current Poptart into a trash bin by Dante's desk...one that was mostly filled with empty beer cans and juice bottles, but it was better than them hitting the floor because Dante was too lazy to get up.

"Sounds like I should take this one. We send Dante and he'll end up setting construction back to square one."

[patricided]

"You do a good job too Alastor, but this place was gross before Patty got here." She is not going to even respond to Dante's flippant comment. If he didn't want the job fine. No skin off her back since one of them was willing to do it.

"Even if he did it would only come out of his share of the payment anyway." She eyes the trash can. "Is that new?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Hey now, part of that was decor. I had the place looking like a proper devil hunting business!"

Which was completely counter to keeping a low profile, but Dante had never been good at that. It was why there were always rumors that there was something off about him.

[superstylishschism]

Alastor rolled his eyes and sat down on the edge of Dante's desk that wasn't occupied by a box of disgusting grease posing as cheese.

"You had it looking like a dump."

Then his focus shifted to Lady and her question. His mouth twitched a bit, as if it reminded him of something unpleasant.

"I put the trash can there about a week ago. Few days after our last meetup."

[patricided]

"Pizza boxes everywhere do not make decorative items." At least that much she and Alastor could agree on.

It sort of dawns on her after a moment that this is where she should be apologizing for not coming around before now. "Sorry I was a little tied up in work shortly after that." Sad thing is that isn't a metaphor either, she's got the fading bruises to prove it.

[hellspawnedhero]

He shrugged, as if that was simply a matter of taste. There was something else he was far more interested in...even aside from the mental image of Lady tied up.

"So that's where you disappeared to, huh? Didn't think you were such a ladies' man."

[superstylishschism]

Alastor turned and glared at Dante, whatever he'd been planning on saying to Dante forgotten.

"Master, if you don't want me to stab you again, you'll drop that line of thought for a while."

[patricided]

She can just imagine where Dante's mind went with the tied up comment. She is not however okay with what he does say and it shows on her face. And it's a sheer miracle she isn't vaulting over the desk to hit him for it. But that would give him way too much time to react and that would make the whole point stupid. Not that it stops her from giving his feet a good hard shove backwards.

"Get your head out of the gutter. He made sure I didn't go walking out a window while drunk."

[hellspawnedhero]

"Woah-!"

With how delicately he's balanced on two legs of his chair, that shove sends him crashing to the ground. He drags himself back up a few seconds later, ruffling his hair back into place.

"Really, huh? Makes me wonder what it is that had elf-boy here so distracted when he got back."

[superstylishschism]

"Something you'd probably just make worse with your big fat mouth."

He stood up to turn around properly, arms crossed and glaring. He was beyond not in the mood for his boss' teasing.

[patricided]

The satisfaction of knocking Dante on his ass is as always short lived. She sighs. She'd appreciate it if just this once he'd keep his stupid mouth shut.

"Do I need to cut off you pizza allowance for he next month?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Hey, hey, no need to go that far!"

As always, the threat to his pizza got his attention. Not that he knew how to behave for long.

[superstylishschism]

"Ugh..."

He rubbed at his eyes, then looked back at the door before shifting to his demon form.

"Maybe I shouldn't have given you that invitation, if he's going to ask dumb questions at bad times."

[patricided]

"Then shut up."

If looks could talk Lady's expression would be screaming at Alastor to not even dare to leave her there with Dante after that dropping that tasty bit of information.

[hellspawnedhero]

"Wait a sec, you gave her an invite?"

He raised an eyebrow, looking between Alastor and Lady.

"How come this' the first I've heard of that?"

[superstylishschism]

He put a hand on his hip and scowled, but didn't leave. Yet.

"Because you like to pry?"

[patricided]

"I'm right here you know." She crosses her arms over her chest and puffs a little annoyed.

[hellspawnedhero]

He looked back to Lady and held up his hands.

"Awright, why didn't you mention it?"

[superstylishschism]

For once, Alastor stayed silent, glancing at Lady and waiting for her answer.

[patricided]

"Because I really want to give you something else to grump about when I'm bringing you a job." She gives Dante a pointed look.

[hellspawnedhero]

"Guess it would be kinda disappointin'. Ain't got much reason to visit if Alastor's gonna drop by your place, huh?"

[superstylishschism]

"Actually..."

It was taking all of his willpower to avoid facepalming.

"I'd really like it if she came to see me more often."

[patricided]

"What?" Hang on what did you just say Dante?

She looks between them a few times. What just happened? How did this go from her bringing in a job to them half interrogating her?

[hellspawnedhero]

"Not much point if the guy who invited you isn't even here half the time, huh?"