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

[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?"

[patricided]

"What you're going to run him ragged so he's out any time I do stop by from now on?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Like I'd have to. The guy's almost never here all day. But nah, I don't mind if you hang out here, long's you don't start bickering again."

[superstylishschism]

"It's true, I do have a life outside of work and lying around reading."

Unlike some people he could name.

[patricided]

"I didn't start bick- huh?"

Excuse her but did he just say what she thought she just heard. If nothing else to gets her to stop short on what was likely to be an indignant tirade.

"What do you do when you're not working then, Alastor?"

[hellspawnedhero]

Dante just raised an eyebrow. He definitely remembered things getting a bit argumentative the last time he saw the pair of them together.

[superstylishschism]

Alastor shrugged, tilting his head as he thought about what he occupied himself with.

"Movie trips, hanging out with Joe and Silvia, shopping, entertaining kids at the park, visits to Movieland..."

[patricided]

Okay so she might have been arguing a little bit with Alastor the last time he saw them in the shop.

"Go figure you have more of a life than Dante."

[hellspawnedhero]

"I've got plenty of a life. Just happens to be more of a nightlife."

And tended to mostly involve bars, clubs and other seedy places.

[superstylishschism]

Ignoring Dante, Alastor put a hand on his hip.

"Amazing with how much work it is to keep this place sanitary, huh?"

[patricided]

The way her face pinches says everything about her opinion of Dante's nighttime activities, gross.

"There's a reason my boots don't come off here."

[hellspawnedhero]

"Come on, you two act like I've never seen a mop before!"

[superstylishschism]

Somehow, Alastor manages to convey a rolling of his eyes despite the visor.

"Proposing to one doesn't count, master."

[patricided]

What does it say that she doesn't even look surprised despite having never heard of that incident.

"I'm not even going to ask how drunk you were."

[hellspawnedhero]

"Pretty pickled."

Yes, he's going to answer anyway.

"But that's not really the point, is it? I know what a mop's for."

[superstylishschism]

"Yeah, getting other people to clean with."

He snorts and his tail flicks as he shakes his head.

"Pretty sure mopping floors isn't part of the usual Devil Arm job description, maybe I oughta start charging for services as a maid."

[patricided]

"Good luck with that. He still owes Patty a few dresses last I heard."

She turns to Dante.

"And you need to lay off the booze if you're proposing to mops."