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]

It's how we learn. And I hope you notice you're getting better about that. Last time, I couldn't even kiss you without you freezing up.

*Just going to let that hand trail down to her cheek.*

[patricided]

I don't think changes over the course of the last few minutes count as progress.

[She pulls away, she feels weird accepting more affection after she nearly panicked her way into doing something harmful.]

[superstylishschism]

Really? I think it does. You managed to do something you were too nervous to try a couple weeks ago, so I'd say it counts.

*Okay, how about a hand resting lightly on her shoulder?*

[patricided]

Who says I wasn't nervous as hell today either? You realize how badly I could have overreacted don't you?

[She doesn't shrug it off and after a few beats she lifts a hand and twines their fingers together.]

[superstylishschism]

*He folds his hand around hers and edges a bit closer again.*

Unless you've got holy weapons in reach, it's going to take more than a kneejerk reaction to really hurt me. Trust me, a little pain and spilled blood isn't going to upset me.

[patricided]

I hunt demons, a normal bullet isn't going to cut it ninety percent of the time. It's either blessed, inscribed, or coated in holy water. And they're always close by.

[It's really just Kalina Ann and a select few of her handguns that are locked up at all times.]

Especially in here.

[superstylishschism]

I'm not one of the weak demons that keels over from a bit of light magic, either. Might burn a bit, but it wouldn't be anything I can't take.

[patricided]

I'd rather you didn't have to take it at all. And you could have.

[superstylishschism]

I didn't. Just relax. It'll be unpleasant if it happens, but not the end of the world. And until then, is there really any point in dwelling on what might go wrong?

[patricided]

Do me a favor and be quiet for a while.

[His arguing really isn't helping anything.]

[superstylishschism]

*He sighs a bit, but just squeezes her hand. He would pull her up against him, but he's not sure if her nerves are calmed down enough for that yet.*

[patricided]

[Thank you. She takes a breath and just stares at the ceiling trying to just clear her mind and let the annoyance leech out of her.]

[superstylishschism]

*He'll give her time to calm down. His tail brushes over her leg as it moves around in a reflexive reaction to the rest of him staying still, but he's otherwise just laying there with her hand in his.*

[patricided]

[She twitches a little at the brush of his tail but doesn't freak out or go jumping away.]

You're going to be hell on my sanity aren't you?

[superstylishschism]

You think you've been easy on mine?

But I don't think either of us really have room to complain, since we're both willing to put up with Dante.

[patricided]

Easier at least.

Putting up with him kind of rude if you knew him as long as I have. If he was exactly like the guy I met fifteen years ago I wouldn't even do that much.

[superstylishschism]

I think just difficult in different ways.

Cerberus did say he was kind of a brat back then. I get the feeling I wouldn't exactly be as willing to serve him as I am if he was like that now.

[patricided]

Oh?

He tried to get a glimpse up my shorts the first chance he had. And I think he was enjoying the mayhem for most of it.

[superstylishschism]

You. Are very good at driving a guy up a wall.

But jeeze...guess nobody taught him how to keep his destructive instincts under control.

[patricided]

Need to be good at something other than killing creatures from a child's nightmare.

I'm pretty sure there's reasons for that, I just don't know them. I'm not even sure what his reasoning was for the about face he did.

[superstylishschism]

Apparently, it's being insanely attractive to other people that kill creatures from children's nightmares.

I've kinda given up on trying to understand why Dante does the things he does.

[patricided]

You're doing that sweet talking thing again.

He's the closest I have to a best friend. I should probably try to at least understand him a little bit.

[superstylishschism]

Just telling the truth.

Some people just don't make sense no matter how hard you try. He'll explain it if he feels like it, but most of what he does is probably on impulse.

[patricided]

Uh-huh.

Sometimes he does.

[superstylishschism]

With people like that, you're generally not going to figure them out without asking some direct questions.