OPEN POST: V - Devil May Cry

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You know the drill! Comment with a starter/prompt, or leave a blank toplevel and I'll come up with one. I'll be avoiding spoilers by default, but if you don't mind being spoiled let me know.

Comments

[mombastic]

[ We have here a doctor who can summon demons to help her fight through her cellphone and who has no qualms with helping absolutely anyone who needs it. But please help me with the starter because I know nothing yet. ]

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[I'm thinking of going with AUing V into Otome's canon, like FEATURING DANTE FROM DEVIL MAY CRY the way Dante was tossed into SMT: Nocturne? I haven't played Devil Survivor 2 though so you'll also have to help me out!! Or we can just go with generic demon apocalypse setting to work for both.

AS FOR SETTING... They could meet while rescuing civilians from demons, or one rescues the other?]

[mombastic]

[ AUing is totally fine, because we know SMT loves their cameos and Devil Survivor 2 gives you aliens while the first game gives you DRRR, so. The plot is really just basically demons and Bigger Demons trying to destroy the world in a week and people being able to summon demons from their cellphones/crack demon skills for themselves to fight back.

But a meet-up during an impromptu rescue sounds good to me! ]

lmk if this works!

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[It was an attack on a high-rise apartment block-- an easy target as any. Start a fire in the middle, cut off the upper floors, pick off the civilians who all rush out of the building from the lower floors. The smoke could be seen-- smelled-- from miles around, and so it didn't take long at all before V was on the scene. Demons were blocking the doors and emergency exits, and from the higher levels, Pyro Jacks could be spotted gleefully stoking the fires.

It's more than V can deal with on his own, but if he can save even a few people with what power he has, that's something. The ink-black tattoos across his arms and torso rise and disappear from his skin as they take shape into creatures: one, a demonic panther with glowing eyes, another, a raven-like demon with the size and proportions of a large eagle, which rests on his arm.]

Go, Shadow. [So V says, and that's all the panther needs to leap into the fray and pounce at the demons assaulting the doors. Next, he turns his attention to the bird on his arm.] Scout out the upper floors. Keep as many survivors alive as you can until help arrives.

[The bird doesn't immediately obey, unlike the big cat, but instead speaks. Its voice isn't particularly demonic sounding-- if anything, it's almost comically squawky.] Uh... You sure you're gonna be okay without me, V? This is a lot of demons we're dealing with here!

[V sighs and smiles, pointing the cane he'd been leaning on upward, and quotes as if reciting poetry:] "Lo! to the vault of paved heaven, with sorrow fraught, my notes are driven."

Yeah, yeah, Shakespeare. Just don't get killed! [Reluctant, the bird takes wing and flies up to the higher floors.

...All the while they were bickering, the two are oblivious to the fact more help has arrived right behind them.]

[mombastic]

[ Right behind them, indeed. Normally, Otome tends to stay behind in case injured agents are brought in, but with attacks happening all over the place and one of them being much too close, she'd taken to the field with Airi and Jungo. The other two had split off to tend to a group of demons attacking a park, leaving the apartment to Otome.

Fire, she'd expected. Demons, too.

Not so much a man and a talking bird demon, but one thing at a time, and the bird itself doesn't seem to be an enemy.

One hand slips into her pocket to pull out a cellphone, holding it up in front of her. ]

Hariti. Can you take out the Pyro Jacks? I'll assist down here, but your fire resistance would be a big help right now.

[ The figure of a feminine demon forms in front of her, cradling a clothed bundle to her shoulder. ]

Understood. I shall return shortly.

Of course-- thank you.

[ And up Hariti soars, while Otome gives the man a cautious glance. ]

I don't think I've had the pleasure of encountering you before.

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[V lowers his cane to lean on it, turning at the voices.]

Is this what one considers pleasurable circumstances? [So he says, but he's still oddly calm and soft-spoken despite the unfolding crisis. At the doors, his panther is still biting and clawing at the demons, yet oddly, no matter how much it tears at them, it hasn't killed anything yet.

Noticing this, V glances over his shoulder.]

Excuse me. [He runs at the nearest downed demon, spearing it through the head with the end of his cane. He follows that with a next few that are also weak enough for him to slay, Shadow defending him from the remaining demons as he does so.]

Hoping this works!

[fortunasong]

[ Kyrie heard the knock at the front door and made her way quickly to it, wiping her hands off on a towel she grabbed along the way. She was in the middle of making lunch when she heard the knock. Peeping through the window she noticed a familiar face. This was Nero's companion... V right? She remembered seeing him when Nero got really hurt, but Nero wasn't here right now...

Well she couldn't in good conscious just leave him out in the cold. It was rather chilly out today and the people in this town weren't always the most friendly to strangers, so she tugged open the door and greeted V with a warm smile. ]

V... right? Would you like to come in?

that's fine!

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[V is woefully underdressed for the weather, so the scrawny man looks even more pale and haggard than usual when he's out shivering in the cold. He'd been hoping to find Nero, but at this point, anyone willing to let him in is a welcome sight.]

That's c-correct. [He's just shivering, he hasn't caught Nico's stammer, he promises. Though since it's too cold for a dramatic entrance, he simply hobbles inside with his cane, giving her a once-over.] And... You must be Kyrie.

\o/

[fortunasong]

[ She shuts the door behind him when he enters and gently leads the way to the kitchen. He looked absolutely too chilly for this kind of weather so of course her first thought was to get something warm in him. Maybe even find a light blanket to drape over him. She tilted her head a little and gave him a warm smile when he spoke up again]

Yes, that would be me. Nero isn't home at the moment, but hopefully you won't mind staying a little anyway?

[ She didn't want to force him to stay or anything, but she couldn't help wanting to at least get him some tea to warm up. When she went into the kitchen, she pulled out a chair patted it with a smile. Come sit, V! ]

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[He's looking around and taking everything in, curious about the home Nero made for himself here. Perhaps simply curious to be in a home at all-- one that isn't the ruins of his own. It's been too long.]

I suppose I've no choice. [He sits gingerly, propping his cane against the table for later.] "He who has suffered you to impose on him knows you."

[fortunasong]

[ There home wasn't anything too exciting, but it definitely felt very lived in and warm. She would like to think that their home was a nice place to relax, so she hoped V wouldn't feel too uncomfortable here. Maybe she was a little too pushy though, but... he was one of Nero's companions and he looked so cold. She would be so upset with herself if she turned him away!

She paused for a moment, giving him a confused look. It took her a moment before she clapped her hands together with a smile.] Poetry! I don't know much myself, but it always sounds so beautiful and heart filled.

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William Blake, 'The Proverbs of Hell'. [He says, and by way of explanation, produces his book from his pocket. He learned much of it by heart simply by carrying it everywhere.]

A pity Nero does not share your appreciation for the arts.

Glenn / reorienting

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"I will not cease from mental fight; nor shall sword sleep in my hand."

[Thus is V's declaration as he faces down a near ceaseless number of enemies. It was true that Redgrave City was overrun, but even by the city's standards since the Qliphoth appeared, this is something else. Too much, in fact.

Shadow is trying to hold off a swarm of them from descending on them in a destroyed city square, transforming his body into spikes and blades that repel anything that isn't V, who stays back behind the big cat. Griffon's waves of electricity burn through the weaker enemies, but the more resistant demons only get closer by the second.]

Nice poem, V, but we need to think about gettin' outta here! [Between attacks, that's Griffon's advice from where he flies around him. V is leaning on his cane with effort, but he shakes his head.]

If we turn tail here, we'll be overrun before we can flee. We need to make a stand -- or wait for a miracle.

[V was not a particular believer of miracles. But if ever he needed one to happen, it was now.]

[reorienting]

[The concept of a miracle was a laughable thing, perhaps, if his opinion on such a matter had been sought. As it is, his keen hearing picks up the sound of lucid voices. It's no easy matter to follow them - the thick tide of demons takes effort to slice through, even with his power. And for once, out of all of his short years of life, he's challenged in a new way. His beast form becomes necessary, though a gamble that he's not sure he'll win.

[Three sets of teeth make it easier to cleave through the hoard, his open wounds aching something fierce as he bounds from one foe to the next. When he's close enough, he lets out a sharp, bestial roar that ends in a sound almost akin to a rattle snake's warning.

[The beast appears emaciated, and further still, as if a vulture plucked his legs clean of skin. His rabbit-like ears have prongs like the whiskers of a cat, and his black fur is balding and thin.

[He moves quickly, leaping onto another demon that notices it, bladed claws ripping into flesh as shark-like teeth tear its throat out. It spawns a few long tendrils from its body as it notices more foes around it, and, tipping those snake-like coils of flesh into blades likes nails on a bat, it becomes a whirlwind of gore and demon blood.

[And, well, his own. His half-human blood drips with every movement.

[Rapidly, he moves to another, and yet another, wanting to draw enemy attention to himself. Certainly, he'd speak if he could.]

TFLN - 23/10/20

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@ shigure

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[continued from here]

True enough. I will try not to cause any inconvenience.

[shigure]

Don't think of it as being an inconvenience. Just rest up and try not to overdo it.

In any case, I should be done with it by the time you return.

[versifications]

Very well. I will look forward to seeing it completed.

[shigure]

You'll be the first person I'll show it to. I promise.

Just make sure to stay safe out there!

@ shigure

[versifications]

[Continued from here.]

[Griffon just tilts his head to return Shigure's look, but of course, being a bird, his expression is unreadable. V merely continues to look amused.]

Indeed. I'd rather spend it with you. How is your work coming along?

[shigure]

[That commentary brings a rush of color to his face but Shigure is determined to not make it so obvious. He turns his head toward the corner he'd dedicated to his latest projects.

On the desk is a sketch V will find familiar: it's the portrait Shigure had started of him and he's come along pretty far in it, with the pencil base finished and most of the outline and shading complete. Beside the desk and propped up against the wall is a large canvas depicting the beginnings of a painting; the subject might seem familiar to V, yet unknown at the same time.]

Coming along nicely, I'd say. I've made some significant progress on both. Care to take a closer look?

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[V observes the sketch, but does not linger on it for long, evidently finding something distasteful in seeing his own image -- which is everything to do with himself, and no reflection of Shigure's artistic ability.

He moves to the painting next, peering curiously at the woman, and noting a certain resemblance...]

Is she family of yours, perhaps? Those features are quite striking.

[shigure]

Mm. My mother. Which probably doesn't help the Mama's Boy image I'm trying to shake off.

[With a little self-effacing laugh, he shakes his head, keeps a fond stare on the painting.]

Though I suppose some things can't be helped...

[After a quiet moment, he flicks his gaze back over to V, a little coy.]

Feeling better now?

[versifications]

No, they can't. [It's not quite the humourous retort it should be, and the question proves a welcome distraction. He tugs at a puffy sleeve of the sweater, his serious expression soon quirking back into a smile, however.]

Yes, thanks to both your kindness, and to this. Perhaps I can make good on my offer, now.

yo

[standingonmyneck]

[These books were special. Daria tended to avoid those big commercial bookstores. For a few big reasons: overpriced, too commercialized with tacky knick knacks, sold overpriced coffee, and didn't have books with character.

So Daria, as much as she loved avoiding the public to begin with, found herself in an old bookstore alone. Away from the world and into hers. She could practically smell the ink off the books. This was perfect, heaven if it really existed.

She held a copy of the first part of Divine Comedy. She read this a million times, but she loved how the brittle pages felt on her little thin fingers.

She got practically lost as she picked it up, and opened it again.]