candybox | OPEN POST: V - Devil May Cry

[Shadow is purring like an engine, while Griffon turns and makes retching noises like Kyrie's story makes him want to puke. He quickly stops when V reaches to lift his cane again.]

"Little ones"... You and Nero have children? [That was something he hadn't heard mentioned, and now he's beginning to feel increasingly uneasy. The last time "he" was here-- the thing he had done to Nero to shatter their happy family life-- if she knew, Kyrie would not be nearly so kind to him as she is now.]

Yes and no...

[ Her expressions softens a little. ]

When our home was in danger a while back ago... it left a lot of places damaged and a lot of people homeless. One of those places being the orphanage. Nero and I wanted to do our part to help, so we took in a few of the little ones. They're off playing right now.

[ Because what kid wants to be cooped up in a house all day, right? ]

[V flips through his book, and, finding the correct page (she might even be able to get a glimpse of the intricate illustrations), recites a verse:]

"When the voices of children are heard on the green, and laughing is heard on the hill, my heart is at rest within my breast, and everything else is still."

[He sets the book down.] They're very lucky, to have someone to care for them.

That was really beautiful...

[ She looks a little embarrassed by the comment, but she was just radiating smiles and warmth right now. She was about to open up her mouth to say something else when the kettle of water starts to whistle.]

Oh good!

[ She gives Shadow an apologetic kiss to his soft cat forehead before she gets up and wanders over to the stove to start preparing some tea for V. ]

[Shadow's ears perk up at the sudden whistling of the kettle, and he purrs even louder in response to being kissed. Then, when she moves over to the stove, he follows after her to watch, like he really is an oversized housecat.

V, meanwhile, is lost in thought.]

If I could have grown and lived in a place like this, sheltered by a group like the Order of the Sword... perhaps things would have been different...

[Griffon cocks his head at him from his perch.] You think that's the life your old man and your mom would have wanted for ya? The people here can get pretty... intense about their faith.

[V's lip curls, and he looks back at the book. He can't disagree with Griffon's point, but after speaking with Kyrie like this, he also can't help but wonder about the life he could have lead here.]

[ Sorry, V. You're going to have to visit a lot more now, because Shadow seems taken to Kyrie and she will happily spoil him.

She quietly listens to their words with a thoughtful frown on her face. She can't really blame their thoughts on the Order, but it didn't mean everyone was quite so intense... Still, hearing words like that from V, it seemed to encourage her want to make him feel at home here.

She grabs a couple mugs and sets them down at the table and slips a tea bag into both of them before pouring the hot water into them both. Then she moves to the counter and sets a big plate of cookies on the table in front of V.

She moved back over to V and bends down just a little to smile at him. ]

As long as you're here, you're family.

[V can't quite meet her eye, and the smile in return is wry. Foolish, he thinks, but that would be unkind to say. Of course, his former self would have said it without a second thought, cold and unfeeling.

Instead, he looks down at his hands, knowing that minute by minute, they're slowly decaying away. And his response isn't said with coldness, but with regret:]

It's best if you don't get too attached. This will be my only visit.

Oh...

[ She frowns a little, worried that maybe something is going on that was far beyond her. Maybe... it had something to do what Nero gets himself into. ]

Well even so... our doors will always be open to you, whether you visit or not.

Don't be such a Debbie Downer, V! Can't you just enjoy the moment for once? [Griffon scolds him, this time, and V is visibly startled; the bird does have a point. Moving perches, the demon flutters over to perch on the back of the chair next to Kyrie.]

Listen, he doesn't know how to handle people being nice. Ignore him if he says anything... uhh, depressing. Even if that's most things he says!

[V has no comeback to that whatsoever, so he grabs a cookie and takes a bite to avoid having to say anything more. You win this round, oversized chicken.]

[ She gives a gentle smile, and almost reaches out to pat the bird boy on his feathery head, but hesitates. She's not sure if he'd like it as much as Shadow. Instead she just gives Griffon a warm smile. ]

No worries. I have a bit experience in handling those who have difficulty with kindness.

[ She doesn't say who, but they might be able to guess who she means. She did grow up with him after all. ]

[Much like a real bird, Griffon does seem a bit more twitchy about potentially being touched, puffing up his feathers and side-eyeing her until she hesitates. He does, however, snicker at her response; from what they've seen of Nero so far, it doesn't seem to be wrong.

V, meanwhile, is polishing off the cookie. When he finally speaks up again, his voice is quiet.]

... These are good.

[ !!! ]

You like them?

[ She turns her head toward V again and smiles brightly. ]

Please take as many as you'd like!

Thank you. [He's still a little subdued, like he has no idea how to really react to all this, or even if he deserves any of it. But he takes another nonetheless.]

I wish I could repay you for the kindness you've shown me.

I do know one way you could repay me.

[ She gives him an even brighter smile. ]

Stay for dinner? That's all I ask!

[ And to maybe help him decide she shifts down toward Shadow again and presses her cheek against his face. Just look at this precious cat face, V. You can't say no to that can you? ]

[Shadow's ears are lowered, and the big cat is already licking his lips in anticipation for dinner. V shakes his head, smiling wryly. Shadow has really never been so docile with anyone besides V before, and he's beginning to see how she could wind up with someone like Nero.]

...You have a demonic beast wrapped around your little finger. I hope you're proud of yourself.

[He's not refusing, at the very least, which seems to indicate he's willing to stay.]

[ Kyrie laughed softly at that and gave Shadow another gentle hug. ]

He's such a sweetheart. I can't help it I suppose.

[ While it's true Demons and all those kind of things can be terrifying, she's always wanted to give others a chance. It's just how she's always felt, even since childhood. ]

[Shadow is back to purring up a storm, and turns to lick Kyrie on her hands and face. And yes, his tongue is like sandpaper, just like an actual cat's, sorry about that.]

Don't allow him to get too excited. He's still a dangerous beast. [V warns, as if trying to preserve some aspect of Shadow's intimidating image. He turns his attention back to his book, and Griffon just scoffs in disbelief.]

And yet there he is, the big bad kitty cat acting like he wouldn't hurt a fly...

Just because he has a warm side it doesn't make him any less strong and brave.

[ Kyrie looks up to Griffon, with a tiny bit of scolding in her tone. ]

It's okay for someone to let their guard down even for a small time. I personally think it makes things easier for them. If they find someone they can feel this way for. Strength isn't all just raw power after all... I think it takes a lot of heart too.

[ She happily goes back to petting Shadow and giggling softly when she feels him lick her face. ]

OPEN POST: V - Devil May Cry

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