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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ A little angst here, so please proceed with caution. Thank you!
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Day 30 - Mom
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"What,... is this place?" Nero asked an hour later when they finally arrived in their destination.
And to this, V simply replied, "She used to live here."
Nero was still a bit confused. "She? Who - ?"
The expression on his face when he finally realized looked so precious.
And it actually made V's heart twitch in pain.
"Your mother." V quietly answered as he looked at the old, abandoned house right before him and Nero.
"Wait," Nero snapped, disbelief clearly painted on his face. " ... what do you mean she used to live here? What really happened here, V?"
To this, V tilted his head. "Come. I'll show you."
Entering the house brought out too many emotions in the poet. Despite not clearly remembering everything that happened, V could still remember emotions.
That feeling when he looked up at the portrait of Venus. That emotion he felt when his fingers grazed against the dusty chair she used to sit on while she knitted.
The tears he felt coming out of his eyes and the lump he noticed growing in his throat when all the fond emotions came back,...
It was simply,... too much for V.
"Her name," The poet began as Nero listened attentively to him. " ... was Queenie. At first, I,... couldn't see what she looked like. All her physical aspects were like a blur to my feeble mind but, there was a time when I was finally able to see her face for the first time in my life.
"It felt,... really intimate. Very warm. For a moment, I felt like I was drowning in my own emotions, and I let it carry me wherever it wants. I was so overwhelmed by the feeling of love and protection she freely offered, and then, I saw her.
"That moment when the wave of emotions abruptly stopped, and the dark clouds that blinded me finally disintegrated.
"Like a new dawn, and the sun rising up once more, I saw her face. The most,... "
For a while, V had to stop, feeling the lump in his throat growing bigger and bigger, making him even more uncomfortable.
But, he knew he must go on.
"She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." V went on, his hand clutching the cane too tightly for support as if he was on the verge of collapsing. "Her gentle eyes, her soft smile. Her fragility. Her,... humanity.
"Everything about her,... was truly beautiful."
Looking at Nero, he added with a smile as his tears slowly descended from his eyes, "I was too overwhelmed with my own emotions. Everything felt too perfect. Too,... surreal. I know I don't deserve such happiness. But, she's right there, and I could feel her.
"And amidst these overflowing emotions, something very bright and unexpected came.
"She had you, Nero."
Nero felt something punch him in the gut when V spoke the words. It felt as if he was listening to a riddle but, all of a sudden, it got solved on it's own.
He could actually feel his own emotions getting the better of him.
"She had you, and it was the most wonderful day of her life. Of our lives.
"And then, all of a sudden, all light was lost. The gentle waves that carried turned into a storm and carried me away from her. Away from her warmth. For what felt like a very long time, I was asleep. It was cold, harsh, unkind.
"And the next thing I remember, I was looking up at the monstrosity incarnate that held me imprisoned for a very long time. It wreaked havoc on Red Grave and killed thousands of innocent people. You know the rest.
"Making the story a bit shorter, I did try to find Queenie on my own when Vergil granted me this,... independence. And this,... was all I found. Emptiness, coldness, ruin,...
"I found out she died of an unknown illness right after you were born. And the feeling of knowing it,... it haunts me. I could even feel it seeping right through my bones.
"And me letting you know all this too late," V said, sitting down on the dusty chair, feeling his knees finally giving in. " ... gave me a feeling of shame. I should have,... "
"Told you all this earlier." Another voice uttered, making the two of them look at the front door,...
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 29 - Dad
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It was very strange for Nero to be seen walking around with a stranger in the streets of Fortuna, especially if the said stranger was a tall and slender dark - haired man with tattoos and a pet bird. Others would gaze at them with those weird look on their faces, and some would even flat out stare at them as if they have broken the laws of the city.
However, the young man wasn't even the least bit mad.
Nero actually considered V as somewhat of a father figure, since he still hasn't warmed up that much to Vergil. And V, after knowing all this, has attempted many times to convince him to get closer to his own father.
However, seeing Nero so confused and a bit shy that night when he kindly asked about his mother has invoked a certain emotion in V. He couldn't sleep that night, and when he closed his eyes, all he could imagine was his face,... and hers.
V never really planned on going back to this place, as it has reminded him of some,... unsavory memories.
But, for the sake of the person who looked up to him as his own parent, he must do it.
He promised Nero he would bring him to this place, and he shall fulfill it.
"What,... is this place?" Nero asked an hour later when they finally arrived in their destination.
And to this, V simply replied, "She used to live here."
Nero was still a bit confused. "She? Who - ?"
The expression on his face when he finally realized looked so precious.
And it actually made V's heart twitch in pain.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ Awkward moments ahead. Be warned.
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Day 28 - Nero
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For the next few minutes, the two men simply enjoyed their tea, silently observing the crackling fire and the sleeping form of the familiars next to the fireplace.
However, this calm and peaceful atmosphere would soon be interrupted by one very,... unexpected question.
"Hey, V?"
"Hmm?"
"When you, ahh,... h - how should I say this?" Nero mumbled, scratching the back of his head, looking more awkward than he already was a few moments earlier.
"When I what?" V urged on absent - mindedly, not taking his sight off the mesmerizing reflection of the flames in his tea.
For a while, V felt as if he was sinking in the moment. Him, looking at what remained of his tea while Nero mumbled on, his voice slowly getting drowned amidst the sound of the crackling fire and the ticking of the clock mounted on the wall to his left.
The poet felt somewhat hypnotized,...
... until the gravity of what Nero was actually trying to ask him hit him like a slow torpedo fired at him by an unknown submarine.
Like someone surfacing from the ocean after a long and deep dive, he dragged his languorous green eyes to Nero's innocent blue ones and opened his mouth, asking him the question that he, himself, did not hear, as if his head was still submerged in the water.
"Oh, I m - mean," Nero stuttered, his voice a little shaky, his trembling fingers still scratching the non - existent itch at the back of his head. " ... when m - mom was,... expecting me,... w - was she the same? I mean, was she experiencing mood swings just like Kyrie? Did she kick you out of the house, too?”
V felt he was stuck, not knowing how to answer Nero's question. Of course, the boy was just understandably trying to know more about his mother but, knowing him and how,... awkward,... he was of speaking his emotions out loud, the question came out as abrupt and a little blunt. A bit shocking, even.
And V could only say the truth. At least, the truth he knew only from his side of things.
"I will be very honest with you, Nero." V began, his voice lower than he'd anticipated. "I,... can't tell you. Or rather, I,... don't have the capacity to explain to you what really happened.
"You see, I' am,... only a part of who made you. I don't share all of your father's memories, and I don't have a clear vision of everything that occurred before he,... carved me out.
"I truly am,... sorry."
"Whoa. Well, hey! No need to say sorry, I, ahh, kind of understand, no worries! Haha,... " Nero blabbered, laughing a little awkwardly.
V was waiting for Nero to say or ask something else but, moments has passed and the Devil Hunter still remained silent.
Then, V had an idea. It's not a very clever, or even a feasible, one but, he knew it would, at least, clear Nero's confusion.
V knew it would ease some of Nero's pent - up tension with regards to this very sensitive topic.
"I hope you're not too busy tomorrow." Standing up from the sofa, V simply spoke.
"Just gonna help Nico with some stuff in the afternoon. After that, I'm all good!" Nero answered, the now empty cup of tea still in his hands. "Are we going somewhere?"
The poet turned and looked at Nero in the eye. "You could say that. Yes."
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ Mentions of pregnancy ahead, please proceed with caution. Thank you.
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Day 27 - Kicked Out
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It was actually just like any other night, a bit calm, a bit cold, a bit quiet, save for Griffon's little sleep talks and Shadow's huge grunts and yawns.
However, this time around, V actually had a guest staying over. And for the first time during his independent life, he felt like he adopted someone's child.
"Are you,... sure you really want to stay here for the evening?" V asked for the third time that night.
Looking up at his father, Nero smiled awkwardly and nodded his head. "Y - yeah, very sure."
The poet sighed. Giving the young man a warm cup of green tea, he went on, sitting next to him, "I know for a fact that Kyrie would never get angry with you. Unless of course,... if you do something that would,... infuriate her."
"That's the issue. It seems like she's always infuriated with me these past few days." Nero worriedly explained, taking a sip of the tea that V made for him. "She even told me she hated my cologne. I swear, she used to love sniffing me when I wear it. Nico says it's the hormones kicking in. Says it will be gone in a few days."
Disguising his laughter as coughing fits, V inhaled, focused his mind on the problem, and tried to answer with a straight face, "Let us trust that Kyrie's,... hormone problems,... would soon past. But, one can only hope, when a husband is actually,... driven away from his,... own home,... by his,... expecting wife."
"You must think I'm scared shitless of my own wife."
"Not at all. It's perfectly,... understandable."
"And you must think this is all too funny."
"Why? I think it is,... only natural."
Nero hummed, not knowing what to say next.
For the next few minutes, the two men simply enjoyed their tea, silently observing the crackling fire and the sleeping form of the familiars next to the fireplace.
However, this calm and peaceful atmosphere would soon be interrupted by one very,... unexpected question.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ Mentions of heartache / heartbreak ahead. Also swearing, courtesy of our much beloved sailor - mouth, Griffon.
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Day 34 - Lovebirds
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V never really thought of Griffon as someone who would even look at his own kind with much ardor, especially when he's nothing like any other avian in the world. To V, Griffon was a very special kind of bird. He's a powerful Demon, a nightmare, a force to be reckoned with.
He's V's loyal familiar.
However, his thoughts regarding Griffon changed when they passed by the local pet shop.
All of a sudden, the demonic familiar stopped yapping his tongues off, stopped in mid air, and focused all of his eyes at something behind the thick glass of the store. And when the poet only got a series of mumbles as an answer from his familiar when he questioned him, V has decided to look at the thing the avian was so speechless and enamored with, and found a very pleasant surprise.
It was the most beautiful pastel pink cockatoo that V has ever seen in his life. With striking red feathers on the wings, and a very smooth - looking plumage. It was a very lovely specie of bird, indeed.
And Griffon? Well, it was safe to say he's smitten.
Very smitten.
Very smitten to the point where Griffon's fighting spirit has actually degraded. He got stalemated more often during their battles with the demonic forces, and all focus and concentration he once had had all gone down the drain.
Luckily for Griffon, V knew what he's thinking.
Despite knowing that the decision was too rash, V still went to the shop the next day and brought the lovely pink cockatoo home for his familiar.
For a time, Griffon, and the pink cockatoo he named, Isolde, were inseparable. Always together like coffee and cream, and very, very much in love like Romeo and Juliet.
That was, until V's old neighbors, Amor and Cyrus, the couple with a son who went to Europe to chase after a woman, dropped by for a visit one day and happily showed V their new, exotic pet. An impressive and handsome palm cockatoo with such majestic black plumage and red cheeks. And its name was Tristan.
And when the two cockatoos, Tristan and Isolde, laid eyes upon each other, their world seemed to stop revolving. Even time, itself, seemed to stop just for the two of them.
For a brief moment that seemed like an eternity for the two of them, Tristan and Isolde fell deeply in love with each other.
To make the story short, V had no other choice but to let Isolde go with Amor and Cyrus so she won't get sad of being separated from Tristan.
And the two cockatoos lived happily ever after.
But, what about Griffon?
"It's not that bad." V quietly said as he sat next to Griffon on the doorway where he last saw the love of his life.
"NOT BAD?!" The demonic avian screeched in such indescribable pain. "I CAN HEAR THEIR LOVIN' FROM ALL THE WAY HERE! FUCKIN' ANIMALS! YUCK!"
"Well, I'm sure you'll find another girl. Someone much worthy of your love."
"Huh. Easy for you to say! I mean, ya haven't even fallen in love! And don't fuckin' tell me it's Queenie because half the time, ya didn't even see when ya fucked!"
To this very obscene comment, V only bit back a smile.
Perhaps he didn't know what it means when the person you loved has left you for someone else. Maybe someday, but then, hopefully not.
As for now, he must focus on helping his familiar move on, and, maybe, find him another chick worth of his undying love.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 33 - Pizza
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It all started with a single slice of pizza.
Just the other day, V invited Dante over for lunch, and he generously ordered three big boxes of different - flavored pizza for the two of them, including Griffon, who has now become a huge pizza fanatic.
All was well, them exchanging stories and enjoying their food,...
... until only one slice of jalapeño special was left.
"Don't mind if I do!" Dante happily announced with a smug smile as he elected to grab the last slice for himself, only to stop when a blue wing prevented his hand from doing so.
"Oh, I don't think so, lover boy." Griffon spoke in what seemed like a threatening kind of voice.
"Whoa! Is that a challenge, little chicken?" Dante said, a devilish look forming on his face.
"Just who are ya callin' little chicken, huh?!" Of course, Griffon has a very short temper.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe, you are?" And of course, Dante would not hold back, especially when pizza was involved.
"How about a little challenge, huh? Let's see who the best man there is!"
"Ohoho, bring it on, feathery fella!"
"Oh, yes! IT'S BARBECUE TIME!"
However, none of the Devils were able to even land a single blow on the other, as the poet stealthily grabbed the last slice of pizza and gobbled it all right before their huge, shocked eyes.
"Oh! Were you two saying something?" V asked, feigning innocence as he noisily licked his fingers.
"No." Man and Bird answered.
Ever since then, the Bird has developed enmity towards the Man for ever getting in his way of his precious pizza, the Man has decided to be quick enough next time there's a last slice, and the poet has learned to not order pizza, at all, if Dante and Griffon were both involved.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ We are now at the second season of 365 Days Of V: Your Daily Dose Of Vitamin V! 😍😍😍❤❤❤
Woohoo! Thank you so much to everyone who read amd commented on the first season, and I hope you enjoy the second one. 😍😍😍❤❤❤
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Day 32 - Lovebirds
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Executing his very risky plan proved to be very, very efficient on both Nero and Vergil's part.
Especially for Nero. And Kyrie.
For one thing, the young man has finally stopped bothering V with sleepovers since that afternoon, and from what he heard from Nico, Nero, and his lady love, Kyrie, seemed to be doing great. The pregnancy hormone thing that Nico mentioned before seemed to be totally gone now.
However, there was one thing that bothered V the most, and it was the couple being too preoccupied with themselves that they couldn't focus on Devil Hunting commissions.
Just the other day, Nico kindly asked, no, begged, V to take over the Devil Hunting mission that Nero received a day prior. Said psycho was too busy simping on his lady love, and that the client was getting impatient and angry.
So, naturally, V took on the job, himself. He vanquished the pack of Demons terrorizing one of the houses on Swan Lane and got the full, generous payment all to himself.
The day after that, Nico asked again if V could take on another job meant for Nero. So, he went and did exactly that, and, again, got the payment for himself. And the next day, the Artisan asked him if he could attend this retirement party and play the violin during intermission. Said the job was meant for Kyrie, and, of course, because the lovebirds were too busy with each other, V had no other choice but to don his best suit, go to said retirement party, and endure the old ladies pinching his cheeks before and after his performance.
And by the end of the week, V has actually earned more than enough for himself that it even made Dante, who has forgotten to pay for his bills and rent in time again, really jealous.
Earning more than enough was good and all. But, V sure wished that the lovebirds would take over his Devil Hunting commission for him for a change. His cheeks were still red and very much swollen from all the pinching, and his pride wouldn't make him go outside because of it. Especially when Griffon was teasing him non stop because of it.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ A brief mention of family drama ahead.
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Day 31 - Father And Son
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"And me letting you know all this too late," V said, sitting down on the dusty chair, feeling his knees finally giving in. " ... gave me a feeling of shame. I should have,... "
"Told you all this earlier." Another voice uttered, making the two of them look at the front door,...
And there he was. Standing right before them was the man, himself.
It was Vergil.
Nodding towards V with the unspoken word that Nero would never understand, the eldest son of Sparda crossed the room and went towards his son, as resolute as ever, and with no such hint of hesitation in his eyes.
V took this as his cue and got up from Queenie's favorite chair, leaning on his cane for support and sending a tender, sympathetic smile towards Nero, who found Vergil's very sudden intrusion very confusing.
As much as he wanted to explain everything to the best of his knowledge and ability, V was really not the person for the job. And after telling Nero his side of things, he handed it to Vergil to finally close the gap between him and his son, whom he was separated from for over twenty years.
After all, nobody could but Vergil, himself.
And V was only glad Vergil agreed to all of this.
V waited outside the old house for what seemed to be an eternity, the suspense and dread giving him anxiety, slowly killing him inside.
It was a few minutes past five in the afternoon when the two finally emerged from the house where it all began, looking both very emotional and red in the eyes. Clearly, some manly tears were shed, and some not – so – gentle words were thrown at one and the other. But, looking at Vergil and Nero now, the poet could safely assume that the fresh air has finally entered the, once, suffocating room.
With a fond smile, V listened as Nero awkwardly offered his gratitude towards him for planning everything, and he gave a simple nod when Vergil uttered a simply thank you.
The two, then, decided to go home and tell Kyrie everything that happened but, V has made up his mind to stay longer for a bit.
And with a simple wave of the hand, V saw Vergil and Nero walk towards their home, a true father and son.
Only then did the poet grab his cellphone from his pocket to see ten or so missed calls from Patty, herself.
Dialing her number, V waited, hoping for the teen to pick up and to not get mad at him for not answering her call a little bit sooner.
A few seconds later, she finally answered the call.
Oh, my God, V! What took you so long?!
"Forgive me. I was,... in the middle of something,... very important."
Ohh,... that important, huh?
"Indeed."
Well, fine. But, listen! Dante couldn't come with me to the cinema. Said he has a gig. But, I already bought two tickets. Wanna come?
"Well,... who am I to refuse such a generous offer?"
***
~ END OF SEASON 1 ~
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 26 - Neighbors
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For a short period of time, almost a month, actually, V has become fond of his neighbors.
It all started when the old couple, who lived next door, alerted him of burglary just two weeks ago. The police officers they called wasn't able to arrive in time, so V took matters into his own hands, as always, and went out to retrieve his coin bank, himself.
A few days later after that harrowing incident, V found out that this couple had a son who moved to Europe to chase after a woman, as they said, and that they missed him a lot. They don't have any relatives living close by, and they even mentioned that seeing V around, either reading a book on his front porch, tending to his ever growing garden, or taking his pet bird out for a walk, made them feel that their son didn't leave them, at all.
After that short, and, yet, heartfelt, conversation, the couple always found time to check up on him. If he's doing well, if he's having any difficulty with chores, if he's eating well, if he has enough food on his table,...
They basically adopted him as their own, and to V, it felt really sweet and tender, being loved and looked after like a child by these old, gentle people who knew nothing but kindness.
The old couple reminded V of his own parents.
And so, one day, the poet decided to surprise them with a little gift. A special surprise that he planned really well with Nico’s help.
He told them to dress up real nice, like they would when they're dating, and asked them kindly to come over.
What the couple found on V's garden that evening brought tears to their eyes. The young man actually set up a table for two in the middle of the garden, surrounded by paper lanterns, and the little flowers he planted, himself. Waiting right next to the table was a freckled woman with glasses who helped them settle on their chairs and offered them a glass of red wine.
The old couple was treated to a full six - course meal, served by that cute and freckled witty young lady with a distinct Southern accent. And while they dined, V, himself, played melodies for them with his violin. Songs that they loved as a couple, and tunes that they adored dancing along to on quiet evenings. After their sumptuous meal, they danced along to the tune of their wedding song, performed by a girl named Kyrie, who recorded the lovely ballad in an actual vintage vinyl player.
It was a very beautiful evening, made even more wonderful with the help of V, Nico, and that girl Kyrie that they weren’t able to meet.
It was,... the most beautiful surprise they have ever received in their entire life. And they would treasure that special moment in their hearts,… for as long as they lived.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 25 - Cane
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V wasn't really choosy when it comes to weapons.
Yes, he thought that Dante's Devil Sword, Vergil's Yamato, and Nero's Red Queen were really fascinating and strong. But, he couldn't deny the fact that there was something so classy and elegant with his antique metal cane. It feels so light in his hands, it didn't look obnoxious, and it served him really well so far. He could still remember the utter satisfaction he felt when he plunged the cane deep into his enemies' flesh, and he could still feel his own power coursing through it when he unleashed his demonic powers upon those fiends.
Plus, it's a storage saver, as well.
That said, V never really thought of paying that antique shop a visit,... to actually pay for the metal cane. Until now.
He could still remember the place, two right turns after the shopping district.
He would pay the cane in full, no matter how much it would cost him. V knew it was the right thing to do.
V entered the dark and quiet shop, expecting an old, grumpy person manning the cashier.
Instead, there was a familiar face waiting behind it.
"Mr. V? Oh, my God! I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm glad to see you look so well, Ms. Avery." The poet greeted the pet groomer. "Aren't you,... supposed to be working,... somewhere else?"
"Totally!" Avery answered as she went around the counter to get closer to him. "Well, I look after this shop sometimes. You see, my father is the one who owns this place. I mean, was the,... owner. Now, I work full time here. Well, I have to. You know what I mean." The woman blinked her eyes several times.
"Oh, I'm very sorry."
Avery smiled and waved a hand. "Ha! Don't be. So! What brings you here?"
"Oh, about," V began, feeling at a loss for words on how to describe what happened the night he took the metal cane. He handed the thing to Avery, who gave it a look of utter shock, and went on. " ... that. It's a,... very, very,... complicated,... story. But, rest assured that I'm willing to pay for it. In full. No matter how much it would cost."
"I knew this went missing when that huge fucked up tree showed up here in Red Grave!" Avery exclaimed, appraising the thing with her own eyes. "I saw you carrying this the first time we met. Now, I'm sure it really is the same thing."
"Y - yes." Please, don't get mad. Please, don't get mad,...
"Well, you can have it."
For a moment, V thought he misheard the words. "Sorry?"
"I said, you can have it." Avery repeated. "You helped me so much with my pet grooming problem. In fact, I even got a promotion after what you did! I couldn't thank you enough. Although, I can't really understand how you did it,... "
"It's a well - guarded secret, my lady." V replied with a wink, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Receiving the cane from her, he politely asked, "Is it really alright for me to take this? I'd really, really like to pay for it."
"Nah, it's alright. You really can have it." Avery answered as she made her way back to her place behind the counter. "Besides, it seems to really like you as its owner."
"And that means?"
"It's a well - guarded secret, my lord." She answered with a mischievous wink of her own.
And this made V chuckle. "Well, then, I'll be on my way. Thank you so much for your,... generosity,... Ms. Avery."
"Pleasure." The woman answered with a nod.
And just then, when the poet was about to leave the antique shop, he saw a silhouette of Avery's former pet hovering above the woman's head.
"Thank you,... for watching over my master." It whispered, it's voice almost sounding like a breeze.
"I always fulfill my promises." V answered.
"What's that?" Avery, who just saw V suddenly talking to himself, asked.
"It was nothing." He simply answered as the soul of Avery's pet ascended once more into Paradise, just like that time when he was finally able to convince it that no harm would ever befall its best friend and owner.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 24 - Name
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V knew hanging out with Patty would turn his world upside down.
Well, fortunately for the teenager, V was a very patient man.
He just didn't know how to react when, one day, Patty decided to make a social media account for him.
To be fair, he was the one who asked the help of the teen with his new gadget, since he couldn't disturb Nero or Kyrie, and Nico told him she's too busy making a new weapon to be tested out next month. He knew Dante would know next to nothing about computers, and Vergil would just go about poking the sleek, black thing aimlessly while reading the manual over and over again, just like him.
Simply put, he has no other choice but to turn to the Poker Queen for help. And V could safely say that his laptop was in the right hands, albeit feeling a bit culture - shocked with the things he has learned so far with technology.
And now, the chit actually wanted to make a social media account for him.
"I'm very certain I have no use for it." The poet insisted for the third time that day.
"Oh, believe me! You'll find this very useful someday." The teen ignored V's words as she tapped and tinkered on the poet's brand new laptop like she owned the thing. "Besides, how would you buy yourself some ebooks if you don't even have an email?"
"I prefer my old physical copies, thank you very much."
"And how would you get yourself a girlfriend if you don't even have a messaging app?"
"I'm sure I'm not looking for a girlfriend as of the moment,... "
And to this, Patty just dramatically rolled her eyes. "You'll see what I mean when you finally have your very own social media account, boomer."
"Sorry?"
"Nothing,... " the girl playfully sang as the screen of his laptop showed a login screen of a website called, Boogle. There were many blank spaces to be answered, and the bright colors of the screen were already making the poet's eyes hurt.
"What is your full name?" Patty asked a few moments later.
V was a bit confused. He never really have a name to call his own, save for the one alias he’s always using.
"Well, I - " V slightly stammered, at once feeling a little bit lost. "I' am,... not exactly Vergil."
"Of course, you aren't." Patty answered with much sarcasm.
Maybe, it really is the time to create my very own name,...
The poet's gaze wandered about the living room, looking for a clue, anything, that would give him a proper idea for the perfect name. He looked at his books, gazed at the few little paintings hanging on the wall, he even looked at the various magazines stacked on the table next to the laptop.
And still, he couldn't think of anything. His mind was completely blank.
I'm not prepared for this,...
"Well,... ?" The girl asked, still waiting for his answer, her fingers ready to tap on the keyboard. "Should I put,... Vincent?"
"No."
"Hmm, what about Victor?" Patty said, her lips forming a huge O in awe. "Oh! You could be Victor Blake! I'm pretty sure it suits you."
"It sounds,... too tragic." The poet answered, an image of himself as an impoverished but talented Victorian era poet suddenly popping in his head.
"Oh! I know! Valerio Borges sounds like a romantic name!" And clearly, Patty was watching too much television,...
"I'm sure it does but,... it doesn't suit me." V answered with a smirk.
"Hohoho, Valerio,... heehee!" Griffon, who was listening in on their conversation the entire time, laughed and snickered, mocking V.
Ignoring Griffon's taunts, V went back to the important task at hand,...
... until he found something on the bright screen of his laptop.
"That." V spoke, pointing at something at the lower right corner of the screen.
"Huh? Ahh, that's just an ad, V." Patty answered. And it was! A simple and minimalistic - looking ad featuring online language classes, including Latin, Chinese, German and various other languages.
"Interesting." V whispered, his eyes still on the ad, mesmerized by the English words that suddenly dissolved like ash and turned into their foreign language counterparts.
Then, all of a sudden, he saw the word.
Life
There,... it clicked.
Vitale
He carefully pronounced the word. "Vitale.
Patty hummed, then typed the name.
Vitale Sparda
"It's,... actually really nice." Patty said with a nod of approval.
"It is." V answered with a content smile.
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 23 - Working Out
***
V never really considered buffing himself up.
Despite his brothers being so huge and muscular compared to him, V never really felt so awful about it. Well,... maybe just a little bit. Yes, there were the occasional teases from the ladies such as Nico and Patty but, despite those little inconveniences, over time, V has learned to embrace his lithe and slender body.
What really started to irk him the most regarding his slim body type was his limits when it comes lifting things around the house. Yes, he could rely on his familiars to move and lift the heavy things for him but, they have a tendency to actually break stuff. Griffon has extremely sharp talons, and Shadow was not really that gentle in handling things. Other than that, finding out that his vintage collection of books have talon marks or demonic fur ball stains actually made him lose his patience.
So, one day, he finally decided to take a leap of fate and started working out.
Not to actually buff himself up but,... just a little bit is fine.
His goal was to not get huge like Dante, or Vergil. The poet just wanted to build enough strength and lean meat in his bones so he would have lesser difficulties with house chores, and, yes, with Devil Hunting, as well. And maybe then, he would feel less lethargic all the time.
Maybe then, he would gain enough energy to do the things he wanted.
The first day was a bit of a nightmare. Following the instructions he found online was actually quite difficult, with various directions he couldn't quite understand, meal plans for the desired body weight, different equipment that could be used at home, and so on.
V was a very diligent person, and he did his best to follow each and every bit of instruction and important advice he found on books and online. And during the first week of his new lifestyle, he learned how to count his carb and calorie intake per day, he developed a healthy eating habit, he even got used to waking up early in the morning to do cardio exercises.
And just like that, the time to test his strength finally came.
He faced the opponent right before him, took a deep breath, and concentrated on the task ahead. He held out a single hand, grabbed the wooden edge of his bookshelves, and began pulling,...
"My, my, V!" Griffon, who was quietly watching V's progress from his corner in the opposite side of the living room, exclaimed. "It actually budged! HOHOHO! SHAKESPEARE IS NOODLE NO MORE!"
"Just a bit but," V answered, a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips. " ... yes."
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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"Alright, then!" Dante nodded and grabbed the lid with both hands without hesitation. He pulled it carefully, and then took a few steps back. V waited and waited, and nothing bad actually happened.
In fact, Dante was quiet. Too quiet.
"It's,... " The Devil Hunter muttered, unable to believe what he just saw inside the coffin.
V, who got confused and a bit worried, stepped forward, looked inside the coffin,...
... and felt a lump suddenly growing in his throat.
Inside the coffin, were,...
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V felt a lump suddenly growing in his throat the moment he gazed at what's inside Sparda's coffin.
And after all those years, of Eva scolding his husband for bringing home such a morbid house display, of all the secrecy and mystery involved with it,...
... of Sparda's reluctance to show it to everyone in the house,...
After all this time,...
... Sparda,...
... was hiding little drawings inside his antique coffin.
And not just little drawings.
Drawings of trees, of flowers, of the sun, moon, and stars. Of little colorful cars and soaring airplanes, of dashing heroes fighting against monsters to save the princess inside the tower. Of a mother, a father, and their two sons,...
These drawings,...
... they were made by Sparda's twin sons. All of them.
They were all made by Dante and Vergil a long, long time ago.
And V, who has clear memories of Vergil's childhood, both beautiful and horrific, remembered all of them.
"He,... " Dante began, his voice clearly cracking, his hand trembling as he picked up an old, yellowed paper with his illustration of a dog in it. "He actually kept all these. All this time,... "
"So, it seems." V answered, noticing that his voice was cracking a bit, as well. And the lump in his throat became even bigger as he picked up an illustration of a blue bird and a black cat. He made this one. He could clearly remember it.
"Why would he keep all our drawings in this coffin?" Dante questioned as he gathered his own illustrations and fondly gazed at them.
V looked further into the huge stack of drawings and noticed an out - of - place stationary among it. The poet picked it up, and the words within it made his eyes quite blurry.
My sons,
I know you will ignore my warning about this and that you would still open this coffin, anyway. And now that you have, yes, you have now found out that your father was an obsessed man. He was obsessed of keeping his children's drawings in one safe place, out of any harm. He was so obsessed, it even made Dante mad when he found out that his drawing of himself as a prince has gone missing, and made Vergil scream at his own little brother, accusing him of taking his drawing of his dream pets.
You must be asking, why?
Simple.
When, one day, I go back to Red Grave, I want to open this coffin, look at these little drawings, and fondly remember the days when we were still together,... as a family. I will look at these drawings and remember how little Dante always told me he wanted to be the best Devil Hunter like his dad. I will look at these drawings and remember how little Vergil always told me he wanted to be the best writer there is, even better than Blake, himself.
I will look at these drawings and remember my sons'  fondest and purest dreams.
But, alas, I know I will never be able to return. Not in a very long time.
I want to tell you more. Why I have to leave, why I haven't returned but, I'm afraid the answers will have to wait for a bit longer.
I'm very sure many things have already occurred since my absence, but I only want one thing for now,
I want my sons to know how much I love them, and I want them to know that, whatever it takes, we would have peaceful days once again. Back when my beloved sons were still making these art. I also want them to keep this coffin safe, and, if possible, I also want them to add more drawings here in the future. Well, of course, with their children! That is, if Dante has overcome his fear of "cooties", and if Vergil has finally learned to say hi to the cute little girl next door. And I hope that someday, I'll be able to look at all the amazing memories that my beloved family has made.
Until then.
~ Sparda
"I'm not crying, you are." Dante quietly spoke a few moments later after reading Sparda's lengthy note.
"I may be but," V answered, the letter still in his hands. " ... at least I'm not the one who's scared of cooties."
"Say, have you said hi to the cute girl next door?"
"I,... can't really remember." V answered as he strategically looked away to wipe a tear. "But, yes, she was the cutest, sweetest thing,... "
"I wonder what Vergil would say." Dante said as he carefully placed the drawings back inside the coffin.
And to this, V just smirked. "For that, I'd let you do the honor of showing him."
***
Day 22 - Sparda
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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~ If elements of surprise could trigger, then that's your cue ^^
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Day 21 - Coffin
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A couple of hours later, V found himself inside Dante's room, bracing himself for what was about to happen.
Just like what the Devil Hunter told him earlier, he did acquire their father's old coffin, and now, it stood there at the middle of the room, waiting to be opened.
Except that it has a little warning letter on it, and it seemed that it was written by Sparda, himself.
"Funny how this note survived the fire." Dante took the letter that was attached to the lid of the metal coffin with a scotch tape and handed it to V.
The poet read the letter out loud.
He who tries to open this coffin will unleash a thousand evils upon this wretched land.
~ Sparda
"No offense here,... but," V confessed, handing the note back to Dante. " ... that note,... doesn't seem,... threatening,... at all."
"Yeah." Dante agreed. "I've heard this exact same line over and over again, it has now become too corny. So!" The man excitedly clasped his hands and turned towards V, the corner of his lips tugged up in a smile. "Ready to unleash the thousand evils upon this wretched land?"
V tilted his head to the side, cocked an eyebrow, and summoned both Griffon and Shadow. "I'm ready."
"HEY, V!" Griffon squawked, landing on his waiting arm. "I thought you said ye're ready?! Why call us here?!”
"Just making sure." The poet answered with a smirk.
"Alright, then!" Dante nodded and grabbed the lid with both hands without hesitation. He pulled it carefully, and then took a few steps back. V waited and waited, and nothing bad actually happened.
In fact, Dante was quiet. Too quiet.
"It's,... " The Devil Hunter muttered, unable to believe what he just saw inside the coffin.
V, who got confused and a bit worried, stepped forward, looked inside the coffin,...
... and felt a lump suddenly growing in his throat.
Inside the coffin, were,...
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 20 - Antiques
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Much to V's surprise, Dante was actually fond of antiques. The legendary Devil Hunter may not say it out loud but, he definitely liked his vintage stuff.
It all started when V dropped by the Devil May Cry shop a few days ago. He actually volunteered to get some cleaning done for Dante.
Now, as much as he loved his vintage books, V couldn't quite tell what drew the man to like actual antique stuff. But, the moment he picked up some of his vintage weapons that were mounted on dusty shelves, he couldn't help but admire the things.
The intricate design, the quality of the material used, even the primitive mechanism of the things.
It seemed to draw V in like a moth to a flame.
"I see you like those." Dante, who was polishing his vintage guns, spoke up with a smug smile on his handsome face. "Sparda's blood does run on your veins, after all."
"Sparda?" V asked, the antique blade still in his very careful hands.
Dante hummed. "Yep. If someone in the family likes collecting old stuff, then that's our old man. Look at Vergil, he loves his old books. And you do, too! But, I'm not a book fan. I prefer my weapons. The big, old guns, you know what I'm saying?"
"Indeed." V answered, looking back at the blade as he went on wiping it with a cloth. "Now, I remember. One time, mother got so mad at father for bringing home this intricate antique coffin he acquired somewhere. Said it would just gather dust,... and attract ghosts."
"Ha! Ghosts at Sparda's house? Nah!" Dante waved his hand, entirely dismissing the possibility of restless spirits haunting their old place. "By the way, I have that coffin."
V's eyes lit up in curiosity. "Really?"
"Hmm! I lugged it all the way here just the other day. Wanna see what's inside?"
V contemplated for a moment, and after a brief pause, he nodded in agreement.
"Fascinating." The poet answered. "But, we must finish cleaning all these items first."
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 19 - Home Depot
***
It was one of those days when V really had to go to the home depot to get some supplies.
V was actually a very practical man. He wasn't one to linger in these kinds of stores unless he really needed to learn more about the product he wanted to purchase. And when he finally paid for what he needed, he would immediately leave and go directly to his favorite café.
Having said that, he just carried a list of the things he needed, went right to the store, and started looking.
Unfortunately for the poet, the home depot sales representatives that day were very pro - active. Very, very, pro – active, indeed.
"Good morning, sir!" A female representative greeted him with a very bright smile that knocked all the foul mood out of V's system. "How can I help you for today?"
"See, I need a - "
"Oh, you must be our latest regular customer! Welcome! Welcome!" A greasy haired sales man greeted him, smoothly shoving away the female representative.
"Well, I only need a - "
"We have a new product out today just for you, sir!" The sales man went on, waving at a shiny new product displayed on a platform right behind him. "We have here the MegaProMax 2021! Vacuum cleaner AND washing machine,... wait for it,... IN ONE! Very sturdy and it doesn't take a lot out of your storage!"
To this, V just awkwardly nodded and smirked. "That is, indeed, a very interesting product but, I only needed a - "
"I hear you, sir! And I think I know just what you need!" The female representative interjected, now shoving the sales man away as she waved at her own brand new and shiny merchandise that looked like Frankenstein’s bread toaster. "I present to you the latest SuperHyperGalactic Maid 2022! Vacuum cleaner, washing machine, AND toaster,... IN ONE!"
Oh, God, it is a toaster,...
"BUT, WAIT! THERE'S MORE!" The female went on excitedly. "If you purchase two of these, you'll get our latest Stain Ruiner King 156!" She proudly announced as she waved a small - sized green and black sachet with fancy letters right before his nose. "Removes ALL KINDS OF STAINS on ALL KINDS OF SURFACES! When you purchase TWO SuperHyperGalactic Maid 2022, you'll get the Stain Ruiner King 156,... FOR FREE!"
"Oh, you haven't heard the rest of our promotion!" The male popped right back in, shoving the female away from V. "Buy the MegaProMax 2021 now and you'll get the Trojan Seamstress 159,... FOR FREE! An all - purpose sewing machine that is the answer to all of your wardrobe damages!"
Hmm, maybe Kyrie would like this one,...
"OH, BUT, WAIT! THERE'S MORE!" The male went on. "Buy the MegaProMax 2021 now, and you'll get the Trojan Seamstress 159 for free, ALL FOR HALF THE MEGAPROMAX 2021's ORIGINAL PRICE! NOW, ISN'T THAT THE BEST DEAL OF YOUR LIFE, LUCKY SIR?"
The two sales representatives looked at him with such eager eyes, waiting for him to choose either one of the products.
V sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Pardon me but, I only needed a broom and a dust pan."
Awkward silence. Until another representative spoke up. "Here you go, sir." She said, giving V the most basic of brooms and a simple red dust pan.
"Thank you." V politely answered and turned his back away from them, sighing in relief that he finally escaped the clutches of the very pro - active sales representatives.
And right behind him, he heard the lady who offered him the broom and the dust pan whisper, “Amateurs!”
***
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etlunainmorte · 3 years
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Day 18 - Hobby
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One of the things that kept V busy was his hobby as a vintage book collector.
Ever since gaining the freedom of a separate life from Vergil, V has been experimenting on a lot of stuff left and right, like cooking, or gardening, watching movies and television shows, or even calligraphy. Things that caught his interest.
But, the moment he bought his very first vintage book from the second - hand bookshop in Red Grave district, V couldn't help but feel all tingly and warm and bubbly deep inside.
He felt really excited. Unusually excited, like a child during Christmas morning.
There's something in the old pages and smells of vintage books that connected them to him, somehow.
Those flowery and picturesque descriptions, those worn out, yellow pages, the, sometimes, crackly spines, the fading prints on the front covers, those pictures and illustrations, even the occasional writings and memos at the bottom of some pages left by their previous owners,...
To V, these books have souls. Souls that have witnessed many eras that passed and welcomed new ones. Souls that gazed at the many people, of all ages and walks of life, who turned their pages. Souls that even saw the passing of one owner, and moved on to the next.
Yes, brand new books were such a delight to read.
But, through these vintage books, V felt he somehow gained some new companions. Friends, even.
Through these, V felt he was being guided by people who were much older, and wiser, than him.
Now, if only there was a way on how to stack the new set he just bought into his now full bookshelf without actually squeezing them in between Lewis and Tolkien,...
***
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