![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
IC INBOX - kaisou
I'm busy. Make it quick.
(or just don't leave a message at all.)
(or just don't leave a message at all.)
username: dark slayer | ✉ ☏ 📷 |
username: dark slayer | ✉ ☏ 📷 |
action, after the rescue
[There's a knock on his office door. Very light, almost tentative.]
no subject
He quietly glides across the room, holding his hand above the doorknob before he breathes out, slowly. And opens it, just a crack.
Just enough to see who it was--and when the image of the small, blonde girl comes into view.
he'll open the door a bit more. ]
...Eve. [ it was... weirdly good to see the little girl okay. she was okay. his rescue had not been in vain. ] A visit I did not expect.
no subject
[The girl seems quite patient waiting on the other side, her hands folded in front of her, holding a small box. Looking up as the door opens (because geez this family is tall), she waits a little longer before entering. Giving Vergil time and space, as well as herself.]
I'm sorry. I would have called in advance, but I didn't know your Libra username.
[She supposes she could have looked up the store phone number instead, but a little late now.]
Things have been boxed up. Are you leaving?
no subject
...there are packing boxes in here, as well, but they hadn't started to get filled yet. Waiting, it seems. Or perhaps he had just been putting it off. ]
It is quite alright. The fact that you made it to the door means you were allowed in the apartment in the first place. I believe you would have been turned away by the others still here, otherwise.
[ He sort of awkwardly stands there, not... quite sure how to converse to people, regardless of their age--and he shifts from one foot to the other as she asks that question. ]
Yes, and no.
I am leaving this building. But I am not leaving the city, if that is what you are worried about.
I have been made to realise a few things recently, one of them being that this house is far too small for the number of people who have been regularly staying here, as of late.
[ so... ]
I heard you and the others stayed here during the week I was missing. I am sure it was not comfortable, given the lack of proper places to sleep.
no subject
[Ah, more boxes.]
I see. Then I suppose I'm still welcome.
[It had been unlikely that the others would turn her away, especially if they guessed what reason she was looking for the establishment's owner. One of the rescued kids, holding a small box. What's the chance she'd be a threat?]
[He cannot do much worse than Eve. Who despite doing much better in conversations than a year prior is still socially awkward, sometimes without noticing. Though her age does grant her a bit of extra grace from onlookers.]
I would not blame you for leaving, after that. Moving to other areas is a regular occurrence for me, where I'm from.
Oh!
[Eve sounds... surprised. Admittedly the place had been cramped, but it had also been an emergency, right? It hadn't been that bad, being in a space with many people. Compared to her lonely Zodiac apartment.]
It was fine. I was sleeping light anyway.
[Which is a nice way to say she, like most of the others, hadn't been sleeping well. But not because of the bedding. Sleep would not have been comfortable anyway, regardless of place.]
no subject
[ even if that trouble is deep, deep, deep underground by now.
Way way under there. ]
I had not thought of moving, truth be told. This place is mine, and I have gotten comfortable here. But I cannot disagree that it has become too small for my ... needs.
I had come here thinking I'd be alone as I have been for the last... fifteen or more years.
[ he has noticed the box she's holding, of course, but. He will patiently wait for her to present it instead of asking. He is humble, in a way, after all.
He glances to the side and back, not... entirely sure how to carry the conversation from here. ]
...
I am glad my actions assured you would be safe.
That was my priority.
1/2
Yes, but I'm not in trouble now. The danger has passed.
[So assuming she was still free to come and go seemed presumptious.]
[Yeah, she picked up on that little detail at the Five Guys, even if people tried to talk vaguely around her. There was a lot of blood for people still walking around.]
[Eve listens to his explaination about the move with some curiosity. What she doesn't expect is for it to resonate with her in any way. The two are just barely more than strangers, amicable and willing to share space but not really knowing much about the other. ...Or they were, before suddenly their lives were shaken up by the attack. Can you still be strangers after someone sacrifices themself for you?]
[So he had been alone that long... Alone, like she was not so long ago.]
Will the shop be going with you?
[She had never purchased anything, but she would like to know, that childlike drive to ask.]
2/2 - I'm so sorry, she's a tsundere
I left that car thinking we were working in a buddy system. We'd cover each others backs, the three of us. Yet that wasn't the plan at all, was it.
[She's still speaking in a measured tone, but there's a certain level of hurt behind it. All this power, and no one trusts her to save herself, let alone others.]
Your actions might have kept us out of their reach, but we were left behind without a way to help. Nothing to do but worry. I...!
[She was scared. She felt powerless. Her hands clutch the box tightly, her voice slightly hoarse with emotion.]
How strong do I have to be before I can protect myself?
1/2 whhehaeheooo hoo boy sorry too
Even someone like Eve would react.
No, of COURSE someone would react to it. There's a moment where he feels something like... guilt, and it's weird, because it's not a feeling that visits him often and he... can't help but to feel something strange, here.
Something he...
Something he recognises.
That helplessness, that want to be stronger. That lust for power--if only to be able to protect oneself, because being protected...
Being protected is...
Vergil reaches forward. And he gently lays a hand upon her shoulder, as if to get her attention as she drives her voice hoarse with effort, as she shakes with that helplessness she so desperately wants to be rid of. ]
It was not the plan. [ he starts. His eyes closing as he tries to force the memory that threatens to visit back, down behind his eyelids with a shake of his head. ] The plan had always been to make sure everyone was safe. But in the beginning, the main target of Krusnik had always been children. You and the young boy Kni both were always the bigger targets.
We knew that.
2/2
So that you can feel strong and fearless, because you have the power to never be hurt by those who mean you ill.
[ and this is where Vergil is going to move to get to one knee. To look at eve with a seriousness, on her own level, both hands now on her shoulders. ]
Do not chase it.
Do not force yourself to grow up so quickly that you forget what it was like to be a child at all.
You will regret it. You will lament it, the years you lost trying to be more than you need to be.
It is something even I, as the adult that I am, am being forced to learn.
That it does not matter how old you get.
How powerful you become.
You will always have people who will want to--and WILL protect you from the dangers in your life.
Instead of loathing the idea.
Instead focus on something else.
Focus on that care. And aim to one day pay it forward.
And protect them when you are old enough, and strong enough, to show that their strength is what helped you grow. [ all he wanted back then was to be protected and cared for.
Eve deserves that, too.
Eve deserves to be protected and loved, as well. ]
cw: past child soldier talk
[And one day, you might be left behind. Alone.]
[Eve's averting her eyes at first, her face almost that of a petulant child, ironically. Once again she's being treated like a kid, Vergil's outright stated as much. It tastes sour in her mouth, the most aggravating part of being free. She's not just some child. She is (was) a monster. How is Eve supposed to absolve herself if no one allows it?]
I already have power. That's why Krusnik wanted me, more than my age. Yet I'm still stuck relying on others. Every time...
[Of course, then Vergil is at eye level, both hands framing her shoulders and avoiding eye contact is meaningless. He's talking about being a child and years lost, and Eve looks at him, the words churning in her head. Anger dissipated but replaced with the realization. He did not know.]
I...
I didn't have a childhood. Before these past two years, I was raised to be a killing doll.
[Torneo's words exactly. Exactly what he wanted her to be: a being that killed without emotions or attachments. Those lost years were already gone.]
[But she does know that people continue to protect her, no matter where she goes. Eve isn't certain she deserves it, yet it keeps happening. So it wasn't about a lack of power? Or age? Maybe, just maybe, their actions had nothing to do with her at all. Or everything.]
I have a lot of blood on my hands. If I could protect others, maybe I can make it up to those who lost their lives to me.
When? When do I get to save them in return?
[It's what she wanted, so desperately. To use her powers for good. To balance the scales.]
no subject
It made his stomach churn. ]
A curse and a pox on those who used you. Who stole your childhood from you. Whoever they were, I hope they meet a fate far cruler than they made you lived through. [ he just -- he doesn't have tolerance for anyone who would dare do that to children.
Fuckers. ]
But you still have some years to go yet, before you're fully free of your youth.
You are free of those who used you before. Krusnik certainly wanted to use you--but they didn't want a 'killing doll'. What they wanted was a seed.
A young life to grow into a twisted tree that would grant their desires. That's what they told me, repeatedly, while I was in their... care.
That their dreams were more important than me. That what they wanted was well beyond what I could understand.
[ it was eve's youth that was so important. the sooner they could grow that tree, the sooner they could host a 'god' in the soul of the young ones they stole... ]
As it is, they did not get you. So you can bloom on your own, into a tree that does indeed protect others.
All you have to do is keep walking forward. Grow, learn. Gain power that can be used to protect those around you.
I am more than certain one day, they will need it.
no subject
Torneo... was his name. [There's some hesitation, saying the name. As for a crueler fate:] Well, he has already been arrested, and he was beaten pretty heavily and saw his research investments go up in smoke.
[Technically he was also killed! Don't get arrested when making deals with shady people. But Eve doesn't know that little detail.]
[She listens to the explaination of Krusnik. Like so many times before, she doesn't fully understand. What could push a group of people to do something like that, what wishes she could possibly grant. Answers remain outside her reach, blessedly, but puzzling for Eve. But she does grasp some of it. Having been forced into a particular mould.]
So that's what they were after.
[A different kind of empty vessel. Vergil's flowery language might be a bit difficult to parse, but Eve gets that much.]
[But then Vergil gives her a road map. One that is so very close to what she had been already doing to prepare for a future in bounty hunting. And suddenly gives all that training validation.]
I will.
[It is a promise. She'll protect them.]
[As her grip loosens, Eve holds the small box out to Vergil at last. It's wrapped, but only in white tissue paper. Mainly because that's what was available to her, but it does give the box a subdued look. Almost classy.]
For you.
[Then, she adds:]
They did not get what they wanted out to you either. You are no more twisted than before.
no subject
[ sorry, eve, he doesn't have any pity for someone who treats others like objects, like means to their own ends. he has no time or patience for it--even before he himself was subject to what krusnik did, he never approved of it.
He tips his head a little, casting his glance on her down and away. An expression that's nearly apologetic. He knows it's hard to accept that you're young and therefore you should enjoy your childhood--children never take well to things like being told to 'act your age'. But growing up too fast is certainly something Vergil did in his past life. ...And perhaps he did it too quickly in this life too, loaded down with expectations.
He's going to ... stare, a moment, as Eve finally presents the gift to him--he'd figured it was for him, but somehow, it's still a surprise to receive it. He hadn't felt he deserved a gift or anything of the sort, but... he supposes he can understand why.
He'll accept it without arguing, at least. ]
...Hm. You have only spoken to me for about five minutes, now. How can you be so certain?
[ he... gives her a little smirk. trying to tease, maybe just a little as he flips the lightly wrapped box in his hands. He'll open it--but he's slow and careful about it, as if to not tear the wrapping, but to instead fold it into a clean little square once it's off. ]
no subject
[She does nod.]
Better than the research being out there still.
[Eve does agree with that. Who knows what kind of damage it could do. Sure would be a shame if someone was continuing it elsewhere...]
[If Eve notices the unspoken apology, she doesn't show it. Accepting such messages is very hard, especially when you have grand ambitions. Admittedly her bounty hunting goals at least fit into a childish outlook? Though with her world, there are more possible outcomes than just exercising her imagination.]
[Yes, accept the gift. Eve hands it over. And although she sees the smirk, the teasing goes unnoticed so she'll answer genuinely.]
Would a twisted man bother to dissuade ambitions that could be used for their cause?
Besides, you're still you.
[Bold words for someone who barely talked to Vergil before. But it's true that other than a lot more tension, the business owner still seemed like himself. Aloof yet verbose, oddly intense at times, and with a rare and peculiar humor.]
[He might be able to guess the gift once the delicate paper has been removed, as the box's shape is exactly what you'd expect when purchasing a ballpoint pen. (Or other fancy pen that gets its own individual box. However, there is more to the gift than appearance suggests.]
no subject
[ he's going to open the box and take the pen out, placing the box aside for the moment so he can look the item over. Just like how he appraises an antique, looking it over from every angle, every detail being taken in.
...What an interesting item. Ah, was this... ]
'You're still you', hm.
[ what a... profound thing for someone so young to say. ...Perhaps he needed to hear it. Because he's reaching to place a hand on the top of her head, a moment later. ]
...This is a wickedly clever gift.
I will find much use in it, I assure you of it.
Thank you, Eve.
no subject
[As he has likely guessed, the gift has a double feature. Both a pen to match his professional life, and also protection. should Vergil need it in the future.]
[Because more swords are always handy.]
[Ah, she is patted. That combined with the surprise genuine compliment temporarily stuns her.]
...You're welcome.
no subject
Swords are one of my favorite things to collect.
I am sure you noticed, by virtue of living in my house for a few days. [ there are swords on the walls and everywhere in the shop and apartment... ]
no subject
[At least he clearly likes the gift.]
I saw there are quite a few. Also books.
[Eve had paid more attention to the books. While she appreciates some inspiration for new blade transformations, she has her own focus.]
no subject
You like books, then? What sort. [ he's going to move to stand, now, looking at the ... rows and rows of books settled in the literal library that's in his office, here. ]
Most of the books in the shops are ones I have much better copies of. Or ones I do not need.
These are my favorites.
no subject
[Eve does not know much about poetry, though she has read some mention of it in philosophy texts. Yet she's curious as ever, her usual response when hearing about a new subject.]
[She will also gladly talk about her favorite thing ever.]
I do! Reading is my favorite past time. I like most books, but adventure and scientific non-fiction are the genres I enjoy the most.
[As he stands, she also turns her gaze towards all those books. She hasn't caught where he's going with this, but she doesn't need an excuse to admire the collection a bit closer.]
[She peers over to look at the favorite books in question.]
They look so fancy. [Then again, everything in Vergil's place kinda does.]
no subject
Edgar Allan Poe is one I enjoy, as well as Dante Alighieri.
[ he's going to reach up onto one of the shelves, considering her words about 'adventure and non-fiction. Parsing over the titles, one by one. ]
Most of my books are, admittedly, in Italian and German, but.
I have a few you may enjoy that are in English.
...I will allow you to borrow any, anytime you wish.
[ and from the shelf he'll pluck a old, somewhat tired looking leather book. It's got a gold plated title, and is worn with age. The pages inside are soft, yellowed--a tome that's been well loved for years. ]
Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Isle. A story of pirates and treasure.
One of my favorites, as a teen.
no subject
Your brother was named after a poet?
[As he has guessed, Eve hasn't learned any other languages. That she has such a good grasp on the one is impressive enough, all things considered.]
Really?? [Oh, wow. That's such an honor bestowed upon her.] A private library...
[She's gonna borrow so many books.]
[Oh, are they talking favorite stories? She loves talking about those. Eve watches the book selection with rapt interest.]
It looks like it's seen many years. Is it an antique?
no subject
Perhaps my mother enjoyed the story--or thought she was being funny, given our father was a Devil.
The main characters in the tale are named Dante and Vergil, after all.
[ but he waves his hand. ]
Yes. It is an antique. But I trust you to take care of it.
no subject
[Eve doesn't know how literal Vergil is being about his father. Though after seeing that blue demon he summoned, she might have a guess. But the story, Dante's Inferno, feels significant. To be named after a book... (Eve doesn't realize she too has a literary reference for a name. Not yet, at least.)]
[Then her thoughts on the subject screech to a halt.]
You want me to take care of it?
[She will, of course, but why? It takes her a moment to catch up, to put the obvious clues in place. Could it be? No way...]
Are you... giving this to me?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)