devilsplit.
The casualness in which she speaks, the fact that she’s still speaking at all─ V isn’t quite sure how to interpret it. Whether she knows the entire story or not shall remain a mystery, and V decides he doesn’t particularly care to think on it too much. She’s here, she’s talking to him like he’d assume a pair of old friends would talk, and there’s no hostility.
Perhaps the humanity in him is actually grateful for that, and mildly relieved.
“ Powerful he may be, yet not a creature worthy of a throne. ” V states with narrow eyes. He still vividly recalls watching as Urizen manifested into the world alongside him and the feelings that accompanied. fear. awe. guilt. envy. He wonders: where did that half of him go to? “ Shame about your weapon. ” he interjects as an afterthought. Genuine, but still no change in his tone. Her optimism about the situation doesn’t surprise him. He’s still getting used to familiarity, after all: remembering qualities about others that aren’t just a measurement of power, or good or evil. Strange.
“ If there was a way to leave willingly, we would have discovered it by now. Unfortunately, I believe your debt collection will have to be postponed. Are you surprised? ” a conclusion she’s likely surmised already, but one he finds almost amusing to point of.
It isn’t unlike his dear brother to not return what he’s borrowed, after all. He should have hid his own things more thoroughly. Ah─ seems the memories still continue, even here, even so far after he ended things. Not wanting to linger on the thoughts too much, lips part to affirm his recovered state.
But a certain familiar has other plans.
‘ Good as new, good as new! ’ the demon bird chants as he manifests from the ink on V’s body, ‘ Our wittle V here is doing as good as eva’! So, miss Lady, if you’re thinkin’ of messin’ with us, think again! You guys got here, yeah? Heehee! Means you’re weaker than us right now! Well, not like you had much of a chance anyw─ ’ the cawing is cut off by a sharp THWACK !! of V’s cane, causing the avian to squawk defiantly.
‘ Oh come on !!! I’m just happy to see another familiar face! Imagine being me and being stuck with Mr. Gloomy all the time! You’re happy to see someone we know too, ain’t ya’? ’ the former directed at Lady, while he turns to V for the later question. V just sighs, returning his unwavering gaze to her.
“ It’s good to see you in one piece. And… human. ”
damned bird.
“Tell that to him.” She scoffs with a small shrug and a shake of her head. “Seems demons like Urizen are always looking for the best view around.” There’s another shrug at the consideration for her poor Kalina Ann. It’s around somewhere, she’s sure. If not, she’ll just commission another.
“Well then, I guess we’re just all on a vacation of sorts for now. Dante’ll show up, I’m sure. He’d never miss a party like this. Besides, if you’re here, I’m sure Vergil will be soon, and then Dante’s definitely gonna be right around the corner.”
And then Griffon comes flying by, and Lady can’t help but laugh. He’s so energetic compared to V, and while annoying is a word that suits him, she can’t help but appreciate the added fun he brings. A hand rests on her hip as she watches him flutter around. “Oh yeah? I don’t know, I think I could take you on, Griffy. I don’t need a rocket launcher to hit a bird, but ... I’ll go easy on you for now. Since it’s good to see you, too.”
She watches with a bright, amused grin as Griffon gets whacked, but bounces right back. It’s so strange to think about V forming a pact with a demon like this, yet Lady’s glad he did. Griffon isn’t so bad. And then her brief stint as a demon is mentioned. She hated that she’d been used like that, and tried not to think about the sort of damage she might’ve caused when she was out of it.
“Thanks. I’m glad you’re back to you too. I was worried I wouldn’t see you again after the way things went down -- but enough of the gloom and doom. What’s the deal with this place anyway? Since you and Shocker seem like the local experts.”
