#wordborne

[awakeningzine]

Guest Writer | @wordborne

Our fourth guest on the zine in InPieces. A longtime fan of the Sparda boys and Vergil in particular, she’ll be bringing that love to her story of Vergil’s life during the DMC1 years.

[officersonlypls]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

One night of one summer

by Wordborne

Rating: NR Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Wordcount: ~850 Summary:  July 1916 was the month of the battle of Somme. On the Eastern Front, Brusilov offensive commences. During three days of July, from 4th to 6th Austro-Hungarian army tries to resist the Russian attacks in the area of Kostyukhnivka, modern Ukraine. Polish soldiers on the Austro-Hungarian side find themselves in the middle of everything, summer heat, constant artillery barrage and their own thoughts about their commanding officers.

[shiranyaaww]

To @wordborne​ tumblr is acting like a lil bitch here 

dfghjkl this has been in my inbox for almost weeks now and i’m sorry for making you wait. It ended up longer than I expected as I was carried away when I wrote this. But I do hope it is worth the wait XD

Anyway. Reader and Vergil are still friends here and this takes place after this scenario that I plan to write someday. 

56: “ Are you flirting with me?“

He is surprisingly sweet today, you think to yourself as you watch Vergil brew you a tea. 

Earlier this morning, he had called you over, asking you whether you would like pancakes or sandwiches for breakfast. Feeling a bit groggy (and part of your sleepy self thought it was a dream), you joked that you wanted both. And damn, did he bring both of it? You were left speechless at your doorstep when he arrived half an hour later. 

Why is he here? 

“Drink this tea.” He tells you and you quickly bring the cup to you, smelling the aroma of the tea. It has a refreshing smell to it with a hint of blueberry. Blueberry tea, perhaps? 

“Thank you” you drink the tea. The tea flavour is not too sweet, much to what you prefer. Vergil observes you for a while before he takes his seat at the opposite side of you, reading a novel that he takes from your kitchen counter.

“So… mind telling me why are you treating me for breakfast today?” You break the silence as you put your cup down.

“Is it wrong for me to do that for a friend?” He said casually, eyes on the novel as he sips his tea.

“Of course not.” You wave your hand dismissively. “It’s just that you surprise me with this sudden visit, that’s all.”

“Really? Who would have thought” Vergil gives you a smirk. You roll your eyes. 

“Vergil, please. Do I do something nice to you or something? I know I always bring food to you guys but that is because I want to and I don’t expect anything in return.” 

Vergil listens to you as you explain. He then put the book back on the table, blue-eyes searching for you. You can’t miss the concern that flashes through his eyes, even though it is just for a moment. You tilt your head urging him to say something. 

This sudden visit has a purpose and from the long duration you have known this elder son of Sparda, you know he only comes here for a reason.

“You need nutrition to make up for your blood loss.” You blink at his reasoning. “And you’re still recovering from it. It’s unwise to let you tire yourself further.” He pauses as his scrutinized gaze pierce your very own soul. “Seeing you by the door back then confirmed it; you looked terribly pale.”

Oh. You didn’t expect that at all. It has been 2 days since that incident where you volunteered your blood for the ritual to destroy that Hell gate. Vergil was with you for most of the time, instructed to protect you since you were the only non-combatant in that group. He might have felt bad and responsible for you when you had fainted towards the end of the chaos. 

Loss for words, you feel your cheek starts to feel warm. So he does care about your well being. 

“I guess I don’t look pale now since you have fed me with all of these foods.” You joke, trying your best not to look at him.

“Indeed. You look much healthier now with a bit red on your cheek” He teases and you can’t help it but to hide your face further. 

Steadying yourself, you finally look at him with a warm smile on your face. “Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you, Vergil.”

He nods and proceeds to drink his tea.  

You don’t really know what’s up with your brain this morning as you simply let your words out without thinking: “You know, Vergil. Initially I was going to ask: Are you flirting with me?” 

Vergil freezes for a moment, looking at you with an unreadable expression. Silence fell in the kitchen and you are wondering what’s wrong before you finally realise the words you have spoken. 

“Oh my god! I.. That- That was just a joke. I’m.. I’m so-” You scramble with your words as you get so flustered with what just happened. Hands covering your face until you hear him give out a light chuckle.

“Perhaps, maybe I’m?” There’s a mischievous spark in his eyes when he says that and you swear he is enjoying seeing your face burning.

“Stop teasing me, son of Sparda. You find it funny do you, seeing me like this?” You try to make a stern expression but judging from his face, you have failed miserably.

“If I knew teasing you would bring those colours back to your face, I would have done that instead.”

You freeze in horror. “Please, no. I already have to endure your brother’s endless teasing, I don’t need you to join him too. Spare me, please”

“If you ask nicely, I might reconsider…”

“Vergil!” You whine loudly earning an earnest laugh from Vergil. 

“That was just a joke,” He laughs for a bit before he composes himself. “Anyway, I’m glad you are feeling better. Dante has been worried sick about you ever since we came back from that mission.” There’s an underlying meaning to his words here but you are too flustered to even notice that.

“If he worries about me, then he should treat me for an ice-cream.” You pouted. 

“I’ll make sure I tell him that.” He stood up, taking the empty cups and bringing it to the sink. You watch him washing the dishes as he forbids you from doing any chores for the day. Once he has done with the dishes, he tells you that there’s a pre-cook meal in your fridge for you to eat for lunch and dinner. He makes it pretty clear for you to not skip your meal before he leaves your house.  And you assure your friend that you will rest for the day and will see them all tomorrow at the office. He is kinda satisfied with that, unaware to you that he is debating with himself if he could stay with you a little longer. Odd that he doesn’t know why he feels that way. However you are oblivious to his turmoil as you are also trying to make sense of this growing feelings towards your friend.

Finally alone in your house, you let out a breath. Your face is red and warm as you recall the events that have happened this morning and your heart feels so, so light.

You can’t help it but to fall so deep for your friend.

[queenmuzz]

1 and 7 :)

What’s your personal favourite thing you wrote this year?

I really enjoyed writing A Human Heart!  I love Dadgil, and I loved the AU on Twitter, and DrPepper’s AU, and building on it.  When it was first created it in my mind, it was so much different.  The plot points of ‘V gets carved out of Vergil, hooks up with his demon buddies, (Nightmare wasn’t a shoe in at the time, I hadn’t figured out how to use him), hadn’t even figured out how, or even if Vergil would return.  I had originally had the idea for V to be stabbed by Sanctus, but I figured that would be too ‘plagarizy’ to Beryliho’s version.  And then it hit me, and I killed two birds with one sword by having V using Nightmare as demonic mortar, keeping him alive, and being mortally wounded by using him against Agnus, making it emotionally tense.   There were a few more things that got added in the last moment, (the Elesion parents were supposed to be nameless tragic victims, but now I really formed an attachment to them), but man...it was a good story to write.

What’s your favourite piece of description or narration?

“Nero,” his father spoke with conviction, putting all of his remaining strength into each word, “If-When I return, I will be a different man.  I will look different, possibly act different.  But know this.” his voice became clear, almost back to normal, “You are the most important thing in my life.  And my love for you will never change.”

OH GOD I LOVED WRITING THAT LINE!  It was there from the from the very beginning, and barely changed.

[blooddrop-palace]

29 with Dante and Vergil?

(Ooooh alright! Let’s get cracking! )

29. You know when your phone buzzes, it means I’m trying to talk to you, right?

[Some Context: Post DMC5, no real continuity to anything else.]

Eventually, getting a smart phone became a necessity. Even if it weren’t for the convenience, then it would be for the fact that people treat you like you’re a little bit crazy if you didn’t have one. 

At first, Vergil and Dante were in a rare agreement that it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Eventually, under Morrison’s, Lady’s, and everyone else’s insistence, (especially Nero’s insistence,) they added “cell phone bill” to the list of bills that... admittingly, were a little easier to pay when Vergil could keep Dante “better motivated” to take on work. (There was also the matter of convenience for being able to make trips home quick with the Yamato, though Vergil will insist every time, in some manner, that he was not a taxi service.)

Now, to say that this was a big leap of technology for the Sons of Sparda would be an understatement. Though they were familiar with the existence of cell phones, neither of them owned one until now, and they have completely skipped past about three stages of the evolution of cell phones. 

Figuring out the functions of the phone, however, was a different task in itself. Vergil hadn’t really had a need to touch anything keyboard based to begin with. While a touch screen was simple, figuring out where everything was on a keyboard took a bit of practice. 

Still, the twins might be dense and stubborn on some things, but they weren’t entirely unable to adapt. At the very least, they understood how to use the messaging and call functions. Anything else, Nico made a big list of functions that, for the most part, the two men found no use for. (Well, for now.)

———————

Nero actually messaged them frequently. More than Nico. At least, as far as Nico was concerned, she has never messaged Vergil. 

A few days after they managed to sort out the new phone situation, it was decided that the cell phones were more for the function of keeping in touch with family and friends. Business still had to come through the main line. 

And while Vergil was going through some books, he froze when his phone vibrated. 

He was still getting used to having this bothersome little contraption on his person. They fact that it made noise and moved (somewhat) while so close to his body made him skittish. He had considered keeping it out on the table but it became clear that he was then liable to forget it. 

So his only option was to keep it in his inner coat pocket and learn to get used to it. 

Fishing the phone out, he checked it, to find that it was a message from Nero:

> Hey. How are you holding up?

This was curiously cordial, though Vergil could imagine the awkward hesitance in his son’s demeanor. The anger over past transgressions had only been somewhat diffused, but if there was anything Vergil had learnt recently from Dante and Nero both, it’s that he was in a state of “forgiven but not forgotten.” 

Because the kin of Sparda has had enough bullshit and would rather have something that resembled family, however long it took for them to become one. 

This meant communication was part of it. 

So Vergil responded: 

Well. <

After a moment of thought, he realized he ought to… say something more. 

And you? <

Nero’s response was considerably faster than his:

> Not bad. New phone treating you good?  > Maybe I should ask if you’re treating your phone good.  > Not broken yet it seems. 

He felt a little insulted. 

I happen to take good care of my possessions. Unlike my brother. <

> Right

Vergil found that there were both advantages and disadvantages to this type of communication. Though he himself wasn’t openly expressive, the lack of visual cues from the person he’s speaking to made conversation contain a sort of guessing game. But without being under scrutiny, there was no social disrespect for him putting his attention back in his book while there was a lack of immediate response. 

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed again. 

> The book you left behind is old isn’t it? > Guess there’s no doubt to your words.  > Glad to know you’re doing well with the phone. But can you tell Dante to call me back? Or at least text me back? Been trying to get a hold of him for an hour now. 

So, that was it. He’s playing second messenger because Dante wasn’t responding. 

When he comes back. I will let him know. <

> Cool. Thanks.  > Hey, let me know if you ever need anything, k?

By context, Vergil figured Nero meant to say “okay.” 

And this was… okay. It was a start. 

I will keep that in mind. <

————————

Though when in person, Nero and Vergil sometimes had abrasive encounters, Vergil realized that Nero wasn’t any less argumentative with Dante. Their interactions were simply different. 

But often, Nero messaged him about small things, when they were apart. Such as: 

Nero

> Nico and I are driving by DMC. You guys want anything?

If it’s food, don’t bring Dante any more pizza. <

> Okay. What about you? Beer or anything?

Dante said yes to beer. <

> Dante always says yes to pizza and beer. I’m asking YOU damnit. > Also tell the old man to text me back himself if he wants anything!

Out of sheer pettiness that day, Nero brought no beer, but a bottle of cheap wine for Vergil. 

He was satisfied with it only because Dante whined over preferential treatment. 

————————

Kyrie

> Good morning Mr. Vergil!  > We were wondering if you and Dante would like to have dinner with us next weekend? > A gathering without impending work, something relaxing for everyone? 

It took a long amount of thinking, and Vergil thought carefully about how he couldn’t keep avoiding it. He wasn’t the most comfortable around Nero’s considerably normal family. Even Dante often made excuses to not go, judging from what Vergil had heard about the number of holiday invitations sent to his brother that never received the response of his presence. 

A part of Vergil thought that this was not only the time to face the music that came with having family, but also felt somewhat comforted by the fact that if he agreed to this, Dante still had to suffer through the social gathering with him. 

I am grateful for your invitation. What time would you like for us to be there by? <

> Dinner will be ready by 6, but you are welcome to arrive earlier to help, or spend some time with Nero? > The children are also curious to meet you and Dante.

Ah, the orphans… well, he had already agreed. 

> Of course, I’m not holding your promise as Dante’s agreement. Please let me know if he will be arriving, also? He hasn’t responded to our messages yesterday. 

————————

Nero

> Hey uh > I know Dante likes his strawberry sundaes  > But what do you like?

I’m partial to something chocolate. <

> Huh. I would have thought you’d say something like blueberry. 

I do not believe blueberry is a common topping on a menu. Chocolate is fine. <

> Okay. > What if I’m stopping by a special creamery? Still want chocolate?

Please. <

About half an hour later, Vergil received another message: 

> I don’t care if Dante’s predictable, but if he wants his sundae, he should at least RESPOND TO MY TEXTS.

On that day, Vergil learnt what a message in all caps was supposed to mean. 

————————

Nico

> Yooooo V-man > hey is Dante alive? > I found something a-maze-ing this morning!! > he might wanna see this.  > but like he’s totally bad about responding so like > tell him I’ll be swinging by in an hour.  > you might like this, too.

This is a little short notice. <

> Don’t care!  > be there soon! > ttyl!

Nico’s messages were a bit harder to understand. For her, Vergil had to learn how to navigate basic search engines. 

————————

Lady

> Where’s Dante.

I am not my brother’s keeper. <

> Right. He’s your keeper.  > Where is he. He owes me money.

I understand that he has owed you money for quite some time now. < Do not come to me about his debts. < I am not responsible for his lack of good finances. <

————————

It has come to Vergil’s attention that, many times, he was being contacted simply because Dante very rarely responded. 

Nero actually used the phone as a means to carry some semblance of contact with Vergil, but ultimately, even he had come to Vergil for the sake of getting Dante on the phone. (Barring that, Nero would simply call the land line. But by that point, it defeated the purpose of a cell phone, didn’t it?)

Today, while Dante was languidly flipping through another one of his tasteless magazines, Vergil decided he had enough of playing messenger. 

But he had to do the roundabout thing to prove a point to his brother. 

So he opened up the messenger, and found Dante’s message thread. It wasn’t that Dante didn’t use his phone. He’s called a few times. In fact, he seemed to prefer calling over texting. But it was clear that, just like his tendency to leave the shop’s phone unanswered or even unplugged, he was just as terrible about being contacted via cell phone. 

Dante

Dante <

After a few seconds, Vergil heard the soft vibration of the message being received. The phone in question appeared to be within Dante’s desk. 

And his brother ignored it. 

So, a few minutes later, Vergil sent again:

Dante <

Another vibration. 

It went ignored again. 

What is the point of having a phone if you don’t answer it you imbecile <

This time, not long after Vergil heard the phone vibrate, he said out loud: “Dante. You know when your phone buzzes, it means I’m trying to talk to you, right?”

His brother finally lowered his reading material, and said: “What? Aren’t we talking right now?”

“No. Stop ignoring your phone.”

“What is there you need to say that you can’t say yo my face?” The teasing retort on his face was anger-inducing. 

“That’s not the point. It appears most everyone else has issues getting in contact with you, and I’m done playing messenger. Learn to respond to your messages, or I will not be responsible for the next time you miss something important.”

Dante waved his hand as if batting away an annoying moth. “Eh. If it’s important, it’ll get to me.”

“Because I have been making sure you found out. This ends here, Dante. At the very least, promise that you will answer your phone calls, if messaging is too much for you.”

————————

Nero

> Okay what did you do now > why is Dante messaging me suddenly about sibling abuse. 

I have done nothing of that sort. Your uncle is simply being over dramatic after a few stabs from a few summoned swords, for not paying proper attention to his phone. < Next time he does not respond, I am no longer responsible for relaying a message. <

> ...okay > okay you know what sure > no one is dead and maybe this is for the better. > I’m surprised you didn’t go off on him way earlier. 

I have suggested to him that if it’s his wont to ignore his messages, he ought to at least answer his phone calls. <

> Gotcha > Blow up his phone with his ringtone not his text tone. > He’d better start answering. 

There is no need to blow up anything. But I make no promises on Dante’s ability to respond. <

> hell it’s a figure of speech, dad. > But thanks for trying

————————

Dante

> Hey > Hey Vergil > Hey

I’m upstairs. What seems to be the issue? <

> Holy shit you do respond.

How did you think the others were able to come to me when you didn’t respond to your phone? < Idiot. <

> Okay you know what > You win this round > I didn’t think you were getting so comfy with this phone thing

This wasn’t a competition. < That was meaningless. <

> Fine forget it > Come downstairs > We have a client.

[harlot-of-oblivion]

13, 15, 29

Thank you, K! 🌹🥰🌹

13. When did you start writing fanfic? 

I was 16 when I first started writing fanfiction...I still have fond memories of writing my cringey af fics during class! 🤣🙈

15. What is the fanfic you’ve written that you’re most proud of? 

I’m quite proud of the Briars series! It’s been a lot of fun to write about something I’m very passionate about with all the romantic tropes uwu

29. What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most? (Brainstorming, outlining, writing, editing, etc) 

I definitely enjoy brainstorming new ideas and scenarios, usually in the form of daydreams and frenzied discussions with my mutuals. I also love world building; it helps me envision the scene in my head while I write it all out.

[thenightgazer]

If you OC could have any superpower,what would it be? 👀

Hello, K! I'm so sorry it took so long to answer this >< I hope this list would satisfy you (pardon my grammatical error since English isn't my native language 😭)

I'm currently making an OC bio for Lyra but I haven't start it yet. Maybe this list of her power and weakness could give you some insight about her. I already mentioned some of her abilities in my Vergil x OC series Tales of Apotelesma. Anyway, let's begin! (it's gonna be long. Brace yourself! 🌟🌠)

Powers

Lyra is a telepath. She can read humans and demons' mind. She usually receives thoughts automatically, but she needs to touch them or take a high focus to read their mind only if Vergil or Dante are around her (I'll explain this in her weakness part)

She can put people into slumber and wake them up, also reading their dreams. She can do this to lesser demons too

She can erases and restores memories, with the exception to the people who has neurodegeneration and brain disease. Again, it works only to human and lesser demon

She can mask her presence and her power from being detected by other powerful being (this is why Vergil has suspicion towards her, because his demonic instinct told him that Lyra has something inside her that is unsettling, but he couldn't prove it until Lyra showed him her power voluntary)

She can perform telepathic illusion, causing people or demon to experience events which are not actually occurring. She almost never did this because it requires too much energy and she needs to think quick and super creative in order to create the illusion (imagine you need to write a fic within 8 seconds, yeah that's what Lyra had to do if she really need to perform the illusion 😂)

Being a telepath, she can intuitively translate and understand any language.

She can manipulate and control thoughts and actions (again, she rarely did this because it would drain her energy and she thinks it's against the concept of free will). It's difficult to perform this to more powerful being

She can perform mind-link only with Vergil. This link makes them intuitively and empathically bonded. They can communicate telepathically and somehow the link makes a mind-bridge to enter each others' dreams and small part of memories. They can tell if something happens to each other even when they are not together at the moment

She also possess telekinesis ability. This ability is limited to merely control matters, not creating them

She can create an invisible force shield to protect her from physical attack

She has a certain degree of gravity manipulation, which almost caused her death in the past. She never performed this anymore

She never formally practiced martial arts, but from her experience of fighting, she always attack to the body parts where it hurts the most. She also use her staff (a mysterious devil arm) in battle. This gained her a fighting style similar to Wing Chun.

Weaknesses

She posesses normal human durability and speed

She has a terrible sense of direction

Although she's a telepath, she's not immune from mental pain and disorder

She couldn't read Vergil and Dante's mind. Sparda gave them a mind-barrier to protect them from mind invasion. Only Mundus who could break the barrier on Vergil, turned him to Nelo Angelo, but Vergil managed to restore the barrier and escaped from the Underworld (and he went to Nero to rip Nero's arm off take Yamato back)

Along with her inability to read the twins's mind, the power of Sparda's mind barrier also slightly prevents her to automatically read people's mind at her surrounding. But she can still read them if she touches them or taking an extra focus on their mind

She's actually very manipulative

Intense and powerful sound waves can paralyze her

[avaantares]

9, 12, 51

Um... so, Tumblr apparently ate my first reply, because it’s not in the queue? So trying this again!

9. Who introduced you to DW?

Well... that’s a bit complicated (and I apologize in advance for what will be a long answer!). Technically, the first person to show me DW was my college roommate, who was horrified that I’d never seen a show she grew up with and told me I HAD to watch it. She literally locked me in a friend’s apartment and didn’t let me leave until I’d sat through 6+ hours of the Tom Baker Key to Time arc on VHS, with no context or explanation of who these characters were or what was happening.

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the Key to Time arc, but... it’s not the best jumping-on point, especially without context. Not only did this experience not make me a fan of the show, but for several years I would all but break out in hives if anyone even mentioned Doctor Who. I hated it.

Several years later (yes, I’m old) the series was rebooted, and a few friends who had gotten hooked tried to convince me to give it a try, so I watched the first episode. “Rose” is not a highlight of the new series; I was appalled by the mediocre CGI (ugh that trash bin animation), annoyed by Rose Tyler, and felt no affinity for the Ninth Doctor, so I quit again.

Then another friend who had grown up watching the show tried to convince me that, no, classic DW was where I needed to start. So I pulled up the earliest episode I could find on a streaming service, which was “Tomb of the Cybermen.” Also not a great episode without context. It involves Victoria being incredibly stupid and screaming a lot, and has some tragic 1960s effects (which are adorable if you’re already a fan of the series, but I wasn’t at that time). So I gave up, decided everyone but me had bad taste in television shows, and swore off DW for good.

A year or two after that, my sister (who had watched the new series in the meantime) curated a selection of episodes that she thought I might like and convinced me to try them. The list included go-tos like “The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances” and “Blink.” Those episodes were well-written and had better production values, so while I still hadn’t fallen in love with the show, for the first time I was willing to acknowledge that, okay, maybe I could see why some people liked it. But I still wasn’t on board.

Then, the first winter I was in my new house, we had a record-breaking snowfall and the city declared a snow emergency. For five days, I was not legally allowed to leave home. At the time I was running fan conventions and Doctor Who programming was a major thing, so since I was trapped at home anyway, I convinced myself to grit my teeth and just make myself watch the new series so I could understand the pop culture surrounding it. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to be, and the series was (at the time) available on Netflix, so it wasn’t costing me anything but time.

I didn’t really care for the first series, apart from the episodes featuring Jack Harkness (who remains one of my favorite characters). The second series was better--I liked the Tenth Doctor a lot--but I still didn’t like Rose, and some of the special effects were... unfortunate.

Then I got to series three. I loved Martha and Ten (even in the less-good episodes), and I found some of the stories more compelling. After watching “Human Nature/The Family of Blood” I texted my sister: “WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST START ME WITH THE THIRD SEASON?!” Because those two episodes (and David Tennant’s marvelous acting) wrecked me, and that was the point at which I realized I had completely sold my soul and was hooked for life.

After that, I marathoned the entire new series in three days, barely stopping to sleep. And when I’d exhausted the new series, I went back and started on the classic series, and I finally got it.

It only took me twelve years to get over being locked in a room and forced to watch hours a show I didn’t understand.

12. Your favourite Doctor?

Ten, without a doubt. I also really like Twelve (in his later series; not so much Angry Twelve from his first series), and Two, and of course Four is a lot of fun (when I’m not trapped in a room under duress). And it’s impossible not to be delighted by Thirteen. But the Tenth Doctor is the one who made me fall in love with the character, and David Tennant is just so good in the role. Even in the mediocre episodes, I enjoy watching him.

51. Favourite monster/villain?

Ooh, tough one. I’m tempted to say Missy, because I do really love her and her character arc, and she’s super fun to watch... But I think I’m going to have to go with the Meddling Monk from “The Time Meddler,” just because the concept is so unique. A rogue Time Lord who gets bored and goes around screwing up history just for entertainment value is such a great concept, and I wish they’d brought him back as a recurring villain! (I know Big Finish has a couple of stories featuring him; I really need to track those down.)

Thanks for the asks!  💖