All your tears have dried up.

Coin flip, don’t reblog… After some contemplation ;-  Dante has built simple grave markers in memorial of the most important individuals in his life (whilst for some, a reminder)  in front of the remains of the Devil may cry office. 

There are SIX in total.  Trish, Lady, Patty, Morrison, Enzo, Lucia. The grave markers are in the following order, with each individuals names carved onto the respective marker Dante’s used indicating them. In a way, these markers are indictive of the people he’s failed the most. 

Whilst for other Individuals like Beryl, Ernest, Tiki and Nesty (amongst others like Beatrice etc), who have had some semblance of an impact on Dante, live on within his memories.

vergil vc: to afraid to show his face to us? dante vc: no, hes just on an extended vacation (in hell or dead).

​@fractempyreal replied to your post “@powerseeking replied to your post “2!Dante seeing...”:

I'm gonna tell him.​

Why are you both like this?

hes just upset he can't get involved because he has no vergil.

Jarring emotions (don’t reblog.) I keep thinking about how it can and does trip Dante up seeing faces and people that simply - no longer exist back home. Vergil is a prime example of this - on one hand it’s nice to see he survived ( assuming ‘he didn’t kill him in this universe’ - whatever it is that Dante will stick to as a plausible excuse reason as to why he’s alive. It rooted under the basis that he ‘failed to do the same’. ) 

This isn’t helped by the fact that Dante is unaware of what occurs post dmc2 and in turn - the events of dmc5. Nor is he admittedly interested in learning.  Simply because it’ll just make him feel worse and - yeah, he's content with the baggage he already has without adding anymore if he can so help it.

But on the other hand he can’t really believe it’s Vergil he’s seeing. Considering how Vergil’s death by his hand’s it’s still a pretty raw wound on his heart. Due to the simple fact his animosity and disdain towards Vergil from their previous encounters ( novel / dmc3 era ) warped into that of a deep sadness and desire for revenge similar to Eva ( demons - Mundus being why he thought Vergil had died and what lead him down his path and in turn - demise. It was easier to accept that Vergil died following falling into hell rather that maybe he was still alive.  Wishing deep down, that he really had died down there...  )

Topping it off with the guilt he experiences for everyone else ( and the fact there’s ‘ no possible way to come back from this ‘ ) has added onto the guilt he already shouldered towards Vergil. Sometimes experiencing the fleeting feeling that ‘ least I was there ‘ which then only worsens / makes him feel terrible once more about how he wasn’t there for everyone else / couldn’t do anything about it. Never mind the fact he unknowingly killed him either - his blood was still on his hands, 

He tried to convince himself that least he could do something about it / avenge him ( and eva’s death ) by defeating Mundus. He got his revenge in the end...even though it left him feeling empty / lost following it’s aftermath since now that he had gotten his revenge - what more was there for him? ( This attributed to his depression and state post dmc1, the anime. Combining this with the events of the dmc2 novel ( which before it - following the events of the anime Dante did start to get a little better )  is why Dante was the way he was in dmc2. )   

His reactions in these cases are mixed - whether he’ll totally blank said person due to not being able to quite process it - and as such, being unable to handle them at this time ( aka it’ll properly result in him becoming overwhelmed / overstimulated with how much he’s got to take in and process he’ll instinctively flee. ) Whilst alternatively he may simply bottle it up and get through the interaction / deal with said person in auto pilot mode. It’ll greatly tire him out however, so he’ll instinctively lean towards trying to keep it short and sweet. 

Depending upon the given situation + person it may just simply result in Dante breaking down if it’s simply too much for him ( which usually can be the case ) if he’s unable to flee or grit his teeth and smile all the way through. It isn’t like he’s expecting to fall back on keeping up a front / wearing his mask when he’s since lost any reason to don it since everyone and everything is gone.

 MINOR WORLD-BUILDING + HINTED CHARACTER OUTCOMES (DON’T REBLOG)

· ♰ The Force edge (Sparda sword) is missing and highly likely to be useless like all other devil arms ( Dante has no idea where Trish was when she was in possession of it. Considering it’s not back at the office... ) Dante cannot get a read of the Sparda sword nor sense it.

· ♰ As far as he’s concerned Yamato is gone ( Dante has no idea it’s shattered state was situated on Fortuna. Considering the fact he hasn’t heard or been to Fortuna... ) Combining this fact, with the Sparda sword being lost - is the reason Dante clings onto Rebellion so fiercely. · ♰ What devil arms has found are simply husk’s of their former selves. Alternatively - damaged beyond use or destroyed altogether. Whether it was due to what happened or due to the test of time. Rebellion is the only usable ‘devil arm’ left as far as he’s concerned. · ♰ Dante isn’t sure but has otherwise convinced himself he found a piece of Kalina ann. He tried finding the rest of it - but alas hasn’t had any luck. He did however fetch the piece he did find back with him - in memory of Lady. 

· ♰ On that same note what mundane weaponry he had in his office are either gone or in a state of disrepair.  He does try to repair what fire arms he comes across ( practically anything he comes across to be honest so long as he’s got something to work with. ) Otherwise, similar to Rebellion, why Dante has grown an additional layer of protectiveness over Ebony & Ivory. · ♰ …Without going into too much detail Dante did find one of Lucia’s twin blades alongside the coin. It’s otherwise been the last time he’s been to Vie de Marli after leaving what remained of the island. It’s a difficult place to go back too. Don’t make him go back there. · ♰ He…doesn’t have the heart to investigate what happened to Patty, Morrison, Enzo, Tiki and Nesty.  Based on everything he's seen, it’s not hard to put two and two together. He’d rather leave it be then find out exactly what may of happened to them… · ♰ Despite there being nothing but only him around ; Dante does sometimes have a lingering paranoia eat at him that something is still around ( He knows it’s just his mind playing tricks on him but...This usually concerns thinking Mundus is still alive but he knows he defeated him...right? ) · ♰ Combining all of the above - is why Dante struggles to sleep. The pure silence around him makes him antsy to the point of restlessness  he can’t fall asleep  ( he can’t fall straight asleep anymore. It can take a minimum on a good day an hour to get a bit of shut eye... ) This is why Dante can lean towards putting sleep off by preoccupying himself by just moving around and visiting other realities as a distraction...

(DON’T REBLOG) Dante only wears a few layers ( not to the same degree as he has done in the past ) ; prioritising practical clothing in the line of his work & as well as something that was easy and flexible to maneuver in. Whilst also being stylish-like in design to keep up appearances…

His coat is easy to breath through yet also act’s as a protective garment for his upper body.   His coat possesses breast pockets ; his strap for Rebellion covers the two breast pockets up however from sight ( functional as secret components on his person more often then not. ) He uses them to hold onto more smaller objects due to them not being that spacious ( like cash. ) Prominently this is where his coin will residue when not in his jeans pockets.

His waist buckle + thigh straps for his gun’s fastens up at the back after he’s slipped his leg’s through the thigh straps. It’s very sturdy and not loose in anyway due to how fixated it is to Dante’s frame ; as such Ebony & Ivory are very well secured at his hips for use on missions and ease of access ( aka being able to quickly draw them at any given moment. )

        “…How are you today? “  . † In a mediated-like state —— Ebony & Ivory break apart before him (  with few calculated shifts of his body the chunky cartoon-like guns rest before him ; separated into parts as he aligned each piece CAREFULLY - easing them onto the cloth before him. Falling within the imaginary lines of a ‘ blueprint ’ .  ) Legs sprawled, the dissembling process unravels with a SATISFYING click, turning each piece within his hands as he observed it before placing it down. For a moment the devil hunter marvels at the sight before him ; his hand hovering over the augmented collection of parts in fascination. Defined by black and white.

He automatically knew where each piece belonged ; Repeated so many times over and over MUSCLE MEMORY powered him. Scanning each piece he mentally clicked them together  —— noting where the belonged ; how to go about cleaning each piece.  Greasing the wheels was nothing compared to his tentative care with his babies ( so greatly cherished and cared for. An EXTENSION of himself. Through & Through. ) “ Hmm…that’s good. Yeah….I’m okay. “ He mumbles quietly ; giving a side-ward glance as idly sits there in silence admiring the inner workings of Ebony & Ivory.

“ …It’s a day like any other day really…” It only takes a moment before he snaps back to reality from his daze. Easing himself back to earth by cleansing each piece thoroughly before in a moments notice ; the pieces fell back into place in an orderly fashion. They rest there  —— WHOLE once more. A smile touches his lips, albeit BRIEFLY, as he traces a finger over their frames. “ …Don’t know what I have planned after this… “ He breaks the silence once more, brows furrowing ever so sightly.  “ ….Unless there’s anything you’d like to do……? “

Silently he exhales, hunching forward as his head drops. A makeshift box is all that remains before him now that he had finished cleaning and preparing Ebony & Ivory. For what reason? No reason at all ; only because he could. More like it felt necessary ( the last time he had escaped him. ) “ ….hey? “ His posture is stiff ; his arms and legs limp before him. What powered him before was merely fleeting ; GONE. A lustre for life no more. As hollow eyes drift to his left, finding there’s just enough remaining in the tank, he reaches out in a robotic-like manner.

 Hesitantly, his hand falls upon REBELLION. His touch lingers, patting against the blade in intervals ; as if expecting  —— pleading  ——  for a response out of his dear friend. But nothing. Silence is all that radiates around him. His chest tightens.

“ …You can….voice your opinion……you know?“ His voice sounds hoarse, lifeless, as it fell upon deaf ears. He scrunches his eyes ; pressing fingers against closed eyelids as he rubbed ; fending off against the crawling sensation of ‘ sleep ‘ ( He felt so tired and yet  —— he didn’t. Trapped within a waking PURGATORY. )  “ ….I don’t….” He drawls ; the pain within his chest became all the more UNBEARABLE. His hand slowly sinks ; before it drops away from rebellion. Laying pathetically next to her.Unable to muster the means to fetch it back to his side.

“ …. “ The silence was killing him. Had he taken it ALL for granted? ( Trish dropping in to see his sorry ass. Lady turning up for assistance ; to see an old friend. Enzo’s complaints. The way Patty hounded him to do this or that. Morrison going off about some job he thought he’d like. Rebellions hauntingly soothing voice. ) It wasn’t untill now ; after it was all said and done  ——  just how lonely Devil may cry WAS without anyone. How deeply it cut into him. This deathly loneliness.

“ … I’m sorry. “

     QUICK FIRE / MISC HEADCANONS CONCERNING DANTE (DON’T REBLOG.)

· ♰ Dante 100% overtips.  Despite having access to a wealth of money - money has very little value to him besides what use it does have for him still. As such he tends to not check his change and give extra ( ‘keep the change’ ) whenever he shops &  visits bars or food places.

· ♰ Dante eats and drinks...whenever he remembers too. Because he no longer has any outside influence to prompt him to eat and sometimes struggling to register he’s hungry or thirsty until his body makes it super obvious ( which his demonic blood doesn’t help with either due to it allowing him to survive a while without both. ) That Dante seldomely eats or drinks nowadays. 

When he does  - he sticks to the bare minimum like water or energy bars.  He shy’s away from spoiling himself with treats ( since he believes he doesn’t deserve to be spoiled. ) 

· ♰ Despite a tendency to forget to look after himself - Dante still does show great care for his outwardly appearance ( partly because it’s the first thing other people will see & the easiest way for someone to clue onto the fact he’s not alright. ) Otherwise he does what he can too to ensure he remains functioning for the most part - 

· ♰ Dante’s legal documents are all out of date. Basically his deed, drivers license - everything in or under his name is out of date and invalid. Dante however has no interest in renewing any of these documents because A) the state of his world and B) it be a hassle  if he tried to renew any of them in a world that wasn’t his ( especially one where he already exists in too. ) At the end of the day, Dante simply lives with it. Not that it won’t stop him from driving and drinking etc. 

· ♰ He doesn’t need to but still sleeps with Ebony & Ivory + Rebellion close by his side. He’s overly cautious - not helped by a sense of paranoia - but doing this eases him, even if slightly.

· ♰ Due to his current setup Dante only sleeps on a coach. Due to nightmares as well as not having slept in a bed for the longest time despite being content to sleep anywhere he…hasn’t  had a good nights sleep in a long time. Even when he’s visiting other realities he’ll opt to sleep on the couch ( he doesn’t feel too comfortable getting comfy on a bed. It’s complicated. )

· ♰ Dante hasn’t clicked on that his right eye has turned red. This boils down to the simple fact that he’s overlooked it to the point that even though it stares him right in the face ( despite being covered up by his hair 99% of the time ) it’s just not obvious to him.

coin flip, don’t reblog… Dante is very unlikely to bring someone to his reality on purpose / by request or because he wanted too. Boiling down to the fact that above all else - he wishes to spare them the sight of the truth. But more so because he doesn’t want anyone to really see the extent of his situation. So for example, if an alternate Dante desired going back with him but he declined. He’d do this because he wouldn’t have the heart to fetch another Dante back  because since he is Dante and as such knows how the other may feel / what impact it might have on the other Dante. The last thing he want’s is for another Dante - or anyone really to ever experience what he feels and lives with each day. He will do everything in his power to ensure no one will never experience the same thing if he can help it. Because then it be his fault for why they feel like that.

It’s usually the reason WHY he just vanishes without warning ; here and then gone the next moment. All because he prefers no one ever knowing when he’s coming to ease his own worries but also minimise any risk of say - accidentally fetching someone along or if someone purposely tried to tag along against his wishes. )

He’s content with burdening it on his shoulders alone … he might be willing to be somewhat open about his situation one day without someone he trusts / feels as if he can confide in them. Least, to a degree. Dante will avoid the whole truth or going into great detail ( as he otherwise will remain vague about his situation or how things are back in his reality etc. Depends on the individual in question. ) E.g.  ‘ it’s just me… ‘ . Simply because dropping ‘ everyone’s dead and it’s my fault ‘ suddenly to another him or anyone is - yeah. He isn’t gonna put that on anyone.

It is to be noted that Dante is much more closed off / withdrawn then before. Taking into account he is just by himself and so now lacks the support network he had gradually built up over the years. With no one to turn to anymore as well as his tendency to distance himself ( firmly believing  he really is a bad omen - which is why he can be hesitant or awkward towards new interactions )  Dante’s  inner demons have taken a firm hold on him ; his depression getting the best of him.   Most days finding himself lost ; with very little meaning or purpose to what he does.  Dante came to the conclusion that he’s the catalyst for everyone’s ( and even demons ) ultimate demise weighs heavily on his heart. And thinking about the fact he wasn’t even here to do anything to stop their deaths and that even if he wanted to couldn’t…to protect those he had loved … is another factor that plays into his guilt.

Though he does attempt to put up a facade , least as best as he can, to pretend everything is alright… by means of pushing / forcing himself to interact with others. It’s taxing / really tiring doing so however at best and usually Dante just crashes once hes back home ( even then some days he can’t being plagued by nightmares over and over. Such is the reason why Dante has an exhausted air about him. ) He makes an effort to still hone his skills and go elsewhere to hunt - all because he feels like it’s the only thing he’s left capable of doing. it’s very hit and miss whether he still finds passion in hunting demons down  but it’s a distraction in his eyes at the very least. A means to just be on auto-pilot and get through another day…