Silently his demons consume him.

Jarring emotions. I keep thinking about how it can and does trip Dante up seeing faces long gone for himself. Vergil is a notable example of that - on one hand it’s nice to see he survived ( properly assuming ‘he didn’t kill him in this universe’ considering he isn’t aware of what goes down post dmc2 / the events of dmc5 and he isn’t entirely interested in knowing whats what. ) whilst on the other hand he can’t really believe it’s Vergil he’s seeing. 

Considering how Vergil’s death by his hand’s is still a pretty raw open wound. 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 had already been shouldering 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. Despite the fact he unknowingly killed Vergil - Least he could do something about it / avenged him ( and eva’s death ) by defeating Mundus even though it left him feeling empty / lost following it’s aftermath since he had finally acquired revenge. 

His reactions in these cases are mixed - whether he’ll totally blank said person due to not being able to quite processing it and as such - 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. Depending upon the given situation + person it may also simply result in Dante breaking down if it’s simply too much for him ( which usually can be the case. 

My muse has to tell nothing but the truth for 10 asks.  /   Accepting . 1

  . † Stupidest thing huh? ——  The question sits on his mind for a moment as he contemplates what essence of truth to wield as an answer to the question at hand. Properly trying to throw myself head first into hell without much thought and paid the price > No…far too GRIM for the question at hand. So what else was there? It took him a moment…

MAKE MY CHARACTER FEEL LOVED.  / Fluff is always welcomed here.

            . † The devil hunter pauses long enough at the sound of her voice  ——  for the sudden intrusion of a small item within his grasp to occur. It all but catching his attention as he pulled his hand away ; raising it to inspect the foreign item in question. A small vial, he raises one brow in confusion as he stands there. Gaze affixed upon Kat, his silence allows her to tell him all that he needs to know ( even the last bit ; he CATCHES it. Saying nothing. ) His features soften as his shoulders lax. Grip tight, yet careful so as to not break the vial under his own strength.

“ … “ Despite the fluctuating nature of her appearance  ( confidence & the feeling of no use clashing. ) He glances at his cupped hand before back at Kat.  As he slots the small vial into the safety of his breast pocket ( slipping his hand under his chest strap. ) He gives it a gentle pat, as he tilts his form only slightly as he ——  in an attempt to comfort the women ——  cautiously & GENTLY rests a hand on her shoulder. His hand doesn’t linger there for long as he pulls away. But in that moment a smile escapes him ; as he smiles through his single visible eye.

“ Don’t worry. “ He starts, glancing off to the side. “ Besides, it’s the thought that counts. “ Dante finally drawls. Comforting another wasn’t his forte ( hadn’t been in so long. ) But to have it sink in that she was doing this because she was CONCERNED ( thought of him, whatever it were. ) It was already enough for him.  Even if deep down, his gut twisted. Having forgotten what it was like for another to be worried over him…

Oh brother. He mumbled to himself as he noticed just who stood before him. Well, this certainly got awkward very quickly. “…You sure, ‘cause that look’s foolin’ no one.”

MAKE MY CHARACTER FEEL LOVED.  / Fluff is always welcomed here. 

             . † The embrace almost knocks him off of his feet —— winded for just a moment before it dawns on him ( once more ) that ; he wasn’t alone. So use to being on his LONESOME he regrettably had the tendency to forget that Eva was practically rooming with him. Something he was sure he should’ve gotten use to by now and yet… Tired eyes trying to fathom a reason as to what brought the hug about. That was before in the midst of the tender ( heart warming ) embrace he registers a kiss to his forehead. 

 There’s the twisted expression of dumbfoundness mixing in with a hint of appreciation ( the fledglings of memory’s from so long ago. The way Eva kissed his & Vergil’s foreheads to sooth them. Cheer them up —— an expression of motherly LOVE. It felt just like it did back then… ) He finds himself, temporarily transported back to such a simpler time ; before gently brushing Eva away ( Only allowing himself to soak up the hug for a little longer. How warm and grounding it were… A reminder ; he wasn’t so alone anymore. )  “ Mother… “ He drawls at first  —— before he steps away altogether. Adjusting his collar with the flick of his wrist.  

“ ….You don’t….need to hug me every time you see me. “ He pauses, glancing back at Eva. “ …M’ alright… “ He tilts his head ever so slightly, the briefest glimpse of a weak smile touching his lips. “ …Jus’ gonna nip out….” Another pause, as he soon comes to slot Rebellion onto his back. “ …. Unless you wanna tag along? “ 

Before gradually making their way to the main lands ( and honestly perhaps even shards of Yamato were used during the ensuing chaos to open rifts / portals. ) Due to Dante’s disappearance ( it’s likely Lady, Trish had no idea what was happening with him - Morrison helped hitch Dante up with the means of Travel and so knew he was off on some mission but due to everything that was happening no one could get in contact / go out there and find him. ) Basically with everything that was happening the border between the two worlds was failing ( it’s even likely Mundus found an opening to free himself. ) 

Likewise there’s the idea that the Oliphoth comes into play as well and that there could’ve been some ensuing war between Argosax and Mundus alongside destroying humanity / conquering the said realm something went wrong with the fusion between the two worlds ???? As a part of me is mulling over the idea of ‘ what if the something happened to the Oliphoth that caused it to also consume demon kind???? Like in the sense of turning on itself / it’s own kind sorta ordeal and eventually it comes full circle. Resulting in the destruction of both sides ( the Oliphoth soon dying off itself because there’s no longer any sources of blood. ) All that remains is a warped version of reality - the human and demon world’s union incomplete ( interrupted / unstable????  )

My brain: All whilst Dante has no idea as to what exactly happened after he left. Besides what evidence still remains of the aftermath / the brunt of it that Vie de maril was faced with. It doesn’t change the fact his sense of guilt ( and perhaps even survivors guilt ) weighs heavily upon him because if he was more careful - more attentive then this wouldn’t of   ——

reloading... I’m considering the idea it’s been 100-200 something years since Dante was trapped. I’m thinking it’s on the smaller end as to how long it’s been taking into account how overgrown / how useful stuff may be ( e.g. whether Dante could get his place hooked up with some electricity and taking into account what work he did have fixing devil may cry up enough for him to still live there. ) Plus it’s also a guess on Dante’s part as he has no means of being able to exactly work out how long it has been. 

I’m also mulling over the idea that due to the events of the portal and his circumstance - it’s affected his ageing process ( e.g. slowed it down even more. As he still relatively aged like a normal person just slightly slowed - but now it’s even slower. There’s also the factor that time in hell is incredibly warped / different from the human world - in which the portal was demonic in nature ) Dante could be ‘ technically ‘ considered 100-200 years old but is still around his early 30′s physically and mentally. 

Besides that - I’m thinking in regards to Dante’s main verse ; he’s at the very least spent roughly 2 years after getting free from the portal gathering his bearings / becoming accustomed to his present day to day life ( e.g. fixing up the devil may cry office / getting a basic grasp over his new-found portal powers. ) 

Because of this, it would place him as being ‘34′ chronologically but due to the incident as a whole and it’s side effects on his body ( his slowed ageing ) it’s hard to say and likely he still appears ‘32′. His ageing is less humane in nature now and perhaps much more comparable to that of a demon.

> Dante 100% overtips whenever he visits diners / food places partly because he just sometimes can’t be bothered to properly check his change to ensure he’s giving the right amount of cash ( considering money has very little value to him. )

> He usually eats and drinks whenever he remembers too... because of his demonic blood he can survival for a good while without food & water. When he remembers too - he just has a bit of water or tends to default to energy bars - something that’s easy to get his hands on since he doesn’t really have the energy or means to go out of his way to cook. Though he tends to shy away from spoiling him with pizza or strawberry sundaes since he in general doesn’t really spoil / treat himself. Otherwise Dante still does show a great care for his appearance ( partly because it’s the first thing other people will see / the easiest way for someone to clue into the fact he’s not alright. ) 

> He doesn’t need to but still sleeps with Ebony & Ivory and Rebellion close by his side. He’s overly cautious even if it is just him - not helped by a sense of paranoia. Due to his current set up he just sleeps on his couch  ( but because of the nightmares as well as not having slept in a bed for the longest time despite the fact hes happy to sleep anywhere - he ... hasn’t really had a good nights rest in a long time. ) Even when he’s visiting other realities and staying at a motel or whatever he sleeps on the couch / doesn’t feel too comfortable getting comfy on a bed. It’s complicated.

            . † He’s hesitant —— CAUTIOUS,  as he slowly approaches an accumulation of energy. A demon ; his first thought ( power was practically their lifeblood.YET, there was something so oddly familiar about it... He pushes it to the back of his mind ) Onward’s he presses before the BACK of the source comes into view. Rebellion is released from her holster ; before he makes himself known.

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. “