it's just the rain that wasn't brave enough to fall (closed + open)

[antimetabole]

WHO: Vergil + others
WHEN: Between missions 12 & 13
WHERE: Various locations
WHAT: Some emotional talks. Some yeeting of children. It's a little bit of everything.
NOTES\WARNINGS: No open prompts this go around I LIED one open prompt as of yet, but if you are wanting something particular, feel free to slap down a starter or request one. I will match prose vs. brackets because it doesn't matter to me. There will be discussions pertaining to complex family dynamics (particularly between siblings) that may also further include topics such as loss/death of parents and/or siblings, assumed fratricide (of the accidental variety), and grief pertaining to aforementioned losses. Warnings will be in headers, but will update this as able to/needed!

↪ kyoko
↪ mizu
↪ dante
↪ open

Comments

[antimetabole]

He pauses when she comes to a stop, turning slightly to look back at her with a raised eyebrow. Vergil did not think the question to be overly complicated, but perhaps he has overestimated the girl's ability to reflect upon herself.

"I see..."

Vergil cannot relate to that, and so does very little to mask his skepticism as to how exactly that could be even remotely enjoyable. He continues making his way further down the aisle towards the amps.

[joke_o]

Kyoko shrugs as the hamster finds its footing once again. She quickly catches up to Vergil again, stopping just a step or two behind Vergil as he inspects the amps.

"What about you? What're your hobbies?"

[antimetabole]

"I enjoy reading," he says absentmindedly. "And I gardened occasionally in the world I was in prior to this place."

Occasionally, he says. That is somewhat of an understatement as he went from a modest collection of plants that he kept on the balcony of his studio apartment to several plants in his bedroom, in the common areas of the house, and a few outside by the time they moved into a larger space. He had even been entertaining the notion of starting a vegetable garden for the next growing season with Kyrie.

But he frames it like little more than a vague, passing interest and leaves it at that while he frowns at amps that seem far too large and bothersome for an apartment.

"Other than that, I train my son, and spar with Mizu and Dante. Nero is also insistent I watch movies with him, but that is more his interest than mine. I tend to enjoy the wrestling we watch over the majority of movies he assures me are cinematic masterpieces."

[joke_o]

Kyoko grins to herself as she makes a mental note of everything Vergil says. After all, he got her snacks for Christmas, it's only fair that she start getting him gifts for subsequent holidays now that she was more settled in. But when he brings up wrestling, that's when she seems to come alive.

"Ooh, I love wrestling! What promotions do you guys watch?" For the first time, there's the slightest hint of a noise - not from the guitar - but from Kyoko bouncing on her heels, a giant grin plastered across her face.

[antimetabole]

"Kyoko."

He says her name with an edge of warning as he looks from the wall of amps to her. His gaze from her face to the guitar in her arms.

No bouncing.

[joke_o]

Kyoko freezes for a moment, looking down at the guitar. It's still in perfect condition, so she arches an eyebrow and glances back up, unsure as to what caused that reaction.

"...What?"

[antimetabole]

Vergil raises his eyes back to hers. He does not think it should be particularly confusing why he said her name or provided her with such a stern look. He draws a short, harsh breath in and out through his nose.

"I understand you are excited, but remain still while you are carrying that," he says, trying to both sound and be as diplomatic as possible.

[joke_o]

Kyoko just rolls her eyes and sighs. Of course the exasperation seems more performative than anything, judging by the smirk on her face.

"Spoil sport." She shrugs, but she isn't letting Vergil dodge the question. "Never did answer me. You guys watch New Japan? WWF? I'm more of a Stardom girl really. The Joshi wrestling is intense."

[antimetabole]

"WWF," he answers, turning his attention back to the amps.

[joke_o]

Kyoko just nods a bit. "Yeah, makes sense. Didn't suppose you guys were from Japan, and NJPW and Stardom aren't really easy to get outside Japan."

She hums a bit, thinking about what she's seen of WWF stuff that she'd seen when another thought comes to mind. "Oh I should see if there's a video rental place with classic NJPW stuff." While she wouldn't say no to it, she knew better than to try and invite Vergil into such a thing. Sounded like that was something he and Nero did as bonding and she wasn't about to insert herself there.

"I think the last I heard of WWF stuff was Shinsuke Nakamura being signed, but that was a bit ago..." She shrugs a bit before actually asking Vergil a follow up. "You got a favorite guy?"

[antimetabole]

"No," he says. "Nero favors The Undertaker."

[joke_o]

"Oooh yeah, can't go wrong with the Deadman." She nods thoughtfully, adjusting her grip on the guitar. "If Nero ever wants to look up New Japan stuff, I think he'd like Kazuchika Okada's work. He's a lot like you, really. He's very tactical and precise."

She doesn't mention that he's also something of a bastard on the mic, but that's not what reminded her of him in the first place.

[antimetabole]

Vergil takes his eyes away from the amps as Kyoko claims this wrestler to be a lot like him. He's visibly skeptical, but the skepticism comes more from the notion that Nero would gravitate towards a wrestler with a penchant for tactics and methods similar to Vergil. That isn't Nero's style, and not something he's particularly interested in adopting into it either. Hence the skepticism and suspicion that it is a recommendation disguised as one for Nero, but truly is for Vergil. He does not give voice to his suspicions, however.

"I will be sure to provide him with the recommendation," he says, turning his attention back to the amps and selecting one of the smaller ones. It should produce enough noise that Dante will be satisfied with it, but not enough that any neighbors will provide complaints. It will work for now, in any case. "Let us select a case and be on our way."

[joke_o]

In Kyoko's defense, the recommendation was genuinely meant for Nero - she doesn't really think Vergil would really be watching at all without Nero prompting him. Of course, not having met Nero, she's just working on flawed information that she inferred from Vergil.

"Hey, uh..." She falters, for a moment a sheepish smile on her face. "Thanks for letting me tag along for this. Still kinda getting used to the place and... not having Riki or Misako to lean on has been... kinda lonely."

[antimetabole]

Vergil pauses in continuing on when Kyoko appears to falter in speaking, looking back at her with some mild scrutiny. The severity of his expression eases someone once she begins speaking again, relieving him from having to try inferring what is so difficult for her to say. He is about to rebuff the expressed gratitude for allowing her to tag along. Vergil did not really sense that he had much choice in the matter, and that she would no doubt continue following and pestering him even if he attempted to ignore her outright. But before Vergil can say anything, Kyoko continues filling in more, and what she is really struggling to say.

He studies her for a quiet moment, his expression not changing in any meaningful way that would enlighten Kyoko to his thoughts on what she's said. Vergil doesn't doubt her sincerity in the sentiment being expressed—both the gratitude and the loneliness she has been experiencing in the absence of her boyfriend and friends—but he is uncertain about the vulnerability. Vergil's edges are sharp, and his temperament is not exactly warm and inviting. These are things that have remained true each and every time he has spoken with Kyoko, particularly as he's often expressed not wishing to prolong conversation with her any further than is strictly necessary. He's been adamant that the two of them are not friends even if she seems damned determined to believe otherwise. Frankly, the girl just does not make sense to him. For someone saying she is lonely, Vertgil would anticipate her latching onto someone else. Someone more open to the idea of spending time with her or considering her a friend, rather than someone who has made it plain that he has limited tolerance. Vergil's lips purse for a moment, and then he turns away to continue down the aisle to its end.

"You will make plenty of friends here. Give it time."

[joke_o]

She nods, smiling with something between warmth and sadness on her face as she hugs the guitar to her chest.

"Yeah... and I am making friends. And that definitely has helped. ...But it's not quite the same, you know? I still miss Misako and Riki, heck even Kunio. I really appreciate you, Mizu, and Junpei, but like... You don't take the place of Misako any more than I would take the place of your brother if he weren't here, you know?"

She takes a step forward, turning to face him for a moment, emotional tears threatening to spill out. "But little stuff like this... it means a lot to me. Makes this place feel more... normal." She gives him a wink before falling back in step behind him.

[antimetabole]

Vergil provides her with no direct acknowledgment of whether or not he actually understands what she means. But Kyoko can likely infer for herself that he does. Vergil's gaze is cast briefly aside when she moves in front of him. It's not something that can be chalked up to discomfort with the emotions that threaten to spill out in fuller force, as it is a little too defensive of a maneuver and happens before he can even register it in the first place. Vergil glances at her as she falls back behind him once more, but he says nothing whatsoever.

He finds himself uncertain of what to say given that nothing of what they're doing feels particularly normal to him. Shopping for Christmas presents is not something he's done since his childhood, and he has scant few memories of that. He did not even do this in Folkmore last year, relying upon the magic of the place to afford him appropriate, sentimental gifts. Although that line of thinking as to why he knows not what to say is somewhat of a deflection. Vergil also simply does not know what to say in light of such heartfelt gratitude over something he finds to be ultimately inconsequential.

So, it's easier to say nothing at all. Not even once they reach the cases does he offer a word in response to what she has said.

"That one," he says eventually, pointing to the case that appears to be the most suitable.

[joke_o]

Kyoko wasn't really expecting any real acknowledgement. She knows his type. She wouldn't expect Riki to react outwardly, except maybe an arm on her shoulder but she wasn't dating Vergil and he wouldn't be expressing physical affection like that. Whether or not he took her seriously was not her priority though, just saying that was the real objective. Once he picks a case out, Kyoko dutifully steps forward and gently places it in the case, fastening it up nice and snug before holding it out for Vergil to take the handle of should he want.

"There ya go, gift wrapped and everything!"

[antimetabole]

Vergil doesn't know quite about gift wrapped, but the case is helpful to have beyond just transporting the thing from the store to home. He makes no argument, however, and takes the case by the handle when she offers it. There is a moment of hesitation before, he offers, "Thank you."

[joke_o]

Kyoko notes the moment of hesitation, but says nothing. Instead she just smiles that insufferably sweet smile of hers. She may not have many thoughts in her head but those that she does have are turned primarily to empathy when not thinking of fighting.

"You're welcome. And if you're ever looking for company while shopping again, you know how to poke me. This was fun."

[antimetabole]

Vergil frowns slightly when she says poke me, uncertain of what the hell that is supposed to mean exactly. But perhaps he ought to not be particularly surprised. It is an odd phrase from an odd girl, after all.

"If you say so."