(Untitled)

[imperium_maius]

[In the stairwell to the roof access, the shadows shiver and part to reveal a tall figure with an unsheathed katana of pure blackness. The eyes seem to blink, and red is revealed behind the lids.

Without a noise, the shadow moves forward through the utter darkness, footsteps calm and measured. Even when he opens the door to the apartments proper

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[vivatrex]

[Vergil. it was a flicker in the back of his mind but it was definitely him. Dante stops halfway across the front lawn of the apartment where he'd been moving to check the barriers, going stock still. suddenly he bolts back towards the apartment, following the pattern and eventually ending up in the hall where he'd been moments before.]

Where... Vergil?

[he looks utterly distraught for a moment before he notices the gouge in the wall, going up to it and running his fingers over it. there was only one weapon, one person who could manage something like that.]

Vergil! Vergil, where are you?!

[imperium_maius]

[The shadow, who up until now had been occupied trying to find a way to cross the patch of most inconvenient light, turns at the sound of Dante's voice, prior task forgotten. Jumping from shadow to shadow, he's within eyeshot of Dante in seconds.

If shadows can look displeased he manages it at the sight of Dante's warm, light-reflecting flesh, but the expression smooths out rapidly and he silently holds one dark hand out to his twin, inviting him closer.]

[vivatrex]

[there's too much relief for him to even think about trying to express when Vergil suddenly appears, but it quickly dissipates. there's something... really wrong with his twin. the panic rises up again, and while usually he would go toward him immediately to make sure he was okay, something tells him to keep away and he finds himself listening.]

Vergil...?

[imperium_maius]

[The shadow can't properly communicate with his twin while Dante remains as he is, and this seriously displeases him. He cautiously moves forward a few steps toward Dante, who seems to be strangely skittish, and reaches out with two fingers to touch his cheek, sharp white teeth flashing in the darkness as he smiles.]

[vivatrex]

[when he sees the teeth it only confirms things in his mind, and unusually for him he backs away from the touch. he wouldn't even dream of doing something like that under normal circumstances, but something was wrong. something was wrong with Vergil and he had no idea what it was or when it'd happened. he swallowed, not sure what to do -- most of him wanted to proceed as normal, to accept Vergil's affections again, but that tiny part that was being cautious about all of this held him back.]

[imperium_maius]

[This irritates the shadow, who lets it be known by a growl of disapproval. He steps forward more as Dante backs off, lets out another small growl and impatiently shoves him against the wall. He's annoyed at Dante's actions, and lets it be known by resting curiously sharp fingernails at the pulse in Dante's neck.]

[vivatrex]

[Dante lets himself be shoved back and goes still at the fingernails at his neck, shivering a bit. it's obvious Vergil's annoyed with what he's doing, and the guilt is heavy with this realization. the conflict continues for a few moments before he finally comes to a decision and closes his eyes, bowing his head a little in a sign of respect -- and subservience -- to Vergil.

it's still his brother, his master, the one person who means everything to him. that's what matters.]

[imperium_maius]

[The bowed head is accepted for what it is. Digging his fingernails slightly into Dante's neck, Vergil gently kisses his twin on the forehead, a sign of affection he's long used. The touch might be a little strange, but it's real enough.]

Stop running.

[vivatrex]

[Dante sucks in a breath at the feeling of the fingernails digging into his neck. the kiss relaxes him though and he opens his eyes again, glad to hear Vergil's voice.]

I'm sorry.

[imperium_maius]

[At the best of times Vergil is not a kind person, and being a shadow only makes it so much worse. The sharp nails stay over Dante's pulse, digging into the skin just enough to draw a few drops of blood. It's not an angry gesture, merely a controlling one.]

I miss you.

[vivatrex]

[Dante doesn't wince at the nails against his neck even when they draw blood. he does, however, give Vergil a confused look at his words.]

What do you mean? I'm right here. I'm not leaving.

[imperium_maius]

You're here, but you're not with me. [Smooths Dante's hair with one strange-feeling hand.]

[vivatrex]

[looks confused for a little longer though he seems to understand, leaning into the touch despite the odd feeling of it.]

... what... what happened?

[imperium_maius]

I don't remember. But you can't properly serve me over there, so I took care of that.

[vivatrex]

What? How?

[imperium_maius]

By bringing you to me. [Tugs at Dante's hands] Next room.