The Disclaimer: Capcom owns DVL
Vergil schemes something but it may not go as planned. Tell me what you think, guys.
Vergil was leaning casually against the ticket office near the counter where people bought tickets for all kinds of carousels that were scattered about the small area of a local funfair. It was early in the morning and his icy gaze was lazily moving over the rare groups of people, families with children and couples of early birds that had obviously failed to come up with any other way to amuse themselves that Saturday. He took another sip of coffee and wrinkled his nose as he put the plastic cup down on the counter. How humans survived this awful slop they sold at the public places like that was a mystery to him. He was a demon – even if a half-one, but he always worried whether his demonic superorganism would be able to take it down and not writhe in agony.
A couple of laughing youngsters approached the counter and began to study the list of the wheels and coasters they could buy tickets to. Vergil suppressed a yawn as he listened to their banter as to what carousel to go to first. He threw a glance at the humans and his lips curled scornfully as he saw the hand of the young man slip down the back of his girlfriend and squeeze her bottom playfully, drawing a set of giggles from the woman.
"Humans." Vergil muttered as he averted his eyes from what he considered to be an indecent sight. To him it was both disrespect and shamelessness but apparently the woman perceived it as some kind of affection as she kept laughing stupidly with the guy.
Vergil detached himself from the office wall and walked towards one of the vacant green benches. After checking the surface of the bench for any dust and finding it satisfactory he gracefully seated himself and renewed his observation of the surroundings. Monotonous tunes of what resembled a barrel organ filled the air as the drowsy fair workers opened their motley booths and merry-go-rounds to the early customers. Glancing at his watch Vergil realized that it was still too early and half of the boxes and attractions would remain closed for at least an hour.
But it didn't really matter as he wasn't even sure what he was looking for. He would have to rely on his senses, Vergil decided as he watched the boy of five years rush past him with two sticks of candy floss towards his parents that waited near the bouncy castle, smiling. The child reminded him of his brother who saw their childhood outings to the carnivals as a way to stuff his stomach with ridiculous amounts of popcorn, hot dogs and other unhealthy food such as cotton candy. And Vergil didn't care as long as Dante had enough sense not to try and test his guts on the merry-go-rounds after having a solid meal because Vergil refused point-blank to go anywhere near carousels if Dante's stomach wasn't empty. He himself never touched those snacks that should certainly have "biohazard" labels stuck on them.
"Want some?" Suddenly a huge skein of aforementioned candy floss was shoved into his face, nearly making him jump at the unexpected motion. He looked up to see a broad grin plastered on his walking reflection in a red coat.
"You!" Vergil pushed his hand away and abruptly stood up, suppressing the urge to draw his katana at the sight of his brother. "What are you doing here?!"
"So you don't want." Dante sighed as he nipped off a piece of the candy cloud and shoved it into his mouth, enjoying the way the sweet fiber melted on his tongue. "Mmm…You sure you don't want to give it a try?"
Vergil narrowed his eyes and tried to grab the stick but Dante hid it behind his back in a flash.
"Aha!" He exclaimed in an I-knew-it tone. "Now you want it. Go and buy yourself another one."
"Clown." Vergil growled as he finally snatched the stick out of his hand and threw it into the nearest trashcan before turning to his brother who pouted his lips at the untimely death of his sugary meal. "I see you've found yourself the right place after all."
"Hah." Dante replied unimpressed. "What about you? Hired out in the Labyrinth of Horror?" As Vergil gave him a bored look Dante huffed. "Oh, I know. Moving wax figures - that's where you'll make a bundle with that dull and expressionless face of yours".
"Very original, Dante." The elder half-devil replied as he slowly rounded his twin. "But… "Dante turned around to face him and gasped as Vergil pushed him down onto the bench. "You haven't answered my question. What are you doing here? Were you following me?" He hissed as his hand closed around the hilt of Yamato as if to hint that Dante would better give him a good reason not to start a fight in public.
"Well I could ask you the same question." Dante responded, ignoring the threat. "Lady dragged me here to try the local shooting range."
"Did she?" Vergil inquired as Dante tried to stand up and pushed him back before finally drawing his katana and pressing it against his neck. "Where is that woman then?"
"Where do you think?" Dante craned his neck trying not to touch the blade. "At the shooting range, obviously."
"And you?"
The question made Dante chuckle.
"It doesn't befit a crack marksman like me to test their skills for some teddy bear, don't ya think?" He smirked but quickly dropped it as if in fear that Vergil might get even angrier at his untroubled mood.
Vergil frowned as he looked down at him in disbelief before hesitantly sheathing katana.
"Psycho." Dante muttered as he relaxed and placed one arm on the back of the bench. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"That's none of your concern." The autoanswer kicked in as Vergil moved his gaze from Dante to study the nearby attractions. The music was coming from the left side where the central part of the fair was located. Small carousels were separated from each other by either lanes or neat bushes and Vergil decided that he liked it there. It looked more like a park. On the right there was a small roller coaster and a mere sight of the metal construction sent a shiver down his spine.
"Thinking of old times, huh?" Dante smiled as he stood up and put his hand on Vergil's shoulder which he instantly shook off in irritation. "Wanna go for a ride?"
"No." Vergil replied and Dante noticed that he paled slightly as he watched the excited kids happily go through its ups-and-downs, accompanying their ride with all manner of yells and squeals.
"Hey, come on!" Dante laughed at his unusual expression. "I know you love it."
Vergil gave him an odd look and shuddered as one particular ride flashed before his eyes.
Sparda seated the two six-year-olds into a car and fastened their belts before tapping ghostly pale Vergil on the shoulder encouragingly.
"I know you are a brave boy." The demon smiled. Vergil nodded weakly and swallowed as he clutched at the handrails. "Everything will be fine."
Vergil doubted that but remained silent, trying to remember every prayer he heard his mother had told at nights. He looked at his parents outside the coaster who waved at him, and forced down another lump in his throat. It wasn't too late. He can get off. He can ge-.. The machine started up.
Everything was a blur after that. He remembered his brother's happy woo-hooes, his own horrified screams, the ground that periodically leaped at him and the sky which turned upside down more than once. How did they persuade him? Dante didn't want to ride without him and didn't want to go home without a "check" next to that roller coaster in his list. He whined and complained and they knew there would be no end to this if Vergil refused to cooperate. Even as a kid the elder twin highly valued his life and didn't take any risks going into foolish ventures which depended on many factors such as the wear of machinery, the quality of handling, the consciousness of service staff and even weather conditions. Perhaps at that time his considerations concerning the metallic monster weren't described in the same terms but something told him that even then he had already realized how insecure and tricky the human world was.
If his hair hadn't been white before the terrific ride he was pretty sure it would have turned it by the time he got off the attraction. Well, not got off – Sparda had to tear him away from the handholds and carry him towards the exit in his arms as Vergil's legs were giving way.
It was his first and thankfully the last experience of the roller coaster.
"Afraid to muss up your hair, huh?" Dante brought him back to present. "But it looks totally cemented so you shouldn't wo-"
"If you keep insisting on me taking a ride I'll do that." Vergil cut him off as he closed his eyes, trying to control his temper. "But not before I tie you to the rails."
Dante huffed and threw a resentful glance at his brother but Vergil ignored him as he suddenly felt something. Strange feeling came out of nowhere and was faintly tingling at his senses, making him tense and strain his perception. Despite its being subtle Vergil knew at once that it was the signal he'd been waiting for. He concentrated and tried to catch hold of a faint thread of the sensation that would probably lead him to his objective.
The day promised well, he thought and a smile played on his lips but it quickly faded as he remembered the red leather-clad obstacle. If only his twin wasn't around…
