voice; un: nero (open to stars and moon) [forward dated to the 26th]

[sassery]

[Surprisingly, this isn’t a text. While Nero is a complete shitposter, this absolutely is all voice. Which means that this is important, and it sure sounds like it, because Nero’s voice sounds incredibly strained and distressed.]

Hey. I know there’s monsters and shit all around at night, but do me a favor. Anyone in neutral territory or close by that- stay the fuck away from the border of the Moon territory. Vergil’s been cursed, and he’s basically attacking anyone who gets in his way while trying to find me or Dante.

If you want to go and find him and try to stop him, don’t. We’re his targets- if anyone else crosses him, he won’t hesitate. Don’t go looking for us either- he only wants to kill us. We'll take care of it.

[A pause, and he inhales and exhales. Stay focused, don't let your emotions get the best of you here, we don't have time. There's still another thing he has to ask.]

I also need a healer as soon as anyone’s ready. We’ll come to you.

[In the background, you can hear Dante begin to protest.]

Look kid, I’ll be fine-

[It’s a bad idea to say that, because Nero practically explodes, yelling back at him while the network is still going.]

Shut the fuck up, you took a sword to the chest, asshole! You’re not fucking fine!

[Look, the boy is worried sick for Dante and also Vergil, his emotions are a mess. He doesn’t know what’s going on with the other, but Vergil’s nearly killed Dante and tried to kill Nero without any warning. He needs to be stopped. They need to find that Arae.

((Nero and Dante will be threadjacking where necessary, feel free to threadjack right back!))]

Comments

Voice; Nia

[sassywelshcatgirl]

I'm a healer. I can meet you someplace neutral. Kyst?

voice; un: mercedes

[nuncommon]

[ There's a very quiet, level voice-- one Dante will probably recognize, if his ears aren't still ringing from Nero shutting him down. And up? Maybe?? ]

I'm a healer, currently helping in neutral territory. I'm closer to the Stars border, however.

voice; @korra

[bearcat]

[ oh my raava, she recognizes these two voices. ]

—I can heal! [ not well, but her waterbending has been coming back quicker than the rest of the elements, and a little is better than nothing, right? ] I'm near Forsvar.

video; un: hakunon

[sealeted]

[Hakuno's looking a little rough around the edges, but she isn't so busy she hasn't been able to skim over the other responses first. When she speaks, it's soft as ever but in a brisk, business-like tone.]

Do we know if the rune traps work on him, if one of those creatures put him in this state? It sounds like our best bet is containment, until whatever cursed him gets axed. I...

[She pauses, and takes a moment to rummage in her bag, taking stock of... something.]

I have an ability that can paralyze enemies for a short period, and I have enough... supplies that I could probably overlap it to buy you two some time, for a while. I'd have to be within line of sight though, so I'm hoping we have more options than that.

[Her expression doesn't change, but she tries to force in some levity into her voice.]

I try to avoid getting stabbed, in general. Just as a personal preference.

[sassery]

We're not far from Aethuum- I got ambushed there, I'm guessing Dante and Vergil were nearby too.

[He pauses, and god, he sounds tired.]

We can move to neutral territory, that's not a problem. Forsvar may be better though.

Text | @Nightshade

[primordialerebus]

You might want to post a pic for us newbies, cuz the only reason I know who that is is cuz I've already been stabbed so uh.

Really though. Hope a healer like, gets to y'all soon. If there's anyway I can help please hmu!

[ She's pretty sure she's the furthest thing from helpful to them right now but... you know. Just in case. ]

voice;

[sassery]

[This is a new voice for him, but he's thankful all the same. And relax, Dante will be fine. Doesn't hurt to take down his ego when he can.]

How close, exactly? We're close to the neutral border right now, thinking of heading to Forsvar. We can change course if that's too rough.

[nuncommon]

Goodness, no!

[ Goodness. ]

It won't take me long at all if you'd prefer to meet in Forsvar. I believe it's no trouble, especially since you're accompanying someone with such a problematic injury.

voice;

[sassery]

Good to know. [Oh, he recognizes that voice, he really didn't want to make her worry. Oops.] We're headed in that direction, I know there's a few other healers interested. Might wanna work with them, since my healing is absolute shit right now and so is Dante's.

voice;

[bearcat]

[ DEAL WITH IT, DEVIL BOY. ]

Yeah, I'll get in touch with them, [ and she doesn't say it just to placate nero, korra knows things are easier with a team effort. ] just tell me where I should meet you two so I can get everyone organized.

[sassery]

[The feed Hakuno gets back from Nero is... he looks a lot worse. Blood on both hands (and his right arm is actually human, of all things, no robotic arm from before), blood very clearly all on his shirt and a gash on his chest that is far too close to his heart to be a missed wound. He's bruised and battered around his neck, and overall he looks exhausted.

Still doesn't stop him from giving a weak smile quickly before assessing her questions.]

I don't know how well the runes will work on him when he's like this- it's... they're for monsters, and I wouldn't exactly call him that. And he's still himself, even though he's this thing right now.

[He's seen it for himself, seen the struggle Nelo had when he saw the book he gave to Nero, saw the tears form in his father's eyes while he was under this curse, recognized his son.

But at her suggestion, he shakes his head, mouth firm.]

Look, I appreciate it, but I can't let you do that. I don't want anyone else getting hurt while he tries to kill us both. He'd immediately beeline for you once he was out of it, even if we tried to keep his attention.

[A pause, almost as if he's debating on what to say next.]

Besides, it's a family thing, you know?

[sassery]

fuck hes already stabbed you??????
what the fuck
are you okay??????

[sealeted]

I don't think whether or not other people get hurt is something you can decide, at this point. I'm used to putting myself on the line for risky gambles, and my luck with those has been pretty good, historically. Under different circumstances I'd try and see if I could get Gilgamesh's help, but, well... When he and I fight together, it's not usually to disable. We... tried that at the feast. Didn't work out too well.

[The death hadn't been their direct fault, more some strange suicide, but... still. She's hesitant to go all-out against somebody else's family member.

She pauses too, at that thought.]

I... can't say I do know. Sorry. But, the offer's open if you end up needing it while you, uh... heal and nap and bathe, at the very least.

[You're a mess, boy.]

[sassery]

Just be careful, all right? No point in you traveling if you get hurt along the way.

[And for the first time since he's broadcasted, he eases a little in his tone, worry still evident.]

We'll be careful to not make it worse. He's better than when I found him, but definitely not that great.

[primordialerebus]

Dw dw. Better me than a native or something. I should be fine.

[ Leave the healers to people who need them immediately. ]

[nuncommon]

Don't worry about me, I'll be cautious. [ And she says it gently, realizing that he's probably under a lot of stress right now. ]

You just focus on getting the both of you safely there. I promise, I'll be waiting.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Oh yeah, that's perfect. I could even just meet you at the mirror near there, the Gods Wood one. [Figuring they're getting to it the same way she is, isn't that easiest?]

voice; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

I'm a healer too if you need any additional help. [she is aware other people have already offered and while there is a lot going on between this and the monsters, she can figures it couldn't hurt to offer her help as well]

[sassery]

We'll see if we can make it that far- may end up out in the front of the city. [A pause, and you can hear him exhale as he sounds like he's lifting something.]

I'll give a heads up if we stop sooner. What should I look for?

[sassery]

...Okay. [He's stressed out, he's uptight, he's not really sure what else to do except take Dante along and make sure they both get healed. Being out here with them both injured is a very bad idea.]

We'll be there as soon as we can make it.

[A little while later, they'll arrive. Hi, Mercedes? Did you want to find two injured and dumb men trudging along into the main part of Forsvar? Because that's what's happening right now. Help blease and thank.]

voice;

[sassery]

[WHY THIS WHY HIM.]

Hell if I know any specific place, I've mostly stayed in Kyst and Basir. Most I can say is by the front of the town- you'll probably see us coming.

[Considering they're injured and look like hell? Yeah, they'll stick out easy enough.]

[nuncommon]

[ Honestly, yes? She did??

She's never seen Nero before, only heard Dante speak of his nephew, and the sight of them gives her pause when she looks between the pair of them and realizes just how alike they look.

Not something to point out now, however, and she's instantly hurrying their way anyway, her ponytail swaying slightly as she comes to a halt and reaches out to help steady one of them? Both of them? Whatever helps. ]

I'm glad you made it safely. Let's get the both of you inside.

voice;

[sassery]

Think we're set for now- but we may need you later. You think you might be able to help then?

[Look, he knows they're gonna fight Vergil again. They'll need help healing after that, because Nelo Angelo won't go easy on them when he wants them both dead.]

[romancekiller]

[she is glad to hear that they are all set for now but hearing she doesn't hesitate in agreeing to help later if it's needed] Later? Yeah, of course— just let me know when you'll need me and I can meet up with you.

fighting nero while his compass is on

[redload]

Great one, kid. Now you got everyone and their mother involved.

[Not A Fan]

[redload]

Hey, Mercie.

[despite the circumstances, dante keeps on the humoristic facade, even if no humor touches the smug look on his face. any other day he would say he doesn't need her help and that he can handle himself, but man... taking a sword to the chest and feeling like dying for the whole course of a night is the worst yet. that kind of thing just doesn't happen to dante, you know?]

[and so he allows for her hands to steady him, even if after a moment he tries to push her away and walk the rest of the way himself.]

Sorry about Nero. He gets easily excited over the smallest of things.

[says he, sporting a shirt with a huge cut, blood obviously caked through and dried up, looking worse for wear and paler than prior times. he's obviously putting up a front.]

[redload]

[dante interjects rather quickly.]

It's family business. [like nero said.] Don't get involved.

[redload]

[sounding fainter than nero—]

Oh, hey! It's the Avatar.

[he remembered—and recognizes her voice, woah.]

[sealeted]

Unless your family can get its second wind before other people stumble onto his path, it won't be. Or, it won't just be.

[He's got that look about him, so—]

I imagine people already out hunting along the borders don't have the luxury of time to check out this warning. Like I said, the offer is open if you do end up needing it.

[redload]

[stumbling into it isn't the same as actively looking for it, but dante's not here to argue nothing. she has a point, he will concede, but nelo angelo will go on a rampage regardless and only engage if attacked or if those of the blood of sparda are nearby.]

[in any case,] We won't need it.

[sealeted]

Okay. Let me know if you guys need any extra healing, after everything's sorted out.

[He'd know best, she supposes.]

I finally have the ingredients for a decent healing potion again, thankfully.

deal with it old man

[sassery]

[That gets a look as Nero crosses his arms, still pissed.]

What, you'd rather risk possibly dying instead? Or maybe letting Vergil come after us again, since you've pointed that out already? News flash, I'm not gonna let that happen to you, and we're sitting ducks unless we get healed.

[A beat, and he exhales.] And I'm not gonna lose him again.

Once we're done with that, we can find out about that spirit you were talking about earlier.

[sassery]

Will do, thanks, Hakuno.

[It may seem small, but she can see him sigh at Dante's antics, frustrated. So yeah, he really is thankful for her offer.]

Seriously? You know how to make that stuff?

[sealeted]

Yeah, I've been studying Alchemy since I got here. It was something I never got to try before, given the type of magic we still had available back where I'm from.

[Also, Codecasts tire her out and she's hopeful she might be able to produce her own supply of Ether to make up the difference, rather than rely on Blessings.]

[redload]

[ignores everything because this is dante, but focuses on what he's more familiar with: the enemy.]

You should have asked about that first.

[bet vergil would already have found out what the hell an arae is - and knowing that much annoys the hell out of dante. damn.]

Whatever. [a huff, as he lies back down on the snow, a hand reaching up to wave about like it's no big deal. definitely hiding his frustration.] Let's make this quick.