Soliloquy

Chapter Three: Arcana

Chapter Three: Arcana

Note: I'd just like to take a moment to thank everyone for the massive outpour of support I've received for the story so far. From reblogs on Tumblr, to comments, to the number of returning readers, I couldn't ask for more. Thank you all! I'd love to hear from even more of you in the future. Your kind comments always brighten my day!

Chapter Three: Arcana

There was a certain supernatural aura that seemed to linger like a heavy fog on this seemingly peaceful street.

The crisp white light from the vintage street lights seemed to cascade off of the damp cobblestone road in rows, rippling gently in the reflection of every body of water it crossed. Nearly every window held a shadow, the vibrant light of the moon reflecting off of them like mirrors every time the celestial body dared show itself from behind the veil of passing storm clouds. Every car that hugged the curbside seemed to have been there for only a short while, nothing lingering in this place for very long. Young birch trees cradled within urban tree guards obscured rows of attached row houses, shops, pubs on either side of the road, some of the small businesses seemingly containing residences within or above them. A few were guarded by pull-down security gates in an effort to keep their contents secure overnight. The only significant source of sound came from a small bar and grill towards the far end of the block, though that was not where the duo was headed. At least not at the moment.

As they passed by, Nero could faintly make out letters on the signs of several buildings. A florist shop. Another small grocery store. A bakery. Nothing especially innocuous. He scanned the lonely street, actively searching for the location that had brought them here in the first place. Considering the extenuating circumstances that had brought them here, Nero was almost desperate to hope for a positive outcome. But, taking into account the fact that the last time this place had been confirmed to be inhabited by the person they were looking for had been around the time he had been born, he was forced to be realistic. Then again, Dante hadn't moved in that amount of time, so perhaps they had reason to suspect the same in this case.

Seemingly from nowhere, a cold breeze blew from some unseen place, causing Nero to shiver. It was uncharacteristically cold for the beginning of August, almost supernaturally so. Just as the youth was going to say something about it, Vergil came to a sudden stop in front of him. Nero joined him, the fingers of his right hand ghosting Blue Rose's grip. He was more than ready for another fight. Vergil held up his hand, gesturing for him to stop. He tilted his head nonchalantly, gesturing in the direction of one of the nearby buildings. From what Nero could make out, they were standing in front of a shop with a multi-story townhouse nestled snugly above it. The narrow Edwardian building seemed to be historic, faint grey bricks edged with white pillars covering the facade. The upper floors seemed to be a sort of pale yellow plaster, but the windows, which there were several varieties of, seemed to share the same white detailing. All in all, it was a seemingly well kept but worn old rowhouse, not unlike the rest of the street. But Nero would be lying if he didn't admit that something was just very... off about the place.

"So is this the place we're looking for?" Nero inquired, his eyes never leaving the building.

Vergil nodded quietly, seemingly lost in thought. This was one place he didn't think he'd ever find himself standing outside of again. "Yes. It seems that she is still here."

-~-

(About an hour earlier...)

"Ok, so let me get this straight," Dante shook his head as he reclined in his desk chair, unable to do anything but laugh to himself. This entire situation was unbelievable. "The only person you think can help you out with this idea you won't tell us about lives on the other side of town and you haven't seen her in, what, two decades at least? And even if you do find her, you're not sure how she's going to react to seeing you after all this time?"