INT. CLAIRE HOME – STUDY/LOUNGE – FRIDAY MORNING

Setting

The curtains are drawn shut, fireplace going once again. Raining again, too.

CLAIRE is slouched on a couch, which she decided to use as a substitute for her computer chair. Still in her PJs (if sweatpants and sweater can pass for it), and looking very exhausted (rough night).
MIKAEL is fast asleep right behind her on said couch, thankfully now wearing a pair of white Levi's over his boxers for the sake of decency.
DANTE is sitting cross legged on the desk beside her (it's a corner desk, btw), contently munching down a super-duper-sundae with extra strawberries.

CLAIRE: (checks her email, browses forums, and finally reverts her attention to her beta-reading duty) We got the green light for go, by the way (she glances at Dante with puffy eyes)

DANTE: (stops his spoon mid-air and mumbles with a mouthful) Mmm-mmm?

CLAIRE: To start posting up this bit of random madness.

DANTE: (releases a long-suffering sigh)

CLAIRE: I have to revise another chapter for Z first, though. And then I need to get cracking on Kathy's fic, she probably thinks I've forgotten all about her, but I haven't you know. Her stuff has been nagging at the back of my head all week.

DANTE: (responds with a sceptical look and shoves another spoonful of ice cream in his mouth)

Ten minutes later, Claire has finished one beta-reader task, and is staring at her remaining list of chapters yet to be revised and tweaked.

CLAIRE: You know, I always think I'll wait until after watching Supernatural on Friday nights before I get cracking on these, to get me into that mindset. But I'm always so buggered. (turns blurry dark eyes on Dante) You know, I LOVE this show, but I missed last week's episode because I couldn't keep awake. I recorded it, but still haven't watched it.

DANTE: hmm (ogling a sketch book next to him)

CLAIRE: (opens international radio station. Blinks, stares. Exchanges 'wtf' looks with Dante)

DANTE: What are you listening to now?

CLAIRE: I'm trying to listen to my local radio station back home.

DANTE: It sounds like blah blah blah gobble gobble gggggkkkksss gobble blah

CLAIRE: They sound like they have an English accent. I recognize some of the words, but it sounds like they're throwing Hindi in there, too.

DANTE: You speak Hindi?

CLAIRE: No, you idiot. I'm just guessing. I think they're situated in the Cape region somewhere. I'll switch to 5 FM. (opens up window and selects desired station. Funky drum beat and tune fills the room)

DANTE: Better.

CLAIRE: The singer sounds British.

DANTE: And? You're half British, aren't you?

CLAIRE: My ancestors are. I'm a boertjie.

DANTE: Whatever the fuck that is.

CLAIRE: I got work to do. Eat your sundae before it melts.

An hour later…

CLAIRE: Hell yeah! Three chapters left, and I'm not touching those until I get a response. WHOOT! (spins excitedly to face Dante, and accidentally headbutts Mikael hovering over her shoulder) OW!

DANTE: (chuckles) Human stupidity never ceases to amaze me.

CLAIRE: Says the guy who acts like a brainless and heartless asshole.

DANTE: (points spoon at her warningly) I'm smarter than you. My plans always work out.

CLAIRE: You mean like thrashing a bunch of innocent guys just to get arrested by the police to get into that Devil Prison place?

DANTE: Exactly.

CLAIRE: And then harping on that lardy dude who likes to fondle his prisoners, just so you can get thrown into the special cell? (gets distant look on her face) I DID like the full body view they gave of you, though. I never thought you were that lean…mmmm… (eyes Dante hungrily)

DANTE: (meets her gaze with a seductive grin) It worked in my favour – it got me where I needed to go (arches his eyebrows suggestively)

CLAIRE: (mimes his expression mockingly) Real smooth, Dante. You couldn't just sneak in? Take out the guards and get the dude out of there? You know, function the way normal people do?

DANTE: Where's the fun in that?

CLAIRE: (shrugs) You've got a twisted mind.

DANTE: Well, if I didn't go that route, you wouldn't have gotten some eye candy, would you?

CLAIRE: True.

DANTE: (deviously) Want some more?

CLAIRE: Eh…(glances at readers)uh….(glances at Dante uneasily, then leaps off the couch) I gotta go take a shower. (skips from the room)

(END OF SCENE)

INT. CLAIRE HOME – STUDY/LOUNGE – LATE NOON


CLAIRE sneaks toward the computer, exchanges the couch for the chair, and settles down with a bowl of leftover pasta and a tall Coke glass filled to the brim with said fizzy drink.
Claire munches down a few bites. Rolls shoulders. Faces computer. Headphones on. Volume – full blast to drown out Postman Pat and his stupid black and white cat (Claire does not like cats). Nickelback – Burn it to the ground, DMC amv. Fingers tap-dance across the keyboard.

ENTER: VERGIL, as alluring and sinister in his long blue coat as always, albeit a younger version of the one fans have made acquaintance with in DMC 3. He stands behind Claire, expression indifferent, demeanour taut. He assesses the room briefly, and the tension in his shoulders slowly dissipate. He leans closer to Claire, eyes fixated on the screen.

CLAIRE: (swallows hard)Is that okay?

VERGIL: (pauses thoughtfully) Yes.

Claire happily types away.

VERGIL: (clears his throat) I find that to be quite insulting.

CLAIRE: What? Ali did warn you.

VERGIL: She's only human.

CLAIRE: So? Haven't you learned your lesson? (looks up at Vergil with a scowl)

VERGIL: And that would be?

CLAIRE: Never underestimate a human. Remember Arkham?

VERGIL: Arkham was driven by greed. What drives Ali? Insanity?

CLAIRE: Power. (arches eyebrows) Knowledge. The same that drove you. She knows what you had to go through. So she knows what's at stake, and she knows you would WANT her to stop you.

VERGIL: Clearly I did NOT.

CLAIRE: Sparda would have wanted you to stop. Dante would, too. If he had any clue what was going on right then and there.

VERGIL: Where is the poor idiot?

CLAIRE: Don't know. I want to concentrate on getting you right here. Dante serves only as distraction.

VERGIL: (rubbing his forehead) You're quite stubborn, aren't you?

CLAIRE: Just determined. It's officially weekend when JB gets home. Then I can't touch any of my work.

VERGIL: JB?

CLAIRE: My partner in crime. (smiles) Now shush up so I can get this scene done.

Claire types away.

Finally sits back with a satisfied sigh.

VERGIL: (in a wry voice) I don't find it plausible that a mere human child would be able to lecture me, nor that she would be able to disarm me.

CLAIRE: (huffing) Ali!

VERGIL: (dismayed) Don't call her in.(puts hand on Yamato's hilt warningly)

CLAIRE: (gulp) Okay.

MIKAEL: Done for the day?

Claire and Vergil turn to see MIKAEL stretched out on the couch, lying on his stomach, watching them with piercing blue eyes.

VERGIL: Where did he come from?

CLAIRE: Fuck knows.

MIKAEL: How was the visit last night?

CLAIRE: With the pastor? It was nice, actually. We ended up getting pizza, but he had supper before he came over so we've got leftover pizza tonight.

MIKAEL: (flashing a confident, sexy grin) Pizza. Now we're talking.

VERGIL: What sort of pizza?

CLAIRE: Hawaiian and Super supreme. Jumbo size (winks at Mikael)

VERGIL: What happened to your diet?

CLAIRE: (narrows her gaze) What happened to Yamato?

VERGIL: (head snaps down and grabs an empty sheath) Oh, don't you start with me now...

CLAIRE: You brought up the D-word. Serves you right.

VERGIL: Where is it?

CLAIRE: Nero's got it.

VERGIL leaves the room, pissed off.

CLAIRE: Mix, don't harass me, please. I need to catch up with Julian and get those chapters done before you and I can work together again.

MIKAEL: Gimme a slice of pizza and I'll let it compensate for your negligence. For today.

CLAIRE and MIKAEL leave the room to devour some extra cheesy, piping hot pizza...mmmm-mmm.

(END OF SCENE 3)