A/N: Short ficlet based on the word prompt 'circle' for my 100 fic challenge on LJ. This is placed when Trish was Mundus' captive just before Dante shows. Just in response to one of my reviewers and to clarify things for anyone who doesn't get it: Trish is currently attached to a wall as Mundus' captive, I think at this point she would go against Mundus, because I think she realised who's side she was on at the time when Dante had saved her, judging by the look on her face and the way the conversation went. This, as anyone who's played the game would realise, is set after that in the series of events. Hope this clears things up :)
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That was the problem with circles of trust. Someone had to trust you back. Your trust went to them and their trust came back to you. Without it, it was half-formed, Incomplete.
Trish found she didn't want to be incomplete any more. She'd played the puppet for Mundus and now here she was, a captive for him.
But at the moment, her trust in her master had gone and her trust in Dante was a one way street. The look of hurt that had etched his features when Trish's betrayal became apparent was more than she really wanted to remember.
In front of her, she could see the whole chamber apart from the door below her, though for her this meant she had the added disadvantage of Mundus sitting directly before her.
"Your existence will be short, defective one."
Trish turned her head to one side, trying to ignore the dscomfort of being pinned to the wall. "Maybe. But your continued existence isn't exactly assured either."
"You think that boy will survive facing me? Your delusions add to your weakness."
"It is not weak to believe."
"But it is if what you believe in is false hopes and an impossible outcome. Think carefully, Trish. Your weakness caused you to be where you are now."
Trish answered defiantly. "Dante will defeat you! I believe in him."
"You believe in him? What a human concept." Mundus laughed. "I look forward to ending your existence, Trish. For your failure and your continued defiance."
Trish ignored the statement. Mundus had been threatening her for hours. She was aware of her master's anger at his servants' repeated failures to kill Dante. She was the nearest target for his anger, and the only surviving one.
The hurt in Dante's eyes pained her again. She needed to change this. Regain Dante's trust, have Dante repeat the history his father had made before him and stop Mundus. Trish resolved that she would do anything she could to help Dante. She needed her circles. Once they where unbroken and complete, then she would be too.
