A/N: Thank you reviewers and people who added the story. So finally an update… this took me a lot longer than I expect. So since I'm nice, Two chapters for the price of one! Some warnings:
If you drink non-alcoholic beer, I am not making fun of you.
In my imagination, a singing Dante is a SEXY Dante. The song Enigma is by Trapt and it's on their self-titled album. It is a cool, albeit sad song… you should listen to it… for some reason it resonated in my head while I was writing… so here's your chapter.
Hurwitz IS the real-life owner of 9:30 Club in DC and that's a cool place to be.
I don't own DMC or their characters… so enjoy and review!
Chapter 7: Enigma
The sun hung low in the sky, projecting hues of cherry and mauve across the clouds.
Vergil felt every curve of the letters. Fingers gingerly tracing her name, Lady Redgrave, tracing dates she lived and the small epitaph, loving wife, best friend and savior.
Vergil or rather, Dante stood and wiped away an errant tear. "You know how to make a devil cry, don't ya babe."
He could see, think, feel and hear, but the words and actions were all Dante's.
He touched the top of headstone and laid some red roses there. He went to another grave about four or five feet away. He laid white roses on top and said, "I haven't forgotten about you, Mom. I miss you too."
He kissed the headstone and walked back to his Candy Apple red, vintage Mustang.
He first took his suit jacket off and tossed it to the back, then rolled up his shirt sleeves and loosened his tie. The vintage muscle car purred to life and Dante drove off with the top down; the breeze gently playing at his platinum locks.
Within thirty minutes, he was outside the suburban hills that housed that cemetery and back into the city. He pulled in front of Devil May Cry and stepped out the car.
Trish had been watching him from the shop window. Dante exited the car without his usual pep. He wasn't quite dragging himself either; he just climbed out like a regular person.
Dante picked up his jacket and made his way into his shop. He met Trish at the door. He briefly hugged her and said, "Hey, babe."
Dante walked over to his desk and flipped through some mail. All the while Trish wondered whether or not it was okay to engage him in conversation. He wasn't his old, cheerful self, but he didn't seem angry either.
His mood was rather light considering what day it was.
Three years ago today, his wife, Lady died after a long battle with cancer. Dante was helpless. There was no way to save her.
It started with a miscarriage. He and she didn't talk about and Trish was the only other person that knew. It was a horrible situation that guaranteed that if made well again, Lady would be left barren. A tragic secret kept between the three.
She would not allow Dante to perform any of the "wellness" spells that Aurora taught him nor use any demonic orbs. When he asked why, she only said, "Because it's my time to go."
"Trish... Trish," Dante's voice brought her from her reverie.
"Yes."
"Where's Lucia and Vergil?" Dante rarely ever used Vergil's full name, he normally settled on pet names like "V" or "Verg." This worried Trish.
"They went to clear out a nest of Blades. They should be back soon."
"Hmm," he said shuffling through the mail once again, "Enzo's back in town... I'm gonna drop in on him a little later. You wanna come?" He tossed a letter to Trish. It landed perfectly at its destination, Trish's hands, like a playing card flicked from Gambit's fingers.
"No thanks. Lucia and I are going shopping later. Maybe Vergil –"
"Nah... He hates bars and he doesn't like crowds."
It was true, Vergil disliked bars. They had that sickening mixed smell of vomit and urine and an odd feeling of infestation. If needed, he'd rather do his drinking at a quiet five-star restaurant or at home. Sure bars offered camaraderie, but they were much too loud for his tastes.
The last time he went to a bar, Dante made sure to get him drunk and Vergil made a complete fool of himself. Vergil didn't remember much the day after. He woke up with many names and phone numbers scrawled on his arms.
To Dante, getting Vergil back was the greatest thing since the day he married Lady.
Four years ago Dante found Vergil meandering around the city in a catatonic state much like person caught in the middle of a war zone. Vergil didn't remember who he was nor did he remember Dante. He also looked as if he hadn't eaten or slept in weeks. It took months of patience, on everyone's parts, but Vergil was restored to his former glory, minus the evil bloodlust.
Dante shook himself from his thoughts and trekked up the stairs into his room. He walked over his dresser and picked up a photo that was neatly tucked in the mirror centered just above it.
He took his time looking at it, memorizing every feature. One hand unconsciously slid across the dresser onto a sheathed hunting knife.
Dante was so engrossed by the old photo of Lady that he hardly noticed that he was holding the knife until the blade reached inside his forearm.
Once he realized what he was doing, yanked the knife out and slammed it on to the dresser.
Dante watched as his skin knit together with minimal blood loss. He let out a small sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb.
Dante slid the knife back into its sheath and let out a wry chuckle. "And I promised her I'd never do that again."
He sat on the edge of his bed as Lady's voice teased his ears.
"What's the point, Dante? Really? I mean... you're practically invincible... so why cut yourself?" Lady bent down removed the knife from Dante's grasp. He didn't know what to protest first; the fact that Lady was in his business or that she invaded the privacy of his own room to find him in the midst of his own depression.
Lady laughed a little. His anger or more really his angst, melted away. Funny, how her laugh could put him at ease. She ruffled his hair and said in a light hearted tone, "Com'on Dante. Emo is not a good look for you. Promise me you won't try to hurt yourself again."
"Thanks for saving me from myself," Dante said aloud as Lady's voice faded away.
Vergil had no idea that Dante had ever gotten so depressed to that point... He always seemed so happy, no matter what.
Dante sighed again and drew himself up. He grabbed his suit jacket and head out of the door and into his car. He glanced at his watch and realized that it was rather late in the evening.
Well, it wasn't really late by his standards, but he wanted to meet Enzo before the first act went onstage at the 9:30 Club. The doors opened at around seven-thirty and the first act began about an hour later.
It was a little before eight, so he had time. Once again he was off.
Dante, in his shiny red car, traversed the city streets at unheard of speeds, always careful to keep an eye out for the cops and speed traps.
Within short moments, he rounded he corner of 9th Street and onto V Street. He found a parking space across the street from the front door. He pulled in and turned it off. He stepped out and made his way to the club.
Dante met no opposition from the bouncer at the door, who instead asked for an autograph. The bulky young man produced a piece of paper, which Dante obliged the man by signing.
He entered the club and was met by more fans. He indulged them by signing more autographs and posing for photographs. Satisfied with meeting a rather personable, semi-famous rock star, they went back to their previous activities and he sauntered to the bar.
Dante pulled up a stool next to man huddled over a bottle of beer.
"What can I get for you," asked the bartender.
"Yeah… uh, Three Wise Men and… a strawberry sundae," Dante answered.
"Dante," the man lifted his head and turned toward the voice that asked for ice cream. There was only man that he knew of that had the audacity to do that in a bar.
"Dante… it's really you," he repeated in happiness. "How did you –?"
"You really thought that you could slide into town and I wouldn't notice, Enzo," Dante said regarding the stocky Italian.
The bartender sat the drink and sundae in front of Dante. "Thanks," he said before turning back to Enzo, "Long time, no see. Where have you been hiding yourself?"
Dante took in a spoon full of his dessert. "Nowhere in particular. God… You haven't aged a day." Enzo was almost mesmerized.
"I got married five years ago," Enzo said fishing a picture from his wallet and passing it to Dante, "Her name's Natasha." Dante looked at angelic brunette the photo. 'Mail order bride' readily came to mind, but at least Enzo was happy.
"Let me guess… she's Russian," Dante said as he polished off the ice cream.
"No, but close… She is from Belarus."
"She's pretty," Dante said, sipping his drink. Dante was never a man of few words and he wasn't exactly a chatty Cathy either, but there was something about this conversation that made Enzo uncomfortable. There was none of the cocky undertones or the endearing sarcasms that Dante normally spoke with and he wasn't wearing his normal flamboyant red leather. Perhaps, he had actually grown up over the years or maybe there was something else bothering him. Enzo couldn't decide what it was.
"So, what have you been doing all these years," Enzo asked.
"Took on some extra partners," Dante said with a shrug and a sip.
"I heard you got married too… What was her name? Um… Lady is it? How is she?"
"She passed away… Three years ago today," he answered while gazing into his drink. The ice clank against the glass and the russet liquid swirled, catching the light and Dante's reflection.
"Oh God… Dante, man, I'm so sorry."
"Its okay. I miss her, but I made my peace with it along time ago."
"So what's in a Three Wise Men," Enzo quickly changed the subject.
"The three wisest men I know. There's José Cuervo, Jack Daniels, and Johnny Walker red. What do you have over there," Dante smiled while inspecting the green glass bottle before Enzo. He turned the label out towards Dante.
"O'Doul's? What the hell?! What happened to you, Enzo? I don't even know you anymore." He said the latter jokingly in a low voice while narrowing his glacial eyes at the man.
"Well," the Italian began rather nervously, "Natasha wants a baby, so that means no alcohol for a while. This was the closest I could get." Enzo held the bottle up rather pitifully.
"Pfft. Non-alcoholic beer, what's the point," Dante scoffed, sipping at the remnants of his drink.
Dante turned and looked at the stage. The crowds had grown and there was no sign of the first act. They were angrily shouting for entertainment. He glanced at his watch. It was nine o'clock.
There stage hands and managers with headsets and clipboards frantically running between the front of the house and backstage.
"Good evening, Mr. Redgrave," Dante heard a voice behind him say.
Dante tilted his head back to catch an upside down view of a well-dressed man. "Hello, Mr. Hurwitz. What's going on? You only call me that if you really need something."
"Well, Dante, its not looking so great. The lead singer from our first act has food poisoning and the replacements got into an argument and they apparently broke up."
"Looks like you guys are shit out of luck."
"Com'on, Dante… Think of it as a treat for the fans. It's just a warm-up. It will only be until the second act arrives which will be about ten minutes. Besides I got a few guys to back you up and they're really good."
Dante stared at the man with a straight face. "PLEASE," he begged. A smile crept across Dante face. He let out a boisterous laugh that startled Enzo.
"I didn't how long I could last," Dante said with some of his old personality peeking through, "Okay, I'll do it. Just hand me a guitar and I'm yours."
He turned to the bartender and handed him a fifty and said "Keep the change." He managed to stammer out a, "T-t-thanks."
Dante turned to Enzo and said, "Stick around; I have to talk to you later."
Enzo was very intrigued and his eyes followed Dante as he was escorted to the stage. He watched Dante step onstage and speak briefly to the makeshift band as he strapped on a guitar. Within seconds, the strings were tightened and loosened to his own specifications and he was ready to rock.
Despite the suit, Dante looked very rock star-ish.
Enzo sat back, sipped on his near-beer and watched the show.
A disembodied voice boomed through the speakers, "Please give a warm welcome to En Fuego's AND 9:30's very own, Dante!"
Dante stepped up to the microphone and was greeted by wild cheers. He said, "This one goes out to my baby and it's called Enigma."
The house light dimmed as he and the band began. The drummer began the song as Dante and the bassist joined in. The song started with a low, mellow beat.
Dante strummed his guitar and sang the opening lines matching the beat and tempo.
'Do we know how to get the message across
We turn the lights off to find a way out
No time to get through to grasp what was lost
Don't turn the light off and leave me in the dark'
The guitar switched into a more driving rhythm by the beginning of the chorus. Again Dante's vocals harmonized.
'Hey, I'm pleading, my soul is bleeding
I don't want to be left alone, not when I'm right next to you
What are you thinking, it's so misleading
Is it not for me to know, I think it's just hard for you to show'
Every thing toned down again.
'We never spoke in the words that we want
We turn the lights off to find a way out
We've never chosen to keep what we've got
Don't turn the light off and leave me in the dark'
Hard guitar sounds joined in again and it seemed that Dante was dance around the stage and engaged the audience.
'Hey, I'm pleading, my soul is bleeding
I don't want to be left alone, not when I'm right next to you
What are you thinking, it's so misleading
Is it not for me to know, I think it's just hard for you to SHOW
Hard for you to show
It's so hard for you to show
Why is it hard for you to SHOW
Hard for you to show'
Dante held nearly every other note for "show" almost like a melodic howl. The instruments toned again for the short part of the bridge. Again, he howled out, this time for "asleep."
'I thought it would be nice to lie down and close my eyes
It never occurred to me that I am already ASLEEP'
The music built and leveled out as Dante again held "asleep." The rest of the band added backup vocals as Dante held certain notes.
'Don't be the one to
Don't be the one to ASLEEP let go
Don't be the one to
Don't be the one to ASLEEP be alone
Don't be the one to
Don't be the one to let go
All ALONE tonight'
After small instrumental, the vocals came in for the final lines of the song. As the music reverberated through the venue, Vergil and Enzo could see, despite his calm, happy-go-lucky façade, Dante's soul was actually… crying.
'Hey, I'm pleading, my soul is bleeding
I don't want to be left alone, not when I'm right next to you
What are you thinking, it's so misleading
I don't want to be left alone
I don't want to be left ALONE
I don't want to be left ALONE
I don't want to be left alone
I don't want to be left alone
No one wants to be left alone'
With that Dante broke off eye contact with audience and hung his head, allowing his hair to drift into his face. The last guitar note was sustained as the drummer played his last few beats before ending the song.
The crowd cheered, roared, and chanted, "Dante! Dante! Dante!" It was as if they forgot there were other artists to follow. "Thank-you," Dante said into the microphone, "Please welcome Relic to the stage."
Dante and his on-the-spot band were replaced by the newcomers. Dante snaked his way back to Enzo at the bar. "Wow! I had no idea that you sang, Dante."
Dante brushed a hand through his platinum hair, "Yeah… well, Lady got me into it a long time ago." He glanced at his watch. "I gotta get going. Come by Devil May Cry later on tonight. You remember how to get there, right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. See ya later, Enzo," Dante flashed a smile and headed for the door, leaving Enzo with the last bits of his small beer.
Dante once again hopped into his vintage Mustang and drove back to his home-office. It was a short trip and he was back in his room in no time.
He plopped down onto his unmade bed and closed his eyes.
A strange aura billowed into the room, causing Dante's hazel-blues to shoot open with a start. "Malina." He said her name aloud, as he stood from his bed.
"That's right demon, it's me."
Stick around… here's Chapter 8.
REVIEW! please...