Needless to say, a date wasn't what Cecelia expected.

The two finally left the sight of Néma and its woods. Immediately the two noticed the lack of tension around. Cecelia was paranoid for another attack, as she was very much used to one right after another, but surprisingly they were left alone. No sudden demon attacks. No ambushes. Not even a single sight of The Charmer Sanction's witches or warlocks.

Nothing.

It was hard for Cecelia to actually wrap her head around the fact that they stopped. After five years of constant running and fighting, wandering aimlessly and searching for answers, it all stops from a few simple fights. They weren't easy, that was for sure. But suddenly it all stops from a few cocky remarks from a Demon Hunter and two pleading underlings of the Charmer Sanction. It was just so baffling to her.

Unable to fully wrap her head around the extent of what it all meant, the woman found herself following Dante back to Red Grave City. It felt strangely fast to her, traveling all the way back to the city. They got lucky in hitching a cab when they got to the main road a mile or two away from the woods and thickets. Within just a day they finally made it back to the city.

It was some time deep in the night. Cecelia wasn't too sure, but she took a wild guess of some time around ten or eleven. Either way, she was beginning to feel the exhaustion hit her. She was sore from the fighting, and she was very much drained after walking for so long. She could even see Dante seeming tired and hot from it all.

Either way, Dante led the charge back into Red Grave City. Although Cecelia had been around before, she didn't know the place like he did. Plus, she figured he'd find a place to be given his "payment." If there was one thing she was paranoid about, it was that. There had to be more to this payment. A simple "drink" can't be enough to even dent the sort of trouble she brought him in. Honestly she was just waiting for the "but" in the payment. She had a suspicion after a while that perhaps he'd make her pay for everything. That seemed fair to her. But really she just couldn't tell what exactly the Demon Hunter's intentions were.

It had been a bit of a drive, but eventually the cab dropped them off. As Cecelia was about to reach a hand for her money, Dante suddenly paid the whole sum and jumped right out of the car. A little surprised and rather speechless, Cecelia followed after him. She kept a pace behind him, trying to figure out just what his motives were. But she couldn't tell just yet. As she kept behind him they turned a corner and walked towards a stone building.

As soon as Cecelia noticed the flashing neon lights she recognized the place. It was Dante's shop. The stonework of the building and the bright red neon sign of "Devil May Cry" was rather unforgettable. She couldn't help but notice the new glass and wooden doors. She honestly forgot that Dante's shop had been attacked because of her, only remembering from the smallest marks left behind from the demons. Just as Dante got to the door he spoke up to her as if he could sense her thoughts and confusion.

"I figured we can have some drinks here," he said as he began searching his pockets for the keys. "I know the bars are still open, but I figured it was easier to be around not as many people. That and it's certainly a lot cheaper."

Cecelia raised a brow at him, not like he could see, just as he pulled out his keys. "I have money, you know."

"Yeah? And is that any respectable way for a man to let the lady pay for their first date?" Dante quipped right back to her with a flash of his grin.

Cecelia couldn't help but stare at him in bewilderment. Was he actually serious? It just made her feel all the more suspicious and paranoid. She definitely respects the man's fighting skills without a doubt. She experienced it first hand and knew he was somebody to rely on in a fight. But taking the woman back to his place for some "drinks" just seemed way too suspicious for her taste. It was just so odd.

Unable to think of something to say back, Dante opened the door quickly and stepped right on inside, leaving the door wide open to Cecelia. The woman slowly walked up the steps and entered the building. She couldn't help but gaze around once more.

There was a staircase leading up, showing that there was a second story with a small balcony that one can view the lower floor on. There was also an old jukebox, seeming to be in rather well condition. Cecelia even spotted a pool table and a couple of stray chairs here and there. But the walls were the most curious thing to her. There seemed to be slight color variations, showing places of things that had once been hung on the walls for a while. She doubted they were spots for paintings. There were too many of them, and they were much too close together. The shape was all wrong, too. She could only guess that maybe it was once a place for mounts of some kind. Mounts of what, however, she could not say. Besides the marks there were plenty of weapons mounted on the wall behind the desk, but Cecelia wondered if Dante actually used them.

But now that she was actually taking in the place, she spotted peculiar things. Like the covered up wall mirror in the back of the room behind Dante's desk, the glimpses of women's magazines, and for the briefest moment she thought she smelled perfume. Unless Dante had some sort of secret side to him, she'd have to guess that a woman came by frequently here. It made her a little more curious about Dante.

And last but not least, there in the center towards the back was Dante's desk. It was honestly the first thing people saw when they stepped into the place. Cecelia walked up towards it and gazed at the contents left all over it. There were two empty pizza boxes hanging off the corner, an ashtray at the very edge, a landline telephone, a picture frame that she couldn't see the photo of, a few various magazines here and there, bullet casings and shells, and the messiest handwriting on the world on a similar messy stack of paper. It wasn't much paper, but it was still a mess. But Cecelia couldn't help but stare at the peculiar placement of the ashtray.

"I hope you don't mind whiskey," Dante called as he made his way back.

Cecelia looked up and saw him coming from the back. He brought in two cups in each hand, both having ice, as a bottle of whisky was tucked under his arm. He placed the cups down on the desk as Cecelia began talking.

"After everything, I don't mind having something strong," the woman sighed as she went back to looking at the ashtray. "I have to ask, why do you have your ashtray so far away? Wouldn't it be easier for you if it was closer to your chair?"

"Huh?" Dante glanced up as he saw what she meant. "Oh, that," he shrugged as he looked back at what he was doing. "I don't exactly smoke. I only got it for clients who come in, but mostly for Morrison. Plus, I can't stand the smell."

Cecelia released a hum as she nodded a bit. She wouldn't doubt it if the man did smoke. She almost expected it, being in the high stress job that he was in. She couldn't help but find the fact to be oddly endearing.

"Here you are," Dante said as he pushed over a cup to her, also snapping her out of her thoughts. "You can sit wherever you want. Just try not to make too much of a mess."

"I don't exactly plan on spilling alcohol all over me, Dante," Cecelia said in a joking manner as she picked up her glass.

She couldn't help but look at the amber colored liquid with shining ice cubes inside, hearing them clink around inside the glass. She gave it a small sniff, following with a small sip as she tried to recognize the alcohol. "...Is this Jack Daniels?"

"You recognize it?" Dante asked, a little impressed she figured it out so quickly.

"I've had my fair share of drinks," Cecelia admitted as she began playing with the drink, spinning the cup around slowly as she was careful not to do it too much. "It's rather sweet, even though it gives a bit of a burn. I almost figured you'd have some sort of spicier drink than this."

"I like sweet things every now and then," Dante said with a shrug. He took a sip of his drink, releasing a sigh after. "What about you? You've said before that you like minty things."

Cecelia was quiet for a moment. Her brows furrowed before she answered him. "I don't mind drinking, but I didn't do it often. At least, that's the feeling I get. Remembering is still difficult…"

"But does it help?" Dante asked.

"Does what help?" Cecelia raised a brow, slightly confused by his words.

"Does trying to remember even the smallest things help?" Dante clarified as he placed his drink down, leaning against his own desk. "You've stated that it's been five years you've been an amnesiac. No offense or anything, but it seems to me that it's only now that you're remembering things."

Cecelia stared at him for a moment before taking a sip of her drink. She dealt with the burning sensation it gave to her throat, trying to momentarily distract herself from Dante's personal statement and questions. That and she felt far too sober to be baring honesty with this man.

"I haven't spent much time with others because of all the chasing," Cecelia confessed as she rested her hips against Dante's desk, her hand still spinning her drink. "The few things that I've figured out was from stumbling through cities, or even gathering information directly from those who wanted me killed. It was… very hard at first. Waking up one day without your memories, only having the things on your person to tell something about you, and then to get constantly chased by beings that belonged in stories. It's hard, you know. For a good amount of time I didn't realize I had powers until they were triggered through fighting. But fighting demons constantly doesn't allow one to remember as much as they'd hope…"

"Well, it's hard to sit down and chat when you're on the top of witch's hit list," Dante said in jest as he took a sip of his drink.

Cecelia couldn't stop the chuckle bubbling from her throat. She gave Dante a smirk before saying, "That's rather true. So, needless to say, this has been rather helpful. I've only been able to really remember small things, like how I prefer the flavor mint. But even those small questions are important to me. It lets me realize who I am as a person. Although my main goal is to figure out the mess that I've been in, finding whatever I can is very important for me. So, I do have to thank you for it."

"Don't sweat it," Dante waved a dismissive hand to her words. "But, I've been meaning to ask you something. Do you even remember how or where you woke up when you lost your memories?"

Cecelia paused and had to think. She took a sip of the whiskey once again as she tried to think of where it was. It was only when she sniffed her drink did it click, recognizing a scent of wood. She pulled her cup away and looked at Dante.

"I remember finding myself laying on the forest dirt," Cecelia stated as she placed her cup on the desk. "I woke up from raindrops hitting my face, and in turn found myself in the middle of the woods. It… wasn't pleasant. Waking up with having no idea who you are, or even where you were. I was terrified. But I knew staying in the rain in the middle of nowhere wouldn't give me answers. So, I picked myself off of the ground and walked aimlessly until I finally found the main roads. I followed the pavement until I found civilization. By then I was running from demons and witches constantly, not knowing why they were after me. I tried getting help, but you can probably guess where that got me…"

Dante let out a long hum before crossing his arms, keeping his drink in one hand still. He looked to Cecelia and slightly tipped his cup in her direction. "Do you think you woke up in the woods by Néma?"

"I believe so," Cecelia sighed as she pushed herself up onto Dante's desk so she was sitting. "But I still have no idea how I lost all of my memories. I couldn't even recollect my name until the witches kept yelling and cursing it whenever they chased me. By then I figured out my name was Cecelia, and I was wanted for being a traitor. So, I'll continue running. Hopefully I'll regain my missing memories before this is all over."

"Well, I don't mind taking on more jobs from you," Dante grinned at her. "I don't fully understand the whole witch thing, but you definitely don't keep things boring."

"Maybe next time I'll give you another job," Cecelia said as she picked up her drink again to sip from it. "For now, I'll just enjoy the whiskey while I can. After a day like today, I definitely need this."

"I got plenty more where that came from," Dante said and lifted up the bottle.

Cecelia saw and proceeded to drink the rest of her drink. She then held out the cup to him for another refill. Dante popped the cap off, tipping the bottle and watched her cup get filled. He only filled it half way as he knew better than to give her such a large amount. Cecelia gave a nod of thanks as she took another sip before placing the cup down again. She began tracing the rim of the cup with her finger for the sake of entertainment. Just as Dante finished filling up his own cup and capping the bottle, he began to wonder what else to talk about. It took a moment of silence before he could think of something.

"Do you think those two from before will be fine with The Charmer Sanction?" Dante asked her. "What're their names? Judiah and Luin…?"

Cecelia sighed softly through her nose. "I think they'll be fine. They didn't break any rules. Rules that I know of, at any rate. I'm not too worried."

"Do you think that this Amira person is to be trusted?" Dante asked as he eyed Cecelia through the corner of his eyes.

"No," was her immediate response.

"No?" Dante questioned as he fully turned his head towards her.

The expression on Cecelia's face was perfectly clear. Her brows pinched together as she was scowling at the ground. She was gripping the edges of Dante's desk at this point as she seemed to be teeming with thoughts. It was clear that she did not hold Enchantress Amira on a high pedestal.

"...I can't explain it," Cecelia spoke quietly as her eyes were staring through the floor, "but there's something about Amira that makes my blood boil. She directly has a big part in my memories, but it's hard to filter it all out right now. All that I know is that she's in a place of power far greater than mine, and that she shouldn't be trusted."

"Noted," Dante remarked as he brought his drink back to his lips for another sip. He released a sigh as he pulled the glass away. "She didn't seem like a sweetheart anyways. But she certainly remembered you. But at least you won't be hunted by demons no more."

"I'm not holding my breath," Cecelia grumbled.

She grabbed her cup again but took a bigger swig of her drink than the other times. The action made it clear to Dante that this Amira wasn't somebody Cecelia was fond of. The man watched her for a moment before taking his own sip again, taking it slow until he finally saw her place her cup back down again. Dante couldn't help but sigh at her actions.

"Take it easy," he said, referring to her speed of drinking. "I don't need you getting too drunk on me."

"I can handle my liquor," Cecelia stated as she was gripping the edges of the desk again. "Plus, my drinks haven't been as big as yours. I'll be fine."

"Touché," Dante said as he tilted his glass towards her.

They were quiet again until Cecelia looked back at Dante. He was asking a lot about her. A thing that she was beginning to find to be unfair. So she turned her full attention on him, crossed her legs over the other, and leaned towards the man with a smile.

"You have been asking a lot of questions about me," Cecelia stated as Dante eyed her smile. "I think it's only fair that you tell me a bit more about you."

Dante released a sigh and placed his cup down, only to return to his position before with his arms crossed. "Alright, what would you like to know?"

"Let's see…" Cecelia began to think as she gazed around his shop. "For someone who seems to work alone, you have a bit of feminine things lying around. Do women come around often, or do you have a significant other?"

"Are you finally showing an interest in me?" Dante teased with a cocky grin on his face.

Cecelia rolled her eyes and looked away from him. She couldn't deny that he was a looker, especially with his high cheekbones and swept white hair. But she wasn't exactly head over heels for him, that's for damn sure.

"Pleeaaase," Cecelia dragged her words when she looked away from him. "I just want to make sure that this supposed "date" won't lead to anymore enemies after my head."

Dante chuckled for a moment before finally answering her question. "I'm not involved with anybody. The women I usually meet want to shoot me in the head, so I don't date much. The stuff you're seeing is probably from my partner and work associate. My partner's name is Trish, and my associate is Lady. They both accompany me on jobs every now and then, but they've gone out on a job that Morrison gave them, so I haven't seen them in a while."

"Huh," Cecelia hummed as she leaned away from him. "So you don't work alone? I guess the rumors were wrong about one thing."

"Sometimes I do, but mostly my partners go on ahead and leave me with some of the dirty work," Dante shrugged as he took another sip of his whiskey.

"I see," Cecelia said as she looked away from him. "...They're your family, correct?"

Dante paused, only to give a nod. "Yeah. They are. Even though we annoy one another plenty of times, they're all I've got."

"It's nice to know you're not alone," Cecelia said softly. "Hold onto them, Dante. If they're as close to you as you say they are, they should be there for you when you need them most."

"I know," the man said as he grabbed his cup to take a long sip of whiskey. He eventually set his cup down again and looked at Cecelia. "Anything else you want to know?"

Cecelia thought for a moment before she gazed back at Dante. "I don't suspect that you normally have clients pay you in having a drink. Your own stuff, no less… So what's the real payment that you want? Money? An actual drink at an actual bar? Or do you want something more from me?"

"Getting right down to business I see," Dante chuckled as he looked away from Cecelia. "You're a pretty lady, don't get me wrong. But I don't exactly prefer being paid in pleasure. Plus, do you even have a place to live, Cecelia?"

"I'm nomadic at this point," Cecelia sighed. "It's not safe for me to stay anywhere for too long. I have to keep moving around. So to be blunt, no. I don't have a place to live."

"Then how about the last time you had something to eat?" Dante asked. "And I'm talking about actual food, not demons or whatever."

"Now, that is," Ceceli remarked and took a sip of whiskey as if to prove her point.

"Do you even have a way of getting money?" Dante asked, officially facing the woman with his arms firmly crossed.

"If I must I'll find some way to use money," Cecelia shrugged. "I'm a witch. There's multiple ways to get my way other than money."

"You really don't have much, do you?" Dante asked as he uncrossed his arms and placed his hands on his hips instead. "How did you exactly expect to have paid me if you had so little?"

"There's multiple ways to pay a person," Cecelia said as she locked eyes with Dante. "Paying you is the least of my concerns. All that matters is the way that you want it. So, how exactly do you wish me to pay you back…?"

Dante stared at her before sighing, briefly tilting his head downwards as if Cecelia's words put a weight on him. She watched him carefully, making sure to be aware of every action he took. Dante lifted his head back up and gave her a rather firm look.

"Here's how you'll pay me back for the job," He said as he kept his eyes locked with her. "No money. No pleasure talk or any of that. You don't even have to take this offer if you don't want to. So, what do you think of the idea of being a part of the shop?"

Cecelia was silent.

Very silent.

So silent that Dante was beginning to feel nervous about what he just said.

Cecelia shook her head wildly before pushing herself off of Dante's desk. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Be a part of my shop," Dante repeated himself. "You've got nowhere else to go, and you can hold yourself off pretty well against demons. You might as well make it into a living, you know. And if those Charmer Sanction guys plan on visiting, at least you know you'll be backed up and protected, right? Who knows, maybe staying a while might even help getting back more memories."

Cecelia could only stare at him in shock, her eyes as wide as saucers as her mouth was slightly ajar. It was like she was soaking in every word he spoke.

"I mean, you can always say no," Dante shrugged. "You don't have to say yes. But if you're going to be running around getting chased by demons and witches, you might as well do it with allies behind you. You lasted a good while against them so far, but who knows if they'll keep their word for long."

"You… You want me to stay?" Cecelia asked, her voice just barely above a whisper.

"Again, your choice," Dante said with a shrug.

"But, why would you want me to stay?" Cecelia asked quietly. "I don't understand. After all that I offered, and all the trouble I put you through, you're asking me to stay here?"

"I'm not always interested in the money, you know." Dante stated as he could tell her mind was racing. "Cash is nice and all, but nobody should have to pay to save themselves from demons. Plus, there's something that's been bothering me about your whole situation. I know you can probably hold your own, but I want to make sure you're going to be alright. I don't know much about this witch stuff, but if I know anything about the Charmer Sanction, it's that they always have alternative motives. And your situation is screaming with suspicion."

Cecelia was quiet for a moment. "...I always thought the timing was odd. But I can't figure it out unless I get my memories back. But after that attempt of visiting Néma, I'm going to have to try other methods…"

"Then you might as well stay and work here while you're at it," Dante said as he spread his arms out, gesturing to his shop as a whole. "We don't always take care of jobs in Red Grave City. We travel all over if need be. It's why Trish and Lady have been out for a while. Maybe it'll do you some good in getting you your memories."

Cecelia released a deep sigh as she turned away from him for a second, her hand hovering over her mouth as she felt the back of her eyes starting to sting. She quickly collected herself before facing Dante again.

"Why're you being nice to me?" Cecelia asked softly.

"Don't know," Dante gave a shrug. "It just feels like I should. Plus, we made a deal yesterday, remember? Can't exactly keep that deal if you're off running."

Cecelia became quiet as she was baffled by his words. She didn't expect any of this at all. She expected to pay him and be gone. But now he was offering her a place to stay and a job? She could hardly wrap her head around it. Not to mention the feeling of dread stirring in her stomach.

"I'll cause trouble for you," Cecelia said as she was trying to see if he had any other motives. "I was literally in your store for maybe five or six minutes before your windows and doors got busted down. It might get worse if I stay here."

"I'm willing to take that risk," Dante firmly stated. "Not only would you have my help, but you'd have help from everybody in the shop. Morrison is a clever man with a lot of intel. He could even help your search, as long as you have actual money. Trish and Lady aren't pushovers when it comes to demons. They're some of the strongest ladies that I know. Plus, I think they'd warm up to you pretty quick. If need be I'll make sure somebody is with you when we go out on jobs, if you want. But that is if you want to stay."

Cecelia felt like a fish out of water, her mind racing as she was trying to really understand the full meaning of this offer. Morrison doesn't seem like a bad guy. He was honestly rather respectful to her. As for the rest, Lady and Trish, Cecelia has no real idea of how they really are. But according to Dante, they might like her. It all just felt so wild to her. Being alone for five years, always running and fighting, only to now be offered a place to live and even have friends felt so unreal. She swore it was all just a dream.

"Again, all up to you," Dante repeated as he could practically see her mind unwinding.

Cecelia was quiet for a moment. She kept her head down as she seemed to try and collect herself.

"Thank you, Dante," Cecelia whispered as she couldn't help but stare at the ground.

"Is that a yes, then?" Dante asked.

Cecelia gave a nod, unable to look him right in the eye. She feared her voice would betray her if she spoke anymore.

"Well then, Cece, it's your lucky day," Dante said with a grin on his face. "I have an extra room up those stairs. It'll be the third door on your left. I live here along with Trish, and Lady and Morrison like to visit often, so it's not like you'll be living alone. You alright with that?"

Cecelia nodded, only now finally collecting herself.

"Then how about a toast?" Dante suggested as he grabbed his drink. He held it in the air towards her with a grin. "Welcome to Devil May Cry."

Cecelia couldn't help but smile at his words, feeling almost bashful by it all. She grabbed her cup and lifted it in the air. The sound of clinking glass followed soon after.

"Cheers!"

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