Summary: Patty Lowell had never honestly realized how much she had to sacrifice by accepting one of Dante's missions by herself – overcoming her fears was one thing, but not being allowed to wear her cute frilly clothes? God had forsaken her.
Parings: Nero/Patty / but the story's focus isn't entirely on it. Since the suspense of adventure and character development is a nice thing as well.

Warnings: violence and cursing / somewhat probably adult situations / gore and blood / kids making bad mistakes due hormones / basically patty being a rebellious teenager and enjoying the hell out of it, kinda

Notes: I don't really have much to say this time. Err, Happy easter? Hope you enjoying the giggling of happy children, because I surely didn't. Please enjoy!

MINGLED

Verb

1: To be or become mixed or united with:

2: To associate or take part with others

ACT 3: Roll one more time

" You're afraid to die, you're afraid to live – what a way to exist! "

"Your holiness. I heard you called for my presence."

The air is cold and calculating, the room is silent besides the voice of the man which is tuned in softness and respect, down on his knees, he lowers his head and awaits, their time as endless, purpose was a distant thought, lost between a mountain of fatigue. Light shines upon them and there's a small jingling sound, there behind a chair – a smile of cruel solitude is shared.

"Stand. Credo."

Patty was in a dilemma.

She had called in sick for school the next day – well, it had been more her mother coming to her room because she was wondering why she hadn't woken up yet, with a bad pretended sickness of bad coughs and a weak voice, she had somehow managed to fool her parent. She guessed she had agreed so easily because she didn't want to go into a conversation, confirmed by the way her mother had hurriedly left.

She spend the rest of her early morning filling her suitcases with clothes, hair accessories and all kinds of other stuff, until she came to the shocking realization that it didn't fit. It never had really struck her that she had that many clothes until today. But there was no way she was going to leave anything behind. What if the house burned down while she was gone? She would be more comforted by the fact knowing that all her precious stuff had been with her.

She gave her – uhhh, her client a call. Who had told her she should only bring items that were necessary to her. No modern stuff that looked to suspicious, no skimpy clothes (she had gasped at that one.) or anything that looked too out of the ordinary, only clothes that fitted in with the crowd, since she could always buy new clothes over there. At every question she asked they seemed to grow more frustrated, and she figured that "Five suitcases? What are you? Insane!? Do you even think beforehand? How were you supposed to carry all of that?!" was something she was supposed to know and be aware of.

Her expression was gravely solemn as she unloaded her now third suitcase, placing the amount of clothes she had managed to get it back in her huge walk-in closet. She had done some research, as she remembered as it was important. And the phone person(she still had no idea what their name was, probably should ask.) hadn't been lying, Fortuna was a small enclosed country, there had barely been any information on the internet, only like three articles with very vague information and pictures that had showed greasy colored but beautiful buildings.

With the gathered information, she had been able to realize that people there had more of their own style of clothing, it had been interesting to see, they seemed they mostly wore clothing of white and if not that, the females would mostly wear old styled dresses. The detail didn't escape her that the skirts – if you could even call them that, had been at least below their knees, no arm or shoulder skin as they were mostly covered, which probably was a norm over there due the rules, but she couldn't help but frown over it.

The subject of Sparda had been somewhat easier. It was said that he was The Legendary Dark Knight who had woken up to justice and had saved humanity, fighting against his own demon brethren and being labeled as traitor for that fact; or something along those lines. There had been a lot more information then that but she decided to only memorize the important part. Besides, reading everything on Wikipedia would be to much of a pain.

She wasn't sure how to feel about it, a few good years ago she would have thought of it as a myth, but coming face to face with the truth of demons had taken a roll on her, she figured she could one day ask Dante about it, since slaying demons and knowing about them was his job and all. although she wasn't all too interested in knowing if it was true or not.

She stuffed the dresses in the dullest color she owned in the case, making sure they covered enough skin to not look out of place before folding. She felt childishly hesitant and angry about the fact that she could not bring anything she truly liked. She knew it was for her own safety but it was still there; she made a silent wish, hoping that Fortuna at least had some good stores to visit.

One could only hope, she was pretty sure she would die if she wasn't able to wear something that at least had a ounce of pink in it in at least a month – totally not exaggerating, by the way.

It had taken her surely two hours, but she had managed to make five suitcases into one, after struggling with decided what could be important and what not, but alas, the internet was truly a great friend and it had worked out after reading a few pages on 'what to bring to a long vacation.' it left a heavily pleased and tired patty relaxing on her bed, feeling glad knowing that that part had been taken care of.

"What are you so deep in thought for?"

she stands straight and holds the pool stick in her hands. Former concentration broken, "Huh?"

Trish smiles gently at her and sits on the pool table – their previous game apparently neglected, the winner was supposed to pay for their next dine out; not that she had been winning so she was kind of grateful. "You look troubled. Is there a boy that caught your eye?"

Patty cheeks flustered. Somehow the only subject Trish and Lady had been discussing with her these days were boys, probably because they knew they could tease her more about it the older she grew, maybe it was slight protectiveness on their part too; either way it was slightly embarrassing. She grumbled slightly and puffed her cheeks.

Laughter comes out from behind them. Dante lays on the couch, sprawled like a dog while watching television, paying attention to their conversation despite the fact that his eyes were glued to the film he was watching. Patty can't help but feel insulted by the reaction as she regarded him.

"What?"

Then the white haired man turns his head, making no effort to truly turn around – a shit eating grin on his face as he peers at them. "Oh you know. You." He stops for a dramatic effect. "And men."

Patty shrieks at him and Trish looks at her with soft amusement, she soon focused on Dante with narrow eyes, placing a hand on her hip and flicks her hair behind her pale neck, "Oh, and you would know wouldn't you?"

"Baby. Don't question me, I'm an expert." Dante crossed his legs and snorted, stroking his jawline and feeling the small hairs prickle. "She had relationships before. Like two. God knows what happened to those two."

The older female looked at her in curiosity – probably confused when this had happened and why she hadn't heard about it. Patty shrugged at her and pondered.

"Apparently, I was too much of a handful girl." She frowned as she recalled how she had made her boyfriends carry her bags from date to date, they had never complained but from the way they cringed at the mention of a next date said enough – in her defense, she had thought it was normal, why else would romance novels depict that as a norm. Either way Trina had thought of it as hilarious, and hadn't bothered to correct her on her mistakes.

At the remainder of her friend, she immediately shut out her thoughts.

"But I'm a different girl now! I've changed my ways!" She exclaimed and stood proudly. Holding her head high. "Besides, I decided that next time I will go for a man with more quality."

"Oh, I want to hear this." Dante eased himself up and wriggled into a comfortable position, Trish had moved to the counter to get one of the pizza slices, which went out of his notice. "Pray tell, Kid, what kind of person will be your next victim of love?"

"Like I said." She ignored him and smiled to herself. Hands clasped together as she sighed dreamily. "A rich girl like a me deserves the best! So I would say some rich gentleman? One with manners and class. Somebody who accepts all my flaws and good parts without any question, romantic, handsome and all of those! Somebody who takes care of all my needs and truly loves me for me! Oh gosh!"

Dante observed with a open mouth as patty giggled violently and unconsciously snapped the pool stick in her hands into pieces from excitement. Doing some twirls as she landed on the floor with a loud crash in some pool of her own fantasy and delusions, yelling something against the floor that sounded like 'Oh patty you! Of course that would never happen! Jeez!''. He shook his head after awhile of watching and clapped his hands together in front of his chest somewhat mockingly, fingers entwined as he closed his eyes.

"...What are you doing?" Trish's smooth voice questioned him and he responded calmly – trying not to burst into laughter, and succeeded.

"Praying for the future husband to be."

"What the hell? What's wrong with his hair?"

Patty fumed. "It's called style, Dante! It's how young males dress these days, he's good looking!"

"He looks like a pussy if you ask me."

"Dante!" She gawked horrified. She pointed daringly at the posing model in the television. "How could you call that by something so vulgar?! Look at the man! He's worth a millions!"

"Well, Maybe. He looks a bit.." The white haired man squinted his eyes, white brows narrowed deeply and then gave a dismissive wave of his wrist, leaning back. "Nah. Still looks like a pussy to me."

"Well, he sure looks better then the hookers you pick up from the streets, that's for sure."

"Oohh, still bitter about that one, aren't you?"

The doors slammed open as Lady walked in the store, she winked cheerfully. "Guess who's back?"

Trish and Patty cheered.

Dante didn't. He double-checked if his wallet was still in his pocket.

"Hey, isn't it Friday?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Aren't you supposed to be, I don't know – at school working on that torture that teachers like to call learning?"

"Uh, no.'

"You hesitated."

Patty let out a disgruntled moan when Dante's foot hit her in her side, his toes stubbing her through the thick cloth of her jacket, she moved the sleeping man's legs aside without much care, the couch was too small for two people anyway, she should probably just go sit on the office chair or maybe wake the older man up and shoo him to his room.

Today had been rather fun. Lady had come to visit the store later as well and they all had decided to play a good old card game – a small summary of a big story was that Dante had lost had the girls had made him buy them food, again. Dante always looked annoyed by all of it but patty believed he never really minded. He probably complained to hide his soft side, so nobody would make fun of him. It was all just adorable to her. It were days like these Patty cherished the most.

After all, she was leaving within two days.

"Spending one of my last days here wasn't so bad." A small smile touched her lips. "I really miss coming here."

She couldn't help but wonder what Fortuna was like, other then the fact wondering how long she was going to stay there. From what she figured, the mission couldn't be that bad. Investigate a country and then safely return home, give the money to Dante and all would be good.

She pretended the uneasy feeling in her chest wasn't there. She couldn't help it, she felt so rebellious doing something behind everyone's back. She never realized how much of a goody-shoes she was until she had actually felt the need to spill everything. She had never been the greatest lair, and she had never needed to be until now. But she had gotten to far to just give it all up; she had a feeling she would regret it if she didn't do this. Just for this once, she wanted to be extremely selfish.

The sound of the clock ticking echoed loudly around the store, the only thing that can be heard besides it is Dante's snoring. Somehow – somehow it gives off a very comfortable and warm feeling. The feeling of familiarity made her at ease and calm.

"I just don't get it at all!" Her face is puffed and angered, ten year old Patty watches from the other side of the table as Dante fixates his attention on her, his voice tired but clear.

""hmm?"

She frowns, looking more confused and frustrated by second; she brings her small cap down and runs her hair through her puffy blond hair. Arms crossed childishly – acting like an adult even though she knew that she was far from mature, far from experienced and smart. "Why do you always let people walk over you like that? Most of the jobs you do usually scram you off your money, they take advantage of the fact you are kind, and lady never does anything but the same either. But you're never, never angry about it, doesn't it make you sad?"

Dante looked perplexed for a moment, he drifted away, like he had almost forgotten were he was, his face took on pondering air and before Patty could complain further, he smiled cheekily, he eyed with her with something she didn't understand – something she couldn't understand even if she tried.

"Kindness is something everyone has, It's only a matter of who doesn't fear to use it regardless if they fear being hurt. It makes one strong." she parrots in silence and her voice trails off, smiling gently.

She remembers how she thought how weird Dante was. How stupid and dense; even though that person was actually her all along. If she could only take back all the bad and idiotic things she had said back then.

She runs a hand through his white hair and laughs when he juts his noise, face childishly cringing up at the sudden touch – but getting used to it easily enough. His hair is soft and it feels nice against her hand, she tugs softly at the locks.

"Thank you for teaching me." Her voice mellowed slightly, trembling. "Thank you for being my father, even though you might have never seen it that way."

"Oh god. You can't be serious. There has to be something.."

Patty tugged and scratched under the skin under her pink bunny patterned pajamas. Untamed hair done in a lose and low bun to keep it from falling in her face. Her expression crumbled into concentration and focus and the blueness of the laptop screen she was invested in reflected itself in her eyes.

Fortuna – Fortuna – Fortuna; she had been doing an endless amount of research of the isolated island because the lack of knowledge had bothered her. Her unwelcoming curiouslity had been bugging her, and for all she knew, curiosity was capable of killing the cat. But in her case, she believed that she if she didn't know enough it might come back to haunt her later. She wasn't sure what to expect from her first mission and she had tried to get as prepared as a normal teenage girl who would cry over the simple sight of a bug, could be.

But no matter how much she looked, no new articles could be found. She reread the old information she had gathered to make sure she hadn't slipped away from certain details, but so far – she could only rely on what she had, the small bits of information on the web and what her client had discussed with her.

Did they use modern technology? Would they scream at the sight of a smartphone and call it witchcraft? – she couldn't help but laugh at that one. She figured it wasn't that old styled but she entertained herself by imagining the worst possible things. In all honesty, if she would let herself admit it – it had looked like a very pretty place, mostly because of the unique way the place had been built.

She crinkled her eyes and stroked her chin, pondering in thoughts.

Well, whatever. She did enough for today, she glanced at the alarm clock on her desk, it was only 8 pm; she should probably go and repaint her nails, the color of pale pink was slowly cracking and rotting away, she never used darker colors because she knew it would too ugly and obvious once the color started fading away. After that she could spend the night playing some dating simulators or something, those were always fun. Her feet hit the floor as she attempted to stand up, soon startled by the sudden sound of her smart phone ringing.

Mom, was the first thing that ran through her head. Likely calling once more since she probably wasn't coming home from the night – it was a usual thing for her to overwork on the weekends; Patty could honestly never imagine herself working that hard when she got older, she had to give the woman some credit – parent trouble aside.

She picked up with her left hand, rummaging through her drawer for nail polish. "Hey mom, what's wrong?"

"What?"

She stops. She quickly stands straight and bumps against her desk – which shakes and she holds the lamp that almost threatens to fall of. "Oh."

She's certainly sure that it's not her mother; suddenly she suddenly feels hot from shame. She hears a loud snort from the other side of the phone and almost hears them shaking their head – even though it's impossible.

"Mommy's girl huh? Who would have expected it from a vigilante demon hunter? It's alright, I can keep secrets. But that's not the point of why I'm calling."

She feels like banging her head against the table to take away the redness that en-flames her cheeks. She coughs against her head and tries to sound as professional as possible. She makes a vow to check the next time she picks her phone. "Is something wrong? It's late and I was.."

She hesitantly glances at the few kinds of pink nail polishes she had set ready on the table. She tries to hold her tongue. "Uhhm...Doing demon hunter...stuff."

Right.

"Look, I don't care about the shit you do but there's one thing that does matter to me, there's been a change of plans. You gotta go, right now. We can't wait until the promised time."

She becomes pale white, she almost thinks she didn't hear it correctly. She raises a brow. "What..?"

"Look, stuff happened. There's no time anymore – Lucasta Riano is supposed to be in the east of Capulet city within a hour, you have to go. I don't care how you do it. Just get your stuff and go, do you your job, demon hunter."

Everything slowly and suddenly, lazily melts away around her, her mind is a mess and she can only stand frozen in place, the temperature in her room suddenly going down and she can't move. Her hand shakes and clenches against her chest. She bits her lower lip. "Like...Right now?"

The yell against her ear scares her into reality and she winces. "Of course I mean right now! Are you stupid or something? Look, you only have an hour, get ready because you will be Lucasta soon. You know were to go, and when you are in Fortuna, don't let anybody know, got it? Don't worry about having to contact with us, we will find and talk with you when it's time. Good luck, Hunter girl."

There is a familiar beeping against her ears; the sound of being hanged up on, it reminds her of the very first time she had received the first call at Devil May Cry, the one were it all had started. There she stands, alone in her room – a young girl who had involved herself in something she wasn't even experienced with.

A laugh escapes her mouth, unbelieving and lost. Because honestly, what was she doing? Was she really going to do it? Was she really going to just leave, a weak girl like her – barely to be called a woman? She runs her hands through her hair and pulls it. She cackles louder, the sound of her voice bouncing and resounding around her room; looking almost paranoid like a madwoman.

It abruptly comes to an end – her face vacant and devoid of any emotion she had just shown, almost looking serene.

"Fuck it."

This probably wasn't the smartest plan.

"Ohhh my gooood!" She screams loudly against the wind that brushes harshly against her flustered skin; her blond locks hitting her against the face as they move around wildly like a unending tornado. The motorbike under her control purred loudly from speed as she flew through the streets, passing the street lights in vivid lights of white and yellow.

She probably should have gotten the helmet, she had gone as far to steal her mother's motorbike either way, so it shouldn't have mattered. It wasn't like she actually used anything else besides her car. The extreme pounding of her heart was there though – it was the feeling of excitement and brilliance rushing through her. She made a wild turn left and barely avoided bolting against a car – the tires screeching against the ground as she gasped, screaming was heard even through the wind that was blocking most of the sounds.

"The fuck!? Watch out you shitty kid!"

"I'm sorry!" She stammered loudly over her shoulder, she honestly wasn't even sure which car she was yelling to; pushing back her blond hair with her hand as she quickly turned her attention back to the road. She pushed back the brown dress that was trying to fly over her head with a wince – she had put in on in a hurry, It was simple but fine; if it wasn't perfect enough for a first impression for suppressed young nun then she didn't know what else in her closet had been. She checked the watch on her wrist and grew frantic, she cast her eyes upwards.

Ba – dump.

She wasn't going to make it at this rate, she had to go faster, somehow. She crossed the road and leaped on the sidewalk, earning gasps from the few people who had been walking this late at night, she thrushes herself into the alleyway, she squints her eyes at the sudden darkness that envelopes her.

Dante grinned, his laughter sounded smooth and soft like music in her ears, he ruffled his large gloved hand through her hair. "You'll understand when you get older, Patty.'

– She leaped through the narrow path onto the other side of the street, nervously checking the street around and and brought her hand down on the handle, bringing forth more speed.

"Is that so?" Trish combed her hair, they had finally gotten ready for her fifteenth birthday, she had been all but excited. Trish had always been like a mother to her, would treat her like own, just like now. When she wrapped her warm arms around the young girl and nuzzled her. "I'm glad you're happy, Patty."

"It should be around here." She whispers softly to herself as she looks around, she looks up in the air and stares at the night sky above her, cold air hitting against her pale skin and she breathes it all in.

"What to do you say Patty?" Lady grins brightly, her mismatched eyes glimmering with mischief as she holds Dante's credit card up in the air, waving it around like some kind of prize, taking the younger girl's arm in hers, giggling and laughing. Patty can't help but admire her bold and strong personality, right there and then. "A night out, just you and me?"

She finally sees it and relief shakes her insides. Thank god, she wasn't late, she had been on time. She almost couldn't believe her eyes. It's at the end of the street; around the train station where she knows travelers usually come and go. The first thing that catches her attention are the living animals in front, the horses stand proudly and the carriage stands right behind it and the swift color of brown and yellow pass her in a flash.

It takes her several seconds to realize that she knows this because she passed by her destination, and before she can even blink – she's flying through the air, like a bird reaching for freedom.

Oh.

She can't even muster to look horrified as she flies over the sideway into the bushes, face promptly digged into the dirt as she feels thorns cutting through her skin. Oh dear – is the only thought that enters her mind as a loud crash can be heard after her downfall. She for some reason spends a few seconds simply lying there in the bushes, catching up on the reality of her situation before standing up, she brushes the dirt of her dress, the brown dirt sticky as it flows from her dress to the ground, and she's grateful she didn't settle for something like white to wear. Ignoring the itching pain in her sides, she keeps her face calm as she walks out of the bushes, getting the suitcase that had fallen on the ground as she made her way.

She side-glances at the broken motorbike that somehow had managed to hurl itself into the yard of some stranger. God save that poor family who would find that nonsense in their garden, because she was Lucasta Riano now, totally not her responsibility.

Right.

Where was she?

She advances towards the carriage in the middle of the streets and not so surprisingly, the door is already wide open – like waiting all along for her entrance, she walks towards it, more like limping – as she slouches herself against the wooden door of the carriage, smiling politely up at her soon to be travel partner – as if she didn't just somehow magically escape the trouble of breaking her bones. She waved vaguely with a hand.

"Hello, my name is Lucasta Riano, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She doesn't know whenever to be nervous or amused by the way the man looks at her, as if she had come falling from the air – and technically, that wasn't so wrong either. But according to the way he eyed her he probably thought she was insane, and yes, that could also be correct. Depending on how you looked at the situation. She didn't take a stroll around the age of ten around netherworld for nothing.

"I-" He begins but she cuts him off, holding up her hand. She couldn't believe she had forgotten.

She drew her smart-phone from her pocket, looking through her contact list, her gaze softens at the name of 'Trina Arched' that displays on the screen and she smiles, typing one last message of "i'm sorry." as she presses send, she throws her last evidence of her own identity on the floor, where it was likely to get stolen by a homeless person or either trampled by people who would fill the streets the very next morning.

Yes, she thought, this is fine.

She circled back around to her driver, her dress following her movements by flapping widely, spinning round as she stares with open blue eyes, meeting eye to eye once more with a dumbfounded man.

"Look, I had a really terrible week for all I know, just flew up meters in the air and I'm so high on adrenaline right now that I don't even know what hell I'm even saying, all I want is to peacefully sit down and sleep without somebody disturbing me." The words roll of her tongue like a knife on the cutting board, light headed as she drawls her words to an halt. Her gaze critical and bordering tired. "And I would like to keep this a secret between you and me, if that's alright."

She observes as he tightens his hold on the reins of the neighing horses, there is a defeating silence between them and Patty wonders for seconds if she somehow fucked up – that she was going to prison now for impersonating a dead woman but quickly enough, the man gave a lazy shrug and nodded, still shifting his attention to the broken motorcycle and her with some sympathy.

"Sure, I don't even care anymore, i really deserve to get paid better. Hop in."

Either she was a better lair then she believed herself to be – or the man had experienced worse things then whatever he just witnessed, but either way, Patty Lowell took her chance and heaved herself into the wooden carriage, the lamp posts on the empty streets behind her flickering brightly. Then there's loud neighing, hooves tapping against the ground, followed by creaking wheels rolling ahead.

Well then, that is settled. Make free way ahead, ladies and gentleman, because we are traveling to Fortuna. How will it all go down? Will Patty be able to manage to lie her way all through this? Will the travel go well for her? Will she finally be able to polish her naills? [uses pokemon narrator voice] Stay tuned! For the next episode!

Also who likes slow building romances? Because I sure do! I like the process of strangers growing to friends, getting eventually confused to due feeling and so on. It's the drug I live on. I hope you enjoy that stuff as well, because romance shouldn't be rushed, it takes patience and trust. Loyalty and faith.

Also I hope people actually read the author notes, because i'm going to remind that all of this takes place a good year before the holy swords festival. Which is the original time-line of Devil may cry 4. Just reminding.

Also please review and all of that because it brings warmth to my little maiden heart! I hope i'm doing well and you're all enjoying it. :)