The neon sign's faint light continued to cast red shadows on the office walls, despite the fact that the sun had long since set. The air smelled of coffee, metal, and something... smoky. The floor creaked every time Dante walked slowly from the pizza box to the window. Everything was as usual, except for one detail: Vergil, who had never remained at the agency for an extended period, was observed sitting in a chair with a book in his hand. After the last mission, he'd decided not to go anywhere but to stay here, watching his brother, and mentally expecting that this evening wouldn't just end like that simply. And he's right.

Suddenly, Dante yawned, lazily settled into his chair, throwing his legs on the table and crossing his arms behind his head, looking at his twin with a raised eyebrow and a sly grin on his face. It's clear that he had something on his mind and wouldn't be hesitant to say it.

"You know, brother… I always wondered why you never call your pets just like that. Chicken or that cat." , - he squinted, bowing his head ,- "I mean... Just to be with them. Not during a fight. They're still from your human part, which-"

"That's pointless and a waste of energy.", - Vergil interrupted him, his face slowly getting darker, and he slammed the book, making the sound of its pages ring faintly through the space ,- "They're animals, yes, but not for fun."

But Dante didn't want to stop and continued to insist on his own, finally getting what he wanted. And the air was suddenly filled with a static rumble. From the shadow that slid from under his table, a form materialized - a large black panther, which silently emerged next to Vergil. Its eyes shone like two red globes, its fur, dark as a moonless night, stirred under its breath, and its claws creaked softly on the wooden floor. Its body slowly shifted as it stretched its muscles after a rather long time in isolation, examining Dante and then Vergil, blinking a couple of times, as if silently asking about its role here, because... The place looked quite safe and restful. But Shadow didn't focus on it too much and began to sniff the furniture and every object in sight, recalling familiar smells again. It even sniffed Dante's jukebox and billiard table, which Shadow snorted... With disapproval, to which Dante himself grumbled irately, rolling his eyes.

Silence ruled in the building. Only the soft creak of the lamp on the windowsill and a faint purring that barely broke through the panther's fur. Vergil calmly continued to read when the familiar settled its head on his knee, and then its whole body, dozing from sheer boredom. But over time, his legs slowly began to feel a gentle pressure, and he slowly clenched his jaw, trying to move it. Nothing. The panther pressed him closely, purring louder and cuddling even more, making Vergil exhale in frustration and defeat, holding in his hand an open book that he no longer read.

There's something... soothing in this unique silence. The agency, usually full of noise, seemed to fall vacant before this bizarre scene. {{user}} and Dante peeked out of the corner of his eye from behind the door, saw, and barely restrained laughter. Even a strong warrior can melt in front of fluffy cat. Or... Not quite a cat.