Cecelia Route

Cecelia's route summary from Wicked Lawless Love.

## Season 1

### Episode 1

MC is hiding against the side of a saloon, trying to evade her pursuing ex-partners-in-crime after running off solo with their loot. As MC enters the saloon, she captures the interest of a red-haired beauty seated at the end of the bar. MC asks Ada the barkeep about local businesses to fence her stolen necklace at, but to no avail. The red-haired beauty approaches MC and introduces herself as Cecelia, expressing interest in acquiring the necklace. As MC and Cecelia sit down - very closely - to acquaint themselves with each other, MC’s ex-partners forcefully barge into the saloon, demanding MC return their loot.

Cecelia smoothly and quickly draws her pistol, then hooks her gun-arm protectively over MC’s shoulder, advising the pair to back off [CG]. The bandit brothers, named Reggie and Ozzie, realise that Cecelia is the infamous Desert Rose. A gunfight breaks out between the four of them. Cecelia proves to be an expert marksman, and is claimed by Reggie to be “the deadliest gun hand in the Devil’s Backbone.”

MC is struck by a stray bullet in the arm, and Cecelia’s concerned demeanour abruptly turns predatory upon smelling MC’s blood. The bandit brothers run out of bullets and flee. MC attempts to give chase but is stopped by Cecelia. MC grows nervous under Cecelia’s predatory gaze again, and the scattered bottles around them begin to spin quickly and violently. Cecelia gives a knowing smile, then tells MC to calm down as she can hear MC’s thundering heart.

They are interrupted by the arrival of Sheriff McGann, and MC tries to slip away from a distracted Cecelia, who in turn grabs MC’s arm to stop her. MC notices the pale complexion and cold sensation of Cecelia’s hand, which is immediately withdrawn when a ray of sunlight falls in-between them. MC then seizes the opportunity to escape.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 2

A few days have passed and MC is shopping for supplies, preparing to leave town. MC runs into a well-dressed pair at the general store, who recognise her from a wanted poster. They introduce themselves to Nathan and Fiona, and invite MC for a friendly drink but she declines, deducing they were sent by Cecelia.

By sundown just as she is about to leave, MC intuitively senses Cecelia before hearing a knock on her bedroom door. Cecelia asks to be invited inside, but MC grows suspicious and offers to chat in the common room instead. The duo exchange a round of tense, barbed flirting in the narrow hallway, with MC playfully alluding to Cecelia being a vampire, based on the familiar tropes in her penny dreadfuls.

As they move their conversation downstairs, Cecelia brings up MC’s bullet wound and offers to redress it for her. MC asks how Cecelia knows about her hidden arm injury, and Cecelia mysteriously states that “it’s in her nature.”

***Heart scene (15) - Allow Cecelia to treat your wound.***

*MC agrees to let Cecelia help her. Cecelia grabs Donna’s supplies and sits down - very closely again - next to MC, who catches on that she’s being teased. The physical proximity and intimate skin contact leaves MC flustered and excited. Cecelia makes a verbal note of MC’s “very delicate skin.”*

*As Cecelia draws MC in even closer to her, MC jokes about Cecelia’s hold on her arm being an elaborate scheme to keep her from running away. Cecelia responds good-naturedly as she expertly unwraps the wound, but gets distracted when she notices the drops of fresh blood staining MC’s monogrammed handkerchief and proceeds to inspect it closely.*

*MC asks playfully if Cecelia plans to keep her handkerchief as a token, like the knights of olden times. Cecelia retorts by saying she would only do so if MC accepted her pursuit. Cecelia also remarks that she could find MC anywhere with the handkerchief, but “not in the way she thinks.” They flirt a bit more as Cecelia redresses MC’s wound.*

Cecelia tells MC about the organisation she works for, the Ward, which dedicates itself to protecting “the balance between the known and unknown.” Cecelia also mentions how they employ rare kinds of people. Their conversation goes on for a bit more until Cecelia notices MC isn’t correctly catching onto what she is alluding.

It is revealed that MC is estranged from her family, and grew up as an outcast. Cecelia then realises MC has spent her whole life thus far oblivious to the Otherworld and her unique heritage. Cecelia displays genuine, earnest empathy at MC’s feelings of being an outsider, then offers to show her “a place of belonging.”

### Episode 3

As they walk through town, MC notices that the locals treat Cecelia with a paradoxical mix of awe and fearfulness. Cecelia agrees with the analogy of being treated as both princess and pariah. Although Cecelia presents herself unperturbed to the “cold,” MC infers from Cecelia’s choice of words that she is not immune to loneliness. MC tries to confirm her suspicions about supernatural beings by bringing up the stories in her penny dreadfuls, but Cecelia coyly steers the conversation into flirting territory.

At the cemetery, MC sees Nathan and Fiona again, in addition to a demon called Sascha. Cecelia introduces MC as a witch, which the latter mistakes as an insult. As a show of trust, Cecelia orders Nathan, Sascha and Fiona to reveal themselves as ghost rider, incubus and mystic, respectively. Fiona offers to gaze into MC’s future, which the latter understands only as abstract gibberish. Cecelia offers to escort MC back home.

As they enter town again, MC attempts to mask her shock but a concerned Cecelia notices her racing heart. MC asks if Cecelia is listening to her heart and Cecelia apologises, explaining that she did not mean to pry and embarrass the former. Cecelia offers to keep it to herself if MC is uncomfortable.

***Heart scene (27) - Ask Cecelia what your heart sounds like.***

*MC clarifies that she’s not offended, and asks Cecelia what she hears when she listens to a person’s heart. Cecelia expresses surprise as she has never been asked before. In demonstration, Cecelia closes her eyes and listens to MC’s heart, swaying along as if to music, then describes it as a language she intuitively understands but doesn’t remember learning.*

*MC points out how intimate the experience seems to be, and wonders how it feels. Cecelia wistfully agrees, then proceeds to drag her fingernails from the hinge of her jaw to her collarbone, using the sensation as an analogy, which flusters MC. Cecelia then thanks MC for asking.*

*MC asks if her heart is different from others. Cecelia agrees very much so, but becomes visibly frustrated as she struggles to translate what she feels into words. She eventually settles for raising her arms and mimicking playing a violin in the air.*

*“Your heart beats fortissimo and pianissimo and pizzicato and andante, exquisitely attuned with every mood. Your heart is a symphony. It’s a shame that only I get to hear it."*

*MC concludes the statement as her heart simply being loud, and Cecelia corrects her: “What I’m saying is you’re unmistakeable.”*

Cecelia and MC discuss more about the Otherworld, as well as the Ward’s current hunt for Reggie and Ozzie, who are thralls of a mysterious vampire. Out of curiosity, MC pushes Cecelia to demonstrate her powers, as she is the only one who hasn’t done so yet. Cecelia smirks and reveals a single, long fang.

### Episode 4

Cecelia explains that just as how she doesn’t draw her pistol unless she intends to shoot it, she likewise does not reveal her true nature unless she is intent on spilling blood. In spite of her nerves, MC insists on a demonstration. Cecelia playfully obliges by bursting into supernatural speed and bringing both of them to the boarding house within a literal second.

A fascinated MC asks for more glimpses of Cecelia’s abilities, but the vampire coyly evades with flirtation. They settle on a wager – Cecelia having to abide by MC’s request if the latter wins, or MC submitting to whatever plans Cecelia has in store for her if she loses.

Cecelia reveals her vampire face as they begin to play a suggestive game of capture-the-flag, peppered with witty banter and palpable sexual tension, accentuated by numerous brushes of close physical contact. MC manages to hold her own against Cecelia’s supernatural reflexes, but the stalemate comes to an end when Cecelia pins MC to the stairs. In the ensuing conversation, Cecelia reveals her past self as “ferocious and beyond civility,” before joining the Ward. MC points out that Cecelia is trying to talk her into a better path, just as the Ward had done for herself before.

Cecelia abruptly tenses, then settles into a chair. Cecelia transforms her posture into something imposing and regal, then uncaps her blood flask and proceeds to take a long drink [CG S1E4]. MC notes that Cecelia is trying to taunt her into cowering and reverses the situation by closing in the distance between them, then brazenly stating her fascination with Cecelia.

They’re interrupted by Donna, the boarding house owner, who angrily rants about yet another gang robbery at the train depot led by Reggie and Ozzie. Donna pleads for Cecelia to deal with the situation as the town is in desperate need of supplies, but the latter refuses, insisting that she has to keep watch on MC. MC attempts to convince Cecelia to change her mind through a mixture of goading and willfulness.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 5

Cecelia and MC slip unnoticed into the train depot, where the lone sheriff attempts to talk down the bandits. MC manages to stop Cecelia from breaking cover in front of everyone, and they begin to squabble over tactical approach and proper protocol, until they hear the bandits cock their pistols. MC takes it as the cue to an inevitable shoot out and starts firing.

MC is forced to hide behind a crate to avoid a barrage of bullets, and Cecelia attempts to make her way to MC but is interrupted by Reggie who manages to nick her with a silver blade. They engage in hand-to-hand combat, and MC distracts Ozzie with strategically-placed shots and not-protocol insults, much to Cecelia’s dismay.

MC fires a bullet at random, which magically air-bends and strikes Ozzie’s shoulder due to her powers. Cecelia manages to out-manoeuvre Reggie, causing him to fire his gun into his own chest. Nathan arrives at the scene with the rest of the Ward and the bandits flee. MC attempts to give chase and Cecelia stops her yet again.

The team spends the next hour surveying damage and cleaning up before Fiona and Nathan are assigned new tasks, leaving MC alone with Cecelia, who wants to give her a performance review. MC, visibly annoyed at Cecelia and the Ward’s seemingly inflexible and endless protocols, decides to leave for the night, but Cecelia stops her. Their conversation dissolves into flirtatious banter again, and Cecelia, suggestively, asks for a chance to convince MC of the benefits of restraint.

***Heart scene (26) - Let Cecelia explain what good restraint is.***

*Cecelia demonstrates a surprising level of understanding of MC’s perspective. She explains that even though her behaviour regrettably resembles a “tight-wrapped government killjoy drunk on power and bent on smother [MC’s] every thought,” her position obliges her to conservatively approach precarious situations in order to minimise collateral damage.*

*MC admits that she may have been impulsive in pursuing the bandits and the lack of foresight in her actions, which Cecelia seizes as an opportunity to reiterate the importance of discipline and structure, as well as the Ward being an avenue for MC to fulfil a higher calling. MC reacts prickly as the statement reminds her of her stifled childhood, and points out that Cecelia is veering into Ward gospel territory. In response, Cecelia emphasises that one cannot brazenly live entirely according to their whims, using herself as an example of monstrous nature to be tamed for the greater good.*

*Cecelia cools down their heated argument by leaning into MC’s face and drawing a fingertip along the latter’s cheek, slyly asking for permission to show MC how practicing restraint is not synonymous with capitulation, and that she may deign to teach MC about “other things” after she gains mastery over self-control.*

*MC agrees apprehensively to a compromise, asking Cecelia to “expand [her] vocabulary beyond the commands [she’d] give to a misbehaving dog and they’ll see how it goes.”*

MC expresses scepticism at her compatibility with the Ward, but Cecelia holds MC’s hand and assures her that it is MC’s best interests that the vampire has in mind, and that she has more plans in store for MC.

### Episode 6

A few uneventful days have passed with no contact from the Ward, and a restless MC is at the saloon, asking Ada about news of Cecelia. Just then, Nathan arrives with a written order from Cecelia to meet after sundown. MC bristles at Cecelia’s bossiness, and fumes when she learns the team has been spying on her at Cecelia’s orders. MC’s conflicting feelings about Cecelia and the Ward push her to impulsively skip town.

MC is out of town by nightfall, having left most of her belongings behind in the rush. MC hears Cecelia approach from behind, catching up on horseback. Their exchange meanders into barbed flirting again, each trying to coax the other into giving in, but the conversation darkens when Cecelia attempts to intimidate MC with her vampire face. MC is uncowed but ultimately relents, touched by Cecelia’s patience in not resorting to forceful abduction or seduction.

To MC’s surprise, Cecelia leads her straight to the saloon when they reach town. They banter about Cecelia’s familiarity with unwinding, and MC learns of Cecelia’s affinity for music. They busy themselves with various drinking games but eventually MC notices Cecelia is distracted by the saloon pianist. Cecelia shyly and longingly wonders if she could take over instead.

***Heart scene (28) - Help Cecelia play the music she longs for!***

*MC drags Cecelia by the hand over to the piano man, and charms him into taking a break by shamelessly adulating Cecelia’s musical talents. Cecelia starts her repertoire with a sombre, melancholic piece that captivates everyone in the saloon, then switches to an upbeat, cheerful rendition of “Marry Me at Midnight,” a stuffy classical tune MC recognises as she was forced to listen to it every Sunday as a child.*

*As Cecelia continues to play, MC indulges in dancing and drinking for a long while. MC remarks that Cecelia has quite the fun hobby, but the vampire reveals her introduction to music was merely because it had been one of the countless accomplishments she was expected to excel in as a child. Nevertheless, Cecelia expresses happiness at her music being able to bring joy to MC, which shocks the latter as nobody has ever treated her with such altruistic kindness.*

*Cecelia gives a sly smile as she listens to the beat of MC’s heart, then begins to improvise a lovely, skipping, lyrical tune in a minor key that she aptly names “[MC]’s Heart.” MC is still frozen in flustered silence when Cecelia finishes playing the melody to massive applause. Cecelia walks over to MC and thanks the latter for giving her the courage to play in front of an audience.*

  At the bar over drinks, MC notices that Cecelia’s posture has turned unnaturally rigid and tense. Cecelia admits that she is increasingly distracted by MC’s intensified heartbeat from the night’s activities. MC finds herself helplessly captivated by Cecelia’s predatory demeanour again, and asks if Cecelia ever drinks “from the source.” Cecelia drags a sensual fingernail along MC’s jawline [Mini CG 3 & 4]. In a trance-like tone, Cecelia says that it has been awhile, then invites MC to follow her outside.

The outdoor breeze snaps Cecelia out of her bloodlust. Cecelia tells MC that the latter burns her control to cinders, and it is not safe for either of them to continue pushing the boundaries of their working relationship. Their conversation is interrupted by Sheriff McGann, who informs MC that she has been robbed.

### Episode 7

At the sheriff’s office, Sheriff McGann reveals that the boarding house was stormed, with Donna injured in the process. MC deduces that the bandit brothers are responsible, and Cecelia officially takes over the case from the sheriff as Ward business. Cecelia escorts MC back to the boarding house to speak with Donna.

An injured Donna is cleaning up alone in the common room. The boarding house is utterly ransacked and empty – the other tenants having left altogether. Donna tells them that the bandits made off with a heavy necklace, which makes Cecelia burst into gleeful realisation, much to MC’s annoyance. Cecelia explains that the rare magical artifact that she had been hunting for is the very same thing as the necklace MC was trying to sell at the beginning when they met – and thus, right under Cecelia’s nose in MC’s proverbial back pocket all this time.

After sending Donna to bed, MC finds herself boiling in anger over the loss of her possessions. Cecelia’s seemingly nonplussed attitude towards the situation bristles MC, sparking a defensive tirade. Cecelia tries to soothe MC, but realises the latter is still angry. Cecelia points out that MC is struggling with guilt over Donna’s injury, and a conflicted MC lashes out again. The exchange devolves into a short-lived squabble, which Cecelia ends with a joke about MC’s loud heart.

Seeing MC at a loss for what to do next, Cecelia offers to help her in a personal capacity, but there is a caveat: MC has to invite Cecelia into her room to inspect the damage.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 8

A nervous MC and hesitant Cecelia make their way upstairs. The both of them lean against the doorframe to MC’s room, their faces separated only inches apart by the invisible threshold. Before Cecelia can tell MC to reconsider the implications of inviting a vampire into her room, MC interrupts Cecelia and explicitly invites her in.

After inspecting the room, Cecelia proposes taking some of the dirt left by the bandits to Fiona to track them down. MC is ready to move but Cecelia tells her to rest and leave it for the next day. Cecelia offers to stay the night at the boarding house, to put MC and Donna at ease with her presence. MC makes a mental note that since Donna is already asleep, Cecelia’s concern is in truth, centred around her.

***Heart scene (27) - Make a little room for Cecelia.***

*The offer leaves MC flustered with both excitement and apprehension, causing her to fumble with words as she attempts to express her genuine gratitude, accompanied by slip-of-the-tongue innuendos. The ensuing clean-up session of the room is peppered with flirtatious interludes of suggestive figures of speech and frequent brushes of skin contact.*

*MC begins to show signs of exhaustion, and Cecelia urges her to bed, gently tucking her in when MC attempts to resist. Cecelia makes a pointed note that MC is uncharacteristically shy about being taken care of. MC regards the observation with wistfulness - the notion of being pampered with genuine affection and concern is a foreign experience. Cecelia stretches out on the bed next to MC and her fingers tenderly stroke MC’s hair, coaxing the latter to sleep.*

*When MC awakes at sundown, Cecelia is long gone, much to her disappointment.*

MC arrives at the apothecary the next day, where she finds Fiona hard at work, and Cecelia eagerly anticipating her arrival. Fiona’s ritual is making slow progress and MC expresses impatience. When Cecelia asks Fiona if there is a quicker way, the latter teases with adherence to “proper policy.” Cecelia tries to mask her embarrassment, and MC realises that it must be extraordinary for Cecelia to behave this way. Fiona suggests summoning MC’s familiar as a faster alternative, but still needs until the next day to prepare. To calm MC’s growing impatience, Cecelia suggests horse-riding.

Out in the plains, MC finally cheers up after a long galloping session. After a bout of playful flirting, Cecelia expresses admiration for MC’s skillset and qualities, and the conversation quickly returns to skirting around MC’s conflicting alignment with the Ward. MC assumes that Cecelia’s lawful inclination is innate, but Cecelia corrects her, revealing she once belonged to a dark and powerful family that was abruptly wiped out, after which she learned to acclimate to a completely different environment on her own.

Cecelia brings MC to the edge of the wilds, where stone ribs of the Devil’s Backbone glow. Their conversation briefly turns suggestive with biting innuendoes, but yet again delves back into Ward talk. Cecelia and MC begin to argue heatedly, each of them paradoxically defensive of the other’s qualities and reluctant to acknowledge their own merits. Cecelia apologises for losing her composure and suggests they head back, but MC convinces her to stay. The both of them spend the night deep in conversation, and only notice the rising sun almost too late.

### Episode 9

MC does a quick calculation of their distance from shelter, and decides to challenge Cecelia to a playful race to lighten the mood. Cecelia and MC take turns competitively out-galloping each other on the way back, but MC begins to genuinely panic as she realises their horses aren’t fast enough to reach town before the sun fully rises. To MC’s surprise, Cecelia appears unconcerned, and instead lifts MC from the back of her horse, flying them back to town with her supernatural speed.

They land on MC’s bed with a hard thump. MC scrambles to draw the bed-curtains around them, blocking out sunlight, encasing the both of them in a cocoon of soft light. Half annoyed and impressed, MC takes a moment to catch her breath, perched on top of a smug Cecelia. They banter, at ease with the physical intimacy between them. MC expresses appreciation at Cecelia making an intentional effort to bring MC along with her on the way back, of which the both of them awkwardly acknowledge the lack of logic behind such a decision. MC pushes Cecelia to admit her true motivations, and Cecelia draws MC’s face closer to her, confessing that she acted purely out of protective reflex.

The admission flusters MC, who attempts to apologise for putting Cecelia at risk so carelessly, but Cecelia interrupts her with a kiss. As they sink deeper and deeper into each other, MC feels the scrape of Cecelia’s fangs along her tongue.

***Heart scene (28) - Lose yourself in Cecelia’s kiss.***

*Cecelia freezes for a moment in hesitation, but MC’s enthusiasm sucks her back in once again. Emboldened, Cecelia drags their bodies together even closer, arms snaking then clamped around MC’s back – like a hunter claiming its prey. They continue passionately for some time, locked in each other’s tantalising hold.*

*MC gasps for breath and the sound snaps Cecelia back to sobriety, who moves to quickly distance herself from MC across the bed. Cecelia is visibly distressed from losing her grip on self-control yet again. Cecelia reminds MC that she is ultimately a monster but MC voices her trust in Cecelia to never hurt her. MC manages to cheer Cecelia up by joking, “Shoot, I might even ask you to, real nice.”*

MC coaxes Cecelia into settling for harmless snuggling instead. MC takes cat naps throughout the morning as Cecelia fondly threads her fingers through MC’s hair while pretending to read a novel [CG S1E9]. Sometime later, a loud and chirpy Fiona bursts into the room, here to bring MC along to scavenge for materials for the summoning ritual.

MC finds working with Fiona unexpectedly fun and effortless, which Fiona attributes to witches and mystics being kindred spirits as they possess overlapping traits. MC wonders why it is so hard for her to get closer to Cecelia since the latter is already close friends with Fiona. Fiona points out that MC is far from the same as herself, specifically mentioning MC’s “fiery potency” and how it scares Cecelia.

As they arrive back at the boarding house, Fiona and MC hear a melancholic tune coming from MC’s room.

### Episode 10

Fiona and MC silently go upstairs. Cecelia is alone in MC’s room, swaying indulgently to the melancholic melody she is playing on the violin. Fiona remarks that the song is even lovelier than the last time she heard it, and MC finds out the wistful tune is named Sunlight – Cecelia’s musical attempt to convey her imagination of - and longing for - the touch of the sun on her skin. Cecelia has never known the sensation of daylight, as she is a vampire by birth.

As Fiona busies herself with the ritual, MC and Cecelia once again fall into a private game of playful banter. Cecelia reveals that MC is the first person to look at her true self with awareness instead of wariness, as well as wish to let her monstrous side loose instead of leashing it. Before their conversation can stray further, Fiona interrupts them, ready to begin the summoning ritual.

Fiona walks MC through the necessary incantations and steps for the ritual. MC’s powers spark like fireworks and a thunderclap of smoke and fire suddenly breaks out across the room… with a tiny, aggressive deer demon now appearing in the middle of the mess. The demon introduces himself as Enzo, MC’s familiar, and easily tracks down the bandits at her request. MC is eager to go after them, but Cecelia stops her, reminding her they have to wait for the rest.

MC spends the rest of the afternoon in her room, splitting her attention between playing catch with Enzo and staring at Cecelia, who is checking her weapons. Cecelia calls MC out on her constant staring, then proceeds to slowly and seductively close the distance between them, engaging in a metaphorical wordplay of predator and prey. MC and Cecelia end up standing next to each other with their faces almost pressed together, but are interrupted by Enzo. Cecelia ruefully withdraws with a tantalizing whisper: “Duty calls, and pleasures waits.”

On their way downstairs, MC and Enzo overhear Cecelia and Fiona’s conversation about the necklace’s magical abilities in the hallway. Intrigued by the monetary value of the artifact, MC rushes down to the common room, where she asks the wardens about its mystical properties.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 11

Cecelia’s guarded non-answer bristles MC, who proceeds to aggressively question the wardens about the necklace’s value. A careless Fiona lets it slip that the artifact is valuable enough to buy a private island. MC’s brief fantasy of a big payday is smothered by a glaring Cecelia, and the both of them enter a heated argument. Before their fight can escalate, it is put to a stop by an amused Fiona, who points out it is the first time Cecelia’s orders have been met with question or objection. An irritated Cecelia sends Fiona away to look for the other wardens. Before MC can follow, Cecelia stops her in her tracks, saying that she believes MC will do the right thing when push comes to shove.

Cecelia and MC follow Enzo on horseback through the desert as he tracks down the bandits. Cecelia suggests they stop by a river for a break. As Enzo watches over the drinking horses, Cecelia and MC discuss MC's ability to hold her own against supernatural opponents. Cecelia hands MC a wicked-looking cyclone blade [Mini CG 7 & 8], then suggestively offers another sparring round as a rematch of their previous game, so MC can familiarise herself with supernatural tussles.

***Heart scene (26) - Rematch with Cecelia.***

*MC takes a step back and twirls the knife around her finger. They engage in innuendo-filled flirting, and Cecelia reveals the blade is made of silver. A worried MC turns apprehensive, but Cecelia laughs, saying that MC would never be able to touch her. MC retorts by recalling how she did touch Cecelia, repeatedly, during their previous sparring match, which makes the vampire blush.*

*Cecelia starts the tussle by lunging for MC, but the latter ducks in time. MC and Cecelia dodge and swerve around each other like a synchronised dance, their chemistry off the charts. Cecelia compliments MC on her lovely footwork, but then sneaks up on MC from behind and playfully presses her own body to MC’s back, whispering in MC’s ear and correcting her grip on the cyclone blade before vanishing again.*

*MC utilises her witch powers to telegraph Cecelia’s movements, and manages to position her dagger just under Cecelia’s chin when she materialises, catching the vampire by surprise. MC quickly but gently nudges Cecelia off-balance before she can recover her composure, then catches Cecelia with her free arm as the vampire tips backwards. Cecelia, taken aback, blushes but doesn’t move to escape MC’s hold, and instead snuggles even closer like a cat.*

*Cecelia marvels at MC’s ability to adapt quickly to situations, then gracefully flexes her body to make the both of them stand upright, but without making MC let go of her. MC waves the dagger in front of Cecelia smugly, demanding for the latter to concede defeat. Cecelia indulges her by declaring to yield.*

Cecelia tells MC to keep the dagger as a gift, and they set off again to track the bandits.

The trio find the bandits, who are camped at the edge of the desert wilds against a cliff. Deciding to divide and conquer, Cecelia plays the red herring and distracts the bandits by taunting and toying with them at the front of the camp, while MC and Enzo sneak in from the back and rummage for the necklace inside the tents unnoticed. After an unfruitful initial search, MC sends Enzo to stash away some of the valuables they found, and approaches a separate, lone tent by herself. As she goes closer, a feral vampire steps out of the tent, holding the necklace in its hands.

### Episode 12

MC narrowly evades an attack, but she is trapped between the campfire and feral vampire, isolated from Cecelia. Enzo arrives and tag-teams with MC, but during the fight she loses her dagger by accidentally lodging the blade deep into the feral vampire’s neck, and is pinned to the ground by the throat. Cecelia immediately transforms into her vampire self and jumps through the fire, tackling the feral vampire off MC, but not before it manages to pass the necklace to Ozzie, who makes a run for it.

A concerned Cecelia cradles a dazed MC, who is still conscious enough to smother her with cheeky flattery. Cecelia makes short work of the vampire while MC uses her witch powers to spook the horses of the escaping bandits, who are bucked onto the ground. Ozzie is quickly subdued by Enzo, who returns the necklace to MC.

While Nathan and the rest of the team arrive on scene and are assigned to clean-up duty, MC skims through a handmade journal she found, joined by Cecelia, who points out a line that claims the artifact allows vampires to survive in sunlight. Cecelia and MC have another inconclusive negotiation about the sale of the necklace to the Ward.

After turning the bandits in to Sheriff McGann, the team cajoles MC into joining them for drinks at the saloon, where they indulge in drinking, poker and dancing. At one point during the night’s festivities, MC notices Cecelia quietly leaving the party and goes after her before she can slip away. Cecelia explains she is off in search of replenishment, and invites MC to join her.

***Heart scene (27) - Join Cecelia for some replenishment.***

*As MC and Cecelia attempt to slip out of the saloon, they’re noticed by the rest of the team, who make fun of them for sneaking off scandalously. Cecelia brings MC to the apothecary, and disappears to light a few candles in the dark. Cecelia then playfully scares MC by materialising very closely behind her. MC sits down and watches as Cecelia busies herself with preparing a concoction. MC begins to talk about the Ward, but Cecelia shushes her with a finger to her lips. Cecelia explains that she usually spends her personal time in silence but since she has invited MC along, they will engage in conversation unrelated to business.*

*Cecelia holds a mug of the completed concoction under MC’s nose, and MC recognises the scent as coffee. Cecelia talks about her studies on differences in tastes between vampires and humans, noting that vampire preferences do not deviate too much from each other but humans enjoy a wide variety of flavours. The conversation takes a slightly suggestive turn and MC takes a flustered gulp of coffee, prompting Cecelia to thumb away a stray drop form MC’s lips. Cecelia asks MC about her personal preferences, and MC says that she doesn’t like to drink alone. In response, Cecelia leans in and kisses MC, cheekily remarking that she now knows what coffee tastes like, then pulls out her own flask and takes a long drink.*

*MC asks Cecelia about the necklace’s properties, and if the vampire would use it. Cecelia admits that she has fantasised about the sensation of the sun, and MC thumbs away a stray drop of blood from Cecelia’s lips like the latter had done so to her earlier, apologising for bringing the mood down. Cecelia grabs MC’s hand, then licks the blood of her thumb, clarifying that she took no offense. Cecelia then stands up and offers to walk MC home.*

MC wakes up the next morning and finds a smiling Cecelia standing by her bed, who has come to check on her. They delve into flirty banter again, and Cecelia brings up their compatibility as co-workers. MC asks Cecelia if the latter truly understands her own reasons behind recruiting the outlaw, but Cecelia insists that her motivations are purely professional. Their conversation revisits the topics of MC’s compatibility with the Ward, as well as the trade for the necklace again. Cecelia asks what MC wants from the Ward in exchange for the artifact, and MC states that she wants Cecelia to invite her to stay with the Wardens, but specifically because of her personal desire for MC.

[written by reddit user u/diet2thewind]