AN: You all know the drill when it comes to fanfics so let me be frank and fast with this AN section for the sake of brevity. I do not own Trinity Blood, otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfics, though the OC and the mythology behind him are all mine… Sorta. You'll see what I mean.
"Oh of all the dumb things!!" Abel muttered under his breath while stalking down the halls of the Vatican late one night. He had forgotten to grab a book to read and now it was too late and the infernal librarian was so old his bedtime was practically at noon. Still it was worth the chance to visit and see if he was up. While he as at it he might as well see if the Holy Grail would decide to show itself or maybe Jesus would come back from the dead. After all, the chances were about the same. Turning down one last corner he stared at the doors in disbelief; they were open and lights could be seen flickering from inside. Stepping into the large entry he knocked on the door as he passed by its mahogany frame, now more than a bit spooked. Not that there was much to be afraid of from the librarian but IF the lord and savior decided to present himself well… his heart might not be able to take it. His entrance was announced effectively and somewhere from the labyrinthine bowels of the library and archives there was the sound of movement.
"OH! HellOH DAMN!"A voice called out in a strained greeting before there was a loud crashing noise and the sound of body hitting the floor. With the same amount of commotion a man stumbled into view. His clothes were wrinkled and a tie was loose around his pencil neck but otherwise was dressed liked the elder librarian at the Vatican.
"Are you… alright? What happened?" Abel adjusted his glasses, cursing the dim lighting as he squinted to see what this man looked like. He hadn't seen him around the Vatican before and even though he didn't seem like a threat… well, he was wary. The figure was brushing off his battered suit, and a sizable tear could be seen near the shoulder stitching revealing his off-white oxford shirt below.
"I fell! Clumsy me, clumsy clumsy clumsy," he muttered, clicking his tongue in the disapproving manner of a schoolmarm. Rolling up the sleeves of his shirt and jacket his skin seemed ghostly pale in the lighting and dark bruises could be seen. Obviously he was no stranger to the odd accident. "I was caught off guard, do you need a book?" He asked with an apologetic smile on his gaunt face.
"Uh… Yes, actually. Are you new here?" Abel pulled the first book he could find off the shelf and began to flick it open. Immediately he was barraged with a medley of scientific words, none under eight syllables. As the man answered, Abel discreetly slipped it back into its rightful place.
"Oh! Yes, yes indeed, I was just recently admitted here" the man smiled at him. The large lenses on his face were so thick they distorted his eyes. In fact, his all over appearance was owlish, the great twin moons of his glasses seeming to glow as he fidgeted with them. "I suppose my manners failed me, I have yet to introduce myself," he ran his thumbs down the lining of his plucky tweed jacket and then finally stopped. "You can simply call me Ulysses Delacroix."
"Ah! The pleasure is all mine! I'm-" Abel quickly stuck out his own hand, but his introduction was interrupted.
"And yes, you're Nightroad eh?" he sighed and pushed up his glasses. "Feel free to browse the shelves but I can't keep you company. I must attend to my work. You know what they say; idle hands are the devil's playthings!" He dusted off his own; they were thin and bony, entirely sharp angles and big joints.
"Oh! Of course! Don't mind me!" Abel gave a silly smile, wandering off through the shelves as the young librarian now called Ulysses went on with his work, humming an old hymn under his breath.
"What a strange young man…" Abel mused to himself, smiling slightly. It wasn't until 18 books later (With only one book being a success) two courtyards, three left turns and one wrong turn later, did it dawn on Abel. "How did he know my name?" He shrugged it off. It mattered little. The man had probably studied up on the records like a good little archivist. Never-the-less, he stored this tidbit away for later thought, though he doubted Ulysses would prove to be a threat. In the meantime he smiled in a pleased sort of manner. The library was open late for once. If things kept up like this he might never get to sleep…
It wasn't until after three glorious nights of reading and the subsequent lack of sleep that the toll began to show on Abel. Despite the fact that he sat with the Duchess of Milan for tea and a briefing his mind was elsewhere, most likely trying to escape back into his dreams. Watching him carefully the Duchess sighed. Even though she was concerned there was also the expression of motherly condescending that only she could have with him. Waking himself up with a jerk Abel realized just what he had done and sighed. Stirring the sugary sludge of a drink that was once a decent cup of tea, he began to try and explain his behavior.
"I know now, there really IS too much of a good thing," he moaned, his silver hair falling in curtains around his face and onto the small table as his forehead drew ever closer to the tabletop. The laugh that followed from Sister Caterina was as bright and light as soap bubbles and filled with curiosity.
"And what brought around this divine epiphany?" she coyly asked, tracing her fingers around the gold filigree of the thin fine bone china.
"The library. It's open late… but now… I'm too busy reading to get any sleep," he gave her a pitiful stare and a small smile but it was met with a look of confusion.
"What on earth do you mean? Has that senile old man decided to keep it open later now? What prompted that??" she wondered while sipping the tea politely, one pinky hovering just out of the small loop that the rest of her slender hand grasped with utmost delicacy.
"Huh? The new librarian… he's been keeping it open later," Abel explained, waving it off smoothly with his hand smiling at the Duchess before he noticed the surprise on her face and the expression dropped. "Why… what's the matter?"
"I don't recall hearing any news of a new employee…" she muttered, painted red lips pursing together in frustration. "TRES." She called out to the door and not soon after the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard outside.
There was a small pause before the clean cut face Tres Iqus could be seen through the door as he stepped into the room as commanded. Standing firmly at attention, his sights were trained on her, waiting for an order.
"Yes, Duchess?" his dull mechanical voice inquired.
"Check the records to see if we have a new hire…" she paused and glanced at Abel, "Did you manage to get a name?"
"Ah! Yes I did!" Abel turned his gaze to Tres, "Ulysses Delacroix."
"Right, run a search for any employee under that name then report to me immediately," she ordered sharply, the entire situation making her feel rather nervous. It wasn't like the Vatican to let such a dire security breach occur, but it also wouldn't be the first time. Of course, if breach was going to be as serious as the last one Caterina found herself wondering if they had enough manpower to survive again unscathed. To pass the time while the Battle Doll ran his search, and to ease her own nerves, she glanced at Abel.
"What can you tell me about this man?"
"Not much… I should have realized sooner…" he sighed, shaking his head and adjusting his glasses. "He hardly seemed like a threat. There was no sign of him being anything but human."
"Hm… For you to say that makes this predicament all the more vexing," she sighed before glancing over at Tres, who had turned his gaze back to them.
"Negative on Ulysses Delacroix. No records showing a man with that name working here nor has the Vatican hired anybody within the last month," he reported dryly, "Orders?"
"Yes. Come with us and send a pre-emptive alert to AX member on staff. I don't want them charging in guns blazing but if we need back-up I want them there. We have a possible breach of security," The Duchess stood quickly in a flurry of fabric before glancing out the window at the setting sun, "Abel, you said this man worked during the night, correct?"
"Yes," he stood as well, and rather quickly, his body tense in worry over the idea of an enemy in the very walls so many called home. What was more pressing about the matter was that this person had access to the archives and the priceless records on every AX member.
"Let us see if he shows up tonight," she proclaimed while glancing quickly at the setting sun from the gaps in her veranda. With an anxious haste they made their way down to the library. Sure enough the lights flickered from inside and cautiously Abel pushed open the door before clearing his throat and stepping inside. While he appeared calm and placid he could feel his heartbeat radiating up into this throat. It would be best not to alert whoever this man was to their true intentions.
"Mr. Delacroix?" he asked timidly and was surprised to hear the man respond.
"Is that you, sir?"
Walking amiably into view was the librarian and his eyes grew wide in surprise at seeing Abel's company. Bowing his head to the Duchess he swept his arm through the air and to his waist in a gentlemanly bow before speaking again.
"I was not expecting company outside of you, sir, forgive me dearest Lady," his voice trembled nervously before he stood and smiled. "Are you looking for a book as well? I know Mr. Nightroad has appreciated my late night services."
"Yes, he was just telling me how grateful he was for me hiring you," Caterina explained, narrowing her eyes at the thin man before them, testing him. She wondered how long his composure could last before he'd reveal himself for a spy or the like.
"Ah, I'm quite pleased to be of help," Ulysses bowed slightly before clapping his bony hands together and giving a small smile. "What type of books do you like to read? Perhaps I can be of help." Brushing his battered clothes off, he acted sheepish at having been caught off guard in front of such an important person. He did all this while ignoring Tres casually.
"I was wondering if you could refresh my memory," she stated, arms crossed at her slim waist as she awaited some sort of reaction. Instead of panicking or trying to escape he simply stopped his fussing, his bemused expression remaining plastered onto his face.
"Of course, that is what an archivist is good for. What can I help you with?" he asked as he walked to the large oak counter that held all the archive lists and book registry.
"How did we hire you into our services?" At this point Caterina had decided to cut directly to the point as she could hear the faint footsteps of AX officers arriving in the hall outside. With the reaffirmation of back-up she felt her courage growing. Though the bookish man didn't skip a beat he did pause for a second and tilt his head, almost as if noticing the commotion outside before the ever pleasant smile affixed itself to his face once more.
"Oh? Shouldn't the leader of the AX know??" he replied slyly, "I surmise you aren't here for the books, then… but might I recommend one?" Reaching below the counter, he kept his gaze trained on them.
"My memory must have slipped on you. Please refresh it," Caterina replied, ignoring the man's suggestion. Her voice grew cold as Abel and Tres slowly began to reach for their weapons, nervous as to just what the man was reaching under the counter for. Despite this she felt no fear as she the utmost faith in their ability to protect her, when push came to shove.
"…" With a free hand Ulysses removed his glasses casually before leveling his eyes with her. Without the thick glass to hide them they were dull and dead and Caterina found herself wishing he would replace his spectacles, if only to be spared the dark lifeless gaze. "Why, I was brought here by your archivist himself; though he'd hardly recognize me now, for what it's worth."
Sliding out from behind the countertop he gave a slow grin, pushing his glasses back onto his face. Pausing, he pointed at the men behind the massive skirt of the Duchess and pulled an innocent pout.
"Do you not trust me? I hardly mean you any harm," he said as he stood before the three, appearing harmless with his awkward gait and hunched posture.
"I believe statements like that when I see them, and you've given me no reason to trust you, nor give us any proof in your pacifism," she shot back and Ulysses paused, his smile sliding from his face like water off wax.
"But I do not lie, nor do any of my brothers. I have said only the truth since you came here. Go ahead, ask me any question and I will tell you no lies," he replied earnestly, hands clasped together as if in prayer as he moved one step closer.
"I have asked questions, and you've given me no answers," Caterina stood her ground as the young archivist drew nearer.
"At least tell us who hired you," Abel insisted, eager to avoid the violence that might occur should the intruder prove to be volatile.
"About that small detail, nobody here hired me, correct? I was brought here by the archivist and assumed these duties to pass the time," he rubbed his thin hands together to warm the stiff joints.
"Then if you are truthful, tell me… are you here to harm me?" the Duchess stared the skeletal archivist before her down her chin tilted up and calm stare impervious to his delicate portrayal.
"Hardly, dear lady, hardly. I've been nothing but the gentleman and you treat me with distrust?" he asked indignantly, back almost straightening before it slowly moved back into its scholarly arch. "If I had come here to harm you would I really waste time befriending your Nightroad or shelving these books?" pausing for a chuckle, he continued after clearing his throat, "So to answer your question, no… I am not here to harm you."
There was a pause between the three. Despite the reassuring tone he took when reminding them that he wouldn't hurt Caterina there was the subtle taint of a veiled threat that only made them even more uneasy. He seemed sure of himself, though the fact was hidden and for a second he didn't appear the frail librarian, but as something far darker. This feeling tainted the way they viewed him, as though he was just the front for something far larger. It was Abel who finally spoke.
"Then what are you here for? To threaten the Duchess? To spy on the AX??" he demanded, standing firm as to guard Caterina as his expression sharpened to steel.
"To remind you and to perhaps make an offer of a lifetime, if you play your cards right," Ulysses explained, spreading his hands apart palms up as a show of good faith and peace.
"Remind us of what, pray tell?" Caterina demanded, not asked, as she took one step forward and took pleasure realizing that the young man before her took one step back.
"Of things forgotten that shouldn't have been," he explained plainly.In the dim light of the room shadows had begun to take a life of their own moving and flickering, dancing in the corners of the AX member's vision
"Speak plainly," Caterina ordered, taking another step forward at the man who stood his ground this time and sighed removing his glasses and again. Methodically folding the legs against the lenses he placed them on the countertop of the library desk and sighed.
"If the lady insists so, how can I deny?" he mused to himself, before leaning back against the desk, his back straightening out as he pushed his ratty hair out of his face. "All of this… all the Vatican all up in arms… for what? Vampires? HAH!!" he spat, his demeanor melting from meek bookworm to something far more arrogant in mere seconds. "Oh… pardon me. They prefer to be called Methuselah, don't they? Are you bible toting militants really okay with them claiming that name?? Wasn't that a name of a holy figure??" he asked, dull eyes mocking them with their emotionless stare.
"Oh but humans always do that. They focus on newest thing… the newest fad… the newest danger, forgetting the old ways," he mused, shaking his head when his monologue was stopped by Caterina.
"So you don't count yourself as human or Methuselah?" she inquired, only to hear Tres's voice for the first time since they entered the room.
"Negative, all readings on Ulysses Delacroix are of the human nature," he informed them curtly, causing a small smile to appear on Caterina's painted lips.
"So explain that, Mr. Delacroix?" she challenged, arms crossed, her sleeves dovetailing around her elbows and opening to opulent layers Chantilly lace.
"Oh? Of course I read as human to that… thing… would you like me to change that? I hardly fit in Ulysses at any rate," he explained, smiling at their quizzical faces. Closing his eyes he gave a deep sigh and immediately a surprised expression barely flitted across Tres' face.
"All vital signs for Ulysses Delacroix have ceased functioning," he informed the group. Glancing to the battle doll in surprise, the moment Caterina looked away she heard the sound of a body hitting the floor. Snapping her head back, her eyes grew wide. The archivist was dead on the floor, and a black viscous mass was flowing from his eyes and mouth. Slowly the darkness took the shape of a man and then a face was seen in the pitch black mass with skin as pale as frosted glass.
"Isn't it better to remove all pretenses?" he asked, opening eyes that were as pale as glacial ice. A hand appeared as though pulled out from a pocket and pushed some of the dark mass from the man's face, now revealed to be wavy black hair. Stepping out from the shadow and away from the corpse, it appeared as the archivist though now leaner, less bony, but still achingly delicate. "I was brought to the Vatican sealed in a book, you see, that was picked up by that silly old librarian of yours. Once inside the Vatican the bonds that held me… they weakened enough for me to break them."
Dressed plainly in slacks and half buttoned shirt, both black, he almost melded with the shadows around him before they dissipated, rushing to block the entry way.
"Did you plan on trapping us here?" Abel asked, taking a step forward to stand to the front of the Duchess, as Tres followed suit,
"Again, you overestimate me. I simply don't want any interruptions after I went to such lengths to get an audience with the Duchess of Milan herself…" he bowed mockingly before brushing off his hands and retrieving a large leather tome from behind the library counter. "Now wheeeeere was I? Oh... that's right. HUMANS! Always forgetting the old toy when the new one arrives, so very much like spoiled little children. The Vatican once fought against something far darker than mere Methuselah back in the days when the pope wasn't a spoiled child. Now I finally wake from my bonds to find…this?? Little blood suckers running rampant, battle dolls and guns?? It seems Armageddon wasn't enough to end you fools." Shaking his head he tossed the book at the Duchess, though it was caught by Abel who checked it before handing it to her.
"I might as well have stayed silent and asleep if THIS is what I am to wake to…" he ranted, taking to pacing the marble in disgust. It was when he turned his head that Caterina noticed something unusual. Growing from his forehead were slender black horns, slightly ridged and angling from his scalp to five inches past his head straight back. Pausing, she glanced down at the book she had been tossed. Its title had long since worn off, leaving only tattered leather, but upon opening its pages she saw a language she didn't recognize, but pictures that she did. They were gruesome, violent things, woodcut prints of men summoning demons, of souls being eaten and of women bathing naked in pools of blood. Glancing up she pursed her lips. Despite the growing speed of her heartbeat she felt calm.
"You mean to tell me you're a demon?" she asked, scoffing the very idea.
"Don't believe me??" he asked, turning to glance at her before shaking his head once more. "Of course you don't. My kind was hunted down by the Vatican or went into hiding, and those of us that couldn't be killed were simply sealed away…"
"So then, you're supposed to be one of the stronger ones??" Caterina replied, flipping through each page of thick parchment before stopping on one. The picture showed a mass of shadows with a pale face staring out; black horns and shark like teeth embellished the evil nature of the creature. Glancing between the man before her and the picture, she cleared her throat. "What is your name… creature?"
"If I give you my name, it means there is a contract… so if you reeeeally want to know it I suppose you could take me on," he mused, "You can call me Delacroix if you so desire a name without binding yourself to me.."
"You didn't answer my previous question."
"… Yes. I am one of the Four. I was bound by a saint of yours to that book after a foolish scholar summoned me. Mid ritual too… a shame. I kept his body though, I thought might be of use," he pushed himself up to take a seat on the countertop and smiled softly. "You have plenty of questions, as what I would expect of a woman like you…" Delacroix's eyes roamed over her hungrily, "… I always did prefer women with a backbone."
"I'm too much for you," she shot back, standing firm. "Now where did you get that corpse?"
"This old thing? Sealed away with me, Ulysses was going to be one of my contract holders before it all fell through. I have you Vatican dogs to thank for that I suppose," he explained, glancing disdainfully at the body, "I don't know how you humans can stand such a gauche thing like that…"
There was a pause as Caterina glanced over the page in the book with the imprinted likeness of the creature before her. Though she couldn't read any of the text, she knew that somebody else in the AX probably could. Then again she also knew she was for all intensive purposes trapped in the library with said creature that was now effectively blocking the door. Glancing to Tres, she knew he was ready to enter genocide mode the moment the creature made a threatening move and took solace in it and returned to the page.
"You can't think you'll escape this," Abel stated, looking at the man warily as he sat on the library countertop, legs kicking out into the air as he stared at the corpse on the floor. "You're surrounded. The moment you drop that barrier, the AX will attack you to protect the Duchess."
"Well, you're AX, you and your china doll there and you haven't attacked yet have you?" Delacroix replied calmly, ignoring the technical quip from Tres about his classification as Battle Doll, not as some girl's toy. Inspecting his pitch black talons, the creature sat before the three in a pleased manner as he glanced at them with his cold eyes, daring them to contradict his statement; or better yet, to attack.
"You haven't tried to assault me," Caterina explained blithely, waving it off with one lace gloved hand. "But the men and women outside won't know that."
"Hm… I suppose I only promised not attack you three," he cupped his chin thoughtfully, "It's been awhile since I last fought but I could probably handle your AX…"
"You will do nothing of the sort, fiend," Caterina immediately barked, making the man give a small smile.
"Did I tell you already that you remind me of my younger brother? He had a lot of spirit, just like you…" he mused.
"And what about you? Not the spirited type?" she bantered back, carefully fidgeting with her golden curls.
"I was always more the cruel type. Spirit is meant to be broken, dear," he replied blandly, pushing himself off the counter. "As it were, my job here is not quite done."
"Oh?? Then what else do you have to do?? Can it involve letting us go? You have hardly been the gracious host, keeping us here against our wills."
"Oooh hardly. As I was reading through all your archives I realized that I for once have something in common with the Vatican."
"Mmmhmm?"
"You're tone hardly sounds convinced… but regardless of that, let me explain. I've been sealed for so long that the era of demons has passed. Most of my weaker brethren were killed off by your predecessors, those moderate demons just went into hiding and all the noble clans were sealed off, like me. I'm just some old antiquity of long forgotten horror and lore," he explained, holding up a finger as if pointing to a lesson on a chalk board. "Now these new monsters, these Methuselah, are running around unabated. I like what you guys are doing… I like what the Inquisition is doing more but if I went to them with this proposal… well. I'd be dead now."
There was a nod of general consensus from the two of the three not programmed with ones and zeroes before they waited for Delacroix to get everything out of his system.
"Besides, I didn't survive this long unscathed by mindlessly killing humans. I coexisted… and all I want to do is exist peacefully with humans and these silly Methuselah, and… to punish those who don't. So how about this: You can take me into custody to appease those bloodthirsty people just outside that barrier and door. Then, let me try to join your ranks," Caterina opened her mouth to protest but was silenced at Delacroix held up a hand and continued, "I've seen what you hire here. A demon such as me should almost be considered tame."
"Almost," she interjected, before once more the creature spoke up.
"Never-the-less… if you'd feel safer I suppose you can always bind me to someone," he added, almost brightly as he stepped closer to them.
"So go ahead, tie me up or whatever is you AX do. Put me in cell, if you must, but…" he placed a pale hand on the page that Caterina still had open in the book and smiled at her. Under his palm the ink wigged and danced until it was printed in plain English, though the font was still extravagant. "But just read what the old monks have to say about me. Who wouldn't want that on their side?? And if you don't hire me I'm sure the other side might just have loose enough morals to use me to my full extent."
Seconds passed like hours as he locked eyes with Duchess before there was a small smile on her face, immediately complemented by an equal one on his. Glancing over at Abel, she nodded her head.
"Take Mr. Delacroix here into custody. I will have The Professor analyze all records… if you are truly as beneficial as you say you are, sir… then we will indeed bring you into our ranks. BUT, if these are just cool lies given by a honey tongued monster, then you will find yourself sealed back into these pages," with a snap, she closed the book in front of his face as he gave a small grin. With a wave of his hand, the corpse of Ulysses disappeared in black flame. A split second later Abel pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Obligingly Delacroix held out his wrists and winced as the steel twisted closed to his wrists.
"Ouch, careful. I bruise easily," he pouted. Noticing the group had taken to staring at him expectantly, he sighed, "Oh very well. I don't know what you guys are so anxious about. I was having a lovely time, with lovely company." With the sound of dark wings beating the air, the shadow that blocked the door disappeared back into the shadows then raced back to Delacroix, assuming a fiendish shadow that flickered and moved of it's own accord under his feet, consuming the body of the dead archivist like hungry dogs.
With an unholy clatter the doors were busted open and AX members flooded inside full of bravado and, as soon as they saw Delacroix, very confused questions. Holding up a hand for silence, Caterina explained the situation.
"Return to your duties, this situation is under control," she announced. As the crowd dissipated, she paused and glanced to Abel. "Place Delacroix here into a waiting cell. I will have The Professor analyze this book."
"And if you like what you see??" Delacroix asked bemusedly as he resisted leaving the room to hear her answer. He wasn't disappointed as she instead took to walking past him, giving him only the barest sideways glance.
"Then you might have a deal, Delacroix."
Chuckling to himself, he caved in as Abel led him away to a bare waiting cell. Giving the melancholy man a long once-over glance, he gave a dark smile and raised his eyebrows expectantly.
"Hey… do YOU wanna make a contract??" he asked slyly but there was no response. Pouting, he sighed and glanced up at the painted ceilings of the Vatican as they walked past, "I'd grant a wish. How about that?? Annnything you want just make a contract and give me an order."
The man stopped for a second and Delacroix grinned triumphantly. That is, until he spoke.
"In this line of work you understand better than anyone that power doesn't grant wishes," he stated, giving the man a bored stare over the rims of his glasses. With that he started walking again, determined to lead Delacroix away before the man could irk him any more than he already had. Leading him down to the temporary holding cells under the Vatican, he paused. The man was grinning like a loon as he walked into the cell.
"I like you," he stated as he ambled over to the bed in the room and sat down on. "I read your file," he admitted, "Pretty depressing stuff. And trust me; I've seen the worst of the worst."
There was a stony silence with a cold stare to match in response making Delacroix mime a shiver before stretching out on the bed of the cell as Abel walked away. Oh he could be patient; he could wait until they deliberated his fate. Staring up at the dank ceiling he grinned to himself.
"Tiiiime.. is on my side…" he sang to himself, "Oh yes it is…."
AN: Thanks for reading through my first chapter for this fanfiction, I hope you enjoyed (and might even review). All in all it is a good experience to be writing again, especially under my new pen name. For those who don't know, I was previously the writer Trenity170. I hope to see you in my next chapter!
-Affably yours
KinReynard
P.S. Brownie Points if you know what movie I reference in the end of his fanfic.