Well hi there!
This is just something I came up with in my semi-vain attempt to paint Cross Marian as an actual human being. He's seriously misunderstood, people.
So this is kind of based on the song "Unknown Soldier" by Breaking Benjamin. Excellent song. Check it out.
Disclaimer:...I can't draw. What would make you think I can author a successful manga series?
"Allen," Cross Marian asked, looking out the window of their shabby hotel room and out onto the waters of the Adriatic Sea, "why do we fight this war?"
The white haired boy looked up from the card game he was playing against himself. "What?"
"I asked you why we, as exorcists, fight against the Earl."
"Is this a trick question?" the young boy asked suspiciously.
"Of course not," he snapped, lighting a cigarette, "I want to know if you understand what we fight for."
"Oh. Well," he started, studying the floorboards, "I guess we fight to protect the people of the world against the Millennium Earl."
"And why do they need to be protected from the Earl?"
"Because he's planning the destruction of mankind," his student replied earnestly, "and we need to stop him!"
"Do all people deserve to be saved?"
"Of course!" he responded immediately.
Cross chuckled darkly, "To have such an uncorrupted view of the world," he mused, watching the cigarette smoke coil towards the ceiling, "it must be nice. But there are so many shades of grey; it's hard to tell what side's right anymore."
"What do you mean Master?"
"What if normal people secretly worked for the Earl? Would you save them? What about someone playing a double agent, working for the Earl just to destroy him? Which side are they on?"
Allen paused, studying the floorboards, "I-I guess I'm not sure."
"Exactly." Cross got up from his chair and crossed the room, "Think about it." He went downstairs from their room to the bar, ordering the most expensive whiskey offered. As he welcomed the familiar feeling of the amber liquid burning down his throat, he thought of the boy's response: "Do all people deserve to be saved?" "Of course!"
He's so damn optimistic, he thought, but his heart's in the right place. I guess that's what's best.
He finished the bottle and got up to leave. The bartender objected, "Sir, you haven't paid yet."
"Start a tab," Cross waved him off
The room was dark when he entered. Allen was sprawled in a large armchair fast asleep, a book lying on the floor beside him. He picked up the book and laid it on the table and threw a blanked over his idiot apprentice
So damn innocent, but then again, what can you expect? He's just a kid.
The picture of Allen asleep in an armcahir is too cute to pass up. I had to throw it in there. =D
So, review please! All types are appreciated, but try not to flame. Thank you!
~~BJ