Disclaimer: I don't own Chrono Crusade.
-CHAPTER 2-
Sisters and Sinners
On the edge of Manhattan Island there is situated an old monastery, a collection of weathered buildings surrounding a large Gothic-era cathedral. There was a time when the city grew with it, expanding as the years passed, but now it seems almost out-of-place in the sprawling metropolis, a somber stone estate dwarfed by ever-reaching skyscrapers and factories puffing grey smoke. Ask anybody and they'll say it has always been there, watching over the township as it swelled into an expansive capital.
The Order of Magdalene had witnessed all the effects of the Age of Industry that blossomed after the war to end all wars, both the good and the bad—new technologies, materials, construction, the ban on alcohol and the underground businesses people organized in order to spread much-desired moonshine from thirsty gullet to thirsty gullet; the loss of control, the unstable nature of sudden repression that transformed once-peaceful city-dwellers into greedy, maniacal fiends far more corrupt than even the Devils they called upon. Indeed, magic had found its way into the general populace, and where there is magic, an insatiable hunger for power is born. The Magdalene Order existed to keep this hunger at bay, to bring ruin to the creatures of the night and create safe-haven for all those who prayed for God's aid in this time of great need.
The cathedral had overlooked the outside world for so long that it was difficult to believe anything new could be introduced to its stuffy halls, but as daybreak dawned over the city and Ewan Remington's black Ford pulled through the wrought-iron gates, a new presence did make itself known. For the first time in half a century, a Devil was about to set-foot in the convent.
Chrono had never anticipated returning to the Order of Magdalene. In fact, it was one of the places he had assumed gone forever, torn down by the greed of humankind. But what did he know? Fifty years had passed since he'd confined himself to the tomb, decades ticking by like the pendulum of a clock, bringing change to the landscape he had once walked with the other Sinners, and with her. He had to admit, the shock of seeing so much development at once almost scared him. The city made him feel so small. Towers of metal shot into the sky, and Chrono stared at them with wide-eyes from the backseat of the car. Shops, restaurants, theaters, and so many people! Chrono had never seen anything like it. Even the sleek black vehicle in which they sat was new to him. An automobile, Rosette had told him it was called. She was so much more knowledgeable than he was in this regard, and for a brief moment Chrono found himself mourning the years he had spent trapped in the tomb. He had missed so much.
Perhaps it was for the best, he thought vacantly, shooting a sideways glance at the little girl whose head rested against the window of the opposite side of the backseat. She was wrapped in his brown leather shawl, sleeping soundly despite everything that had happened in recent days. Chrono couldn't help but admire her strength. She wasn't thinking about wasted time. She had no reason to, not yet anyway. She was still young.
Two days had passed since Remington had found Chrono and Rosette at Seventh Bell, two long days of driving with only short stops in between to rest and eat. Chrono had done his best to help Rosette, but he suddenly had to compete with Remington's attempts to father the young girl, who was more than receptive. Chrono couldn't exactly blame her. Who would take the hand of a Demon like him over someone like Remington? He was better for Rosette, and Chrono knew it, but he told himself that she needed him anyway. He needed to be needed.
When they stopped at a small hotel during the first night Remington carried Rosette—who had already passed out in the car—to the room. Chrono watched him do this, envy picking at him for a reason he couldn't even begin to explain. This same sensation presented itself whenever Remington reached out to Rosette, and Chrono was forced to fight off the jealousy time and again. He just couldn't rid himself of the feeling that he was supposed to be the one taking care of her, not this priest.
"Wake her," came Remington's voice from the driver's seat then, and Chrono was stirred from his memories. Chrono looked over at him, brows furrowed. Just as Chrono had been watching him, Remington had spent much of the drive keeping an eye on Chrono through the rear-view mirror. Chrono really wasn't sure what the Minister was expecting, that he would suddenly attack Rosette? He had to remind himself that for most Devils, a child of twelve would be nothing more than a meal. He was not most Devils, but he didn't expect Remington to know that. After all, he couldn't deny that his mistakes five decades ago had led to the death of a most influential member of his house. Mary Magdalene, the woman whose name was still remembered in the Order's title.
Chrono leaned toward Rosette, smiling as he whispered as softly as he could in her ear, "Rosette, wake up."
"Ugh..." she groaned, let out a startled snore, and then pulled the shawl over her head to cover her eyes. Chrono sighed, scratching his cheek awkwardly. Getting Rosette Christopher up was not exactly the easiest task in the world, but he had to give it another shot.
"We're here, Rosette. Time to wake up."
She didn't respond this time. It wasn't until the car lurched to a sudden stop that Rosette finally opened her eyes, gasping as Remington swerved in his seat to check on the girl and her Devil.
"Morning Chrono!" She said as if nothing had happened, stretching her arms and yawning wide. "What's up? We stopping for breakfast? I'm starving—"
"Rosette, we've arrived."
"Madame," Remington said, tapping on the glass window from outside. He had already exited the car. Rosette opened it and both she and Chrono tumbled out, standing next to each other and staring with gaping mouths at the enormous cathedral before them. Remington spread his arms in greeting. "Welcome to the Order of Magdalene, or welcome back, in your case," he gave Chrono a stiff look. "Now come along, Rosette. We've got to take you to the infirmary, and of course you'll need to meet with Sister Kate—"
"What about Chrono?"
The Minister's eyes flitted in the direction of one of the buildings siding the church. "Our weapon's expert's lab is there, an old geezer who specializes in um... unique inventions. I think it would be best if Chrono went to see him, at least for now. You have to understand that not everybody is going to be as..." he paused, searching for the right word, "open to Chrono as you are, Rosette."
"He won't do anything."
"That remains to be seen."
Rosette gawked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"No more fussing. Do you even realize what this place is? A convent, a Religious order. Do you really think I can just let some Devil traipse inside without a care in the world? Regardless of what you think and regardless of what I think, this boy is an abomination to God himself. Not only that, but our members are trained to exterminate his kind. There are people I must speak with, things that must be arranged, before he is allowed to enter, and even then I cannot guarantee how much freedom he will be granted. The fact remains that Devils aren't exactly trustworthy."
Rosette was getting very upset now. Her cheeks burned red and her eyes formed a truly menacing glare. Chrono tried to speak, but she silenced him. "Who are you to say who's trustworthy? Nobody even knows him. I'll show them all he's different, I'll do whatever it takes—"
"Rosette," Chrono said, much more authoritatively this time, and both Rosette and Remington halted their argument to look his way. "It's okay. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Go with Father Remington. I'll wait for you."
"But it's not fair..." Rosette pouted, and Chrono reached out to touch her arm softly. She was still wearing his shawl.
"These people will be able to help us find Joshua, I know it. So go for me. You can tell me all about it later."
At last, Rosette seemed to accept defeat. She didn't look happy about it, and waved to Chrono as she was following Remington to the church, her face wrought with concern. Chrono smiled, meeting Remington's gaze just before both he and Rosette disappeared inside the building. If Chrono had been forced to guess he would have said Remington was thanking him, understanding perhaps that if it weren't for him Rosette might not have given up so easily.
Rosette Christopher was mad, and she was going to make it as obvious as she could. She kicked a stone as she stomped across the grass, still damp with morning dew. She folded her arms in the over-sized shawl she'd taken from Chrono, glowering and sticking out her tongue at the back of the tall golden-haired man who was leading her up, up, up the stairs to the huge arched doors of the church. Over the past three days Rosette had gone from hating Father Remington—for attempting to steal away Joshua—to liking him—for agreeing to bring them back to the Magdalene Order, and for buying her food—to hating him all over again, this time for refusing to allow Chrono to accompany them inside.
So what if Chrono's a Devil? She thought with an indignant huff. She hated how Remington used the word, like it was the most insulting title you could give someone. Rosette still remembered what Chrono had said to her in the crypt under the hill. "A being humans should fear." But why? Why should she "fear" him? He had showed her nothing but deepest kindness. She had to admit, she didn't know a lot about Devils, but if the others were anything like Chrono then nobody should be afraid. It wasn't fair. There was so many people worse than Chrono—Father Remington for example, yet it was Chrono who was discriminated against.
Of course, meeting Aion had changed her perspective a little. She knew there was something innately dark about Chrono. It had always been there, from the first moment she had laid eyes on him in the tomb. He was nothing like Aion, but there was a part of him that she would never understand. It was old, ingrained deep within him in a place she couldn't reach even if she spent the next fifty years by his side. She was accepting of this. It was not her duty to concern herself with Chrono's past, no matter how much it seemed to haunt him. All she could do was ensure that his future held more promise, that they both succeeded in the quest they had set off on.
"Rosette," Father Remington said loudly, startling her from her own upset thoughts. "You would benefit to remember what I say. This is a big place, and if you're to be living here from now on we wouldn't want you getting lost."
She nodded, cheeks puffy. She was too angry to look him in the eyes. It took her a moment to really register what he'd said.
"L-living here!?"
"Why, of course. You didn't think I was just going to let you go on your merry way, did you? You're twelve-years-old, not even close to coming-of-age. A self-respecting young lady like yourself can't be wandering all alone in a city like this."
"I wouldn't be alone..."
"We're not having this discussion. There's no way you're leaving, not alone or with that Devil."
"Stop calling him that. His name's Chrono."
Remington sighed, face softening as he rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry, Rosette. This... this isn't easy for me either, please know that."
"Then make it easy."
Rosette stared hard at the Minister, and with a gentle smile he nodded his head. "I'll do my best, but you have to reciprocate. We'll have all the time in the world for that, well..." his eyes fell briefly on the pocket watch Chrono had given her. "Not all the time. Now come along. I'll give you a short tour, and then it's off to the nurse with you. You told me when I found you that you weren't hurt, but I just want to make sure you're healthy, no lingering sickness. Things like that spread like wildfire in such close-quarters, and you'll be staying with the other sisters soon enough."
Rosette followed Father Remington deeper into the chapel, taking a moment to look around now that she was feeling a bit more secure. She wasn't happy that Remington was attempting to force her to stay here, and part of her was already plotting to break out and snatch Chrono from the weapon-master's shed. They could scale the fence, stay out of the cold for maybe a few hours before having to find a nice box to live in. No, that won't do. She doubted Chrono would ever let her stay in a box.
"This is the chapel, where we hold daily mass, and where we celebrate special occasions," he explained with a wide hand gesture. "This establishment really is like a family. We all support each other, we all train together. I would not say Magdalene is your average convent. We have branches all over North America now, in San Fransisco and Chicago, and life here is really quite pleasant once you get used to it. The members will hopefully become your real siblings, in time."
Rosette highly doubted that. She already had Joshua, and she'd managed to lose him. She didn't need any more siblings.
"In the next building over you'll find the cafeteria. Our members would be there having breakfast at the present time."
Rosette had to jog to keep up with the Father, her braids bobbing. They quickly came to the end of a long hall, where a staircase ascended up onto the next floor of the cathedral. She followed Remington, the Minister talking here and there, telling her where the dormitories and washrooms were situated, in a separate building adjacent to the dining hall. One floor was reserved for brothers, one for sisters, much like Seventh Bell. The whole situation seemed very similar to an orphanage. Rosette couldn't help but get the feeling that a lot of the people here came from similar backgrounds as her, parent-less orphans who had nowhere else to go go and nobody else to turn to.
Not exactly like me though, she thought as she ran a finger over the face of the watch once again.
"And here," Remington said then, coming to a dead stop at the end of the long hall. "Is Sister Kate Valentine's office, the head nun of the Order of Magdalene, and your superior. An agreeable woman, at times. She's been waiting for us." He took a deep breath, straightening the lapel of his jacket before giving a hesitant knock on the door.
"Come in," came a hard, feminine voice. Remington ushered Rosette forward.
"Good morning, Sister Kate," Remington said, pushing Rosette as they both entered a brightly lit, circular office. Windows lined the wall behind the Sister's desk, where she sat with folded arms and a pensive stare. She had pale skin and large brown eyes, a pretty lady, but it was hard to tell with the deep black wimple she wore. Her dainty nose was tipped with a pair of spectacles, and she looked very grave.
Rosette thought she was very annoying.
"Is this the girl?"
"This is she."
Remington folded his arms, back pressed against the closed door as Rosette moved steadily forward.
"Take a seat," Sister Kate instructed with a nod in the direction of the cushioned chair in front of her desk. Rosette did so, wrapping the shawl around her more tightly. In that same somber tone Sister Kate spoke to Rosette, asking her question after question. She inquired about the orphanage, and about Joshua and Aion, the fate of the other orphans, until at last she took a look at the watch around Rosette's neck. "Some would think you a very foolish girl. That timepiece around your neck, it is a danger to you. Here at the Order of Magdalene we seek to end the Contracts of ignorant humans who think summoning a Demon will solve all their problems, make them rich or seek revenge. Do you even know what a Contract is?"
"An agreement with a Devil," Rosette said without any hesitation, remembering what Chrono had told her. "Chrono got his horns stolen, so he has to—"
"Feed on your soul," Kate spat, her face twisting with disgust. "Suck it dry until nothing remains. But nothing can be done now. You made the deal, you must suffer the consequences, and believe me when I say you will." She turned to Remington. "Now, where is the Devil in question? Locked in the basement hopefully."
"I sent him to the Elder. He should be safely tied up by now."
"T-tied up?" Rosette exclaimed with horror, gawking at Remington. She was about to round on the Minister with shaking fists when he laughed softly. "Stop laughing! It's not funny!"
"Such an impudent child..." Sister Kate grumbled, and Rosette shot her a dirty look.
"Tied up as in otherwise engaged," Remington said, still chuckling. "As if any of us could restrain that Devil. Not that I think Sister Kate here would object. Now, if that's all we'll be off to the infirmary."
"Very well," Sister Kate said, waving her hand dismissively. "She'll need new clothes. That shawl looks like it was worn by a corpse at one point."
"Not far from it," responded Remington. Rosette rolled her eyes as she accompanied the Minister out of Sister Kate's office and back into the hall.
Despite how much change the city of New York had undergone over the past fifty years, the Magdalene Order had barely developed at all. Chrono's last visit might have been brief, but as far as he could tell only a few buildings had been added, dormitories more than likely to accommodate the growing number of applicants interested in hunting Devils. Were things really so bad now? Humans summoning Devils... had it really become such a common occurrence that it merited an establishment of this magnitude to keep the evil at bay?
Chrono was more than aware of how much damage his kind could do, but looking at the grand cathedral he knew these people could be doing nothing more than scratching the surface of Pandemonium. They knew nothing of Devils.
Done with his brief moment of recognition, Chrono took a deep breath and set his sights on the building Remington had instructed he go straight to. With only slight hesitation he made his way across the field of finely cut grass to the cobbled path that wound its way to the door of the door. Standing in front of the entrance, Chrono hung his arms limply at his sides. He knew he should knock, but he didn't want to startle this Elder. Had Remington even warned him he was coming? He had watched the Minister call the Order a few times while they were on the road from Michigan, so he had reason to assume many already knew he was here—a Devil in a House of God. Chrono didn't know if there really was a deity up there calling the shots, but if there was he certainly did have a sense of irony.
Chrono finally found the courage to knock. The second his knuckles struck the wood there was a scraping sound, like a chair being moved, from the room within, and a wheezy voice called out to him.
"If that's Sister Kate, the girls are lying. I was nowhere near the bathhouse window at 9pm last night."
Bathhouse? Chrono cocked his head, reaching for the door handle. He pushed through and found himself standing at the entrance to a small, cluttered room. The walls were covered in bookshelves and almost every inch of floor was taken up by some strange looking metal instrument. Chrono didn't know what to think of it, and his eyes were swiftly drawn to the man standing over the large workbench at the center of the room.
"Umm... Sir?" Came Chrono's small voice. The man looked up at once, evidently surprised by the sudden arrival of the child who was in no way a hot-headed Sister of the Order. He was a very old man, grey and wizened with a big nose and face covered in wrinkles. Messy grey hair prouted from his head and chin, and there was an almost deceptively inquisitive air about him. It worried Chrono.
"Come on in, my boy," said the man, making a welcoming gesture with his hand. As Chrono entered he dropped the large tool he was using onto his worktable, the metal clanging loudly and sending a few bolts and screws skittering off the desk and across the hardwood floor. Instantly the man was in his face, staring at him through a pair of goggles that magnified his eyes to several times their natural size. "Heavens me, what a sight you are. Sister Kate told me you'd be coming but I didn't think you'd be so... hmm," he paused, scratching his pointed beard. "A Devil if ever I did see one."
"You're not wrong," Chrono said with an awkward smile. "I'm Chrono."
"As in Sinner?" The man's eyes sparkled deviously. Chrono blinked in response, wondering how this old man knew him. He was ancient, in his late seventies at least, so he had probably still been alive during the Sinners' time, but he was still human. At least this guy's actually aged, he thought as the Elder took a step back and went toward his bookshelf. He slipped a hardcover off the shelf, presenting it to Chrono. "Page 96," he said. "You are quite famous in these times, slayer of one-hundred, killer of Mary of Magdalene. I was a young thing last I heard of you, and I admit, you've changed."
"So we've met? I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't remember your face."
"Well I have packed on a few years since," the Elder chuckled. "Edward Hamilton's the name. How I know you isn't important now, I reckon. It was years ago."
When Chrono looked at the page of the book he couldn't hide the slight frown that overtook his face. The illustration showed him alongside the Holy Woman, his long spine-like appendage wrapped around her body like a restraint, his eyes flaring bright crimson and his fangs bared. Even he couldn't deny he looked like an outright monstrosity. How differently the scene had played out from his perspective, but he could understand why those at the Order of Magdalene would choose to paint him in this light. For all intents and purposes, he had stolen away their light and hope.
"I'm sorry," he found himself saying, meeting the Elder's gaze. He wasn't even sure if this old man knew what he was apologizing for, but it didn't matter. Someone needed to hear it, whether they understood or not. "I promise things are different now."
"I would certainly hope so, otherwise good old Father Remington never would have ferried you all the way from Michigan. I was told a brief recount of what happened at Seventh Bell Orphanage."
Chrono averted his gaze momentarily, and the Elder didn't miss it.
"You saved a young girl's life. Who can hold that against you?"
Just about everybody, myself included... he thought.
"Don't pay too much attention to Father Remington. He is what you might call blinded by love. Even the best of us fall victim to weakness. We all felt great adoration for Miss Magdalene, but the fact that you seem to regret your decisions of the past is enough for me. Now, with all that behind us, would you care to help me with this experiment here? I'm working to perfect a special aluminum alloy that won't melt when it comes in contact with more caustic Devil blood. Take a seat right here," he gestured for a chair next to the one he had been sitting on, and with a little nod Chrono accepted his invitation.
"Open your mouth wide," the nurse said. "Come on, say awww."
Rosette was feeling particularly stubborn after her encounter with the Head Nun. She kept fidgeting on the doctor's table, folding her arms, shaking her head, crossing her legs. She had just set her jaw in a tight lock when the nurse sighed with exasperation. Good, she was getting annoyed. That only meant Rosette's plan was working. The fact that this woman was only trying to help dawned on Rosette, but she didn't care.
Remington's voice sounded from the hall. "Rosette, please cooperate. I don't want to be here all day."
Rosette stuck out her tongue and the nurse took a chance. She peered into Rosette's mouth for a second, then backed off again, pulling her gloves off. She was lucky she was so fast, otherwise her finger might have ended up clenched between Rosette's incisors.
"Alright Father Remington, I think we're all finished here."
Remington stepped through the door, giving the nurse an apologetic smile.
"She's a healthy girl, in good shape. How old is she?"
"Twelve—"
"Thirteen," Rosette corrected, her voice surprisingly flat. "It's January 23rd. I turned thirteen today."
"Y-you didn't mention it was your birthday."
"You didn't ask."
Remington straightened up, looking across the room at the girl as she kicked her legs back and forth on the examination table. Rosette could feel his eyes on her, but she wasn't about to acknowledge him again so soon. As a result, the Minister turned his attention back on the nurse.
"Her breathing's a little shallow. Do you know if she's been ill?"
The voices of the adults were drowned out as Rosette looked out the window. She could see the corner of the building where they'd left Chrono from here, and she instantly found herself wondering if he was okay without her. When she focused back on Remington she saw that he had followed the nurse to the other side of the infirmary. They spoke so quietly that Rosette only made out the word contract. Great, they were talking about her. Did the Minister have nothing better to discuss with the adults than her transgressions with Chrono?
Both Remington and the nurse returned a few minutes later with a pile of what looked like clothes.
"We don't often take in Sisters so young, so hopefully these fit," Remington said, placing the clothes on Rosette's lap. "Change. I'll wait for you in the hall."
Rosette didn't waste time before pulling on the ensemble: a long habit with white and gold adornments and a wimple much like Sister Kate's, both the same shade of blue. She had already been forced to undress to her undergarments when the nurse had looked her over, so it didn't take long to change. She stood up, allowing the hem of the dress to fall to her feet. It was a little baggy and the sleeves and skirt were a bit long, but otherwise it fit her well. She looked at her reflection in the window, feeling somehow dissatisfied. She missed the little pink dress she'd always worn with Joshua, but she was entering a new chapter in her life, and that meant change. As much as she hated to admit it, she was a Sister of the Order of Magdalene now.
"Are you ready to meet your new siblings?" Remington wondered when Rosette stepped back into the hall. "You look quite presentable if I do say so myself. A lovely girl when you aren't frowning or making other rude gestures."
Rosette shot him her best evil-eye.
"Yes, yes. Come along, we've got things to do."
Rosette started walking, but the Minister held her back.
"Just one more thing."
He reached for her head. Her immediate instinct was to shove him away, but she refrained herself from doing so. His hands grasped the material of the wimple on her head, straightening it. He looked her in the eyes, fully smiling for what felt to Rosette the first time since he had found them at Seventh Bell. The words he whispered made her heart flutter.
"Happy birthday."
