Requiem of Time: Chapter Eight - Crowley/Cross
"Eliade, I-" The words died in Aleister Crowley's throat once her brown eyes set upon him. When she raised a golden eyebrow, he forced a smile. "I hope you sleep well."
Her returning smile was small as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek and said, "You too, Master Aleister." His eyes followed her shapely form as she turned and left the room.
Blowing out a sigh, Crowley ran a hand through his black and white hair. How many times had that been now? How many times had he been that close and failed to tell her the truth? It must have been weeks since he first awoken back in the past, yet he could never bring himself to admit to knowing what she was and what had happened. The fear of her ending up slain again was just too strong for him.
His dreams that night were all Eliade filled - some pleasant, some pleasurable, some scary, and some downright heart-wrenching. Nothing new there.
****
The next day, Crowley was determined. He knew he couldn't continue this charade. It was finally time to tell Eliade and let her decided whether or not she would stay, damn his soul otherwise. For all his determination, however, he could not deny the sick feeling of dread taxing his limbs and knotting his tongue.
When he came across Eliade watering his grandfather's many plants, Crowley merely stopped and watched her. His Innocence demanded her blood, little whispers in his head that only love could beat back. The scent of her aroused him… and his bloodlust. Only her presence could be so bittersweet. That she was drop-dead gorgeous was miniscule to the raging emotions that warred in him at her mere presence.
Eliade smiled and bowed once she saw him standing there. "How may I serve you, Master Aleister?"
Crowley swallowed to reduce the sudden lump in his throat. "E-Eliade, I have something to tell you."
Setting down the watering can, Eliade turned her full attention to him. "What is it, Master Aleister?"
Crowley opened his mouth to just pour out the truth, but after the first couple of tries something else came out instead. "There once was a man, a prisoner, who fell in love with a beautiful woman…"
Eliade stared, emotions masked, as Crowley continued. "The woman came to live with him, and together both the prisoner and the woman were happy. One day, however, two men came to the prison. The woman detested the two men, and she tried to convince the prisoner to kill them. Because the prisoner was so in love with the woman, he listened without question.
"However, while the prisoner and the two men fought, a terrible truth came out. It was revealed that the woman and the prisoner, despite their love for each other, were sworn enemies. Driven by the truth, the woman and the prisoner fought, and tragedy struck when the prisoner landed a fatal blow upon the woman.
"In their last moments together, the woman admitted that she knew she was his enemy, but still she just wanted to love him. The prisoner cried, knowing he wanted the same. After the woman died, the prisoner was freed, though he lived with the regret of what could have been for many years, unable to find love again after the woman." Crowley paused, looking at Eliade to gouge her reaction. She moved not a muscle, her face blank.
The vampire Exorcist didn't stop there. "Years later, however, the man who was prisoner encountered a wondrous thing. He was sent to the past, to a time before the two men came and the woman was killed. Although overjoyed at this, the man was deeply afraid. He was afraid that if he told the woman what he knew, they would fight again and he would kill her again. So he kept silent, living in that uncertainty until he could stand it no more…
Crowley trailed off. The time was now. Taking a deep breath, he concluded it. "So here I am, telling stories and waiting for your answer."
Eliade, dressed in her unique purple dress with long sleeves and ripped stockings, spade cap on her head, still had yet to make a reaction, regarding him with cool eyes while he waited desperately for her response. Finally, Eliade's eyes fell to the floor and she muttered, "So you know?"
"I've known," Crowley corrected quickly. "And I love you despite it, just as you loved me despite my Innocence."
Eliade's shoulders shook suddenly, and Crowley was shocked to hear her laughing. Eliade's head whipped back up, revealing blood red eyes, fangs, and bulging veins. "You are a fool, Aleister. You think I love you? I was going to tame you like a pet and make you serve me." Following the announcement, Eliade transformed into her true form. "Now I'll just rip you to pieces!"
Worst case scenario, Crowley thought bitterly as his eyes turned gold and black, his spike of white hair flipping back to complete the vampire image. Instead of attacking when she prepared to launch the balls of water-draining spheres, Crowley shook his head and simply said, "That form is too ugly for you. Transform back, Eliade."
The Akuma stopped suddenly, biting back the watery sphere and craning her long neck to peer down at him. Crowley was beyond relieved to see her actually pause. "Eliade, please transform back. We can live together, forever, as we promised…" Her face, even in her Akuma form, had regained its emotionless quality. "Please, don't let us make the same mistake twice… I-I love you," emotion choked his voice near the end, and he took steps forward, closer to her.
"Please, come back to me, Eliade."
After a hesitation, the giant Akuma lurched forward in response, letting out a roar as it did so. Just before making contact, it began shapeshifting back into a human, the roar transforming with it into a cry. Eliade's human form was what landed in his arms, and her golden framed face buried into his chest.
Crowley let out a sudden breath, tears leaking from his eyes when he realized that Eliade wasn't trying to kill him. One arm was wrapped around her lovingly, protectively as the other stroked her hair comfortingly.
Eliade herself was a torrent of emotions. The moment she had feared most had came and passed in an instant, and her Crowley still accepted her - loved her - despite that they were enemies. All she ever wanted was to love and be loved, and her desire for that was the only reason she didn't follow through with the attack. The wild hope that maybe, MAYBE she and he could… She cried (cried!) tears of relief and hope in his arms, the first time she had ever cried as an Akuma.
If Crowley had just accepted her threat, if he had shown even the slightest hint of revulsion, of hate, of anything but pure love, Eliade would have followed through with her attack. But he didn't; he came willingly and lovingly to her. To be in his arms after the revelations was a dream. Her sobs slowed and her eyes hardened as she tightened her grip onto him. He was her's now, truly so, and she would go against even the Earl to keep it that way. But machines cannot betray their operators... She forced that thought down. This was a moment of happiness.
Capturing Crowley's pale lips in a heartfelt kiss, Eliade forced him down to whisper in his ear. "There's something I always wanted to try, but never thought I could because I'm an Akuma… Will you make me feel "the most beautiful," Master Aleister?"
Crowley blushed at what she was implying, but the radiant smile on her face was simply impossible to refuse. "It would be my pleasure, Eliade."
That night, dreams came true.
****
Over the next few days, Crowley woke up to the pleasant feel of a woman next to him, and he couldn't help but smile every time he saw her still sleeping face. After that night, never again was Eliade his personal servant. At least, not my maid, Crowley thought with a blush, remembering her words their first night together.
During those days, he sought out the Level One's plaguing the nearby town, and with a bit of working together between themselves, the duo managed to make it appear Crowley had killed her with them. That at least bought them time.
Crowley had also taken it upon himself to explain his past after her death - the future - to her and answered questions she had. He even demonstrated his technique of sending his blood from his body to fight. Although she didn't like it, Eliade agreed not to attack or kill Crowley's Exorcist friends when they appeared.
After a week of blissful peace for the couple, Cross Marian appeared.
****
"He's here," Crowley whispered to Eliade from the window they both stood before. The Akuma had finally changed out of her usual garb, that she strangely insisted was fashionable servant's clothing, and now wore one her elegant dresses that simply made her gorgeous. She was tense in his arms, but no longer because of the fangs hovering only inches from her soft neck.
"Then let us greet him," Eliade intoned hollowly, and she turned to head to the main entrance.
"He will not harm you," Crowley reassured as they made their way down. "I will not let him." Can I even stop a Marshal? Eliade did not respond.
They finally reached the door around the same time a booming knock was heard, and Crowley opened it, standing between the Marshal and Eliade. "Can I help you?"
Nearly as tall as Crowley was, Marshal Cross Marian was a sight to behold. Unlike Allen, he wore his black coat with gold trim buttoned closed, and his wide, black and gold hat contributed to his 'perfect' image. His long, red mane of hair was groomed perfectly, while his square, half-glass spectacles gave him the look of a gentleman. The half-mask gave him a mysterious look, especially with the red 'scar' carved into going through the eye. Although he couldn't see it, Crowley knew that the Innocence 'Judgment' would be somewhere on his person as well.
Eliade nearly found herself blushing when she first caught sight of Cross up close, and only knowing who he was held her back. She loved Crowley, but… Damn.
The Marshal wore the picture-perfect look of remorse as he held the Man Eating's Offspring in one hand. "Baron Aleister Crowley III, I was a friend of your grandfather, and I heard news of his recent demise. I came here to return what I borrowed." Cross held out the plant.
Instead of accepting it, Crowley held open the door. "Please, if you were a friend to my grandfather by all means come inside." Interesting how different you act when you want money, Marshal Cross. Now, how exactly am I going to get you to stay here until Allen comes?
After a second of considering, Cross smiled and accepted the offer. He took only one step before noticing the golden haired beauty behind Crowley. Smoothly, he stepped before her and bowed low, kissing her hand at the same time. He smiled at her while doing so, and this time Eliade did blush.
"May I know your name, Miss?" Cross asked, his teeth gleaming in the light.
Crowley deadpanned. It seemed he forgot about that part of Cross Marian.
****
"Of all the wine collections in the world, your grandfather certainly had the best," Cross acknowledged, admiring the rows upon rows before him.
"Please, help yourself," Crowley replied with a smile. I'm blowing them all up anyways. A tug on his arm led Crowley outside of the wine cellar, where he and Eliade could have a private chat.
"Aleister, I don't like having him here," Eliade said the moment they were out of earshot.
"Then why are you still blushing?" Crowley asked wryly. If anything, Eliade's cheeks turned even darker. "I'm sorry, but we need him to stay here until Allen arrives."
Eliade frowned, taking a glance towards the cellar before simply turning and walking away. "I'll wait for you in the bedroom, Aleister."
Crowley sighed, but quickly masked it as Cross exited the cellar with a genuine smile, a bottle of wine in each hand. "A toast, to your departed grandfather."
Although he wasn't much of a drinker - Akuma blood was infinitely more intoxicating than any liquor - Crowley accepted and soon sat across from the Marshal at one of his long, elaborate dining tables.
After saying a few words and Cross recalling a few memories, the Marshal finally got into the core of his reason being there. "I'm going on a trip soon, to the East Country. However, I need money to make the journey. I was wondering, as the grandson of my friend, if you would lend me some."
Swirling the last of his wine in his glass, Crowley kept his smile pleasant. "Certainly. How much do you need?"
"112,500 lei," (1) Cross answered with a smile, as if that wasn't a rather hefty sum.
Crowley almost shook his head at that. How had he been so ignorant as to simply give a stranger that much money in the past? "I'll have it ready by tomorrow morning."
Cross frowned for a split second before smiling again. That meant he would have to spend the night, but for money Crowley was sure Cross would do much. Such as beat it out of little kids. A dark past, Allen… I am beginning to understand. "Well, it is rather late, isn't it? I don't suppose…"
"Guest rooms are up the stairs, third floor, to the right and down the hall. Make a left past the Apple painting and you may choose any room you wish," Crowley answered immediately. He was finally getting it down again, having forgotten most of the layout in the years after destroying it. With another smile and thanks, Cross left the room… after snitching another bottle of wine.
Crowley, alone at the table, let out a sigh before standing and clearing away the glasses. Remembering Eliade in his room, he suddenly smiled. No longer in his dreams… The thought was still enough to lift his spirits at any time.
****
Crowley cursed as Marshal Cross made his way to the front door. He had been deliberately slow in gathering the necessary lei, but the red haired man had been ready to leave the moment the money was handed over. "Are you sure you won't stay for one more bottle of wine?"
Cross grinned back at him. "So generous, but no. The twelve bottles you've given me are more than enough." He didn't stop walking. It was like he knew Allen was coming.
Eliade had retreated back somewhere in the castle, still eager to be away from the Marshal, so it was just the two of them heading to the exit. Crowley felt the frustration of failure as they finally reached the thick, stained wooden door.
With a gloved hand on the handle, Cross suddenly stopped. Crowley saw only his back as Cross muttered, "I can modify her, you know."
The vampire Exorcist gaped. That meant that Cross had known and he hadn't… Clearing his throat, Crowley quickly answered, "I-It's fine."
With a shrug, Cross turned the handle and opened the door. Before he could take a step, however, a golden orb with wings suddenly landed on his head. "Hmm, Tim?" Cross asked, recognizing his old companion. His free hand was used to lower his hat against the bright sunlight from outside, the other still holding the briefcase of lei.
Eyes adjusting immediately due to his particular Innocence, Crowley was stunned at what he saw just outside his front door.
Marshal Allen Walker, dressed in a coat similar to Cross's and a top hat to rival Cross's own wide brimmed one, locked eyes with the man he called Master. His Innocence was activated to its arm-cannon form. Next to him were Lenalee and a Finder, though Crowley did not know his name.
The two Marshals, Master and Apprentice, were silent as they regarded each other, both wearing smirks.
"Found you, Master."
(1) Using some crazy math here. 1914 (the closest I can get to 'end of the 19th century') the value was $1 for 160 lei and its value was dropping at that time, so I reasoned it to be 150 per dollar before that. Anyways, at the time I used the logic that 75 cents is roughly equal to $10 dollars now (going off an old book where 75 cents was enough for a kid to have a good time at a fair, IE $10 now). Dividing that gives 13.33 modern dollars per then dollar. So that's roughly 11.25 lei per modern dollar. I figure $10,000 modern is enough for a trip from Romania to China via walking/trains (time and Cross's spending habits), so 11.25 multiplied by 10k gives 112,500 lei. (The debt he gives Jasdebi AFTER he spends it all is roughly $17,000 (100 Guineas).)
AN: And there you have it, folks. Marshal Walker meets Marshal Cross. Prepared to be dazzled… or something. IDK what exactly is going to happen. Seriously, I have NO idea.
And for those nitpicky folks, YES I did alter a few things around. For one (as opposed to my story), Lavi entered the Order when Lenalee was young and after a large battle (I found this out after I began writing). Also, Crowley met with Marshal Cross first, got the Innocence from the plant, met Eliade, and met Allen all within ten days of each other, in that order. Not to mention they meet Crowley after the Miranda arc and they meet Miranda THREE MONTHS after Allen first enters. Obviously, I changed things. To make things simpler and more tasteful to read, I squeezed things together.
