Disclaimer All characters (except Atra Nex Scelus), concepts and settings belong to Ken Akamatsu! I only own the story and the ideas for this fanfic.
Chamo: Wow, can't believe It's that time of the year again! The days just seem to fly, eh Zero-chan?
Chachazero: Got that right, Albert! It's the time of greed once again!
Chamo: Eh? What the heck do you mean greed?
Chachazero: Oh you know, crazy parents trying to buy presents for their kids, over-priced holiday goods…Typical human behavior.
Chamo: O-kay, so where's the author? Shouldn't he be here with us?
Chachazero: Xuchi-chan's hiding under his bed right now. Stupid idiot.
Chamo: Wha? How come?
Chachazero: He's waiting for bricks to come crashing through his bedroom window 'cause of that 'Christmas Chapter' he wrote.
The author comes in wearing a hard hat.
AzureXuchilbara: frownsYeah, yeah, so It wasn't very good. Hopefully I won't do anything like that…for a while.
His hard hat suddenly splits in half as a trickle of blood seeps down his face.
Chachazero: That's for making me look bad! Your lucky I'm not in the killing mood!
AzureXuchilbara: Oww, I'll keep that in mind. Ahem, let's start this chapter then. It's long overdue.
Chamo: Hey wait a sec, I'm just wondering but why didn't you put me in the Christmas chapter?
AzureXuchilbara: Err, well I figured you'd be off somewhere other than Mahora doing…
He looks at Chamo thoughtfully.
AzureXuchilbara: sweat-dropsUh, what perverted Ermines do on Christmas, hehe…
Chamo: Hmm, I think your just lazy. That's not a good sign ya know.
Chachazero: Heh! Took you long enough there, Albert! We all know the Xuchi-chan here's a lazy idiot who's always late!
AzureXuchilbara: sighs Yes. Right. I admit. Let's start the fanfic already!
Author'sNote: Yay! I finally finished this chapter! My brains numb from the cold and I couldn't think straight. bows Also, I've been studying a bit of medieval languages, so expect Evangeline to be more, uh, medievalish sounding…if that's even a word. Time to wrap this chapter up!
"Past of the Undying: Evangeline McDowell"
Act II - Chapter 4C Secundus Sacrilegus Tertius
"…It wasn't funny anymore. Not when the things you hope happen to others happen to you instead. A paper bag might help the pain…"
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Castle McDowell, Courtyard Garden
"Simply wondrous. I knew naught of such a place of beauty exists here."
"I am glad you fancy my personal ferrege. Not too many have entered here, beside my Lord Uncle and me of course."
Evangeline and the Marquis Atra strolled through the field of flowers. A potpourri of bright and dark colors dotted the pytel, indicating many different varieties of flowers. The field extended almost as far as the eye could see as the morning sun shimmered on the dewdrops of their petals.
The man never knew he would find something like this in the back of Lord McDowell's castle, let alone actually see it. He wondered how long it has been since he felt at home in such an unfamiliar place.
He was taken out of his thought by Evangeline. "It's very peaceful here, is it not?"
"Indeed," The marquis replied, marveling the different flowers before them. "If I may ask, who planted these flowers here?"
This seemed to trigger something from the child as her face suddenly darkened. The man cursed under his breath as Evangeline shook visibly. After a few moments, she regained her composure and faced him.
"My mother planted these just before I was born," began the girl, her voice somewhat shaky. "To fore…"
She suddenly stopped and became silent for a moment, then continued.
"Uncle informed me that mother loved to plant the seeds of flowers she collects on her travels. It became her past-time when she was pregnant with me. "
The marquis gave a momentary glance at the different flowers before turning his attention back to her.
"A small time after my birth, mother and father left to travel to another kingdom to trade. But on the way, they were attacked by bandits…"
Again she felt silent as a small breeze gingerly teased her golden hair.
Atra decided to break the tension as he playfully patted Evangeline's head. "I am quite merry to be in such a place, nay honored! "
"C-cease that at once!" warned Evangeline, recovering slightly. "I have informed the servants that you are a visiting noble, so please act the part!"
Her guest only grinned. "Now really, is that how a gracious hostess should act?"
"How dare you! I have you know—UhuughGuuaghUnnguh" she began but was overtaken by a violent coughing.
Atra caught the girl before she fell to the ground."Evangeline, are you well?" He asked concerned.
The blonde girl responded with a nod of her head, as she got up to her knees.
"I-I'm sorry about that…"
"You needn't apologize, it is your illness that's at fault, not you."
He received a hug in response as the small girl cried softly.
Since her uncle left to find a remedy for her illness, the young girl grew attached to him. Naturally, he too became close with her as the days went by. They would spend their time just talking about places and people, and occasionally he would perform magic to entertain her. This made the girl eager to learn magic, much to his amazement.
However, as the days passed, Evangeline's condition grew more and more worse. Sometimes she would go into a violent coughing like she did without warning. Other times, he could hear her scream and thrash in her bed during some nights. He knew not of her illness, let alone a cure. He signed inwardly knowing that it was only as matter of time before she leaves the mortal coil.
That thought alone brought a chill done the raven-haired man's spine. Here was someone who took him in and saved his life, and yet he could not return the favor. It wasn't fair that this child who lost her parents meet them in heaven in such short a time.
The marquis slowly carried her unconscious form inside the castle, as the concerned voices of the castle maids filled the hallways.
"Nay," thought Atra solemnly, starred at her sleeping face. "Tis' much too early for thou to join God."
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Castle McDowell, Evangeline's Bedroom
Atra spent the remainder of the day watching Evangeline sleep, as morning turned to noon. He continued to look at her sleeping form from outside the balcony as he allowed his thoughts to drift. Suddenly, a knocking brought his attention to the door as an elderly maid entered the room, carrying a basin of water.
"Woe unto fate who brought such an illness," The old woman chimed softly, wetting a piece of cloth on the basin. "Tell me good ser, what is you're relation to the lord's niece?"
He thought grimly about the condition of his young hostess. "I am but a noble who seeks an audience with the Lord of this place, nothing more."
"I'm afraid Lord McDowell will not be back for a time," she inquired sadly. "He along with his advisor have been gone for a moon's quarter now and have yet to return."
"I see, then how—"
"Best not speak of her health, kind ser. She had to go through quite a tart ever since her parent's were slewed by those heathens."
Atra looked at the woman with a raised brow. "What? I was informed that they were done in by local bandits during one of their travels."
"Bandits you say? Nay good ser…T'was merely a false veil covered on Evangeline," she stated with a solemn voice, then quickly stopped. "Apologies ser, let us withdraw from this matter, forget that I said anything."
The marquis crossed his arms. "It is naught of my affairs, yet I have to know. Surely you must tell me the truth."
"Very well, but swear to me that you will not tell the young mistress," the old woman answered, turning her gaze to Evangeline. "I fear the truth would only quicken Death's approach on her."
The raven-haired man frowned, but otherwise gave an assuring nod as the old woman began.
Awhilelater…
"So, without a doubt they are heathens then, am I correct?"
"In a way, aye. Although to me, those adamites are nothing but another fanatical sect of zealots,"mused the old maid. "Even Lord McDowell does not know of this truth."
"But were they not members themselves? Why would they…"
"Aye…With naught a grain of mercy they were killed on the spot. The church viewed them as traitors."
Atra was angered by this revelation, knowing he himself was an enemy of the church. He could still remember the templar knights chasing him, as he pondered whether his decision to seek sanctuary in this castle would benefit him. Turning to look at the sleeping girl, he couldn't help but give her a solemn smile.
"I apologize for my intrusion of the matter earlier, but I am glad to learn of this."
"Think nothing of it, ser, for I have waited for someone to share this with," the woman replied with a bow. She suddenly stopped talking when she spied something red on the wooden hamper. "Nay, is that…"
"That's some wine I was drinking that spilled on Lady Evangeline's clothes," replied Atra coolly."It was a mistake on my part to be drinking while playing a bit of tag."
This seemed to satisfy the old woman as she gave him an amused smile. "She is very mischievous at times, but I would rather see her running around than being bedridden."If there was a way, I would offer my life in exchange for hers."
"Why is that? You musn't say such things…"
"I thank you for, good ser, but I am very old. She has not even reached her tenth birthday yet, and Death is already breathing down on her."
She looks back at Evangeline with a tearful gaze.
"I'm afraid my orisons are not enough to keep her alive. I can only hope that she would at least make it to her tenth birthday…"
"Hold on, is her birthday not this month?"
The woman nodded opening the door. "I best be going then, good night."
"Damn unto the gods," cursed Atra mentally.
He quickly took Evangeline's bloody dress from the hamper and threw it inside a sack.
"Almost got caught. How careless of me."
The marquis turned to look at her again as she shifted in bed.
"Evangeline…"
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Evangeline's Cabin, Bathroom
"Hoho, what do we have here?" Kazumi declared as she looks at the photo in her digital camera. "I really doubt this was your idea of training!"
Evangeline fumed angrily as she pushed a confused Chachamaru off of her. Covering herself with a towel, she turns to Kazumi.
"Asakura! Give me that photo right now!" bellowed Evangeline, cheeks turning crimson red. "You better give it to me if you value life!"
As usual, the paparazzi ignored the threat. "I came up her to check on a strange blue light that came from this room, only to find you in a compromising position with Chachamaru over here!" She finished with an evil smirk.
The diminutive undead growled, remembering how she escaped not too long ago from a certain hanyu bent on doing the nasty with her…only to get molested in the bathroom of her house by her own servant. She looked at her wrist, but the ivory bracelet wasn't there anymore, or anywhere else for that matter.
"Master! Are you all right!?"
The chibi vampire turned around to see Negi peeking his head inside the bathroom window. He suddenly noticed a naked Chachamaru on the floor along with a smirking Kazumi.
"W-woah, I didn't kn—"
Evangeline promptly kicked him in the face.
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Evangeline's Cabin, Living Room
After that little incident, Asuna, along with Nodoka, Yue, Konoka, and Sayo entered the cabin. Evangeline nicely yelled at them to wait down stairs as she literally threw Kazumi out the bathroom.
"Gee Negi-bozu, good job on the rescue," teased Asuna, watching Negi rub his nose in pain. "Serves ya right."
Negi looked at her, annoyed. "That's not funny Asuna-san! I didn't even know she was taking a bath!"
"Excuses, excuses, looks like you've been hanging around Ero-Chamo a bit to much," continued Asuna, giving the wind mage a mock disappointed look. "Honestly Negi…"
"Okay, that's enough Asuna-chan," Konoka pipped in. "I'm sure Negi isn't like that…"
Negi nodded in approval.
"You know he prefers older women!"
"Hey! Kazumi-san!" wailed Negi, flailing his arms in protest. "Not you too!"
"But doesn't that make Eva-chan the oldest person here?" Yue inquired with a raised finger. "I mean she is technically a few centuries old."
"Wow, she's older than me," Sayo quietly agreed. "But she still looks like a child though."
Asuna laughed. "Yeah, even though she's ancient, she still acts like a spoiled brat!"
"Who are you calling a spoiled brat Kagurazaka!!!"
Everyone turned to see a scowling(and dressed) Evangeline, along with Chachamaru.
"Oi! Eva-chan! Congratulations! Asuna suddenly beamed. "Were very happy for you!"
"What the hell are you talking about!?"
"Oh c'mon! You and Chachamaru in the bathroom togeth—"
"Asakura!!!"
Kazumi barely had time to dodge a teacup as it flew above her head. Yue face palmed while Sayo bit her nails as Evangeline chased the paparazzi around the living room.
"Oh boy…"
A few broken furniture later…
"So you don't remember what happened?" questioned a now calm Evangeline as she sipped her tea. "That's strange…"
"Yeah, and I woke up with a bruised lip," Asuna said sourly. "I didn't even remember getting out of bed."
Evangeline turned to Konoka. "How about you? You told me you woke up in the infirmary, correct?"
"Yes, Shizuna-san found me unconscious inside the nurse's office," replied Konoka. "And I was missing my shirt for some reason."
The diminutive undead just raised a brow. "Wha? Uh, never mind…"
"So Eva-chan, Setsuna's still in your resort, eh?" questioned Kazumi with a smirk. "You left a lotta' juicy details out! What exactly happened in there?"
Chachamaru turned red at this comment but otherwise remained quiet.
"None of your fucking business!" Evangeline shouted, eyes twitching in anger.
"Ho ho, looks like Konoka's got competition!"
The healer pouted angrily. "Asuna! Secchan isn't like that!"
"Don't worry Konoka, I'm sure it's the bracelet that caused all this," Negi assured with a smile. "Although I wonder why Asuna was affected as well."
"Yeah, I thought she was immune to magic," added Yue, turning to Asuna. "I mean, it was a love spell, right?"
Evangeline nodded. "I'm still trying to figure that out. Although I think whatever effect that bracelet had was powerful enough to overcome Asuna's magic cancelling ability."
"That would explain a lot," peeped Nodoka hesitantly. "But where did it come from?"
"Hell if I know! Why don't we ask the perverted hanyu back in my resort, eh?"
"Eva-chan! Secchan's not a pervert!"
"Sure, tell that to her," Evangeline grinned sarcastically. "When your screaming her name."
This had the desired effect she was looking for as Konoka's face turned 8 shades of red.
"U-um, let's go get Setsuna then," Sayo said, breaking the uncomfortable tension.
Konoka nodded furiously as she headed to the basement.
"Heh, she's got it bad…"
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AzureXuchilbara: And that wraps up chapter 4! Finally!!!
Chamo: I wonder what happened to Setsuna? Ya think she's all right?
AzureXuchilbara: I honesty don't know.
Chachazero: Your lying!
AzureXuchilbara: Que? Me? Lie? Yoink!!!
Runs away leaving a dusty trail that read "See ya later".
Chachazero: Basterd! I want answers!
Runs after him.
LatinWords:
Secundus Sacrilegus Tertius - The Second Sacrilege, Part Three
Medieval Terms:
Ferrege - A homestead garden.
Pytel - A small field or enclosure, sometimes privately owned.
To Fore - Before
Adamites - Member of a heretical religious current that sought to return mankind to Adam's original state in paradise. Most are fanatics willing to give everything for the cause.
Orisons - A prayer, or prayers.