Wow- here's chapter 7 after a marathon of not updating. You can blame
college, specifically Russian class, and my psychotic roommate. One took up
my time, the other took up my space. All that nonsense is over and done
now (until August anyway), and I think I can still write in English after
all that Russian, but if I spell something with a 6 don't be alarmed. I
know this chapter is rather short, but as one might expect, I've fallen
behind in writing as well as posting, so there's more to come- cross my
heart. As always do leave reviews, this story doesn't always write itself.
Karasuman tried to maintain a healthy amount of skepticism while peering at the priest who stood smiling up at him. Father Aurel made an effort to coax the demon from the roof once more, "I hold no weapon and I'm an old man. If it came to blows even you would be able to defeat me." Why was this man pointing out his weaknesses? It was indeed fascinating. The priest seemed harmless enough and Karasuman was hardly in a position to refuse his offer, he certainly couldn't remain on the cathedral roof indefinitely. After a few more moment's consideration, the demon swooped to the ground a few feet from where Father Aurel stood, then climbed to face him. "By the way demon," the priest continued calmly, "what is your name? You already know mine."
"Karasuman." Father Aurel bowed his head in modest greeting, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Karasuman...and your raven friend." The demon glanced down and noted that the bird had followed him. He bent down and allowed it to clamber into his outstretched hand and then backed away from the priest, suddenly realizing something, "Wait." He began, "why do you trust me even though I'm a demon?"
Father Aurel laughed at this, "because it's been brought to my attention that you were praying earlier. Even more extraordinary, God answered and your life was spared. Surely there is a reason for such an occurrence." The demon could think of no logical response, so he merely waited with baited breath for the priest to continue. "I think God may see some good in you and I feel that anyone that gets along with animals as well as you can hardly be that wicked. Despite Catholic teaching, I believe animals can tell the difference between good and evil.."
"You really think so?" Karasuman asked giving the raven a few strokes, hardly able to believe what he just heard. "I do." Father Aurel said cheerfully. Karasuman visibly relaxed, no one had previously placed so much confidence in him before and this man acknowledged that he meant no harm. "Now perhaps you'd like to get out of the sun?" The demon nodded vigorously. "Then come into my church." Whatever faith Karasuman placed in the priest fled. He attempted to return to the roof, but fatigue made him sluggish and Father Aurel placed a hand on the demon's shoulder and pulled him back, "just relax and follow me, all will be well." The demon felt compelled to obey. If he didn't die just from being in St. Quirinus, the demon was sure he'd die of shock. After a bit more gentle coaxing from the kindly priest, Karasuman had finally entered the previously intimidating cathedral, ultimately discovering that he never felt safer anywhere else. The sweeping architecture and shining stained glass images of saints did something to put his soul at ease, quite ironic considering he was a demon. That fact may also have been partially explained by Alucard's and Maria's absence. After the initial confrontation, they had shown the demon nothing but restrained kindness, he was still uncomfortable around them. "This is certainly strange." Commented Father Aurel while taking his guest into the deeper recesses of his church. "What?" Karasuman asked, rather perturbed and too tired to sort out any puzzles. "What indeed!" the question echoed back, "I never expected to be taking a demon on a tour of St. Quirinus," continued the jovial cleric. Karasuman sighed and suddenly stopped walking, instead opting to sink against an ornate granite pillar. The priest scoffed at his own attempted to begin a conversation, then again at his own foolishness. "When was the last time you slept? You look somewhat worn-out." The demon nearly laughed, "Not since yesterday's sunset," he answered, not really having the energy to point out just how right his host was. "Then why not go get some rest? I'd imagine you'd be comfortable in the cathedral's bell tower. If nothing else, there are birds there you can befriend." Karasuman perked up at this, "You really wouldn't mind?" The priest stretched his hand to the demon, "Not at all. Here, I'll show you the way up." Karasuman gave him a dubious look before accepting the invitation. It seemed as though things would improve after all. After escorting the demon to his temporary sleeping quarters, Father Aurel prepared to attend to some of the more mundane tasks that awaited him around St. Quirinus and was somewhat amused to discover Richter scowling at him from a nearby pew. It was obvious why the hunter was upset, but the priest questioned him anyway. "What is the problem, my friend?"
Richter huffed, "You know very well! Why are you allowing a demon to reside in our cathedral?" Father Aurel threw him a disarming smile, "Because anyone who gets along with animals can hardly be evil by my standards." Richter shakily stood up, "Father Aurel, I do respect you, but most boys outgrow that animal-loving stage by 12 years of age. But you....." A glare from the priest forced Richter to stop talking in mid-sentence. "Anyway" he continued after clearing his throat, "I think this is a bad mistake..."
"Perhaps so Richter, but it has worked so far. Don't concern yourself with it.." Richter realized there was no point in berating the priest, "Whatever you say, Father." He said respectfully, preparing to leave the priest to his errands. On the way out, the hunter noticed a bat dangling from the rafters. It didn't even deserve the little consideration he gave it. Father Aurel had a strange affinity for animals, so there was a remote possibility he let the creature in himself. If that was not the case, he would just shoo it out later.
Karasuman tried to maintain a healthy amount of skepticism while peering at the priest who stood smiling up at him. Father Aurel made an effort to coax the demon from the roof once more, "I hold no weapon and I'm an old man. If it came to blows even you would be able to defeat me." Why was this man pointing out his weaknesses? It was indeed fascinating. The priest seemed harmless enough and Karasuman was hardly in a position to refuse his offer, he certainly couldn't remain on the cathedral roof indefinitely. After a few more moment's consideration, the demon swooped to the ground a few feet from where Father Aurel stood, then climbed to face him. "By the way demon," the priest continued calmly, "what is your name? You already know mine."
"Karasuman." Father Aurel bowed his head in modest greeting, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Karasuman...and your raven friend." The demon glanced down and noted that the bird had followed him. He bent down and allowed it to clamber into his outstretched hand and then backed away from the priest, suddenly realizing something, "Wait." He began, "why do you trust me even though I'm a demon?"
Father Aurel laughed at this, "because it's been brought to my attention that you were praying earlier. Even more extraordinary, God answered and your life was spared. Surely there is a reason for such an occurrence." The demon could think of no logical response, so he merely waited with baited breath for the priest to continue. "I think God may see some good in you and I feel that anyone that gets along with animals as well as you can hardly be that wicked. Despite Catholic teaching, I believe animals can tell the difference between good and evil.."
"You really think so?" Karasuman asked giving the raven a few strokes, hardly able to believe what he just heard. "I do." Father Aurel said cheerfully. Karasuman visibly relaxed, no one had previously placed so much confidence in him before and this man acknowledged that he meant no harm. "Now perhaps you'd like to get out of the sun?" The demon nodded vigorously. "Then come into my church." Whatever faith Karasuman placed in the priest fled. He attempted to return to the roof, but fatigue made him sluggish and Father Aurel placed a hand on the demon's shoulder and pulled him back, "just relax and follow me, all will be well." The demon felt compelled to obey. If he didn't die just from being in St. Quirinus, the demon was sure he'd die of shock. After a bit more gentle coaxing from the kindly priest, Karasuman had finally entered the previously intimidating cathedral, ultimately discovering that he never felt safer anywhere else. The sweeping architecture and shining stained glass images of saints did something to put his soul at ease, quite ironic considering he was a demon. That fact may also have been partially explained by Alucard's and Maria's absence. After the initial confrontation, they had shown the demon nothing but restrained kindness, he was still uncomfortable around them. "This is certainly strange." Commented Father Aurel while taking his guest into the deeper recesses of his church. "What?" Karasuman asked, rather perturbed and too tired to sort out any puzzles. "What indeed!" the question echoed back, "I never expected to be taking a demon on a tour of St. Quirinus," continued the jovial cleric. Karasuman sighed and suddenly stopped walking, instead opting to sink against an ornate granite pillar. The priest scoffed at his own attempted to begin a conversation, then again at his own foolishness. "When was the last time you slept? You look somewhat worn-out." The demon nearly laughed, "Not since yesterday's sunset," he answered, not really having the energy to point out just how right his host was. "Then why not go get some rest? I'd imagine you'd be comfortable in the cathedral's bell tower. If nothing else, there are birds there you can befriend." Karasuman perked up at this, "You really wouldn't mind?" The priest stretched his hand to the demon, "Not at all. Here, I'll show you the way up." Karasuman gave him a dubious look before accepting the invitation. It seemed as though things would improve after all. After escorting the demon to his temporary sleeping quarters, Father Aurel prepared to attend to some of the more mundane tasks that awaited him around St. Quirinus and was somewhat amused to discover Richter scowling at him from a nearby pew. It was obvious why the hunter was upset, but the priest questioned him anyway. "What is the problem, my friend?"
Richter huffed, "You know very well! Why are you allowing a demon to reside in our cathedral?" Father Aurel threw him a disarming smile, "Because anyone who gets along with animals can hardly be evil by my standards." Richter shakily stood up, "Father Aurel, I do respect you, but most boys outgrow that animal-loving stage by 12 years of age. But you....." A glare from the priest forced Richter to stop talking in mid-sentence. "Anyway" he continued after clearing his throat, "I think this is a bad mistake..."
"Perhaps so Richter, but it has worked so far. Don't concern yourself with it.." Richter realized there was no point in berating the priest, "Whatever you say, Father." He said respectfully, preparing to leave the priest to his errands. On the way out, the hunter noticed a bat dangling from the rafters. It didn't even deserve the little consideration he gave it. Father Aurel had a strange affinity for animals, so there was a remote possibility he let the creature in himself. If that was not the case, he would just shoo it out later.