Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing, although I wish I did. Everything belongs to Moriyama Daisuke, ADV and Gonzo.
Author's note: I started writing this chapter very late at night for some odd reason. I nodded off right in front of the computer and had the strangest dream. It was really freaky, because it felt like I was watching an episode of Chrno Crusade, only it was really warped and definitely wrong. I dreamt that Jenai got together with Rosette, weird as it was, then things got really ugly when Chrno appeared. Very, very scary. Note to self, don't ever stay up late to write fanfics. Scary dreams of alternate universes tend to follow.
Horrible writer's block. Crap...it doesn't seem possible. I mean, theoretically, all I have to do is follow the manga, right? But I just realised that unless you have read all the volumes, my story doesn't really work properly coz it doesn't flow. It jumps too much. Oh well. Too late to go back. It's so hard to present my own thing without rehashing the manga...sigh, hopefully, since I'm slowly working my way through Volume 1 at the moment, no one is lost too much yet.
I swear I still am following the manga, but for some scenes, I just think that the anime portrayed it better and it fits my story better for that particular part, so...if you spot inconsistencies, that's why.
evilanimeblond22
Hi again! Thanks for reviewing. I hope the exams went ok too. I don't want to do those horrible subjects again!
MytholoManiaC
Good point. They are Sinners after all. Thanks for reminding me of that fact. And thanks for reviewing.
NightElfCrawler
Hehehe! Sir Chrno? Hmmm...right. Methinks I'll just read the translations as well. Thanks for suggesting that and for reviewing.
Die Kikyo Die
I updated quickly coz I just finished exams and I was like "WOOHOO!" I have nothing better to do with my time, so I spend most of my time in front of the computer and brainstorm. I'm slowing down though, running out of steam. Hey this is funny! You're getting grudges against the 'evil' characters in every chapter. That's good!
ruby-dream
Tis ok about the rank thing. I don't think that I'll put as much emphasis as I originally planned to. No worries. Thanks for reviewing once again. Always a pleasure to see my regular reviewers.
HypeRAzNChocobOGoddesS
Um...thanks. Welcome new reviewer! Methinks you've had too much sugar, but thank you for the generous reviews.
Kawaii Spinel Queen of Evil
Hello! Thanks for the lovely comments. It's for people like you that I suddenly feel inspired to write quicker.
Chapter 14: Stealth and Wealth
Remington:
I sat waiting in Sister Kate's office. Right now she was no doubt supervising Rosette and Chrno's punishment. I chuckled at the thought of them grumbling and whinging about how harsh Sister Kate was.
When had I started to care so much? It had seemed so simple at the beginning. All I had to do was get Rosette to trust me. If we could control the girl, we could control the demon. But Rosette had proven to be very difficult to tame, with her mulish stubbornness and a talent for getting in trouble. Such things should not have served to endear her to me. They were a constant source of headache for Sister Kate, but to me, it was like a breath of fresh air in this stifling place of rules and solemnity.
Rosette intrigued me because of her ability to feel so intensely. She seemed to have accepted her fate, since she always tried to live every minute to the fullest. But she had never regretted making the decision to become Chrno's contractor. She had told me so herself, in her usual direct and frank manner.
She expressed herself freely and openly in everything. That girl was fiercely loyal and protective of those who she befriended. These were all too few, though at least she was no longer singly attached to just the demon. And if she didn't like you, she made it very clear, as she had done to me at the very beginning.
It was strange. But sometimes when I spoke to Rosette, it felt as if I was speaking to Magdalena again. They were nothing alike, but for their connection to the same demon. It wasn't that Rosette reminded me of my former ward. Perhaps it was that same feeling of ease and fondness that I had for her. Or maybe it was because she was the first who I had allowed to get closer to me since that time. I had not spent so much time on anyone in ages. After all, when you lived for as long as I did, you tended not to attach yourself to people; especially those who you knew to have a much- shortened lifespan.
Rosette was a fighter and survivor. She never gave up, overcoming all obstacles which had arisen during her training. I was so proud of her. She was fearless and brave. I liked to think that this was due to my influence.
'It's a given that you're scared. You're dealing with monsters here. But the most important step is the next one. You must realise that even if you're scared, you still need to take a step forward.'
But I couldn't take all the credit. It had been her own strong will which had helped to carry her through the training. Teaching her had been challenging, tricky and frustrating. It was also one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences I'd had in quite a while, although I couldn't quite say the same for Sister Kate.
The door opened. Well, speak of the devil. "Sorry for making you wait, Minister Remington." Said Sister Kate, as she closed the door. She made her way to her desk and sat down with a sigh, directing a long-suffering glance at the stack of reports on her desk.
I smiled sympathetically. "You look worn out. I thought Rosette was the one being punished."
She rubbed her temples. "That girl...! I still say that it's your fault. You were always too lenient with her. And Elder too! Always letting her play with dangerous things." Sighing, she leaned back in her chair, eyes closed.
I chuckled. "She needs to be exposed to danger, more so than the others. She has a very perilous path ahead of her. The other trainees of her age will probably never face the dangers that Rosette has and will experience. I would say that she has benefited greatly from her training. Look how fearless and strong she has become."
"I would actually call that recklessness, though." Sister Kate looked at me in disapproval, daring me to challenge her.
"Well, I suppose that's another way to look at it." I said sheepishly. "But that's where Chrno seems to come in. Several times in the past, he has been that little voice of reason. He has mostly been well behaved and has proven to be extremely useful to our cause."
"Funny how this 'little voice of reason' displayed none of that quality today." She gave a very humourless laugh. "I thought you had been trying to separate those two. You certainly spent the better part of the last four years doing so. So why the sudden change of heart? Why did you agree to let him go with her on missions?"
"Because I've already accomplished that which I was trying to achieve." I replied flippantly. "We have managed to get Rosette to trust and even to confide in me. She sees me as the guardian and Chrno as almost like a brother. That arrangement suits my purposes well."
Sister Kate raised her eyebrows. "Oh? And what would these 'purposes' be?"
"I'm afraid that is something which I cannot tell you. Just trust me that as Rosette's guardian, I will be watching over those two very closely. You needn't worry about the matter too much." There were some things that I just couldn't disclose to Sister Kate, no matter how much I respected her. "I believe it should still be alright to have Rosette go on missions with Chrno."
She sighed. I knew how frustrated she must feel, being left in the dark about something so important. She knew it would be best to trust me in such matters, but that didn't make it easier for her to accept. "As long as you're sure." She said wearily.
"I'm sure. Thank you for understanding." For the moment, the only person who I trusted to confide in was the Elder, the person who had known me since before my Change. He was the only one who understood and knew of my vendetta against demons, and Chrno in particular.
Several days later
Chrno:
I sighed for the umpteenth time, as I waited for Rosette outside her room. She had just been briefed about a new assignment, which supposedly required for her to go undercover. She had run excitedly to her room, thrilled at the prospect of dressing up.
Rosette hadn't even told me what the mission was, so I couldn't prepare for anything until she was done. I sighed again. Seriously, I had been waiting for over half an hour already, ever since she had dragged me up here. How long does it take to put a dress on?
After what seemed like ages, I went and knocked on her door. "Hello? Are you done yet, Rosette?"
"I think so." She called. "Come in."
I opened the door, then froze. She stood there in a curve-hugging pink dress and balanced on high heels, looking at me expectantly. "Well?"
I stopped breathing. My face started to go red. As I stood there unblinking, I started feeling light headed from lack of oxygen. Rosette shifted nervously at my stunned silence and prolonged stare, seeming uncharacteristically shy.
-
-
Finally, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing. She gaped at me in shock as I collapsed against the wall, weak with laughter. "What is so damn funny?!" She demanded, shaking her fist at me dangerously. Ah yes, that was more like the Rosette that I was used to.
My stomach hurt. I had to suck in deep breaths before I could answer. "I'm sorry, Rosette...you do look nice...it's just..." I let out another chuckle. "what kind of mission are we going on, anyway? Can you even walk in those shoes?"
She strode forward angrily, blushing like crazy. I stopped laughing right away, eyes widening as alarms started blaring in my head. Something tells me that I'm in for a world of pain. "Eep." I scooted to the other side of the room, braced for any sudden attacks.
Rosette whirled to face me, the epitome of rage. "You..!" Unfortunately, this impression was slightly spoiled when she tripped and went sprawling flat on the floor. That just set me off laughing again. I couldn't help it. It was just so...cute. Rosette had never to my knowledge "dressed up" before.
I stopped immediately when I noticed that she hadn't actually moved from her spot on the floor. I cautiously crept towards her, arms raised in defence, just in case. "Rosette?"
Concerned at the lack of response, I dropped my arms and moved forward some more. Usually at this point she would be giving me death stares or knocking me unconscious. I frowned. Was that...sniffling? Rosette doesn't weep. She bawls, she howls, but she doesn't usually 'cry' cry. She must be taking this pretty seriously, if my comments hurt her that badly. I mentally smacked myself for being so insensitive.
"I'm sorry Rosette." I reached out to comfort her, suddenly feeling wracked with guilt. "You do look very nice. I'm sorry I laughed at y..." She grabbed my wrist and held on with a vice like grip. 'Uh-oh...' The sniffles had suspiciously stopped. I should have known better.
She looked up with a maliciously evil grin. "SUCKER!" I turned tail and fled. Or at least I tried to. Rosette pounced on my back with a demented cackle and I was suddenly introduced to the very unfriendly floor. She crowed with victory as she straddled my back. "This is what happens to mean little demons who laugh at other people's misfortune, Chrno!"
She then happily proceeded to knuckle my head.
Remington:
I grinned. You could always tell when Rosette was around, even when you were two corridors away. If ever you needed to find her, all you had to do was walk towards the room where chaotic noise was emanating from. I wasn't really supposed to be walking around the women's quarters, but no one would notice my presence if I did not choose to be seen. I was used to being stealthy and lurking around odd places anyway. I paused at the door and watched their antics for a while. The room's occupants were so busy that they didn't notice my presence at all.
Chrno had watery eyes and had his arms held protectively over his head, whimpering pathetically. Rosette had him pinned on his stomach and had obviously been punishing him in some way. It was times like this that almost made me pity the poor demon. Almost.
I wonder if this was the kind of treatment Joshua would have received if his body had not been so weak. Exerting physical dominance over others of equal age or younger seemed to be Rosette's favourite way of showing affection. It was as if Chrno was a soft toy. The signs of wear and tear were proof of just how much it was loved by the owner. But still, it was such a...violent kind of affection.
Everything seemed normal enough to me. Shrugging, I left them to it and slipped away.
At Melda Hotel, several hours later
Rosette:
We were finally inside the hotel. We hadn't left until much later than expected because I had decided to take Chrno's advice and practice moving around in my outfit. It was awkward at first, but I got the hang of it after a while.
Poor Chrno. I think he was still slightly disoriented and confused from earlier on. He seemed to be very slow on the uptake. I had to explain the mission to him twice. "So, let me get this straight." He said slowly. "We have to kidnap..."
"Rescue." I interrupted.
"Fine. 'Rescue' this girl..."
"Apostle." I corrected.
"...from Ricardo Hendric, her legal guardian..."
"That title is rather questionable." I cut him off again. "And besides, supposedly the circumstances in which she was adopted are very suspicious. For example, all the people in the band that she was previously with had mysteriously vanished."
Chrno waited for an exaggerated moment. "Finished?" I grinned guiltily. He shook his head slightly with a slight grin of his own. "Whatever. But we're supposed to bring her back to the Order, right?"
"Yep. That's basically it." I thought that it was a relatively straightforward assignment, but Chrno was looking very thoughtful. Shrug. My job was to act first and ask questions later.
So here we were. We had managed to get in, but now we had to somehow sneak past the guards to get to the amphitheatre in the back of the hotel. Supposedly everyday at regular intervals, the Apostle was forced to sing, though we weren't told why.
"Maybe we should observe the guards for a while before trying to sneak in." Chrno suggested. "The Apostle isn't due for a performance till an hour or so later. Until then, we should find somewhere nearby and try to blend in."
An hour later...
Chrno:
"I know I said to blend in, but..."
Rosette was happily preoccupied with the slot machines. Our very limited supply of money was being depleted even as I watched. Rosette had gone and changed all the money to coins, just so she could play on the slots.
"Come on, Rosette! We need to go. It's almost time." I looked around nervously.
Like the several dozen times before, Rosette ignored me; that is, until she inevitably ran out of coins.
"Chrno. Coin."
Oh well. This was the last one. At least afterwards, we can be sure that she'll stop playing, if only because we had no coins left. I watched as she turned back to the machine with new determination. Rosette was really scary sometimes...
Aarrgghh!!!
!!!
What the crap?! Things had just gotten even scarier. I grabbed Rosette and ran away from the ruins of the ex-properly working slot machine before people started to notice.
A brief argument and a few minutes later in the amphitheatre...
Rosette:
Chrno always spoils my fun. Oh well...time for work.
We were perched in one of the upper level viewing boxes. There was no one else in the theatre except for Ricardo Hendric and his servants at the front.
"So that girl is our target?"
I looked to where Chrno was indicating. A girl had just walked onto the stage and was obviously about to perform. "Yup! That's our target; Asmaria Hendric, rumoured to be one of the Apostles."
"Hmm..." I frowned at his response and turned to look at him. Chrno seemed to be debating whether or not to tell me something. "What is it?" I asked. The more people didn't want to tell me things, the more curious I got.
He started off slowly. "Think about this carefully. This is a child with special powers. The Magdala Order is taking the child away from their legal guardian to be 'protected'. Doesn't this sound a lot like Joshua's case?"
"Eh?" My eyes widened in shock. Now that you think about it...I lost my train of thought when Asmaria started singing. Wow...if ever I were to hear an angel sing, it would probably sound something like this.
"She has a beautiful voice." Chrno murmured after a while. "But why did we get an assignment like this. We're exorcists, aren't we? Where does the demon bit come into this mission?"
"It's her foster father." I pointed to the front row. Chrno suddenly stiffened. "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with Ricardo Hendric?"
"No, it's the man beside him. I think I know him." Chrno narrowed his eyes. "He's a demon, if he is who I think he is."
He knows that cone head? That's bad then. I strained my eyes, but I couldn't make out much of him except for that ridiculously shaped hat. He had to be a demon, to have such bad taste in hats. The 'King of Hotels' was a creepy man with an equally creepy entourage of servants. It shouldn't be too surprising that a demon was among them. "Ricardo Hendric is rumoured to be a demon worshipper." I said thoughtfully.
"Demon worshipper?" Chrno suddenly had an impish grin on his face. "When you say that do you mean like 'Hail to thee...' kind of worship, or is that the general term you people use nowadays for people who associate with demons? I'm kind of thinking it's the latter, since Ricardo doesn't seem to be 'worshipping' him. So if that's the case, then technically you're a demon worshipper as well."
I gaped at him. Chrno was so weird sometimes. He would be all serious one minute, then light hearted and totally odd the next.
"I don't know." He continued. "I don't feel a lot of 'worship' being directed at me, so to speak. But maybe that's the general trend nowadays. Look at that guy down there. He looks more like a servant than a master."
His grin faded, and he was once again sombre and pensive. "But if he is that person, then there is no way that he would ever serve a human. It doesn't make sense..."
Ok...Chrno's mood swings were really starting to scare me.
The singing stopped abruptly. "Come on, Chrno. Time to go."
We left quickly and eventually found ourselves in a lightly crowded corridor with an elevator at one end. People had given me strange looks when they'd seen Chrno following me. "So what's the plan now?" Chrno asked. Hmm...I looked at the nearby elevator. I also spotted a window nearby. Chrno followed my line of sight, then took a step back when I gave him a very wide grin. "Why do I get the feeling that I won't like this plan?"
TBC
Too tired. End here for now. Writer's block is a terrible thing. Oh well. Sorry for the comparatively long wait compared to the previous chapter. That one was quick. But I had a bit of trouble with this one. Then, my computer stuffed up so I couldn't use it for a day or two. Anyways, please review at your leisure. Need to revise volume 1, methinks.