By: Nightelfcrawler & Amai
Author's note: We're insane
Chapter Six: InitiationThe door swung open and shut behind them, as she hummed lightly and rounded the corner, stopping lightly and leaning against the wall, hugging her hands behind her back. "So what do you want to do Chrno?" She parted her lips and gave him a sweet smile. "Whatever you want, it's your initiation day."
He blinked at her, and looked a bit flustered. "Ah.... Um... well what does one usually do? I've never really had something like this..."
She pondered that. "Normally they either head to the bar or the brothel, but I doubt you want that." She shrugged, spreading her hands. "Anything you say, your wish is my command!"
"Ehhh er, no, not that." He muttered, glancing out at the city, eyes sparkling a bit. "I'd... just like to look around I guess... This city's huge... I wonder if they have games... I always heard about those..."
She brightened, snagging his hand. "They most certainly do!" She pulled him along, weaving around a few people and slipped down an alleyway. "Come on! This will be so cool!" They broke out of the darkness into the outside arena, where racers were already lining up.
He laughed a bit, but followed her eagerly, dodging and weaving through the crowd, laughing as he went, completely free of any fears or worries he'd had. The dip in the astral sea had definitely lightened him up a bit.
As she ran by, a tall figure wrapped in a white cloak, with the stylish wrap hiding his face, attached by clasps to the side of the hood was nearly bowled over as she slammed into his shoulder.
"Argh!" Rosette hopped on one foot as she toppled and landed flat on her butt. "Ow, dammit! Watch where your going!!" The man whirled on her, blue eyes a bit angry as he brushed off the water from his robes, hand going to a fine sword at his waist. "You should watch where you're going, and not run into strangers, girl."
"Ack... She didn't mean it." Chrno quickly helped her up, blinking up with some concern. "It was an honest mistake."
She pulled up to her feet, eyes flashing, "Maybe you shouldn't be taking up all the room in the walkway! Eh ghost-boy?!"
The room went very quiet, and several people backed up, as the man drew himself taller, sword coming out in a flash. "How dare you talk to me like that, waif. Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?"
"Come now... Erich...." Came a quiet voice from behind. "It was a mistake.... she didn't mean any harm."
She opened her mouth to say something really mean, before pausing and blinking, seeming a bit stunned. "Yeah tough stuff, it was a mistake." She drawled out.
The man just glowered fiercely at her, and turned, bowing smoothly to the shorter white clad figure behind him, who was dressed the same way, only bearing the crest of the royal family on his hooded shroud. "As you wish, Lord Ethedril."
The smaller figure nodded lightly, and motioned for the tall body guard to move back, then turned, and pulled his shroud down and grinned beaming down at the girl. "Hi!"
She cocked her head to the side a bit, looking slightly taken aback. A Royal, Apostle no doubt, and as much as she hated to admit it, extremely handsome. But that was easily overcome by her anger at losing her brother. "Hi and Bye." She said easily, eyes guarded, as she turned around, braids and wraps swishing. Damn them, Apostles… Grr...
The boy seemed highly disappointed as she turned her back to him, and some rejection crept into his eyes. People just didn't act that way around him normally... which is probably why he was so curious about her. "Hey wait a minute!" He jogged up to catch up with her, and completely jumped in front of her, face open with curiosity. "Are you going to see the races?"
She almost fell again, looking surprised. What was WITH this guy. "Uh, yeah. I am." She'd join in, if it wasn't Chrno's day. "Why do you care?" She tried to step around him, pushing some of her hair out of her eyes.
He tilted his head, stepping in front of her, leaning forward purposely to try and stop her, while leaning forward curiously. "Because being stuck with those guys all the time..." He pointed at the three bodyguards watching warily. "Really, really sucks."
She sighed, realizing that he wasn't going to let her go, and peered around for Chrno. "What do you want ME to do about it?" She locked eyes with him, raising an eyebrow as she huffed, her hair curling a bit from the drying astral that tangled the blonde locks.
He just wrapped a finger around his own blonde hair, twirling it a bit. "I dunno... I thought maybe you'd join me for a race or two?"
Chrno was standing awkwardly off to the side, watching, since the guards were giving him hostile looks that clearly said: Stay Back. Rosette looked back, giving Chrno the 'go ahead without me' look. "Aren't you joining in, Princey?" It seemed a bit odd that an Apostle prince would be at this ring unless he felt like smiting some newbies in a race.
He blushed cutely and nodded. "UH huh! I was going to try... there's this new race where you race against a 'bot of yourself!"
Chrno just stood there awkwardly, not really wanting to leave her, since he didn't know what else to do. But some girl nearby saw his board, squealed, and almost tackled him begging for an autograph.
She mentally groaned. Geeze, this guy couldn't catch an insult could he? After a few minutes of flat staring, she sighed and spread her hands. "Fine, fine, I'll watch one with you. Only one!" She held out one finger in his face.
He brightened eagerly and looked almost for a moment as if he was going to hug her. This girl was so nice! And she reminded him of someone, though he couldn't put his finger on just who... "Great! Come on, I'll get you the royal box seat to view from... bring your friend!"
"But, sir!!!!!" A guard protested. "He's a...."
"Oh poo, you're no fun."
"Sir, we won't permit...."
"I won't be anywhere near him!"
She blinked, looking back at Chrno. "Um, don't worry, He's joining the race." She pointed out, putting her hands up, "Give me a minute…" She backed up towards her friend.
"He is!? COOL!" The prince just looked tickled pink.
"Ah.. here." Chrno handed the silk scarf back to the fangirl, blushing pink as she tittered, rubbing it against her face and oohing and aahhing over him. Rosette quickly retreated to Chrno's side, huffing a bit. "Geeze..." She leaned over his shoulder, peering at his face. "Hey! Chrno, do you know what to do?"
He blinked at her, quickly grabbing onto her arm to escape the fangirls. "Eh? What to do? Um, weren't we going to look at the games?" He was oblivious to her recent conversation behind him. She pulled him along, glancing at the board that escaped the right side of the arena. He staggered after her, glancing around curiously. "Ah, are we going to watch some races?"
"If you want to compete, we should register you right away." She pulled him up to the judge's desk. "So? Do you? Or am I going to just win something for you?" Her eyes glittered, knowing his answer already.
He stared at her, opened mouthed, then looked at the registration desk, then back at her. "C... compete?! Me? But I don't know the first thing about... erk..." She smiled at him, elbowing him a bit forward. "Oh, it's not that hard." She smiled, leaning to the judge and sparking up a conversation in an alien tongue.
He blinked cutely, but rubbed the edge of the board, shifting on his feet as whispered stares and conversation drifted over at him. What on earth was she getting him into?
Finally she finished speaking, and placed a tag in his hand, reaching over to slap a tag onto his board. "Alright, you're registered. Had to convince them that you weren't a professional." She winked at him, leading him out to the docks, as far as she was allowed. "Just have fun, someone'll brief you on the rules!"
He blinked a bit as he was pushed forward, and glanced back at her over his shoulder. "But... what am I supposed to tell them...?" He was cut off as the refs began to round everyone up, the Prince included.
She glanced back as the Apostle prince, trying to remember his name as she scooted past him, seeing if she could escape without having to say anything. Um... Eather...driller...um...Ethedril or something like that... Eek! He's looking this way! Hide Rosette! Hide! blush
wavewavewavewave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Ahem. Miss." Came a cool voice of the guard. "This way if you please... the Prince asked you to stay in the royal box to watch the race." Damn it. She waved back cheerfully, giving him a thumbs up and just to lay it on thick for said guard, a blown kiss, before turning around to look up at the guard, groaning a bit. "Right..." She just sighed, rolling her eyes and following him, her hair bristling a bit at the thought of being so close to the race she was so adamant against, what had she gotten herself into...
"Hey..." the Prince snuck up close to Chrno, as the refs finished gathering everyone. "You think she might say yes if I asked her out on a date? Your friend?"
Chrno blinked over at the blonde prince, and looked a bit uncomfortable. "Um.... I don't know really, she might... I've only known her for a week or so..."
"Alright you all, most of you know the rules, but some of you don't. All is fair play unless you don't round one of the markers, they're bright red, so they are hard to miss," The Ref looked over at some of the racers, "Try not to play dirty, although the less people in the race, the less competition for the grand prize!!"
Chrno blinked a bit, listening. This sounded rather dangerous. But yet, his heart pounded inside with excitement. The prince just grinned, and pulled his shroud back up, but this time without the white cloak, and instead it was a metal plate over the mouth to keep bugs from flying in, mostly. Chrno dug around in the bag, and came up with some goggles, which he thankfully put on, since everyone else was readying themselves.
Rosette made it up to the royal suite, staring around at the luxurious accommodations before snagging some rum and perching up on the bar that overlooked the whole race. Ho ho! Let's see how Chrno would fair!
The Ref lifted the flag, "All on your Mark!"
Chrno peered at the Prince, before back at the guards.
"Get set!"
The racers all lined up, the Prince took his place in line, Chrno next to him, and they all waited, mounting their boards for the starting lineup... The prince's board shone blue in the light, and Chrno's hummed with its energy, several people whispering and the bets flying as the rumor passed around that some kid was riding THE Champ's board, and that the Prince was in it too... those two were the highest bid on.
The flag was dropped and the prongs dropped, allowing the racers to shoot out. "GOOO!!"
WOOOOOSH! The explosion of air and wind around the boarders blew anyone sitting behind them clear out of their seats as they rocketed off along the track. It was neck against neck for the first stretch, until the first turn came up, and some stragglers began to fall behind.
Chrno gunned the board, and took off ahead with the leaders, crouching tightly to the board, his blood pounding. Wow this was FUN...
The Prince whipped around the first marker, expertly weaving about. He was a very good boarder... one of the best in his realm, and well respected among the royals.
Rosette leaned out farther on the bar, wobbling a bit and having to let loose her dragonfly wings to keep her steady, looking much like a space sprite, balancing in such a way, wings glowing with the swoops of astral that flew through the air. "Wooo! GO CHRNOOO!!"
Woosh, woosh, the first marker was nearly bowled over by someone who lost their balance and fell down, but Chrno shot by like an arrow, weaving in-and-out of the track.
The Prince twisted ahead, nearly colliding with a gloating competitor who was obviously crowding him, trying to get him off the track.
Someone skimmed right over Chrno's head, nearly taking the top of his sail with him, but he twisted deftly aside, going into a brief spin, then coming out ahead of the person who'd cut him off, by gaining a little altitude, and shooting down faster by dropping.
The boarder glowered, cursing as he turned his board and bumped the Prince, black sails glittering as he rammed him again. No way some prissy Prince was going to beat him! The Prince glared back a little, and glanced over at the other boarder, as he narrowly missed hitting the wall. How rude! He slowed down his speed just a tad, so the boarder shot ahead, then slammed his accelerator down and zoomed right up behind him, and right past him in a rush of wind. The man gasped, the sail tipping from the gust of wind and he went down in a flurry of astral and curses.
Chrno nearly bowled into the man, and gasped a bit. If he kept going he'd smash right into him... With a quick twist, he flipped the board up, and let go, its sails collapsing as it shot right between the man's legs, then with a snap, opened again, just in time as Chrno's body flipped back around and landed on the board, now in the lead, almost neck and neck with the Prince.
The Prince leaned forward, as the two shot around the last turn. This guy was good! Limber too... there was no way the Apostle could have done that move... He risked a glance over at him... which proved to be his undoing unfortunately, as his board whiffed the fence, and with an gasp, he went tumbling, right into the Astral lake.
Rosette squeaked, nearly falling off of the balcony as she closed one eye. "Oww. That's gotta be a blow to the ego."
woooosh In a streak of black and purple, there was no denying who won, as the crowd went wild... they hadn't seen a performance like that in years!
Rosette let out a jubilant yelp, slamming to her feet and just falling right off the edge, her dragonfly wings spreading and allowing her to just swoop in over her friend's head, tackling him right over before he could properly set the board down on the ground, sending them right into the lake.
He yelped, and SPLOOSH, in they went again, the board coming to a hover self-parking itself, as with a burble of bubbles, the two went under.
The Prince coughed a bit, and dragged himself out, his board a bit wobbly behind him as he dragged it and its wet sails out. But he couldn't help but grin.
She laughed merrily as they surfaced again, wings glowing neon radiant like the sun from the amount of astral that pummeled it and she climbed back on the dock, and shook off, sending the sparkles everywhere before offering Chrno a hand. "Good going, but your reflexes still need a little work."
He coughed out a little astral, as that glow encompassed him again, and he giggled a bit, cheeks flushed red, as he pulled the goggles back onto his head. "From what.... flying girls?"
She nodded, giggling, as she stood up, and stretched, the sunlight catching on her wings and just sending beams of golden light about her. That was what astral did to one, ugly girls would be come pretty, and the pretty ones, well... He just gazed up at her, feeling the excitement from the race, and the intoxicating astral all around them pumping through him... She had such pretty lips...
"Congratulations!" the Prince's hand shot out and appeared in front of Chrno's face.
"Ah, Thanks!" He took it, and blinked as the Prince pumped it up and down energetically.
"Well, it was nice meeting you!" He waved a soggy arm at Rosette. "You remind me a lot of my lost sister.... I'm glad we could meet. Bye!"
She gagged, looking as if she just had been slapped, and tried to latch onto him. "What did you say?" But he was already being ushered off by his guards, towels wrapped around him, hot pads offered, tea, coffee, chocolate.
She stood there, suddenly looking lost and forlorn. No way... that couldn't have been just... Tears mixed with astral, barely distinguishable from the sopping liquid. Joshua...?
Chrno dragged himself out, wringing his shirt out, and blinking as he was yanked over to the winner's circle by the ref. "Eek!"
"HERE HE IS FOLKS! THE NEW CHAMPION, what's your name son?" The man asked, shaking the boy's shoulders.
"Ah..." He stuttered a bit, not sure what to say. If he really was famous like she said... but he couldn't just make up a name. "C... Chrno...."
The Man was silent, before staring at him. "CHRNO!" He looked nervous, obviously recognizing what Rosette had seen earlier that day. "Isn't that great folks, he goes by Chrno while riding the Tempus, you couldn't be..."
He flushed a bit and rubbed the back of his neck, ducking back a bit. "Ah... um...." The Crowd roared, "That's right, this young man is going right after his idol! Give him a round of applause!!"
His face turned bright red, and he let out a small breath of relief, and glanced over at Rosette with a shy smile, just for her. She glanced over at him, shivering a bit with a pathetic, pained look, before forcing on a smile, and mouthing 'I'll meet you outside', wings limp and glowing dully, as she turned and disappeared into the crowd, as the boy was mobbed by the many people involved with putting together a champion's plate.
Chrno was entirely overwhelmed, but answered questions as much as he could, until finally he escaped outside, with a flower wreath, and arms filled with gifts and prizes, and leaned against the wall with a sigh.
Rosette was sitting back against another wall, curled up with her forehead on her arms, which were twined about her legs silently, looking very small and almost invisible against the dark shadows of the wall.
He glanced around, wondering where she'd gone…then sighed a bit and shuffled along, a bit of flowers dropping out of his arm and drifting in her direction as he looked around concerned. She wouldn't have left him would she?
She heard the movement, and looked up, watching the flower petal fall at her feet and smiled a bit, picking it up. "Have fun?"
He blinked turning around and then smiling in relief. "Ah thank goodness.... I'm glad I found you... here..." He dumped all the stuff in her arms. "It's more yours than mine anyway."
She blinked at the stuff, the flowers ticking her nose as she stood, smiling. "Thanks Chrno, but you keep it, you won anyway." She gave him a warm look, leaning back against the wall as the sun dropped below the ocean, sending rivets of light through the astral sea, and sending the warm gold glow about the two of them as she looked up in his eyes, offering the flowers and trinkets. "I have enough things."
He blushed more but took them back, and at least held out the flowers. "Take these.... please? They look better with you."
She blinked down at them, before sighing, and stepping forward, giving him a tiny kiss on the cheek as she hugged the bundle. "Thank you and congratulations." She said into his ear, before going to pull back.
He blushed and giggled, looking very pleased and warm, cuddling his stuff to him a bit as his eyes sparkled down at her, ears twitching a little.
She smiled at him, her lips quirking up at his adorable image. "Man, you're so sweet. Come on. Everyone's probably ready by now." She patted his shoulder, "Mind giving us a ride?"
He nodded and shoved all the stuff in the overflowing bag Remi had given him, and flipped the board open, staggering a bit as he slung the bag over his back again.
She laughed a bit, cheered up a tiny bit more, but couldn't help but hesitate, giving a longing look back at the arena, searching the relaxed crowd for that white cloaked figure, eyes distant and pained. What if it HAD been him...? What if? And she had wanted to..."Let's go." She reached out a hand for the rail, pulling herself up.
He nodded, and with a whoosh, they zoomed off into the sky once more, weaving in and amidst the buildings, as he zipped higher, so they could get a good look at the city.
She smiled and looked down at the glowing, sunset stained city, and watched it fondly. "It's gorgeous, isn't it Chrno?" She looked up at him, her hair tangling a bit with his as the wind rushed past them.
He nodded, gazing out at the setting sun with a wide smile on his face, and a peaceful look. He'd finally found his calm center. "Yeah... it is... I've never seen a sight like it."
She grinned a bit more, "Just wait, we're heading into Apostle territory now, the swamp planets, when the sun sets, it's like a completely different world..."
He glanced over at her, eyes a bit concerned momentarily. "Is that safe...?"
She waved her hand a bit, a lot more relaxed since he was driving, and she was just resting against his strong core. "Aye, but then again, the frogs go down in seconds under a few commandments." She grinned. "Stink up to high heaven though."
He grinned at that. "I see...." The ship sailed into view as they rounded a corner, and within seconds they were on deck, flowers leaking petals everywhere.
The crew stopped their workings that dulled to a few murmurs as their Captain hopped off the board, and gave them all a faint smile. "What's up?" To anyone who knew her well enough, the facade wasn't good enough, but most of the crew let it slip, just for the good of the Captain. She didn't like not appearing to be strong.
"Welcome back." Remi slid up, with several barrels seen behind him, as he grinned almost sadistically. "It's almost sundown, are you ready?"
She blinked, before smiling warmly up at him, pushing her problems behind for this occasion. "Ah yes, very ready.." She looked over at Chrno, "I doubt he is, but oh well."
He chuckled at the boy who was looking around again, finding the actions of the crew curious. "I doubt it as well.... it's hard to believe he's capable of what his blood says he is."
She nodded, before placing a hand on Remington's arm, squeezing it softly. "Let's get this party started." She pulled out the earring gun from his pocket, and put out her hand, as two gold earrings, engraved with a word in Rosette's own native tongue, were placed by Stella, who looked just as interested.
"Ooh, this is going to be funn…"
"Right!" Remi snapped his hands together, and all the men, the whole crew, began to gather around.
Chrno glanced in each direction, as everyone began to step on deck, and glanced over with a hint of worry at Stella's comment. "Eh? It is?"
Rosette laughed a bit, her small fangs glinting, as she lifted the pierce-gun and set the earring in it. "Oh yes Chrno, it will. Now stay still..."
His eyes got wide and he gasped a bit, looking worriedly up at her with big eyes. "Will it hurt...?"
"Oh for goodness sake..." Remi laughed and shoved him down onto a crate. "Imagine that.... a demon afraid of a little prick."
She laughed, pressing the gun to his ear, and whispered, like she did to any new member, "Don't worry, if it hurts too much, I'll kiss it to make it better." SHUNK
"AHHHHHHHHH!" He almost pulled away, but Remi held him fast, laughing his ass off.
"Oh hold still!"
She reloaded the gun, pressing it to the same ear within the fuzz and shot again, SHUNK "See, not too bad!"
He squirmed a bit whimpering with wide eyes, but looked almost relieved... two right... that was it, no more?
"Stella, the other set?" She asked cheerfully, as the three gold rings were set in her hand and loaded. "Now just the other ear..." SHUNKSHUNKSHUNK
His eyes got wide at that but by the end he was just sitting there, eyes squeezed shut tightly, holding Remi's arm tightly, making the man wince a bit as he held him.
She flicked the ring lightly, murmuring the word upon it lightly, before lifting her eyes to him. "Make a wish!"
He squeezed an eye open and blinked a bit. "A wish? Um...." He looked truly baffled for a moment, as if trying to figure out what on earth he'd wish for. "Um..." He blushed cutely then and looked up at her with a faint smile. "I wish that we all find what we seek."
Her smile faltered for mere fractions of a second, before it was guarded again, and she closed her eyes and nodded, her cheeks flushing a bit at the thought. "Yeah. I hope so too."
He just smiled at that and nodded eagerly. "Right!"
Remi chuckled and let him go. "Now you're a man, kiddo."
She grinned a bit, cracking her fingers. "Now right, where's the tattoo gun, did you find one that would work on him?"
"I think so." Remi pulled one out with a wide grin. "I had to twist some arms to get it, but.... here." He held it out to her and winked.
BZZZZZZZZZZZ She pulled the trigger a bit, grinning and looking at Chrno a bit devilishly. "C'mere!"
His eyes got a little wider, and he squeaked a little, backing up slightly. "W... what are you going to put on?"
She smiled, pulling out a bit of rum and offered it to him. "You'll see."
He blinked at the rum, and took a sip... and almost instantly was giggling and relaxed.
Rosette had to laugh at that, and pinned him down to keep him from struggling as she bit her tongue and began inking in his shoulder, the whirling sound filling the air as she slowly made the design into his flesh.
He didn't fight it, though his giggling increased more as she continued, squirming a little. "Rosette, that tickles!"
"Hold still! Don't move! It's hard enough!" She nudged him in the stomach with her knee, and 20 minutes later, she pulled back with a grin. "There we go!"
He sat up, still giggling a little, and turned his head, trying to see it, and promptly fell over.
She stared. "Uhh, you cant take alcohol can you?" She leaned over him, her braids tickling his nose as she peered at his face. "Really...what type of pirate will you make?"
He hiccupped a little and just giggled more. "Can I have more? It makes me feel warm!"
She giggled, helping him up and waving her hand, allowing the crew to roar and party, passing out the booze. She took a deep draft, before offering it to him. "Drink up." He took it in both hands and grabbed it, leaning back and beginning to chug it eagerly.
Stella giggled and rested over Remington's shoulder, a bottle of whiskey in her hand, her face flushed. "They're so cute aren't they?"
"Incredibly." He grinned at her, not minding the close contact, but not initiating much more, picking up the clock in his hand and turning it over thoughtfully.
Within a few hours, the entire ship was completely sloshed, including the Captain, who, in a fit of giggles, was slumped over the wheel of the ship singing "Yo ho Yo ho, a pirate's life for me", her bandanna fallen over one eye and her cheeks a rough red.
Remi was happily singing along with her off to the side, arm around Stella. Chrno on the other hand, couldn't stop giggling, laying there, jug in hand, completely out of it, but somehow still conscious enough to laugh.
Rosette peered into the inkiness of space, and then over to Remington and Stella, pointing a wavering finger at them. "Heyy...Gettoffa 'im Stella...!"
Remi grinned and lightly moved her aside, staggering up and over to his Captain, plopping down on the deck, leaning back.
Stella stared back, not able to focus on one of the three of her captains, before shrugging and going off to find someone else. "Heyyyy Johnnnyyyyy...."
She let go of the wheel, giggling a bit as the ship lurched, and settled out, flopping down next to him. "Whee! Great party eh?"
Remi was able to hold his liquor quite well... so he easily grinned back at her. "Indeed.....where are we heading next?"
She wrinkled her nose at him, trying to blow her bangs out of her eyes cutely, giggling. "Um...Told ya before silly." She pointed in a completely random direction. "Um. Apostle places...um...The gold tree...uh..." She rolled over to her side, looking at him with a completely adoring look. "Somewhere."
He grinned a bit and held the clock up, dangling it. "This thing's more than it seems."
She peered at it, poking the face and watching it dangle cutely. "Uh...what ish't then?"
"NO idea!" He nodded seriously.
"Really! Amazing!" She laughed, hugging him thusly, snuggling. "Mmmm. You're so cool Yuann..."
He grinned at that and put his arms around her. "Thanks."
Slowly, but surely, one by one, the crew seemed to be getting fewer, until Rosette opened her eyes to the sound of a 'click', and looked straight up the barrel of a .45.
Remi froze, eyes snapping open. OH crap...
In two split seconds, Remington was yanked off of the blonde by the hair, slammed back against the wall where two fleet members pointed their guns at him, and the Admiral snagged the girl from her braids and yanked her to her feet. "Caught ya, you little sea bitch."
Remi snarled, hands twitching, wanting to go to his guns... crap... "Rosette!"
A startled pair of golden eyes watched hidden from the crow's nest, staying down, peering through a crack in the boards.
The girl yelped a bit, going for the guns before she was slapped directly across the face and sent sprawling, two more fleet members rushing up and confiscating the weapons as others secured the wheel, but not without giving the Captain a good kick to the stomach. She wheezed, her eyes flashing in pain and anger as she refused to stay down, and wobblingly got to her feet, glaring drunken anger at the Fleet's Leader, who was pompously smirking down at her. "Bastard!"
"You son of a..." Remi lunged without another word, hands ripping the guns free and aiming at two of the nearest men, managing to fire off two shots before they could stop him.
The fleet was sent in an alarm quickly doing in the resistance with a blunt sword to the back of the neck, but two sunk to the ground, well hit and dead on contact. Remi went down hard, dazed and not quite coherent as the man took him out, his guns scattering to the side out of reach. "You mangy mongrel, you think I'll stand for that!" The man snarled, aiming his gun only to be tackled by the tiny Captain, who was immediately snagged and wrestled into a dominated position.
From above, Chrno gasped slightly. Driven slightly on the edge already from the rum, he didn't even think... he leapt straight out of the crow's nest, and landed on the deck below with a solid thunk, eyes glowing, and claws gleaming as he snarled at the man on top of Rosette, before lunging right at him.
The Admiral gasped, surprised by the demon's sudden appearance, and tried to reach his gun over his fat belly. "Soldiers! On guard!!" The man who had decided to take... advantage... of his situation soon found his back torn open, and screamed in pain, whirling around to meet this threat.
Chrno snarled and lunged right at his throat, eyes flashing and talons bloodied and deadly. He'd never known such rage before.... the only thing he could think about was tearing them apart.....save Rosette....
The soldiers were in a panic now, horrified by this sudden brutish fiend, and Rosette blackened the other aggressor's eye very well, kicking him back as suddenly it was war, two against nearly 100...
Of course, two against 100 who were armed with guns, though the element of surprise was certainly a factor, had no chance in the long run, demonic blood rage or not.... Inevitably, someone managed to finally get a shot in, and Chrno staggered back, shaken for a moment as blood welled up staining the cloth on the left side of his shirt.
"CHRNO!" Rosette cried out, pulling her dagger from the innards of a certain sailor, rushing to help Chrno, before suddenly thunk Everything went black...
Chrno's eyes darted to the side seeing her fall, which only sent him into an angered frenzy, as he took up position over her, and snarled, daring the others to even take a step closer towards them, if they wanted to keep their guts intact.
The Admiral looked a bit shaken, pulling himself up as he aimed his pistol at the demon, anger in his eyes. "Back down boy, there's no reason for you to die today. Its our orders to take the pirate in."
He just bared his fangs more and looked at him through a haze of blood, alcohol, and rage, and didn't move.
The man just twitched a bit, and lifted his gun, flicking two fingers out to the side to signal his troops to take aim. "On order of the Apostle fleet, under the charge of resisting and interrupting arrest, you are sentenced to death." He pulled back the hammer slowly, listening to each click. "May God be with your soul..."
He never got to finish the end of the phrase, as a very loud 'snap' was heard, and the clock sealing his power, still stashed in Rosette's pocket, broke open... and standing there, very pissed off, eyes narrowed, was a very angry, very big, very powerful Chrno. "I think not."
The man hesitated, taken aback by the sudden transformation, before pulling the trigger, setting a volley off from the fleet, blinding themselves in the process.
The blinding light that filled the whole ship was enough to be seen for miles... but when it finally died off, and the volley ran out, Chrno stood there, just the same, a shimmering barrier surrounding him, and the fallen girl beneath him. His eyes narrowed further, and fixed intently on the Admiral, as he flexed his claws.
Said fleet leader took a hesitant step backwards, his old fat face greasy with sweat. "Reload!" He shakily snagged another canister.
"I highly suggest not doing that." His voice was low, but clearly audible. "You have the count of ten to get your asses off this ship, before I rend them separate from your bodies."
The Admiral blinked at that, looking down at the girl behind the angry demon, and then to the ship where he held the rest of the crew hostage. That would have to do, although the captain always was what was wanted, a crew brought in good marks also. And so, he flicked his hands, and the guns lowered, as they quickly, but at least a bit gallantly, evacuated the premise.
Chrno's narrowed eyes followed them as they left, since the only thing that had been feverently in his mind when he'd allowed 'Truth' to take over was 'protect Rosette'.
Said girl was laying on her side, a bit of blood dribbling down her cheek from a broad gash that was covered by the dark maroon bandana, one cheek was bruised, turning black and blue mottled with red, small cuts and bruises riddled her body, along with a couple good gashes, but at least she was breathing, which was more than a lot of the soldiers that were still on the deck were.
Once the soldiers from the other ship were out of range, the glowing power emanating from the watch faded, and Chrno's body shifted back to it's smaller shape, though if anyone had looked closely they would have noted a few changes... since he had forced a seal open himself that time... But he collapsed on the deck beside Rosette, breathing hard, and dazed, grabbing the bloody half of his shoulder that was slowly healing over.
The fleets ship pulled away, and shot out, leaving a trail of dust behind them as the aimed for the Apostle 'home' planet, assuring their wounded egos that they'd get The Dread Pirate Christopher next time.
About 5 minutes later, Remi groaned and rolled over, tasting blood in his mouth, and spit it out coughing a little as he looked up and stared blankly at the bloodied deck... there were probably about twenty corpses there... and all surrounding two figures.
"I'll be damned." He swore softly, shoving himself to his feet, feeling his head swim a little.
The Elder poked his head out of below deck, muttering something odd as his goggles glinted. So the fleet was gone? Thank God...eh? Where was everyone?!
Remi made his way over to Rosette, and carefully turned her over, feeling for a pulse and sighing in relief when he found one. "Thank God...." He glanced over at the boy laying on the deck, and blinked, seeing his hands were drenched in blood, much of which wasn't his own. A glitter caught his eyes, and he looked up, spotting a pair of familiar goggles. "Elder, get out here."
The old man jumped, whirling around to stare at the three of them, and then down at the mass slaughter, and gasped a bit, scrambling out of the hole as fast as his old bent body would allow him, hunching over the group with glittering, fearful eyes, "Are they...?"
"The men are." He glanced around with a frown at the bodies. "If they're not, they will be..." He checked Chrno's pulse and nodded. "These two are fine, aside from some small injuries."
The elder pressed a hand to the demon's forehead, and looked around again, his voice woeful. "And the others?"
He sighed looking around. "If they're not here, they were taken.... I'm afraid I was out for most of..." He gestured around at the deck.
He looked sad, before reaching to try and lift the rather... tall.. boy up, huffing a bit as he slung him over one shoulder. "Come on... let's get them down below..."
Remi nodded, and gently slipped Rosette into his arms, with a bit of a pant, and pulled her into his arms, then stepped down the stairs after the Elder.