By: Nightelfcrawler & Amai
Author's note: We're insane
Chapter Eight: RescueThe ship was soaring through the thick fog that permeated the atmosphere, gliding silently as Remi stood, wearing a more merchant-fitting outfit, giving the ship a once-over as they neared their destination...
Rosette stepped beside him, wearing a nice pair of low-cut pants that tied at the ankles over a pair of leather boots, and a top that started just over her chest and stopped just below them, covering her shoulders and wrapping in dark crimson material down to her elbows. The pants and top were both a tan, and the gold jewelry that adorned her made her look like a eccentric female merchant. While there were not too many, it was easy to recognize them. This way, no one would notice that they were pirates.
Remi smiled over at her, tipping his feathered hat. "The 'merchandise' is ready.... how's our other crewmember doing?"
Chrno poked his head out uncertainly, looking incredibly awkward. "Um.... are you SURE this is necessary..."
Rosette turned a bit, grinning back at him and slapped her thigh. "Completely, come on, let's take a gander."
Chrno was back in his old blacksmith clothing, since he didn't have to pretend to be one.... luckily with his skills, they were actually able to pull off a convincing merchant business, with brand new swords made by his hand.
Rosette patted his shoulder, smiling sweetly up at him as the ship slowly moved into port, and clicked cleanly into the slots, Elder giving them a swift wave as they disembarked. "Now just to find our little Princey... Chrno, I leave it to you to get a clean entrance into the lower levels, Remington, try and find out exactly where our 'shipmates' are held, and I'm going to try and get said 'customer'." She winked, as they stepped into the crowed port. "Got it? Keep in contact."
Remi nodded and slipped out, and Chrno looked awkward, but tied the bandanna around his head to hide his ears, the horns and wings easily disguised, and with the thick work gloves on, no one could see his claws. "Ok... be careful."
She just smiled at him and patted his head fondly. "I will. You also." and with that, the girl disappeared into the crowd, running towards the royal palace, the red bandana the only thing that had remained from her previous outfit, flapping in the wind.
- - - - - - -
It was an amazing city, as Chrno soon found out... unfortunately, he had to also keep a sharp eye out, as Remi had warned... people here were more aware to demons, and walking about boldly wasn't a good idea. The First Mate given him a cross of some sort that was supposed to emit a holy aura, enough to confuse rather than alarm people, but still, he was worried. But that didn't mean things weren't interesting enough to catch his eye. He stopped in front of a stall, admiring some weapons dealers, as he tilted his head back.
Princess Azmaria Hendrick sat out on the bench before the merchant area with a small sigh, her ruby eyes cast across the loud bargainers and squeaking seagulls. She had been given some time off, and with the prince she fancied off doing who knows what, she was alone watching people go by. How she longed for something exciting... a friend or playmate of some sort... Azmaria blinked suddenly, catching sight of a long purple braid, and leaned to the side, almost lying across the bench as she stared, watching the boy admire some swords, his gold eyes enchanting and his features perfect. She blushed, and suddenly, sitting here was a lot more interesting.
He of course was oblivious the fact he was being watched, but after admiring the swords some, he turned, and shook his head, glancing around. He had to find a way into the castle... from below... which meant most likely the sewers... ugh... he strode past the bench where the pretty girl was sitting, glancing over at her casually and smiling since she made eye contact.
Azmaria smiled warmly up at him, closing her eyes amiably. "Good evening." She blushed cutely, exclaiming her happiness inside over the fact that he smiled at her.
He smiled more at that and semi-bowed back at her, thinking she was rather pretty.... "Evening."
Azmaria blushed again, smiling warmly. "What is a fine merchant such as yourself doing at our simple market?" Maybe, if she acted right, he wouldn't know that she was a royal and act oddly around her.
His eyes widened quickly, and glanced down at his outfit, puzzled why she'd called him a fine merchant. "Um.... just looking?"
She stood in a fine ruffle of skirts and long white hair, smiling warmly at him. "Mind if I join you, things are quite dull to watch here."
He blinked cutely, and opened his mouth to protest. Crap... he had a job to do but... well he did like talking to people... maybe she could help. And besides, it wasn't THAT big of a rush. "Um... sure."
Azmaria brightened, offering her hand for him to take. "Thank you. My name is Azmaria. What's yours?"
"Ah..." He took it and shook it lightly with a shy smile. "Chrno."
- - - - - -
Rosette searched along the streets, blue eyes keen for that white cloak, or the blonde hair, her heart pounding at the thought that maybe, it could be Joshua. "Hm. If I was a Apostle Prince, where would I be?"
Said prince was currently missing... again... and guards were sweeping the whole palace grounds, and starting to pour into the town, looking for him... he, in the meantime, was sitting casually in the square, in a pair of loose pants and a shirt, hair rumpled, and even a bit of dirt on his face. No one would know...hehehe!
Rosette stepped into the middle of a square, looking completely lost and turned around. Crap. Which way had she gone? She sighed, pushing her bangs out of her eyes. "Well damn!"
Of course…his eyes spotted her almost instantly. Wow! She was here!! He grinned, and leapt up jogging over, and tapping her lightly on the shoulder from behind.
The pirate blinked a bit, turning around to look up into the bright blue eyes, taking a few seconds to realize who it was. "Ah!" She pointed, turning a bit pink and staring. Really, those eyes, reminded her so much of Joshua now that she looked deep into them.
He grinned brightly. "I didn't think I'd see you again...! I'm glad I found you! What're you doing here?"
She smiled back, a lot more friendly this time. "Actually, to find you." Her heart pounded roughly, as she tried to keep her mind on target.
His face right out brightened at that. "Really!? To find me!?"
She nodded, looking down at her feet. "Yeah, you said I reminded you of your lost sister.." She looked up at him under her lashes, hoping that he would remember.
He blinked cutely. "I did?" He looked thoughtful, putting a finger to his cheek and tilting his head. "Welllllll.......I don't have a sister!"
She rolled her eyes, her hope obviously faltering, giving her the most dejected, lost puppy look. "Oh..."
He smiled brighter. "But if I had a sister, she'd be like you, I know it"
She gave him a warm smile, "Thank you." She reached over and took his hand, pulling him along the length of the square that over-looked the ocean. "Say, could I ask you a favor?"
He blinked cutely, and then brightened considerably more, nodding at her with an eager look. "Sure! If...."
Rosette internally groaned. Man...there's always a trade off isn't there.. "If?"
His cheeks went pink. "If you'll...." He leaned forward shyly. "Give me a kiss?"
She blushed horribly, taken aback. A KISS?! "Er..." She hesitated, before having to steel herself. Think of the crew Rosette! It's for their sake. Her shoulders slumped a bit and she turned bright red. "Ok, sure." She placed one hand on his cheek, looking about as pink as a person could get, and drew him closer, closing her eyes.
He giggled like a boy, and leaned forward and gave her a cute childish little kiss on her cheek before pulling back grinning ear to ear.
Rosette blushed, opening her eyes. "Now will you help us?"
He giggled and nodded energetically. "Sure! What do you need?"
"I need you to sneak me into the prison to rescue my shipmates." She said easily, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "You can do that, right Prince?"
He blinked at that, and opened his mouth suddenly taken by surprise. "Um....." He blinked again and looked uncomfortable. Oh boy.
She took a step back, grinning as she bowed to him in a low sweep. "Rosette Christopher, also known as The Dread Pirate Christopher, The Pirate King, and a couple less savvy titles. Glad to make your acquaintance."
He flushed a bit, staring. Oh yes, he'd heard of her. "The... dread pirate.... you??"
"Heh." She had to laugh at the reaction everyone gave her. "Yes, surprising, isn't it? That I'm a girl?"
He nodded slowly, eyes wide. "And so... pretty."
She turned a nice shade of red that complimented her eyes. Whoa, that was new. Normally it was 'Oh please, please, Misses Lady Pirate, sir! Don't eat my soul!'
He blushed a bit and giggled, but then sobered a little. "It's not going to be easy... but... I think I can help. I, um... well, I can get you in, but I'm not sure how we can get them out.... even I can't do anything without a reason...."
She pondered that, frowning a bit. "You have a lot of servants to clean up after you, don't you?"
He made a face of exasperation. "Yeah..."
She grinned mischievously. "Then, if you can get me in, as say..." She waved her hand about, "A new servant... stalker... girlfriend... what ever, we tie up the servants who would most fit their size in clothing, and then have them follow you out!"
He stared at her. "I... guess.... but that still.."
Rosette sighed, "Well I COULD break them out and we could ransack the entire palace and then kidnap you."
His mouth opened and he stared at her. For a moment it looked like he just wanted to say yes, but... "Uh. I don't think you have enough people for that... Apostles are really powerful."
She scratched her chin. "Hm.... I could probably have the Elder put up a barrier and drain the Astral from the palace, that should reduce them to barely standing..."
He blinked and his eyes went wide. "Could you do that...? Wouldn't it kill them... us...?"
She bit her lip. "Yeah. It might if we left it on too long.." She sighed, "Your people's constitutions are far too frail already, without an over flux of Astral, you get extreme health problems." She had learned this with her brother, on her planet where Astral was at a minimum.
He lowered his gaze a bit, and nodded a little. "Yeah, that's true... without the Astral...." He hesitated suddenly looking a bit afraid. "If you did that, demons could attack us... and wipe us out. They could tell if we were vulnerable."
At that she sighed, looking a bit unhappy. "How are we going to pull this off, Joshua... erk. I mean..." She flushed.
He blinked a bit at her, mouth opening then closing. "How did you know... my nickname?"
She blinked, looking shocked and carefully put her hands to his cheeks. "Joshua was the name of my brother, you sure you don't have a sister, you weren't kidnapped...?"
He blinked staring back at her. "I don't think so... Fiore told me that... well... no, I'm sure I don't have a sister."
She nodded almost miserably, "Oh... sorry..." She bumped her forehead to his with a sigh, "Well... you don't mind me calling you that, do you? It's going to be a bit hard to stop myself…"
He smiled brightly. "No, I don't mind at all! Come on!" He grabbed her hand. "Let's see if we can find Azu. She can help us plan..."
Rosette blinked as he towed her behind him, smiling softly at the memory of her own brother doing something quite similar. She blinked a bit and hoped Remington was alright.
- - - - - - -
Elsewhere, the young woman strode through the crowds with the young demon, seeing the sights, and talking, albeit a little awkwardly, both shyer than the next. It made an odd sight to the rest of the people, some of which who looked amused at the both of them.
"So… are you from around here?" Chrno asked curiously, as they walked closer to the center of the city.
"Yes, I'm from the Cas-...I mean... um...ah.." Her eyes widened as she tried to change her answer.
He of course was pretty quick on the uptake, and glanced up eagerly. "The castle? Really? Do you... work there?"
She blushed, not really sure what to say. "I, um…I'm visiting from a neighboring Villa, I'm a princess." She finished a bit lamely, feeling a bit bad. He's not going to want to talk to me now…
"Oh." Drat... then she couldn't help... "That must be really neat!"
She nodded, "Sure! If you'd like I could give you a tour!"
"Really!?" He smiled brighter. Oh this was wrong... he shouldn't be using her like this...But he had a job to do.
"Sure! I'd be happy too!" She smiled brightly, her cheeks rosy. "Stay for dinner too!"
He turned a bit pinker at that and looked down. "I... can't I'm sorry. I have to do some things."
Azmaria looked a bit sad but brightened again. "But, I can give you the tour anyway right?"
He nodded eagerly. "Sure! I'd be glad to see it!" At least this way he could be doing two things at once...
- - - - - -
"Honestly officer, I DO have a permit for the weapon, however my intern foolishly burnt it in the forge just this very morn... but being as we're trying to sell the weapons, I figured it wouldn't be a big deal." Remington was currently in a tight spot, despite his cool and calm demeanor.
The large woman gave him a once over. "Really now, and how do you explain your position so close to the quarters? I don't think that you are a girl scout."
"I was asked to deliver this fine weapon for inspection." He offered the hilt first to the woman, sweeping his hat off his head a bit and bowing for her to take it.
She took it, peering at it and even sniffing it, before her eyes widened. "I smell... rum..." Her eye twitched a bit, "You know that alcohol content is restricted from this planet..."
"True, m'lady, but not in others. It surely is not a crime to have a good time then go about your business afterwards. I merely spilled some of the fine liquid on my clothes the other night."
She eyed him, before pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "I'm taking you in, until we can get your permit on record."
He stood up stiffly and frowned. "And I must protest this. It is a violation of the merchant free trade agreement."
She sighed, "Right then, spread um, I'm giving you a pat down." She cracked her large knuckles.
His eyebrow twitched, and he considered just running right here and now... but maybe if he were taken the same place the men had been... He sighed and turned, put his hands flat on the wall behind him. Crap.
The large woman grinned, not having had this much fun in a while, and patted him down, around his shoulders, on his stomach and back, down the outside of his legs, and then up them again, getting a good grope around for her own pleasure, before she struck gold. A nice, shiny gun, non regulation. Bingo.
His face was rather flat as he stared blankly at her. "You are a foul woman."
"Yep. But it pays the bills, bucko." She patted his package once before handcuffing him. "This way."
He sighed dramatically, and followed her, with another eye-twitch.
- - - - - -
It didn't take long for the two blondes to twist their way through the crowds, in search of their quarry. After all, how hard was a white-haired girl in ruffles to find? But as they entered the inner plaza of the palace and spotted her, Rosette spotted yet another familiar form. "Ah. Chrno!"
Chrno blinked, turning with a chocolate cone in his hand and waved. "Ah! Rosette!"
Azmaria blinked and then stared at the prince with a bit of a sigh. "Ah, there you are."
"Ah sorry!" Joshua rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I went for a walk. Look who I met! It's who I told you about... oh, and you!" He recognized Chrno suddenly blinking. "The Champion!"
She looked to her side in amazement, ruby eyes widening. "WHAAA?!"
Chrno simply blushed more and looked uncertain, and chomped into his ice cream. "Ummm."
"Wow!!" She hugged onto the boy's arm sweetly, her cheeks matching her eyes in shade as she closed them amiably, licking her own ice cream in return. From anyone's point of view, even Rosette's slightly jealous one, they made an adorable couple.
"Well then!" Joshua was just happy. Rosette was HIS girlfriend! So the Champion could have Azu. "Let's go."
Rosette sighed a bit, but nodded, "Where are we going?"
"Ah, inside the castle, right?" He glanced over at the other Apostle for confirmation. "We can talk there?"
Azu nodded, smiling warmly. "Sure! I promised Chrno I'd show him around." And there were a few surprises she had thought up on the walk over to the ice cream vendor. "Let's go!" She tugged the boy along nicely.
"Uh... sure." Chrno nodded glancing at Rosette with a 'what should we do' look.
She gave him a eager nod and mouthed 'go ahead', although the look she gave to the short Apostle was less then friendly, before offering her arm to Joshua. "Shall we?"
"Sure!" He nodded and pulled her along with him chatting as they went. "Um, I'll have to sneak in the back 'cause they're looking for me... "
She just smiled a bit, before winking at him. "Got it. Shall I be joining you?"
He grinned a bit. "Yeah... best that way." He slid underneath the hedges and poked his head around, spotting a few guards and keeping back.
Rosette looked over his shoulder, resting her hand on his back as she blinked, staring at the guards before noticing an open window up above them, and snagged one of the thick vines beside them, weaving it expertly. "Faster way." She winked, lassoing the window and offering him the vine.
"Eek But that room leads to...." He gulped, but then grabbed the vine and started after her.
She hefted herself over the ledge, before tumbling inside with a small "OOF!" Her bandanna fell over her eyes blinding her for a moment. "Argh, clumsy!"
"Ahh!! Wait!" He gasped, a little panicked. What if... But it was too late. Joshua shoved himself over as well, and landed right on top of her... and another person.
"ETHEDREIAL!!!"
"EEEEEEEP." He gulped and skittered back quickly. "SORRY!"
Rosette blinked, jumping off as soon as Joshua's heavy weight was off of him. "Huh? Who?"
Joshua simply gulped. "Uh.. sorry sorry sorry!" He stood there, flushing heavily. Oh yes, very bad to bump into her....
Sister Kate Valentine rose to her full height and authority as overseer of the prince and captain of palace defenses, eye twitching and skirts ruffling. "What are you doing HERE with this RUFFIAN?!"
"Um um..." He blinked cutely. "Um... she's my....friend!"
Rosette blinked, sitting cat style on the floor and blinking up at the scary woman. "Right, what he said."
He nodded rapidly, eyes wide.
Kate frowned, before snagging the prince by the ear. "Look how dirty you are, climbing through a window when you were missing for so long! Get cleaned up! I'll show your little friend out."
He squeaked. "No! I invited her over to see the castle!"
The girl yelped a bit as a guard came out of nowhere and snagged her arm. Ah, crap. If they found the gun on her...
"Why would you do something like that! Come now, dinner is to be served soon..."
"No!" Joshua suddenly stood up, chin up, and his aura flared up in dancing colors of blue and gold, lighting the whole room up as bright as day, brilliant wings showing up in blazing images behind him. "I forbid it!"
Kate blinked a bit, cringing under the light. She, after all, was not an apostle, but a human who had gained very high trust from the royal family, and even to her the blessed wings of the prince were hard to look at, dazzling and absolutely breathtaking. "But, Lord Ethedrial ..." She put up her hands lightly. "She's all dirty and common, thusly she can't be running around here."
He just stood there staring at her with those big eyes. "She's my friend. Let her clean up...."
She sighed, unable to resist his command under the pressure of his holy gaze. "Fine then... George. Mary. Sara." She clapped her hands and the three servants came out, as the guard let go of the now completely dazed Rosette who was staring at the prince like he was something out of a fairy tale.
He sighed a bit, and relaxed, giving her an apologetic smile. "Sorry... see you at dinner then."
Rosette nodded almost faintly, her cheeks flushing as she tried to gather herself up, not used to being exposed to such eminence like the others who lived within these walls. "Uh yeah... I'll see you..."
- - - - - - -
Azu meanwhile lead Chrno right through the front gate, arm in arm, licking ice cream cones, and made it inside easily. "This is the foyer..." She pointed out, smiling sweetly, motioning to the room that was about the size of Rosette's whole ship.
He stared around with wide eyes. "Wow... it's big...."
"Yeah!" She nodded sweetly, as a few servants came rushing up. "Say, since your friend is here, do you think you could stay for dinner?" She gave him the cutest look she could muster.
He looked uncertain. "Um... well...." He glanced back over his shoulder. " I really should meet up with her and ask..."
She clapped her hands, "Then might as well get ready if you can! Better safe than sorry right?" Suddenly, the servants mobbed him and dragged him off, "See you in a bit!"
The servants dragged the boy into a luxurious bath, cleaning scrubbing and washing without looking at his naked form at all despite it's oddities, (such talent) before drying him off, combing out his long hair, and smoothing it with expensive agents and oils, along with his tanned skin, and offered him gorgeous royal clothing, leaving him to get dressed, now poofed, primped and beautiful.
He sat there, rigid through half of it, knowing that any minute they were going to figure it out... after all, wings and horns were kind of obvious when they were... doing what they were doing... but amazingly... they didn't even notice, and he was left there, dressed in very plush outfits, completely baffled, looking like a little prince in his own right. Chrno poked at the thin gold circlet on his head, curiously. It was... so shiny…
Azmaria poked her head around the corner, nervously wondering where the young man was. "Chrno? Chrno? Where are you...?"
He nervously stepped outside, glancing down the corridor in every direction... maybe if he snuck around and explored...All he had to do was find down, right?
"Ah! There you are!" Az exclaimed, sneaking up behind the demon. "I was searching all over for you!"
He jumped a bit, but turned quickly, long hair loose and flowing, not braided any more, good thing since it was hiding his ears and horns. "Uhhh... sorry, I got lost?"
She blushed a bit at the sight of him, looking completely gorgeous in her pale blue dress and soft flowing hair. "Come on, it's this way."
He gulped a bit, staring at her with wide eyes. Wow... she was.. gorgeous... He followed her almost on autopilot.
Azmaria smiled, offering her arm. "You'll like dinner, the food is fantastic.."
He took it lightly, blushing and nodded a bit. "Um... who all is going to be there?"
"Be there? Me you, Joshua and Rosette no doubt. No one else normally joins us." She blushed, moving within the castle.
He relaxed a bit at that. "Oh ok...."
She nodded happily, "Lets go! They should be ready for us now." He threw glances at her, curiously, as they walked along. After all she WAS cute. Azmaria lead him into the dining room, both of them seated along the long, overflowing table, waiting for their companions. "Go ahead, have some. " She urged cutely, offering him a grape. He took it cutely, and peered at the huge fruit in his hand, and then cutely bit into it with his fangs.
"What's taking them so long….?"
- - - - -
Rosette sighed heavily, staring at her reflection. Dear god. She had sworn… SWORN that she'd never wear another dress since she was 8. Why was she now? WHYY?!
There was a soft knock at her door, interrupting her thoughts. "Rosette?"
Rosette turned a bit, the soft curls bouncing against her face and shoulders as she blushed, staring at herself in the mirror once more, before moving to the door, but didn't open it. "Yeah?"
Joshua simply opened the door anyway, in the formal wear of the prince, a fine white outfit trimmed in gold, the insignia of wings emblazed on his chest. "Um....." All speech left him, as his eyes went wide at the sight of her.
The blonde blushed, looking him over once before pressing her hands to the soft cream dress, scratching behind one bedazzled ear. "Uh, I don't look ridiculous do I? I haven't worn a dress since I was eight..."
"No!" He gasped like a fish for a moment, before finding his voice. "You look... lovely." He took both her hands, eyes sparkling.
She blinked. "Eh? Really?" She thought she looked stuffed, fake.
He shook his head quickly. "You look great!"
A warm blush crept up her cheeks "Ah….thanks."
He grinned and bowed lightly, offering an arm. "Shall we?"
She nodded, taking his arm politely, looking for all the world like an angel, even more than maybe some of her apostle counterparts. "For food? I'd do what ever you asked."
He laughed at that, and led her down the halls like a gentleman, and then towards the grand staircase leading down into the main foye. She followed on his arm, her eyes distant as she remembered the kidding jests that she and Joshua would have about getting married when they were older, and he would lead her along in the same fashion, arm in arm, a towel as her veil and a leaf as his bowtie. As silly as it sounded, it was a fond memory that she pushed to the back of her mind, as they entered the dining room.
"I swear Chrno, you are too cute for your own good." Rosette blurted loudly before she blushed Not to mention completely handsome with your hair down...
The young demon looked up, and turned pink. "Eh...eh....." His head went down and hair hid his blushing face as he sat there completely abashed.
Joshua blinked. "Are you SURE that Chrno's not a girl?"
Rosette laughed, smirking a bit over at the boy. "Oh yes. I'm sure." And he's a damn good kisser to boot.
Azu puffed up her cheeks a bit. "Hey! Ethedrial!" She said, using his birth name, "That's mean! He's more of a man then you are!" Oh yes, that would get to him.
Joshua just blinked and then turned pink. "Hey!" He stood up taller. "Just because he beat me doesn't mean…"
Azu latched onto the demon's arm, huffing a bit. "Just because he's not as childish as you are."
"Heyyyy how do you know!"
Chrno snuck another grape, listening with wide eyes.
Rosette just grinned a bit. "You do kiss like a little kid." She said under her breath about the prince.
His eyes darted over at her, and his cheeks turned cherry and he ducked to hide again.
"Humph!" Joshua just shrugged and sat down.
Azmaria stuck out her tongue, before patting Chrno's hand, blushing. "I'm sure you don't kiss like a little kid."
He coughed a bit, glancing over at her shyly. "Um...."
Joshua just stuck his tongue out. "I bet I can do better......."
The blonde just grinned more, sitting down next to Joshua and swirled the wine in front of her. "So... the walls don't have ears, do they?"
He blinked and then glanced over at them. "Eh? Ears?"
Chrno sweatdropped. Even he wasn't that bad.
Rosette nodded, trying to get the prince to be at least a bit more serious. "Yeah. No one can hear us?"
Azmaria wasn't really paying attention, blushing so much as she told herself she'd prove that Chrno didn't kiss childishly by the end of the night.
"Um....." He stood up and with a brief glow of light, the walls suddenly were shimmering. "Now they can't."
She smiled up at him, letting the soft curls fall on her cheeks. "Thanks Joshua. I owe you another favor of your choice." She shifted in her seat, "So... how are we going to pull this off.."
"Well..." He looked thoughtful. "I think I know where they are.... if we can create a distraction to bother the guards, we can dress them up and make them run out in the chaos..."
She nodded, looking slightly distant. "Right...." Half of her desperately wanted to take the young apostle along with her.
"Chrno?"
He looked up almost startled, fork halfway to his mouth. "Wha?"
She smiled at him. "Take care of Azmaria, ok? I want you three to get the crew, I'll distract them, meet me at the ship."
Azumaria blinked a bit with surprise, and some excitement. Wait, she was coming? Oh well. Sounded like fun.
Chrno however, blinked and then looked worried. "Wait... is that safe.... maybe I should distract them...?"
Rosette stuck out her tongue. "I'm a girl, distraction is all that is needed, you will end up getting shot at."
He frowned, concerned. "But if they shoot at you, you'll get hurt."
"They won't shoot." She reassured him, standing up and finangling her dress to sit lower on her chest, and rumpled her hair a bit, picking up the bottle with a sultry look towards the prince, faking drunk. "Right, Prinshy... would you shoot?" She sidled up to him, hugging his arm to her chest with one arm.
He squeaked a bit at her, eyes going wide. "I... I... I wouldn't....!"
Chrno sighed. "Well... as long as you're ok. I guess Yuan's around somewhere."
She laughed a bit, patting Joshua on the arm. "Yeah. I'll be fine." She snagged a large sandwich, inhaling it in seconds. "I'll meet you in twenty then! " She swirled the bottle and moved to leave.
"W...wait!" He jumped up, eyes wide. "You're not going to even sit for a bit...?"
She cocked her head to the side. "The longer we wait, the longer Stella's in danger of being raped."
Chrno's head snapped up. "Raped?!"
She nodded, her eyes dark. "Yeah. That's what they would have done had you not stopped them on the ship. Stella can probably hold them off with her jewels, but who knows when they'll wear out."
His eyes darkened at that, and his whole demeanor changed, and the room dropped a couple degrees. "I understand. I'll find them."
She nodded, smiling at him softly, before giving Joshua a soft peck on the cheek. "Thanks for everything." And with that, she disappeared out the door, intent on her goal.
Chrno looked up at the two Apostles, and blinked seriously. "Should we...?"
"Yeah." Joshua stood up and nodded. "Come on... let's check the dungeon."
Azmaria stood, smoothing her dress a bit, and scanned the castle. "Left, there's a clear path... we shouldn't be bothered until we turn around maybe, that is, if Rosette doesn't get them away in time."
Joshua stood and grinned with some hidden excitement, despite the serious situation. "Right. Let's go... um... you can pretend to be... a human prince maybe, Chrno."
Chrno almost laughed out loud. A human prince.... "Okay."
Chrno followed the two through the halls, and they began to head by the dungeons, which of course was nearby the barracks, where they could hear shouting, but nothing much more.
"This way." Joshua whispered, heading down the stairs towards the dingy dungeon, wrinkling his nose. Azmaria stayed close behind, hand tight in Chrno's.
Chrno glanced each way, as Joshua crept down... until they reached the bottom level where the door was guarded by the warden, who was thankfully not looking too awake, and didn't notice them.
Azmaria carefully tip-toed up to him, and stole the keys, running as fast as silence would carry her back to Chrno. "Here!"
Chrno took it, and nodded a bit, but glanced over at the sleeping warden. "How are we going to get past him.....?"
"Um... can you put him to sleep....?"
"Uh…."
Az just smiled. "Leave it to me, ok? Hide!" She quickly slipped outside and gave a nice scream. "EEEKKK THOMAS! A RAT!"
The warden jerked up. "Huh? Wha? in MY dungeon?"
"HURRY!! EEEK! ITS HORRID!"
The warden gasped, and rushed up following her. "WHERE?"
Chrno quickly slid past, and unlocked the door, and crept in with Joshua
The crew looked up at Chrno as the three entered, then surged to their feet, excitement rippling through the dingy cramped cell. "CHRNO!" One of the John's spoke up. "Where's the captain! Stella's been...!"
Chrno looked up, counting them all quickly. Everyone was here except Stella.... "Come on, we have to get out of here while Rosette distracts them."
They nodded and clambered out, John pointing down the hall. "They got the first mate too!"
Chrno blinked. "HUH? They got Remi?!" He slapped a hand to his forehead. "Geeze... and I thought I was useless....." He turned. "Hurry. We need to get out... where's he being kept?"
Lazy John, pointed, motioning for him to follow. "This way."
Chrno glanced over at Joshua and Azu. "Thanks for your help. If you can guide them out the rest of the way..."
Azu nodded, glancing back at the castle. "Sure. Will do!"
Joshua nodded too, guesturing to the crew. "Yeah...this way!" They clamored after them, where clothing was waiting to sneak them out, everything going perfectly smooth... at least for that group.
Chrno followed Lazy John as quickly as possible, his heart pounding. This just felt wrong... too easy....
- - - - - -
Rosette dropped down under a window of the guards barracks, her blue orbs glinting as she examined the room. 10...20...25...30...maybe 35 at most...and then, something that made her blood run cold, Stella, being dragged in to the group by her hair, and the voice of the Captain of the Guard gloating. "Finally got the bitch. Short-circuited her barrier." He threw her down. "Gave quite a fight too..."
"Damn..." Now she really wished that she HAD let Chrno go. With a gulp she stood tall, and knocked on the window, putting on the drunk whore act. "Heyyy...."
All the guards looked up, of course, and some leered. "Look... another whore to play with."
Stella's head snapped up, and she narrowed her eyes. Damn. What was Rosette doing here?!
She giggled stupidly. "Yeah! I want to play, will you come out come out!"
"Hell yeah." About ten men started her way.
"Hey..." She pouted nervously, "what about the rest of you?"
"Hah not so fast, we're bringin' ya in here to join, bitch."
Eh? Well, that wasn't good, with four walls to stop her retreat... "Is she staying?" She tried to sound disgusted.
They just laughed, and all 10 surrounded her.
Alright, new tactic, this one wasn't going to work. She dropped the bottle and pulled herself straight. "Fine, enough. I've come for her." It was obvious who she was. "I don't care about the rest of the crew, they can rot, but I wont allow you to take her." Her gun was out in a flash, aimed right at the leader. "I propose a trade."
All of them stared at her, and laughed, turning with leering grins. "Like hell!"
Rosette cursed, diving under the group into the window to snatch Stella's hand, wrenching her out the door and locking it after her. "RUN!" With a deliberate aim, she fired. Three of her bullets hit their mark... just 30 more of the bastards to go…
The men roared, and all took up arms. Stella cursed, but knew she couldn't help other than getting the others free to save her, since she was deprived of her jewels, and tore down the hall, cursing all the way. Within seconds the door burst open, and the men took after the two women... and 30 full guardsmen were not a thing to laugh at, they were powerful, strong, and tough.
Damn. This wasn't good, if they unarmed her... Rosette paled at the thought, and aimed her gun at the running guards, taking out four... five... ten...
The men weren't dumb either. They split up down the corridors, aiming to head them off.
"Stella... I want you to go... down there... Hide! And then when they pass, take off back where we came!" Rosette huffed, rounding the corner. "NOW!" She shoved the girl into a closet, sending her tumbling into the packed room before speeding past the doors. "Damn this was supposed to be easy!"
As soon as she no longer heard footsteps, Stella poked her head out and slipped silently into the night, heading as fast as she could to the ship, drawing the flooding re-inforcements that were streaming out of the barracks, hoping to God that Rosette was heading there too.
"Damn....Why me?? Why always me??" Rosette pounded down the corridors, becoming slightly panicked as she was starting to run out of ammo. The men all began to close in on her as she found herself cornered at a dead end, leering, and pissed off now... She looked nervously around, at least Stella was free, and as long as she went down fighting, she was alright with it. "Bring it on bastards."
The men all glared.... and began to move in.
She gave them a defiant glare, and held up her fists, dropping the dead guns to the ground. Joshua, wherever you are, I do hope that you are happy...
- - - - - -
"Right here." John pointed at the cell, grinning at Remi, who he was sure to give a hard time later, especially given the way he'd been 'escorted' in.
Chrno stood on his tiptoes to see thorugh the barred small window. "Yuan?"
"Chrno, thank God...." The First Mate stood up and walked over, peering out, with a sour look. "Open the door and get met out."
Chrno grabbed the key, and jammed it in the lock, frustrated as it wouldn't open, just as something very inopportune happened.
As the men were closing in around Rosette, the cornered Pirate Captain found herself pushed against the stone wall, and her hand searched for something, anything, to throw at the closing men. Her hand brushed over the clock in her pocket as she gave the closest man a good kick, and for a brief moment, a flash of her panic rushing through the contraption.
With a startled gasp, Chrno dropped the keys, and grabbed the door, claws digging through the gloves out of startled reflex, as his gaze looked right over his shoulder piercingly back up behind him to some unidentified location. "Rosette...."
"What?" Remi peered out, eyes narrowing.
Chrno just ignored them, eyes narrowed intently, and suddenly he grabbed the door by the bars and with a bellow, his form briefly glowed, tiny horns sparking, and the whole door groaned... and then the hinges snapped.
Remi blinked, staring at the boy with new respect, as he just threw the door aside, and turned tearing back up the stairs like hell itself was breaking loose.
Rosette was not in a good situation, as the men piled around her, groping at places they shouldn't, then pinned her to the ground, the leader roughly ripping at her dress. But somehow in the massive chaos and panicked knowledge of what they intended to do to her, she twisted the knob to the clock, as it was roughly knocked from her hands.
Abruptly beneath half the men, the floor gave way, then exploded outwards as something big, strong, and angry broke through from below.
Rosette cried out as several hands left their grabbing positions, and she managed to squirm out from the disgusting hands of the man on top of her as they was thrown back, skittering away and looking for the source of her salvation with a pounding heart.
Thirty men really didn't have much of a chance against a furious demon.... as ten of them were obliterated in one blast, five more enveloped in fine white mist that wrapped around, entombing them in eternal statues, five missing various body parts in three split seconds, and the rest staring wide eyed, at the glowing bloody demon stalking right for them with glowing eyes and bloody talons.
The Captain of the Guard gasped, frantically digging for one of the most powerful weapons they were allowed, and aimed his shaking grip at the demon, firing once... twice... three times...
Chrno didn't even flinch, though the bullets hit him, he didn't seem to care. He just stalked right up to the leader, and grabbed his throat, talons digging into his neck. The man gagged, his hands frantically gripping at the creature's wrist, his eyes bulging as he tried to escape. "Bastard... Let go... you monster."
Chrno didn't even flinch, just squeezed. The man's neck snapped, then he just turned to ash in his hand as a flood of power exploded out from the demon's hand.
Rosette watched all this with wide eyes, cuddled up in the corner like a frightened child as the entire guard assembly was destroyed in a matter of moments, and all that was left was she and the maddened demon, amongst the garden of corpses. He stood there, tall and straight, power practically dripping off of him in waves, as he turned slowly towards her, hair waving around him in soft ripples, eyes solid gold glowing points. She slowly stood, holding the shreds of her remaining clothing close, and flattened against the wall, his strong gaze almost frightening. "Chrno..." She asked in barely a whisper.
The golden glow dimmed in his eyes a bit, but his expression was still firm and lacking much trace of softness. "Come." His hand extended towards her, blood evaporating from it as he did so.
She hesitated, having to force herself to take a step forward, but did so anyway, reaching out a bruised hand to set it in his own, looking up into his eyes with shortened breath, and strong thanks.
He pulled her close to him, strong arms wrapping around her, and wings snapping out, and with a few steps he ran towards the nearest balcony, and tore through it, speeding off into the sky above the city, as the alarms were being raised, and the shimmer of the holy barriers began to erect.
She clung to him tightly, her heart pounding as she just felt utterly revolted with herself. Ugh. They had touched her...UGH..."Thank you." She looked over the city, frowning at the holy wards. "Did you get everyone...?"
"Don't thank me yet." He warned quietly, throwing a glance over his head at the spires beginning to rise from the center of the citadel. "Everyone's on their way.... but we may not make it out of here..."
She cursed under her breath, "Chrno, you can go faster without having to worry about me, just set me down and get the hell out of here, I'll be fine."
He shook his head. "I don't think so." He said in a tone that definitely warranted no argument. "Besides, it's too late to escape... our best bet is to create a distraction and...." He dove to the side suddenly as several bright blue beams shot toward them from the towers, hissing through the air like hot steam.
She gasped, clinging tighter to his neck as they span off, looking back at the citadel with a horrified look. "If that hits you..." It would cause a nice tingling feeling for her, and kill him out right. "Chrno!"
"I know." He said through grit teeth, spiraling down towards the city, as people ran screaming from the chaos of the towers, and a demon in their midst.
God, if she got him killed she'd never forgive herself. She clutched at the watch she had snagged before joining him tightly, looking around frantically, catching sight of the boarded ship. They needed to leave now, while they created a diversion to help them escape. "Distraction... what do you have in mind..."
His eyes darted down towards the ship, where two glowing forms were standing, looking indecisive as to what to do. "If they can help them..."
"But." Rosette growled a bit, her hair whipping about her face out of the curls almost painfully. "How can we reach them without drawing attention to them?"
"We'll get closer." He answered, diving down towards the ship in a steep decline.
"What can we do, Joshua?" Azmaria whimpered, looking frightened up at the blonde pirate clutched in some horrible demon's arms.
"I don't know..." Joshua's eyes were wide, staring up at the demon, as the beams shot around it. "We have to stop him from harming her!"
Azmaria whimpered a bit, before putting her hands out and spreading her wings far out, calling forth with a soft low song a long transparent sword, that solidified slightly, humming with astral as the girl grew a bit pale from the exhaustion. "Take this... Go save her..."
Joshua nodded, taking it and standing firm, then spreading his wings and taking to the air, sword aimed at him. "DIE DEMON!"
Rosette gasped and clung to him tightly as they abruptly swirled violently, almost feeling as if she was going to be jarred out of his arms, as the Apostle prince lunged at them without warning. "Joshua don't!" She tried to shout over the roaring wind and the blue streak of energy that crackled right next to their ears.
Joshua whirled around, wings spread, sword rotating as he rushed around and dove straight down aiming for the demon's back, completely not hearing her, focused on the simple task of saving his friend whom he believed to be in danger.
Chrno gasped with a faint intake of breath, and wobbled in the air a bit as the smell of something burning filled the air around them, as he swerved to miss Joshua's downthrust, and caught the edge of one of the blue blasts instead with a pained cry.
Damn it! Rosette cursed under her breath, feeling completely useless as she craned her neck to watch Joshua pass them bye. What is he..?! She realized suddenly that the prince hadn't seen Chrno's full demon form, and she grit her teeth, the glass of the watch bouncing against her skin about her neck as she assessed Chrno's burnt shoulder. "Damn it Chrno! Change back!" She cried out, tears welling a bit as she fought desperately to prevent more injuries.
Chrno spiraled down, wings shaking a bit as he fought the intense waves of pain from the holy energy that had completely devastated his backside, not enough to kill him, but enough to seriously disable and hurt. "If I do that..." He grit his teeth speaking in her ear. "We will crash." He pointed out, being they were still in mid-air, high above the city.
Joshua dove down after them, sword drawn, glowing as he powered up a blast at them, coming around for a second pass, one which he was intent on not missing. He was the Prince of the Apostles, it was his duity to defend his people and friends!
"Change back and he'll recognize you!" She argued, "Don't and you'll get skewered!"
Chrno just looked at her and then at the ground a good hundred feet below and shook his head a little with a frustrated sigh. It was suicide, but he held her tighter, and turned around so that his back was to the ground to dampen their fall, and with a whoosh, the light surrounded him and his last whispered words in her ear were 'find Eden', before they were falling freely through the air, Chrno's arms loosely held around her, his younger face deathly white, and his eyes rolled back in his head, pale but not completely unconscious... yet.
She squeaked a bit, hugging Chrno close as she looked up at Joshua, and then back at the rapidly growing ground, and actually for that moment wished she was something other than human. "JOSHUA!!"
Suddenly not only was the target moving away, it was twice as small... and with a sudden stab to the heart, Joshua recognized the peril, and just plain dropped the sword, and dove for her, grabbing onto her shoulders as she fell. "AZ!"
The small girl gasped, and through her labored breath spread her wings and kicked off, flying up to help, wrapping her arms about the unconscious Chrno, and sucking in the concentrated astral that filled the city air, lighting up her bright wings so that she could slow down her own burdan, leaving Joshua with the other. But Azu was still going down a might too fast, as the crew scrambled off the ship, to go all down in a pile as they caught her and the unconscious demon.
Remi watched as everything went down in a pile of tangled limbs and sudden cries, the chaos around him having taken his attention from trying to get the ship out of the harbor. "What the.... bloody helll.... ELDER GET US OUT OF HERE!" He dashed forward just as Joshua and Rosette hit the deck, with a softer landing than the other two.
"Ack!" Rosette had to cling to the Prince tightly as she was toppled off of her feet by the vicious wrench the ship made when the Elder pushed the engines. The ship groaned, scraping against the tight clamps that had locked the ship in place, as soon as the alarm went up. Suddenly it broke free, sending those who had gotten to their feet falling back down as the ship violently tore around in a full 300 degree turn, and rocketed out of the harbor before either of the Apostles could react.
Joshua gasped in surprise as they went flying back down, and he landed right on top of Rosette, sprawling, wings going everywhere, and went sliding down across the ship as it wrenched away. "Wah!"
Remi clung tightly, steering the ship as best he could, as they rocketed out of the port, passing by other ships, and roaring straight for the holy barriers around the city. "Hang on!"
Azmaria squeaked in fear, as she threw up her wings and covered her precious cargo with them, putting a ball of energy around the two of them to keep the holy energy from tearing the poor demon into shreds.
Chrno's eyes slipped open as he regained conciousness, and he looked dazed, gaze drifting around as the chaos ensued all around them, barely hanging on to the beautiful figure above him, not quite understanding what was going on.
Rosette grabbed on to a thick rail and wrapped one arm about it, the other across the Prince's back, as she closed her eyes and hid her face in his neck, readying for the impact.
BOOMThe whole ship shuddered and tore through the barrier, which wasn't solid, but like thick condensed water made of holy energy that permeated everything, to keep demons well away... The engines whined, straining against the additional pressure, before the sails groaned and the mast gave a bit of a crack, as they made it half way through, washing over the crew and destroying any of the demonic pests that had run about their grain stores, the blackened creatures falling in squeals of protest, the holy almost even too much for the humans aboard, before it came out the side, in a brilliant trail of golden white light sparkling all around them.
The fleet had no chance, as the engines flared once more, and the ship was gone in a blink.