Disclaimer: I own Chrono, yes I do! I'm a liar, how 'bout you!
Author's Note: See chapter one or chapter seven.
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Ticks of the Clock
Confessions
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"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. . ."
In his cramped wooden box, Father Remington straightened slightly- waking from his half-dozed state. Rosette was here- that was her voice behind the thin wooden panel. Finally, someone interesting! As unholy as it might be to say, Remington dreaded these confession days- simply because everyone's lives in this place were so boring! It was unbelievable how dull an exorcist business could be when it was run by nuns. And to hear choked sob after choked sob of 'I ate an extra apple at lunch!' and 'I accidentally thought the word 'damn' on a mission!' didn't ever give him any evidence to the contrary. Even the Elder's visits were dreary because they were always the same. 'Molested' this, 'groped' that. . . Only Sister Rosette's sessions were ever worth listening to- just because they were so various and wild in degree. One week it would be smashing the twenty first car, the next- throttling a throng of women found ogling Chrono, the week after that, breaking three dozen windows by accidentally firing a rubber band. A rubber band that flew into an empty glass, which then knocked a candle, which then cashed into a vase, which then fell against a- well, he forgot the exact details, but it had been quiet interesting to know how much damage a little loop of rubber could do.
Not that Sister Kate had shared the same fascination.
Nonetheless, the intrigue of hearing what the infamous Rosette could have done wrong this time was the treat that kept him awake through this weekly ordeal- whether God liked it or not. At least he was honest about it, right?
With a prompting noise to show he was listening, the girl outside the box continued.
"Well. . ." she began quietly, smacking her lips to try and muffle the embarrassed note that had leaked into her voice. "Mission wise I've been very good. . . I haven't crashed a single car or destroyed any buildings. Sister Kate says she's very pleased. But. . . um. . ."
He waited, interest and curiosity mounting, as she gave a lengthy pause.
"Well. . . three nights ago, and- well, last night, too- and after lunch today. . . and- goodness, there was earlier Friday morning, wasn't there? And after the mission in the car. . . and when we visited- er, not that it matters, but. . . I. . . Chrono and I. . . well. . ." She lowered her voice even more, leaning closer to the thin wall; whispering her (frequently repeated) sin as softly as possible. "We did it."
Inside the box, Remington's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates; face paling.
"And is bondage a sin, Father?" Rosette continued, the rustling of her habit indicating that she was straightening. "Because in that case, I need redemption for that, too, sir, because I found that Angels work really well. So do handcuffs, but Chrono accidentally broke our last pair- and scarves just don't work. Oh! And also, Father, I guess Chrono's a bit of a- what's the word?- oh yes, masochist. But since he can't come into church and confess himself, I told him I'd ask for forgiveness for him. Which reminds me, sadists- do they need extra prayers? Because then I need them, too. Lord, have mercy on my tainted soul!"
". . ." the priest gaped wordlessly at the wooden panel separating himself from the exorcist, completely at a loss of what to say.
"Father?" the girl prodded carefully. "Father, are you- ?"
"Twenty Hail Marys and thirty Our Fathers. For both of you," he interrupted, clearing his throat. But his voice still gave a quiver.
"All right. Thank you, Father- until next week, then!" Rosette sang before hopping out of the seat and dashing off, leaving the Father to seriously contemplate whether or not he should separate the pair or just buy some earplugs.
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"You know, Rosette. . ."
"Hm?" the girl chirped, not at all surprised by her devil's sudden appearance. She simply closed the door to the church and spun to face him with an amused smile on her face. He returned the expression, but at the same time he crossed his arms and tried to shoot her a reprimanding glare.
"Lying is a sin, too."
"I know," the exorcist beamed, stretching contentedly before grabbing Chrono's hand. "But c'mon- they were already thinking it. What's the problem with having a little fun?"
Shaking his head, the boy allowed himself to be dragged off towards the walking grounds, rolling his eyes.
(Note: I love the idea of Rosette going to confession. . . just because of all the wacky things you could do with it. In fact, someone could probably write a whole ficlet collection on the CC cast's confessions.
Hmm. . .)