Disclaimer: Yes I own Chrono Crusade, in a different dimension, in a different time, in a sad sad little place in the dark, creepy corner of the universe. Luckily for us all, that place is not here… (damn ..)
Author's note: Okay, I promise this chapter will lighten up and everyone will be a little more in character…or at least I can promise I tried ;;
Let's see, about Chrono in the last chapter, in a way I was settling up for a guilt trip which may or may not be obvious in this chapter, but it's there anyway, tee hee. But the point is, fear not, there is a method to my madness, heh (wish manga smiles would show up… ..). Anything that may seem weird, or purposeless, or any unanswered questions will be answered in time.
I'm just working on the base of this story still honestly… but the forth chapter should begin the real story and the actual purpose of the plot will be more relevant then. The first chapter was written for the purpose of creating reason for Chrono's feelings and actions in further chapters. A fundamental beginning of sorts; I didn't actually have to write it, I could have made it more mysterious but I chose my first section of this story to be tragic.
The second chapter was an interlude between past and present in a way. It shows that Chrono is unstable and still locked in the memory of 'his child.' Rosette's appearance in his life is like a phantom coming to 'haunt' him. Hence the title.
This chapter is actually where the story begins. I look forward to my readers' incite to the newest addition of my story! Thank you all who have read until this point, and even more thanks to the reviewers who inspire me to keep up my writing. It' always great to read encouraging words, and helpful comments as well.
Hope you all enjoy the show!
Chapter 3: Questions
'Am I insane?
I wondered as I trailed towards the door.
'Even if I do manage to catch up to her, what will I say?' I almost asked myself aloud. I could hear the lovely speech within my mind now…
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Chrono: Well, you see Rosette I think you're dreaming about me because you're remembering me from a former life… so I really need to know what exactly you've been dreaming…And no need to feel embarrassed because we were in love in your past life!...Even though you were just 12 years old… but no worries, because it a very innocent relationship! So uh… yeah… will you tell me? (He nervously smiles to the girl with much hope.)
Rosette: (Anger flashes within her eyes as if lightning struck.) Oh sureee I will… over your dead body! (She then proceeds to chase after him, shooting bullets aimlessly…)
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I chuckled at the thought as I drifted to the door she had disappeared behind moments before.
'Yeah, that'd go over great… she probably thinks I'm just some pervert… and I can't exactly blame her for that after the way I acted.' I reviewed silently as I stood at the doorway.
I began to have doubts about hunting down the girl and retrieving my answer. It did seem only fair that I gave her a night to calm down after her abrupt encounter. From this point on, I realized that I needed to build trust with this Rosette if I ever hoped to achieve piecing together this puzzle.
If her dreams were indeed as intimate as my own, she would not want to share these with a man she just met, especially one who was seemingly on a path to seduce her blindly, then do god knows what with her…
That was really a 'minus two points' on my part, and I felt the clutches of guilt wrap their icy digits over my chest.
'But there's nothing I can do now, but make it up to her I guess.' I resolved. But what could I do? The answer suddenly bolted though my mind; she too had asked me unanswered questions.
"So tell me, why… why did you act like that-" I never replied, I was much more distracted with the second segment of her question.
"-and what were you planning on doing with me?" I was quite curious about this too. I felt strange in her presence, as if my body would go into auto pilot at any given moment. My actions now seemed so distant, so surreal; so unlike myself. Since when did I play upon wants and desires with a young stranger?
If this was not my child I would surely be betraying her fragile memory. Though she was so young, she was the only being to hold my heart in her hands. I would have waited an eternity to share with her my love. So many days had I craved to let her sample a small bit of my affections, yet withheld. It was after all, the only way I could find to express my love.
Instead it was her bravery and love that was expressed in the end. My only sweet kiss; I bet this Rosette would never believe I had never shared such intimacy with another entity. I probably seemed nothing more than a lecherous fool to her. I didn't understand why she allowed me to come back here.
Maybe her curiosity was just as great as my own, or she could have other motives. There did seem to be a loneliness all her own beneath those determined depths. I wondered what had birthed that, and if it had something to do with me.
After I carefully reviewed the options at hand, I resolved to speak with the young blond in the morning and give her the answers she seeks as penitence. I then strolled to the nearest pew and laid down. It was much more comforting than a couch would be. Bittersweet memories of a hospital waiting room and the texture of firm, simple chairs flushed back to me.
I muffled a small sigh, as depression sank into my heart. I was really so blind, the beautiful mellow reflections dancing across my dark skin and though my eyes. Before me was an alter and a cross.
I again mused my strange situation; what had things came to that a devil could find such comfort in holy symbols? Regardless of reasoning, it did. I felt much safer, as if I could finally close my eyes and never again wake.
What sort of power can influence the soul in that manner? At the moment I hadn't cared. It was relieving. Dreams would come soon, and I would leave this world once more. I almost really hoped it would be the final time, and I'd remain within my perfect realm.
I studied my surroundings as my vision blurred, subconscious slipping in, taking the wheel of my mind. A fuzzy illumination touched every object within the radius of sight. I focused upon the cross strapped to the wall, signifying in a bleak manner, an unreachable forgiveness.
As I began to fade with the lights and smooth walls, a figure obstructed my gaze from the said object. I barely raised my stare to the face of the silhouette yet could not make out the features, except a small and comforting smile seemingly glowing in the night. A blanket was wrapped around one arm, and was quickly draped over my form and a few inaudible words were uttered before the shadow turned and exited. I curled the material closer to my icy shell as I fell into a quiet subconscious…
I awoke to stiffened giggles. Feet were shuffling around me, and the light was much brighter. The active mood was evident that it was now day, probably early morning. I had not ventured with others during those hours in a while, and dreaded it. Suddenly I could make out a conversation, right above me.
"Look Amy, this must be the devil Chrono that Rosette keeps talking about!"
"Shsh Sara, you'll wake'em up, and I want to watch him sleep for just a little longer…" a sound similar to a pleased sigh escaped from the latter of the two girls speaking. I frowned.
"Yeah, he's so hansom when he sleeps!" the Sara girl yelped excitedly.
"Hey! I told you to be quie-" I cleared my throat quite loudly to interrupt their intriguing conversation, and they looked down nervously. I rubbed my eyes sleepily, then spoke.
"W…where's Rosette?" It was the only thing that mildly held my interests at the moment.
"Uh, she's already left. Anything you need?" The brunette Amy told me with patient gray pools, yet a gitty excitement leaping in her voice. I was already beginning to become frustrated.
Rosette was the one that brought me here, the one that resembled the nameless child, the only one that mattered in this little 'order' as she had addressed it. Now she had abandoned me here, with no clue about anything at all.
"Just great…" I grumbled under my breath as I rose into a sitting position in the wooden, bench like chair. I glanced around the room and noticed many were pausing to look upon me, and looking to the pew behind my own noticed a few other girls leaning eagerly over the edge of mine.
They were all around Rosette's age, and must have been her colleagues. Judging by their gawking stares, they differed her greatly though. Apparently they all would have been happy to be swooned.
"I brought you a muffin!" a red head exclaimed, placing it into my hand with a hopeful grin. I looked confusedly at the sustenance.
"Uh… thanks." I murmured gratefully as I bite into the bread. It was actually pretty good, but I guess anything would take decent after the absence of food for a few years. I hadn't ever needed food to survive, and without someone to share the meal with I lost the desire to consume it.
The girl grinned proudly, then another spoke.
"Um, I don't know if you like milk but I brought you a little carton, okay?" a meek youth stretched her hands out with the little white box sitting quaintly in her palms.
I twisted around and offered a trying grin, and she blushed. I took the carton quickly, thanking her, as I leapt to my feet. I looked at the girls, who in turn continued to gaze eagerly. I released a small cough and a few of the crew jumped. I turned to leave and they followed my steps.
"This is getting creepy…" I told myself and quickened my pace, hoping that they were not actually following me. I was wrong…
"Hey, if you need a tour of the place I'll give ya one! Since you don't know where everything is and all." Sara chirped to my back.
"Uh… that's okay, really." I replied hurriedly, hoping to escape the strange group. This was very unnerving, what were they doing!
I approached the door Rosette had disappeared behind the previous night and swung it open to reveal a narrow hallway. I strolled with haste down it, hoping to find some way to escape my small 'fan club'.
"This is the girls' dormitory. Rosette isn't here though." Another girl stated solemnly. I finally paused. Where was she anyway?
"Then where'd she go?" I turned to face them, my voice almost a growl.
"Ah…uh well, to the park. She's been going there like everyday for forever now." Sara again hastily spoke.
"Which one?" My voice was harsh, not meaning it to be. I was in rush. I needed to speak with her now, I had questions to answer. And so did she.
"It's past the little coffee shop, you know down from the hos-" I knew the word before she spoke it. I didn't want to hear it, I didn't want to go there.
"Yeah, I know where it's at now." And with that I turned and rushed past them. I couldn't believe the irony, and it was making my blood boil. Regardless of dread I left the church, and treaded down the sidewalk. I didn't even need to think about, even look where I was headed. I had mapped it so many times in my head that it made me nauseous.
The sunlight was mockingly beating upon my skin, the cloudless sky, cheerful laughter, and shinning smiles of passer-byres tempting me to scream in frustration. Why did everything have to be so happy? Why did everything I see remind me of her?
She loved days like this. She adored when everything was so shimmering with joy, just as herself. But she never became bitter and jealous like me. She would have shunned me if I had ever told her how I hated days like these. Of course, slowly, I began to cherish them as well. Only because I knew I would be permitted to explore with her on these occasions, but deep within still hid resentment. It was especially heightened now…
Humans are so fortunate, but would never realize it. They are allowed to enjoy the light, to embrace it and feel welcome, but my kind… we were not welcome anywhere, especially in the light. It was just not fitting, and deep within I would know this is true always. But what made me most jealous of the fragile creatures are their lives.
As a human, you are permitted to have a childhood, to grow into adolescence, fall in love, have a family and then grow old and die. Death; it is such a gift to them, yet the fear it. I did anything but that, welcoming the end openly. I wanted to join the only thing that mattered in my existence. Even if there was some other meaning to this existence I dare call my life, I could not recall it and was not living for it.
It's just for her, the only reason that I still try to breath, the only reason I have for walking down this damned path once more. And that brings me to the second blessing that humans are permitted; love. Sure, devils are capable of love but that does not mean we are permitted to express it. And if we were, in the entirety of my memory I have never met another of my race, so I honestly wouldn't know. But what I do know is that humans are not open to relationships with creatures like myself…
I looked up briefly from the ground, shaking myself from hateful thoughts to realize where I was. I regretted it. There stood the same decrepit building that imprisoned my former love. And I had so hoped by now it had been burned to the ground. I had wished for it every night since the doctors refused to tell me where her body was buried. What did they think I was anyway? Did they think I would steal her from her own grave and keep her, or maybe devour her like some sort of monster? I guess they discovered what I am, and to them I am a monster. And I can't exactly deny it…
It was pretty unbelievable that such a horrid place had been kept open, but I didn't care. I just wanted to get away from the morbid statue of grief. From this point it only took minutes to reach that park. I had not even stopped by the coffee shop I had once been employed at. I knew it had been closed, I think to sanitation issues but I don't keep up with news and don't really care anyway.
When I scanned the area, at first I thought that this place was abandoned. The paint was so chipped and faded, so agonizing. The sight seemed to weep with its apparent age. And I had hoped that somehow… it would have been frozen in time. Maybe that's what I should have done, preserved it greedily. It was our place in my empty mind.
Then I caught a glimpse of her form.
Ice ran though my veins and I stalled to goggle. I had seen Rosette before, just the previous night… right? In the darkness she had resembled the child I lost, and one could claim they had to have been related at very least. But in the soft rays of light, which threaded within her mane and orbs glistening just as two polished sapphires, face contorted into faint contempt, and skin a milky silk there was no one that could deny the vivid resemblance.
My heart leapt into my throat, which was closing as I choked back tears. She was swinging, motion in time with the breeze, and I felt as if I was watching her again. A dull needle was driven into my chest with a melancholy joy. I swelled with sweet memories. How I had longed for them; so crisp and refreshed as they were now.
The swing released a familiar squeal of strain as Rosette swung absent mindedly. She was all that I could see, all that I could hear however, as I strained to focus solely upon her. Fair tresses were woven into two braids, shorter than before. She had cut her beautiful hair, the same locks that wrapped around my digits, but that did not matter because it would have kept the satin texture. It was down that night, resting just below her shoulders.
Her lips still held a doll like blush, yet were fuller and more enticing. They were also chapped though, neglected probably due to the lack of time to care for them. But I did not mind. If I could, I'd lavish attention upon the aperture…
Yet shame be cast up the thought. Such an innocent blossom should not be taunted by the filth of my spiritual decay. I would continue to resist my own longings until I could not bare the load, and when it came to that I would disappear as swiftly as I was discovered.
Her cheeks still contained a soft rose. It seemed to fit her name, or possibly quite the vice verse. I would guess the title Rosette originated from her worldly shell. Her appearance still reflected a tranquil sort of independence. She wore a white button up shirt over a longer gray cotton that draped about her. Her jeans, as the previous night, fell over her tennis shoes and seemed quite worn.
Finally I found my feet once more, and stepped forward, trailing to her. As I edged closer I saw a forlorn glint cross her eyes. She didn't even realize that I was here, as I stood almost behind her, avoiding being slammed into as she swung.
"Boo!" I exclaimed as I chuckled at myself, feeling quite playful. She jerked a bit and halted the seat with her heels to look at me. A scowl twisted upon her mouth.
"What's your problem, anyway? Why'd you come here and sneak up on me like that?" she muttered to me. I instinctively rubbed the back of my throat.
"Ah, well… I just came to talk." I admitted, bashfully glancing to her.
"Oh… Well you don't have to scare me like that." She complained, a pout working into her face. I released a cheerful sigh, a bit surprised that she had taken my appearance with such ease. But it was a relief.
"I know, but it's no fun if I don't!" I offered a nervous, lighthearted smile.
"Oh, it's okay. Because I'll get you back, you wait." She retaliated, more bravely. "So… what have you tracked me down to talk about? Mad at me for leaving you all alone this morning?" A mischievous smirk crossed her, and I got the feeling that she left me like that to purposely confuse me; probably for a little revenge.
"Uh… nah, I'm not mad." I lied, shifting my gaze from her eyes. "I just wanted to know a few things is all."
"20 Questions then?" she casually threw at me.
"Huh?" She was leading me no where fast.
"I get to ask you twenty questions, then it'll be your turn!" She informed me, giving me a skeptical glare.
". . . Does it have to be so many?" I whimpered.
"Yup, or no deal." She continued to glare, as if trying to force the idea into my head.
"Well, fine." I murmured, taking a seat upon the ground. I had a feeling I was going to be there for a while.
"Good! Me first!" She demanded, pointing to herself. "Okay, first off what's with you stalking me and all! You better be glad I'm used to guys a lot scarier than you or else I would have shot you by now…" she now gazing at her feet, with mild interest.
'Guys a lot scarier than me? But why would she be…' I mused with slight concern. Then it all came back to me, what she just said…
"S…stalking you! I'm not stalking you, you're the one that hunted me down, remember!" I protested with embarrassment.
"Oh sure, good excuse. If you weren't stalking me you wouldn't be here right now." She countered, as she again glared at my face, daring me to deny it.
"Um… then fine. I… uh… .well see, you…" I swallowed harshly as my mouth quickly dried out with unnerving. "…remind me of someone and I guess it's just pleasant to see her in you." I felt so dumb, would she really buy that?
"Wow!" there was a twinkle in her eye. "So, were you in love with this girl?" she asked eagerly, guess she was pretty gullible. I smiled, tender memories burning within my head.
"Yes, I loved her more than anything..." I felt myself blush. When did I become so cheesy? "Now my turn, why do you trust me?"
"Huh…?" she appeared baffled. "Hey, it's not your turn till I'm done…" she complained, turning a shade pinker. I chuckled at her small plea. I knew she understood what I was asking, but I realized that she must have some deep logic in her actions too. So I humored her.
"Yeah, guess so. Sorry Rosette."
She blushed deeper now, and murmured something alike to 'He used my name?', nodded, then continued.
"Okay, second… why did you… uh… almost kiss me?" she remained a strawberry shade, seemingly very weary of my answer, as if afraid I'd try it again now that she brought the matter back up.
"Oh… well, I'm sorry about acting like that. I was just being an idiot. I got caught up in the hope that… maybe you're the same girl you remind me of, and didn't really think. But I won't do it again, it was wrong of me to treat you like that." I lifted my vision to the sky, hiding my own face, waiting for a cloud to watch, yet none came.
"…" I could feel her eyes upon me, scouring my form. She finally stood and approached me. I didn't have to look to know.
"Um…" she was trying to draw my attention. I looked to her in acknowledgement.
"Listen, I'm really sorry that you and your girlfriend got separated… but we have to get this straight from the get go. I'm not her. I'm Rosette Christopher, I've lived at the Order since I was 12, and… I've never met you before. I just happened to see you in my dreams. I don't understand why, it just happened. But if it means anything to you at all… I understand what it's like to loose someone you really love." She was standing before me, a strong compassion in her face.
She paused for a moment, waiting for me to respond, yet I didn't know how I was going to explain to her. How do you tell someone you believe they have been reincarnated, after all?
"I… really am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. . . Uh, I should be getting back I guess…" she stuttered awkwardly. I exhaled.
"I know who you are, well sort of anyway, and I don't think you quite understand. The girl from before, she died over thirty years ago. What I've been trying to say is… I think you're her, you know, reborn…" the more I spoke the more unintelligent I felt I became, so I decided I'd just be silent while it sank in.
"W..what!" the word fell from her lips in exasperation. "M…me! Reborn as her…? Um, no offence but I don't believe in that stuff…" she admitted, backing away from me once more. Again, she acted fearful of my actions post to her words.
"Yes, reborn as her. And you don't have to believe for it to the truth." It was the only phrase I found appropriate as an answer. She began to blush furiously as knowledge lit upon her face. She must have now understood my actions in our prior meeting.
"I… I'm just me! Listen, I'll be frank with you okay! I just wanted to take you back to the order because I thought you might help me find Joshua… I apologize if I remind you of your former lover, but I am not her. I didn't search you out because I was interested in rekindling a relationship we might have had in a previous life!" My nose tingled, and eyes burned as I shifted my gaze sideways to the ground. I felt deflated.
She just wanted to use me. She didn't want to know me, or save me, or help me, or… love me. The only one that would care for me no longer did. I was now convinced that she was indeed my child, yet she had no memory of her former life. And what could I expect? How many people do…
A hand pressed to my knee. Rosette was … kneeling before me? Her appendage was trembling, she was probably scared out of her mind, yet she didn't move.
"Please… d…don't be angry with me? Try and understand, Joshua's my little brother, he's all I got left, and I promised I'd protect him. I know what I did was wrong, making you think that I was just curious about you, but would you have come if I told you the truth? And just think about this… what would you do to get your girlfriend back, huh?"
I shivered. Tears were now threatening to spill. I wanted to shrink away. I felt so small, so helpless, so childish. I wanted to huddle to my knees and cry. I was so desperate. So desperate for attention, for affection, for comfort; it all seemed so utterly hopeless. What I wanted so badly was right in front of me, and I could not have it.
"Y…y…you're right in front of me, right there in front of me Rosette… why are you still so out of reach?" I was trembling, shamefully focusing on the ground.
Then, she gasped. I was confused, what had happened? I suddenly felt as if my body really had shrunken in size. Her hand moved to my face.
"Hey… don't try so hard. If you want to cry, just do it." She spoke softly. "I… don't understand what just happened to you, but I think… it's because you're so up tight, like some sort of weird defense mechanism against your own emotions… so don't freak out over it, okay?" She had become much more affectionate and open in such a short amount of time, and she seemed to be talking nonsense. What did happen to me?
Then I glanced down from her concern ridden face to find I now looked as if I was a child! And worse, my clothes now seemed to engulf my entire body. But somehow, I felt more willing to giving in to my own emotions, to my needs of comfort… and began to weep.
To my great surprise, Rosette suddenly pulled me into a shaky, loose embrace.
"It'll all work out, really … I'll make a pact with you right now: if you help me find Joshua, then I'll… be friends with you. It's not much, I know, but at least you won't be all alone anymore. If I make a friend, I keep a friend. I can promise you that." I slowly brought my own limbs up to wrap around her waist and pull the warm body closer to my own.
"I'd be happy to have you as my friend… but tell me, why did you hug me? Why do you trust me so much? You could have shot me by now, are you really that determined to help your brother?" I was content, my face buried against her collar, murmuring as I let my tears saturate her shirt.
"Yes, I am. Don't take it to heart or anything, but I was really afraid of you at first, still am… but I figured that if I had to put up with you to get your help, I'd do it in a heart beat. A little fear is nothing compared with being alone forever." At her final words, I laughed softly, knowing how very true that was.
"And… about the hug, well I don't know… I felt guilty already for making you so upset. I mean, obviously you really loved whoever she was, and it's no help that a look a like comes and finds you and knows your name and all… I can understand why you'd think what you think, especially after thirty years of waiting. Then, you turned into this kid and looked like you just wanted your mom or something… and my big sisterly senses kicked in." she paused to chuckle. "I don't like to see people upset, especially kids." I breathed in deeply, beginning to calm, and with the breath caught her scent once more. What did I like so much about it? The sweet candy smell would not usually appeal to me. . .
"You still have one question left, Rosette." I told her as I pulled away to watch her depths.
"I do!" She asked, obviously playing dumb.
"Why do you trust me?" I asked yet again, as bluntly as possible.
"I.. uh… well… I just get this funny feeling around you… even in my dreams… like I should trust you, like it comes naturally or something. Is that really weird?" She offered a shaky grin.
"No, I feel like that too." I said in earnest. I placed a palm against her cheek and smiled adoringly. "Thank you, so much." My words were lofty and unfocused, even I barely able to register what I just spoke.
"Huh…? For what?" she questioned, beginning to flush to a ripe strawberry hue. I shrugged.
"Just… being here… and for trusting me, too of course. You're just amazing… after the way I acted when we met, I thought you'd hate me." She playfully bopped my head with her fist, then replied.
"Oh, okay then. Well, thanks for agreeing to help me. And in return for that, I'll give you a second chance. I'll just pretend you never acted that way in the first place, k?" A wide smile crossed my face as I stood, then extended my hand.
"It's a deal!" I exclaimed, all too excited. Rosette in turn, took my hand, pulled herself up then spoke as well.
"Great! Now, we'd better get back and find out what's happened to you, cause it's just not normal for a grown man… or devil… or whatever to revert to a child's body. Hopefully someone can fix you." Suddenly she burst into giggles at the end of her speech… "Oh and, you'd better hold on to your pants… unless you want to walk around in your tidie whities."
"What!" I exclaimed, and then realized my pants were at my ankles… thank god I still had something covering me. I quickly gathered my jeans at the helm with my free hand and held them above my stomach.
Then, not releasing my hand, she began to head towards the church once more, leaving me to grip my pants clumsily so I wouldn't reveal anything. Rosette was definitely open and affectionate… that's for sure.
I was drug helplessly down the sidewalk for a while, feeling pretty degraded in such a short stature. I already didn't like it. At least, just a little, it put Rosette at greater ease around me though.
People noticed me as we walked, or more jogged down the sidewalk as well. Many smiled cutely as I tried desperately to keep my pants up. It was amazing what a difference morphing into a child had made on others outlook upon me. Then again, I did change from a tall man, well over 6 feet in height, with strange purple hair and golden eyes to a quant boy, large and innocent ruby eyes, and violent strands that must have been wrapping around my ankles due to the fact that I kept tripping on it.
And even I had to admit, the mental image of myself was priceless.
"Better keep a good hold on those trousers Chrono, unless you want to flash the crowd!" Rosette announced, chuckling darkly. I blushed more deeply, squeezing the death hold on the helm of my jeans a little tighter. I could barely walk at all with the ends of my pants well over my feet, and my tresses dragging the ground.
"Maybe if you weren't walking so fast I couldn't have to worry about it so much!" I called back, irritated. But she didn't reply. Instead she steadied her pace at nothing slower than a gallop and bellowed a laugh once more. Needless to say, we made it back quickly, much to my relief.
The 'fan club' from before met us at the front door.
"Oh hi Rosette, we were just getting ready to go grocery shopping. Your friend Chrono was looking for you earlier, did he fi- … hey, who's that anyway?" Sara questioned, giving both Rosette and I a skeptical look. "He kind of looks like your friend… but he's so small, and his eyes aren't the same color. Is this… his kid or something?"
"Huh, but Sara, this is Chrono!" she announced cheerily. The others nearly dropped dead with shock.
"What! There's no way! He's just a kid!" Sara protested. Rosette shot me an uninterested glance, as if checking to make sure I was still there.
"Yup, he is. But that's a long story. So don't throw a fit just because he doesn't look twenty any more! We're going to find someone now to figure out what's wrong with him." Rosette stated with a hint of teasing in her voice. Sara and the others sighed disapprovingly.
"You always manage to screw everything up Rosette…" Sara muttered before brushing past us. The rest of the group followed suit, the girl, Amy I believe is her name, pausing to me and placing a hand upon my crown.
"Don't you worry Chrono, if Rosette can't fix you then we will!" She whispered to me, running off when Rosette threw a venomous glare at her. With their exit we entered the large double doors.
"Why did they all act like this is all normal?" I muttered to the blond youth. She smiled to me, finally releasing my hand.
"Sorry I didn't explain before, but this is an order of exorcists. We've been around for hell and ever protecting the country from demons and evils spirits and the works!" I suddenly felt myself becoming increasingly nervous. So she was basically a demon exterminator? It was all slowly coming together. No wonder she had a gun, and was prepared to shoot me at our meeting. But now the question was,
"Then why did you bring me here, of all places, and act like it's all hunky dory?" My voice was rising with frustrated.
"Oh… that!" she exclaimed while laughing nervously. "Well, they told me it was okay first of all… They told me that your name was familiar. Weird huh? Anyway, they said we'd keep you here until we could question you, and depending on what you say we'll probably just let you go." I raised a brow, this was definitely interesting.
"And what if I say the wrong things? Are you all going to lock me up or shoot me or what?"
"No! I'm sure they wouldn't do something like that. I mean, you might be a demon and all but as long as you aren't hurting people or bothering anything then it's all jake!" she was smiling optimistically. Her words weren't very assuring…wait a minute, what did she just say?
"It's all… jake?" I replied with a confused frown.
"Yeah!" she reassured, clueless of my misunderstanding.
"No, what is jake?" I asked more clearly. She started to giggle, and her face lit with sudden humor.
"Sorry, it means that it's all good. It's just slang I heard a while back, don't sweat it." I sighed. She was either very strange or I was very dumb.
"Okay, if you say so." I wasn't going to argue. This Rosette would know more about modern times then I would, so I'd just take her word on things. We walked around a while, as the teen gave various random information about things that wasn't very interesting; that is, until we stopped at a certain painting.
"Okay, this is a painting of Mary Magdalene that's really old. I don't know exactly who she was, but she was supposed to be this big saint with all these holy powers and all. Moving on!" she gave her explanation with haste, as always, and began to trot off again, to find whoever we were looking for, (I began to suspect even Rosette didn't know how to find the individual.), leaving me to stare aimlessly at the art piece. My mind seemed to be wondering backwards, but why? I knew her from somewhere, that was why…but from where and … how?
I soft cough alerted me. Rosette was standing at my siding, looking at my face with concern.
"What's wrong?" she questioned softly. I must have looked almost upset, because she was treating me very compassionately again.
"It's just… oh, nothing." I mumbled. "Let's keep going. We need to find whoever it is you're looking for." She sighed with frustration, knowing something must have captivated me about the canvas.
"Well okay, but if you need to tell me something just go ahead. I'll keep it a secret if you want, just don't stare off like that. It's creepy." The girl complained. She was obviously curious, but didn't want to try my patience. You just don't pry into the past of someone you barely know. I was glad she had respect.
We again walked, until finally, we reached a small office. Rosette approached the door and knocked once lightly.
"Father?" She announced with uncertainty. Her father lived here? But I thought she said earlier her brother was all that she had…
"Rosette, I didn't know your dad lives here, you should have said something." I told her casually and she shot me a dirty look, glaring from the corner of her eye.
"He's not my dad you idiot! He's the guy over this section of the Order, so we address him as 'Father', kind of like the whole catholic system." Great, I was looking more brilliant with every passing second. I should have just shut up.
"Oh." Was the only thing I could murmur as I awaited this 'father' whoever. She didn't even have the decency to mention his name yet…
After a moment, the door swung open to reveal a young man, maybe in his later twenties and gleaming azure depths.
"Hello Sister Rosette, I see you brought the demon back with you." He stated with a mild smile, glancing, unnoticed by the teen, to me with a hint of bitterness in his orbs. She merely smiled warmly in response and quickly replied,
"Yup, this is him!" she seemed to be a little pinker than before, to my dissatisfaction, with a friendly smile upon her lips. "And this is Father Remington!" Rosette announced to me, giving me a hopeful grin. I simply nodded, feeling irritated.
"So what have you come to see me about anyway?" the older man questioned with interest.
"Well, I really don't know what happened this time but… Chrono kind of shrunk. When I brought him here he looked about twenty years old, now he's just a kid." She stated nervously. I could tell now that she must have been accustomed to causing mayhem, because so far everyone seemed to be suspicious that she had caused my strange transformation.
"Oh…" the mild man replied. "Well, why don't you two have a seat and we'll talk about it, okay?" Rosette accepted his offer quickly, tugging me along as well. We stepped into a cozy office, and took a seat on the first couch in sight. The Father entered afterwards, closing the door and positioning himself before us to interrogate the situation.
"First Rosette, what happened before this change and were you there to see it?" His voice was very serious as he focused upon the sister, and basically ignored me.
"Yeah, I was there. And we were just talking. He got kind of upset and them bam! He's a kid!" she waved her hands with her words expressively. The minister replied with a short 'I see', and they continued to evaluate the occurrence for a minute or two, Remington asking a few strange questions including,
"The boy doesn't seem very confident. How does he seem to feel about himself?" I felt like they were analyzing me instead, but not asking me any of the questions. Finally he seemed to reach a conclusion, pausing with a thoughtful expression.
"It's simple Rosette, Chrono did it to himself." Our voices rang down the hallway simultaneously, echoing though the closed door…
"What!"
Author's note: Hope you enjoyed the latest segment! Please review and tell me how I did! Thanks for reading, the forth chapter might include the first fight scene, depending upon where I take it.