Disclaimer: BLEGH!
Author's Note: I still cannot believe how many reviews I'm getting for this. It makes me so happy! XD (begins to do the happy dance. . . but stops when she notices the people screaming and running away.)
Anyway, THIS chapter- things are gonna get GOOD. Well, interesting, at least. And a little more info (actually, kind of a LOT more, if you think about it) on the two Chronos is revealed! Woooooooo. . .
Sorry it took so long to update, BTW. It took a while to write, 'cause it's so long. XD
Please enjoy and R&R!
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DOUBLE TROUBLE
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Chapter Three: How Do I Love Thee. . . ?
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". . . sette. . . ?"
She could hear it. . . faintly, but it was there. Something- someone- calling to her, chipping steadily away at the foggy nothingness surrounding her weary brain. It faded. . . but then, a few moments of later, returned- just as hushed, but stronger than before.
". . . osette? Rosette. . . ?"
Out of the crumbling darkness came a blurry, colored light- silhouettes and blackened figures swimming as her hazy vision cleared. A lead-heavy hand fell across her hot, moist forehead; impatiently pushing golden bangs out of the way. She felt a groan escape her lips.
. . . .Where was she?
"Rosette! Rosette! Are you awake?"
Her brow crinkled in recognition, registering the worried tones of the speaking person. What was going on. . . ? "Ch. . . Chrono. . . ?" Rosette slurred, voice cracking. The fingers she'd placed upon her own forehead gave a slight twitch. Then she cleared her throat, annoyed, before blinking rapidly- gingerly sitting up.
Well, trying to, anyway.
Her dangerously swaying torso kept her from moving too fast; head whirling unnaturally. She felt like she was falling through space. . . despite the fact that the spots and stars did eventually fade from view. However, the gradual rate at which they did so kept her from fully processing where she was and whom she was with. Not good.
Still, even with this factor working against her, it didn't take the girl long to notice that she was directly below the relieved face of the previously stricken devil- his maroon eyes wide with fear and his thin eyebrows knitted together. But as soon as she'd proved to him that yes, indeed, she was still alive, he beamed.
"Rosette!" he gleefully exclaimed, throwing himself unexpectedly upon her chest- hugging her tightly around the middle and sending her back against the pillows with a 'fwump!'. "Finally! You're all right!"
And he began to nuzzle her.
"?" The exorcist frowned at this strange display of affection, but- seeing as her limbs were too numb to do much about it- she let it slide. This once. Besides, she still felt sort of woozy. . . "Sorry, Chrono. . . I was having the strangest dream. You were in it, and so was your other form and- wow, it was just tot- ally. . . scr. . .ewed. . . up. . . and. . . uh. . . Chrono. . . ?"
Rosette blinked dumbly, biting back the urge to clutch her head to keep it from continuing to spin- as it surly must have been doing at that moment. "Chrono, wha. . . what is THAT?" Lifting a shaking finger, she pointed to her left.
'THAT' scowled, insulted. "What're you talking about, Rosette?" the Sinner asked calmly, sitting beside her on a stiff wooden chair. His clawed fingers were buried in the child's vibrant red coat, working to yank him back. (The result of this attempt was a loud ripping sound.) "I'm Chrono!"
"Oh, dry up!" the violet haired demon snarled, shooting his other a malicious glare over his shoulder- eyes narrowed like a cat's. "You don't even look like me!"
"Like shit!" the adult snarled, canines sharpening in the light. The little one's teeth did the same, a growl rumbling through his chest. And it was the feel of it reverberating against her own that snapped the nun out of her stunned stupor.
Her chest swelled.
"CHRONOOOOOOOOOO!" she screeched, causing both devils to freeze in fear. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
"Ah, a very good question, my dear!"
"!"
All three twisted at the sound of Elder's voice, sealed Chrono still clinging to Rosette like she were his only life line. Which she might have been. . . seeing as how true-form Chrono had let to loosen his grasp on the kid's jacket.
"Sister Rosette," Kate smiled (or, at least, attempted to- but she was rather busy kicking at an annoyance underneath her habit), "I'm glad to see you're fina- IF YOU DON'T REMOVE YOUR FILTHY FEET FROM UNDERNEATH MY DRESS, REMINGTON, I'LL KILL YOU!"
A male politely cleared his throat. "Thou shall not kill, my dear sis-!"
"SILENCE- OR I'LL KILL YOU, TOO!" the woman stormed, lifting the flaps of her outfit just enough to reveal a traveling foot- one running suggestively up and down her shin as she walked. It was actually quite remarkable that the owner of the foot could walk and play vertical footsie simultaneously. Elder made a mental note to later ask how the tainted minister had accomplished such an amazing task.
Rosette, back again in her stupor, felt her jaw drop fifty eight stories. (Give or take an exaggeration or two.)
"Good lord," the Sinner sighed laboriously, sounding highly bothered, "haven't you gotten those two fools back together, yet?"
"What does it LOOK like?" the head sister inquired through gnashing teeth. Smartly, she rammed the heel of her foot into the lustful priest's. Behind her, one of the matching Remingtons winced.
"It looks like you've got a bunch of Remington stuck to your back!" little Chrono laughed.
"Better than poor Rosette- with a bunch of brat stuck to her front," Remington two retorted coldly, now limping. The Sinner snickered in agreement.
And all the while, the pitiable teen exorcist stared flatly at the insanity around her- completely nonplussed. Yes, Rosette was, again, far gone. So far gone, in fact, that she didn't even notice the Elder when he placed a tray of food before her, fresh and warm and ready for snarfing. And that- for her- was very, very far gone. It was even beginning to look like she was going to stay that way-
Creeeeeek. . .
Until, suddenly, she felt her mattress sink a bit. Starting in surprise, Rosette turned her head to find herself staring into the shocking cornflower eyes of Remington. Number two, incidentally.
"Are you feeling any better, pet. . . ?" he murmured smoothly, reaching down and gently covering her hand in his own. "Or would you enjoy some of my own. . . personal. . . therapeutic treatments. . . ?" Bending her arm at the elbow (for Chrono's limbs were still tight around her center, binding her forearms to her sides), the minister lowered his head and placed an urbane kiss upon it-
Before (in less than a second) finding himself, winded, on the ground- playing cushion for two seething devils; each set of eyes glowing blood red.
He gulped loudly, wondering what in hell's name had just happened.
"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER, YOU SCUM!" the smaller one raged, talons and ears lengthening; fangs pointed and glimmering in the dim room's light. "DON'T TOUCH HER, DON'T BREATHE ON HER, DON'T EVEN LOOK AT HER!" He snarled, animalistic, before beginning to close the space between their bodies (and not in the way Remington 2 would have liked).
But, before he had the chance to take even one swipe, the sealed devil was hoisted into the air by the throat and tossed carelessly aside by his twin- similar to chucking a ferocious rag doll. The man swallowed loudly once more: for though the elder demon appeared much calmer, he most certainly did not look any more forgiving.
In the background, the child stirred from his temporary state of dazed pain; scrambled back to his Contractor. Sitting beside her and encasing her in his embrace, he began petting her head with one hand while growling possessively. Rosette, still in a strange sort of brain-dead trance, did not reply. She was still busy trying to soak in the sight before her without screaming.
"I do not ever," the Sinner whispered venomously, twisting his long, sharp fingers around the blonde's neck- lifting him slowly into the air and pinning him against the wall, "EVER want to hear that you have touched Rosette again. Or else. . . you will pay." His eyes flashed. In that moment, it was quite clear how he had earned the title 'Sinner'. "Do you understand me, Father? I said: do you understand?"
The doppelganger, who's face was steadily turning blue, nodded weakly; vainly clawing at the strong hand cutting off his oxygen supply.
". . . Hmph." Big Chrono snorted and thrust him aside, returning to his seat beside the girl. As he reapplied his hold on his other's shirt (much to the child's displeasure), he released a sound that plainly stated: This conversation is over.
No one spoke for a few minutes. Possibly because the whole situation seemed surreal. For the umpteenth time in not so very long, Rosette began to wonder whether or not she'd remembered to wake up this morning.
". . . Rosette. . . ?" the ruby eyed demon then spoke quietly, voice returning to its lulling gentle sweetness. "Rosette, are you still awake? Are you still okay?"
The nun nodded blankly, not really hearing him.
"Sister Rosette," the girl's boss murmured benignly, taking Remington the Second's empty seat on the bed with a nervous air- as if expecting the demons to lash out at her, too. But though they watched her carefully while approaching, they did not say or do anything. A promising sign. "Sister Rosette, I know this is hard to accept- I had a hard time believing, too. But we need for you to fight off this coma so that we can talk about the situation and determine a route of correction. So please-" she reached out, wrapping her right arm around the girl's neck . . .
And applying her infamous chokehold, "-snap out of it!"
"!"
Both Chronos stiffened at this barbaric method of awakening their tamer, but- out of respect for the Magdalene Leader- fought off the urge to kill her. Which went very much appreciated on her part.
". . . uh. . . uh. . . Uh! Oh- ow! OWOWOWOWOWOWOW!" Straightening with a panicked expression on her face, the nun began floundering wildly- almost managing to throw off little Chrono and Sister Kate. Almost, but not quite. She did manage to kick her food to the floor, though. "CURSE IT- LET GO OF ME!"
"Rosette!" sealed Chrono sang exuberantly, whole body shaking as Rosette continued to throw her fit. "You're really okay, now! Yea!"
The blonde screamed in response, still thrashing madly. Kate, (after nearly losing a few teeth to the girl's flying fist), loosened her hold, allowing the taller devil her seat on the mattress. The Sinner wasted no time in pressing his hand to Rosette's gaping mouth, already fighting off a head ache. Rosette spluttered, moving to rip his palm away, but found that he was too strong for her.
And so she surrendered, falling deathly silent; eyes darting from the demon on her left to the demon on her right; cheeks pale and eyes wide with a strange sort of bewildered fear. A few long moments ticked by. . .
Then the exorcist swallowed loudly; growing weak in the restraining grip of the Chronos. Her trembling lips parted. ". . . Wh. . . what in all that is holy is going on here?"
X
". . .And that," Elder finished grandly, slapping the chalk dust from his hands, "is all there is to it!" He grinned widely at the flabbergasted girl in the hospital bed, wiping his portable blackboard clean. ". . . except for the fact that- for the first time in eighteen years!- I need new chalk."
Rosette did not respond. Instead, she only continued to stare blankly into space. She seemed so. . . so. . . not Rosette. Which, in all honesty, was frightening. Kate shot her a worried glance, ignoring the Remingtons as they debated heatedly in the corner; once more arguing over who got to slap who with the Bible. (Neither seemed very keen to join in the conversation after what the two devils had done.)
Finally, the blue eyed sister cleared her throat. "So. . ." she started slowly, voice cracking, "what you're saying is that the Elder, as usual, screwed things sideways. . . and now I've got Chrono 1 and Chrono 2 to deal with?"
"W- hey! No, that's not it at all! Rosette, you hurt this poor-! Er. . . neve rmind. . ." The old man cut his complaints off when Sister Kate's fingers snaking around his neck, applying a warning squeeze.
"Exactly, Sister Rosette," Kate replied in soothing tones; trying to help the shaken girl relax. It was like attempting to coax a cat into water. . . "It doesn't seem to be draining your Astral energy or hurting you in any other way- nor Chrono, for that matter. Everything will go back to normal soon- just after we learn how to apply his Glue Factor."
"Which you think is me. . ." the girl drawled rather sarcastically, face as clammy as ever. She chose to ignore the whimper of worry and the snuggling of the child who was still dangling from her like an oversized necklace.
"Correct."
"Mm. Riiiiight," she murmured, sounding nothing less than skeptical. "Well, that's great and all, but I don't exactly get how I'm supposed to know when to. . . to. . . squish them back again." Her grip on her sheets had yet to loosen; knuckles ashen.
"Don't worry, my dear," Elder soothed, forgetting about the insults done to his character moments before. "You don't need to know. It'll just happen."
". . ." Rosette sighed, falling against her cushions as best she could with the two devils (even now) clinging desperately to her. "Great. Juuuuust great."
"Isn't it, though?" little Chrono squealed happily, his cheeks an ecstatic cherry red. The nun doubted he'd even been paying attention. "We can spend even more time together!"
(". . . Is that even possible?" Kate mumbled to no one in particular, mildly exasperated.)
Big Chrono scowled at his smaller counterpart, "accidentally" pushing his claws painfully into his other's lower back. "I'll be around, too," he reminded coldly, electric sparks crackling as the pair exchanged glances.
Rosette groaned, closing her eyes.
It was going to be a fricken' long. . . whatever this charade amounted to.
X
"Rosette?"
The addressed girl gave a jerk, dropping the gun she'd been polishing into her lap. "Wha-? Oh. . ." she smiled, looking up from her hospital bed. "Azmaria. Don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry," the apostle beamed, poking her head around the door and grinning before letting herself into the room, holding a new silver tray. "But I thought you might be hungry. I heard you spilt all over the floor earlier."
"Mmm. Well, can you blame me?" Rosette grumbled, thankfully accepting the dishes Az presented her with. "I just found out that Chrono's been torn in half, dammit! That's not one of those things you expect to happen. . . ever!"
Azmaria laughed blithely, daintily seating herself upon the chair beside the bed. "No," she replied softly, clucking her tongue, "I suppose you don't."
"You don't seem too phased by it."
The younger shrugged her small shoulders while smoothing out her dress's pleats. "I don't know. I guess I'm just used to. . . unexpected things happening." Her feet began to sway in a slow rhythm, fixing her hands underneath her thighs. "It all averages out, though. Half of the first and second class exorcists didn't seem to care, either. Said they expected something weird like this to happen any day now, knowing the Elder. But most of the other sisters had the same reaction as you. . . just on a smaller scale. I hear Sister Claire actually blacked out for a few minutes when Sinner Chrono swooped past. She collapsed right into a pile of dirty laundry! And I think the sight of Little and Big Chrono fighting in the mud out back caught more than a few wandering eyes."
Rosette, who had been (almost happily) inhaling her chicken broth and buns, began to choke. "W-w-wrestling?" she gagged, pounding her own chest with her fist. "What the heck-?"
Again, Az shrugged. "All I heard was that they were yelling and screaming and saying your name a lot- and then transformed Chrono pushed sealed Chrono, who landed in a nearby mud puddle. Of course, he couldn't take that lying down, so. . ." she trailed off, rosy gaze brushing over the nearby window. "Last I heard they were still rolling in the muck. Things were getting pretty messy. . . But I have to admit, I'm a little confused." The apostle girl straightened in her seat, pulling her legs to her chest and rocking back and forth in place. "Why are they so nasty to one another? I mean, they're perfect gentlemen to everyone else. . . mostly. What's the point in being your own enemy?"
". . ." To this, Rosette could say nothing. And the question relentlessly echoed through her mind long after Azmaria said good night.
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It had taken well over 4 hours, but ultimately the alarmed convent began to calm down; sure that neither devil meant any harm to anyone but his other half. Which, everyone agreed, was quite odd- but no one pressed it in fear of facing their wrath. (The story of the injured Remington spread through the halls just as fast as the now infamous Demon Mud Wrestling . . . event. . . An event that had attracted quite a few people while running. In fact, an alarmingly high number of nuns were dreadfully depressed when Sister Kate had broken them up.)
But, nonetheless, temporary peace did come- blanketing thickly over the many corridors, grounds, and rooms like a sleepy fog- as a violet twilight dimmed the extensive skies; a sprinkling of stars brightening the darkness of the moonless night.
And that was when he came.
"R. . .Rosette. . . ?"
Rosette, who- to the amazement of all- was reading a book, looked up in mild surprise when the sealed form of her partner timidly knock on the door; tresses limp and unbraided, clothes clinging to his body, and moist face shining with tears. In his arms he held a bouquet of columbine.
His Contractor blinked, both surprised to see him and startled to find him without the Sinner in toe. Perhaps he'd tied him to a tree? "Oh. . . uh, hi," she replied, unsure; placing a bookmark in her novel. Setting it on her bedside table, she twirled a random lock of her hair. "Huh- I thought you were supposed to be all dirty from your fight."
"Showered," he answered simply, quaking; wide, ruby-colored pools filling with sadness. "I. . . I just wanted to say. . . I'm sorry, Rosette!" he blubbered, bursting into silent sobs as his whole body shook with misery. Bounding towards her, he stuffed the flowers into her arms; oblivious to her stunned expression. "I am so, so sorry! I didn't know you were allergic to daffodils!"
". . ."
The words echoed strangely off the stone walls, humorous- and yet- pathetic all at once. 'Allergic to daffodils. . . daffodils. . .dils. . .'
Rosette's brow furrowed, displaying her bafflement. ". . . What?"
He met her puzzled stare with a guilty one of his own, tears trickling down his face and splattering on her comforter. "Well, yeah," he whispered, voice strained in agony. "You fainted dead away as soon as you saw them, after all. . ."
". . ." An incensed vein gave a throb on her forehead, but she was too tired to do anything about it; much less waste the energy to correct him. Instead, she blew out her cheeks and pushed her aggravation to one side. "Chrono," she murmured gently, attempting to pacify his distressed mind. "It wasn't your fault. . . It's okay. And hey-" A small smile lighting her features, she tilted his chin so that their eyes locked in the star glow; stray flecks of salty moisture making his flesh glitter, "-don't stress so much. If you act too worried, Mary and Anna might start rumors about us again."
Chrono grinned silently in return, resting his forehead against her fingers; wrapping his own around them. He looked so content, so grateful. . . "Act too worried. . . ?" he repeated soundlessly, locks of silken hair spilling over his shoulders and falling around them in moist curtains. "Don't be stupid." The reprimand was pressed into her skin, words flowing from his mouth in an almost sultry whisper. Eyes fluttering to a half lidded state, he reached across the expanse of drooping blossoms and cupped the girl's cheek- propping himself up so that they could rest their foreheads together.
Within an instant Rosette's whole body was a heated shade of maroon. "C. . .Ch. . . ?"
"Shh," he breathed, allowing his thumb to dance tenderly across her mouth. The girl was unable to quell a shiver at the sensation- despite the fact that her mind screamed: WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING? "I told you, don't be stupid," he chuckled kindly, all traces of 'frighten child' having disappeared without a trace. He really was bipolar, in this form. "I don't care what you or anyone else says. Of course I'm going to worry about you, Rosette. Sometimes all I do is worry. . . worry about your welfare, your future, your. . . well, your everything. And no matter what you say I'm always going to worry because. . ." -he leaned closer, their noses brushing- "because. . ." –he caught and correctly interpreted the meaning behind her wide eyes and smiled slightly, shifting his face half an inch so that his lips would fall against her cheekbone- "because I love you."
X
Rosette was beginning to wonder how much more her poor heart could take. Panting laboriously as she lowered the novel in her hands, she stared down her nose at the chuckling Chrono- who was now clutching a horribly lumped noggin with a patient sort of smile on his face.
"I'm sorry," he apologized after a moment of laughter, still as perky as ever, "I guess I went a little too far? I should have known you'd have preferred more warning before I kissed you."
The nun- face white, fingers quivering, tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes- lifted the book a bit higher, preparing to strike again. "Ch-ro-nooooo. . . !" she ground out, her ears a flaming shade of fusha, "The joke is over! Do you hear me? OVER! And I don't EVER want to hear lies like that coming from you again, GOT IT?" Her whole body shook with the force of her words- fury only intensifying at the devil's nonchalant air. How DARE he treat her this way. . . !
"But Rosette," he cocked his head, reaching towards her unsteady fists and placing a firm hand upon the book, keeping it at an arm's length away, "it would be a lie to take it back."
". . ." Her arms fell weakly to her sides, too confused to argue. 'This is what people should be trained for,' she thought bitterly, staring into the child's beaming face. 'Not ridding broom cupboards of poltergeists.'
After a drawn out silence, Chrono exhaled softly- making both his and her bangs rustle. "Look," he then soothed, offering her a very gentle, understanding expression, "I know this is sudden. Why don't you let this sink in, and I'll talk to you again tomorrow, okay?"
She nodded mutely, her throat as dry as a desert.
A grin tugged on his mouth. "Excellent." Standing in one fluid movement, he turned the girl's head with his palm. Then, leaning foreword, he whispered into her ear: ". . . I'm going to kiss you, now. All right?"
She froze, calling forth his airy chortle again. "Don't worry," he teased kindly, brushing his fingertips masterfully under her chin, savoring her ticklish squirm. "Only on the cheek."
Which he did- just as he announced he would: lingering, promising, loving and warm- but only on her cheek. Rosette felt her heart flutter, pulse quickening as an unfamiliar bout of suppressed joy flooded her senses. This was. . . was. . . indescribable. She found herself trying to memorize the feel of his feather-light touch, unable to use words to give the sensation justice. But it did seem that her stomach had twisting into knots. She clutched it involuntarily, a bit woozy. . . . Desperate for the phenomenon to continue.
Then. . . just as suddenly as it had begun-
"Heh."
It was over. The nun shivered back to complete alertness at the sound of the boy's serene voice- playful and tender and sincere. "Thank you for listening to me, Rosette. I'll go, now. . . sweet dreams."
"H- wha- ?" she stumbled, straightening in bed. His sudden desire to leave surprised her, making her falter and toyed with her mind. 'Wait a minute- That's it?' Now he left? How was she to respond to that?
. . . She should have read more romance novels while growing up. Oh well. Too late now. . ."Uh. . . Y-y-yeah. . ." she decided on, giggling shakily. "Er. . . 'night, Chrono."
He smiled. And with that, Chrono was gone- leaving the girl alone with her book and the scattered columbine that concealing her quilt.
At least, for a few minutes. Until she heard the noise.
X
"A-hem."
If it were possible to jump a mile, Rosette would have done so. But because that was physically unachievable she did the next best thing: gave a nasty jolt and whipped towards the window, fingers clenching her blanket and a few flower stalks. "Wh-? Chrono!"
And it was. Sitting in the gloom by the glass; perched gracefully on the stone ledge. His eyes flashed in the starlight, muscular form an amazing assortment of clashed shadows and glaring highlights in the darkness.
"I was beginning to think he'd never leave. . ." he rumbled, sounding aggravated. But his gaze softened upon noticing Rosette's stunned appearance, a snort of amusement escaping him. "My apologizes," he grinned, the amber gems lining his cheekbone flashing. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"Well, what did you think you were going to do- hiding in the corner like you are?" the sister snapped, glad that her heart was finally beating properly again. (It was probably the first time in a day, now that she thought about it.) "Geez! You almost gave me a heart attack and- wait. Wait a second- how did you get there, anyway?" She glared, suspicious. He sniggered.
"That's my secret," he whispered, winking. Pushing gracefully to his feet, he glided towards her- sticking out his tongue mischievously. "And you'll never be able to force it out of me."
She tried to laugh but found she was simply too tired from the excitement of the past 12 hours. So instead she simply smiled, watching him warily as he seated himself in the bedside chair, crossing his arms and lacing his fingers together regally.
They sat there like that for what seemed forever, the Sinner's beam slowly fading away. ". . . Rosette?" he eventually breathed, a glimmer of concern marring his hansom features. "Rosette, are you feeling all right? You aren't looking well at all- your cheeks are flushed and your face is all sweaty. Your hands are shaking, too!" His huge, warm palms covered her entire fist in a fluid movement, forcing her to lock gazes with the worried demon before her. "Do you need anything? Anything at all? I'll get you water, if you want, or cider or milk. Perhaps some dry toast or broth? I've heard they both help a sick patient."
The exorcist jerkily shook her head no, forcing an appreciative grin to mutate her mouth. "No. I- I'm really fine, Chrono. Just a little tired and. . . well, still in a bit of shock, to tell you the truth. But I'll be better in the morning, I'm sure. . ." Sinking weakly into the pile of pillows behind her head, Rosette released a pent up groan. "I just wish I was sleepy. My body feels so heavy, but my head won't shut up and let me sleep!" She let out a bark of frustrated laughter. "Stupid, huh?"
Chrono smiled understandingly, leaning comfortably back into his chair. "Would you like me to help?"
". . ." Rosette frowned slightly, shooting him a cautious glare- as if nervous that he'd try to kiss her, too. (Call her a hypocrite, but despite how much she'd secretly enjoyed the first kiss, it wasn't something she wanted happening to her on a regular basis without her consent.) He 'humphed,' sounding offended.
"Don't look at me like that- I'm not as lecherous as that damned child."
The girl relaxed a bit, but not before muttering under her breath, "I wouldn't call him lecherous. . ." Though why in God's name she was allowing herself to defend him, she wasn't sure. (Well, okay, she was, but even after that she still. . . still didn't want. . . oh, forget it!)
Big Chrono tilted his head slightly, mildly intrigued (and disgruntled) by her sudden rush to 'the brat's' defense, but brushed it off. "What I was going to say," he continued, returning to sounding good natured and warm; his normally sonorous voice low and affectionate- filling the room with an unusual sort of calm, "was that I could tell you a story." He chuckled, delighted by her surprise. "I still remember your favorites, you know."
"Huh. . . ? Chrono," Rosette's began, unable to mask her puzzlement, "you haven't told me stories since I was 12! Why're you. . . ?"
His expression fell instantly. "Oh. . . oh, I see. I'm sorry. . ." he muttered, sounding dejected, "don't you want me to-?"
"No! It's not that, it's just. . . uh. . . well. . ." What was it? In her heart she knew that she had missed the endless supply of bedtime myths, legends, and fables that had kept her childhood wrapped in an endless gauze of mystery. But at the same time, his sudden desire to- well- coddle her, was a little. . .
Insulting.
Still. . . by the same token. . .
Rosette pursed her lips, nibbling the end of her tongue. She hadn't really enjoyed a good tale for over four years. And his growing smile was so inviting. . .
"Um. . . okay," she heard herself agreeing quietly before she could stop the words from coming. "Maybe. . . just one."
His grin widened, expression softening- whole body gleaming in the wine-colored glow of the night. "Very well. There was once, in a past so ancient that only the sea knows the full story, a young woman who was in love with a young man. But though their hearts were as close as flower petals, their lives were as different as the sun and the moon. For she was a fairy, the Guardian of Wind, and he was a mortal, low even in the eyes of other humans. . ."
So the familiar story of Windy Girl began, the favorite of her youth. Every inflection, every gesture, every voice, and every word the same as she remembered. The characters were just as beautiful, the flow of action just as seamless, the ending just as tearful. How did he remember all of her favorite lines, which words she wanted emphasized and which expression tugged the hardest on her heartstrings? How? She must have told him once, but. . .
. . .Oh- Did it really matter?
Nah.
She'd savor every moment of it of it, anyway.
. . . Yet something was plaguing her, deep in the dark recesses of her fogging mind. Oh, it was getting harder to think. . . her eyelids were growing heavy.
". . . they embraced for the last time in the sunset, his final breath leaving in a rush like the breeze she controlled. In that moment, her heart broke- shattering every memory, every hope, and every fear she'd ever possessed. Unable to die because of what she was, unable to join her soul mate even in the after life, she sealed herself away in Time- stuck forever between angels and devils, good and evil, past and future. But still, those who know how to listen can hear her song. . . every time the wind blows through, searching for her lost love."
He finished with a wave of his hand, tawny pools slowly focusing as the familiar catharsis that followed his storytelling over took them both. It was then that he noticed his adorable Contractor- a soft, pleased chortle reverberating through the room upon noticing her struggle to stay awake, wanting to hear the end of the story. It was like she was 12 again.
"That's it, ri-ri-riiiiiight?" Rosette yawned widely, gaze out of focus and brain gradually shutting down. The Sinner nodded, shifting subtly in his chair. "Mmmm. . . that ending. . . always makes me sad. . ." Her voice became softer, nothing more than a breathy whisper. "I've always. . . .believed that love conquers all."
"There are many who do. I find that admirable," the demon praised, speaking in muted tones. "But I also find it hard to allow myself to believe that."
"That's horrible. . ."
"I know."
Rosette yawned once more, rolling over so that she could face Chrono and cuddle into her blankets at the same time; the pretty mental pictures and the melodious tones of the demon having lulled her into a relaxed trance. Perhaps that was why her lips had become so loose.
"Chrono. . . I was wondering. . . Chrono said that. . . he loved me." She swallowed, lashes fluttering shut. "And I. . . I wanted to know. . .
. . . Do you. . . love me, too?"
The stillness that followed her question was a thick one- full of tension and astonishment. But then a calming laugh resonated through the darkness, an adoring hand brushing stray golden strands from her resting face.
"Of course I do, Rosette," he whispered. "I love you very much. You're like a daughter to me."
And in the haze that was her sleepy mind, the answer made perfect sense.
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Geez, that was a long chapter! (5, 972 words, to be precise. XD) (Which means the editing process was a pain and I probably missed a lot. GOMEN NE!) So I think I should be forgiven for taking a while to update, don't you? (;
Ooo, next chapter should be fun, too. . .
PREVIEW: Chrono has a heart to heart with himself, marching orders bring mass chaos to Magdalene Order, and Sister Kate pulls a Rosette!
Until then, ja ne! And please review! XD
PS. The "story" Windy Girl was inspired by the Chrono Crusade song by the same title. Just thought I'd letcha know!
