Author's Note: I really can't keep calling The Junior Deputy - The Junior Deputy. It sounds silly and I hate Ubisoft for not giving a name to one of the important characters. So I have seen people in other fanfictions using the name Rook/Rookie, so that is simply what I am going to go ahead and do. I want to keep things as close as possible to canon so I am having to settle with Rookie. Thanks a ton for giving this a shot! :D
Summary: The Junior Deputy had once sung in her local church when she was 19 years old. The memory was now distant and she could barely remember her voice after the tragic accident that had rendered her speechless. But someone hasn't forgotten. And he is going to do everything he can to make her sing again. Purely & simply Joseph/Female Deputy.
Rookie had not always hated going to the church. There was a time when she would skip happily to the white building, hand in hand with her parents and then later when she was older, with little excitement, but more compliance. She didn't like conflicts and the idea of having an argument simply because she wasn't as enthusiastic as her parents to be attending Sunday mass was absolutely ridiculous. She respected her parents' strong belief, but her own had begun to falter for a long time now. But it wasn't something that she was going to confess to anyone.
And here she was once again, standing in front of the familiar white building as the clouds overhead protected the arriving worshippers from the heat. Rookie watched the familiar faces pass by her - some smiling and some blank as always. No doubt, she was the youngest member here - many of her "friends" would not even be awake yet, but here she was appeasing her parents. But today was a special day for her and her parents and they were clearly extremely excited about it. She eyed the thin woman with greying hair approach her, a large smile on her crinkly, tanned face.
"Rookie!" She reached her hands towards her own and clutched them gently. "Oh, Rookie. Papa and I are so happy that you are singing today! The ability to sing is a gift from God!" Her mother swayed their arms a little and Rookie smiled genuinely at the childlike happiness in her mother's eyes. They were never difficult to please and anything related to the church would be like Christmas coming early.
"Yes indeed, Rookie." Her father appeared from behind her, wrapping a thin arm around her shoulders and drawing her in slightly. He smelled like Earth, the smell of fresh tomatoes with a hint of sweat. He must have risen early to finish off his duties at the farm so he would have ample time to prepare for the church. He had been fidgety the night before asking her repeatedly to deliver the song till he had felt content that it was perfect. Rookie doubted anything could be perfect.
The doors opened and people rushed in like travelers who had been starved for days. Their eagerness and love for God always made Rookie felt guilty. She felt like a cheat who only ever crossed that threshold to please her kin. And today she was going to sing, but would her insincerity reflect from her voice? The thought had always worried her for the last 15 years, but she still carried on. It would be over soon.
"Come on Rookie! Hurry on!" Her father exclaimed, clutching her sweaty palm in his and using his other hand to hold the giant door open. Her mother rushed in first and then she was being ushered in. The church as always was not too bright with only sunlight seeping in through the stained glass. Many times the sight was ethereal - something out of this world that would leave her questioning herself. But she was never allowed to question - only to believe. And belief was not something so easy to give.
Minutes later, she stood at the choir and when hushed silence fell upon the large congregation, she opened her mouth and let the words escape. They floated across space and she met the eyes of her parents. They were so happy. And for a second, she let herself believe that so was she.
Amazing Grace,
How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
And then the doors had opened and shots had been fired. The sublimity of the church faded as red blotches of blood splattered across the pews. On the marble floor, she saw the reflections of the horrified and pained faces as they fell with a dull thud. And upon those many faces, she saw the faces of her parents and a scream that she did not initiate had ripped from her throat. The darkness surrounded her before she had closed her eyes.
Author's Note: I apologize if something here seems amiss. I am not a Christian and I only know little about Sunday mass from what my Christian friends have told me. I have been using Google where the confusion arose, but if you find anything incorrect or strange, please let me know so I can change it. Once again, thanks so much for reading! :D