CHAPTER 3 PART 2
-*-8-*-8-*-
It was on the way to gym, ignoring Lavi's lamenting over being stuck in a small room with Kanda for a long class of watching health videos, that Ellen decided to bring up their lunch topic again.
How you qualify for the school, not how incompetent Komui was, of course.
"So," Ellen began, waiting for the attention from her two companions, "How does a student qualify to go here?"
Lenalee and Lavi exchanged a glance- rather Lenalee gave Lavi a meaningful look that Ellen freely interpreted as 'take this seriously or else.'
"Most of the students are here to get away from the supernatural, really." Lenalee began, giving Ellen a smile, "All of the students, and the teachers, know of and believe in the supernatural."
"But what do they consider to be supernatural?" Ellen enquired; sure there was an obvious definition, but it was one that obviously did not include certain elements that were commonplace for Black Order exorcists.
She had asked Cross before about it, but he didn't say much. The most she got out of him was that the Black Order kept a lid on the existence of odd killing machines; which explained why no one hired him specifically to take out akuma. But it didn't explain why they also called him for general exorcisms, and he hadn't received specific assignments to hunt akuma. If you could call it hunting akuma when the machines tended to do the hunting.
Exchanging a surprised look with Lenalee, Lavi chose to answer this one.
"Those affiliated with the Black Order know of the 'akuma'," Lavi used air quotes for that one, "and of innocence." He motioned to his thigh holster. Leaning around Lenalee, Ellen followed the motion to see a rounded hammer sitting in a specially made holster.
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she held them back knowing that asking what his innocence was would lead to Lenalee sharing hers and then asking Ellen about her own. Really she never wanted them to see it, but keeping it to herself was all together impossible now that she was officially on the Order's roster.
As this went through her head Lavi continued, "All of the exorcists are part of the Black Order, of course, but not all the students are finders."
"Finders?" Ellen questioned, skirting around a group that was hanging around the lockers in one of the main hallways.
"Some of the students help the Order as 'finders', taking requests for work and investigating incidents to see if it is work for one of our exorcists, or a job for a regular exorcist."
"Regular exorcist?"
"The Vatican works with priests, actual priests, who are specialists in using holy methods from the bible to cleanse and free spirits, as well as banish demons." Lavi explained as they turned into the gym hallway.
"Though it isn't hard to tell the difference between a regular exorcist job and a job involving akuma, sometimes we do regular jobs to, just to represent the Vatican." Lenalee added
"What would you do for a regular job? Do you actually know how to do a bible based exorcism?" Ellen asked, fascinated despite herself with the idea that there may be more methods she didn't know that she could learn.
"Methods change depending on who is assigned the mission and what they prefer to do. With a catholic church for instance I would do a simple prayer, while Lavi may incorporate a more extensive ritual." Lenalee explained, then realization hit and she turned and pointed at Ellen, "Like that one the other day, when we met!"
"Oh, so you know about it too…" Ellen trailed off sheepishly.
"Yes, when brother heard the report from Kanda and spoke to the client he put it together." Then seeing her dejected face Lenalee added, assuring, "No one else knows about it, not even Cross."
Smiling grimly Ellen threw her thoughts around looking for something else to talk about; once again she was saved by the obligation of class.
"Anyway, the locker rooms are this way, we really should get changed," Lenalee said as she pointed up a hallway, stopping for only a moment to grab Ellen by the elbow. "We will see you later Lavi."
"Traitor, leaving me to Kanda." Lavi grumped, playfully glaring at Lenalee.
The other girls response was to act just as childishly, sticking out her tongue.
"Um, good luck in health?" Ellen offered politely as the pigtailed girl began to pull her away.
"Thanks Ellen, see you after class!" Lavi grinned, his spirits lifted once again.
Walking along Ellen found she can appreciate the easy friendliness that Lavi offered. Lenalee too, the taller girl was very enthusiastic about making friends with her.
Glancing down at her left hand in Lenalee's, the once-loner considered that though it may not last that long, at least she had their friendship right now to ease her into this school thing.
Though it was kind of boring sitting on the bleachers and watching the girl's volleyball game, Ellen greatly preferred that to having to wear the girl's gym uniform. When she had showed up to gym unchanged, the instructor, a rather fit medium age woman who dressed like a tennis player, had assumed Ellen was the new student. So when she handed her a gym outfit and told her to change quick or fail for the day, Ellen had to stop herself from snapping at the woman. It had been a long day and she didn't need to make it any longer by disrespecting a teacher. Instead she had pulled her most polite smile and explained that Principal Komui should have informed her that Ellen had a uniform exception and thus without a complete gym uniform there was no way she could participate.
Luckily that had been enough, because Lenalee had looked ready to come over and use her 'brother' card to pull some strings. Ellen must have been losing her touch if her disquiet had been obvious from across the gym. Though she wouldn't lie, the red head was glad to have this class with Lenalee. Seeing the girls P.E. uniform had made her wish she could take this class off her schedule entirely. If it wasn't for the pig tailed girl, Ellen might have even turned right around and tried to brow-beat Komui into changing it then and there. But one sweet, coaxing smile from her new friend and Ellen felt guilty even thinking of switching out.
Sighing the red head let her gaze settle on the pig tailed girl in question, who had actually pulled her hair back into a ponytail for class. It was a much more mature look for the other girl.
Apparently Ellen wasn't the only one whose gaze was wandering over the room; she felt a few pairs of eyes on herself and couldn't help self-consciously adjusting her appearance.
She should have pulled her hair up this morning. Or just brought a hat, screw uniform codes. Vainly she tried to tuck the too noticeable hair out of sight, forgoing the months of attempts she already had at this task.
Thankfully the gym class passed quickly but when the teacher dismissed them to the locker rooms, the taller girl joined her up on the bleachers instead, saying they were waiting there for a bit.
"What are we waiting for?" Ellen asked as Lenalee settled beside her, fixing her ponytail.
"Now is the afternoon class that I mentioned when you got in trouble this morning; it is a mandatory class for any exorcist."
"And what does the class consist of?" Ellen asked warily as the bell rang and students in black jackets began to trickle in.
"This is our training; we have physical training and a classroom portion, they have a 1, 2 schedule like your other classes. On day one we have physical training, day two is a lecture."
"Oh." Frowning Ellen looked over the students as they filed in, half dropping their things and chatting with friends, others coming in with their gym outfits and beginning to stretch.
Yes she had an exorcist uniform, but was she supposed to be training with them? What about keeping her out of sight? Or was her level of experience with her innocence assumed since Cross was her Master?
Someone called out to Lenalee and both girls looked over to see two older boys coming up the bleachers to them. The older of the two looked like he could have graduated college already, and was in a jacket resembling the official one Lenalee had worn the other day. His companion was a younger man, probably around Ellen's age, with a hat that reminded her of a jester, and purple eyeliner drawn down his cheek is a dramatic flair.
"Hey Lenalee, who is this?" the younger of the two asked animatedly, jumping up the bleachers.
"This is Ellen, she just started classes today." Lenalee introduced, "Ellen this is Marie, and Daisya, they train under general Tiedoll."
The exorcists train under a specific general? Is that why she needed Cross' reference to get in?
"The new exorcist?" the older guy asked, a hand rising to the headphones he was wearing. Looking up as the older boy towered over her, Ellen wondered why he was squinting, it wasn't like the room was bright.
Before she could contemplate it further, the younger of the two leaned into her line of sight; looking her up and down slowly, eyes lingered on her gloves, hair, and finally the left side of her face, "Have you fought akuma before?" he asked eager for an answer, motioning to the scar on her cheek.
"Um, yes I have?" it was more a question but the guy, Daisya that was what Lenalee called him, doesn't notice the hesitance in the statement.
Ellen was becoming more confused about what story she should be going with. What was the cover story Komui and Cross put together? More importantly, how many people knew it? They hadn't bothered to tell her and now it was going to make everything that much harder for her.
"So that is from a fight?" the boy continued, apparently having no qualms about invading her personal space, intently studying the angry red line that zig zagged through the pale skin of her cheek.
"Yes." The word was said a bit sharp, but it was either that or shoving the guy away before he satisfied his curiosity and moved Ellen's bangs aside to see more.
"Okay, okay, just curious." The guy waved his hands as he took a giant step back, almost tripping back onto the bench if it wasn't for his companions quick reflexes.
"Thanks Marie, glad you saw that!" the boy said jovially, slapping the taller boy on the arm.
There is an almost inaudible sigh from Lenalee as she shook her head, and Ellen realized she just missed something underlying that exchange but had no idea what it could be.
"It is nice to meet you Ellen," Marie said, nodding in her direction.
Ellen muttered a response before the older boy continued, "When do you start missions? Do you have time to train before hand?" he asked, sounding a bit concerned.
Missions? She didn't even know if she was supposed to be going on missions. It wouldn't exactly keep her involvement inconspicuous if she started going on missions with other long-time exorcists; it would be only too easy for them to figure out how skilled she actually was. What could she do on missions without her innocence anyway; Cross was adamant that she use her innocence as little as possible, so was she just going to be back up? Or was the time for hiding really over and she would be expected to fight as much as those with equipment type innocence?
At her introspective silence Lenalee jumped in to give a believable answer; "Brother wants to give her a bit of time to settle in, see how much control she has and how she can protect herself before he starts giving her missions."
Nodding and seemingly accepting this explanation, the older man began to try and convince his companion to go warm up, but didn't have to try too hard once his eyeliner wearing friend saw something interesting below.
"Yu! Yu, practice with me today!" Daisya exclaimed, hopping down the benches waving eagerly at the now growling samurai wanna-be.
"See you down there Lenalee." Marie said amiably before heading down the steps in a dignified fashion compared to his companions' antics.
"Lenalee," Ellen gained the other girls' attention as the older exorcist left, "I may need help finding my way to the main office before my detention." Ellen stated jadedly,
"Why do you need to go there? Is there something wrong with your schedule?" Lenalee asked, openly concerned, "Do you not like your classes?"
"Oh no, it's not that," Ellen hurriedly assured her, waving her hands before her, "I just need to speak to Komui about my training." She said simply.
Lenalee pursed her lips as if she wants to ask more, but finally settled with, "I have to train, but it's pretty easy to find from here, since it's the only room in the hallway leading to the other wing of the school."
"Um, I do get lost pretty easily," Ellen said, eyes down in embarrassment, tugging at the edge of her skirt to keep her hands occupied.
"Have you realized that you've been doing that all day?" the familiar voice heralded the approach of the other red head of the exorcists, and both girls cast a quizzical look in his direction.
"What are you talking about Lavi?" Lenalee asked as Lavi climbed the bleachers to reach them.
"Well every time I've looked her way, Ellen has been pulling her skirt down," Looking her up and down a shrewd smile crossed Lavi's face, "Ellen, could it be you've never worn a skirt this short before?" Lavi asked
"Where do you get that from?" Ellen demanded, flustered, cheeks reddening.
"Well, from lots of things, like how you seem not to know how revealing such a short skirt can be at times." Lavi hinted with a pointed look at Ellen's current position.
"Lavi!" Lenalee admonished, scandalized for the younger girl.
Really, what was wrong with how she was sitting? She had her feet braced on the bench below her, but her knees were together and her skirt was smoothed down; what was Lavi talking about?
Seeing her confusion Lavi snickered, but gladly explained, "You are sitting at the edge of your seat at the end of the bleachers Ellen; any guy walking around below can look up and see right under-"
"Lavi, really!" Lenalee really was taking this too close to heart, jumping in like Lavi was about to swear or something.
"Lenalee, its fine," the red haired girl assured her companion feverishly, hurriedly scooting back to sit on the bench properly, tucking her legs close to her, "really it's fine."
The crease in the dark haired girls forehead didn't smooth out, and was definitely not helped by Lavi finally giving in and chuckling.
"It's not funny Lavi." Lenalee's irritation was highly evident in her voice.
"He's not the only one who would laugh at this," Ellen muttered, her mind going to another red head, and his annoyingly immature attitude.
Seemingly giving up the argument with a sigh, Lenalee pointed out to Lavi that he should probably go get ready, since he hasn't even changed into his gym clothes.
Before Ellen could try to find what signaled that the session would begin soon, Lenalee was standing, waving someone down and motioning them to come over.
"Krory, Professor Krory over here!" Lenalee called, waving down a tall, older man who has just entered the room.
He had to have been a teacher; he was also wearing black, but rather than a school uniform jacket, it resembled the jacket Ellen saw Lenalee wearing the other day, with the rose cross and decorated buttons and embellishments. Oddly, the older man had a wide streak of white hair down the middle of his dark locks, and Ellen thought it rather suited him. Added to a slight 'Dracula' look the taller man had with his flowing coat and rather sharp features.
"Lavi, shouldn't you be changed already?" the older man asked as he walks up the bleacher.
"I'll get right to that Krory-kins." Lavi saluted before running off, laughing as Krory called after him,
"Don't call me that I'm your teacher!"
After calling out the older man turned his attention back to Ellen, his frown turning up into a polite smile.
"You must be Ellen Walker, it is nice to meet you." The older man said, holding out his left hand.
"She is." Lenalee confirmed before performing introductions, "Ellen this is Alestor Krory the third, but we call him Professor Krory, or just Krory." Lenalee explained as the teachers dark eyes glittered with intrigue.
"Nice to meet you too," Ellen responded politely, hesitantly placing her left hand in his.
To both their surprise there was a jolt of energy and warmth, like a lightning bolt passing through the bloodstream and they jerked away from each other with twin exclamations of surprise.
"My goodness!" Krory shook out his hand, staring with wide eyes at the red haired teenager.
"Krory?" Lenalee asked, looking between the two shocked exorcists.
"If I'm not mistaken, your left arm holds your innocence, a parasitic innocence." Krory proclaimed, not bothering to hide his excitement as he reached out a hand again. "Can I see it?" he asked eagerly.
"Um," Ellen gripped her left hand in her right, holding it to her chest. She had reflexively pulled her arm close when that odd feeling had passed through her, and though it felt fine now, she had no desire to showcase her biggest oddity. Especially with Lenalee standing right there, curiously watching everything.
Seemingly understanding her hesitance Krory smiled kindly, lowering his hand.
"I'm sorry, you don't have to show me." He said softly, taking a step further up the bleachers and motioning to the seat beside her, "May I?"
Mumbling an affirmative Ellen shifted over slightly to give the teacher room.
Settling down Krory looked over the students, who seem to all have stretched out and were ready for class now.
"Lenalee, maybe you should go down and warm up a bit too." The teacher finally said after a long moment of forced silence, "And let them know that they can start their laps now, I'll be counting from up here."
"Okay," Lenalee raised a hand to Ellen's shoulder but paused the action, instead shooting her a reassuring smile before she made her way down the bleachers.
A tense silence descended with the absence of the dark haired girl. The red head tried not to fidget with her skirt, especially after Lavi's observations, but she couldn't help herself.
She had been doing so well today too, but now her anxiety was shooting through the roof at the thought of showing her arm. Sure she was used to it now, but she hadn't been around kids her own age in years; how was she supposed to know how they would react? She could guess, but Ellen had only known these students for a few hours and she doubted any guess would be accurate. And it wasn't that she was so desperate to keep their friendship, or maybe she was after being deprived of friendship for so long, but after so many years of not having to worry about her arm, it made her breathing quicken just imagining having to go through all this school time being hated and despised for her arm as she was when she was younger.
"So," the older man awkwardly began, waiting until he had Ellen's attention before he continued, "I know Komui said you were new, but you came with Cross so I was wondering if you have had any training yet?"
Ellen shrugged noncommittally, working on getting her breathing under control.
"Well since you are signed up for this class I assume you are going to be joining these training sessions or at least the lessons." The Dracula looking man said, looking to her for confirmation.
"Komui didn't mention training or lessons, but I guess I am, since this class is on my schedule." Ellen finally responded dourly. "Not that I even know what these lessons are." She added under her breath.
"It's really not that bad," The older man assured her, "Being physically fit is important to this job after all, and knowing how to use your innocence is imperative."
"But how do you all train with such different innocence?" Ellen asked, curious despite herself. The question had been itching at the back of her mind since she started looking over the other students with all their different accessories. Since all these students were exorcists, these must have been their innocence weapons.
She had noticed Lavi's holster earlier, and now she saw it clearer against his leg, with what seemed to be a small hammer in it. Another exorcist that looked too old to be a student had a brace of some kind on his right arm, his sleeves rolled up to expose it. But Lenalee was the only one with something slightly normal, or at least less noticeable; she had changed out of her gym sneakers into a pair of black flats that looked like the shoes she had been wearing all day. If her shoes were her weapon, Ellen wouldn't be surprised she kept them on her at all times.
The pony-tailed sour boy from earlier, Kanda, had that sword across his back still, even as he ran laps around the gym with effortless movements.
Speaking of the long haired jerk, he chose that moment to disturb their conversation.
"Hey Krory, are we going to train or not?" Kanda demanded, glowering from the bottom of the bleachers.
"Ah I have to go," Krory said, hurriedly getting to his feet. "Just hang around a bit to watch so you can get an idea of the type of training we do." Reaching the bottom of the bleachers he waved back at her, "And don't worry, you'll see Monday what the lessons are about."
"Okay, thank you Professor Krory." Ellen called back, using the title Lenalee had given him.
-*-8-*-
Settling back on the bleachers Ellen watched idly as Krory went through the students, pairing them up and telling them the rules; hand to hand, just blocking and hitting, no kicks or other tricks. After warming up gradually with that, the pairs were switched up and they were given permission to spar freely.
It was kind of amusing to watch Kanda get told off and given a foul for hitting his sparring mate, Daisya, too hard, as evident by the boy crouched over, groaning as he hugged his stomach. But, as the trainees broke up for the second half of their workout, Ellen began to consider whether or not to leave for the main office. She did want to speak to Komui before detention, but she also didn't want to get lost…
Her decision was made for her when a fireball of energy jumped up onto the steps in front of her.
"Hey Ellen, hey Ellen, what did you think of my technique?" Lavi asked eagerly
"It was just training." The red haired girl deadpaned. Really she hadn't been watching all that closely, but she didn't want to encourage the kid either.
"Ellen!" Lavi wailed, tugging at her sleeve like a child, "You were supposed to be watching!"
"Usagi get back here, or I will chop up that bandana of yours." Kanda threatened from across the room.
"Eep, gotta go!" Lavi jumped up and hurried across the room to his sparring partner. "I'll meet you at the front office Ellen!" He called back over his shoulder.
Waving an acknowledgement Ellen gathered up her things, figuring she might as well head over to the office now- especially with the possibility that she could get lost on the way.
Luckily it was easy to find the main office once Ellen reached the corridor Lenalee mentioned- it was where all the wailing was coming from.
Reluctantly approaching the office Ellen waited outside, digging through her schoolbooks and categorizing her homework as she waited for the noise to abate before entering.
Doing so she came across a book she didn't recognize, a small paperback. Immediately the image of the young man from the hallway came to mind and she felt the shadow of a blush on her cheeks. She still couldn't believe she walked away with his book like that. Ellen had forgotten all about it once she had stuffed the small book into her bag with all her school work. Flipping the cover the red head didn't see any inscription except for what could be initials, but figured that either way there couldn't be too many teachers that young. Maybe Miranda would know who she was talking about?
Venturing in Ellen cautiously approached the desk, as if approaching a wild animal; "Um, is Komui here?" Ellen asked tentatively, not sure if this was a good moment to bother this woman. Not that any moment was really.
"Y-y-yes, he's in his office." Miranda stuttered, blowing her nose.
"Okay, thank you." Ellen said and took a breath before she placed the book in her hand on the counter.
"Miranda, do you think you could help me with something?" the teenager asked, the distressed older woman.
"I can't help anyone!" Miranda moaned, tearing at her hair.
"It's really easy, and you're really the only one I know who can do this." Ellen hurriedly assured before the dark haired woman broke into another crying fit.
"I am?" the secretary asked despondently
"Yes, you are." The red head assured her, motioning her to come closer.
Sniffling Miranda lurched to the counter, clinging to it to keep herself standing straight.
"A teacher dropped this in the hallway but I don't know his name, and I thought you would know." Carefully Ellen turned the book to face Miranda, giving it a little push. "There are initials on the inner cover, so it should be easy enough to figure out."
"Yes, yes I can take care of this." Miranda said, clutching the book to her chest, staring at Ellen tearfully.
"You don't mind." Ellen asked hesitantly, not wanting to set the woman off again.
"Not at all, I can definitely take care of this!" she exclaimed
"Thank you so much Miranda, this helps a lot." The red head said with a big smile.
She was rightfully shocked when Miranda began crying.
"Oh Ellen is so nice, saying thank you to me when I haven't done anything yet."
"Um, it's okay Miranda?" Ellen awkwardly patted her hand in a comforting manner.
"Miranda really!" A sharp voice said in exasperation and both occupants of the office turned to see the head secretary standing in Komui's door, "all this noise is unnecessary and disruptive Miranda, stop it at once."
"Yes, of course, I'm sorry" the dark haired woman said, flustered as she scrambled back to her desk and began haphazardly sorting papers.
Deeming the situation taken care of the blond haired nazi strode to the other desk, starting on her own work without a word.
Looking back and forth for a moment, muddling her way through the sudden change in atmosphere, Ellen finally decided to just go ahead and pop into Komui's office now. His door was still open after all, and now it seemed he wasn't in any meetings.
Popping her head in the red head knocked twice on the door gently, "Komui, do you have a minute?" Ellen asked. He didn't answer, reading something on his desk, so Ellen continued, "Komui, I needed to speak to you about the training, and whatever cover story you and Cross made-"
"Ellen?" his eyes briefly rose to confirm his belief before returning to his work, "Oh good," Komui's distracted acknowledgement is almost as confusing as his next statement, and equally deterred her thoughts on why she dropped by in the first place "I wanted to talk to you before you left."
"What?" Surprised Ellen dropped her hand, halting her exaggerated tirade before it began. "What about?"
"Cross left a message with the secretary for you."
"Oh, I'll get it in a minute." Ellen brushed it off, "Komui-"
"Cross is going to be gone for a few days."
Again interrupted the teenager gave up on her need to know everything, and focused on the preoccupied scientist/principal before her.
"Gone? Gone where? And why did he tell you and not," Ellen paused, connecting a few of the dots,
"oh message at the desk, okay." Ellen muttered
"He had an assignment, it was sudden but it was part of the reason we wanted you to start classes today, that way you could be settled in and not sitting alone in your motel room."
"I'm fine alone Komui, but I get it." Ellen said, deciding to dwell on her guardians selective confidences later. "That's not why I came in here Komui." She said, moving further into the room to stand behind the chair set before his desk.
Laying down his papers Komui finally focused his full attention on the red head.
"What is it?" He asked carefully, apparently noticing her agitation.
"Well," Ellen dragged the word out, not quite knowing how to word things now that she was in front of the principal.
"Firstly what was the cover story you and Cross told the teachers and exorcists? He didn't mention it, of course, but now I don't know anything to collaborate the story when someone approaches me about it."
"Oh, thats easy," Komui waved her worries away carelessly, "basically we've been saying Cross just found you recently and dumped you on me to set up training."
"Wait, so now you're saying I haven't trained at all?" Ellen asked, a bit of her anxiety creeping into her voice, "But I already mentioned that I have been training." Her voice pitched just a bit higher, "How am I going to explain knowing how to use my innocence?"
"Say Cross made you do all the work while traveling here."
"He did that anyway, is that really believable enough? What about records, like school records or my birth records, do we have any plan there?"
"Cross is the one who has been figuring all this out for years Ellen," Komui said with a tired sigh, removing his glasses for a moment to rub his temples, "I just lent assistance whenever I could, through other faculty and my own means alike." Waving it away again he said, "Anyway, Timcampy recorded the introduction I made to the teachers, so if you really want to know you can watch the recording."
Not bothering to point out she didn't have access to Timcampy until Cross came back, Ellen drew the principals attention again, since it had begun to stray to his desk.
"What about training Komui, I'm not supposed to be using my innocence excessively, right?"
"Training isn't an excessive use."
"It is if I'm not going on missions."
Showing a seriousness that surprised her, Komui looked up finally, studying her over the half lenses of his glasses.
"Don't you want to be an exorcist?"
"What does that have to do with this?" Ellen fired back
"Do you want to be an exorcist?" was his calm reply.
"Not for the Black Order I don't." Ellen finally answerd, crossing her arms over her front.
Rather than glare at him, cause Komui didn't need her shortened temper turned on him (he probably had a long day too), she closed her eyes, forcing herself to take a breath.
"So, for whom?"
Ellen opened her eyes to meet Komui's curious gaze, a softer look on her face, "the living don't need help, they do." She said softly.
"They who?"
"You know who I mean." Ellen pointed out mildly,
"Yes, but why won't working with the Black Order help you to help them."
She hadn't thought of it that way. Her tense stance relaxed slightly.
"Why not learn how to use your innocence better so you can help more tortured souls?"
"But, Cross…" Ellen uncrossed her arms to fidget with the strap of her shoulder bag.
"He knows you are signed up for training Ellen, he can't expect for you to not have some missions."
"And Central?"
"Your name doesn't have to be on anything." Komui assured her.
Nervously fidgeting with her gloves Ellen couldn't help but wonder if this was the best option.
"Regardless, you are already taking jobs, aren't you?" Komui said pointedly, drawing her attention back to him as her mouth dropped in surprise.
"What, how do you…" Ellen stuttered, not able to get a complete question out.
"Cause you just confirmed it." Komui's smile was triumphant, and Ellen frowned. Continuing, he leaned his arms on the desk, studying her, "and we all know you shouldn't use your innocence too much, but there are other methods you can learn."
"I know other methods," she crossed her arms again, accompanied by a petulant frown this time.
"Well, as exact as a Portuguese exorcism is, it's not a swift process."
Ellen's frown deepened. "So girly boy told on me." She grumbled, kind of glad Komui was talking about actual exorcism methods, and not her methods. Maybe Cross kept his mouth shut for once. [PR1]
"It was in his report, yes." Komui confirmed, shuffling a few papers around his desk, "but regardless, you can use these other methods Ellen, and other much more effective methods like traditional Christian exorcisms. You don't have to rely on your innocence on Black Order missions."
"If you say so." Thoughts straying Ellen held back a sigh as she realized Komui went back to his work. It was amazing he was so motivated right now; Lenalee probably promised him something if he got his work done.
"I'll see you later Komui." Ellen dismissed herself, making her way out.
"Don't forget your message." Komui called after her.
She graced him with a half wave in answer before disappearing through the doorway.
-*-8-*-8-*-
As soon as Ellen crossed the threshold of Komui's office she was bowled over by a small yellow blur flying into her face.
"Timcampy!" the red haired girl's voice spoke volumes about how happy she was to see the little yellow ball floating in front of her face. Held afloat by a pair of gradual flapping wings, this was a golem that Cross had made, modified from one that Komui had given the older man years ago apparently. Ellen just knew it had been around long before she met Cross. Smiling Ellen made a grab for the little yellow terror as he propelled around her head, guided by his long tail that curled on the end.
"Timcampy where have you been?" the teenager asked, finally snatching the golem out of the air. Balanced on her palm the little thing bared its teeth in a wide grin; even with the only decoration being a silver cross on its front, Ellen always got the impression that Timcampy was looking at her. Either way he certainly had recording abilities, as he portrayed a second later. Opening his maw, Timcampy projected an image into the air beside her.
With various clicking noises between each image Timcampy cycled through a series of indiscernible pictures. Ellen's brow furrowed as she tried to follow the little golems train of thought.
"Looks like he had been exploring the town." Komuis voice so close made Ellen jump and she craned her head back to see the principal standing behind her, bent over to bring himself closer to the projection. Adjusting his glasses Komui hummed in thought, eyes darting back and forth as he followed the images.
"If he was just exploring, then why is he here? He should be with Cross." Ellen pointed out as the images begin to slow down. Now Ellen could make out bits of the hallway, and a glimpse of her guardians red hair before his voice echoed out from the recording.
"Stay here Tim, keep an eye on Ellen." The image bobbed, probably from Timcampy nodding in answer.
The images abruptly shut off and Tim beamed at Ellen.
"So you're here to stay with me?" Ellen asked the little golem, who bobbed up and down before circling her head and settling on her hair. "Does this mean you are the message Cross left for me?" she asked, and though she can feel Timcampy indicate the negative, Miranda agreed that this was the case. Shrugging it off, figuring Tim would let her know eventually if there was a recorded message, Ellen got to her feet with a hand from Komui.
Brushing off her skirt Ellen accepted her bag from Komui with a soft thank you.
"I don't know if Cross mentioned this before," the older man began, keeping a hand on the bag as he met her eyes, beret tilting to the side with his movements, "but Timcampy can connect with phones if you ask. So if you need anything, just ask Timcampy to call my office or my house and he'll connect you, ok?"
"Oh, thank you for the offer, I'll be fine though." Ellen assured the older man, who nodded with a sad turn of his lips, letting the bag slip from his fingers.
"All right Ellen, but know the offer is there." he said, his eyes shadowed, worried.
"Yes, thank you Komui." Ellen hurriedly made her exit before the older man went 'parental' on her. Really, she was just fine on her own.
As soon as the door closed behind her the scarred girl remembered that she was supposed to be meeting Lavi in the office so he could show her the way to detention.
Rather than going back in, feeling that would be awkward, Ellen decided to settle on the floor a bit further down the hallway. Sliding down until she was sitting cross legged on the floor she pulled out her homework as Tim began flying back and forth in front of her face.
"Really Tim, what are you doing?" Ellen asked exasperated after the golden golem flew into her face for the third time.
Hovering in front of her face Tim opened and closed his mouth, showing a quick image of Cross before nudging her nose.
"Tim, did you have a message for me from Cross?" Ellen asked, slightly confused.
Surprisingly Tim bobbed in his version of a nod and Cross' voice came out of the golems slightly opened maw.
"Don't be stupid."
The red head very nearly smacked her forehead in the universal gesture of 'are you kidding me'. She restrained herself though, since the recording was still going.
"You know the stakes, and they are even higher now that you are staying in one place."
She already paid the highest price (with Mana), how much more would she owe karma before she earned at least some good fortune?
"So keep your ego in check."
"My ego," she mocked. The words were sharp, as cutting as the gaze her guardian would have graced her with, but under it Ellen knew was the concern Cross Marian held for his charge. Otherwise, why would he bother to leave her a message at all?
"That means not being reckless girl, and whatever you do Ellen, don't use it, understand?"
Red hair fell to cover her face, fingers tugging at the sleeve of her jacket guiltily. It was kind of late for that. Even though she knew the consequences, she swore to do everything she could to help them. If that meant sacrificing her own health to give them a better fate than her fellow exorcists could, then she would gladly do it. She preferred her methods to using her innocence, and Cross knew it, having been the one to drill in to her just how bad it was for her health.
"Your innocence is already a wild card for the people at Central, don't give them another reason to come looking."
With each word the teenager was glad her guardian had left a message rather than waiting to say it face to face. She wasn't sure she could have kept the guilt from her expression as it was, trying to hold a stoic front for the astute General would have been a pointless gesture.
That wasn't all he had to say though.
"You don't have much time left, and none of it should be wasted on self-pity, so," as his words halted the red heads gaze snapped back to the golden golem floating before her. Cross always knew what he wanted to say, and if he even thought he sounded unsure he usually rerecorded any messages, so why not this one?
"Go to Komui with any problems, and do your homework."
Scoffing at the last part, Cross finally acting like a parent, Ellen patted Tim in thanks for passing on the message.
But what had Cross been going to say? He had obviously had something on his mind, but why not just say it?
"Hey Ellen, whatchu doing on the floor?" at the question her head shot up, looking quickly up and down the hall to spot Lavi. He seemed to be far enough away to not have heard the message, but she couldn't really be sure.
"Just homework." She hastened to say, snatching Tim out of the air with a quick movement. Lavi glanced her over skeptically as he came closer, but Ellen ignored the look in favor of burying Tim in her schoolbooks.
"You know, you really should get some shorts to wear under that skirt, especially if you're going to keep sitting in such indecent positions."
The teenage girl's response was in the form of a book hitting Lavi in the solar plexus. A heavy one.
Groaning Lavi stumbled back from the younger girl, "Ellen I'm only telling you the truth." He groaned
"The truth hurts, doesn't it?" She declared sweetly.
She had been wondering why it was so easy to drop her polite façade with Lavi, but after all the comments about her skirt she finally figured it out- he reminded her of her guardian.
Now that was an odd thought, comparing the 30 something year old man to this teenager. Suppressing a shudder Ellen's attention was taken by a hand being shoved in her face.
Confused the red haired girl looked up to see the eye-patch wearing boy holding out a hand.
"Well, we are going to be late for detention." Lavi pointed out as he stood before her.
"Oh, yah, right." Accepting his hand Ellen allowed the eccentric boy to pull her to her feet, the strap of her bag in her unoccupied hand.
A little bit down the hall Ellen was startled from her thoughts of Cross' message by Lavi stepping in front of her, forcing her to slow down or walk right into him.
"So how is it that you haven't worn a short skirt before?" Lavi asked, hands behind his head in a lazy manner as he walked backwards down the hallway.
It's only at that question that Ellen realized she had been tugging at her skirt. Again.
"Um, well," snatching her hands away from her skirt Ellen wondered, would it be best to just tell the truth and get the inquisitive kid off her back?
Maybe Lavi wouldn't push it yet, but he would keep trying until he found out, if Ellen knew his personality at all yet.
"Since it was just Cross and I traveling it brought fewer questions for me to dress as a guy." Ellen finally explained, pushing her way past Lavi in the hopes he would maybe miss part of her explanation, or at least not have to see his reaction.
"You dressed as a guy?" the sound of Lavi's footsteps picked up as he jogged to keep up with her fast steps, "How was that believable?" he asked congenially.
Surprised that he wasn't more shocked, or laughing, Ellen offered simply "Huge coats and baggy clothes mostly."
"But what did you call yourself?"
"Allen, since it is so close to my real name."
"Wait," Lavi hopped in front of her, hands out to halt her in her path, "you usually refer to yourself as Allen!" he practically shrieked, a shit-eating grin on his face that spoke plainly to how much joy this brought him, like Christmas in July. "Oh man, I am so using this." Lavi exclaimed, pumping a fist in the air.
"Using it how?" Ellen asked warily as she continued walking past the red head so they wouldn't be late to detention; what in the world was the red head planning.
"Why by calling you Allen of course?" Lavi answered, grinning widely.
Ellen stopped in her tracks, spinning around to glare at the taller boy. "Don't you dare." She breathed out with all the menace she could.
"But Allen is a good name." Lavi enthused, pulling his nonchalant pose again, hands behind his head as he sauntered down the corridor.
"For a guy." Ellen snapped, picking up speed to keep up with the other.
"It's decided;" he nodded in a self-satisfied manner, suddenly turning to point at the new girl, "your nickname will be Aly."
"Lavi," She began threateningly as a hand reached into her bag, looking for a suitable object for her infuriation
"Yes Aly?" Lavi asked sweetly.
His response was in the form of yet another inanimate object hitting him in the face. Ellen had rather good aim. "You are not calling me that!"
"Aly, that hurt!" Lavi whined, throwing his hands up when Ellen raised yet another object in a threatening gesture; this time bigger than the pen that had bounced off his forehead.
Ignoring his complaints Ellen continued ahead, until she was brought to a halt by a hand snagging her elbow.
"You are going to walk right by detention if you keep that up Aly." Lavi proclaimed, beginning to pull her back down the corridor.
"Stop calling me that." Ellen finally snapped, but was ignored as Lavi began chattering about how much fun they were going to have in detention.
The scarred girl really hoped that detention was silent; she didn't think she could take another half hour of this teenagers insistent chattering. And if he kept calling her that, he wasn't going to make it out of detention.
-*-8
Ellen cherished the quiet atmosphere of detention, once the teacher finally gained control of the students there.
Most of the period was spent passing a notebook back and forth between her and Lavi. Their conversation consisted mainly of the boy trying to guess facts about her, like her favorite color, but some of it was Ellen asking him answers for her homework, which she was actually attempting to do. Might as well, since she had so much to catch up on.
Surprisingly Lavi invited her to hang with him and Lenalee after detention.
'We're probably going to watch a movie or play a video game, wanna join?' Lavi wrote
'No thank you, I have a lot to catch up on.' She politely declined, glad to have an extra moment to answer when she first read the question; if he had asked her aloud she would have been too shocked to answer.
"But Ellen," Lavi began to whine as soon as he saw her note.
"No." the scarred girl shot him a hard glare, throwing a pointed look in the teacher's direction. She really didn't need another detention.
She wrote as much as well. Had to, because apparently it took the extra information for Lavi to get her point.
Unluckily detention ended only moments after that.
"Ellen you can't do homework on your first day of school, that's so boring." Lavi complained as he followed her out of the room.
"You do when you are far behind, and I am so I have to." Was her bland response.
"But Ellen!" Lavi whined, again.
"No."
Unfortunately, Lavi kept this up all the way to the front gate, even after Ellen closed the gate in his face and turned her back on him.
When his voice finally faded Ellen released a deep sigh, pulling Timcampy out of her pocket where she stashed him.
"Let's go back Timcampy, it's been a really long day." She said with a smile as she held him up to her face.
Grinning back Tim took to the air, circling her head twice before floating off down the street.
Good thing she had Tim to guide her back to the motel.
The wind rustled the leaves and a soft smile settled on the scarred girls face as she looked and breathed in the nature around her; branches waving, leaves rustling along the ground in the fading sunlight, the soft breeze. The smell of cold on the air, a hint of winter coming. Fall was such a nice season.
If only Mana was here to share it with her.