Video | BACKDATED to early the 11th

[soul_sister]

[It's early Wednesday morning when a new video message turns up on the network. The nun seems to have none of her usual energy and the bags under her eyes are fairly pronounced. Flynn and Fluffy have likely put up with her pacing almost incessantly since dinner time last night, and even now she fidgets in her seat, fingers playing with an ornamental looking watch hanging at her neck.]

Has anyone seen Chrono? Short, grumpy, purple hair. He's usually with me.

... He might have been in some kind of fight, so I'll take anything. Or anyone to help me look.

Comments

[soul_sister]

He can't... we have a promise.

[senseandcecilbility]

A promise?

[Oh my. Is that one of those promises?]

[soul_sister]

A few of them, and none of them he's allowed to break that easily.

[She takes a deep breath, to steady herself. It's harder out here, in this bleak, merciless devastation. Anyone who did such a thing to people, people just living, was unforgivable on levels she couldn't even compute.

It made everything seem less possible than it was yesterday morning. But, as she loosens her grip on the angel's hand-not enough to let go- it's not exactly like she's alone either. The people who've stepped up to help... have surprised her.]

We're looking for my brother. [It was the simplest, easiest of the promises to explain to someone else, and the most understandable.] So, if I have to look for Chrono first, that's what I'm going to do.

You say he's not here, but, maybe he's hidden in different ways.

I'm not a sort of person who can just stop.

[senseandcecilbility]

[ He walks by her side, allowing himself to be the protective presence he is supposed to be. A brother, is it? He wonders if that is the reason behind her pact with the unholy creature. Why is it always the good people who suffer the most?

Not stopping...can lead to a terrible amount of trouble, sister.

[Look at what happened to him. Look at what happened to Solomon.]

[soul_sister]

I know.

But I'll deal with that too, when it comes.

[senseandcecilbility]

...

[This is the worst plan, sister.]

[soul_sister]

[She can't help a little bit of guilty relief when the landscape turns to the far more lived in shanties and shacks.]

It'll be fine...

And if not, there's no point in worrying about it yet. You can't live life that way.

[senseandcecilbility]

[What does she mean, you can't live life that way. He does nothing but worry.]

I-I will be nearby if you change your mind.

[Even if he is quite sure she won't.]

[soul_sister]

[She blinks and looks up at him.]

On which? [Because if you mean this search, it'll be a cold day in hell.]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Well, this is an awkward conversation to have in the wastelands.]

About...your feelings for Mister Chrono.

[soul_sister]

That's not exactly something you can just turn off. Even if I could, I wouldn't want to.

I'm all he has, too.

[senseandcecilbility]

All he has...

[Another reference to Chrono's problems with his peers. A part of him wishes to inquire further, but he is too polite to.]

Humans and demons have bonded before. It always ends...quite badly.

[After a long pause.]

...I am also quite aware that nothing I say will change your mind, because you love him so. However, I still wished you to know that...no human is beyond salvation, until the very end.

[But if you die without ever repenting for your sins then you are very much doomed..]

1/2

[soul_sister]

[SHE BENDS BACK HIS HAND, HUFFING LOUDLY. It isn't enough to do damage or even hurt much, but the DISPLEASURE IS THERE. IN HIS TENDONS.]

STOP MAKING THINGS UP!

[soul_sister]

[She lets up almost immediately.]

I'm not going to stop doing what I think is right just because someone tells me to. Even an angel.




...

Anyway, what about demons. You say humans can...

1/2

[senseandcecilbility]

...

[Not for the first time, Kevin wonders if Sister Rosette is not a little too violent for a nun.]

[senseandcecilbility]

[The question, however, is not unexpected. Still, she should be concerned about herself.

Naturally, Kevin knows she will not.]

Demons are...demons. They made their choice and picked their side...a long time ago.

[And, as far as Kevin is concerned, demons are the worst decision makers in the whole universe.]

[soul_sister]

[She falls silent at that, walking along side him with a troubled expression.

There are questions she's had, questions that were planted in childhood. About fairness, about the point of some things.... She's just, unsure, now that she has a chance, how to even begin.]

[senseandcecilbility]

[It is very likely that Kevin would not be able to answer most of those questions. Nothing has been the same since Solomon, and now he has questions of his own. As an Angel of the Presence, he never understood how humans could rely solely on faith without knowing for certain that God would be there for them. And now that he must do the same, he cannot help but realize how strong they are.]

...Why have you taken your vows, sister?

[soul_sister]

At the time that I took them, I really didn't understand them. [She grins, a little lopsidedly.] I was twelve.

[She has to stop and think, honestly. She'd never questioned that aspect of her life... and even now, sees no reason to.] They'd still help us, even if I left.

But... Miracles aren't just the flashy things, like healing hands or a divine song. Sometimes, they're as small and as big as someone noticing you and helping right when you have no other way. I've seen a lot of miracles.

[She shakes her head.] I may not be good at reports or Latin or a lot of that stupid stuff. But I think what the Order is doing is right, and for the right reasons.

[senseandcecilbility]

Ah, I believe you are right. About the small and big miracles, I mean.

[As the angel ruling over the element earth, Uriel had always preferred the quiet and nurturing miracles, like watching young master research all the herbs in the manor's garden. The other three Angels of the Presence have always been much flashier. Especially Michael. All shining swords and loud laughter and--

He raises his hand to his left shoulder, that missing part of him still as disturbing as ever.

What is...the Order doing?

[soul_sister]

We protect people. We fight demons that are killing or harming humans and spirits who do the same, help resolve possessions. We're the only militarized order for that reason.

Our patron saint, Mary Magdalene, had visions about the future. The jist of them is we're trying to prevent a larger conflict. They're pretty well guarded. I've tried to look a lot of times.

[senseandcecilbility]

[No wonder your Mister Chrono has such a bad reputation among his own kind. Not even Dantallion has gone that far.]

We have something similar. In this place, actually. [He gestures at the destruction surrounding them.] It is called the Hand of God.

[And Uriel happens to control them. Extremely well-trained exorcists. Unquestionably faithful to their patron angel.]

Why did you join...your Order. Was it because you already had a pact with a demon?

[soul_sister]

[He'd been killing demons way before Rosette met him, can't pin that on her.

She nods, but smiles.]

If it wasn't for them, I'd have probably managed to get myself killed by now. They taught me how to fight, gave me a real academic education, help me look for my brother...

I owe them a lot.

[senseandcecilbility]

[It sounds like the story of most members of the Hands of God, and yet they have been assigned to extremely dangerous missions, missions that might have cost their lives. Kevin cannot help but feel a pang of guilt.]

Regardless of how much you believe you own them, I am quite sure they are extremely thankful for your support.

1/2

[soul_sister]

[It's one of those moments, where you remember the resounding debt that can only come from accidental destruction of national monuments. Buildings collapsed, cars crumpled.

NONE OF WHICH WERE HER FAULT, but.... BUT!!!]

... Right.