paixaorpg | Someone Save Me If You Will [Completed]

Entry tags:

Someone Save Me If You Will [Completed]

Characters: Rosette Christopher, whoever else wishes to join
Content: Rosette is dropped off after the experiments and is in a very bad way. Somebody please come save her?
Setting: Joutenheim Gate
Time: Afternoon
Warnings: None so far.

Rosette had only a vague awareness that she'd been moved. Everything else had been drowned out in the numbness that had taken hold of her body. Feeling the warm sun, a stark contrast to...to wherever it was she had been, on her skin, she finally managed to open her eyes a crack. Ground. She'd been dropped in the middle of the street.

She tried to reach out to the pairs of boots passing her by, to call for help, to do something to draw attention to her plight. It was no use - the words froze in her throat, and her body refused to respond to anything she tried to do.

So she lay there numb, trapped in a body to which she no longer had any connection and praying for somebody, anybody, to stop and help her.

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In time, someone would.

Kit had loitered near Joutenheim for a good portion of the day, toying with his journal, watching the people passing by, and wandering the area. Now, he found himself walking back towards the gate, moving with a purpose, albeit an uncertain one; there had been something of interest in the Force a short time ago, and it hadn't struck him as a something for the better. He hadn't had time to give it serious thought, before spotting the young woman limp on the ground. The Jedi hurried over, kneeling at her side, attempting to assess the situation with all speed and accuracy it called for.

"Miss? Miss, can you hear me?"

She could, but only just barely. Distinct sounds were barely audible over a dull hum that seemed to have taken up residence between her ears.

Rosette tried hard to move, redoubling her efforts now that it seemed somebody actually held some concern for her. Her eyes flickered upwards, trying to make sense of the blurred shape before her, and instead of the cry for help she wanted, she managed only a quiet whimper, nothing like her normal robust voice.

It wasn't much - in fact, it was hardly anything. She'd done everything she could - she needed help, and had almost no way to convey that to the person standing over her.

Everything else aside, it was a relief to know this unfortunate was aware, and aware of his presence. Kit leaned closer, doing his best to reassure. "Miss. I won't be leaving you. I'll help you, or find someone who can, and I won't be leaving you alone." That she needed help would have been obvious even if she'd been upright and moving with the crowd; the distress and upset could be felt distinctly, and strongly enough to undermine Kit's own frustration at the careless passers-by before him.

...Well. It seemed safe enough to move her, as there were no injuries which the motion would make worse.... The Jedi shook his head, gathering Rosette up as carefully as he could, and carrying her to the first bench he found. She would be set down, and he would do what he could to make her comfortable before sitting beside the bench and opening his journal. He'd found fellow Jedi on the message board; perhaps this poor girl had a friend out there.

If not, he'd have to find a way to the nearest hospital, wherever it was. The bench would do for the time being, but it was certainly no place for someone in such a sad state.

If Rosette could have cried, she would have done that. If she could have hugged her saviour, she would have done that too. In fact, nearly any expression of relief and gratitude would have been performed had any of them been open to her. As it was, nearly all avenues of expression were closed to her, and all she could do as she felt him lift her was somehow try not to be too heavy, and resolve to let him know her gratitude after she was better.

If she could even get better.

The thought sent a sudden wash of terror over her. She couldn't stay like this. She had to find Chrno, to get out of the city. She had to find her brother!

But for now, none of that was within reach. All she could do was wait, fight off her fear, and pray.

If they could've conversed, Rosette would have been told she was more than welcome---it was something anyone should've done, under the circumstances. (While Kit still harboured a certain resentment---more than he should've, he would admit---towards those who had turned a blind eye and kept walking, he was glad that he could help. The gratitude was a comfort, all other things considered.)

The fear, in sharp contrast, was alarming and unsettling; again, Kit would offer what comfort he could. He set the journal aside, shifting position to kneel and face his charge. "Rosette, things are getting better. I found your friend Chrno, over the message board, and he's coming to meet us as quickly as he can. He knows where we are, and he's coming." He smiled, giving her shoulder a pat. "He shouldn't be too long."

Rosette's eyes snapped open as she managed to pick Chrno's name from the haze of her saviour's speech. The mention of her partner had brought her much closer to awareness than she'd been in quite some time. Somehow, though, it still wasn't enough to bring the rest of her body under her control.

So she trusted wide, surprised eyes to ask her questions for her - he'd found Chrno? Where? Was he alright? And was he coming to help her? - before the already tenuous grip she had on reality slipped once again through her grasp. The light in her eyes faded, her eyelids fluttered, and she fell away from her body to return to the same state she'd been in when found, spirit screaming and clawing for a handhold all the way down.

It was rather lucky they hadn't been too far away when Chrno rather excitedly pointed out the message on the message board. After a week of nothing but dead ends, it had come as a bit of a surprise, even to the Doctor, that she'd suddenly been returned, although apparently something was wrong.

So as quickly as they could, they headed to Joutenheim gate, and it didn't also take too long to spot the girl on the bench with her rescuer there watching over her. Well, he certainly wasn't from earth. Where was this person from? The Doctor couldn't say he could offhand recognise the race, which was something to be said for him.

"Ah, hello there!" he called as they approached, hanging back a bit as he had no doubt Chrno would be racing ahead of him.

Certainly Chrno was racing ahead. He couldn't run fast enough. Most of the time running was spent babbling to himself in between gasps due to exertion and the audible pounding of his own heart.

"...I hope she's alright, it's been days and we're in this place and if she's hurt.. she better not be hurt... Oh, Rosette, please be okay..."

The girl was noticed before the rescuer was, and Chrno could have sworn his heart stopped. She wasn't moving. She wasn't moving. His legs felt like lead as he pushed the rest of the way towards her.

"Rosette!" God, was he too late? The nagging fear weighed heavy on his mind, leaving the Doctor to talk to Kit. He would be able to explain afterwards, but knowing if Rosette was alright was most important. Gravity pulled him quicker than he realized as he hit the ground with his knees, kneeling next to the nun.

She wasn't moving. Was she even alive? There was something wrong with the watch, although Chrno didn't let that go through his panic. What weighed heavy enough on his mind to cause terror to icily grip at his heart was that Rosette wasn't moving.

He failed to protect her, just as he failed to protect Mary..

Gently, he reached down to pick her up, to hold Rosette to him, tears stinging at his eyes. Even with his teeth clenched, he couldn't fight back the panic he felt at losing her..

"Rosette.. can.. can you hear me? Rosette.."

There wasn't anything to be said before or during Chrno's reunion with his contractor, as there was nothing which quite fit. Sympathetic, Kit gave the devil his space, moving a few steps away to greet the Doctor as he joined them.

"Hello! Another friend, I hope?" In all honesty, Rosette could use every friend she had, and now. The next statement was made to both, still basic truth. "I'm glad you were here so quickly."

He was here. He was here.

Rosette fought hard through the haze and numbness, trying to tell Chrno that yes, she could hear him, she was with him...once again, her body failed her and words simply froze. Still, she tried. "Ch..." she finally managed. "Ch...Chro-" Her voice cut out again. Hopefully he'd heard her.

As he'd expected, Chrno was quickly by Rosette's side, and rightly so. It had been a long week, but it puzzled him. Why had she been returned? And like this? Well, answers would come soon enough, for now they had to concentrate on fixing whatever was wrong with her.

The Doctor turned to look to Kit, "Yes, well, sort of, well... actually not really," he replied.

"We weren't even introduced before she was taken right out from under our noses," the Doctor explained as he turned to Chrno, quickly sweeping his gaze over her.

What had they done to her? Something was terribly wrong, that was for sure. She didn't seem to be responding at all, wait, no there... had she just spoken? Well, barely. "We weren't too far away, as luck would have it," he continued to speak in the meanwhile.

"Was she like this when you found her?" the Time Lord questioned Kit as he continued to observe her, trying to get some idea of what was going on.

Hearing her voice stumbling to just say his name wretched at him further. "Rosette.. it's alright, Rosette.. you're safe now.." It was a half-kept promise. Chrno failed to protect her the first time. This world was unlike their's. What could he do? He wanted to do everything, but to know that he couldn't even keep her safe..

The watch around her neck was bothering him, now that he was holding her in an embrace, mainly pulling her into his lap and wrapping his arms around her upper torso, glancing down at her, willing silently for her to wake up, to open her eyes..

Was the pocket watch broken? Was that what was keeping her like this? He knew nothing of the mechanics behind it, just of the pact that sealed Rosette's fate together with his. Still, it didn't look how it usually did, and that was unsettling enough.

A hand hovered over it, hesitant to touch it, since he didn't like her even having it all that much..

"...Oh." The Doctor's reply would've earned a bit of a blink, until the explanation. "I see. Must be quite a story... I do hope that that good luck will continue its run." Kit meant what he said; very few people would deserve to be in a situation similar to this one, and he had no reason to believe Rosette would be among them.

The nautolan nodded. "I'm afraid so, and nothing seems to have changed. Sorry to say it..." He looked back towards Rosette and Chrno, glad to have been able to do something.

Rosette was screaming, railing against the force that kept her out of touch with her own body. Chrno was there, he had to be worried out of his mind, she had to get back, to let him know she was alright...

Damn it!

Why couldn't she move? What had happened?

An image of the black-coated man flashed through her mind. He had done something, something with that dark not-liquid...and it had affected the pocket watch...

It's like a dam, the Elder had told her. It stops your soul from overflowing because of Chrno, like a dam stops water.

Like a dam...

The watch was keeping that darkness inside her. That was it. That had to be it. She had to release the seal.

But she couldn't do it herself, and Chrno hated the watch. He'd never release the seal on his own, not when it might harm her.

So once again she pushed hard, fighting to regain control of her own body and to keep her own sheer exhaustion at bay at the same time. "...s...seal...l-l-let-" she managed before that exhaustion came crashing down on her, once again severing her contact with her body and nearly smothering her in darkness. She clung to consciousness with fading strength, silently willing her partner to take the initiative and open the damn watch.

It hadn't been particularly good luck when they'd first met with Rosette only to have her taken, but it certainly seemed like perhaps their luck was on the uprise.

The Doctor nodded a bit to Kit, "No reason to be sorry." It just meant Rosette had likely been stuck like this from before she was dropped here. How long? Why kidnap her only to release her like this? What had they been trying to achieve?

"Well, Chrno?" he then said, looking to Chrno now, noticing the boy's hovering over the rather interesting thing she wore around her neck. It could be just a hunch, but he had a feeling it was important. Something to do with the whole Contractor business?

"Any ideas what could be wro--" the Doctor asked, cutting off as Rosette managed to speak again.

His gaze went from Rosette and back to Chrno, "Seal?"

Chrno could feel his throat tighten as Rosette struggled to speak. For a moment, the stress was too great, and Chrno felt like he was going to pass out. "The seal.." He repeated, almost dumbly.

He was going to have to pull the seal. Was that what Rosette was implying? The one thing he dreaded, despite having given it to her in the first place. His hand that hovered over her trembled. He didn't want to remove more of her life to save her... but he could not leave her like this.

A promise was made.. He would not let another die because of him. There was no way he could watch someone's life, especially someone he cared so much for, just die before his eyes.

"The... the seal. It.. it is what makes her my contractor." It was a strain to talk, his voice was suppressing so much, and he felt so much pressure. His eyes shimmered as they watched her, watched her with fear, trying to make sense of who could have done this to her..

"Rosette..." He whispered, pulling her close once more so he was hugging her to his chest. A gentle kiss was placed on her forehead before he rested his cheek against the top of her head, eyes clenching shut tightly.

"...I'm sorry."

The trembling hand reached down, gently unlocking the front of the pocketwatch.

The Jedi was still sorry, whether there was a reason or not. It was his pleasure to have been able to help, of course, but he would continue to wish he had been able to do more. As it was... As it was, though, he was cut off on that train of thought by Rosette's words and Chrno's reaction to them. Kit cast a curious look to the two, concerned but hopeful; two words weren't much, but they were a wild improvement on the small, sad noise his acquaintance had made when he'd first found her.

He found he couldn't only watch as Chrno moved to take action---unable to even guess at the eventual outcome, he did have to hope.

The seal opened with a subdued click and the gears of the pocket watch whirred manically as darkness streamed out through its face, dissipating in the afternoon air. Rosette could feel it tugging at her, taking bits of her life out with it as it went, but at that point it was a small price to pay. She just wanted it gone.

The darkness came faster, pouring out through the watch and bringing with it every sensation it had suppressed. The sharp pricks of the needle, the mind-searing agony of the fight between darkness and watch, the chill of doors of darkness, and the rough impact of landing on a cobbled street all hit Rosette at the same time. Her body jerked and stiffened and she screamed, long cries of agony as that sensation gripped her mind, wiping every sense a burning white and refusing to let her go.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the last of the darkness streamed out of the watch, the white-hot pain flying away with it. Breathing ragged and throat raw, Rosette kept control of her aching body long enough to raise a hand to her chest, snapping the seal on the watch firmly shut. Exhausted and too sore to do anything else, she simply fell limp against her partner. "Chrno," she gasped weakly, tears streaming down her face from the ordeal. She could see him there, feel him, but after everything that had happened, she needed to know. "Chrno..."

"I see..." the Doctor replied softly watching as Chrno went to open the device (a watch perhaps?) around her neck. There wasn't much to do but stand back and hope Chrno and Rosette knew what they were doing.

That is he stood back until he watched the watch pour out a black... something, from it's open face. Digging into his coat pocket quickly he pulled out a plastic bag, it must have had some cookies in it that Jackie had packed for them at some point, and opened it. He then shoved it into the blackness, capturing some of it in the bag, then sealing it closed quickly before it could escape. He examined the bag only for a moment before he turned his attention back to Chrno and Rosette.

It was a relief to see she seemed now aware and speaking. Hopefully she'd be up to soon telling them what had happened. For now he left the two alone, returning to stand by Kit, digging into an inside pocket of his coat he pulled out a pair of dark rimmed glasses. Slipping them on he then held up the bag to examine it for a moment. "You know... I don't have the foggiest idea what this is, well, other than it being black," he said, sounding rather baffled. He wasn't used to not knowing what things were, but not having explanations for things seemed to be something he was dealing with a lot since he'd arrived here.

"You wouldn't happen to have any idea what this is, by any slim chance?" the Doctor asked the Jedi. He wasn't sure Kit would, but it was worth a shot.

Rosette's cries pierced Chrno's heart, yet he held her tightly to his chest, keeping her embraced while her pocket watch emptied out. He could sense it, stray pieces of her life energy mixing with his. He glowed momentarily with the releasing soul, and by the time Rosette calmed down and the lock clicked shut on the watch face Chrno looked entirely different.

He had changed, to say the least. Suddenly, he was taller, older looking, less adorable and more fierce looking, and had wings and a rather dangerous looking tail that curled around them. And yet he still cradled her in his arms, having to blink his crimson eyes a few times to rid them of tears. Even his clothes had adjusted, changing to a darker tone and remaining to his body.

"Rosette.." His voice, much deeper, cracked when it spoke her name. One hand moved to gently brush strands of her blonde hair away from her face, speaking quietly. "I'm here, Rosette. I'm sorry I had to do that.."

The nautolan considered, regarding the bag a long moment before shaking his head. "I'm afraid not, sorry.... Although, to be perfectly honest, it feels like extremely unpleasant ...stuff. A negation." There seemed to be no better way to phrase the impression of it he was receiving through the Force, and none as concise.

Even if a closer descriptor could come to mind, it would have to wait---Chrno's changes begged a large part of one's attention, and minor clarity of speech could be sacrificed in order to note just what changes had taken place. Everything else aside, it was an undeniable relief to see Rosette with her mobility restored, even weakened as she was.

Rosette was still crying, but in relief. She was back in connection with her body. She could see and feel again, and it didn't matter that all she felt was sore - she was back, and she had Chrno, and she was safe, and that was all she needed, all that mattered.

She turned her head slightly, looking to Chrno. He was in his full form...that's right, she'd opened the seal...but it was closed now, so this wouldn't last for very long. Weakly, she raised a hand and gently touched the bare skin of his abdomen. The warmth - being able to feel that warmth - sent a fresh wave of tears down her cheeks. "Chrno," she managed quietly, having so much to say and being completely unable to find the words. "Chrno...oh, God..." She was sobbing in earnest now, clinging with that one hand to his jacket with what little strength she had left. She was exhausted, she was hurt, and a part of her was still terrified - of the people in black, of what they had done to her, of relapse.

More than anything else, however, she just wanted someone to stay with her. She needed Chrno there. With no words, no way to tell him that, she simply nestled against him, clung to his jacket, and cried.

A negation? Well, that was a rather interesting description. He'd have to see what the TARDIS's computer thought of it. For now, however, like Kit, the Doctor did now found his attention drawn back to Chrno and Rosette.

Chrno's rather dramatic change certainly perked the interest of the Doctor however, as many questions as he'd love to ask, now wasn't the time.

"It would seem to me that it would be a good idea to get her back to the hotel, wouldn't you think, Chrno?" the Time Lord suggested quietly to the demon. They were undoubtedly drawing attention by now and while there hadn't been any unwanted attention thus far, it might only be a matter of time. As well as it would probably be a good idea to get her off the street and into a bed.

"Meanwhile, I need to get to the TARDIS to analyze this sample. You know, I really ought to see if it's regerated enough power that I can move it somewhere closer. It's a real bother having it so far away..." the Doctor babbled, trailing off.

By the time Chrno found his voice once again, the astral energy was used up, and his larger form was shed in soft glow for his smaller one. His grip on Rosette did not faulter, however. Nor did his embrace. He would not let her go, even if others were staring.

Let them stare. He was a demon. They stared anyway.

His shirt reformed under her hand, although the touch remained on his mind more than his altering sensations of suddenly becoming much shorter. He pulled her close, keeping her tightly to him as she cried, resting his cheek on her head.

Questions lurked in his chest, dying before they even hit his tongue. He wanted to know everything, what they did to his contractor. His desire to protect and his inability to follow through swelled with conflict in his chest, tightening with silent panic.

"Nnn.." The affirmative answer to the Doctor. It was a good idea. Get Rosette somewhere safe was certainly top on his list. Shifting her just enough so that Chrno could wrap his arms around her, the shorter demon tried to hold tightly onto her as he rose to his feet, which was a relatively easy task. He had some strength, it just wasn't what he was when he was enlarged.

The difficulty would come when he would try to move. It wasn't that Rosette was heavy, but the height difference she had on him counted and made his face contort slightly with the strain.

At least Rosette couldn't see.

The Jedi could sense Rosette's relief---he couldn't've helped but to notice it---and was glad; for Rosette, yes, but Chrno as well. To see the two together and as they were was to have some additional hope. (Considering how the situation had improved, and might continue improving.) He planned to stay near at hand (for some time) and offer whatever additional aid he could; there would be time enough for anything else, afterward.

...however, there was nothing to discourage an answer at the moment. Kit glanced over at the Doctor, curious. "The TARDIS?"

Rosette could feel Chrno's change - she was connected to him, after all, and barring that she was nearly on top of him. She clung to him even as he changed, refusing to let him go now that she finally had him back. She had at least begun to calm down, though, enough to hear the Doctor's suggestion of a hotel room.

...a hotel. A bed. A bath. Someplace safe.

She felt Chrno lift her. Any other time, she would have insisted he put her down, that she could walk on her own. Today, however, she knew she barely had the strength to continue to hold onto his shirt and stay awake. There was no way she'd be able to walk on her own. She settled in Chrno's arms and simply tried to stay awake.

The Doctor watched Chrno return to his original form then manage to lift Rosette up despite his lessar height although he did appear to be straining a bit, but the Doctor wasn't going to step in to help unless it was requested. He didn't want to interfere if it wasn't wanted, however of course he didn't know if that was the case, so... "If you need anything Chrno, ask alright?" he told the demon before turning to Kit to answer his question.

"Oh, the TARDIS, the TARDIS is my ship... of sorts," he explained simply for now, trying to get moving since they didn't want to make Chrno strain his arms any more than he needed.

"Right, let's be off then shall we?" the Doctor suggested, giving a brief glance around for a consensus.

Chrno nodded, keeping Rosette as close as possible. He was stubborn, perhaps just as much as his contractor was, and would not let her walk even if she protested. Then again, if she was awake enough to protest, she was also most likely awake enough to beat him senseless, to which he would have to eventually resign.

However, to hear her not say anything did nothing to remove the tightened feeling in his chest as he walked slowly, nodding his head to the Doctor's suggestion.

Rosette needed some place she felt comfortable and safe, so that was his top priority.

He said nothing, although he followed after. Most of his energy was spent on making sure he did not trip or otherwise get sent off balance.

"'Of sorts'? I think I'd like to see this, if you wouldn't mind." Also, if Rosette and Chrno would be alright without help at hand for a short while, he'd like to leave them---for a time, only---to allow them some peace in each other's company. (There was an obligation to continue to offer whatever aid he could.)

Kit turned to the others, tilting his head, and ignoring it as a tentacle slid off his shoulder with the motion. "Providing there isn't anything I can do for the two of you at the moment...?" He turned back to the Doctor, smiling. "I suppose it is best to be; we shall."

They were moving. Rosette could feel it - Chrno's walk wasn't as steady as it normally was, probably because he was carrying her. She sighed softly and leaned her head against his shoulder. She'd walk if she could, she'd help him if she could - hell, she'd do anything if she could - but the fact that she just hated to admit was, she couldn't. Not now, the way she was.

But there was something she'd wanted to do, needed to do...if she could just remember what it was...

Oh, yeah.

She turned her head, lacking the energy to even lift it again, and looked for green. There he was - the one who'd saved her. She didn't even know his name. That wasn't what she was focused on, though - rather, it was something a bit smaller, a bit easier to frame in her exhausted state.

"Thank you." The words were little more than a whisper, managed as her eyes closed and she felt her mind start to drift off. It didn't matter now, she wasn't scared - she was with Chrno. That was what mattered now. She was with her partner, and with him she would be safe.

"Thank you."

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Someone Save Me If You Will [Completed]

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