(semi-open)

[debtor]

Date & Time: January 15th, or whenever
Location: somewhere in the creepy castle/hotel/museum
Characters: Allen Walker, Howard Link, Rosette Christopher, Chrono, and anyone else in the castle who feels like dropping by at any point.
Summary: SOUL SHENANIGANS and whatever else your heart desires. Open to castle antics.
Warnings: ALLEN WALKER IS FINE

[Allen sure is super unconscious suddenly.

And gray. For some reason.]



[And you may have heard someone screaming "I'M FINE" repeatedly at themselves near the castle grounds a short while ago, strangely.]

Comments

[debtor]

Picky eater, huh? I have a roommate like that...

But it's really nice to have someone who'll cook for you.

[soul_sister]

Mmm. He's really amazing.

[And there's a pause here. Normally, this is where she would just pull the conversation away from anything personal at all, but with everything she knew now... A little honesty was warranted.]

I'm lucky the Order let us stay together as partners.

[debtor]

[Whatever she's seen, he still has no desire to pry- but the way she phrased it...]

Why wouldn't they have?

[soul_sister]

Both demons and contractors are killed as a matter of routine. Though to be fair, most of them ARE doing terrible things. It's probably why we're an exception.

[She seems to put all of her attention on spearing a carrot in the stew, rather than anyone else at the table.]

[debtor]

[—Wait.]

Demons and—?

Is Chrono a demon?

[soul_sister]

[She nods, looking up at Allen.]

He tried to help too- Usually he can force a spirit out and send it back to its proper plane. I think the Noah was too powerful for an indirect method, though.

[debtor]

[He's not entirely sure what to make of this. Chrono's appearance might be a little strange, but he's seen stranger - he never assumed he was anything other than human. A little kid. And a contractor... he's only heard a little about these 'contracts' people have with demons in other worlds, he doesn't really know what that might mean for Rosette. If they're regularly killed...

He stares down at his empty bowl for a long moment, before glancing back at her.

And shakes his head.] 'Proper plane'... [He's not sure the Noah have one.

But if Chrono tried to help...] Is he here now? I should thank him as well, for trying.

[soul_sister]

[She shakes her head and looks out the window. It's hard to see anything but snow, really.]

He's out trading with the locals. He should be back soon, though.

[debtor]

Mm. I'll wait.

[Fiddling with his spoon, for a second.]

...I don't really know much about demons or contractors. But I'm very glad you two have each other.

[soul_sister]

Mm. There's not much you can't make it through if there's someone you can fall back on.

[debtor]

[A quiet nod, expression a bit distant.]

Someone to pick you up again. You fight for each other, right?

[soul_sister]

Of course. That's what you do for the people you care about.

[There's a pause, one moment after the next, thinking on her own words. She asks, a bit hesitantly:]

Hey... Allen?

[debtor]

[Blinks.]

Hm?

[soul_sister]

There was one part that... I don't think you were aware for but... And you may know this already or have an idea and I'm just going to feel silly.

[There's a certain rambling awkwardness, that honestly comes from needing to talk to people about things they didn't want her to know... but in the end, it's too important NOT to share.]

While I was in there... If I'm guessing right, Mana was helping me find you.

... I thought you probably would want to know.

1/2

[debtor]

[He freezes up at Mana's name, eyes widening.]

[debtor]

[He unconsciously raises a hand, almost touching his scar, before stopping himself.

He's not shocked by what she's saying. He believes it wholeheartedly - or wants to. It wouldn't be the first time Mana has appeared...

But it's strange enough hearing it from her.

He's not really sure what to say. He drops his gaze.]
I--

...Thank you for telling me.

1/2

[soul_sister]

It's... really nice, I think, to have always been loved.

[soul_sister]

But fair warning I'm going to kick that half mask idiot in his teeth.

[debtor]

[Even if he can never be certain how Mana really felt about him, he knows that he loves Mana, and that will never change, and that's what matter...

He keeps these thoughts to himself, as always.

...Half mask idiot, though...




OH.

He wouldn't stop her if she tried but EVEN BETTER:]

Rosette, stay away from that man entirely.

[soul_sister]

Why? Don't you think I can take him? Because I can take him.

[debtor]

It's not worth trying, trust me! That man's a devil, someone like you should especially avoid him...

[soul_sister]

[WHAT DOES HE EVEN MEAN SOMEONE LIKE YOU!!!???? He obviously doesn't think she could handle it. There's only one thing to do in this situation.]

Oh! I'll avoid him entirely!!

[debtor]

[SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAAAAAND]

Really, Rosette!! I'm serious!

[soul_sister]

So am I! I've got a fist with...

[A pause.]

What IS his name?

[debtor]

[RUNNING BOTH HANDS DOWN HIS FACE.]

General Cross Marian. He's my master. I appreciate the sentiment, but it's really no use...