sharpshootercross:

“Cross! Wake up.”

A slap against the table started the young man awake and straight back into a rigid position. Nearly sliding off the chair, he sat up and stared at his mentor and the Chief Officer. Blinking the haze away from his only visible eye, he made a dispassionate face. He didn’t remember when he fell asleep, but it was sure more exciting than the serious faces staring him down. Glancing down at the table, he realized his hours of work were probably smeared all over his face. The ink splotched the parched paper and spotted the collar of his white shirt. All of which, were still more interesting than the two individuals who interrupted his work….or sleep.

“I’m awake, what?”

“Watch your tone, you fool,” a sharp rap across the knuckles made him jump again and he scowled at the shorter, yet somehow frightening elder. “Your mission details were cause for concern.”

“I’m a scientist, not an exorcist,” he yawned and sorted the rustle of papers before him, trying to make a decent filing of them. It was pointless, since they’d end up sprawled all over his library table anyway.

“You’re an exorcist now, Bookman Jr,” the Chief regarded him with distain. It was no secret he was a hothead.

“Haven’t I told you to call me Cross?”

“Boy, don’t get attached to that name.”

“Gramps, will you get out of my ass. I know you’re small enough to take up residence in my rectum, but I don’t exactly enjoy when you force your way in there constantly. I can’t even take a shit without worrying about you falling out.” He barely finished the statement before he was faced with a lightning quick foot nearly in his face. Barely avoiding it with his arm, he called for mercy. “Alright! What do you want already!?”

“Not like you were doing anything of importance, idiot student.” The small Asian man grunted and folded his arms within his sleeve. This man was his teacher; but respect was hardly shown between them. The Bookman was entirely too annoying to not be prodded at constantly.

“Yes. I get it. I’m a slacker; now can you please get to the point, so I can go back to slacking?” Without much care, he put his feet up on the table and leaned back; running his hand through his vibrant red hair—brushing over the side of his face covered with a white eye patch.

“We’re giving you a partner.”

That caught his attention. Painfully so. Straightening himself, he watched both of them, waiting for the joke to be revealed; but he was starting to see that they were actually very serious about this. A partner sounded like a disastrous idea. Given that the only familiar faces he knew were already paired; he would be dealing with someone from either another branch or a new exorcist. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“I’m not even an exorcist. I’m a Bookman in training!”

“Your alias is an exorcist until we move on. As a matter of fact, I will be leaving you here for the time being. You will report to me periodically; but your use is here for the time being.”

“….I’m being abandoned and thrust at someone…This is just…On second thought, I don’t care. Just go. I’m busy with formulas. I won’t even notice you gone,” he waved and abruptly ducked the kick he knew was coming. It annoyed the old man that he was that good at judging the response; but he’d been nailed in the head by that foot since he was just older than seven. “Who is my ‘partner’ anyway?” 

It was surprising, how overwhelmingly large the place was. They had told her, when they came to her home and explained everything, that there weren’t many exorcists, that they were rare and precious. That her odd disfigurement and pretty voice were part of a power far greater than her conservative parents had planned.

But then, Maria had never been the tame little lady they had expected when seeing the tiny Japanese girl up for adoption. Her small stature and slender limbs held a fiery spirit of adventure, a burning curiosity. Never had the idea of an arranged match to a tasteful suitor appealed like thoughts of pirate galleons and knights jousting in full armor. Alas. The times of such adventure was passed, now, into a boring era of steam engines and mechanic things.

So when the uniformed men had sat in her sun room, speaking courteously and with regret of all an Exorcist had to do- battle, hunting, saving lives, sacrificing all for a noble cause- she hadn’t hesitated to agree. Oh, their faces when she had leapt to her feet, gasping that she could pack in one hour if they could wait that long to leave. They had thought, in her demure grey dress, hair up in braids, that she would be afraid. Reluctant. Unwilling. They were quite wrong.

Of course, in the end, it had been three agonizing days before she had managed to get her parents’ permission to leave and pack up. Out of respect, more than anything; a week of disagreement, and she would have left anyways.

And now, standing at the base of the tower, suitcase clasped in small gloved hands, staring upwards with delight and awe. So Gothic in its construction, absolutely foreboding and deliciously creepy. The small mouth hung open, deep brown eyes wide as she stared.

A large hand settled on her shoulder, so careful, as if she were made of porcelain. “Ah, I apologize, Miss Grant. There is a very sinister look to this place, but it is much nicer inside-“

Knocking his timid hand gently off her shoulder, she squarely faced him, prim London accent hiding nothing of her excitement. “It’s amazing! How many rooms are there? Do all Exorcists live here? Who is in charge? When was it built? I love the upper arches, it reminds me of the design I saw when we traveled into London- but much more exotic, almost purposefully dour to imply that there is no escape even from such a height as to kill yourself. Very fitting. Oh, do not just stand there, sir, I want to go inside!” Her small feet arched up onto her toes repeatedly, eagerness once again making her slip from the polite, calm exterior her mother had striven to teach. Usually, she would push her reaction down and settle, but not now. Not when the beginning of all her adventures was towering black and delightful in front of her. Sorry Momma. I’m not going to be a proper lady anymore. I’m going to be an Exorcist. Despite the apology, there was only excitement in her mind.

commandervimescigar started following you

Hello… welcome to my shadows…