So! Chrono's a fairly complicated character--and one that's rather important to a reasonably popular anime series. It's quite possible for me to mess up somewhere down the line, and obviously that would bother people who are knowledgable of his canon, so! Crit post for all of you.

Have any questions about Chrono? Any comments or critiques? Want to maybe get in touch with me for some plottage? Feel free to comment here. <3

Anonymous comments are allowed. For the moment I won't be screening them just because I want people to be able to see if a question or concern has already been addressed before, but if it seems like a lot of people think I should screen them, then I will.

Also, if it seems like there's some questions a lot of people wonder about, I'll put up a FAQ here, as well.

So, go ahead! Chrono can take it.

Ugh. Great. This again. I knew I should've stayed in bed....

((OOC: HAVE AT 'EM. Don't mind him, he's still distraught over the beating Shader got in the Pumpkin Patch. I'll be slow for a bit, inbox is flooded. Ahiru's going to post tomorrow.))

Okay. So we're here in the "City" again. Still no sign of the Elders. Aion is here with me again, and this time sister-Shader is here, too.

I don't know why we keep being called back here, but it's nice to explore and see what the human world is like. It's very different. It sounds like all humans have different mothers...not one Mother, like demons do. They also have a "father", which I don't really understand, but seems to be something like a head Elder.

I wonder if I'll be able to remember this back home, this time around? Maybe I could teach other people, for a change.

Ah, Shader, Aion, what're we doing today? I know we're getting ice cream at the "cafe" place, but what else?

((OOC: Age reversal! Chrono's stuck as a kid today. Hair's long, arm and eye aren't missing, and he's dressed in clothes Chrono used to wear in his sealed form, only they don't quite fit right. He's also somehow managed to dig up the red scarf Aion gave him on this curse the last time it happened.))

I don't know how many of you knew her his time around, but I guess I should let you know that Mary went back home again this weekend. Mary...I hope you'll be able to find peace this time.

Also, I'm sorry for all the delays with the bakery. A lot's happened, but...that's no excuse for moping. The preparations are almost complete, so expect to hear about the grand opening soon.

....

[taking a deep breath] And...one more thing. Does anyone know if there's any physical therapists in the City? My sister suggested I see one, considering--considering my circumstances. There. I'm late, but I did it.

((OOC: Backdated--the day flew by me, sorry folks.
The departures and some of the curses have been getting to Chrono--hence his "I'm going to go hide under a rock" mode. Also it's a good excuse for me constantly disappearing because of school. Time management skills: what Haley lacks. Sorry guys, I'm working on sorting everything out better.))

Does anyone feel that? There's some sort of dark energy...I kept thinking it was in my head, but it's getting stronger and stronger as they day goes on. Is this related to today's curse?

Rosette, Mary, stay inside. Shader, you too. Fakir, is the Opera safe? Should I fly around and see if I can figure out what's going on? He wouldn't try to attack us, would he? No, no way, we out number him and he doesn't have anything to gain from it. Right?

((OOC: Chrono's sensing Princess Kraehe and her heart-stealing shenanigans. Obviously, he's not familiar enough with Raven's Blood to figure out exactly what's going on...))

Lilith gave me a real scare last night. For a moment, I thought she was really dead. Aion looked so much like how he did in Pandaemonium, too...it sent a chill up my spine. He was acting as if it was so normal. With him...it's almost as if death doesn't register as much in his mind. There's only one time I've seen him apparently upset about someone's death.

It's frustrating. I want to talk to him, but I feel like I'll never be able to reach him. I don't know how to get back the boy I knew as a kid. Maybe it's impossible. But I hate admitting that. I don't want what happened in my timeline to happen for him. If I can change it...I'd give anything for that.

But I can't tell Rosette that. I'm worried she'd be upset. She has every reason to hate him. I don't blame her at all. I hate the things he's done, too. But if I can find another way to change the world, one that we can both agree on, wouldn't that be for the best? If we can stop the destruction in New York from happening, if we can change the world without destroying it...that's my dream.

Damn it, I miss being able to lie. And now it's going to post this up, right?

((OOC: "I Cannot Tell A Lie". Ever had a burning question you wanted Chrono to answer truthfully? Now's the time.))

[A long, tiiiired sigh.]

Shader...? Being delusional is sort of a bad sign, right? Because...I just woke up and looked out my window and there's teddy bears. And they're trying to get in. And they don't look very friendly. I'm not sure if I even want to know what my subconscious is trying to tell me.

Do you think that if I go back to sleep, they'll go away?

((OOC: Still recovering--and the reality of what happened right before he came back to the City is sinking in. From now on, Chrono probably won't be filtering things away from Aion unless it's something he feels is really dangerous, so if the "known enemies" filter is missing, it's probably intentional!
I'll be leaving for school in an hour, so I won't be replying from about 12:45pm-2:30pm MST or so. (That's 2:45-4:30 EST))

[The video starts running on an empty area in the square, near the fountain. All's quiet for a moment, until--with a short flash--Chrono tumbles into view and falls into the fountain with a splash. He splutters and drags himself out of the water, pulling himself up with his left hand and looking around with a confused look. His horns are clearly visible, so it's obvious he's in his true form, although his outfit appears to have changed slightly. Some of the water is tinted red--he seems to have come to the City in the middle of the battle, but it's hard to tell if the blood is his, or someone else's.]

Aion? Shader? Where am I? This isn't--

[His eyes lighten with recognition, and he lets out a sardonic laugh.] Oh my God. The City really is Hell...

[He pushes himself up and climbs out of the fountain, looking a little unsteady on his feet. He turns a little more towards the camera--that's when it becomes evident that his right arm is missing.]

Everything looks the same. It's like nothing's changed...[He takes a step forward and wobbles, almost falling over. He crouches down and steadies himself with his left hand.] W-whoa! I guess Aion hurt me more than I thought. Damn it. [He glances up a little--and that's when he notices his old tablet laying on the ground. Leans forward and picks it up, bringing the camera closer to his face.]

Is this thing recording...? [swallows] Is anyone still here? ...I'm home.

((OOC: I still haven't gotten around to writing up a post covering all the little physical changes he goes through (he gets beat up pretty bad in the final volumes), but here's the cliff notes version: as you can see the picture linked above, his arm is missing. That's the biggest change. These two pictures give you an idea of the rest of the changes--his left eye is wonky, left ear is discolored, he has some scars on his face, his outfit changed, his eyebuds are...bigger?, and his braid got cut off (no more Rapunzel hair :<). I thiiiink that's pretty much everything.))

If you're not in the Chrono Crusade crew, feel free to ignore this! I'm just sorting out canon/fanon with everyone. <3

( lalala it's a cut it's a cuuuuut~ )

[sounding a little winded] Note to self: Don't bother going grocery shopping on a curse day. Particularly one like this. Of course, I though it was just a "getting lost" curse, not a "get thrown into a sadistic maze filled with traps and monsters" curse. I don't even want to get to the store anymore, I just want to go home. We have enough groceries for the time being.

So come on, City. Let me go home. Please? I'm miserable enough, I'm sure I've given you plenty of emotions to keep the clock or whatever running.

[groan]

Rosette, Mary? Do me a favor. Stay in your room today so you don't get stuck too. I can't fly out of here because I'm stuck in the subway tunnels, so if you get lost I don't know if I'll be able to find you.

Alright, let's see...I'm supposed to follow the outside wall, right? I think...

((OOC: Chrono's going to find an exit eventually...but it won't lead to the City! Instead it'll lead out to San Fransisco on Thanksgiving, 1924. Chrono forgot the filter to allow Aion (and anyone else I'm forgetting) a chance to poke him before he gets sent back for his canon update.))

So...is there some sort of curse going around that makes people inept at housework? Or is it just the people I know today? It feels like most of what I've done today has been trying to solve some disaster that happened when someone tried to clean or cook.

I guess I'll have to do my shopping tomorrow. Oh well, I shouldn't be too busy. Hey, Opera folks, anything you want me to add onto the list? I was going to get a few more things I need for the bakery stock and some stuff for our pantry, too. Ah, and does anyone have a recipe for foie gras de canard?

Outside of chores, I have some good news! Mary's back! Again! Isn't that great? She came just in time...

Yeah, everything's starting to fall into place again. The City's always changing--even if things are bad, they get better.

You know, if I'm going to shop tomorrow, that means I'm free tonight. Mary, Rosette? Shader? Anyone, really. Feel like doing something tonight? It seems like too good of an evening to waste it by sitting around doing nothing.

((OOC: Chrono's teasing Taiga and Akiha for their separate disasters earlier today. It means he loves you, really.))

NOW HIRING!

Rosey's, a soon-to-be-opening bakery, is now hiring employees! We're looking for bakers, cashiers, and cleaning staff. All applicants considered; no previous job experience required. Good attitude a must! Applicants applying for a baker position will be quizzed on their knowledge and requested to provide samples of their baking. If interested, please stop by at [insert address here] to fill out an application, or contact Chrono Arima on the Network.

( Filters for Fakir, Rosette and Shader )

((OOC: All filters unhackable. I'm gonna try to have Chrono's bakery officially opened within a week, schedule willing. ♥
Backdated to earlier in the afternoon--sorry, I'll try to start posting earlier in the day. ^^;;))

Okay guys. Time to lay down some ground rules.

( Cut for image )

As you can see, this is Rosette, and she's mine. Okay guys? I don't care how high the slit is on the curse or what the curse day puts her in, if I catch you ogling my girl I'm taking you down. Respectfully and with the understanding that it's hard sometimes. But I'm still doing it.

Rosette, why don't you come to my room so I can label you properly? A picture just isn't doing it.

Oh, by the way? That bread machine downstairs? Also mine. And I'm going to the bakery and labeling THAT, too. So don't even think about touching it until I can get there. I think I've made most of the labels pretty clear, so follow them and we won't have any problems. Jake?

If you see any labels made by Aion, let me know so I can find them and burn them.

((OOC: Unfiltered on purpose--he wants Aion to be aware of it. XD Chrono's already a little posessive/over-protective in canon, so...he's hit hard today. =D;;; Expect to see labels throughout the Opera of certain things Chrono's decided are his: his favorite chair at the dining table, that pack of flour he uses to make cookies with, etc etc.
Annnd I'm getting unexpectedly taken out to dinner by my parents, so I'm going to have to get to the comments in an hour or so, I'm sorry guys. XD; BUT I'LL BE BACK SOON.))

Okay, are there people on the Network that aren't completely out of their mind right now? I need some help with some problem solving. I have one of those curses that makes you say whatever's on your mind, and I can't get it to stop. It's hard even tearing myself away from the computer or putting up filters! And, I mean, a curse like this is always embarrassing, but my girlfriend is cursed to wear this really skimpy outfit, and I can't stop our conversations from getting really embarrassing when I'm like this. Has anyone ever successfully fought off one of these things? Do you think if someone put a gag on me it would work? I know we only have a few more hours until midnight but I already feel pretty humiliated as it is. Besides, she said she might let me sleep with her when she gets back, and if she gets back early I'd be rambling to her the entire time and that'd be really--AUGH NO! No! DELETE! DELETE THAT PART! You stupid computer! The Deities built these things just to drive us up the wall during curses, didn't they?!

DON'T YOU DARE POST--

((OOC:Yeah, Chrono has No Inner Monologue today. XD Uhh...fair warning, Chrono's conversations will probably swing from perfectly innocent to sort of naughty today depending on how they go. Although he probably won't be TOO bad. Unless you intentionally provoke him to start thinking about that sort of thing, I'm not going to hold back. :|
Also, yes Yuki, if you see this Aion can hack into it. Chrono tried to filter it but the curse is making it difficult for him.))

[So guess what Chrono's cursed with? As he switches on his post, he takes a deep breath, and...starts to sing. Not all that well, so normally he wouldn't bother the City with it, but--hey, he can't help it today.]

I'm not always like this
It's something I become
A terrible weakness
In my nature, in my blood
Save me, oh save me, save me from myself
Before I hurt somebody else again

Domino motion jump starts when we touch
The blackout approaching
Here it comes now, wish me luck
It's all over, it's all over, it's all over in a flash
I can't remember,
What have I done now?

Go go faster wider
More more get it down ya
Dance dance take me over
Glittering Cloud
Go go faster wider
More more get it down ya
Dance dance take me over
Glittering Cloud

( Cut to save your f-lists! )

Uh...sorry.

((OOC: Unfiltered for the lulz. Yup, Chrono's cursed with Sing and Shout! This song is "Glittering Cloud" by Imogen Heap. She's not really the music artist I'd automatically pick for Chrono to sing, but I thought the theme of the song fit pretty well with Chrono's mental state the last week or so.))

( Private to Rosette )

( Private to Aion )

( OOC explanation and... )

((ALSO...I have a bit of a request concerning Chrono. I'm planning on canon updating him at the end of the month, but until then, I REALLY need everyone to avoid telling him about anything else in the future, okay? CC canon is kinda baw-worthy in later volumes, and in the place in canon I took Chrono from he hasn't really sorted out a lot of his emotional issues yet, SO. The combination is sort of...BAD. I really don't want to be too nitpicky about this, but until his canon update, PLEASE ask me OOCly before you reveal anything about the future to him (unless Chrono's actually asking about it himself--that means I'm okay with it!). Thanks!))

Aion, I've been doing some thinking, and...

I...I know we've both had a lot of bad feelings between us. The fight over Mary, and my betrayal, and then Joshua...but I know that you've always believed that you were doing the best thing. You really do what you think is good for the world and for us as Sinners, even if I don't want to admit it. I know you care about me. I know you wouldn't call me "brother" if you didn't.

So, the truth is...I...I forgive you. I don't want to fight with you anymore. Please, can't we just start over? I miss when we could count on each other.

((OOC: Yeah, guess who's going to be taking this back tomorrow? =D; Excuse my slightly awkward icons for the time being, Chrono's paid time ran out and I won't be able to get money in the bank for it until tomorrow, buuut I don't want to delete anything since I'm planning on activating it again. So he's stuck with what LJ randomly chose to keep active.))

( private//unhackable )

Tsubaki, thanks for joining us for dinner last night. I had a really wonderful time.

Um...just so everyone knows, Mary's left the City. I saw her portrait in the Hall of the Missing today. ...I'm sure she's gone back to a good place, so she'll be okay.

((OOC: Chrono's had a bit of a weird up-and-down day emotionally today, as well as yesterday, so he's probably seeming a little 'off'. If your character knows Chrono well, please feel free to have them pick up on it!))

[all voice]

( Bakery Filter (Rosette included) )

Okay, so let's see. Oven's pre-heated. Now to work on the salad. I'll chop up some onions...

[a horrified, squeaky little plant scream] YOU! Wh-what are you doing with those corpses?

...I'm sorry?

Those! Those poor onions!

Um...they're for our salad tonight. Tsubaki's coming over--

You're...you're going to EAT them?! YOU PLANT MURDERER!

Plant murderer?! Sorry, but...I need to eat!

You horrible, horrible person! Just soak in sun and water like a decent plant!

I'm not a plant! I can't do that!

How do you know? Have you ever TRIED? H-Hey, where are you taking me? Put my pot down this instant! Are you going to kill me too? I'll scream so loudly that everyone will hear! I hope you choke on those putrid corpses you MONSTER! Are you listening to...

[silence for a moment, then footsteps walking back to the microphone]

Uhh. Sorry about that.

...

N-now I feel sort of bad for eating this.

I know most of us have already said it, but...I never want to do that again. I have dreams a lot, but I'm not sure if I've ever had nightmares that are quite that vivid.

I slept most of the day today. That was...nice. But I've got too much to do right now to spend all my time napping, so...back to work!

Oh, in case you haven't noticed yet, I'd like to tell you all about two people that have come back to the City. First of all, my girlfriend, Rosette is back to the City. You might remember her from when she was here before. She's from a few years after I saw her last, but she remembers everything. Treat her well, okay?

Also, an old friend of mine has come to the City, too. Her name is Shader. She's my sister...sort of. The concept of family for demons like us is a little different than humans. She'll be staying in the Opera with us, at least for the time being. I hope I can trust her...but if she's after Aion and I fought, and she gave me the watch in the past...she'll be fine, right? I don't want to reject her. She's the only "sibling" I have left that'll even speak to me. Shader's a good person, so please be welcoming to her! She'll probably be able to help you with any problems with technology you have, she's a genius. I can't understand half of the things she says about that stuff.

( Private to Shiki, Akiha and Umi )

Hey...Rosette, I know you must be tired, but are you free? There's something I wanted to show you.

((OOC: Like I mentioned on my hiatus post, Chrono spent most of the time I was gone during my trip fixing up an abandoned bakery that used to be owned by a dropped character. (I checked with one of the mods for this, don't worry!) So he's (finally!) getting close to having it open!

Strikes are deleted. If there's any characters involved in Chrono's bakery that I've forgotten to list under the filter, just assume they're there, too.))