Nyah, not much of an update here, but I am trying to cope with the giant writer's clamp that is on my brain at the moment.
Having Writer's Craft in school and trying to write at home kills the brain…ever so slowly.
Enjoy.
Mystery
What he truly wanted was to take away one of her most precious gifts, something that everyone admired and adored her for. But Michael had taken it away from her in one fell swoop and along with that, tortured her, using his power with the flames to burn and scar her, especially between the shoulder blades, where her wings rested. Naphtali shook his head, and looked down upon Aria and sighed. Her blood still coated his clothing and his hands, and her bloody tears had left marks upon her unblemished face, one of the only places that Michael had left intact. As he made his way upstairs he drew one of his white wings around Aria's body, not caring for the blood that would stain it, that he could easily get rid of. It was to protect Aria from the prying eyes of others. Even though she was the head of her own organization, not everyone thought she was a capable leader. She had too many demons in her troubled past, and Michael was one of them she had yet to deal with.
Coming out his troubling and depressing thoughts he saw Amai, one of the Touchers, as they called themselves. They had the ability to give life or a swift death to whomever they touched. As well, they could reveal any inner bodily ailment within a person. Their gift was both a curse and a blessing, but since the Naphtali or any of the other half-angels, there was a lot more of them here, never got sick most of the angels did not bother getting to know the Touchers. But, Naphtali made it his own duty to get to know them. He gave a salute to Amai as she passed, but from the look of his wing she guessed that something was wrong.
"Naph—" She began, but she was shushed by the shaking of his head.
"Not here Amai, up in Aria's room, I will speak to you there."
Amai gave Naphtali a side glance, tugging slightly at the silky white gloves that all of her 'people' wore. Their hands were the only place they could channel their power, so they wore gloves to protect the others. She nodded at the people she recognized and knew, as some of them were just getting up ready to go to work downstairs. But as the people began to thin out Amai gave a side glance to Naphtali again, wondering why his wing looked so funny being draped across his chest. Then as if he had sensed her wondering at why he looked so funny, his wing opened a bit to let Amai see what was really going on. She saw the blood and that was all she needed to know. She picked up the pace and he followed suit, until they reached the elevator that would lead up to Aria's room. Amai wondered how Naphtali could keep up with her until he sighed suddenly and unfurled his wing. Amai gasped.
"I had to make sure that we were alone Amai, this is the only place I know."
The elevator opened before them and they made there way out, not bothering to stare at the engravings on the floor and the blood red carpet that was laid on the floor leading to her room. They did not even glance at the pillars that held the vaulted ceiling, nor did they notice the space and the other doors. Naphtali and Amai instead ran into Aria's room, Amai throwing open the doors.
"Naphtali, take off that robe from off of her. And bring her into the bathroom."
Tardiness, it was a thing Integra Hellsing hated most. She was supposed to meet the other Knights of the Round Table, and they all were a half an hour late. Each and every single one of them. She puffed angrily on her cigar. Quietly, the door opened and Walter stepped in, his monocle gleaming in the light. Integra looked at him pointedly, and he took this as his cue to speak.
"The other Knights will be here shortly Sir Integra, they apologize for being late, but they say that they had other matters to attend to before the meeting. Shall I send a reply back then?"
"Yes Walter, for the reply that I will send will not be as polite."
She replied coldly. Walter nodded and bowed, exiting the room, but before the door could close, Relena stepped into the room. She was wearing a long sleeved royal purple jacket, along with a royal purple skirt. Under the jacket she wore a black high necked long sleeve, complete with cuffs around the neck and her wrists. Her hair was tied up in a simple bun. Integra noted the golden cross that sat snugly within the hollow of her neck and nodded at Relena, gesturing for her to sit beside her. Relena nodded back, but before she sat, she opened four of the windows around the room. Integra raised an eyebrow.
"Sir Integra not everyone likes the smell of cigar smoke."
Integra looked down and found she had smoked the entire cigar while waiting. She looked at it disgustingly and flicked the butt into the ashtray beside her, and fanned away the smoke that made a halo around her golden head. Relena took her place beside Integra and waited patiently.
"You do not always have to call me 'Sir' Integra, Lady Relena." Integra said, not looking in Relena's direction.
"And you do not have to call me 'Lady' Relena, Sir Integra."
Relena replied, not glancing in her cousin's direction. Integra's glasses gleamed, and Integra half smirked, as well as Relena. The two cousins respected each other, and that would be enough. Fifteen minutes later, the men of the Knights of the Round Table—Relena and Integra were the only two women—arrived. Integra and Relena's gazes turned cold and frosty, and their voices were chilling, like ice. Neither of them stood as they greeted the men.
"Good Afternoon Knights."
"Good Afternoon Gentlemen."
Some of them openly winced at the tone both women used on them. They all knew that they were in for it. So as they sat down, the meeting began. Walter shot a glance at Sir Integra and Lady Relena and winced. 'Some tea would most likely do them good. I'd better get some made.' Walter slipped through the doors again, and went down to the kitchens.
Two hours and 13 hot cups of steaming English tea later, the Knights of the Round Table trudged out of the room, looking utterly terrified and defeated, as if both women had popped their so called 'egos'. Walter stepped into the room and only one word could describe the look on both of their faces.
It was called: Domination.
At Walter's look, Relena gave Walter a dark grin while Integra gave Walter a smug look.
Walter sighed heavily. "One of you was enough, now what am I going to do with both of you?" He sounded exasperated. Relena and Integra rose at the same time and looking at each other replied.
"Deal with us of course." And they walked out of the room. Walter shook his head lightly. This was surely to be an interesting year.
"Would you like to join me with a walk around the garden?" Integra asked Relena, and she consented. They began walking the garden in compatible silence, not needing the conversation between them. Alucard, who was bored for the moment, saw them and decided they would be the prefect prey since Integra and Relena were paying no attention to him. Using the darkness and the shadows as his cover, her crept up to them and was about to reach over them when Relena gave him a surprise.
"Good Afternoon Alucard."
The darkness converged, and Alucard appeared, looking quite smug.
"Well then, it seems that I give you much less credit than you deserve, Lady Relena."
Relena laughed softly while Integra fixed Alucard with a dirty look.
"Thank you Alucard. I'll take that as one of the few complements I'll ever get."
Alucard laughed, and disappeared into the darkness, Integra's glower following after him.
"Nothing happened Sir Integra, I sensed him before he even got near."
Relena said dryly. Integra gave Relena a swift glance and nodded her appreciation. "Thank you."
"Your welcome.''
They continued their walk in the garden.
Aria awoke groggily, and for a second she tensed, she didn't know where she was. But feeling the fabric under her, she recognized that she was in her room. She sighed, not knowing how she had gotten there.
"You're awake." Naphtali's voice broke into her thoughts and then she painfully remembered why she was there.
Michael had returned.
"Naph—" She managed to croak out, she cleared her throat. "How long was I out?"
"Five hours at the most, its probably evening now, from the way the sun is angled."
Aria opened her eyes and blinked. She rose slowly from the bed, testing out her body for the slightest ailment within it. Nothing happened as she rose, but she got off the bed unsteadily.
"Damn him." Naphtali did not need to ask of whom she was referring to, and she was not the only one that hated him. For a moment she tripped and Naphtali caught her.
"Easy Aria, you can't be moving that fast yet, your not completely invincible."
"I think I'm the closest one to it, don't you think so Naph?" She looked up to him, expecting an answer.
"I think you're crazy." Naphtali replied. Aria laughed and made her way to her walk in closet and shut the door.
"So, who did the job?"
"Huh?"
"Who healed me Naph..."
"Oh, Amai."
"Amai, remind me to thank her then. What's going on tonight?"
"Hunting down those freak vampires, and finding out where Michael is hiding, plus we've just learned that Rome—I mean the Catholic Church is sending out one of her pawns..."
There was a grin in Aria's voice. "The Paladin Priest?"
Naphtali grinned at her perception. "Precisely."
She purred in delight. "Wonderful." She walked out and Naphtali could not help but stare. She had braided her hair and left it on the right side of her shoulder, and she wore no makeup at all. She wore a blue dress that went down to her shins and she had a large black ribbon that rested under her breasts and tied of in a neat bow in the back. Naphtali was stunned on how innocent she seemed, how a little change in her clothing could bring such a child-like look from her. She laughed softly, and closed his mouth.
"I will suppose that this clothing is a yes?"
Naphtali nodded. "Good, I need something to fool the people coming in to see me today." Naphtali came out of his shock and laughed.
"Who is coming in?"
"Father Maxwell, the one in charge of Section Thirteen. The one who controls our beloved Paladin Priest."
Naphtali's eyes widened. "You mean— your meeting with that perverted man?"
Aria grinned like the Cheshire cat, her fangs showing this time. "Of course, who else? I enjoy dealing with people like him. Plus, Eden and you will be there as well, as my bodyguards of course."
Naphtali waggled his finger at her. "You better not have to show us off... you've done that once already, with Walter—"
"And Walter has not told a soul Naphi, but don't worry, I won't have you reveal yourselves unless it is necessary." Aria slipped on a pair of blue slippers with fake diamonds embroidered in it. Eden met them when they came down into the elevator, and they made their way back to Aria's spacious office where Eden and Naphtali made there wings appear not to be there, to the human eye at least.
"Eden, Naphi, could you tell the others as—actually, I will." She opened her mind to all in the mansion and spoke.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a guest coming into the building, please be on your best behavior.
Everyone knew what that meant: Appear like you are human.
A black car made its way up the large driveway of the mansion, already being let in by the guards at the gate. Waiting on the stairs to the building was Amai, wearing a simple black garb with her white gloves. As the car stopped, she opened the door, and Father Maxwell, along with another Priest stepped out of the car.
Amai did not stare at him full in the face, but curtseyed and said a short welcome.
"Welcome to the Crisis organization Father Maxwell."
Father Maxwell did not say a word, but instead smiled and lifted Amai's head.
"And your name is?"
Amai suddenly wished she could transfer her power into her face, for she did not like this man.
"My name is Amai, Father,"
"An interesting name child, may the Father bless you for your service."
Amai received the blessing from this man the best she could. "Follow me." But that did not stop a look of disgust from swiftly appearing and disappearing on her face. Inside, another Toucher, Ishi, dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and pants, waited inside. He noticed they had no jackets and disappeared down a corridor. For a moment, Amai paused and let the two men take in the scene. People walked in and out of corridors, all of them with some stuff in their hands. Father Maxwell noted that none of them walked empty handed. Behind them, the door bell rang, and two stout looking men, dressed all in proper dress pants, a black vest and a white shirt opened the door and stepped outside. They closed the door behind them and Amai gestured for them to move on. She saw Father Maxwell shoot her an annoyed look, she ignored it. She knew that he would want to see what they were bringing in, but Aria had warned her that the 'shipment' was not for him to see. Aria told Amai that more coffins and arms were what she did not want the Father to see. She led him to Aria's office, situated in the direct middle of all the offices that surrounded it. Amai knocked politely on the door, and Eden moved to open it. Father Maxwell held in his gasp, but the Priest behind him did not. They had never seen such a man. Smooth and flawless skin, glowing tangerine eyes, and fiery red hair, that hung over his shoulder. He was just a beautiful well crafted man. Father Maxwell looked behind the first one and was met with another beautiful man; this one had rich and smooth dusted chocolate skin, silver bulleted eyes, and the purest white hair that he had ever seen. Father Maxwell would have stumbled back if the young woman who stood before him did not welcome them in.
"Come in Father Maxwell and humble Father, welcome to the Crisis Organization. My name is—" Aria curtseyed as she said her welcome.
"Miss Aria Maria Lilium Xandera." Father Maxwell interrupted, taking one of her hands and kissing it daintily. Behind them Eden raised an eyebrow in slight amusement, and she felt a ripple of inward laughter coming from Naphtali. They were both amused by the sight of him. Pretending to blush, Aria invited them to sit.
"Would you care for some tea Father's?" Maxwell and the other priest nodded, the priest somewhat surprised at being recognized.
"Eden, could you—"
"It will be done Miss Xandera." Eden walked out of the office, so Naphtali was left guarding Aria.
"Well it is best we start at the moment, so you said that you wished to begin a truce between our people Father Maxwell?"
Father Maxwell smiled lazily, his larger eye watching Aria quite closely. "A truce you call it? Surely a fledging organization should as yours will need more protection than that."
"Surely not Father, we have managed to stay stable for these last two years. It has been growing since then."
"It has." Father Maxwell motioned to the priest and he produced a manila folder from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Father Maxwell, who placed it before Aria.
"Insomuch that our people have placed your people at strategic points and places around the world, for a small organization Miss Aria, you surely have vast resources."
Aria decided to play half innocent at this revelation. Sir Integra had not steered her wrong in dealing with this man. She picked up the folder and flipped through it quickly, playing the fact that she was surprised at some of the revelations within.
"Well, it seems my organization is expanding once again... It seems that I will have to get in touch with—"
Aria would have smiled at Eden's perfect timing, bringing back with him one of the stout men that had gone outside this morning. Eden did not need to see the gratitude that snaked its way into Aria's eyes, it was in her voice.
"Well, this is a welcome sight indeed, thank you Eden."
"Miss Xandera."
The man placed the tea in front of both Father Maxwell and the other Father, and served Aria last and placed a few sheets of paper before her.
"The shipment is in Miss Xandera, and all you need to do is sign the release forms and the men can begin on them."
Aria nodded and signed where he pointed. When it was finished, the stout man removed himself from the room and disappeared. She noted Father Maxwell's gleam of interest, as he made a small gesture of the priest to make note of what had just occurred. Aria let a small smile grace her innocent looking face. 'Perfect, it's going well after all.'
She placed a childish smile upon her face as Father Maxwell turned his full attention upon her.
"Come now dear Aria, we must be able to reach some sort of agreement. Taking you under our wing will be the perfect opportunity to strengthen our ties to England and the Queen."
Well, well, aren't we just a bit ambitious, Naphtali looked stoic as he thought this.
Aria's eyebrow rose, outwardly it seemed like she did not understand his full meaning. Within the reaches of her mind however, she understood fully. He wanted England. For a bit she looked thoughtful trying to figure out a way to get her self out of this situation. All Maxwell had wanted was England and a chance to gain a foothold within the country. Aria would be damned to all eternity by Integra if she didn't evade this very situation. Playing innocent did not soften this man's intentions; he only seemed to enjoy it.
"Well Father, I believe that we are quite able to manage on our own...and...and..." she watched Father Maxwell stare her down, trying to get her to budge. She wouldn't, but she could string him along for the ride... "we are..."
Father Maxwell noted that she tried to avoid his gaze, as if she was trying to hide some secret from him, almost as if she knew something about her organization that she did not want him to know about. He smiled deviously, not easily being able to hide his emotions.
"...I hope you will understand." Aria had finished her stammering, and she forced a blush on her face.
"I understand completely child." Aria looked up, she did not need to fake shock, it was plastered all over her face. The tone he had used worried her, and from the glint in his eyes, she had just created a man that would try to unravel all of Crisis' secrets. She had just created a monster.
'She's shocked, this is perfect.'
"I'm sorry if I tried to rush you child, it seems you are not ready to receive the wondrous glory that God has given upon Section Thirteen."
Aria groaned inwardly, 'This man is a fanatic. God save the Queen and us if he ever gets a foothold in Britain.'
"It is as you say Father." Aria then realized that she had not touched her tea. It had gone cold. Father Maxwell and the other priest rose from their chairs.
"We will meet at another time child, for now may the Good Lord bless you and keep you."
"Amen. Naphtali, will you please show the Father's the way out? Thank you."
Five minutes later Naptali walked back into the room, a grave look on his face.
"Two words for you Aria: Self-Righteousness."
Aria looked up and grimaced, holding her face in one hand. "I know."
Aria got up and dismissed herself from her own office, biting her lip as she did so. She did not feel the sober gazes of Eden and Naphtali as she grabbed her coat, and she completely ignored the calls of both Naphtali and Eden for everyone to return to normal. Slipping the light coat on, she stepped outside in the blinding and somewhat chilling spring air. She wrapped her coat around her closer ignoring the looks of certain people who looked at the woman in awe, expertly weaving her way through the crowd even though she looked like she should not be able to. Above her, a raven glided through the air, keeping track of her every movement as the evening now made itself visible. Aria moved blindly through the crowds of people, not stopping to look or to gaze until she stopped near a church. She gazed at it longingly, and as she moved to continue walking she walked straight into a body. She stumbled backwards but a hand quickly extended out and grabbed her, setting her back on balance.
"Ar' ye alright?" Aria looked up into the face of Father and Paladin Alexander Anderson. For a minute she was shocked, staring up into the shadow of the priest left her mind blank for a response, but a blush rose on her face unknown to her. Anderson stared down at the raven haired woman, her blush evident to him, but instead of saying the regular words to any woman or man he bumped into, he kneeled to be level with her.
"Ar' ye alright?" He repeated himself again, looking into the frosty depths of her ice blue eyes.
"I'm...I am...I mean...I'm alright." She stammered, trying to speak, but the words failed her.
"Aye, you may say tha' missy, but I dunna think your really alright." Anderson said gently, as if he trying to be gentle with her. "Com' on then." He then guided her into the church, safely seeing her across the street. Aria's mind whirled. She knew she should not be with him at this moment, she should not let him be touching her, she shouldn't even be trying to sneak a glance of him again... These and other thoughts made their way through her head. Anderson considered himself carefully in this situation even though his mind was screaming at him to let go of the woman he was safely guiding across the street. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought he had sympathy upon the child. 'I am guiding in one of God's lost sheep...' This is what he told himself as his mind warred with that idea. Meanwhile, Aria's own mind was in turmoil whether to turn and run, steal a couple of glances at the tall stranger beside her, or just call Naphi or one of the angels to come for her.
She opted for the church.
As she stepped in she could not help as a shiver passed through her, feeling the power of the holy objects around them. She subdued herself even more, and wanted to hide herself within Anderson's coat. Anderson unconsciously tightened his hands around the raven haired woman, feeling her shiver as she stepped into the church with him. A priest met them at the door, and welcomed them into the church. Anderson relaxed, if only slightly as he still held onto Aria. Her eyes swiveled around, taking in the church that she had not seen in centuries. Here, she felt blind, alone and naked. She felt as if she was truly a lost and forsaken child. In a sense, she was.
"Welcome to the Church of the Apostles my child." A kind, older priest with graying hair came up to Aria, his robes swishing in her ears. The priest acknowledged Anderson since Anderson visited this church every once in a while when he came to England. She nodded, but refused to step away from Anderson at that moment; even though she could feel the blessed silver cross that he wore beginning to itch the back of her head. Then she realized how foolish she was acting in front of both of them. She had let the events of today get to her and she had ended up in this mess... she sighed and a caw sounded out from within the church. Aria looked around for the confessional.
'I might as well get it over and done...I'll just try not to mention him when I do...' It seemed to both Anderson and the Priest that the raven haired woman reluctantly moved away from Anderson and headed in the direction of the confessional, stepping within its oak doors and inhaling as she sat down. She didn't dare touch the Holy water, but she did brave making the sign of the cross as the priest stepped in. Aria sighed again, and began her confession.
"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned, it has been two months since my last confession..."
Anderson hovered near the confessional not really wanting to move from the obvious position that he was in, standing near the priest side of the confessional, clearly hearing the conversation between the priest and the woman. But for the most part his mind wandered, knowing already that it would have been somewhat dull to hear the sins of what she had done repeated in his ears; of this he had heard many, many times. Suddenly he was startled out of his reverie when he heard himself being described to the priest. His jaw dropped. His jaw dropped even further as the priest gave her his name.
"Father Alexander Anderson." His name rolled off her tongue easily as if she was his secret lover. He shuddered at the implication that thought had upon him, but he did not shy away from the thought. He was openly curious about her, which was a rare thing for him. Sure he enjoyed sending vampires and other undead creatures to hell, it was understandable that he knew that he was not 'all there', it was alright that he knew that he could regenerate his limbs faster than any normal or average human... but to be curious about a woman? Anderson would have cut off his hand if that thought had entered in his mind any earlier in life, now he found the thought interesting...
Aria stepped out of the confessional, glancing around for the Paladin. She was shocked to find that he was standing near the confessional, as if he was listening to their entire conversation! Aria wondered at his boldness for a moment before becoming amused by the thought. He was human after all. Then she smiled secretly, she wanted to see how far she could take this, and how far he would go... she began walking up to him and lightly tapped him, bringing Anderson back to the real world, and facing the raven haired woman again. Anderson looked at her surprised that she would speak to him again, and that she wasn't angry for him being near the confessional.
"First of all Father, I must apologize for bumping into to you, it was rude of me and I never apologized properly for it—" Anderson was about to interrupt, but she continued without letting him speak.
"Second, I would be grateful if you would allow me to make it up to you by buying you dinner."
Anderson stared at her incredulously, buy him dinner? — it was insane by all means and here was this woman he barely knew asking him out?
"Why thank ye very much."
Anderson mentally slapped himself for his answer, why hadn't he said no? But, before he could change his answer, she nodded and turned around, swiftly making her way out of the church and through the doors. Behind her a crow swooped down and out the door, swiftly gliding near her hair as it went into the dying rays of the sun. Anderson let his mouth hang for a moment or two as he took in what was called beauty. The red rays of the sun created a fiery halo around her dark hair and set her white skin aglow with an ethereal enchantment. He closed his mouth as Aria turned to face him a smirk set on her face.
"Well? Aren't you coming?" Anderson quickly followed her as the gray haired priest chuckled to himself. 'Best of luck to you Father Anderson...'
And so it ends here.
I hope you continued to read this…
Please R & R.
Thank you.
Mystery