Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood. It is copyrighted to Sunao Yoshida and the Art by Thores Shibamoto, and to Kentaro Yasui, and GONZO.
+ dedicated to the late Sunao Yoshida +
Author's notes:
Eventual IonXEster. Hookay, I've read the canon, and learned infos (novel-based) bout Mary Spencer that I do not like, but I'm still on the decision if I'm going to make it happen to my story or leave her as a good girl. Hmmm. Oh well, I would appreciate opinions, it would help in my forming of the whole plot.
Ion and Esther's relationship:
At this moment, (well more on the prologue timeline) Abel really held a special place in her heart, like some sort of attraction. She knows this that she had overlooked what her feelings really are for Ion. The only thing she knows is that they were very 'close' (rolls eyes) Judging on her reactions in the anime series, she is even not aware that Ion likes her, hehe.
About the story:
I think I've messed up the timeline laughs well, I don't really know when Alessandro… u know ;) I just kind of fitted it in my story, ehehe. But yes, it happened in the canon story. Including the occupation of the vacated seat of Francesco.
ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG I just can't help it TT I've been thinking of writing a simple fluff story centering around the 3 but it seems that politics wont leave them alone! Government and church politics, always seem to snoop around their sleeves, its hard to cut it off!.
Yeah, I've decided. I'll be making Mary-san a good girl here so in my fic she is on Ester's side.
Warning: For those who know the canon story, or the novel, I'll be straying a bit away from it, to adapt to my fic. But I'll try my best to make them IC. I loathe OOCs
Other warning: No smut but matured content. Matured conversations and stuff, plus the spoilers thing. If you're a new Torribla fan or just plain confused, leave a message so I can explain it maybe in the next author's notes. I hope I had made the story clear enough. Comments, questions and crits are welcome. Leave a msg if you want
xxxxxxxxxxxxxOxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Crossing Differing Lines
veiledlantern
Chapter 1
A Standing Point
xxxxxxxxxxxxxOxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'…love between a Methuselah and a Terran is strictly forbidden.' A cute little brunette teases him at the back of his head.
"Get over it..."
Words whispered flowed throughout the room. Trying to convince himself to forget something that he should really left behind when he go away almost exactly three years ago. Translucent curtain billows from the gentle strokes of breeze as it barely brushes the shoulders of a young man leaning besides the open window.
This time a vision of stately baroque expanse greeted his mind surrounding him and a grandiose lady wrapped in red across the room
'If Contra Mundi is destroyed, a coexistence between a Methuselah and a Terran is possible isn't it?'
Several strands of pale yellow hair are pulled and his brows knit from the recollection. It seems that he can't escape the trip to the memory lane today. It's been years now since he had heard those words and every time, a particular memory of big, bright, blue eyes, and maroon haired girl in white habit came across his mind, pushing itself to him without any heed. Like mocking him, being masochistic and all
"If it's still possible at all. The whole world is literally in a mess today, now that the balance is gone" Ion sighed.
A bespectacled silver haired priest cuts the silent solitude of the room.
"That's the reason why we're here in Albion, Your grace. The large possibility of "him" being in here is great" Abel paused. He need not to clarify it to Ion that it was Cain he was talking about.
"In addition, we have to protect the queen thus lessening the growing unrest of the citizens" The pale light of the night reflected to his glasses. The dark portion of the room hiding whatever expression might be present beneath those spectacles.
"But that cannot nullify the fact that the reconciliation between the Methuselah and Terran has been turned to worse, if not, near impossible" Ion replied bitterly between his teeth. Reflecting a short greeting on his eyes to the newly arrived. /And being in here cannot help me from focusing on what my goals are. Instead…/
"Yes, it's too bad that Caterina-sama's efforts of treaty for peace between the Empire and the Church is wasted by Francesco's insistence of wiping out vampires. And it totally turned into rubbles when he took over the Papalcy"
Ion said nothing but the flash anger that appeared in his eyes were imminent.
Abel continued, "We might stay a bit longer considering that it won't take long before they mobilize once again. Chances are, we might cross paths them sometime again this week. There, we could start planning based on the encounter" Abel shifted a bit on his position, fingering the doorknobs at his back. "But as of now, we're going to keep a close eye on her Majesty" Abel bowed a little and opened the door.
Ions nodded his head slightly then once again turned his head to the window. Abel eyed his partner knowingly. He knows that its not really Contra Mundi's blatant attacks on the kingdom and the church's vicious moves against the vampires that is making him uneasy right now. It's some feelings deep inside that he tries to deny or hide that are actually distracting the boy. Asta-san had opened that topic once about the Count of Memphis' quite obvious affection to the now reigning queen of Albion, Ester Blanchett.
Abel waited for quite a while, but hearing no response from the now tall boy he proceeded on stepping outside his room. "I'll be leaving you to your thoughts now."
Morning came along quickly. The scent of fresh leaves and blooming flowers blessed the whole place. Ester's gaze followed a flock of white doves that flaps its wings gracefully, going to wherever they are free to go. She smiled on them and turned her eyes on a flat, elegant marble stone etched with a name on the ground, planted with a cross on its head.
Peace. White dove symbolizes peace.
"I wish that the world is really as peaceful and simple like them, ne, Your Holiness?" Her expression saddened as she sits down and placed flowers on the grave
"I only want to … see humans live together in harmony, aside from our differences…
I know you want it too… I remember that time when we swear in front of God… we could have made it together… put peace and accord in this world…" Her smile is bitter and nostalgic. "But it seems that I'm alone now… And because of your death, Seth-chan had closed the Empire to the outer world. What am I going to do, Your Holiness?"
"And they're still going after me" She added.
"I really am weak…"
Esters covered her face with her hands and choke a bit of tears "I'm sorry, it's my fault that another person is hurt because of me. Again… I should have been the one who has been hit. Who have died. You do not have to do this. You do not have to save me."
Ester stayed in her position for a long while. She could not get over the young Pope's death that easily especially when she is the cause of his death. She had let others save her… again. And somebody got hurt, or rather died for her. Again. Why it always has to be this way?
The palace in all its shimmering glory stands silently under the sun's caresses. Inside and out, you could only see people shuffling to and fro on the corridors every now and then. Everybody seemed serious on taking their task. And at the middle of the hustle, a tall brown haired woman in stately military dress that denotes of a very high position stood in front of the tall window glasses, looking over the gardens with her hands clasped behind her back.
"She's still mourning"
Lt. Mary Spencer snapped from her silent musings and turned her head to see Count Virgil approaching her.
"Yes. I've sent several soldiers situated from the spot with a measuring distance to monitor and ensure her safety."
"You're well aware that the AX is being disbanded, isn't it?" Virgil joined Mary in looking over the lush greeneries outside
Mary turned her head to the Count "Are you coming on to something, Virgil?"
Virgil continues to stare at the window, formulating how to start. Mary narrowed her eyes.
"I've learned that Sister Kate and Professor William were Albion citizens. Currently, we're in a state of turmoil. And since they do not belong to any organization currently, we need an outmost help with people like them. And hopefully, with the rest of the AX as well."
Mary returned her stare at the garden, pausing to think about the time when Cain had infiltrated the palace, a breath away from accessing the ghetto. She shuddered at the thought.
"The enemy of the World… Contra Mundi.." she whispered and closed her eyes
Mary sighed. She spoke in a louder voice. "I hate to admit this but without proper help, we're defenseless against them."
"The third party or the church?"
Mary glanced at Virgil's face to search for any hint of sarcasm on him
"The third party." Mary looked thoughtful then continued "Both I presume. There might be a possibility that the new Pope has some inkling that we had the desire to have an alliance with the Empire. And we know that the Vatican wants nothing from the Empire but rather strongly wants to dissolve the higher caste. But I still do not know what steps are they going to take against the vampires
Virgil knows that Mary also had in mind what happened months ago, when Cain had crashed on the palace. Good thing AX had been there incidentally or they would have suffered greatly. But what worried him more is the forbidden place only the Walsh family knows about when its technologies were almost exposed to the enemy. Luckily, Abel Nightroad happened to be there to destroy everything before its falls to the hands of the Orden.
He opened his mouth to speak. "Yes, we could absolutely use their help. Let us ask the Queen's opinion then"
Ester had stopped crying sometime ago and had herself simply staring at the etched letters at the cold flat marble framed by the soft grass. She turned her head around when she saw a shadow looming over her seated form.
"Oh sorry Virgil-san, its you" Ester stands up to face the count
"Its okay, your Highness. I think its time for you to go back to the palace now."
"Yes, I think I've spend enough time here already. Lets go"
The two were silent for a while. But it didn't take long to Virgil to decide onto telling Ester-hime.
"Your Majesty, there is something that we would like to talk to you about. Would you meet with me and Col. Spencer at the conference room later?"
Ester looked up at Virgil. /This should better be not another death threat or a bad news./
Nonetheless she nodded and opened her mouth "Ok, Let's meet after lunch then."
Lunch time arrived rather quickly and Ester found herself sitting on the vast and ornate conference room together with Lt. Mary and Count Virgil. The solemnity of the room is being cradled around the room by the summer breeze from the open window. The three of them were sitting around the wooden table. Vanessa, Virgil's little sister is leaning from the end of the room, merely listening but inserting a suggestion here and there.
Ester idly wondered if the complications of the Pope's death could be easily dissolved in the wind just like that. The young Queen snapped out of his thoughts when Virgil continues.
"…and so we should arrange a meeting with them to know our opinion. It is the best for both parties, as well as the rest of the world."
"Yes. You could start with Sister Kate" Ester suggested "The fact that she is the head of the AX second to Cardinal Caterina Sforza makes the possibility of having the rest of the remaining AX as well."
"Well then, we should arrange a meeting together with Sister Kate or contact the rest of the team so that we would know their individual decision, since this an individual decision not an order"
"Anou…" Ester interjected. "Do you have any idea of where Caterina-sama currently is? It seems that she has disappeared since the new Pope had stripped her of her titles and dissolved the AX?"
"We have none yet, my Queen. The church may not even know itself where Cardinal Sforza is. And the concern is not in ours to interfere. Unless it involves state problems, of course." Virgil answered her.
"It seem that we have decided already." The confident voice behind them finally speaks up. Mary turned her head to Vanessa. The fierce looking spiky green haired girl looked over her, expecting a command. And so she did.
"Vanessa, create a contact with the Iron Maiden, we should held a meeting as soon as possible. Ask them if they're okay with tomorrow afternoon."
"Hai, Kai-san"
While an important matter is being discussed from the palace, an activity from the other side of the town is having its positive results Time flies fast indeed. Well, the whole day proved not to be fruitless after all. They have at least several leads on Caterina, which is a bit disturbing, should they found out that it's true. Almost the rest of the defunct AX, is in Albion, picking up on what they have left. And without their Head, each and everyone act on the issue according to their involvement and concern. But they keep the communication alive by the very least. And being pestered by the Inquisition is another story. It seems that Cardinal Francesco Medici's drive of 'make war against vampires and kill them all' were more insistent nowadays, especially that the Cardinal now has the Vatican under his full steering.
Ion saw Abel from his sun-blocked window while walking back to the noble young man's newly acquired estate. He decided to meet his partner and found the tall man in the middle of the living room.
"Kakka, it looks like that you're not quite happy that were here in Albion." The priest noted.
Ion groped for words. Or rather, for excuses. "No… Maybe… well… I think… I'm not, Actually… it just that…" Ion stopped, crunched his brows and stared helplessly on the flat surface of the wall. Abel smiles warm and big that his eyes closed.
His eyes revolve from the floor to Abel. After chasing Contra Mundi together for 4 years, He suspects that the amiable priest knows, despite the fact that he looks idiotic and clueless almost all the time. Ion knows that those eyes behind the glasses were aware of almost everything around him. He transferred his eyes to the sinking sun on the horizon. Ion lets his eyes close.
But Abel does not need to see. He knows
/No… not until we've defeated the Contra Mundi… until then, I should forget about this. Until then, I should not pursue my feelings towards her./ He opened his eyes again. He willed himself to have the determination.
Abel looks at Ion-san with a hint of amusement while observing the lean and deceptively frail-looking boy having an internal battle with himself.
/Let's see what these kids will do about all of this then…/
The next day came and as soon as the sun rises up, it is obliged to go back down again. The discussion with Sister Kate and the remaining members had been should we say have good results. It seems that they are willing to extend their hand in Albion as well. Which is a good thing since they needed an outmost help against the big threat named 'Contra Mundi'. Albion is the main power of the human populace, the strongest, most advanced, prosperous country their time. Vatican only overrules them in terms of influence. So if they fail, God knows what will happen to humanity. Ester thinks over of what happened earlier.
-o-
"Thank you for inviting us over, Ester-hime" Sister Kate Scott, also known as the Iron Maiden bow her head. Though soundless, her transparent immaculate habit appeared rustled from her movements.
"A-Anou… Its ok, Sister Kate" Ester smiles a reply in an embarrassed note, urging the nun to stop the formalities. Its not that she is not used on people addressing her as the queen but treating her like it, especially by her former co-AX friends is quite awkward indeed
"I also extend my greetings to the rest of you. Thank you for coming, my friends and comrades. Her eyes sweep through the rest of the members with a smile. Hugue on his cloak at the far left, Leon with his arms folded, Sister Kate on the center, and Professor on her right with his usual pipe. They looked too few, Ester mentally remarked. She felt something is missing. Or rather, someone.
On the opposite side of the meeting table were them, the Albion leadership. Count Virgil Walsh, a Methuselah an overseer of the Methuselah towns and the other human cities as well. His sister, Vanessa is not present due to some situation in the ghetto that required her assistance. Lt. Mary Spencer of the Albion Armed Forces, that also holds some kind of power over Albion since she also ascended from the royal family (though not directly). They were half-sisters. And her, the Queen.
"So…" Lt. Mary began, "I do not want to dilly dally around. I'm going to state the facts as it is and our only wish for you is to agree. Albion, being the most powerful country in this side of the world is unstable right now, with the Contra Mundi aiming at the Queen and our current unsteady alliance with the church, now that a new Pope is in power. We ask of you to lend us a hand, since our militia has weakened due to the recent attack of the Contra Mundi"
"And we also predict that some further disagreement with the church will happen soon." Virgil looked over his Queen. Ester looked back at the count, visibly worried. With Caterina and Alessandro gone, they are indeed going to have some hard dealings with the Vatican concerning their Methuselah towns.
Professor idly cups his pipe and slowly inhales tobacco and blew out the smoke from the side of his mouth. "So in other words you need our help"
Hugue looked up with his serene face, gesturing a wordless agreement. Leon, still with his arms folded smirked.
This time Ester is the one that inhaled. The afternoon smells of leaves and late blooms with hints of Professor William's tobacco floats around.
"Yes…"
"Do you know that Abel-kun has returned to Albion?" Ester opened her eyes and snaps her head to the Professor. She eyes her in her silent question.
/THEY are here/
William nodded then speaks again "So that means Contra Mundi is also around the area, though it seems that they are currently planning on something again, probably initiate the assassination plan once more while destroying the Kingdom of Albion at the same time."
"Yes, since the lab was destroyed, Cain had nothing to do with it. And the Orden feels threatened by the growing influence of the Queen so getting you out of the picture is their another quest." Leon finally spoke.
"And I think that Abel has the most information in the Contra Mundi and the whereabouts of the Duchess of Milan" Sis. Kate supplied
Upon the mention of her former superior, Esther's brows knit in worry. "The Cardinal. I hope that she's okay."
Then something dawned on her. "Now I remember. Where is Shimpu Tres-san?" Ester finally realized whose lacking.
"It is speculated that he accompanied Caterina ever since her disappearance. Indeed he is a very good bodyguard." Professor speaks over his pipe.
"Yoshaa! And since we're on the same side, let's join forces and try our best to win this this, how far it may seem right now" Everybody nodded their heads in Leon's outburst.
"Professor?" Mary-san asked in assurance.
"You do not need to ask. I was born in Albion and have been loyal to it ever since. I would gladly lend my intellect whenever needed."
"Sister Kate?"
"Almost the same as Professor, I would protect this city where I was born and use the ideals of Caterina-sama and the power of the Iron Maiden to pursue victory."
William glanced at Hugue.
He looked back in response. He is a man of a few words. Even not all the AX knows his quest. Even so, he had almost the same belief as them. He could look for 'her' while doing this. Then again, he knew that he would be stuck in Albion for some time if he agreed, and she could be anywhere. But right now, the safety of humanity is more important. He swept his eyes over everyone present. And to their relief, he nodded in agreement
"Lets also try contacting Abel Nightroad then." Virgil states as he rose from the seat. Mary-san clasped Professor's hands in gratefulness.
Ester upon hearing Virgil's words stiffened. She doesn't think that they know that Ion is with Abel. She is the only one that they bid farewell to years ago before they started to chase Contra Mundi again. But then, they have nothing against vampires don't they? In this meeting room, the common thing that they have here is their dream of vampires and human to coexist together, that's why they're here. That's why they're going to fight. That's why they want to survive.
-o-
Ester let out a long sigh. She slightly leaned on the glass window of her room, closed her eyes and clasped her hand together up in her bosom. She can't stop to let the emotions run through. And she can't help but be nervous about it.
The meeting with Abel and Ion, that is.
/Shimpu… /
/Will they come to me again/
/Its been years. Are they going to talk to me? Are you going to talk to me? What am I going to say/
The conversation with Abel-san is rather short. But Ester still vividly remembers how Ion last looked under the night light when he stepped into her room. She smiled wistfully. Maybe she could buy a white rabbit with red eyes so she won't feel so alone. She giggled softly at the idea. Then her thoughts ran to Abel. Of how he and Cain fight after his revival in the outskirts of Londonium. Her smile faded. She leaned her head to the window and clasps her hands tightly. It's his life. His mission. She's out of it. Of his life. Of his purpose. She could not and might never be able to fit in.
/Why can't I reached you/
Hurt
Longing
…. Confused?
What is she really feeling?
/If this is over… could you… would you… stay with the empire with me/ A not-too matured yet not too childish voice uttered through a thick blush.
Her eyes flew open. She gasped.
Ester's head snaps out of her thoughts and run to the porch and throw the glass doors opened. Her heart beats faster now. She searched and scanned for anything that moves around the area.
/Why am I behaving like this? What am I exactly looking for? And why do I feel anxious all of a sudden/ She thought as she leaned to the balcony, sticking her head out looking outside left to right, right to left. It's not that far to the grounds to have difficulty scanning the area. Her room is at the second floor of the palace.
She sense movements on the left side on the edge of the garden. There, the rustling behind the bushes. She squints her eye to see. Then suddenly, a squirrel runs from a bush to another.
She sweatdropped.
/Mou… it's just some squirrel/ Ester pouted. Embarrassed, she retired back to her room and ordered tea.
A lithe body removes itself from reclining to the adobe walls. He smirked. He's just right under the balcony where Esther opened her windows. Red eyes looked up behind the flowers that adorn the edges of the terasa at the second floor above him.
"Baka… " he whispered, an amused glint in his blood-red eyes. The amused glint fades, as it turned melancholic.
Then as sudden as he appeared, he is gone in a blink of an eye.
/If this is over… could you… would you… stay with the empire with me/-phrase quoted from the anime
for those that missed that episode, that's what Ion asked of Ester (while blushing heavily o ) when they arrived on the Empire for the emissary mission. But it was left unanswered because Abel falling on the pond caught their attention. Ruckus ensued, moment destroyed.
Shimpu-father/priestGhetto-what the Albions call the underground Methuselah town.
Yoshaa-an expression similar to "okay then!"
Duchess of Milan-Caterina Sforza's other title, also her codename in AX
Hai-yes
Anou-a sort of speech filler like.. "umm"
Kai-san-Literal translation is Captain. But sometime, its literal meaning is lost along the way and they (the japanese) use it on persons that leades a few or a lot of people. They call Mary-san captain.
Baka-idiot
Terasa -terrace. That's what we call them in our country. And I think it suits it better.
