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 +
Modified: Aug 9 2006
Babble Time!
Thx for the reviews, never expected it to actually did good to me. Now I know why authors love being reviewed. It actually kicked my ass to finish this episode. I owe it to you all (bows)
Lady Padme: Ooooo yes, Ion's being a jerk, If I'm Abel I'm going to smack that spoiled brat's head to stop his stupidity. Sorry to keep you waiting! I'm kinda finishing an IonXEsther bday gift that killed me for my sis (yes, she's an IonXEsther fan too.) Maybe I'll be give out the link by next episode.
JK-chan-I don't mind writing, I'll be finishing this whatever happens
Lady-Willowish-oh yeah (thumbsup)
Kageharu-LOL, yeah, dobito indeed. Gah, its really in Ion's character on running away on people and being so morosely emotional and all, so it feel natural (on me to write) for him to act like that.
Andarielle-thx for your sharp eyes and for adding me, maybe I'll do another torribla fic if I finished with this one.
Author's notes
And everyone, just for your knowledge, the reasons that I'm late is I'm modeling my gift art from Thores Shibamoto's designs (yes, the abhorring detailed artworks of the god called Shibamoto) so I kind of freezed from the story in favor of finishing the drawing. Another reason is I finished the Whole plot in the middle of doing this chappy, so rest assured that this story is going to be finished And… be prepared for more surprises, eheh
And oh, for those who had watched the anime, in case you're wondering where Vaclav is, I followed the novel storyline. He is gone in AX before Esther arrived. He's not exactly a good person the anime portrayed him to be. Anyway, when somebody is made a Pope, their names were changed, but I do know what name did he took in the actual novel and I do not want to go against it so I'm making Francesco's name stay as it is
And the humans do not know why the vampires came into existence. Probably Francesco does but refuses to admit it because of his principles and pride.
Hoookay! Info Corner:
For those who do not know, The Inquisition really did exist. They interrogate and execute those who were proclaimed as witches. I think its in early England.
Because you cannot be together as long as Contra Mundi exist. Moreever, it is considered a taboo by the society. But you cannot ignore it especially after some years you meet again in Albion to stop the assassination attempt directed to the queen w/c happened to be her… your love. Would there be peace?
Last Episode: Esther is too busy in her inward thoughts that she unwittingly came to the Meeting room. There are too many surprises for her in one day, one is the appearance of Abel Nighroad Shimpu, and… Ion. But it's too much for a surprise when a guard appeared in the midst of their serious meeting to announce the arrival of an unexpected guess.
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Crossing Differing Lines
veiledlantern
Chapter 3
Choices
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A guard appeared, bearing a message.
"Sister Paula, Vice-Captain of the Inquisition is waiting at the Court Room. She wants to talk to the Queen immediately."
Everybody's surprised stares pointed at the guard on the door, coupled with several loud heartbeats.
Esther's audible gasp is heard throughout the room.
Seconds passed before the whole group had digested the information. Each one heard the deafening silence. It pounded on their ears coupled by the erratic thrum of their hearts beating erratic. So loud that each one thought the others heard it. It's disarming news indeed. Finally, Esther-hime caught her speech.
"O-okay, tell her I'll be there by 15 minutes."
"Hai, My Queen" The guard curtsied then left.
Everybody is silent, lost in their own reveries. If they're not going to be careful, they'll be caught red-handed and worse, it's not just them but the whole Kingdom of Albion will be affected as well.
And to think Sister Paula is just several halls away.
"Suminasen. I should get going. I'll be catching up on you guys later. Mary-san, debrief me on the things you have talked about in case you're already dismissed when I'm finished. I won't take long. Later then."
"Hai, your Majesty" Lt. Mary bowed.
Esther curtsied and exited out of the room. Count Virgil escorted her on the court room.
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Sister Paula spent the better of the minutes thinking other things than minding her wait or feeling anything other than being her current stationary self in the middle of the room. The moon had since waned from its wake. She had contemplated on sneaking around stealthily to spy on the palace but thought the better of it. She should not make this long. She had to report to the Pope as soon as possible. It won't hurt being patient. They have a lot of time. Especially when the Pope learned what she had discovered.
A creak of the door signaled the arrival of the person she is waiting for.
She turned her eyes on the new arrival and shifted herself at last. Facing the young Queen, she held up her palms in her chest on a small bow and gave a curt one at the Count. Her Majesty returned the gesture while Virgil-san nodded. White lacy gown swished beneath the soft carpet as she proceeded on sitting on her place, with her advisor standing at her right.
Sister Paula started speaking in a business-like tone.
"I have come here in behalf of his Holiness Pope Francesco de Medici to personally apologize as well as deliver a message. Please accept our most humble apology." Sister Paula bowed reverently and politely. Her serious face blank, not betraying any emotion or thoughts there.
Idly, Esther looked at the woman in front of her. So many hidden things, she mused. /Who knows that inside those seemingly sacred, red robes adorned with a big cross hides a scanty armor wore by a cold-blooded extinguisher of lives? Methuselah or not, its still a life…/ Queen Esther stared thoughtfully for a moment, a bit loss on how to reply.
/Should I? Of course I have to be polite about it. But I need to know. If there is really a reason or they are just making an excuse. His Holiness is not the type to do anything that does not have something in it…/
Seeing that the Queen is not responding to her, she continued speaking, thus startling the young monarch out of her thoughts.
"Because of some unavoidable intricacies in the church, His Holiness has not been able to arrive at the appointed meeting a while ago, again, I sincerely apologize." She gives a small bow.
"But Pope or not, its still a disrespect to treat the Queen of the largest and most prosperous kingdom in the new Human Empire." A male voice intervened. Both women looked at the direction of the voice. Virgil. They have almost forgotten him due to his silence.
"Virgil-san" Esther uttered.
He continued. "Forgive me for intruding my Queen, but if that is the way he is treating someone that represents a whole kingdom, not to mention a very important person, then it is obvious that he think very little of us."
"As I have said, the Pope encountered several problems concerning the church. He will arrive here come morning, I assure you." Sister Paula eyed the Count warily.
Virgil looked over his Queen for her opinion. Esther turned to him and nodded.
"Very well then, if he did not come in the morning, the call is off." Virgil still looked unforgiving, his tone final.
"Thank you very much Your Royal Highness" Paula backs a bit then added, "I don't need any escorting, I can manage on my own. Till then." She curtsied then walked out
When she is gone, Esther let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Virgil-san, you nearly make a disfavor of the church in our nation." Esther frowned.
"I'm very sorry, Your Highness. But if we will not do that, they are going to take us lightly. I hope its okay with you"
Esther smiled. "Iie, Its ok. Without you I certainly won't know what to say. Thank you, Virgil-san"
"Its a pleasure my Queen." Virgil-san bowed in return. He offered his arms "Shall we go back then?"
"Hai" she stands.
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"This could be bad. The Vatican is aware of the movements of the AX, and it could only worsen up when they would learn that we were helping the Albion Government." William furrows his brows, with his hand cupping his smoking pipe."
"Yes, There is a possibility of them finding us, we should think of other ways of communication then."
"We could talk over the radio. All of AX member has it and we could communicate with you in the palace that way."
"The rest of the AX could go aboard the Iron Maiden and talk to you in radio." The silent Hugue suddenly speak one of his little interjections. Everybody lightened up at the idea.
"Yes, it's a nice suggestion. Arigatou, Hugue-san" Sister Kate commended the tall, silent priest. Who, ever since his arrival is still sitting down in crossed arms with his sword cradled on his shoulder.
Mary-san looked up at the blond nun. Upon looking at her, you'll never imagine that this delicate female with a sweet face and dainty bearings, wearing an all white habit would be the Captain of the fearsome battleship Iron Maiden.
Then a curious question rose from her. "Kate-san. How do you manage to hide that huge ship from the enemy and from civilians?"
Sister Kate just smiled sweetly.
"We have our ways, Lieutenant. We have our ways" Professor smirk mysteriously at her.
Then door opened to let in Queen Esther and Count Virgil. The people inside the room stand up to greet the arrival of Her Royal Highness.
"Its ok, minna-san. You can sit down." Esther took the seat offered to her and nodded her thanks. A brief rustling of clothes and scraping of wood to wood were heard while everybody settles down again. Kate remained standing. The intricate patterned wall behind her is half-visible against her translucent form.
"Demo… would it be much easier to spy if they would try to track the radio signal?" Abel said. There's some point to it. Silence again. Esther's gaze traveled throughout the room. Everybody is staring on the empty air, deep in their thoughts. She had decided its time for her to speak.
"Anou… can you inform me of what you've been discussing, Mary-san?" Esther looked over Mary.
"Ah, Hai, your Majesty." Mary-san broke away from her thoughts and started to update the Queen on the topic they had grazed upon. Esther nodded and pursed her lips randomly while listening and the others insert some snippets here and there as well as ask her opinion on some matter.
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"Its late" A matured yet adolescent voice from the dark suffused the dark living room, when Abel had entered the quiet mansion. His eyes passed over where the voice came from as he walked toward the kitchen.
"Serious concerns kept us late. We are thinking of new ways on communication. It is a good thing that the Contra Mundi has rested again. It seems that the church is starting to move. The bad thing is, we still have only a little idea what are they planning. The Inquisition appeared in the palace"
Ion jumped at that. "That means they are already investigating. Who knows what they had found out?"
"And Francesco can be a very sly creature if he wants to. We should return to the palace tomorrow."
Ion nodded.
Abel stopped at the mouth of the kitchen door. He looked sideways at Ion, the night-light reflected in his rounded glasses that hid any expression his eyes might give.
"Did you meet Esther-hime earlier this day?" Ion stiffened and marched towards the porch without bothering a reply.
Abel's smile is borders in-between amused, exasperated and worry. There is no need. Abel already had his answers. He sighed before digging in the kitchen. Damn he's hungry. Must be the lack of vampire blood lately.
----------ooOOoo----------
Morning came quickly. The sun shone with the fresh start of the day and the birds happily playing on the trees beside the wide glass windows. Esther found herself again waiting in her room to be called on the meeting with the Pope. Her mind wandered on the other one that is already resting on the ground. She bowed her head and clasped her hands in a form of prayer.
/Gomen-nasai, Your Holiness, I have been neglecting visiting you lately. But I'll never forget the promise I swore beside you in the name of God/ She closed her eyes. /I will fulfill this dream./
With this in mind, she is not surprised when a soft knock at her door was heard. No hesitation appeared in her eyes the moment it opened. A silent determination reflected in her large, cobalt eyes.
"My Queen, His Holiness the Pope is going to arrive any minutes by now. He had sent some guards ahead of him on his arrival"
"Its okay, I'll go to the throne room. Advise Lieutenant Mary and Count Virgil to meet me there." Esther rose from her seat and started to prepare.
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Soldiers lined-up in front of the throne as well as other royalties on the sides. Brilliant red draperies hung in between rococo carved columns. At the end of the long carpeted aisle in between the inset of walls bathed in surreal light found the Queen currently sitting at her matching rococo chair. She raised her head to see the new arrival.
"His Holiness, Pope Francesco de Medici!" The attendant called out, announcing his entrance.
Francesco walked solemnly with his head up high while spying on the flank of people he passes by. No AX members. But that doesn't mean that the Albion Kingdom is not communicating with them. After all, their Queen is a former member of the group. He secretly smirked. How ironic. So that's the reason why he included in his deduction of facts that it is positively possible that she also upholds the absurd beliefs Caterina had started.
And this is the right approach, isn't it? Making it appear as a state visit. But of course, the inner circle knows better. Both parties had felt that invisible tension between them. They probably know that he is here to either assert the mandate of God given to him or to make a deal with the government.
He let out a small smile. And of course, both would end with him taking the Kingdom in his hands. One more step and he is going closer and closer to the plan.
ooOOoo
After the usual courtesies the people involved preceded to the meeting room mainly Queen Esther and her two advisors, Lt. Mary and Count Virgil, followed by Pope Francesco and his escort, Brother Petros and Sister Paula.
Esther sat on the center with the Pope on the opposite seat. Mary-san and Virgil-san on each side while the Pope's escort stood at his back not too far away from him.
After they had settled on their seats, Francesco started. "I will not go around beating the bush, my Queen. I came here not just to strengthen the ally of the Albion Kingdom to the church but also reaffirm your loyalty to her." He rose from his seat and walk with his back on the table. He pauses for a moment before turning around.
"Vampire."
All those who are seated looked on him. He proceeded on his speech. "You know well my good intentions of removing those living sacrilege to God. That is my life long mission. Now that there is nothing against us, we should unite and destroy the abomination for the good of humanity!"
Esther clenched her fist at that. The late Pope Alessandro flashed in her mind. Caterina in her Cardinal robes. Seth. Abel. Ion.
Mustering enough courage, she held her chin up with determined eyes.
"Iyaa,"
"Iya?" Francesco echoed.
Mary-san shifted and opened her mouth but did not speak. Virgil is still as ever.
"We are all humans Your Holiness. Though we might be different in a way but we still posses the same soul. The same body parts. The same function. I believe that all of us are equal. Methuselah or not."
"Humans eating other humans?" Francesco spat. "Is that what you call human? Do not drink blood for it consist another life. A word given by God through Moses." He quoted from the Bible. "They disobeyed the commandments of God, and this is their fitting punishment. Their banishment from the face of the earth."
"But is it their fault? We are all created in equality but because of some reasons, their bodies began to change but that does not mean that they are not human anymore! They breathe the same air we do, appear the same way we do. It is the rogue vampires you are talking about. Not all of them are evil. The normal ones do not take humans for the sheer pleasure of it." Esther argued, trying to make him understand.
"Wolf in sheep's clothing" Francesco murmured. "You do not know what are they going to do and they can never be trusted. They might turn against you the next."
"No they're not!" Esther rose from her seat "They are trustworthy and they keep their word and..."
"And that's what you learned from socializing with them. You are no different from Caterina, Your Majesty. The Vampires had contaminated your thoughts, just like they did with my stupid sister." Francesco interrupted. The venom of his voice punctuated in every twitch of his stern facial features.
"That was uncalled for, Your Holiness" Virgil said in a tempered voice. This was going nowhere. He daringly pointed a glare at the Pope. Mary-san is equally infuriated as well. Esther collapsed on her chair, unable to say anything, frustrated beyond belief.
Nevertheless, Francesco ignored them.
"Would you like to end like her? Do you know what happens to those who cooperate with them? And do you know what they are called?" The Pope radiated a dangerous aura within him.
"Your Holiness." Esther warned. "This is not just between us and the vampires. What am I trying to say is that we should join forces with the Methuselah Empire to fight against Contra Mundi. They are the real enemy. If we will not unite, they could easily destroy us! The whole world!"
"There will be no alliance between the Church and the Vampires, Your Majesty. Ever. Do you dare to disobey our Holy Mother the church?"
"No, but…"
"Then fight with me. Lets give them what is proper. Let them know the divine wrath of God!"
A pregnant pause. Mary-san and Virgil-san looked sideways at their Queen, gauging the thoughts inside that thoughtful frown.
Esther breathes deeply and started to open her mouth when she is suddenly interrupted by the Pope's voice.
"You do not have to give out your answer, now Your Majesty. Think about your decision." With his chin up high, Francesco rose dramatically from his seat, give a small bow, turned and leave. The Inquisition filed up to the door and followed the Pope.
Meanwhile, the people that are left inside the meeting room were silent. The pressure in the air is still thick. Esther had her fist resting on the table, firmly closed, trembling a little from the suppressed emotions that are running inside.
"He's blackmailing us." Virgil's voice floated in the stillness of the room. The reality of the statement caused various emotions within them. The other two silently agreed.
"He wants to declare war with the eastern Empire and for us to side with him. He's given us no choice" Mary-san harshly whisper in a silent fury. She turned to her Queen. "You're majesty…"
"Forgive me for intruding" An easygoing voice floated in the door. Everybody's head turned to the man at the door. "Your Royal Highness…" The silver haired priest marched inside, in his heels follows a delicate looking hay haired young man.
"Shimpu Abel…" Mary-san stands up in mild surprise, still feeling the irritation of the previous debate. "You should not be here, the Pope. The Department of Inquisition, they did not see you aren't they?"
This time, another voice replied on her inquiry. "No they did not." The quiet and respectful response came from the smaller man. "Mary-san, Virgil-san" He nodded to the both of them. Then he turned to Queen Esther to give a more elaborate bow. Esther briefly remembered their last conversation and returned an awkward bow.
"I'm sorry about the Vatican, Esther-hime" Abel seriously faces the Queen.
Esther smiled a bit relaxes on her chair.
"Its okay, Abel-san, we have anticipated their move, Francesco-dono is just naturally irritating" The sober voice of Virgil-san, laced with a bitter humor lightened up the mood a bit
"Ahehe, he's always like that, gomen, gomen" Abel took in a lighter mood and grinned and slouched. "We have informed the AX already on this. So now, we are here to give information about the Contra Mundi."
Abel eyed Ion, who is actually the one that insisted on going to the palace, worrying about the meeting of the Pope and the Queen. "Kakka, would you like to inform the Queen of what we had learned?" The edges of his lips playing on a playful smirk
Ion shoots an annoyed glare at bespectacled Priest at the well-hidden tease. He had learned that Abel had discovered about his secret crush when the said guy started to unnecessarily mention Esther to him, dropping in uncomfortable comments and subtle teasing.
But before Ion had started to talk, something came in to Esther so she immediately questioned them.
"Anou… what happened to Shimpu Leon-san?"
"We're still trying to get a way on getting him out of the prison again. But its alright don't worry about him, that big man can take care of himself."
Esther's melancholic face lightens up and beamed a small delighted smile at Abel. At that, Abel laughs his awkward laughter and scratches his head. Looking at the two, Ion furrows his brows and bowed his head down.
"I'm so glad about that. I won't be promising anything but I'll try to get him out of there if I can." She said. Then Esther suddenly remembered about her current disposition with Vatican and her face fell downcast.
"Its ok, Your Majesty, you don't need to do that, we will do what we can, even though everybody is busy right now." Abel soothes Esther in his light manner. "So don't worry about that now, there are lots of things ahead of us."
"Hai" She smiled warmly at Abel.
"Lets get back to the topic then." Ion suddenly interrupted in a stern voice, his temper loosening for some unexplainable reason.
"Ah, gomenasai… Ion-san" Esther turned to Ion for an apologetic look.
"We have discovered that the Contra Mundi is hidden somewhere in Germany. The Orden is not doing any steps right now, and apparently, they are still in planning. But they're still after you, Your Majesty."
"I think they would wait till the United Nations Meeting. Cain is still on stasis so we do not have to worry about him in the meantime. But the Rosencreutz Orden would absolutely make a go for it, and we had just to be ready when the time comes." Abel added.
"Yes, you are right. Sadly, our soldier is not enough to guard the Queen" Mary-san remembered the time again when Cain attacked the palace.
"The Methuselahs at the Ghetto could help, Mary Kai-san. We can find people that are competent enough to fight the Orden." A pause. "Then they would guard you closely till the UN Meeting. " Virgil-san turned to his Queen.
Ion's eyes went huge. "Methuselah..? You are…"
Virgil gave him a long, meaningful look then turned his gaze back at the Queen.
"Of course the AX would still look over you closely. Kate-san could teleport herself to any place she wishes. Hugue is currently posted at the church nearest in the Palace so he could be on immediate help if anything happened. You could also relay messages to us through him."
"Thank you, thank you minna for doing everything for me. I'll do my best then." Esther gratefully added.
"You're our hope for reconciliation, Esther-hime, you should continue to exist" Abel regarded the Queen with a gentle stare.
"Yes, Shimpu-san. I promise, I'll do everything." Her bright eyes shimmering, looking up at the Priest she admired.
Ion looked away to the window. He's been silent the whole time. Why should he talk? He doesn't have to say something unnecessary aside from their current concern.
And besides, Abel and Esther is busily talking.
"Saa, Your Highness, we should be going ne? See you again" Abel crinkled his eyes.
"H-hai…" she faltered then turned her gaze to Ion who never met her stare since they stepped inside the room, probing the young man to at least get a sliver of idea of what was wrong with him.
/Are you avoiding me? What have I done?./
Ion, feeling Esther's gaze to him felt disturbed and guilty. After giving his bow he politely escaped out of the room. Abel looked confused for a moment before following the boy.
Both never speak up while walking, footsteps echoed throughout the high ceilings. After a long silence, Ion's moderate voice bounces on the wall.
"You look so comfortable with each other…" Ion thinks out loudly
"Nani? What do you mean by that?" Eyes wide with feigned innocence, Abel turned his head to the smaller guy in his right.
"Ah, nothing." Ion resumed his silent walking on the wide, shining maroon corridor. Once again, footsteps were heard against the silent hall. Abel sobered up. He's so tempted to tease the boy that he's just jealous but thought the better of it.
"Why did you not talk to her?"
Silence is his answer. Then Ion speaks.
"It's ok, as long as she's alright." Ion nodded to nobody, looking morosely. Abel gives a sigh.
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Meanwhile, another footsteps were heard but this time, the sound is muffled by the Persian carpet covering the floor. Another place same time. Long gold and white robes swish as he walks, the tip of the clothes caressing the soft mat. Other footsteps were of steel and metal clinking is heard every now and then, following the first one that is leading the way.
"I will go back to Vatican after three days. Continue gathering an army and prepare the War ships, we will attack the New Human Empire after two weeks."
"Hai" The helmeted, green haired tall man ordered something to the woman behind him and the woman disappeared.
The brown-haired man on the front with scowl on his brows smiled malevolently. He gripped his large, detailed crucifix firmly.
Everything is according to plan. And if the Queen of Albion will resist, he would reveal his card.
She has no other choice.
The deep, flaming darkening sky looks grim against the weakening sun.
Look forward to the UN Meeting, Krusnik mode ikee! A few episodes to go, Unexpected cameo appearance coming on at least 2 episodes. Yatta! Empire nobles on the next episode! And war, war war
(edit, Aug 19,2006-so apparently I've made several changes in the story but it's a nice change anyway, but don't' worry, all the things listed above will still be included but will be kind of delayed because of the needed story development and some plot alterations.)
Wittle Torribla Dictio
Arigatou-thank youGomenasai-sorry
Kakka-a form of formal salutation out of respect
Hai-yes
Iya-no
Suminasen-excuse me
Sa-an expression similar to so. br Hime-literal meaning princess. In this story, Esther is 20 yrs old (she's 16 in the original story on her coronation) and intead of being addressed as the Queen, the hime suffix is because she is still young, also a form of stating respect.
