A/N: I'm working my fingers to the bone.
Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood.
Stella sat motionless on a small stool before the altar. Her sensitive ears could pick up over a hundred whispered breaths. She found comfort in the familiar ones, and puzzled over the rest. There were a lot of people there, more than she expected. She recognized most when she turned around, but some were anonymous. She had not seen Abel, but she knew he was there, somewhere.
The small side door opened, and instantly the crowd fell silent. The Pope stepped out of the small room beyond and walked, eyes closed in what seemed to be prayer or tranquility, the familiar path to the altar.
Stella smiled when the Pope opened his eyes and nearly jumped out of his skin. Obviously he did not know that so many people were interested in this case. As he stared nervously at her, Stella could not help but offer him and encouraging smile. He nodded and began.
After offering the expected formalities, Pope Alessandro cleared his throat. "We are all here to bear witness to Miss Iceheart's sentencing. After reviewing the notes from the hearing, I have come to the conclusion that Miss Iceheart is loyal to her friends and family. In fact, I have no doubt in my mind that Miss Iceheart played a part in her brother's disownment of her as well as Leader Demetry's engagement to Miss Vanessa Walsh. Am I right, Miss Iceheart."
Stella smiled at the Pope, "To the latter I'll not say, but to the former, I'm loyal to any and all that deserve my loyalty. Those who need my help will never be turned away."
The Pope raised an eyebrow, "Even if it means sacrificing yourself and your own happiness?"
"Yes," Stella stared at him evenly and responded without hesitation.
"Even if…"
"My Lord," Stella interrupted impatiently, "if it will hurry this along, I will lie, cheat, steal hell, I will (and have) kill to save a friend. I believe anyone within the AX organization who has worked with me can attest to that."
From where she stood, Stella could just hear the Pope sigh. "Miss Iceheart, I have dwelled on this subject in the long hours of the night and have heavily considered the ramifications of a too heavy a punishment. I have also considered your actions with the charges." Pope Alessandro looked into Stella's eyes as he said, "I have cleared you of the charge of treason to Rome, with the knowledge that the actions you took were to benefit the state and the overall safety of society."
"Thank you, sir," Stella said, bobbing her head gratefully.
"Furthermore, I've assigned you two simple tasks, for there are only two charges as of now," the Pope continued, "the first is to receive the signatures of one hundred people that states you are beneficial to their own lives as well as safety to the political and religious rule."
Stella nodded understandingly. She could hear both Leons chuckling quietly somewhere in the pews behind her. Though the people sitting next to them probably could not, she could hear their chuckled whispers.
"I'll bet there's twice that many here."
"Alessandro didn't have a clue when he decided that trial."
"Shush."
The Pope continued, although he looked slightly less confident than he had before, "the first trial must be completed within three hours. The second trial shall be revealed when the first is completed. May the Lord be with you." Without further explanation, the Pope left the room.
Abel looked to his two companions. "If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I must go talk with Stella." He added as an afterthought, "If you wish, you may come with me. Stella will surely be glad to see you."
Vitus lazily looked at Abel, standing up straight from where he had been leaning against the wall, "We came to observe and, if necessary, stop an unwarranted punishment. We will not interfere so long as your Pope remains reasonable."
Abel nodded his head. "Then if you'll excuse me."
As Abel began walking towards his friend, who had been unshackled and handed a clipboard, Vitus called out after him, "We still hate you."
"I…" Abel turned around to answer him, but both Vitus and his brother were gone.
Shrugging, Abel made his way through the crowd, gently pushing himself through the mass of people who were already getting in line to sign the paper. He smiled brightly when he saw Stella.
She had been given some new clothes, to replace the soiled dress she had worn for so long. Her hair was brushed and her eyes bright. She still had the pinched, thin look about her that made Abel suspect she was not eating, though. She probably did not trust the food that was given to her.
When she saw him, she returned his smile and nodded; he suspected (by the way that she moved and the quick, jerking movement from one of the guards) that she had been about to hug him. Too soon, however they both were reminded of the people around them and were forced to observe the formalities of two colleagues, not friends.
Abel held out a hand, half-bowing as he did so. "May I be the first to sign your paper, Miss Stella?" he asked genially, purposely avoiding the use of her last name.
Stella returned the smile, and practically beamed when he did not use her last name, "I'd be honored, Father Nightroad."
It took just over an hour to obtain the needed signatures. Stella did not even have to travel outside the chapel. When she had come up short with the friends she had, having about eighty-seven (in that number, Abel had noticed, was the elegant writing reading Vitus and Intiki), Inquisition soldiers and the Pope's own Bishops humbly asked to sign. They were met with smiles and many of the AX knew that the slight rivalry between the two factions would die.
Stella had become yet another bridge.
Adeodatus had looked furious as she was flocked with person upon person, each wishing to sign the list. Leon Sr. had come up behind Abel and told him that he was keeping an eye on the Lord, and he had disappeared behind the same door as the Pope. Both agents watched the door until Adeodatus returned.
He ignored both of the men's glares as he stepped up to Stella. People moved aside, as if by being close to him, they would contract a disease. Abel and Leon were separated, and pushed to the back. The Lord asked grandly, as if he way doing Stella a favor by offering, if he may sign the paper. Neither AX agent heard Stella's answer, but her eyes were cold and her face stiff. The people around her, surprisingly enough mostly Inquisition soldiers, smiled, as if hearing a joke. Adeodatus left without ever having touched the clipboard.
Someone was sent to retrieve the Pope, who hurried back in surprise. All settled into a quiet murmur as the Pope approached the altar. Utter silence fell as the Pope cleared his throat.
"I must say, Miss Iceheart that I am thoroughly impressed." He smiled, "Not only that, but I am only more thoroughly convinced that the decision I've made is the right one."
"My next trial is a rather long one, and I'm afraid it will upset many people. However, given that you are a Titan and have quite awhile on this earth, I suppose it might not bother you as much." The Pope looked nervous before saying, "In a little over two hours, a plane will take off to the Buddah Island. You will be on that plane and will stay on the island for…"
The room became tense. Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for the decree. The fact that Stella was leaving hit her hard. She had gone through the entire ordeal just so she would not have to leave. Calm down. She told herself. It might not be as bad as you think.
"… one year."
A/N: Review!