Chapter Text
The sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the abbey, casting colorful patterns across the stone walls. Papa Emeritus IV, known to many as Copia, sat at his desk, tapping his pen as he mulled over the phone call he had just made. It was that time of year again - the annual ball, the grandest celebration for the siblings of sin. But with his usual duties keeping him busy, he knew he couldn't give the occasion the attention it deserved. So he called upon a trusted sister from his ministry, someone he had known since his days as Cardinal. As she entered his office, he looked up from his thoughts and smiled warmly at her, grateful for her help on this important matter. The air was thick with the smell of incense and burning candles, adding to the solemn yet comforting atmosphere of the abbey. Papers were strewn across Copia's desk, evidence of his hectic schedule and responsibilities as leader of their sacred order. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, knowing that with his sister's assistance, everything would come together seamlessly for the upcoming ball.
“Ah, cara! You responded quickly to my request. Sit please.” He motioned to one of the open chairs in front of his desk. Sister Addeline smiled softly as she found her way to one of the chairs and sat down. Crossing her legs at the ankles and folding her hands over her lap. “I was told you wanted to see me Papa.”
Copia’s eye’s gleamed with a mixture of intrigue and satisfaction. His fingers adorned with his ornate rings, gently tapped the mahogany desk, in a rhythm that only he understood. “Indeed sister, we have much to discuss.” His voice was soft, yet it held an undertone of seriousness that commanded her attention.
“How have you been since we last had a chance to talk?” He looked at her.
She smiled softly. “I have been good Papa. Staying busy with helping with the Latin translations and my own duties in the library.”
He listened intently to her, his eyes traced the contours of her face, drinking in every detail. A subtle nod acknowledged her words. “And you manage all this with much grace sister. I called you here because there is a matter of great importance that requires someone with your knack for detail and special touch.”
Her eyes met his and she sat up a little straighter in her seat. “You know I will always do my best for our abbey Papa.”
He nodded again and leaned back a little in his seat. “I need you to organize the annual ball this year. I will give you a team of sisters and my ghouls to help you with the small details and running. “
Sister Addeline's blue eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and excitement flickering across her features. She tucked a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear, a nervous habit she had never quite shaken.
"The ball? Papa, I'm honored, but... are you certain I'm the right choice for such an important event?"
Copia leaned forward, his mismatched eyes - one white, one green - locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. The black and white papal paint on his face seemed to accentuate the sharpness of his gaze.
"My dear Sister Addeline," he purred, his voice low and rich like aged wine. "I have the utmost faith in your abilities.” He stood, moving around the desk with fluid grace. The fabric of his cassock rustling softly as he moved around the desk. "Your attention to detail, your creativity... they are exactly what we need.”
Sister Addeline felt a rush of warmth at his praise, her cheeks flushing slightly. She watched as Copia approached, her heart quickening with each step he took. When he reached her chair, he placed a gloved hand on its back, leaning in close enough that she could catch the faint scent of incense and something uniquely him.
"Besides," he continued, his breath warm against her ear, "I trust you implicitly. Who better to entrust with such an important task?”
His proximity was intoxicating. Sister Addeline struggled to maintain her composure, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her habit. "I... I won't let you down, Papa," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Copia's lips curved into a smile, his eyes glinting with approval. "I know you won't sister."
He lingered there for a moment, his presence enveloping her like a warm cloak. Sister Addeline could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell the subtle notes of sandalwood and musk that clung to his skin. Her breath quickened, her pulse thrumming in her ears.
Slowly, deliberately, Copia moved away, his gloved fingers trailing along the back of her chair. "Now then," he said, his voice returning to its usual authoritative tone, "let's discuss the details, shall we?"
Sister Addeline nodded, trying to regain her composure. She watched as Copia returned to his seat behind the desk, his movements graceful and purposeful. The late afternoon sun caught the silver in his hair, giving him an almost ethereal glow.
"The ball will be held in three weeks' time," he continued, shuffling through some papers on his desk. “I do have some specific requests.”
Sister Addeline leaned forward slightly; her eyes fixed on Copia as he spoke. The air between them seemed to crackle with an unspoken tension.
"Of course, Papa. I'm all ears," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Copia's mismatched eyes gleamed as he continued. "The theme this year will be 'Shadows and Starlight.' I want the ballroom transformed into a nocturnal paradise." His gloved fingers drummed a slow, steady rhythm on the desk. "Think midnight blues, deep purples, and glittering silver accents. The ceiling should be a canvas of constellations."
Sister Addeline nodded, her mind already racing with ideas. She could almost see the shimmering decorations, feel the mystery and allure of such a setting.
Copia leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his painted features. "As for the music, I want a blend of classical and contemporary. Something to keep our guests intrigued and on their toes." His eyes locked with Sister Addeline's, a hint of mischief dancing in their depths. "Perhaps you could work with some of my ghouls to create something... unique."
Sister Addeline felt a thrill run through her at the challenge. "I have some ideas already, Papa. I think we could create an atmosphere that's both elegant and slightly... dangerous." She blushed slightly at her own boldness.
A slow smile spread across Copia's face, his mismatched eyes gleaming with approval. "Excellent, sister. That's precisely the mood I'm after." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a silky murmur. "I want our guests to feel as though anything could happen under the stars, a night of endless possibilities.”
Sister Addeline felt a shiver run down her spine at Copia's words. The intensity of his gaze and the low timbre of his voice made her heart race. She took a steadying breath before responding.
"I understand, Papa. We'll create an atmosphere of mystery and allure." Her voice was soft but determined. "Perhaps we could incorporate some interactive elements as well? Hidden alcoves with tarot readers or fortune tellers could add to the sense of the unknown."
Copia's eyes lit up, a spark of excitement flashing in their depths. "Ah, sister, you continue to impress me with your creativity." He stood once more, circling the desk with an almost predatory grace. "Tell me more of your ideas."
Sister Addeline felt her pulse quicken as Copia approached, his presence filling the room. She cleared her throat softly before continuing, "Well, I was thinking we could have different themed areas throughout the ballroom. Perhaps a moonlit garden with living statues, or a misty forest glade with ethereal music..."
Her voice trailed off as Copia came to stand beside her chair. He placed a gloved hand on the armrest, leaning in close. The scent of leather and incense enveloped her.
"Go on," he purred, his breath warm against her ear.
Sister Addeline swallowed hard, struggling to focus. "We could have masked performers weaving through the crowd, adding an element of mystery. And for the main dance floor, what if we created the illusion of dancing among the stars?"
Copia's lips curved into a smile. "Brilliant, you continue to show me why you are perfect for this job. Now, why don’t you go ahead and get going. Lots to do sorella, and not a lot of time to get it done in.”
Sister Addeline nodded, rising from her chair with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. As she stood, she found herself mere inches from Copia, his imposing presence enveloping her.
"Thank you for this opportunity, Papa," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won't disappoint you."
Copia's mismatched eyes gleamed with an intensity that made her breath catch. "I know you won't, sorella," he replied, his voice a low, velvet purr. "You never do."
As Sister Addeline turned to leave, she felt the whisper-soft touch of Copia's gloved hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards the door. The brief contact sent a shiver down her spine, igniting a warmth that spread through her entire body. She watched his gloved hand reach for the doorknob before he opened the door. She risked another glance at him with the turn of her head and offered a small smile before her feet found themselves moving towards the library.