Chapter Text
It was another Sunday, another morning at the black mass. In one of the back rows in a nondescript long sleeve black dress she sat. Her white collar crisp and pressed, hair pulled up neatly in a plaited bun. As the sermon was droned on by one of the priests, she couldn't help her gaze fall along the many women who watched him with such vehement intensity. Hanging by every word that he spoke. It was even worse when their pope was visiting. Well, their most recent one anyway. He'd been around only a few years but had quickly become a favorite among everyone. He preferred to be called Papa to Father to make his children feel closer to him. They all had, but there had been something about this one, maybe his youth, that inspired an almost rabid loyalty.
Her grey eyes finally pulled away from the black carpet, hands wrapped around the rosary and twirling the grucifix between distracted fingers, only to meet the eyes of the current preaching priest. Her eyes alighted for a moment in shock before casting her glances elsewhere in embarrassment. He was referred to as the Father Alpha here. The other deacons and priest had just as strong a gaze, but he usually lead the Sunday mass. She'd never really done much to garner their attention, faithfully attending mass and ritual, going to confession as asked of her. But for the most part was a grain of sand amongst the beach that was their congregation. At least in her mind.
Many a whisper had supposedly seen the faces under their masks as they wanted their people to follow them for their word and not much else. She'd never gone out of her way to find out herself, as long as the light of the Morningstar was there to lead her, she was content.
“Fey!”
The woman was pulled from her reverie by a harsh whisper from a woman of about the same age with a chopped auburn bob that seemed to run long in the front. She was on the prayer bench and as Fey looked around, so was everyone else, except for some small children and herself. Unfortunately for her, it hadn't gone unnoticed by the Pulpit. She scrambled down, clasping hands together and bowing her head to follow along in prayer. Clasping the rosary tightly between her hands to follow along in prayer quietly, joining the amassed mumble of the crowd.
After mass had come to an end, the room was filled with murmurs and loud talking amongst everyone, many the chipper face rushing to shake hands with Father Alpha and thank him for such a rousing sermon. Fey noticed he seemed a bit distracted, if one could give off such a feeling from behind a mask.
“Really Fey, what was so stirring that you got distracted? Is everything alright?”
Fey blinked at her counterpart, had she been so noticeably out of it?
“I apologize Tris, I was simply daydreaming again. Things have been stagnant as of late at work. Everyone is chomping at the bit to find out who got the promotion.”
Her friend gave her a playful bat on the arm with a smile.
“You have Him on your side, so I'm sure it will be you.”
Fey chuckled as she departed from her friend who was quick to hop in line for confessional. Did any other kind of church have such avid confession-goers? She'd have to go to confession soon herself. She licked her lips as she walked down a dimly lit grey hallway, not paying too much attention to her surroundings. She hadn’t exactly lied to her friend, work was a bit stressful, and she really did want that promotion. Plus, a promotion meant more money and maybe better church clothes. Some of the women dressed to the nines while she stuck to basic little black or red dresses and the occasional green dress or skirt blouse combo, using a belt to add to it if she was really in the mood. Her thoughts were interrupted as she collided with a black clad figure with a very verbal ‘OOF!’
“I’m sorry, I should really pay attention, I- I-”
Her eyes looked up to see Father Alpha and Papa Emeritus III in the flesh and up close. Her cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red as she bowed deeply, clasping her hands in front of her.
“I am terribly sorry, please forgive my spaceyness!”
A gloved hand plopped on her shoulder supportively and squeezed.
“It is quite alright my child, you didn’t mean anything by it.”
Her ears reddened as she straightened up to see Papa Emeritus with his hand affectionately on his shoulder, his eyes showing a kind light in them. Maybe there was something to all those women’s affectations for him.
“What is your name? I’ve never seen you sitting near the front, why is that?”
Questions, so many questions. This is why she avoided things. Her answers were not going to be good enough. Lie. She would lie. Lie to her pope.
“It's Fey, Papa Emeritus. And I just have a knack for being here just in time for service.”
He tilted his head at her and his smile seemed to twitch even wider if possible as he took her hands in his.
“Well, you'll have to be arrive here sooner. I'm sure Father Alpha and I would love to see your bright face front and center.”
Was he coming onto her? No, he was doing his job. She was being ridiculous. Lord Satan help her, this was a bad time. She just wanted to pee. Her eyes darted to the priest in question who'd been watching her with that same stare he'd given her during the sermon.
“Indeed we would. You always sit in the back, I'm sure Tris would love the change of pace.”
Had he always looked at her during sermons? Then again she sat in the same spot just about every Sunday and black holiday. Blonde brows knit together for a moment before Fey softened her face and gave a soft embarrassed smile.
“I promise, I'm sure Tris will be delighted. I hate to cut the conversation short Fathers, I must attend to some personal business in the lavatory.”
A small ‘Oh’ emanated from Papa Emeritus and he ushered her onward to continue on her way with well wishes. Once a ways off, she heard them seem to continue whatever conversation they'd been having before she'd run into them. Fey flushed and found her way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and leaning over the counter.
This was ridiculous, she was a grown woman and here she was, acting like a schoolgirl. Tris would probably laugh at her.
Fey slapped her cheeks and looked in the mirror to wake herself up. She was an adult and it was time to act like one. The day continued on without much incident. Tris coming over once she was done with confessional to have dinner with Fey. She didn't offer Tris any information about the run in and Tris didn't ask. The auburn haired woman talked about how she got a wicked glee out of Father Omega listening to her confession. The girl was lost to him and Fey wasn't sure if he knew or not.
That night Fey was addled by dreams of harsh gloved grabs and mismatched eyes peering into hers. Fevered glances bringing her to the brink. Her breath hitching in her throat as her body was teased endlessly. The dreams haunted her all night and all she could feel was an unsatisfactory build up without completion.