Medford, Texas – The Agora
9:00 AM - Thursday - September 18th 2059
I really screwed up… like really, really screwed up this time. That much was clear from the second she had been found. Yet she knew that mother would surely have to bail her out of this. Sure, I am going to be spoken down to, and berated… but that's probably it, why am I panicking? Yet Jessie couldn't ignore how her mom looked right now. Mother was a member of the Agora. The same body that would stand in judgement of her shortly. She wouldn't look at Jessie, which was what she did when she was furious, not exactly a great sign.
Next to her was an Aqua, the same one who had appeared the morning after Hope got attacked. Having a vampire in the Agora who wasn't Grey, was unheard of. The Agora was the most sacred place for Grey women. Just a year before it was the place where Jessie was recognized as a woman, and given equal place. The greatest day of her young life, Jessie knew today would not merit that high. No way they execute me for this. Still, it was a possibility with how badly she had handed her assignment.
After stewing in her emotions for nearly an hour the doors finally opened and the three of them were summoned inside. Art Locke was acknowledged first, as a "welcomed" friend of the clan. Not all those sitting high up on their elevated seats looked at Art as a "friend." Jessie could see some of them were very uncomfortable having an Aqua here. Art began by explaining what he had discovered and why he and Travis had gone to Omaha. Jessie knew beforehand she wasn't allowed to speak, nor should she attempt to. She listened in silence as Art went over what he found. At least its an Aqua telling this, I cant imagine if it was Susan or Dolly who found me. Then I really would be dead.
Art was kind, he didn't elaborate on everything he found at the club. As if the Agora needed to know I have a taste for drugs and parting until 3am. As a vampire she was able to deal with "MD" better than most humans. Her drug of choice always helped her unwind and feel free when she partied. The greyish haired woman who sat in judgement looked at her sternly for a moment and then asked her a direct question. One of many she would be fielding. Ok…. Here it comes.
"So, Jessie, do you disagree with what this Aqua has said? Is this the truth, what he stated? Because what he is saying is serious."
Jessie didn't bother to lie nor did she want to. Lying to this body was a sure-fire way to get killed. Besides Art had been VERY kind in his descriptions. He didn't mention that she had been found in the back room naked. He could have pointed out what she was doing in this club, and with whom. Thankfully Art only mentioned finding her. It was bad enough, I was out cold while Hope was being attacked and not at my post.
"Yes, what Art says is correct…I am ashamed of it, but yes."
A moment later Susan, the grey leader of the Agora dismissed Art. But instead of leaving, he spoke again asking to be heard. Something that distressed a few around her. Susan however smiled and let the Aqua speak.
"I want it to be known. I speak as the father of the victim today. Hope is mine, both as my daughter and clanmate. What happened to her was terrible, without question. Yet it was not Jessie who brought this violence on to her. Greg paid with his life for his actions, as well he should. I and Hope's mother are satisfied that our daughter has been returned to us safe. That is sufficient justice for us. If this body wishes to know our feelings, we would not seek punishment for Jessie. We are thankful Jessie has been returned to you. Goodness knows, not all our young ones always are."
Jessie felt her emotions of embarrassment grow with every word. It was Jessie who had been sent to protect Hope. To watch over her, and keep her people apprised of Hope's movements. But where was I, oh just getting high and screwing some guy, no biggie. Jessie was too out of it at the time to know whom she had sex with. It wasn't the drugs or the sex that shamed Jessie however. My one real chance at showing what I can do… and I fuck it up. I am better than this! I should be out there working for Dolly or mom! As Art went on making his case Jessie continued to ponder on what could have been. Proving to everyone just how ready she was for more important assignments. Like that of Dolly's team seeking justice for the slain Aqua. Any hope of being on that team, was long gone now.
Instead of being a grey and following her duty, she had gone off to have fun and party like she was a co-ed. Still, I happy I got to meet Anthony. He was so much fun, as long as it lasted. He would forget her, that was clear enough. And truth be told she would forget him soon enough. He made me feel so…. Art began to speak again which shook Jessie from her thoughts.
"If I may be so bold, all of us here, have made errors of judgement. As a proud people who know service better than any, I know this must sting the Grey. However, I submit this child can learn from this. One of the things the Marines did for me was to give me an avenue for redemption. I made mistakes, and I paid for them. I got my ass handed to me, but it taught me. I submit Jessie is like all of us, this could be an excellent teaching moment for her. I urge all of you not to throw away this opportunity for Jessie."
Susan with a great deal of respect, responded to Art. Jessie had never seen that much time taken in this place for anyone that wasn't a Grey, or a woman for that matter.
"We appreciate your words Arthur. We may not be as familiar as your clan, but ours respects men of service. It has not gone unnoticed by this body your contributions. Your service to country, to town, and to your clan. You have been a friend to us for as long as you have been a vampire. I can assure you Arthur, your words will be considered and given their weight. However,…. what this child has done is grievous. Nevertheless… we will take your words into consideration. Please, allow us to consider the matter. Go with our thanks, and with our respect, Arthur of Aqua."
Jessie watched him go. Sweet guy, he would have made a solid Grey man. Strong, quiet, but well respected. I wonder what he really did that made Susan respect him so much? I know sure as shit it wasn't just him being a marine. Once Art was gone, and it was clear he had left the building, the real trial began. Her father stood to levy charges. Unlike Art he did not spare her in the slightest. Including the drugs and the partners. Hearing her own dad explain just how many sexual partners she had, and what drugs she did, cut her to the bone. The mutterings from the Agora were numerous.
"I am afraid this is not the worst that I found. In my investigation I found that my daughter had left her post. Not once, not twice but many times. That night that Hope was assaulted was the 5th straight night she had failed to protect her that week alone. She did not just fail at her duty, she abandoned it."
Her father was dear to her, they had always been close. Travis was loving and tender to his children. And of his many children, he had shown Jessie the most favor. God dad, did you have to be so descriptive! Why couldn't you just be like Art for once? Still, Jessie wondered how he had learned about all this. It didn't take long for her to discover how. Father had learned most of it by questioning Anthony. After hearing a long and excruciatingly detailed list, Susan asked about Anthony. When her father spoke next Jessie's mouth fell open.
"Once it was clear to me he was using my daughter as a play thing and had no intention to honor her, I took his life. As I have done with several other humans I found to be involved."
He listed all the lives he took in Omaha; Jessie knew them all. Each were friends or acquaintances at the club. Her father listed his reasoning and the offence each had done to earn a death sentence from him. Jessie knew her family more than capable of this, but for some reason always assumed they wouldn't since those killed had Jessie's tacit approval. Sure, they delt drugs, and Mac did some really shady shit with some weak girls that came to the club. But they had NEVER hurt me? She wanted to be with those guys, they didn't rape her. Yet father didn't care, and from the looks of it neither did anyone else. Susan just shook her head in approval for father's actions and then turned her attention back to Jessie.
"So, you leave your post and whore off with men for drugs? Is this what I taught you when you apprenticed with me? As a child when you and my children played, was this the example you saw in my home?"
Jessie replied "no maam" as was expected of her. As if Susan is a paragon of Grey virtue. I know for a fact she likes to have fun on the side. Sure as hell not going to bring that up now. I need these old birds to cut me a break, not cut my throat. She dare say anything right now that could jeopardize forgiveness. That was a lesson well learned in childhood.
"Your father is a legend in this clan. Was this what you learned by following his example? Did you really think your mother would go off and let other men touch her for drugs?"
Jessie would be asked a dozen more questions like this. Highlighting again and again and again her actions. Each time she answered the way she was expected. The more she did the more she knew she was going to be ok. This was exactly what they did when they were going to forgive her. The alternative was death. To dishonor the clan meant death. Still, they aren't going to kill the daughter of the King. A part of Jessie was still worried. The threat wasn't idol for non-family, they had killed members of the clan who had dishonored them before.
It was about that moment when Susan asked her mother to step forward and answer for her daughter. When she spoke Jessie's heart went ice cold.
"I cannot, I taught my daughter to be chaste. To serve her duty above all other things. I knew Jessie could be impulsive and irresponsible, but I believed as she took her oaths that it would pass. I was dreadfully wrong, and I accept the judgement of this body that my daughter was not ready….. that she is not worthy of being one of us. I should have known and not sent her on this mission. I am ashamed of her and of my own judgement. If this body believes she should die, then I would not be opposed to it."
What the fuck? Mom… I know you can be cold but come on! The room got very quiet and Jessie looked from person to person to gauge their reaction. Some had no love for Jessie, one even smiled. For the first time, Jessie seriously feared for her life and turned to her father for rescue. He was King, beloved by all Grey! Surely he would save her!
"I love my daughter, and like our friend, believe it's not right to throw away a chance at redemption. But I cannot argue with my wife's assessment. Jessie has certainly shamed our clan. The Aqua were relying on us to keep Hope safe and she failed. We owe the Aqua much, they have stood with us many times. My own blood flows in that clan. My brother and our Brehon is Aqua, and of course my father is visitor to both. What Jessie has done is to jeopardize this relationship."
Jessie heard the sorrow in her father's voice. And something else, fear. God dad, please if you ever loved me now is the best time to show it.
"We are fortunate the Aqua are so forgiving, the other clans wouldn't be so. As her father it would be very easy for me to take Art's suggestion as our course of action."
Travis looked directly into her pleading eyes when he said the next words, which cut her deeper than she thought she could be cut.
"Yet, she is guilty, and deserves death. I will not stand in the way of this body should that be your judgement."
When Jessie looked again at Susan she was a different woman. I am so fucked…. She felt abandoned by her mother and father, and deeply, deeply alone. It was quiet for a long time while the elders spoke among themselves. Once that was done Susan rendered judgement.
"Jessie, you are a woman of the Grey. In your heart beats a warrior, this I know to be. You come from excellent stock. Yet like the others I cannot ignore your actions. I am no prude and couldn't care less who you fornicate with, or what you take for pleasure. It shows your lack of good judgement which makes you a fool."
The word echoed in the quiet room. Jessie felt the word be spoken about her and felt its edge pierce her flesh. It was damning. From Susan's expression it was clear that was what she believed, not an empty taunt.
"Still, fools can serve, many do. But even fools follow their duty, you did not. Jessie, this crime cannot be forgiven, this isn't like before when we looked past your childish ways."
Jessie stopped breathing and closed her eyes. Really this was what they thought of her? She had given up her life, her future, the love of her family for what? In that moment before the last words were spoken Jessie felt sick to her stomach. She had traded everything she loved and held dear for this. Suddenly what was so fun before didn't seem as wonderful now.
"I judge you to be unfit for duty. As is our custom, those unfit for duty are only good for death. However,…. your conduct as vile as it is, leaves you in debt to the Aqua. Your charge was harmed, and the Aqua have cause against you, even if today they say there is no offence. That girl did not wish to be violated, she did not wish to become a vampire. It was your choices that thrust that on to her. Thus, I believe, as do the others, that you owe Hope a life debt. Therefore, I give your life to her. Until your life debt is settled this judgement will remain. From this day forward you are not a Grey, nor will you be treated as such. No Grey will accept you in their home, no Grey will acknowledge you as one of us. You are cast out child, until your life debt is settled you will belong to the Aqua. Should you dishonor your debt and abandon her…. We will turn over your life to the Huntress to be hunted down and killed as a coward."
Jessie turned and called out to father but he didn't respond he just gave her a short look before he turned and left the room. As did everyone else including her mother. Jessie stood there shaking at having been left there alone in the room. When she spoke aloud it echoed in the now empty room
"Oh my God…. What have I done?"
She stared at the closed door in disbelief. Still thinking mom or dad would come in and make it better. Eventually it became clear that it was over. She was no longer a Grey. The guards left her alone in the room for a few minutes more before they entered, informing her that she was no longer permitted in the Agora. They forced her outside where she found Art waiting on her. She wanted to scream, cry, and punch something. It took a great deal of control not to do any of those things to him. Even his expression, one of remorse, cut at her.
"So, they gave you to Hope, it could have been a lot worse child. We both know that. Come on…"
She started to say something but the Aqua man wasn't saying it in a condescending way. His face showed he was concerned for her. And right then Jessie desperately needed to fix what she couldn't. What she said was what she felt.
"I can't believe they would just…. Abandon me?"
Thankfully Art didn't respond he just put a hand on her and led her to his pickup. As he drove she wondered what it really would be like to be…clan less.