Title: And the World Tips
Summary: The world has tilted on its side, shifting everything out of place and everyone into new roles. But now that the great battle for the savior is over daily life must resume in a post-apocalyptic world. And Audrey owes her life to the Archangel Gabriel.
Author: Bathyscaphe
Disclaimer: Legion is property of Bold Films. Not a fanfiction writer, however much they would like to own the gross production of any movie.
Pairing: Audrey/Gabriel
Characters: Audrey, Gabriel and others
A/N: I would enjoy some good, thoughtful critique and ideas on how I can improve my writing style, background original characters and characterization of the movie's characters. Note please, that while the prologue contains no Audrey the rest of the story will.
"Now this is just too funny."
The old stories describe the demon Belphegor as a beautiful woman. Gabriel thinks they have it wrong- she lacks the breath taking beauty of a true angel or the lust inspiring splendor of her brother Asmodeus. She's pretty enough, in a rugged way- a sharp face, broad muscled shoulders and arms, black hair cut roughly around her strong jaw and unnatural, unnerving yellow eyes. Her time in hell has done nothing for her looks- Gabriel remembers she used to have the loveliest white wings- now they are singed to black and the feathers have been stripped away in places, giving her the look of a molting pigeon.
"Demon." He greets. And then, since he is trying to be civil "Belphegor the Slothful. What is so funny?"
She smiles in a sad, hopeless way that makes him understand some of her ascribed myth and Gabriel remembers that part of Sloth is also Despair.
"That all it took to get us talking again was the Apocalypse." She says softly. "When you summoned me here did you plan to kill me? I was wondering whether to answer your call or not. I hope I chose well." her eyes flicker to the mace resting against his knee. Gabriel makes no move to get up.
"No. Simply to talk. And we have spoken since your fall from grace, though not civilly." He reminds her.
Belphegor snorts incredulously and sinks into the rubble, easily finding a seat and a place to prop up her feet. She settles quickly and closes her eyes. For all intents and purposes she looks as if she has been sleeping there for a thousand years.
"Spoken?" She says skeptically. "More like screamed at each other from across battle fields. I think you threatened to kill me at least three hundred times now. You know, if I had the energy I would hold a very big grudge. I think you might have even given me a scar from the last time we fought." She finishes the uncharacteristically long speech with a yawn and shifts slightly amongst the shattered concrete, finding a position that allows her to lay her head down.
"I remember you fought with surprising ferocity for the Lord of Sloth." Humor colors his voice ever so slightly. He remembers their battles well, though due to her cowardliness they were few and far between.
"I can be vicious when my life and precious nap time are on the line." She answers good humoredly. "So, God's Left Hand, Messenger of the Most Holy and Soldier of Heaven. Why did you call me here? What was so important that you would talk to one of Lucifer's generals?"
His body remains as unmoving as stone but behind him his wings twitch slightly, showing his anticipation. He is not a creature inclined to dependence, even on his own brothers. To trust this monster that has been his enemy since Satan first fell, even with the smallest particle of knowledge, it shakes him deeply, to his divine foundation. Still, there was no one else to ask. No angel had questioned God's orders and maintained their position, non except Michael and his brother had only smiled and told him to find his own answers. Thus, to understand this new world with it's upside down laws, he needed someone who had rebelled before, however unsuccessfully.
"I seek advice." He tells her, his voice hushed. To even ask this of a demon, to admit that God did not hold all the answers, is blasphemy of the highest order.
Belphegor laughs.
"You know, this really is ironic. Gabriel, the most diligent of God's angels is asking me, Belphegor, sloth personified for advice. What do you need, a good excuse for when you play hookey? I have several saved up in case Lucifer should call on me."
Gabriel pauses, still unsure of himself.
"Tell me, why did you rebel?" he asks.
The question takes Belphegor by surprise.
"That's a bit personal, don't you think?" She asks. Gabriel doesn't answer, instead remains unmoving, waiting for an answer. Eventually his patience wins out. She gives a long sigh and sits up with a wince and a slight stretch, signifying that she is giving him her full attention.
"It was too sad." Belphegor answers mournfully and something about it rings true, though it wasn't the answer he expected.
"It was too sad, to know all that was going to happen to Man throughout the ages. The wars, the famine and plagues, the genocide and then the end of days. And why? Because Eve ate the apple? But did not God first make them rebellious? Omnipotent and omniscient as the Father is, it would seem he's punishing them for following the nature he first created for them. And, because of the unfairness of it all, and because it made me so sad, I rebelled."
They sit there for a minute in comfortable silence, letting the heavy words settle in the air. In the distance, he can hear crickets. Then Belphegor chuckles darkly.
"And look where it got me, right? Hell is… literally hell on my back. I think I've ruined my spine." She stretches and a few feathers fall from her wings, revealing even more of the tendons and raw muscles underneath. "So why do you ask, Gabriel?"
He doesn't pause this time, just answers as honestly as she had.
"I have lost my way. I no longer know what path I follow."
She raises an eye brow, almost crookedly.
"And you want me to point out the right one?"
He nods, always the silent one.
Belphegor stands up and then abruptly turns and starts walking away. Her voice is raspy over her shoulder.
"Nope. No can do. Nice talking to you though. We should do this again sometimes. Give me a heads up, I'll put on a kettle first and we can have Early Grey. Really soothing stuff."
She's just raised a hand in goodbye when he snatches it up and spins her around, forcing her to face him. He's had enough of being jerked around by God and by Micheal, neither of whom he can confront. But here, a demon, is something he can take his frustration out on.
"Answer me!" He commands in his true voice. A human would not be able to withstand it. Belphegor doesn't combust, but it brings her to her knees and she gasps, barely able to breath. Her free hand clutches at her chest and the human form she's taken on wheezes pitifully, slowly forcing air into her lungs and then finally regaining her breath.
But when she looks up at him, it's with pity. Belphegor climbs back to her feet slowly, extracting her hand from his loosened grip and gives the bruised limb a good once over. When she's established she's still in once piece, the Lord of Sloth answers him.
"You need to find your own way, Archangel. That's what Michal figured out."
"But how?" And he sounds young and helpless even though he has watched time progress since it first began.
And because she is ever the impossible brat, Belphogor rolls her eyes.
"Dumbass. It's your own way, I can't tell you. I'd suggest starting with the blonde though."
And then with massive wing beats she leaves, the only thing remaining is the acrid smell of sulfur and a few blackened feathers.
The blonde. Gabriel thinks it over. It's not a bad place to start.