Sorry that this is a little late, I've been really busy lately...but, on the plus side, exams are finally over!
"So, what brings you two here?" Michael asked as he moved around to a seat at the opposite end of the long conference table.
"Oh you should very well know that, Michael." Lucia replied with an annoyed roll of her eyes. "And I'm hoping you know who I am."
"I know what you are- I knew the moment you got within the city." The man spoke with a tone of pure seriousness.
"I am Lucia Farthing, and this is my guardian, Alex Fallen. We were sent here on behalf of my father to try and understand the "situation" between the creatures of Heaven and those of Earth." she explained with equal professionalism.
The Archangel let his pale eyes wander over to look over the dark haired boy who he now learned was named Alex. Her guardian? Interesting… When the fiery haired woman followed his gaze she cleared her throat to regain Michael's attention.
"Yes, of course." he said to affirm her words. "I always thought that The Devil only had sons?" he gave a slight chuckle as he asked the question.
"Well, rumors will be what they may, but I assure you I'm bound to not be the only one of his offspring, and many of them certainly can't be identified as male." She sneered as the words left her, taking a moment to take a drink from her glass of water.
Alex stifled a bit of laughter at what Lucia had said; she could always be so snarky with her words and he loved that about her.
"Either way, what is happening here is becoming a problem in Hell as well, and he was curious as to what is going on to make it so." she said regaining her seriousness.
"Well my brother, Gabriel, has been terrorizing the humans with his army of Lower Angels. They have been inactive for a time now, but I feel the tension mounting and worry that he will strike with his forces soon." Michael explained, "I fear that if he has been building his army then Vega will not be able to hold its own against them. I can't even begin to imagine the toll he may take on the few other human compounds that are scattered throughout this country."
A silence began to settle over the three as the older man's words began to sink in. "Do you know of your brother's whereabouts?"
There was a pause before Michael answered, "No, I haven't spoken with him civilly in centuries." Alex could tell that there was a falter in his words, but he opted not to bring it to Lucia's attention.
"I see, might you have any suggestion for a course of action?" She took a moment to take a swig of her drink and shift in her chair, sending an idle look toward Alex, who had remained standing.
"If I knew where he was I would try and negotiate with him, but obviously that's not the case. He's always been a stubborn bastard, Gabriel…" he sighed with a hint of frustration, "But, if he does attack Vega, would you stand with us to defend it?"
"Well, it's not my city, is it?" She analyzed her fingernails absentmindedly as she spoke, not bothering to meet the Archangel's face as she spoke.
Alex noticed Michael's expression gain a hint of agitation at Lucia's response, but it was gone almost as soon as it had occurred. "Well, be what it may, I would appreciate it if you would. Besides the fact that your father might not like that turn of events."
Those words got the red haired girl's attention, making her move her green eyes to focus of the older man opposite of her. With a sigh and a grunt she rose to her feet and set down the empty glass.
"I'll have to give something like that some thought. As far as I can tell, the fact that humans now know about angels has proven to have a very negative effect, so I don't think that exposure to a demon would be much better, and this is not the time nor place for something like that." she stated curtly as she pulled on her dusty hooded jacket. "If you'd allow Alex and I to stay here for a while, before we need to move on to speak with the other compounds, then perhaps we may be of assistance."
"Yes, I was give you safe and secure rooms on my own private levels. The only ones permitted there are my personal soldiers, and they shouldn't disturb you." Michael explained.
Lucia thanked him and was about to walk out of the room when she stopped. "Alex, you know, if Michael doesn't mind, you can stay with him and talk. I think it may be beneficial for you both."
Alex perked up at the mention of his name and became even more engaged by what she had said. He looked to Michael hopefully, the other man quickly meeting his bright blue eyes.
"S-Sure, I suppose he could if he'd like to." He offered a small smile in hopes of easing the boy. Alex returned the gesture and moved away from his mistress to join Michael at his end of the table.
With one last nod of acknowledgement to the two men, Lucia took her leave. As soon as she was a good distance away from the conference room, she snickered to herself. Oh, I never thought that the Archangel would have a soft spot for a kid like him..!
I hope that Sundays will be our update days from here on out, so that means that the next update should but a little early (technically)...