The scream of a fledgling echoed across the walls of the Pavilion, it brought them out of their rooms to investigate, searching for the cause of such an anguished cry. Nisroc lead them into the Lounge first, stopping short at the sight that greeted them, there stood their archangel, and on his arm was an achingly familiar blonde fledgling. A small toddler of a girl, little blonde curls framing her face, her hair wouldn't straighten out until she got a few years older. Little diamond like tears were streaming from her bright blue eyes, and she reached out for him upon sight, flexing little fingers insistently.
"Griz'y! Griz'y!"
"Sir?"
Michael raised the arm she was seated on, nodding for his Captain to take their fledgling, Nisroc curls his fingers around her middle and lifts her from his arm, pulling her close to sit on his arm instead. She coos softly, petting little fingers over his bearded cheek, laying her head on his shoulder, tucking herself in the crook of his neck. "She's…...She's a fledgling?"
"A spell." The Commander gestures to the fussy fledgling, calmed now that she wasn't in his embrace. "From the Winchesters witch." He smiles at the fledgling, trying for a kind smile, she sticks her tongue out at him. "Raph is working on the counter-spell."
"And, you want us to watch over her, I'm assuming?"
"She's not exactly my biggest fan at the moment."
Nisroc smiles down at the little girl on his arm, she smiles back up at him silently, leaning up to kiss his chin. "We'll look out for her, of course, won't we boys?"
The little fledgling peeked up over his shoulder, waving at the others with a big smile, she loved them all so much. They smiled in return, waving back in kind, Haniel wiggled his fingers at her and she giggles adorably, hiding back down against her biggest brother's shoulder. He smiled down at her, bouncing her on his arm for a brief moment, and nodded up at his archangel.
Michael smiled at them in fond amusement. "Does she remember anything?"
He nods. "Bits and pieces, the childlike state of mind has primary control, but her memories are in the present back of her mind." The archangel rubs at his cheek lightly and sighs. "She remembers that she doesn't like me very much. She remembers being alone." He gazes upon the fledgling again, giggling softly as she peeks over Nisroc's shoulder again, Haniel and Hasmal are making faces at her from behind their Captain. "She kept asking for you. 'Grizy', that's an adorable name, Captain."
"It's 'Grizzly' Sir, if you're going to say it, you have to say it right." He kisses the side of the blonde fledgling's head. "A nickname from an adorable fledgling."
"My apologies, then." Michael chuckles softly, shaking his head, and his Captain smiles at him. "Why that?"
"She couldn't say my name and it stuck. She still calls me that, when she's her usual self, when she's trying to butter me up for something." The Power looks down at the fledgling, bouncing her on his arm again, smiling at her giggles. "Isn't that right, you little troublemaker?"
Abraxas giggles softly, throwing her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Lub you griz'y!"
"I love you too, baby girl."
Michael claps softly, nodding in appreciation, looking over his men for a brief moment. "I know she is well looked after, so I take my leave, Puri try not to give her too much chocolate."
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
…
He looks up at the knock to his door, fingers curl around the edge, and push it open wider. Haniel leans against the doorframe with a smile, crossing his arms loosely over his chest, tapping the fingers of his left hand over his upper arm.
Abraxos slowly lowers his book. "Yes?"
Their prankster grins at him. "We've got a surprise for you."
"Is it from the others or from you?" He folds the book closed and sets it aside. "Because, if it's from you, I appreciate the thought, but you can keep it."
Haniel laughs, it's a well placed cautiousness, his last personal gift had been a sea snake to Puriel. His older brother had screamed at first, seeing as he had set it in his wardrobe and closed it in, waiting for him to open the door to reach in for a clean tunic come that morning, he'd been furious at him and he'd successfully hidden from his older brother for nearly two days before he was found.
Puriel had kept the sea snake, named it Shelby, and had a tank built for it in his room.
"It's from all of us, I swear, nothing to worry about."
His older brother turns, bending his legs over the side of his bed as he straightens up, frowning lightly in wonder. "What sort of surprise?"
"It's a good one! I swear!" His fingers come to a standstill. "You want to see what we have?"
"Does Nisroc approve of this 'surprise', Haniel?"
"Oh, he does." He nods encouragingly. "He loves this surprise with all his great big heart."
Abraxos nods slowly, curling his fingers around his knees as he leans forward, and Haniel grins wider. "What is the surprise?"
"Yay!" His younger brother claps excitedly and turns, waving at someone behind him, and there's the sound of an achingly familiar giggle that has him frowning again. "Come in, squirt!"
"You a squ't!"
A familiar blonde fledgling comes running into his room, pushing lightly at Haniel's knee as she passes him, blonde curls bouncing with every step. Her hair wouldn't straighten out until a few more years, but her bright blue eyes would never change, the color of a cloudless sky. Little finger curl around his, as he stares down at the familiar fledgling with wide eyes and a slacked jaw, she leans in between his legs and stands on her toes to kiss the tip of his nose.
"Hiya A'e!"
"You're…" He closes his mouth, opens it, closes it again, and opens once more. "Abraxas?"
"Me!"
"You're so…so small!"
She giggles brightly. "I a fledglin' silly! O'course I small!" She lets go of his fingers and tugs at the thighs of his trousers lightly with her tiny fingers. "Up, A'e!"
He moves without knowing what he's doing, curling his fingers under her arms, lifting her up to sit on his knee. She straddles his thigh, leaning back against him, and curls his right arm around her securely.
Nisroc smiles from the doorway. "Are you happy now, baby girl?"
"H'ppy!" She hugs Abe's arm tightly with both her little arms. "Miss'd A'e!"
Abraxos shakes his head to clear his thoughts, curling his hand around her left thigh, he leans forward as he stands back to his feet and brings her up with him. "Not that I'm not ecstatic that she's this small again, but, um, why is she a fledgling again?"
Their medic, Puriel stands at Nisroc's shoulder, the others had returned to their rooms to ensure it was fledgling-proof for her. "The Winchester's witch friend, what's her name again, Rowena?" He shrugs lightly. "I don't really care what her name is. She cast a spell on her."
He feels anger roll in his belly, as he looks down at his fledgling, she turns her head upwards so her bright blue eyes could meet his. "She cast a spell on you?" She nods, sniffling softly, rubbing at her little eyes with a fist. "Hurt'd." He frowns lightly. "It hurt?" His fledgling, his baby girl, his duckling, his world, nods again and sniffles a small sniffle. "I'll kill her."
"You're not killing her."
"Nis," he looks up at him unmoved by the indirect order. "She hurt my duckling. She's gonna die. I'm gonna kill her." He turns his attention back to his fledging, her little lip popped out in a pout, and he strokes a finger over her chin. "Did she make you cry?" Abraxas nods and sniffles again. "A'e g't 'er?"
"Abe's gonna get her, for sure."
"Aba," Nisroc is stern, but there's amusement in there as an undertone too. "Don't you dare try and get him to smite her."
She turns to smile at him innocently, and he can't help but to return her smile, wagging his finger at her playfully which makes her giggle. "I do nothin'!"
"You better."
"I good girl!"
He nods fondly. "Yes, you are, baby bear."
…
The first day back to training with their fledgling in tow was easier then expected, Abraxas was still used to waking up that early, or at the very least, used to Abraxos waking up that early. She only fussed for a short amount of time when he lifted her from his bed, pulling her into his arms, an arm curled under her bottom as she pressed against his side to lay her head back down on his shoulder. Calmness was restored when he leaned over to grab her blanket, it was a spare one of his, and curled it around her still sleepy form.
The others were waiting for the at the entrance to the training field, the sun still slowly rising, and the young, new, trainees trickling out just as slow as the sun was rising. Yawning and grumbling, shivering against the cool morning breeze, rubbing sleep from their eyes, they eyed the fledgling on his arm enviously as she got to sleep on, curled away in a warm blanket.
There was only four trainees, in the higher classes assigned to them, who were rearing to go. Jumping in place, stretching, preparing for a grand day of strenuous activity.
Nisroc eyed them carefully, his arms crossed, and shook his head. "I will never understand those three. I know for a fact they didn't turn in until twilight last night. How are they so awake, more so then those who went to sleep much earlier, it makes no sense."
Titus laughs softly at his side, eyeing his young charge carefully, and then his brothers. "I believe Paul and Andre are addicted to coffee beans. He thinks I don't know about it, don't tell him otherwise, but he has a large bag of them hidden under his bunk."
His Captain groans and rubs a hand down his face. "He's hyper enough as he is." Sparing the other a side glance. "Take them away."
"I won't. I consider it a battle I don't want to fight. He's not very secretive and if he thinks I don't know, I'd rather him not learn from his mistake, and him actually hide something from me that I should know about." He smiles as they high five each other over their shorter friends heads. "Besides, it means I can work them harder then the rest, he's coming to stay with you tonight, isn't he?"
"Yes."
Titus chuckles softly and pats him on the arm. "He'll sleep like a fledgling." He strokes a few fingers over their little one's cheek and steps off from his side. "Rest assured."
"That's all I ask."
His class stares at him with wide eyes as he addresses them for the first time that morning, running through that days training regiment, detailing who is partnering with who, which partners begin with hand to hand, weaponry, and physical training.
It must be a sight to see, him trying to be commanding with a fledgling resting softly on his arm, but he maintains his command and they split off soon enough to contend to their assigned tasks. His fledgling stirs lightly at a particularly loud clash of a sword against another, and he rubs the back of her head soothingly, urging her back to sleep, and she nuzzles back down with little prompting.
The sun crests the skyline before they know it, waking the rest of the inhabitants of their big grand home, and others slowly start to fill the empty training field as the seasoned warriors join them for their own physical training. The footsteps and rumbling of the crowd slowly starts to buzz around them as the Axis slowly but surely becomes alive.
Messengers awaken when the sun hits their Aerie, buzzing about their duties, flying overhead and running about to make their deliveries.
Joshua opens the gates to the Garden, inviting the guardians that help him tend to the grand fauna in with a gentle wave of his hand, turning as they follow him in.
The forges become alive with the sound of crackling fires, simmering melted metals, and hammers pounding.
The Infirmary wakes just as early as they do, busy as ever, persons coming and going at a moderate pace.
The Choir is arising with the day, humming as they work, the Morningstar instructing his personal Choir and the elders instructing their new young ones in their classes.
Heaven's awake and bustling by noon.
At midday rest, she finally awakens, pushing herself up from his shoulder, yawning widely as she stretches out, she smacks her lips softly as she settles back down and looks up at him with bright blue eyes.
She's slept well and now she requires nourishment.
"Are you hungry, baby duckling?"
"Hung'y A'e!"
He turns them away from his class, to face his brothers, Puriel is standing between two of his trainees, who had gotten into a bit of a squabble and are currently under his stern reprimand for such undignified actions. "Do you see Puri?"
"See Pu'i, A'e."
"He's got some fruits for you, for breakfast." Abraxos turns to face her again, smiling down at her, as he gently uncurls the blanket from around her shoulders. "Do you think you can make it all the way over to him on your own?"
"I a big girl, A'e!" She scrunches her face up in determination. "I do it myself!" Her features lighten considerably as she smiles again. "Choc'ate too?"
"It's Puri, little bean, of course he has chocolate somewhere on him." He kneels as he sets her on her feet. "If you give him a big kiss, he might give you some, but you'll have to soften him up with a big kiss first."
"Duck'in loves choc'ate!"
"I know you do, duckling." He turns her around, patting her bottom softly in a gentle urging to move forward, she giggles up at him. "Go on then, get your fruits and chocolate, remember to give him your big kiss." He pats her bottom again and she giggles adorably, he smiles fondly, and she runs forward, away from him. Shaking his head, he watches her go, making sure she gets through the training warriors safely, before turning back to his own training squadron.
He eyes them all in amusement. "I don't remember telling any of you to stop." He waves his hand as he steps forward to walk between them, folding the blanket up in his arms. "Get back to it."
She giggles excitedly as she runs between warriors, around partners, there are some who remember her from her first fledglinghood that she passes by, and they reach down for a high five from her as she bolts passed them.
Before she knows it, Abraxas collides into her big brother's legs, Puriel stumbles over his words as he's forced forward a step, and he looks down to see what had interrupted him. His two trainees don't bother to question it, both of their faces burning red with shame, elated at the interruption no matter what it may be.
They watch as the anger melts from their instructors features at the fledgling curled around his left leg.
Puriel waves them away. "Get back to it. Don't let me catch you fighting again." They bolt away at their first chance, before the words can be taken back, leaving his side at moments notice. The medic smiles down at the fledgling, turning and kneeling before her, caressing her cheek lightly. "Good morning, baby girl."
"M'rnin' Pu'i!" She jumps forward quickly, pressing her lips to his forcefully, making an exaggerated smooching sound, and leans back as she curls her arms around his neck. "Choc'ate now?"
"Did you just…." He narrows his eyes playfully. "Did you just give me a big ole kiss to butter me up for some chocolate?"
"It work?"
"Did it work?" He tilts his head to the side playfully. "I don't know." He stands suddenly, hooking his hands under her arms, he throws her up above his head. Their baby girl shrieks with laughter, arms winding and legs kicking as she's tossed up high, and he catches her in a cradle hold. Reaching into his pocket, he fishes around for a moment, and produces a small kiss of chocolate. "A kiss for a kiss."
She takes the small piece of chocolate happily. "Work?"
He wiggles the fingers curled around her thigh into the meaty flesh lightly and chuckles as she giggles and squirms. "You know it worked, you little sneak."
…
"Gotcha!"
She shrieks with laughter as she's swept swiftly from her feet, tossed up in the air above, kicking and wind milling her arms frantically. Strong fingers catch her around the middle, her legs bending up slightly, little fingers curling in the sleeves of his tunic. "Griz'y! 'gain!"
"But it's bath time, baby girl, not play time."
Abraxas lifts her tiny hands above her head. "'gain! 'gain!" When he doesn't toss her up again, she folds her little hands together and tucks them under her chin, tilting her head slightly to the side, and gives him the wide eyed-pouty lip look. "Griz'y, 'gain?"
"Now, how can I say no to that face?"
She giggles adorably and raises her hands again. "One more, and then it's bath time, right?"
"Right!"
He lowers his arms slightly, bends at the knee, and throws her up again. She squeals with excitement, kicking and waving her little arms and legs, and he laughs softly in the wake of her happiness. He catches her just as he had before, holding her up against his front, and she leans back giggling brightly as he leans forward to place a kiss on her nose.
"Bath time?"
"Bat time, Griz'y!"
Nisroc chuckles, turning on his heel, patting her bottom as he carries her down the hall to the washroom. "You made me chase you around our home for nearly thirty minutes."
"Keep'n in fit!"
He stops, looking down at her with playfully narrowed eyes, and she giggles up at him again. "You were trying to keep me fit?"
"Griz'y run!"
She goes cross eyed as she watches his finger poke her nose. "You knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you?"
"Well, Grizzly's got you now." He lifts her up, rubbing their noses together, she giggles and pats his cheeks with her little hands. "And I'll show you just how fit I am after we're done with your bath." She giggles and curls her arms around her belly protectively. "Oh, you know me so well. You're little bitty belly is gonna get it."
Little fingers tug at his beard lightly. "Whis'ers?"
"You love my beard, don't you?" He turns his head slightly to kiss at her fingers.
"Whis'ers tickly!"
Another joined them, Titus came up beside him, a warm towel draped over his arm. "I thought it was bath time."
Abraxas reached for her other big brother. "Tus p'ay too?"
The Captain smiled lightly. "You want Tus to play with us when we're done too?" She nods happily. "I'm sure he'd love to play with us."
…
"A'e….A'e p'ease…" It's the small sniffle that pulls him from his slumber. "A'e up…A'e?"
He blinks sleep from his eyes, squinting in the darkness, feeling the little finger poke him in the arm again. Yawning softly, he waves his hand at the table next to them, igniting the candle with his grace, he sits up to see what the matter is.
His little duckling is sitting there, huddled in on herself, tears gathered in her eyes like stars sparkling in the night.
"Duckling, what's the matter, cutie?" She sniffs softly, rubbing her little fists to her eyes, reaching out for him in the next moment. He reaches out, rubbing her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers, reaching to curl his fingers around her ribs to lift her from her spot. Aba clutches at his tunic as he lays her on his chest, cuddling as close as she can get, and he wraps his arms around her as he pulls the blanket up over them both. "What happened, baby girl?"
"Dream."
"You had a bad dream?"
He feels her nod against his chest.
"Fight?"
"You want me to fight off the bad dreams?"
She nods again.
Abraxos smiles, kissing her forehead lightly, and cuddles her closer to him. "I'll fight them all, my little duckling, you sleep tight." He tightens his grip just a bit. "I've got you."
…
"I'd almost forgotten just how enamored with her you all are."
The Healer finds the entire thing amusing, watching them all with crossed arms, as his apothecary finishes up their concoction and leans over his apprentice to hand it to the Captain.
Haniel turns to look at him incredulously. "You're one to talk!" He gestures to the little troublesome Virtue some pace away. "Zaves has you wrapped around his finger even still."
The archangel narrows his eyes slightly. "What are you trying to say, little brother?"
The Power stares at him with wide eyes, stepping back a single step, wanting to put as much space between him and the Healer that he can. He knows his wrath rather well. "Nothing, sir."
"We'll talk about this later, won't we, little brother?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good." Raphael gestures to the mug. "It'll set things right again." He nods to the fledgling gently. "This time less painful then the first change."
…
"Not a word about this to anyone."
"You were adorable as a fledgling. It was our pleasure."
"I said not a word."
"You kept asking Nis to kiss your belly."
"Shut up."
"I'd be glad to do it again."
"No, you will not be."
"Hold her down."
