A/N: Hi there! I found some time to kick out a new chapter of this story, go me ;) oh, and I got a review asking how I found the names for R&R's non-human forms... Well, I didn't - they're actual names of angels and devils, as every name in this story, they've been used by various artists through the years (for example there's Mephistopheles, the devil and co-protagonist of Doctor Faustus.) Here, they just... borrowed human forms, I guess. I hope it's clear now? if it isn't, drop me a word ;) enjoy!
Dinner with Mother is hell. Literally.
Cora has booked in one of those super chic clubs, where waiters wear gloves and wine flows easily. It's always been their modus operandi, really, and with all of their money, who could blame them? To be ruthless is to give your money a boost, they say. Tonight, however, there is only Zelena, her husband, Cora and her business partner Mr Gold. And Regina already knows, she's going to be questioned all evening.
So delightful, to live her life.
At least, those stupid humans can hope to have a rapid, painless death to end their misery. And yes, there she is, stuck until the Judgment Day – as if her judgment was a surprise, after all.
"You're late," Cora welcomes her, shaking her head at Regina's Sorry, Mother, I got caught up in the traffic. Why does she even bother?
"So, Regina, tell us," Zelena inquires, taking a sip of wine. "How's the new year going?"
"Couldn't be better," she answers. Sits next to her, tucking her hair behind her ear. "They sent the dearest Arariel to bother me, this time. I wonder why they don't give up already."
"Be sure you'll have something… consistent… to present to the Council, dear," Mr Gold intervenes. She meets his eyes for a moment – that glint, the ancient flames perpetually burning, the power he has – they always make her speechless.
"I'll take care of that," she hisses. "Have I ever disappointed you?"
As soon as the words leave her mouth, she regrets saying them.
"I recall a particular disaster with that darling Gabriel, don't you?" Zelena smiles. "But you know better now, sis, right?"
"As I was telling Cora, we chose well, with you," Gold smirks at her. How nice of him, reminding her that he is the reason she is here now, deprived of her birth right.
"Oh, give Regina some respite," Greg, Zelena's husband, speaks up. "She did a great job with that psychotic girl, some time ago." He sips on his champagne, slowly. She remembers how he mentioned, once, how that particular brand reminded him of the effusions from his home, the Underworld.
"Ten years ago," Cora pinpoints, annoyed. "Since then, nothing worth of mentioning."
"Thanks, Mother," Regina rolls her eyes, "you will never admit that I have one of the hardest jobs, but I'm used to it, don't worry."
As Cora starts complaining about her ungratefulness and childish attitude – despite being, in fact, a younger creature than she is – Regina pours herself more wine. It does seem unfair, to be damned for eternity, when her damnation is already here.
.:.
When Robin sees her again, she has an hickey on her neck, and she looks tired.
"Good morning, sunshine," he greets, with a wide smile. They're in the teachers' room, ready to start a new day, he has already his books under his arm.
She turns in a single move, startled. "You."
"Me," he replies, smiling. "How are you today?"
"Are you always this obnoxious?"
"I prefer to call it good manners, but obnoxious sounds fine," he says, not missing a beat. "Luckily, I have your same students after your class, so I can cheer them up."
"I'm not in the mood today, Locksley," she murmurs. "Go and save the world, leave me be."
He raises his eyebrows, but doesn't push. He's good, after all – programmed to be kind, even with one of his sworn enemies. "Okay then," he answers. "See you, milady."
He really doesn't know why the walk towards his class seems to be lonely, but it does. And it definitely doesn't have to do with her. It's just, she left an aftertaste of something in his heart – her disgust, maybe, her annoyance.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," he announces, pushing the door open. "Now if you please, take your books and we'll begin."
.:.
She's jumpy.
She shouldn't be – even if she wants to ignore why, she knows all too well that it's him. Him and his stupid angelic face, his eyes blue like the paradise she's lost. His stupid, stupid smile. Greg told her, at dinner, that Arariel isn't so known between her kind, he's not considered a threat, so she doesn't get why she's so bothered by his presence. It's just, he has brushed her shoulder, and the flames in her veins have swirled like quicksilver, her wings have quivered, just beneath her skin.
But she's jumpy all day, and it's not like her at all.
Her muscles still hurt from yesterday. She had an encounter with a businessman, she has fucked him thoroughly, had his lips sucking on her neck and him pounding into her, but it's all worth it. She is this close to ruin his marriage, and then she'll just disappear from his life. Well, their life. His wife is better in bed, not that he knows. For now.
So she delivers a lecture about levers and mechanics, has the student fill up a get-to-know-them test to make sure they're not too behind with the program.
As if she cares.
As if she isn't thinking about what Zelena told her, at the dinner.
You look different, sis. It's a shame, really. This life suits you – it has been created for you, and I'd hate for you to throw it away just because you're bored.
"Miss Mills?"
It's him, that student she has noticed last week. His name's Henry, and he already shows that proclivity for the literary studies that's going to get him in trouble with her classes. He has neared her desk, and talks lowly, watching the floor.
"Yes?"
"I wondered if I could get a pass for this afternoon's class. You see, we have an emergency meeting for the school newspaper and…"
"And who, pray tell, has summoned this meeting?"
Henry lifts his eyes for a second and she almost smirks, glad to notice her powers haven't given her up yet.
"Uhm, Mr Hopper and Mr Locksley."
Regina has to fight against her urge to roll her eyes. Him again. Unbelievable. Will it always be like this? That stupid angel messing with my life until hell do us part?
"I don't think you will go, darling," she says, sweetly. "You see, there's a test, this afternoon. I'm afraid I can't let you wander the halls while your colleagues sweat over a paper, right?"
Henry doesn't answer, but looks at her. He's not angry, he's just… disappointed. And somehow, this makes her even more furious.
.
"You," she hisses. "We need to talk."
She takes Robin by his sleeve and pulls him around the corner, almost making him hit the nearest locker. She can feel her fury filter through her words, her throat burning.
"What can I do for you, love?"
Oh she could just slap him.
"For starters, don't call me love," she tells him, sharp. "And don't think I don't see what you're doing, smartass."
"Why?" he widens his eyes, and again, his stupid smile lightens up his expression. She can't tell if he's an idiot or if he's really a jerk. "What am I doing?"
"You are annoying me," she says, slowly. "On purpose. That kid, Henry, came to me blabbering about a school newspaper, as if you didn't know that you booked the meeting during my hours. Now, I know you think you're funny… or extremely clever…"
"I like to think I'm both," he answers, flashing her his dimples.
"Shut up," she says. "Shut up. I'm trying to do my job, and if you think it's easy, you're sorely mistaken."
She nears his body, so that they only have a breath of space between them. "Because if you fail, you moron, then your precious gods will just pat your head and tell you Oh, it's okay, you'll do better next time. If I fail, however…" she curls her hand around his neck, speaks near to his lips. "… let's just say the punishment would be something you could never imagine. And it will be your fault."
She leaves his skin, and sends him one last angry glance before walking away.
.:.
A third of the angels fell from the sky, like whimsical pieces of the gods' wrath. For it is useless to debate whether there's a god or more, but it is heart-wrenching to see how so many betrayed the Word. First fell Lucifer, who carries the light of the morning. Belzebub was his second in command and so was Pluto, the disowned. Those who know of their eternal fight are wise, for they also know how to stay away.
Then it was Mephistopheles, lured with promises of fire and knowledge.
It is told that Abbadon the Heartless dived into the void, no regrets whatsoever, and asked for Belzebub's help to trick a young angel to go with them. So the two of them attracted Astaroth to the arranged place – they pulled and pulled until Astaroth was filled with rage against the unforgiving gods, and so they draw her into the fall with them. She had an ounce of regret, for she ripped a cloud to stop her fall, but couldn't fight against the magnetic force of the inferno.
More followed. Regretful or not, the gods won't forgive the traitors, and their faith is with those who haven't fallen. So they gave the remaining angels a gift and a curse – to watch over humans, to oppose the forces of evil. The eternal struggle, born from a morning star, will maybe die with a human savior to end the war.
.
Robin closes the book, dumbstruck. He already knew something about the Fallen Angels – traitors, the Book of the Word calls them. Those who have become devils, who have gone to join Satan and Lucifer, those who have betrayed the gods. He knew the story, of course, but when he met Astaroth – he didn't realize it was truly her.
It was her, the angel they've tricked into betrayal, whom they've condemned to an eternity of misery.
He takes a sip of tea, his finger brushing the cover of the book. He's at home, finally bare of that human disguise they all use to mingle with mankind. His wings can breathe, now, he's splayed them in an amazing sensation of freedom.
Still, his heart his heavy, for he has just discovered an horrifying truth. He's always assumed Regina had chosen her path, that her viciousness was the root of her evils.
And the worst is, he can never tell her he's sorry.