I Dreamed of Angels
Part Two B
Somewhere, in a different part of the
world, an old woman could be seen laying on her deathbed, oblivious to the
noise that was filling her surroundings.
"Maman, ne nous laissez pas, s'il vous
plaît!" [1] could be heard over and over again as grieving family members
wailed uncontrollably.
The loud and rather disturbing cries only
seemed to intensify the depressing mood of the people that were in the
hospital. The nurses, hearing the sounds of turmoil, were quick to their feet.
They immediately entered the room, intending to calm down the mourning family.
The old woman, in turn, still did not
notice the chaos that was permeating the air. She just gazed quietly and
steadily at the wall before her. All of a sudden, bright lights emanated from
the walls, engulfing her surroundings and engaging her senses.
From that brilliant light emerged a boy
with glorious white wings that spread
from end to end. Above his head was a golden ring that glowed intensely,
accenting his beautiful blonde hair and immaculate face.
"Vous êtes un ange, n'est ce pas?" [2] the
woman said with a hoarse voice, unable to take her eyes off the splendid figure
that was floating before her.
"Oui." [3] he said, his voice sounding
sweet against the other, now inaudible sounds that filled the room. "Êtes-vous
prêt à venir avec moi?" [4] he then asked.
His eyes were clear and bright, full of
promise and sincerity that the old woman could not help but reach out to the
hand that was offered to her. It was at that instant that she felt at peace,
looking thoughtfully down at the world she was leaving behind.
"How did the last one in Luxembourg go?"
An angel of bigger stature who looked
elegant with golden blonde hair that flowed through his back emerged from the
curtain of clouds, beckoning the smaller one before him to move closer. An air
of wisdom and authority surrounded him as he floated amidst the heavenly sight.
"It went well." the smaller angel simply
answered as he flopped down on a stray cloud that drifted by.
"Quatre, you really don't seem pleased with
the results."
The younger angel Quatre released an
exasperated sigh and looked down at his feet that swung back and forth while he
shifted positions on his comfortable, makeshift seat. He knew that now was the
best time to explain to the other how he really felt about his duties.
"I really don't like taking souls away from
those that cherish them." The statement was short and simple, but it held a lot
of truth and meaning to it.
"But this task fits you perfectly." was the
response. "I doubt that there are any souls out there that would refuse you. It
just takes one look at you for anybody to trust you unconditionally."
"That's what's disturbing me."
The older angel's face lit up with amusement
and wonder at the other's remark. He looked at Quatre earnestly, his
questioning face eliciting a hesitant answer.
"I'd rather be a guardian." Quatre said
softly, embarrassed at his seemingly selfish request. All the angels had their
own duties which they performed without question. Unfortunately, he was unhappy
with his. He felt guilty, but he also felt that he was reasonable.
"That involves a lot of work and
attention." the other quickly answered.
"I'm aware of that."
The smaller angel was very proud of his
answer. He knew that he could handle the responsibilities that would be given
to him, whatever they were. It was obvious that this was what he had wanted for
so long.
He raised his chin up in pride. His eyes
were pleading and almost demanding when he stared hopefully at the magnificent
figure before him. The figure could not help but notice the other angel's
resolution.
"Well then, ..." the older angel said, a bit
hesitant of what he was going to do "... we'll see what can be done about
that."
Quatre immediately bolted from his seat and
ran straight for the one before him. They both landed softly on the clouds as
the young angel embraced his guardian thankfully.
Composing himself as he stood, the older,
now disheveled angel said "I should have known that was coming."
He watched the excitement build in the
young one's eyes. All he could do was shake his head in disbelief, remembering
that he had once guarded a little boy named Quatre Raberba Winner, naughty but
sweet, naive yet determined.
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French
Translation:
[1] Maman,
ne nous laissez pas, s'il vous plaît -- Mom, don't leave us, please!
[2] Vous
êtes un ange, n'est ce pas? -- You are an angel, right?
[3] Oui.
-- Yes.
[4] Êtes-vous prêt à venir avec moi? -- Are you ready to come with me?