"That's your third drink," Raphael pointed out as his companion returned from the bar.
Uriel merely chuckled and sipped at the pina colada in his hand, taking his seat beside the angel. "Unlike you, Raphael-sama, and most definitely unlike our dear Michael-sama, I can hold my liquor. I'd need three more before I even begin to get tipsy." He shook his head dismissively. "Besides, it's virgin. The others were, too."
The archangel made a noncommittal sound. "So, are we done talking yet?"
He smothered the small flash of irritation at Uriel's shake of the head. The singer had been right, of course. If he ever wanted a chance to talk to Michael, he would have to wait until his partner had calmed down enough and recovered from his shock. Otherwise, the conversation would once again turn out one-sided, whatever barrier between them would soar higher than before, and they would get absolutely nowhere.
Raphael gazed speculatively at his companion. How much did Uriel know about Michael's reasons for coming to Earth? From the way the singer acted, it didn't seem like he was privy to much. Of course, he could be hiding a burning curiosity beneath his flippant manner, not succumbing to it out of friendship, respect, and just plain courtesy for his superior.
But what if he knew about what was going on between the Valhallan commander and his second? Or rather, Raphael amended as he decided the singer couldn't possibly be aware of it, what if he found out? He could expect a reaction similar to what had happened when Kagetsuya and Chihaya's relationship had been found out.
Then he stopped, blinked. 'There isn't anything going on,' he told himself rather vehemently. 'You know very well there shouldn't -- can't -- be.'
"Raphael, are you even listening? And why are you frowning like that? Don't tell me my question offended you."
"Sorry," he muttered softly. "I was just thinking."
"Spacing out," Uriel corrected. "Geez, when's the last time you've had a vacation? You and Michael are so much alike, I swear, working yourself ragged. Don't know how to take breaks and relax for a while."
"You're ranting, Uriel."
The Miracle Voice merely laughed. "You should have seen me submitting Michael-sama to one of my rants." His pale brown eyes acquired a wicked twinkle. "What if I rant in song? Would that be better?"
Raphael rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "Just get back to your question, would you?"
"All right, all right. I asked you how you figured out where Michael would be. Out of curiosity, you know?"
"Ah. That. He left a letter for me at Valhalla."
The singer nodded. "Yes, I know. In fact, writing it had been a tiny delay. Bugged him endlessly to hurry it up, but he said he had to do it. Can't understand why in the world, though."
There was no question whatsoever in that last statement, so Raphael volunteered no answer. Michael had insisted on writing the letter? If so, maybe that code at the bottom of the paper had been put there by him on purpose. With an inward frown, he realized that he didn't believe any of that. It wasn't like Michael to do such a thing.
"Now you're pretty damn close to scowling. You don't think nice thoughts a lot, do you, Raphael?" Uriel teased.
"Sorry, he apologized again.
"Anyway, continue."
"Hm? Oh. There's not much more to say. He'd left somewhat of a clue at the bottom of the paper. All it took was a little deciphering." 'That took over two weeks to figure out,' he added silently to himself before continuing, "It's obvious he wouldn't go where any of our investigative pairs are stationed, so that narrowed down the places on Earth where he could be a great amount. Hawaii was one of them. I knew your country-hopping would bring you here since you'd been all but babbling about your plans before you left"--here, Uriel flushed and gave a tiny smile--"and I decided to check with you first. It's just my luck that Michael's here with you."
The other gave a slight nod. "I see," he said simply, the beginnings of an enigmatic smile forming on his lips.
"What are you so amused about?" Raphael muttered rather crossly.
"The idea of convincing you to stay," was the reply. "Since you're here, you might as well take a break, too."
Dusk-sky eyes registered faint surprise. "I'm afraid that would be impossible. I'm only here to try to convince Michael to return -- or at least let Eden know where he is. Actually, the only reason I was permitted to take a break was because the twins had managed to convince everyone that they'd take care of everything. And no one but the two of them and my wife knows I'm here on Earth. Gabrielle's covering for me, but she can't do it for too long."¹
The singer wrinkled his nose. "And I suppose the two of you are going to get back to business? Workaholics. Come on, Raphael, two days. Maybe three. You need to relax just as much as Micha-- All right, you don't seem as stressed as he is, but you do need a break."
He didn't trail off, but it seemed as if he'd left something unsaid. Raphael waited for him to offer something, but all the angel did was drink his pina colada. However, it did seem like the singer was contemplating on how to say something.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Nn?" Uriel blinked, an unreadable expression crossing his features as he put down his drink.. "Oh. Just thinking. It won't be easy convincing Michael to go back, you know. Not that I've tried, of course, seeing as I think it'd be so much better if he relieves at least some of his stress, but..." He fell silent with a shrug.
"But?" the dark-eyed angel prodded. What was he not mentioning?
"The one thing he's determined to do is make a confession to a certain someone. Been burning in him for years, I'd say. I don't think he'd leave unless he's at least accomplished that."
His tone suggested that Raphael should have known what he was talking about. The archangel stiffened, all emotion draining from his face, causing his companion to gaze at him quizzically.
"Is something wrong, Raphael-sama?"
"Ah-- no. No, it's nothing. Just thinking about something."
"What unpleasant things run through that mind of yours, Luftgeist," Uriel laughed, using his companion's nickname from their school days. "You should really learn how to lighten up."
"You may be right-- Schweigen."² The two of them exchanged reminiscent grins before he became serious once more. "So, are you going to show me where Michael is?"
The singer opened his mouth to replay when there was the unmistakable cell phone version of Mozart's Symphony 40, making him jump. "Agh, I'm giving this thing back to Jansen the first chance I get. Could you hang on a minute, Raphael?"
"Aa."
With a grateful smile, Uriel took the phone from his pocket and answered the call, switching to English. "H'llo?"
" 'Sup, Uriel," a girl's voice came over the receiver.
"Natsuko."
"Yeh. Now ya stop callin' me 'Summer,' eh? My bradda wen' tell me to give you one booty call, so I did. Ya want me t'haul my ass ova' dere now?"
"Really wish you'd stop talking like that."
"Yah, well, what pisses of the 'rents, ah?"
The angel rolled his eyes. "I wonder if I was like you when I was sixteen."
"Bah. Betta' be happy my Japanee side no let me call you one old fut."
"Anyway, I'll have to discuss it with my companions. Can I call you back later?"
"I was tinkin' a' goin' flyin' laters. Test out the Lancer."
"Shouldn't 'go flyin',' either."
"Ho, man, you so da kine, you know dat? Remin' me of my fadda'." She chuckled. "Yah, yah, jus' call when you people decided wat you goin' do, den, 'kay?"
"You know, maybe next time, we should just talk like this," he told her in German, earning a raised eyebrow from Raphael, to which he just grinned.
"Tch. Ruin all my fun, why don't you, Uriel?" she replied in the same language.
"That's what I do," he laughed. "Phone you later."
In English: "Yeah, whatever."³
She hung up and he put the phone back in his pocket before glancing at Raphael. "So, shall we go now?" he asked simply.
"Aa."
"Michael-sama?" Chihaya ventured, amethyst eyes radiating confusion. "I don't understand."
The archangel sighed and turned to the two angels beside him. They had identical expressions of worry on their faces. There was no way for him to avoid telling them the truth now.
"No one's supposed to know I'm here but Uriel and the two of you. I... Well, you could say I left Eden unauthorized..."
The two stared at him in shock. He offered them a small smile, not knowing what he could say. He'd expected them to react that way, but seeing them actually do so made him wince. He hadn't wanted to tell them the nature of his visit, but it was necessary.
"Really?" the violet-haired youth asked. "But... how?"
Now, that, he didn't know how to explain. He had to think, he'd reasoned before, but now... Now what? During the weeks after Raphael... He shook his head to clear his head of those thoughts. Those weeks after, he'd conversed with Uriel a few times. The singer had noted the change in him -- who wouldn't have? -- and had suggested a vacation. He guessed the rest came after that.
"Uriel fibbed," he aid finally. "He's here training a batch of potential investigators, not on vacation. They're on observational assignments in North America at the moment, to test the pairs, which explains why he's not with them and they're not here. He watches over them, though, keeps contact through the laptops. Unofficially, I'm assisting him. Officially..." He closed his eyes and was silent for a few moments before looking once more to the two angels. "Officially, I'm a missing person on Eden."
"Oh..." It was the only thing Chihaya could say.
He nodded slowly.
"You left Eden," Kagetsuya finally spoke. "Why?"
"It's... complicated... I can't tell you two at the moment. I'll have to explain it later."
The angel looked like he wanted to say more, but apparently thought the better of it and instead gave a small nod. "All right."
And that was that. Michael vowed silently to explain everything to them when the whole mess had been worked out. They at least deserved to know, after all.
"I'm sorry," he murmured to them.
"It's okay, Michael-sama!" Chihaya's sunny smile returned. "I hope you solve all you problems really quick. It's not right when you don't smile. Ne, Kagetsuya?"
His mate blinked at him, then gazed at the archangel, a faint smile -- amused at Chihaya and reassuring for Michael -- ghosting over his lips. "Right."
"See, Michael-sama? Cheer up! Now, is Uriel-sama in the other room? I was thinking maybe we go around Waikiki and wander or something. I wanted to ask him if he could show us around."
"He's with Raphael at the moment, as far as I know. Upstairs, probably."
"Oh, really? Well, I guess it'll have to wait until he gets back."
As if his statement was to portend it, there was a knock on the door to the other room before it opened and Uriel himself entered. "Michael-sama? Are you in here?"
Another figure followed him in, one that was unmistakably...
"Raphael-sama!" Before anyone could so much as blink, Chihaya was inside and rushed to hug the tall archangel. "Long time, no see! Michael-sama said you were here, too."
At the mention of his partner, Raphael's dusky gaze found Michael's blue. All the blonde did was offer him a welcoming grin, trying to ignore the way his heart was pounding against his ribs.
"Good afternoon, Raphael."
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1: Raphael-sama's referring to Zadkiel and Zaphkiel. Two more conveniently placed archangels in Eden's hierarchy. Actually, in biblical references, only Zadkiel is one of those thought to be an archangel. They both are, however, the archangel Michael's two chieftains in the war against Lucifer.
2: Luftgeist is German for "sylph." (The archangel Raphael has dominion over the air and so the sylphs -- air elementals -- are associated with him.) Schweigen is German for "silence." The archangel Uriel is associated with gnomes (earth elementals.) I couldn't find a good name, so I decided to put in a dumb pun.
3: Pidgin. Or Hawaiian Creole, if you like. It was rather awkward writing it, as I don't know how to spell using it. And about the German thing. Natsuko's a linguist-hopeful. As for Uriel -- actually, this also applies to the other angels -- I got the impression those who travel to Earth for investigations have at least rudimentary knowledge of some of the languages. Seeing as Kagetsuya and Chihaya had been to the US (manga book 1), China, England, and whatnot... Realistically, not everyone in the world knows Japanese, so... yeah. But that's how I figure it...