Iris
A sound of rhyme soars through the evermore forest and valleys of purgatory, lasting in a glow of dusk autumn. Whispers of vitality ghost about in the air, so thinly, in the grasp of goosebumps arising on the pipe reed player. Eyeing downward to the valley homes and large towns and cities coming close to rest or a low rumbling lull. Peaceful as it comes and the somber melody echoed. Until the grand doors bursted open.
"Hesediel!" Growled a tall and lean angel of blues, arms arched to the ends of the door way, a dark lesion face, with a deep scowl upon thin lips. A rumble of words followed as the angel enter deeper into the room. "I need a word with you."
Hesediel looked to the angel in noticed, playing the last notes on his pipe flute, before soon standing from the large windowsill arch. Speaking softly that it crack near the end, raw almost. "Yes, Jegudiel, what is it you need?"
"I think you know." Jegudiel started, finding himself standing eye to eye with the other. Adding. "What's this about you heading to The Infernal Regions? Where did come from?"
"I was going to explain at the next court. I take it Daniel was your informant." Hesediel said, moving away to place his pipes down on his working desk. Remaining silent as he ran fingertips over the worn and chipped musical item.
"It's his job. Whom he tells is another. If it was just a lost soul, that's one thing. But..."
"I'll explain fully at the court summit. I was just finishing in covering the basics right now." Hesediel said, pointing to neatly stacks of papers and arranging books and scrolls.
"Implying others know too." Jegudiel added wary, when catching scrolls that specks in light blue and white, shining by the candle lit chandelier, that hung in the center of the room.
"You know I can't lie." Hesediel pointed out, straighten up his desk, a tick in his hands almost dropping a few pages when the other spoke, hollow sadness in each pronounce word.
"Amoung other things. Hesediel, I know that closeness never died. Brothers, I know, but this not going to fix anything or whatever you think will come from this."
"I'm just helping his daughter. It's very minor if anything."
"Those above won't see it as that."
"Please, there is nothing they can do now to me. I'll be weak. But to be the one thing they fear? You're picking up from Eremiel's habits for jokes."
"And what about Cassiel? He's your pupil and far ready to be on his own. Aren't you just going to repeat of another?"
"Let me worry about that."
"May he also be a reminder to what you can't do if you go."
"Jegudiel... if you going to be this callus. Leave."
Flat as anger played in the words. Jegudiel, stiffened by it either way. Glancing towards to the opening door, before peeking back. Fidget in his stance, lips flexing to form words as nothing comes out. Before soon, the blue hue angel only sighed and heading to the door. Echoing lastly in his final say. "I await on the summit. Though know my position is against."
"Understood. Until then, Jeugeiel. Farewell."
Hesediel waved his hand a gentle gust to close the doors in a click. Shaking away the shivers that ran through him, grasping his head. A low groan leaving his lips, rubbing his temple. Gasping in deep and fast breaths that roar as fire that burned his lungs, but his body shaking as solid in the coldest iceberg of space and sickness.
"G uls ar c uniglag trian, esiasch." Hesediel murmured, grabbing for his pipes and heading over to the window. Opening carefully not to disturbed his room.
Heaving an exhale when expanding his wiry chassis wings. To pound of unseen weights carried along as he took flight. Of towards to the far stretchings woodland carvings. Greeting faded souls as they lay to rest, askew of nymphs awaoken just as quick. More so as the airy pipes play a more powerful song. Easing what pain lightening through his being as his wings hid.
Pausing when hearing the fae of past join. A certain water sprite neared the angel sitting by the dip edge of the lake. Hesediel glances in greetings, aware of how quickly his lap became damp from the cuddling ceature. A few notes play more before Hesediel let the forest's music took a chance.
"I'm fine, Naiad. Just another brother spat." He said, carding through the nymph's wild soft grass thick thatch.
The sprite hums and clicks in understanding, yet curled deeper into the holy's natural given warmth. Though he didn't missed the somber stare at the pipes, nor how the forest changes a rhythm into a mindset that made Hesediel feel young. The fading memories of laughs, crazy bonfire tales of realms to one's own homes, and star aligned whisk rambles that modern textbooks never dared wrote. To even the pleasant melodies of pipes and nature becoming a wild storm orchestra that made certain days easier to get by. All that in fading memories that rippled away by a few blinks and unshred tears that would form. Yet, his hand that held the pipes in a grip that crinkled in pieces to the reeds that created the dulcet implement. Recalling how fragile as rice paper things fall apart.
"I miss him too. And now you are going to make this news all the worst." Hesediel stated carefully, awaiting for anything that would cause the woods into an early winter. Taking the next breath with ease, explained to the woodland creatures in way that would prepare him for when he have to detail to his fellow angels.
It's what he kept in mind as the next summit appointed some days later. Rationality was a myth.
"I still find this a foolish idea. This realm is not strong enough to withstand any dangers. One of the largest hell's kings were able to get in, might I add. Hesediel you can't go." Jeugeiel stated, at one of the parley grand room.
"Agreeing with Jeugeiel on this one, Hesediel. What good with deal become for anyone?" A much leaner and tan being questioned, hummed in thought, as he glance at the few documents resting upon the round table. Adding. "Sound as it may in the progress. That matters are more to between now and this finish goal. That's a gray area we just can't overlook."
"Thank you, Eremiel."
"Despite that..." Eremiel glanced at the darker angel, fleeting in scab and unsureness. Finishing with. "I see promise in this. But something is quite clear and something you haven't or won't share with us, Hesediel."
"I would ask simply if you trust me on this. Understandable that what happen with the dire and Lucifer. I don't except anyone to just overlook those issues go nor even just lay in wonder in pushing daisies of fantasy like children. I'm glad to see you all be wary of this. Even I wasn't sure at first." Hesediel spoke from the centerpoint of the room, eyeing those of a mock frame to the idea of the last supper.
"Do I sense amusement, Hesediel?" A wraspy chime voice spoke from plump lips, coy in a corner, and sitting as an elegant Egyptian queen.
Hesediel shook his, answering. "No. Just a thought of missed direction. All this has been overwhelming, honestly. Jophiel, your thoughts?"
The queen like angel pondered, looking to her fellow cardmembers. Picking through the papers, in saying. "I do see the additional growth we could have from this. Our reason of being is to help those in lost to sin or return to anew state of being. We are for hope, after all."
"Do not sugarcoat those lies, my dear." Jeugeiel echoed with a sneered.
"Always living in the world of grim, aren't you?"
"It's better-"
A much older looking man, raised a hand to keep anything further between the two. "Your querida hoick is not in place here you two. Heed." The elder angel huffed, stroking his long white beard. Summling eyes that not once caught of wink of sleep, and wary in his seat. He speaks again once he caught his wind. "There is another reason, is there not?"
Hesediel looked to the last angel that remained silent through this, catching eyes of the other sitting by the much more animated darker angel. Only a nod was given.
"I can't lie, Daniel. True there are personal reasons but I doubt one will happen. One is that this idea that the young Magne is an simplistic ideal. It was something we once never question and followed in line by laws. I wish to see this and help. Zaphkiel has been kind here in looking to casting that at least buy us time. A fail safe, if you will see it as that. I know the risk of me going to the brimstone, that the higher ups find out is horrid. I'll take full blame. Those here will not be in caught in the crossfires."
"Saying pretty words only do so much, Hesediel." Eremiel added, bitter in how the frown deepens on his lips.
"I look to all the plausible chances myself. I look into the noirish ales and if this goes well. Our home and dwellers will be safe. Even Hesediel himself. I just need to fine tune the spells and how they can be used. Without brownnose injections. Have faith is all I can add to this, my courtship."
"And what of Hesediel's ills, Zaphkiel? His means to help will leave him crack and weak!"
"Again, Jeugeiel, I just ask if you can just trust me on this." Hesediel stiffed in pleading. Despite his eyes filmed and body shuttering in quick jerk motion. Choosing to pace to shake off the sudden riled twist of vile in his throat and rush of cold that goosebumped his being.
"You're state of being tells me otherwise, brother." Jeugeiel grumbled, leaning deeply into his seat. Adding. "I may have you train you basics but does that mean you will use them?" Pointing with a glare to the sheaf around Hesediel's waist, resting a rusty glint bladed handle of a dagger.
"I don't plan to use it. Never once I had before, why now? I'll be there to earn their trust. Give them hope. Be a shoulder for them. I'm the Angel of Mercy, I'm I not? Why would I do so not showing forgiveness to them. If the Almighty or those that partake in their fall won't admit that helped in this. The least I could is have them forgive themselves. And what happens is up to them. That rule to ourselves has not change. So any further questions or are you going to play another game rosey ring."
Silence played through the room. So quiet, a steps of feet outside in the hall were loud as lightning strikes. Hesediel felt another wave of ill hit him, but was able to reframed from showing a gulp of a needed air.
Hesediel found his voice once more, brushing his long wild hair out of his face from his pacing. "Would you all not think a whim of closure is needed as well? How many we knew well and care were taken away from us. Without question. Would it hurt to have one side of few see us as allies. I would rather find trust in another than waiting the holyies above to strike. That is just fear and I refuse to let them think they have that over us, if we so much dare inch out of order. Please, just trust me my brothers and sister. Cut me off if you fear that much. I'll understand. I would rather feel like I have nothing to lose but those of family."
Crinkles of laughter is heard from the elder angel, answering after calming down a short cough. "Theatrical are always where you thrive, my boy. But you ring words of truth. It's a risk. But we also risk in not showing our importance and helping what others deem feckless. I say let us think this over. Look over your and Zaphkiel's fail safes and return. Is there a time you need to be there?"
"Once I can go. Lucifer was very understanding with how some of you... can be." Hesediel stated eyeing two certain angels.
"Good. You may leave. We'll call for you once we have come to a choice."
"Yes, sire Daniel." And out the door Hesediel went, nearly bumping into a noisy little being whom owlish looked to Hesediel. Having the doors shut behind him, the low whispers of the over silent by a groaning slide. Hesediel hushed in a tone close to mirroring amusement. "Cassiel."
The young boy stood straighter, hands hiding behind his back and dark eyes looking around in disbelief. Though so soon, peeped a guilty greeting. "Hello Hesediel. I am very much surprise to see you here."
"I'm sure. And am I to not think you somehow got out of Sandalphon's sight?"
"Would you believe me that he fell asleep during my study hour?"
"No." Hesediel answered bluntly, ushering the boy away from from the courtroom.
Cassiel groaned, but a wary grin played when knowing well of the scowling to come. Saying with a poundering tone, a wrapped finger tapping his chin. "So I'm in trouble for using a spell on a mentor or skipping my lessons?"
"Both."
"Shoot. Can it be just one of them? I mean, I was still studying before running off."
"You're just adding to your chores to come, laddie."
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm sure you are." Hesediel said, once reaching to the study hall. Guiding the child back to his usual cluttered desk. Seeing in ease of sleeping angel in jade robes laying ragged doll over the plush chair. Tapping on the bare forehead of the angel while Cassiel glumly took his seat.
The sleeping angel jerks away and very awake. Gasping and shivering as if someone dump ice water on him. Looking around to Cassiel in his seat but eyes widen when catching Hesediel near. Looking between the two, shoulders dipping as displeasure crossed his face. Running his hands over his face and hair, muffled words could be heard. "He got me again, didn't he?"
Hesediel taking a seat by the awaken angel, eyeing the boy that gave a cheeky grin before focusing on his scrolls. Hesediel only saying. "What do you think, Sandalphon?"
The tired angel only groaned. "This boy is the devil. Hesediel, please, take him back."
"Depending on how the summit final say is. We'll find something that works."
"Oh?" Sandalphon peeked, stretching his stiff limbs, adding. "How did that go?"
"How do you think it goes when my mouth starts running?"
The fair feather angel let a chuckle out. "Well, you tend to be more open that way. Otherwise, you're just decor to us lot. Not quite as fun, Hesediel."
"I'm sure that's your only reason." Hesediel said, looking to his pupil struggling over a line of text. Reaching to tap a different passage, quoting quietly. "A qew geh aldon lap a Ascha, cirp i ds geh g de uran?"
"Ol zir ge Ascha..."
"Od ds i?"
"Ag el. Ol arp de noan ds ol gil."
"Very good. Now read this passage again." Hesediel patted the boy's head, whom just smiled back and focused on the reads once more. Along in the praise, said. "I had issues with those verses too. Give it time, Cassiel."
"Right, right, I'll have this down. Just you wait." Cassiel said with the proudest vow he could mustered, before leaving the elders be.
"Really, you are a natural with the young. I wish I could keep him this focus." Sandalphon whispered.
Hesediel waved it off, saying. "I had good virtuosos. Nothing else. Just don't show fear when they find loopholes."
"Oh, aren't you just full of larks now."
"Be glad it's just him."
Sandalphon responded with a jester shudder, saying. "But there was one thing for certain that to be agreed upon."
"Such as?"
"Trust." Cassiel peeked out, head down while he ran his bare left hand over his tightly wrapped right limb, as the fingers flexed underneath the cloth. Eyes roaming the length until it hid under the tunic strap. Heaving a low sigh when looking to the others a freely smile that in the eyes acute to be watery, yet the voice remained steady. "You got to have trust. Even if you are scared what comes from the unknown. Having that faith to feel safe, even for seconds, can lead to amazing things. Not all the time but when it does. You cherish it while you have and use it as motivation to strive harder. Right, Hesediel?"
"Very. And by that sound of it, I say you did well there Sandalphon."
"Don't you dare. This doesn't make me your replacement, Hesediel. He is still your fledging of many."
"Oh ye of little faith, my brother."
"Quiet you. Don't make me look forward to something while worried all the same."
Hesediel sighed. Patting the other's shoulder, asking. "So who do you trust?"
"You. But I don't trust those outside from our haven. Up or below. If they agree. Please be safe."
"I'll come back home. Breaks and what not. Zaphkiel and I looked over everything. We'll be fine. I'll be fine."
"Promise?" Cassiel asked, wincing when hearing how whiny it sounded.
"Promise, laddie, I'll come home. Just have some faith and trust. It's all one can ask for. Bare in thought to mind yourself and others, Cassiel."
Cassiel holds himself tight, unsure for words to say but nodded.
"I also, expect you to be behave to Sandalphon and be the kind branch while I'm away. I'm counting on you." Hesediel said, watching as Cassiel wore an understand grin, though shocked through a stiff clenched hand in how quickly the boy jumps from his seat and rushes around to wrapped the older in a deep hug. Hesediel pulls him in closer, looking when feeling the other pat his shoulder.
"The youths way of trust is different. A brave front on them only last so long. As some forget, a child is still a child unaware of how close the adult world looms over them."
"I'll have to keep it in mind while away." Hesediel murmured, carding through the short fine hairs of the tiny angel, letting Cassiel lean deeply in the kind and warm touch. Adding in kind, when feeling the child shake in his arms for a short second. "As there might be others like this."
"Would that be a problem with your ills?"
"I'll worry about that. Though, I think for this one, the day is over."
"I guess I'll to continue our teaches tomorrow." Sandalphon dryly added, though there was something linger on his lips. "Are you also scared to meet those there. You know who."
Hesediel slowly rose, holding the smaller child up close to his being. Letting Cassiel ware himself out of silent tears, having his bony limbs link around his neck like a toddler would do. Having move carefully out of the grand study to the chambers. Sandalphon following behind when Hesediel hinted to the doors. Ready as ever to let lasting of the days to end already.
Hesediel finally using his voice, in hush. "Likely. I'm more worry if I can help at all despite that past. Whatever comes of it, it is what it is. End of story. But, Zaphkiel has that covered in regarding my ills. Speaking of that. What do you think of me in glasses?"
"A new cast of Zaphiel, I take it?"
"Amoung other things. We're no fools as we've been young. We're ready this time."
"Whatever you say, brother. Ye of little faith after all and all that mist shocks."