When they had returned, this time with the Messenger in tow, things had gone from the strides they had been making in rebuilding that trust that had been lost, back to the start again. At least, for one of the archangels, the others rallied around their own, as though if they did not, then they took would disappear like the Messenger had. They were quick in addressing those fears, calming the nerves that had built up at the treachery that had been committed.
He had not been expecting the warmest of welcomes when he returned to his Aerie, but the silence caught him by surprise, despite his expectation for it. His messengers still went about their duty, though with a different sort of hurry, not looking to meet his gaze, not stopping to say any word to him, it was as if he hadn't even returned.
The office was a mess, and he knew there was only one person who would be capable of causing this much damage within a place that was at the heart of the Aerie, and he stood in the doorway, staring at what remained of his ruined off, not knowing where to start in rebuilding it.
One was noticeably missing, he hadn't even made his return by the time night fell, and he slowly made his way picking through the damaged belongings that lay scattered on the floor. The Messenger pushed aside a plank of wood that had come from his desk and stared down at the ring that lay among the ruble. A purple geode, that had been gifted to them when they had been appointed as one of his Principalities, it lay there forgotten.
Gabriel fell to his knees, taking the simple ring into his palm, and closed his fingers around it tightly.
…
Commander and Captain were talking amiably between each other as they slowly descended on the Archangel's office, the Pavilion silent as the others made their way to their rooms for rest, the barracks of training squads silent in the night time hour, they joked quietly as they reached for their destination. The commander turned the handle to his office, pushing the door open, and the conversation broke when the other was spotted there. The Power grew still, silent, as he stared at the messenger that lean against the edge of the archangels desk. They had both witnessed what he was capable of when he was emotionally compromised, and his appearance here was surprising for them both, more so for the archangel then the Power, the Captain was often the others go to when things got tough in the Aerie.
They both knew immediately that this was because of the Messenger breaking his pact, for abandoning his flock, again, and they both felt a pang of pity for the other as there was only so much one could take before they reached their limit.
Michael stepped into his office tenderly, acting as though the other waiting at his desk was a wounded animal and might jump at a moment's notice. The messenger kept on staring at his boots though, not paying them any mind, and they wondered how long he had been waiting here.
"Zaves?" he spoke gently, not to startle the one who already sat on a fine trigger, "What can I do for you?"
Finally, the messenger looked up at them, and his eyes were haunted. He was so broken. Not an ounce of trust left in them. They had once shined as bright as the stars themselves, and were now as dull as pale gray, there was no life there anymore. It had been taken from him when he was betrayed in such a horrid way, allowed himself to believe again, and then betrayed again. Here was a person who had taken so much hurt and perhaps wasn't sure if they could take it again.
They had all seen that clear, from what had been made of the Messenger's office, he was small but he was a force to reckon with.
"You said there would always be a place here for me?", he stared straight at the archangel as he spoke, "That you would always have a place for me?"
Michael nodded, feeling his Captain step up behind him, just over his right shoulder, as both watched the messenger with concern. There was a distinct feeling on where this conversation was taking them, and while it wasn't ever seen, it was extremely rare.
"Yes, I said there would always be a place here should you want it, I did say it and still stand by it."
"Good." The young messenger pushed away from the desk "I want to take you up on that offer."
Nisroc spoke for him, "Are you sure?" he was concerned for the younger angel, the one whom he considered a younger brother, the way he lay before them was enough to concern any of them "You would be denouncing your flock to join another?"
"Yes." Zaveriel nodded his head, mind already made, and his darkened eyes turned to look at the Power. "I know what it means. And I'm here to take the offer. Is it still extended?"
The archangel nodded quickly, stepping further into his office, "Of course, of course, it's always been extended." He looked once more at the angel his brother had broken so terribly, Zaves loved being a messenger, it was something he excelled at, not to say he didn't else where hence the reason the offer had been extended by the Commander, but he loved his flock.
'Loved' being the key word.
"If you wish to rejoin my flock, you have a place among us." Michael nodded, meeting the gaze of his Captain, and Nisroc tilted his head upwards in acknowledgement, "Nisroc will tend to you at the moment. I trust you remember when training begins?"
Zaves nodded, thanking him all at once in a single nod, and allowed himself to be taken from the office by the taller angel, whom he looked up to as one would an older sibling.
Knowing that the newest re-recruited unofficial Power was in good hands, Michael fell back into the seat behind his desk, and heaved a weary sigh.
The Messenger had so carelessly broken on of Heaven's brightest of angels.