Thunder crashes and lighting flashes against ivory pillars, illuminating one of the many dark hallways of Heaven. The flashing light outlines the edges of the various marked doors, the rain taps against the balconies and the wind howls in misery.
The heavy marked doors hold steady to the roaring of the winds until one of them swings open at the hands of a very large Archangel. Black wings drape in the back of him like a cape and he touches his stomach, giving a bow as he turns to face someone in the room. "Until tomorrow night, brother." The stalky, shaven head Archangel turns to leave and the door he exits from have only but one giant letter on it, G.
Night passes into morning and the sound of a trumpet is heard in the distance of a large circular, marble building. White seats, burning candles with incense leak heavily out of the room and a group of very tall, broad, muscular Archangels begin to enter one at a time. The rain lightly falls over their wings, immediately sliding off and they all straighten their posture, awaiting their final companion to arrive.
"Sit." A voice echoes from the darkness where no candlelight can reach and from the shadows appears Archangel Gabriel, the messenger of God. His giant black wings shift in the back of him, staring at his fellow brothers and his sister and then he motions to the table, offering them to sit down. Gabriel looks at the vacant seat and deeply sighs, ruffling his wings in agitation. "Where is he?" Raphael removes his hat, petting back the messy brown feathers of his wings and he clears his throat. "You know him, sir. He's always late." Gabriel goes expressionless, staring at Raphael with his ice-blue eyes and he forces him to lower his gaze.
Sitting at each seat is an Archangel of high order, waiting patiently for their late brother and they keep their eyes lowered, not daring to look at Gabriel in his state of anger. Raphael begins to stand up, placing his napkin on the table. "Sir, I think I'll go and fetch him for you." Gabriel snaps his steady gaze to Raphael, staring up at him with a menacing look, fists clenching in. "I did not request you to fetch him, Raphael. If anyone is to get him, it will be me."
Chamuel, the angel in the pink wings tugs on Raphael's arm, bringing him back onto his chair. He stares down at his plate, shifting his eyes nervously and Chamuel taps the back of his hand, whispering, "Not to fear, dear. You know how he can be in the morning. Not everyone is a morning angel." She looks up at Gabriel, smiling and he stares at her, expressionless again.
A soft voice like the flame of candle catches his attention from the right of him. "Gabriel, he is on his way. We will have breakfast like a family and you know exactly what he will say when he will come through that entrance." Gabriel's looks at his brother, a slight twitch in his jaw and he looks at the door, relaxing his firm tone. "Indeed, brother. But I shall only wait a few more moments before I bring him here myself. Dressed or not. I will not let my brothers and sister grow famished because he is late again."
Suddenly, the sound of leather boots landing on wet grass is heard outside the entrance and slowly enters Uriel, the light of God. His long blonde hair flows in the wind and his white, silk unbuttoned shirt reveals his smooth, hard chest. Uriel ties up his hair and smiles happily, walking towards his seat. "Forgive the delays, darlings. I was busy taking care of business." Gabriel's eyes darken and he slightly tilts his head back, staring at him. "Breakfast is always in the morning and it has been since the dawn of time. You are not even dressed properly. Where is your belt?"
Uriel laughs, a sharp sound with a slight sinister edge for an Archangel and he places his hand on the table. "That brings me to my business. A slave was late with bringing my clothes to my chambers and an example had to be made. Forgive me, brother." Gabriel narrows his eyes and nods, accepting his reason and Chamuel leans a little closer, lowering his voice. "How late was your slave?" Gabriel motions to the various silver plates of fruit, bread, cheese and he pours wine into his glass, taking a sip. Uriel looks around and smiles brightly. "He was 12 minutes late so I took him to 'The Room' to be punished. He will learn to watch every minute pass by now, unless he wants to be punished again for his transgressions. By all means, love, it's my job." Chamuel leans back, growing silent and she takes a bunch of grapes, placing it down on her plate.
The breakfast continues in silence and soft conversations begin to start. Gabriel discusses business with the angel on the right, battle strategies and tactics for the lesser angels to learn over time. Uriel watches and eats while everyone talks, studying the way each of them move or the way they talk to one another. Raphael talks to Chamuel, playing games in the garden, wild horses roaming in the field a few miles out and sculpting. With empty plates and full stomachs, the Archangels rise all at once, bowing as they line up to leave the dining room in order.
Raphael stays behind and looks at Gabriel, putting his cowboy hat on and then he runs his fingertip over the rim of the dusty hat, shifting from foot to foot. "I sure am sorry for causing you any annoyance in there, mister Gabriel. I won't let it happen ever again. I just didn't want you to fuss over Uriel for being late again." Gabriel looks at his nervous and submissive behavior and he nods, touching his shoulder. "Quite fine, Raphael. You were just seeking peace as what Archangels should always do." Gabriel lowers his hand and looks over Raphael's shoulder to the large dusty field with roaming horses of different breed. "They're waiting for you. Do not stay too long, even horses need their rest." Raphael smiles, giving a nod and he spread his brown wings, taking off towards the field.
The stocky angel from the night before and the same angel at the right of Gabriel appears from the room and stares at Raphael flying to the horses, placing his hands together. "Tonight, I shall be there again. I am looking forward to it." He watches for a few moments at the shining sun on the grassy hills leading to the horses and he bows, turning to leave. Gabriel looks over his shoulder. "Michael…" Michael, the general of God's armies looks over his shoulder and slowly turns around, staring at Gabriel. "…I'll be seeing you there." Gabriel looks back at the sun, watching Raphael run with his horses and Michael softly smiles, taking off to his room.
Uriel, who was leaning against the wall of the dinning hall pushing himself off the smooth surface and he walks over to Gabriel, resting his elbow against his shoulder and then Gabriel sighs, slightly relaxing his gaze. "Beautiful, aren't they, brother? Running wild and free in Father's kingdom and getting away with anything they want. I rather like that power." Gabriel pushes Uriel's elbow off his shoulder and turns to face him, a twitch jolts the corner of his mouth. "Horses are beautiful creatures, yes. Do you have something to discuss with me?" Uriel smirks, shaking his head and he tucks a gold strand of hair behind his pale ear, turning to the sun to slightly golden his skin. "I was hoping to see you tonight, but it seems that you have other plans. I shall see you another time, Gabriel. Ta." He turns and smiles brightly at Gabriel and then he walks down the path to the weapon room, checking inventory.
Gabriel narrows his eyes, clenching his fist and he turns to walk back to his chambers. As he is walking, the sound of laughter can be heard from one of the many gardens and he follows it, seeking the sounds of amusement. Two slaves are lying in the garden, two men and they gasp, gathering their clothes when they see Gabriel approach. He looks down at them, seeing the fear in their eyes and he looks around, parting his lips. A slave tugs on his shirt and he stands up, combing his fingers through his lover's hair, panicked. "It wasn't his fault. I brought him here, Lord Gabriel. Just punish me, don't hurt, Marcus. I'll take all of the whipping." Gabriel sighs, lowering his eyes for a moment at the decision and then he looks at the slave. "What is your name?" The slave slightly tilts his head, confused, shocked and he mumbles. "My name is Gregory, Lord Gabriel. I am the guilty party. Please don't hurt him. " Gabriel stares at the two of them and places his hands together. "I will not see the two of you in this garden again. The two of you should at least be in private and not in open where eyes can see or ears can hear you."
Relieved, Marcus and Gregory fix their clothing and they take Gabriel by the hands, resting a kiss on the back of his knuckles. Marcus stares at him, looking into his eyes and Gabriel looks down at him. "You…understand us?" A muscle twitches in Gabriel's jaw and he takes a step back, placing his hands back together. "Take your leave. Do not let me find you here again because I will not be so lenient." Marcus stares at Gabriel as Gregory tries to pull him away, a few silent words are exchanged and Gabriel looks away, breaking the thought. They both walk away together and Marcus leans against Gregory's shoulder. "He understands."