Chapter 9 – Getting On Just Fine... Well, Sort Of

So many years had passed since Gabriel left behind his two younger brothers in heaven, and the time and his absence showed on them both. Balthazar was still more inclined to joke and mess around than to be a soldier, but he had grown cynical, sarcastic, even bitter. The years showed less harshly on Castiel. But he was even quieter than before, frequently emotionally distant, and much slower to trust others. In fact, the only angels he truly trusted were his commander Anna, another angel in their unit named Uriel, and most of all Balthazar. But he had retained his honesty, optimism, and the immense compassion that Balthazar swore would one day be the death of him. However, they could not shake the reputation they had from being raised by the absent archangel, nor the one they had earned for themselves. They could be obedient little soldiers on a good day, but there were frequent occasions where one or the other (or sometimes both) would get both of them into trouble by somehow messing things up.

"But not today!" proclaimed Balthazar as he and Castiel left a wary-eyed Anna and Michael behind them. "Today, absolutely nothing will go wrong!"
"You said that the last three times, and look what happened," Castiel pointed out.
"That was before, today is a new day, brother!" said Balthazar.
"You said that too..." muttered Castiel.
It was the late eighteenth century, the American colonies were rebelling against mother England, and Balthazar and Castiel had miraculously been trusted to go speak with some pagan gods about some unruly angels of theirs.
"Look, all we have to do is talk to them, it'll be a breeze," said Balthazar.
"I'm just surprised we're having to talk to pagan gods about their unruly angels and it's not pagan gods having to come talk to Michael about the pair of us," Castiel said.
"Ah, don't be like that, Cas, you're such a buzz-kill when you get like that," Balthazar groaned.
"If you're going to say I'm 'in a mood' again..." Castiel said, rolling his eyes.
"Damn right, I'm going to say that. And it's not fair of you to be in one of your moods because that means I'll end up doing all the talking and we both know how that will end," said Balthazar.
Castiel scowled.
"I'm just tired of Michael glaring anytime we're in the same room as him."
"Yes, that is a bit annoying, isn't it... but then again, he's always been a bit of a prick..."
"Balthazar!" said Castiel warningly, glancing over his shoulder as though the archangel was still in earshot.
"Oh, don't get your wings in a knot, Cas," said Balthazar. "Come on, it's time to hop heavens."
"Don't you dare ditch me for Olympus again," Castiel warned.
"That was one time! I think you're just jealous because Aphrodite fancied me," said Balthazar.
"I highly doubt that," said Castiel.
And with that, he vanished in a flapping of wings, Balthazar joining him just a moment later. They landed outside an enormous pair of double doors. No one seemed to be there.
"Do you think we should knock?" Balthazar wondered.
Castiel shrugged and raised a hand to knock on the door, but froze very suddenly as he felt something sharp between his shoulder blades.
"Turn around slowly," a voice said behind them.
Castiel and Balthazar exchanged a glance and turned, their hands in the air to show they were unarmed. Standing in front of them was a female angel with a spear in her hands, now pointed directly at Castiel's heart.
"State your names, purpose, and who sent you," she demanded.
"My name is Castiel, this is Balthazar. We were sent by the archangel Michael to speak with your gods about some angels that were causing trouble," said Castiel.
"I certainly hope you weren't among them," Balthazar added.
Castiel stomped on his foot, earning him a glare. The other angel lowered her spear.
"Ah yes, I was told he would be sending someone. I just expected the messenger of your great God to be someone a bit more... grandiose," she said.
"Yes well, our Messenger has sort of been missing for the last few hundred centuries," snapped Balthazar.
Castiel groaned in exasperation but the other angel looked at Balthazar quizzically.
"What do you mean, missing?" she asked.
"Meaning he skipped out on us," Balthazar replied bitterly. "Can we just talk to your boss now?"
"Right, sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I'll lead you to him right away," the angel said quickly.
She pushed open the doors and led them inside.
"What was that about, Balthazar? This is not the time to get emotional," Castiel hissed as they followed a few paces behind the other angel.
"Well I'm sorry I can't just shut off my emotions whenever I want like you can," said Balthazar.
"Maybe you should let me do the rest of the talking," said Castiel.
"Yes, good idea, maybe you should since I'll probably just screw it up," Balthazar muttered, turning away from Castiel.
They followed in silence for the rest of the time. Finally, they stopped outside a large door.
"He's inside," said the angel. "I'll be waiting here to escort you back to the gates."
"Thank you," said Castiel, then he knocked on the door.
"Enter," said a deep voice.
The two brothers stepped inside the room, closing the door behind them. A tall god sat at a desk covered in books, a goblet of wine in his hand.
"Ah, and you must be the messengers from Michael. I'll admit, you're not quite what I expected," he said, setting down his goblet.
"We've heard," said Balthazar, unable to restrain himself.
Castiel cast him a glare, then turned back to the god.
"We are here to discuss the matter of your angels who were causing trouble in one of our Father's temples on Earth," he said.
"Ah yes, terribly sorry about that..."

About ten minutes later, Castiel and Balthazar emerged from the room, the negotiation handled smoothly. As promised, the angel was waiting just outside the door.
"Everything go as planned?" she asked.
"Better actually," said Castiel.
"Very good," she said with a smile.
She led them back outside the gates.
"Thank you," said Castiel with a little nod.
He and Balthazar turned to leave, but she placed a hand on Balthazar's arm and he turned back to look at her.
"I really am sorry about earlier. I didn't realize what I said would upset you that way," she said.
"It's fine. Honest mistake," said Balthazar. "I just... let my emotions get away with me. It won't happen again."
"Just don't bottle them all up, you'll go mad. Let it out occasionally," the angel advised.
Balthazar smiled a little.
"Thanks."
"No problem," she replied. "Oh, and my name is Selyn, by the way."
"Pleasure to meet you, Selyn," said Balthazar with a little bow. "Until next time."
He turned to Castiel and the pair of them returned to heaven.