Everyone had to spar with the lieutenant and second lieutenant to sharpen their skills. Unfortunately for Viola, she was set to spar against Lute. All of their weapons being wooden spears rather than their angelic weapons to prevent life threatening injuries.
The smaller angel looked up at her friend as they sat, "Aw man, Boob, are you sure we can't switch?" She grimaces as she saw another exorcist get flipped over by the ruthless woman, her staff nearly hitting her head as it landed.
Boob shook her head quickly, "Uh, no way. I'm not fighting Lute. Besides, you know how much she complains about Lieutenant Vaggie babying you." She playfully punched Viola on the arm, "Who knows, this is just her way of trying to toughen you up." This made the smaller angel giggle, earning her a glare from Lute when she heard her. The black haired exorcist then gets up to stretch and approach Vaggie, "Alright, looks like it's my turn. Good luck."
Lute narrowed her eyes at the exorcist getting up from their training, "Pathetic effort. But I can see the improvement in the ferocity of your attacks." She then glared at Viola and put her hand out, fingers flexing in a 'come here' motion. The smaller angel gulped as she got up, "...Aw man, I'm so dead."
Viola spun the spear in her hands, almost dropping it, before pointing it at her lieutenant. She ran forward as did the white haired angel, making their weapons clash. She tried her best to keep up with her superior's movements as she was already being driven backwards. When Lute hit left, she would block with the staff. When she hit right, it was the same thing. Even when Lute punched, Viola would just try her best to block it with her staff. The smaller angel soon swung at her lieutenant's head but missed as Lute ducked under the staff. Eventually, Lute punched through the wooden staff, hitting Viola in the face. She was sent flying into the nearby wall and slumped to the floor. The bigger angel flew up and landed with the staff in a stabbing position. Luckily Viola rolled herself out of the way to avoid being stabbed by the wooden spear. She was trying to get back up when Lute quickly appeared over her. The older angel had her fist clenched and ready to punch, which made Viola hold up the two broken pieces of the staff to brace for impact. Only for the punch to never come, making Viola blink up at her in surprise.
The second lieutenant groaned as she stood up straight, "...So, Viola. Was that actually your best shot?" She spun the spear in her hand and held it at her side.
The smaller angel rubbed the back of her neck, "I... Uh... Yes, ma'am."
She rubbed her forehead in annoyance, "Well... You're durable. But that's about it." She really struggled to find something to compliment there as her mind was full of criticisms. Her staff hit Viola's head, "Your form is sloppy. You nearly dropped your staff before we even started." Then she hit Viola's arm, "You rely too much on your late blocks. Actually try to attack back." Then she hit the her back of her wings, "And finally, never let your opponent see the fear on your face."
Viola stood up at this point, stretching her back, "I'll keep that all in mind." She saluted her with disappointment in her own voice. She then sat next to Boob, who did fairly well. For the rest of training, the two tried to relax as they waited for Vaggie to finish up training her half of the subordinates.
Vaggie and Lute later met with Adam in his office to report the current status of the exorcists. Unsurprisingly, the first man was lounging around as he was bored trying to avoid the paperwork Sera gave him. He smiled upon seeing the two women enter his office, "Oh finally, you both took forever! So, how are things going?"
Vaggie ignored the pile of work loaded on his desk as she added the report on top of it, "Most of the exorcists have improved exponentially since their last training sessions. Well, except for-"
Adam groaned before she could say who it was.
The second lieutenant rolled her eyes, "It's Viola, sir. She was the last of her fellow exorcists again. And that annoying little snicker of her's is driving me crazy." Vaggie shot her a glare for that one, saying it was uncalled for.
The first man rubbed his browline, grumbling, "Oh great. You want to know what's annoying. ALL of this! This is the third time she's been last in all the training scores! And we had to save her during the last extermination! Can she do one thing right on her own? Uggghhhh..." Then his eyes widened, "Wait!"
Vaggie tilted her head, "Did you come up with something, sir?"
Adam practically shouts his answer, extending his arms, "Of course I did! Because I'm a genius! I'll just ask Sera to let Viola be that new Seraphim's bodyguard! Then she'll be with her for a majority of the time. It'll be so easy, she literally CAN'T mess it up. What's she going to protect Emily from IN HEAVEN? Grass stains? Haha! Adam, you rule!" He offers Vaggie a high-five with a smug smile on his face.
She simply shakes her head, keeping her hands behind her back with her shoulders straight. He high-fived himself, keeping the smirk on his face. He then headed towards the door, "Alright, you ladies sit tight while I go find Sera."
Only a few hours later and the idea was approved by the Head Seraphim. She did think the idea of Emily having extra protection was an excellent one, even if they did live in Heaven. She allowed for the three to host a meeting with the newest exorcist.
Viola opened the door to the meeting room, a long table was in front of her with multiple chairs. Though only Adam sat at the end of the table while the two lieutenants stood at his sides. One had her helmet on while the other had it off. The smaller exorcist scratched her cheek as she sat down, "...Am I in trouble?"
The LEDs on the helmet narrowed it's eyes at her, "Not if you consider a new job being in trouble."
"Lute." Vaggie put a sheet a paper down on the table in front of her, "Okay so here is the deal. You're not fully off the squad but some of us feel like some improvement is in order on your part. And we figured the best way for that is to have you protect and guard the newest Seraphim." She explained though it was mostly a lie. She put a hand on her shoulder, "You'll still be required to participate in the yearly Exterminations. However, we expect to see at least SOME sort of improvement on your part."
Viola nodded at her superior, "I understand. You mean Emily, right? So is this an order or a choice?"
Lute's helmet made an angry face, "Let me put it this way. It's either this or you sit with St. Peter at the gate."
Viola pondered for a moment before nodding, "Uh... I suppose I'd rather be Emily's bodyguard then." Considering she hadn't met St. Peter before, she figured being with Emily would be a better choice.
Adam pumped his fist, "Alright, now that THAT is settled! Let's get down to business!" He then relaxed in his chair, arms folded behind his head, "Girls, drop her off for me, would ya?"
Both his lieutenants groaned internally before flying off with the recruit in tow to meet with the Seraphims.
Sera stood calmly in front of the building her and her ward reside in, patiently waiting for the new bodyguard to make her appearance. She and Emily were standing next to a smaller angel, one with paper white skin and black hair. She had golden glasses on as she gazed at the clipboard in front of her with a bored expression. She was wearing pale blue robes with black gloves. Meanwhile, Emily was bouncing on her feet as she saw the smaller angel fly her way, "Oh, there she is!" She flew around her friend, "Oh my gosh, Viola! It's you! Do you remember me? It's Emily!"
Viola smiled softly at the Seraphim angel, "Of course I remember you! Oh shoot! Sorry, I forgot my helmet back in my room."
Vaggie shook her head, "Viola, I asked you if you had everything before we left." Lute rolled her eyes as she held her own helmet in her hands, "Typical."
The blue angel waved her hand, "Oh! That's okay, I think the helmets are all scary anyway. I'd rather see your actual face." She said with a big grin on her face.
Sera smiled at the three exorcists, "If Emily says it is okay then helmet is not required." She turned to the other angel next to her, "Now, come, we have quite a lot to discuss. Don't we, Ophelia?"
Ophelia pushed up her glasses, "Yes, we do." She flew up to her superior's height, "I have a list of everything right here, ma'am. Come, Exorcist."
Emily giggled enthusiastically as she followed the two angels while Viola waved goodbye to Vaggie and Lute. The lieutenant returned her wave while the other woman did not. She flew into the building next to her new protectee.
They stopped in a room with a long table with multiple chairs on the sides. Sera sat at the head of the table as the black haired angel looked through her papers. Viola chose to sit next to Emily, who smiled at her. Ophelia set two pieces of paper down in front of Viola, "Now, Exorcist. I am going to have to discuss Emily's needs and-"
Emily pouted as she interrupted her, "What! But Ophelia! She's my bodyguard, not my babysitter."
The black haired angel waved her finger, "While that is true, young Emily. But she IS going to be around you more than I am now. So I want to be sure she knows what she is doing as it pertains to your wellbeing."
Viola raised an eyebrow at Emily as she continued to pout. She then looked at Ophelia and then at Sera, still a bit confused.
Sera explained in a gentle voice, "Ophelia used to be one of the angels under Lucifer but after he was... Cast out. I decided to take her in as one of my angels. She has been helping me watch over Emily for years. When I was too busy to look after her, Ophelia would be sure to be near her. She can be quite the stickler for her own little rules."
The exorcist nodded, "Oh, I see." She then turned to the older angel, "So, what is it that I need to know?"
The older angel then started to talk fast, "Emily is to start the day with a full breakfast. No matter what she wants, we get it for her. Looking at the averages, her favorite food is blueberry pancakes no matter what time of the day it is. One of Emily's favorite candy is specifically blue cotton candy. Not pink, not yellow but blue." She eyed the girl, "I hope you are writing all this down."
Viola scratched her head as she looked at the Seraphim next to her, "There's a difference?" Meanwhile Emily hid her face in her hands, "...This is embarrassing." The more Ophelia rambled, the more all three of the other angels started to look at the clock. Eventually Viola even started to doodle on a loose piece of paper Ophelia handed her before. Sera began to notice that both girls seemed to stop paying attention.
The oldest angel in the room stood up, "I think that is quite enough actually. Thank you, Ophelia. You are dismissed, please handle the rest of your tasks for the day."
The smaller angel nodded her head before collecting her paperwork, "Yes, High Seraphim." She then flew off to head outside the building.
After the black haired angel left, the three flew into the hallway together. With Emily talking enthusiastically about the fact that she is going to have a friend with her at all times. But eventually, Sera opened a door to another room, "Emily, I need to discuss something with Viola in private. If you may go to your room and plan your day with your new bodyguard, I would highly appreciate it."
The pair let Emily fly ahead of them, "You got it, Sera!" She giggled happily as she did so, "We are going to have so much fun together!" Viola turned to the taller angel as she nervously played with her fingers, "Did I do something wrong, High Seraphim?"
Sera shook her head, "No, my dear. You did nothing wrong. I just need to make sure you know what you're doing." She then sighed once she was sure her ward wasn't anywhere near the door, "You are aware you are not to tell her, right?"
Viola blinked, "Tell her about what?"
Multiple eyes appeared in the taller angel's hair as she turned to her, all looking at the small angel, "The Exterminations, Viola. As her bodyguard, you are to protect Emily at all times. This includes anything about the Exterminations. And I am trusting you to not say a word about them to her." She kept her voice in almost a harsh whisper.
The smaller angel shook her head, "No, no ma'am. I would never tell her anything about the Exterminations." Viola placed her hand on her chest, "It would break her heart and I don't want that for her."
The archangel nods, "Good, be sure to keep that in the back of your mind..." She pokes her head out in the hall before opening the door fully, "You are relieved, go back to Emily."
Viola gives her a salute, "Yes, ma'am!" She then flies off to find the smaller blue angel. Missing Sera's sigh as she flew away.
Emily happily flew around the exorcist when they reunited, "Oooh, I am so excited! What should we do first, Viola?"
The exorcist scratched her cheek, "Well, uh, I don't know. What do you normally do, Emily?"
The Seraphim flew them both towards the courtyard, "Oh! I am a Joybringer. It's my job to well, bring joy to everyone here in Heaven." She wiggles her fingers, "I can even sense the emotions of everyone around me!"
Viola's eyes practically sparkled in response, "Woah, that's so cool! Oh! Can you tell me what I'm thinking of right now?"
Emily giggled a little, playfully tapping her on the shoulder, "That isn't really how it works, silly goose. It's more so I can tell how happy people are around me. But I can tell that you're really happy right now!"
The white haired angel blushes slightly, "Oh! Oh yeah that makes sense! Hehe... So uh, do we start somewhere? Does sadness find you or-"
Emily was about to answer when they both heard sobbing nearby. The Seraphim's wings vibrated a little as she detected the sadness, "Oh, I guess it found me this time!"
The exorcist followed the blue angel through the courtyard to find the source of the crying. They stopped at a rather short man with dark grey skin and blonde hair. His eyes were a dark brown with blue sclera and his wings were white. He wore a light blue robe that had small white triangles at the bottom.
The small Seraphim gave him a gentle smile, "Hey... Sir, I can see there is something on your mind. What is it that troubles you?"
The man was now trying to hold back his sobs and he spoke in a Hispanic accent, "My wife and daughters... I haven't seen them for quite a long time and I'm starting to get really worried."
Viola spoke up, "Oh, we can help you look for them. Where did you last see them?" She was rather unaware of the fact that this just made the man want to cry more.
Emily put her hand on her shoulders, "Uh! Viola, I don't think that is quite what he means. I will handle this." Her bodyguard nodded and took a step back as she smiled at the man, "I am sorry, my friend is still a bit new around here. But I am sure your wife and daughters will make it here eventually." The blue angel put a hand on his shoulder, "For now, I advise you to use the resources at our therapy center."
And with that, the sad angel left to find said center. Which left both girls alone with each other. Viola's eyes widened, "Wow, you handled that pretty quickly."
Emily let out a giggle, "Hehehe yes well, it's kinda my job." Her eyes then widened as she gasped, "Wait a minute! I have to introduce you to a few people! Come on, let's go find St. Peter!"
She quickly flew off and the exorcist followed right behind her, "Oh! Okay!"
After a few minutes of flying around, the exorcist scratched her cheek, "So I actually have heard of St. Peter. I'm pretty sure the second lieutenant said he guards the gate? I actually started doodling him during the meeting. Believe it or not, hehe." She took the picture out of her uniform's pocket, depicting a rather big and buff man. The two landed in front of the gates of Heaven, where a small man with golden hair was standing behind a podium. He had baby blue eyes and robes of gold and blue.
Viola raised an eyebrow at the sight of the saint, "That's St. Peter? He's a bit... Different than I thought he would have looked like." She looked down at her drawing and back at the golden angel, who simply waved back at them.
Emily looked over her shoulder to look at the picture, "Oh yeah! St. Peter gets that a lot." She took the picture from Viola and put it in her own pocket.
St. Peter smiled brightly as the two flew closer to him, "Oh Emily, I see you have your new bodyguard with you! My name is St. Peter. Now, allow me to show you around. I know Lute doesn't exactly to give all new recruits a tour because she 'doesn't see the point in it.' But just look at those glorious buttresses! How can you not be impressed?"
Viola couldn't help but snicker at the word. She pursed her lips to try to keep her mouth closed but some of her laughter escaped. This caused Emily to start giggling. The young Seraphim put her hands over her mouth to attempt to silence her own giggles.
St. Peter raised an eyebrow at the two, "Hm? Is something funny?"
The seraphim calmed her giggles and took her hands from her mouth, "Nothing, nothing! We just... Really like architecture!"
The exorcist smiled, "Yeah!" She took a deep breath to calm down.
The golden angel smiled at the pair, "Oh! Well it makes me happy to see two young angels take such an interest in the art." He shrugged his shoulders, "Granted, this is all there is to look at but I am glad to see you both being interested. So, may I have your name?"
The white haired angel realized she had yet to introduce herself, "Oh yeah! Sorry about that, my name is Viola. So do you this all by yourself?"
St. Peter waved his hand at her, "We take shifts here but I AM the main greeter. What can I say? Its fun seeing people's faces light up when I find their name." He gestured to the large golden book on the podium, leading to both girls to look at it. The golden angel smiled at the new angel, "So, Viola, what is it that you and the other Exorcist do? If you don't mind me asking of course."
Viola stuttered as she struggled to think of an answer. But then they all heard a cough from someone else standing in front of the gate... Along with a line of other people
The golden angel opened his book quickly, "Hmm, oh boy. Girls, I would love to continue this conversation but it seems as if I have a sudden increase in people at the gate. May we hang out another time?"
Emily nodded as she began to fly upwards, "Oh! Sorry, St. Peter, we'll leave you to do your job now." She then turns to the exorcist, "Come on, Viola! Let's go find Molly!"
The exorcist gave her a big smile, "Sure thing, Emily! Bye, St. Peter!" And with that, the two flew off together over the gate to look for this newly mentioned angel while St. Peter gave them a wave. Viola have a sigh of relief in her head, making a mental note to ask Vaggie what their main excuse was for non-exorcist angels.
Eventually the two landed in the courtyard of Heaven, where Emily squinted her eyes in search of a certain angel. She pondered for a moment, "Hmm... If I was Molly, where would I be?"
As she looked, the exorcist's eyes scanned the crowd just in case. When she turned her head, she saw a pink, spider-themed angel rush towards Emily.
Viola quickly let her wing flutter out in between the blue and pink angel, "Woah, woah! Uh, too close there, ma'am."
Emily put her hand on her bodyguard's wing to lower it, "Oh Viola, it's okay. There's no need to be on edge, this is the Molly I was telling you about." The blue winged angel then turns to her older friend, "Molly, this is Viola! She is my new bodyguard."
The pink angel, now named Molly, waved excitedly at the exorcist, "Ooooh, a bodyguard! How fancy! Hello! Nice to meet ya, Viola."
The pale angel retracted her wing, "Oh uh, sorry about that. It's very nice to meet you too, Molly. I like the way you talk."
Molly tilted her head at the Seraphim before snapping her fingers in realization, "You must mean my accent!"
The small exorcist nods rapidly, "Yeah! Yeah! That! ...I think."
As the three walked together walking through the crowds of winners in Heaven, Emily smiled widely at her bodyguard, "You know, Viola... Your laugh is really cute."
Viola rubbed the back of her neck in response, "Oh!" She looked away before looking back at Emily, "Uh, it's okay... You don't have to say things just to make me happy. Er, is it joyful?"
The Seraphim stepped in front of her bodyguard, causing them both to stop walking, "No, no, I mean it! It is really cute!" Her wings briefly fell, "...Do you not think the same about your own laugh?"
The golden eyed angel played with her fingers nervously, "Well, Lute, I mean... The second lieutenant says it's annoying so I guess I just kinda figured it was to everyone else."
Emily quickly clasped Viola's hands in her own, making the bodyguard look at her, "No, your laugh is cute. Very cute!" She shook both their hands up and down, "Super cute, actually! Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!"
A small golden blush started to form as her wings puffed out, "O-oh! Okay!" She let out a nervous giggle, "Hehe, sorry, no one has held my hands like this before." A few feathers flew from Viola's puffed out wings and they started floating in the air.
Molly giggled from behind Emily, "Oooooh! You called her laugh 'cute' AND your her first hand hold! Is there something you want to tell us, Emily?" She playfully elbowed the Seraphim's back.
The blue angel turned around to shush her friend as she let go of the exorcist's hands, "Shhh! Molly! It is not like that!" She then started flapping her wings quickly, not noticing the sun start to dip down in the sky.
Viola's blush began to fade as she looked around, "You know, uh, it looks like it's getting kinda late. Should I escort you back to your room, Emily?"
Once again, the pink angel giggled, "Ooooh! And now SHE wants to escort YOU to YOUR room! Aren't you two being-"
The Seraphim's wings fluttered out, "Molly!"
The mentioned angel kept a big smile on her face, "I was going to say adorable! Hehe, you two are being quite silly right now."
Emily begins to pout before flying away, knowing that arguing with Molly can be rather tedious. But not before one of Viola's feathers flew into her face. Rather than letting it fall to the ground, she put it in her pocket without either noticing. Viola awkwardly waved to the pink angel before joining her protectee in the sky. She rubbed the back of her neck as they headed to the Seraphim's residence, "Uh... I'm sorry?"
She waved a hand, "Aw no, Viola, don't apologize. It's not your fault, that is just how Molly is." She looked away from her bodyguard, trying to calm the slight blush on her face.
Soon the pair made it to the entrance of the residence, where Viola held the door open for the Seraphim. After letting it close behind her, she followed Emily to her room. Which was where she stopped, letting the blue angel go into her own room. She smiled at her, "Alright, have a good night! I'll be right out here if you need me."
Emily raised an eyebrow at her, "You're not going to sleep?"
The white haired angel gave her a smile, trying to wave off her concern, "Oh no, I'm supposed to guard you. I'll be fine, Emily. You get some sleep."
After half an hour, Emily flew out of her room, "Are you sure you don't need sleep? You can rest in my bed if you want." She was now wearing a pale blue nightgown.
Viola shook her head and pounded her own chest with her fist, "No, don't worry. I'm tough, I can go without sleep if it means you're safe, Emily." She held back a yawn as the blue angel flew back into her room. The exorcist went back to standing up straight, despite how tired her eyes seemed to be getting. She looked at each end of the hallway, not noticing when the Seraphim's door opened again. Her heart beat rapidly when she felt a hand grab her arm, only to swivel her head to see her protectee with a scared look on her face. She took a deep breath, "Oh my gosh, Emily, you scared me."
Emily held her arm tighter, "I'm sorry... But can you please stay with me in my room? I'm really sorry if it makes you uncomfortable, Viola, but it'll be just for tonight. I really don't want to bother Sera with a nightmare. Or Ophelia either."
Viola looked to her hands holding her arm, "Oh! Uh, sure. It's my job to protect you, isn't it? Even if it's just some bad dreams. Don't worry, Emily, because your loyal bodyguard is here to scare all the nightmares away!"
The Seraphim smiled softly as she lightly tugged the exorcist to the chair inside her room. She then flew to her dresser to take out a spare fluffy blanket and laid it on Viola's lap.
The exorcist tilted her head, "You know I don't need this, right?"
But the blue angel kept her smile, "I know but now I'll be assured that you won't be uncomfortable."
Viola snuggled the blanket up to her neck, "...Okay, yeah you're right. It's really soft, I like it."
Emily giggled as she laid down in her bed, "I'm glad you think so. It's one of my favorite blankets." She turned and saw the feather she caught from Viola earlier. She held it up in her hand, "And um... Hey, Viola? Can I keep one of these?"
The exorcist raised an eyebrow at her, "You want one of my feathers?"
The blue angel gave her a tired smile in return, "Yeah, that way it's like you're always with me. Driving anything bad away."
Viola gave her a smile, "I guess if you want it, sure. You can keep it." Then her head slumped down, resting on her shoulder as she slept. It turns out the blanket just showed how tired she really was.
The Seraphim giggled at the sight of her sleeping then put the feather in her pillow case with a wide smile on her face. It wasn't long until Emily let herself fall asleep, her dream that night being full of glitter and wonder.
Sera opened the door to Emily's room rather early in the morning, "Rise and shine, my little ang-" She spots the exorcist sitting on the chair and then looked at the Seraphim, "Emily... What is Viola doing in your room?"
The little Seraphim struggled to answer, "Well, I asked her to play... Uh..."
The small exorcist pointed at Emily with her thumb, "She had a nightmare and asked if I could. I am supposed to protect her so I did."
The blue angel gasped, "Viola!"
The white haired angel gestured to the tall angel, "What? Was I supposed to lie to the High Seraphim?"
Surprisingly, Emily giggled at that, "...Maybe."
Sera shook her head, "Now now, girls. It is okay, Viola, you are to report your previous day to Adam. You are relieved for now."
Viola gave her a salute before flying out the door to find her boss. Sera frowned at the door before looking at her young ward, "...You know Emily... If you don't like your current bodyguard, then I'm sure Adam won't mind swapping-"
Emily quickly shook her head at her. She then sat on the bed, bouncing, "But Sera, I really like being with Viola! She's sweet! She's protective! Sure, she's a bit silly at times and a bit clumsy but she's really trying her best! And, um..."
The older Seraphim tilted her head at the smaller Seraphim, "Hm? What is it, Emily?"
She smiled sweetly as she hugged her pillow with Viola's feather under the cover, "...I can sense that she's the most joyful when she's with me."