It may have been mere weeks since Rin had begun to see the Angels Metatron and Sandalphon, but it had felt like they had always been there. While he still interacted with the monks and Shiro and his brother, he found himself enjoying his time alone with Metatron and the few moments where he could say hi to Sandalphon.
He had fun playing in the park. Despite the fact that no other children would play with him, he still enjoyed running around. Metatron was off always dealing with a group of Hobgoblins messing with some small children when he heard someone walk up to him.
He turned to face a bearded red haired man.
"Hello," Rin greeted warily. Few adults would willingly approach him. But there was something off about this man. He didn't feel like the people he passed on the streets, or the priests.
"Hello Rin," the man spoke with a raspy tone.
"What do you want?" Rin spat. The man just continued to stare. No smile. No frown. Just an entirely blank face.
"Not that's not very polite. Do you talk to Metatron like that?"
"Wha- no! And how do you know Metatron?" Rin questioned getting into a fighting stance. The just stared at the boy for a moment, unnerving Rin. His eyes flickered from a green to an almost golden color back to green again.
"Tell me Rin. Does the name Raguel mean anything to you?"
"No."
"Feh. Uneducated brat," the man muttered under his breath, "What in Assaih is Metateon teaching you."
"You haven't told me who you are!" Rin yelled at the man. The man opened his mouth to speak when a familiar voice broke in.
"Oh, Raguel. I was wondering when you'd pop in unannounced."
"And I was wondering when you would tell me you had a child with Clairvoyance under your watch."
"Why should I have? I know Sandalphon already told you," Metatron said while ruffling Rin's hair.
"Hey stop that!" Rin proclaimed while batting Metatron's hand away, "Who is this guy Metatron?"
"No honorific," Raguel muttered.
"Well, Rin. While I work for the Almighty, technically this angel," he said throwing an arm around the stiff man, "This guy here is our glorified babysitter."
The man sputtered indignantly as Rin laughed.
"Yes, Raguel-San is responsible for watching all Archangels and maintaining balance."
"So he's like Shiro?"
Both Angels looked confused. Raguel glanced over at Metatron who just shrugged his shoulders.
"How do you mean Rin?"
"He calms me down and gets Yukio up and about from his books."
"A little simplified but sure! Raguel is Shiro."
"Don't you dare Metatron-"
"Fine. I won't tell the others."
"Good. Speaking of, the others-"
"Oh no! You didn't!"
"Metatron? Are you okay?" Rin asked grabbing his hand. Metatron dropped his head slightly.
"I'm fine Rin. It's just... Raguel did something uncalled for."
Rin furrowed his brow in confusion.
"What? Did he take your stuff?"
"No," Metatron sighed as Raguel snorted, "He called a family reunion."
"What?"
"You're a jerk you know that Raguel?"
"I think the family deserves to meet the newest individual capable of Clairvoyance."
"Is your family like you and your brother Metatron?"
"Not. At. All."
Rin blinked trying to think about what that meant as Metatron began guiding him home while being followed by Raguel. Of course, Raguel just floated above the crowds as Metatron allowed humans to walk through him with barely a cringe.
Both Angels let out a sigh of relaxation as they felt the wards wash over them, a light cleanse form the demon infested air of Assiah. The two looked over at Sandalphon who was dutiful as ever watching Yukio. He gave a small look of acknowledgment only to do a double take as he noted Raguel's appearance.
He placed a prayer over Yukio before he flew over to the two other Angels as Rin ran to Yukio.
"Yukio! Yukio!" Rin called out, startling his brother. Yukio jumped, then smiled at his elder twin.
"Ah, Niisan, you surprised me."
"Sorry Yukio. Wanna play?"
"Um... I don't know," Yukio said softly, glancing towards the road. Rin turned his head to notice. A gufu. Creepy dark crow demon.
"We can play... Uh... A board game. Why don't we go inside?" Rin offered. Yukio gave a grateful grin and let Rin guide him inside. Rin was sure one of the Angels would take care of the gufu before it caused any major problems.
"-It was right outside," Rin heard Yukio whimpered.
"It's alright Yukio. Thank you for letting me know. I'll go take care of it."
A sudden sadness clenched at Rin's heart. That's right, Yukio and Shiro had their secrets too. They could see demons too. But didn't know he could. Yukio was normal. He wasn't. Yukio couldn't see Angels. Rin could. But... They were still brothers.
He shook his head and patted his cheeks. No regrets. It was for the best his brother didn't know he knew.
"Hey Yukio? Have you picked a game yet?" Rin asked loudly as he entered the room.
"Oh, you two playing a board game? Room for one more?" Shiro asked.
"Sure! Once Yukio picks out a game that is," Rin said happily. Yukio gave his own sheepish grin.
"I'll go see what we have."
"Great. I have something to take care of real fast before we play, but I'll be right back."
"Kay old man," Rin commented.
It had been hours later that Rin had been woken up from a day of play to see Metatron with a terse grin.
"Ta-tron?" Rin muttered sleepily.
"Oh that's cute," Sandalphon stifled a laugh, "Haniel's going to flip."
"C'mon Rin, I need you up for a little while. Can you do that for me little man?" Metatron continued, ignoring his brother.
"Mmhm," Rin hummed as he got up from his bed. He yawned and began following the twin Angels to the chapel.
"Rin, there's a few people who want to meet you."
"Couldn't it wait till morning?"
"Sorry Rin. But it's rare to get who we have here at the same time."
"Oh wow he's cute!" A young voice squeaked. Rin yelped as he was plucked off the ground by a long haired blond teen. "Look at his little chubby cheeks! And this hair! It's so fluffy!"
"Haniel calm down. And put him down too," Metatron demanded as he put a hand on the youngest looking angel. The blond kneeled, allowing Rin's feet to touch the ground. Rin squirmed out to see light blue eyes and an incredibly pale face.
"Are you going to let anyone else look at the kid, or are you going to hog him Haniel?" A quiet and bored sounding voice asked.
"You'd want to keep him too Azrael. Even with all your spooks and stuff," Haniel joked poking the suave looking and well dressed angel. His dark hair well kept and professional. Short, crisp and clean with eyes appearing older than anyone Rin knew.
"These two are friends of yours?" Rin questioned Metatron.
"More like... Brothers? We're practically family after all. Even Zadkiel in the corner over there. Oy! You going to introduce yourself?"
The man in the corner walked forward, sandy brown hair bouncing softly with each step. His palms were outward as if to offer Rin a hug. Rin clung to the Angel he knew, much to the amusement of the others.
"Are you going to say hi Rin?"
"Erm... Hi."
"Hello little treasure," Haniel said happily, "I'm Haniel."
"I know that. Metatron said so," Rin said childishly. Azrael chuckled at Rin's matter of fact tone.
"He's got a point Haniel. Maybe you should have introduced yourself before you hugged him."
"Not my fault God made him so cute," Haniel pouted.
"You think all children are cute," Zadkiel commented.
"They're God's creation. That doesn't mean he isn't any less cute," Haniel defended.
"I am not cute."
"Rin. I hate to tell you this, but you're adorable," Metatron said in a dead serious tone.
"Am not! I'm strong!" He said flexing his small arms. Sandalphon hid a snort. While he was a little fighter and had abnormal strength, he was still a little kid.
"Hard to believe isn't it?" Raguel commented as Rin grew used to the newly introduced Angels.
"Hm? Something wrong Raguel?"
"No. Nothing is wrong," he said in a bizarrly pleased tone.
Raguel, archangel. "His name means 'Friend of God' His chief role in heaven is to oversee all of the other archangels and angels, to ensure that they're all working together in a harmonious and orderly fashion, according to Divine order and will. If you need help in creating harmony and resolving conflicts, call upon Raguel."
Haniel, archangel. "His name means 'Glory of God' Haniel helps us to recover lost secrets of natural healing remedies. Haniel also helps us enjoy more grace in our lives. Call upon Haniel to add beauty, harmony, and the company of wonderful friends to your life. Moon energy, clairvoyance and grace."
Azrael, archangel. "His name means 'Whom God helps'. Azrael's role is primarily to cross people over to heaven at the time of physical death. Azrael comforts people prior to their physical death, ensures they do not suffer during death, and helps them to assimilate on the other side. Call upon Azrael for support and comfort. Grief Counseling. Assists Newly Crossed Over Soul. Compassion, peace, transition and comfort. Patron Angel of the Clergy."
Zadkiel, archangel. "His name means 'The righteousness of God' Zadkiel can help you hold mercy and compassion towards yourself and others, and let go of judgements and forgive yourself or someone else, ask Zadkiel for help. He is the Archangel of invocation, transformation. Angel of freedom, benevolence, mercy, and the patron Patron Angel of all who forgive."
Angel information pulled from angelsbysharae . com
On a seperate note, anyone agree with Haniel about how cute little Rin is?
And on a separate-seperate note, who is your guys' favorite or least favorite angel of the ones introduced so far?