sixwordstories | (no subject)

Sounds like you're talking about children.

*nods* That I am Madam. Three of them. Whenever they are quiet it usually means trouble is on the way.

Ah, I know the feeling all too well. I have quite a troublemaker of my own, you could say.

How old are yours?

Not mine. His Majesty's. Eight, Thirteen, and Fifteen.

...

His Majesty? The King of...

Hell. *pauses, waits for the fallout*

Hell has a king? Meaning...who, Satan?

He prefers Lucifer. But yes.

...are you his nanny?

High priest. But I occasionally wrangle the children when I can.

They've driven everyone else away.

How very Sound of Music.

So, you're not of the...living variety then, are you?

*laughs*

No, Madam. I'm not.

Please, call me Martha.

How long have you been...down there, if I can ask?

Since the flood. I didn't fancy drowning nor being on a boat for 40 days with a bunch of smelly animals. So...I switched sides. Best decision of my existence.

That's a long time.

So, for what does one require a priest in Hell?

Rituals, organization, time management, child wrangling, calm cool collected logic.

You name it, I do it. And more.

Dear me. I guess it must not be possible for one to get tired where you are.

Oh it's possible. You just build up a tolerance.

Hmm. Do you enjoy what you do?

Actually, I do. I love it.

Well, that's what matters, I've heard.

What about you? Do you enjoy what you do?

Well, I - I did. I don't do much of anything anymore.

Oh?

I've been a mother and a farmer's wife most of my adult life. But recently I worked for several months as a senatorial campaign manager. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm back to the old mother and wife routine, I guess you could say.

Do you enjoy that?

Some days, yes. Some days, no.

*nods, understanding*

*She sits down next to him, smiling softly* I say give it a good fifteen minutes before we go after them and see what they've destroyed. *she lights a cigarette, leaning back in his chair*

In fifteen minutes they could have destroyed the entire west wing. *grabbing a pack from his jacket, he lights his own*

Yes, but it's fifteen more minutes before we know that for certain. We don't have to deal with the repercussions for fifteen more minutes.

*laughs* Quite true, Madam.

And yet one gratefully clings to the blissful momentary respite of peace, before warily approaching to see just what in sweet Judas's name the little wretches have done now.

You've met the children, I take it. *smiles*

Oh, no my good man, I was merely speaking from personal experience. I've childer of my own, you see. Including one blonde-haired blue-eyed little tearaway called 'William' who has been making this nexus his personal playground apparently.

Sounds a bit like Azrael. No doubt they've run into each other by now.

Oh, Azreal. Yes, I've met that one myself. Rather promising boy, he seems. And you're right, he's not unlike my Will.

*extends a large hand with perfectly manicured nails*

Angelus Aurelius.

*he takes the hand, shaking it firmly*

Ian.