sixwordstories | (no subject)

[Castiel smiles.]

Perhaps, perhaps not.

[ He tips his head and leans back ] Hello Castiel. You're different.

Hello Micheal...I could say the same of you.

Will you sit? [ He offers a chair with an open palm ]

[Castiel eyes his older brother carefully but sits deciding to trust him rather than not.]

What brings you back brother?

Define 'back'. Nothing can return to what was. In ways, I will never truly return.

Forgive me my time among humans has made my use of slang rise. How did you manage to leave the Cage and Lucifer?

Of course. [ He remains still and silent for some time before choosing to stand and walk around the desk that parts them to the chair beside Castiel. ]

The same way, I imagine, you lifted the Winchester. I remained there by choice, Castiel. Counter to rumor of its impenetrability.

Edited 2015-01-23 21:32 (UTC)

[Balthazar doesn't realize he was staring until the other fellow speaks up, and he immediately startles, apologetic.]

Sorry! I...erm. [It's rare for him to be flustered. Give him a sec.]

My brain is telling me you can't possibly be who I think you are, but my Grace says otherwise. They call me Balthazar. Do you know me?

[ Michael watches the angel. He feels the Grace, knows it is a brother, but the name returns him to the Wise Men and no one more. Which at one point might have meant nothing to him, and it's that realization which only confirms more the reason he fell. When did he stop caring? ]

Forgive me, brother. [ He slowly stands, and slides a hand along the wood of his desk as he advances toward Balthazar. ] I have been detached from family matters for quite some time.

Will you sit?

[The archaic version of the name would have been Baal-sarra-usur, but no one uses that any longer, as far as Balthazar is aware. He's not going to press the point. If he's a stranger to Michael, that's...probably to his advantage because he's well aware he's past due for a smiting.]

There's nothing to forgive. Is it really you, Michael? [He offers a tentative handclasp, a gesture learned from time with humans.]

I was just making sure I wasn't in trouble. [And there's a boyish grin that hides genuine concern. But he'll sit anyway, half curiosity, half that lingering obedience that's such a hard trait for younger angels to shake. Even incorrigible runaways like himself.]

Edited (html oops) 2015-01-24 17:27 (UTC)

[ How is it possible that once long ago, he knew everything there was to know about his brothers and life in Heaven. All the involvements of all the angels from the highest to the lowest. He knew things even Metatron was not attuned to. Sure, he was strict and stern but he cared. There was order, there was law, there and he can't really remember the point where that began to fall apart until there was blood, and fire, and he was on earth. ]

If you were in trouble I should think you would know rather expediently, brother. [ But even as he is trying so desperately to seek penance, to find that redemption, to return. He's still Michael. So... he's still a bit of an ass. Some things wont change. His eyes look at the hand then looks at Balthazar, 'really?' Unsurprisingly, perhaps, he doesn't take it. ]

Unless you've been standing here waiting for a good moment to confess something?

[He should have known better. Ah, well. Dropping his hand with a sigh, he takes the proffered seat and folds his arms across his chest. It's defensive body language, but his expression doesn't change.]

I'll just be sure to fly off before any reasons to smite me occur to you, then.

[He can't resist the chance to talk to this biggest of big brothers. He's never had a chance to say anything to Michael that wasn't the equivalent of 'Sir, yes, sir!'. But he's not suicidal, either.] There's no point in confessing. Last I checked we don't get forgiveness, anyway. That's for humans.

Since we're here, though...you look well. Should I be expecting the Apocalypse in the near future?

[ Should have, but good on you for attempting. He sits at the edge of the chair next to Balthazar and watches his brother for a moment. ] Once, perhaps that was true. In old times, when Heaven had order and Father spoke. That is not the truth anymore, so tell me Balthazar, if we do not have one another what do we have?

[ The smile is subtle, but everything said is completely genuine. ] No, I am not here for that. I am here to mend and return structure.

[His expression turns thoughtful, and he says nothing for a long moment, studying Michael. This is a new company line, so to speak. He's almost afraid to trust it, but it sounds good.]

I barely remember those times, you know. I wish I did. But I'll be honest, you were never one I'd have expected mercy from. [Actually, he'd never have counted on mercy from any archangel, not even Gabriel, who at least had a sense of fun. That sense of humor could make his idea of vengeance even more vicious.

Upon reflection, though, whatever else Michael has been, he's been steadfast. And never a liar.] Do you mean to mend in Heaven, or on Earth? Or both?

[ Michael having mercy is the whole reason why any of this happened. Because he cast Lucifer out, he didn't kill him. Again, and again, and again, he can't bring himself to kill Lucifer. Still again, Lucifer lives. He can't bring himself to it. He just can't. ]

There is a difference between fair judgement and mercy. In the past, I removed what was in my way. Mine, Balthazar. I assume you can then put together why I disappeared, and why I'm standing before you on an army base in a military uniform. [ he fell, and he didn't want to admit it. He was wrong. ] But don't mistake fair judgement as an allowance for careless mistakes.

I need to be here on Earth. For now.

Edited 2015-01-24 18:43 (UTC)

[Balthazar can relate to that, at least, although he's afraid to assume at this point whether Lucifer lives or whether he's still imprisoned.

He's also afraid to ask. One of the cardinal rules for survival in the past was do not mention Lucifer. To anyone. Particularly to another archangel. So he won't, but he'll be listening for clues.

In the meantime, he worries his lip at the information, an oddly human gesture. Falling by mistake is different from running away, like he did, like Anna and Castiel and Gabriel did. But it's something to note.]

It suits you, this form. I don't know if you remember. My only assignment on Earth was to guard a soldier through the Great War. Something about bloodlines; I wasn't given all the details. But it was a learning experience.

I'm not sorry for everything I've done. But I have do have regrets. [Mostly that he deserted his family; probably there's no way to make up for that.]

[ Do not speak about Lucifer is still rule. Especially not to Michael but everyone should know that. You'd be a fool to think otherwise.

Michael remains silent for awhile. There's a strong need in his chest to talk, confess even, unravel. Who does the highest go to when troubled? It used to be Lucifer. Now it's no one. Where does the line between pretending to be strong and pride lay? He excuses it because he's 'the soldier', but more truthfully... it's pride. He doesn't want to look weak.

It's impossibly easy to lose hope, now. Everything scattered to ashes and dust. How can anything possibly be brought together again? ]

Ah, yes. Some time ago, that was. [ A beat ] Do you want to talk about them? Your regrets.

Edited 2015-01-24 19:45 (UTC)

[He can sense that undercurrent of tension, though he's not sure whether it's a need to speak or an attempt to hold his temper. Either way, he thinks discretion is the better part of valor in this case, and waits, patient and passive.

He's forgotten what faith is, himself, but he'll be damn frightened if Michael has, as well.]

I...suppose. You know, I left because I couldn't bear to watch us kill one another. But in doing so I left brothers and sisters behind to die.

I don't like that. I don't like myself for doing that. But I still don't see any other way I could have gone. That's all.

[And yet, the uniform is making him think about the trenches, watching comrades in arms die for one another. No man left behind. All that talk that was either noble or foolish or both. It stings.]

[ It's a struggle he will never admit. Funny? Because was it not faith that lead him here, faith that he should serve in His absence, faith that the unholy was still unholy and his duty still his duty and disobedience intolerable? Was it not faith that blindly led to all of this?

But Angels were crafted beings. Even in exile and dark years could Michael abandon his Father? Could he turn away, intentionally disobey, and take a lead above Him? No. Could he question what hope was left to a Heaven locked from them and an earth so turned away from the Lord? Yes, and he does. He often does sit in deepened thought wondering how much more blood he needs to shed on behalf of order and justice. ]

You would not be the only one to leave because of this. Surely you knew that death would continue with or without your presence.

[Balthazar, for his part, still believes their Father is out there. Somewhere. He's just lost faith that the angels themselves, from the top on down, ever had any clear idea of their part in the Divine Plan. It's so obviously fallen apart.

God must have intended something different. Something He never cared to mention.]

I knew. [He gives a tight nod.] I just wouldn't have to watch it firsthand this way.

Honestly, I never expected to last this long, myself. But if you're not going to smite me, I imagine no one else will.

[ He is. He has to be, can anything continue to live without Him? After all, was it not He who created all things? His plan, everything a big part of His plan. Maybe Michael was the fool. So used to being in knowledge of what His plan was while many others were left in the dark. Then again, what right were any of them to question or demand to know His plan if He doesn't choose to share it?

Anyway, unsurprisingly this conversation is going to get heavy. Fast. ]

And how did you think that would serve anyone, Balthazar? Did you feel if you didn't see any of it, it wouldn't matter?

If your selfish endeavor managed to slide past most of us, how does the guilt not eat you?

[Castiel nods, this in a certain way makes sense. He is however grateful to see Micheal on Earth now when the younger angel needs his advice the most.]

This is good to hear brother...I will admit to feeling some guilt in leaving you behind.

Did you? [ He tips his head ] Do you believe that I was right? Back then. The things that I did. To our sisters and brothers who dared defy me.

[ Michael leans back in the chair a bit ] I wouldn't have went with you. I needed to be there.

No I do not....I believe in what the Winchesters chose to do however much it has hurt them now. That is why I have chosen to seek out if the rumors were true.....if you were free.