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Post by Azazel on Feb 16, 2013 15:56:40 GMT -5
The group of Angels had made significant advances into the city, and had pushed up towards the Labyrinth, where Azazel raised a hand and brought them all to a stop, before pulling aside two Miles Angels and ordering them to head out and scout the surrounding area. He then thrust his hands into his pockets and turned to the others, his cold gaze scanning slowly across the group, in particular hovering on the two Guardian Angels whom had come with them, it was for them that this little rest would be the most important.
"Alright, everyone. Take a short break, we need to know what we're going up against so we may as well take some time off until the Miles' get back with their scouting report." He let his gaze once again linger on to the two Guardian Angels. "Besides, this is a good time to reflect on that last battle." He simply turned away from the others, and found a nice wall to rest his back against, his arms crossing against his chest. Grigori and Kushiel started to head over in his direction, the female Angel looking up at the bigger Archangel.
"This is odd." She muttered. "Azazel isn't normally one to... 'reflect'..." The big man gave a deep chuckle.
"We all need to reflect at some point, I guess youngling."
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Post by Ithiel on Feb 16, 2013 16:05:48 GMT -5
"I know what my reflection is," Ithiel spoke, leaning back against the opposite wall. "It was way too short. My lord, you should have let us take care of the lapdogs, not soiled your own hands. We had it covered, and they were a waste of your talents."
He sighed, shaking his head and shrugging, palms up. "They were a waste of our talents, but better waste our talents when talent must be wasted, and sae your strength for hte greater enemies."
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Kumiko
Rookie
Beneath the moon she wanders in search of the Truth
Posts: 15
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Post by Kumiko on Feb 16, 2013 16:11:06 GMT -5
Since her blue eyes was covered only her red one can glare at Ithiel, but her head shakes and tilts so her bangs shadow her eyes before she goes to a nearby wall and sits next to it. Her palms and fingertips pressing together as her head bows.
Reflecting.
She can try that.
"Next time I should fallow orders more precisely and immediately, I am sorry for any hesitation..." She pauses and then adds. "And I shall work out a better understand of the chain of command if you will so as well, General."
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Post by Azazel on Feb 16, 2013 16:37:37 GMT -5
"This is what I mean." Came Azazel's sharp response.
His gaze locked onto Ithiel, his eyes narrowing in an almost intimidating manner as he finally spoke. "An Archangel leads from the front at all times. Me, Grigori and Kushiel are the scalpel with which the Holy Lord removes the tumor that are Demons. If we are not seen on the front, fighting alongside those whom we lead, how can our Lord be taken seriously that he plans on removing the threat? And your concern for the cosmetic is trifling, any true warrior must dirty their hands if they want to be taken truly." Now his gaze turned on to Kumiko.
"And you. You are naught but the young pup on a leash. You follow orders so blindly with no thought for yourself. How can you preserve the authority of the Lord when you're dead? Thoughts to self-preservation will take you a long way youngling. Do not be afraid to place your own well-being into your thoughts when you receive an order, do not fear the chain of command." He paused, seemingly being done, but his gaze flickered to the Archangels.
"Grigori, you receive far too much enjoyment from battle. You need to learn how to sate your bloodlust, lest it put you in a position where you cannot defend yourself properly. You have great strength, but do not abuse it in such a way where you think yourselves being above the other beings in the world. Like I said earlier, how can you do the Lords work when your dead?" Now his gaze flickered to Kushiel who seemingly shied away with fear. "And you. Your mind is clouded with far too many doubts, you question yourself far too much. You are an Archangel and you should learn to act like one." Now he seemed ready to fall silent, but then...
"Even I have my own faults. I have become detached from war and death, no longer can I appreciate how important the life of an individual is, no longer can I see the face of a fellow Angel, without simply seeing the face of someone else to march with into battle. We all have faults and I have mine."
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Post by Ithiel on Feb 16, 2013 20:11:07 GMT -5
"See, Kumi? Even the boss thinks you need to lighten up." He dug her in the side a little bit. "I'll try to think about myself a little less, Boss."
Arrogant, he thought to himself. Then again... he's the boss. What doesn't he have to be arrogant about? Admitting his faults like that.... he's only talking down to us. 'It's okay, lesser beings; even I'm not perfect.' I'll prove myself...
But despite his acidic thoughts and silly words, a part of him burned with embarrassment. He was supposed to be regaining his honor... not getting reprimanded by Azazel.
Ithiel's fault, also, was pride. It was unbecoming of an angel, and he knew it; which made him hate himself even more, and become even more prideful to drown it out. He wouldn't accept himself as less than perfect, so every time he realized he wasn't perfect he blamed the imperfections on ohters at an outward level.
Needless to say... Ithiel disliked those moments when, alone in the deep of the dark, his mnd caught up with itself in bursts of brutal honesty.
Hate is unbecoming of an angel, he reminded himself. Hate of oneself is a form of humility not looked upon well by the higher Orders. One is to be humbly proud of one's accomplishments. However that's supposed to work....
ANd he shoved it to the back of his mind, where it would wait for those lonely moments he avoided at all costs.
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Post by Azazel on Feb 16, 2013 20:24:16 GMT -5
It was almost like Azazel could see straight through Ithiel. The tall, blonde-haired Archangel took a step forwards and simply stared across at the pink-haired Guardian Angel with those piercing blue eyes. His gaze just lingered, almost reprimanding Ithiel a second time with only his eyes. Suddenly, he spoke.
"Grigori. What was the name of the child I guarded?" The big man raised an eyebrow.
"Arthur Belford. But Azazel, what does he have to-"
"How is Arthur?" Azazel continued, his gaze not shifting from Ithiel.
"Well, I don't... He's-"
"How. Is he." There was a strong silence between the two.
"Well, he's dead." The silence continued, as Azazel continued to stare down at Ithiel, his gaze didn't falter whatsoever, the ice-cold eyes didn't flicker. Instead, he just continued to question Grigori.
"When did young Arthur die?"
"Well... When he was under you protection, Sir." Azazel simply nodded at the information, before reaching out with a single gloved hand and grasping Ithiel by the collar, pulling the shorter Angel upwards, leaning down so that their noses were almost touching.
"Failure is not the end." He growled. "It is the end when you allow it." With that, he released his fellow Angel and took a step back again, his blue eyes sliding shut.
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Post by Ithiel on Feb 16, 2013 20:34:32 GMT -5
Visibly shaken, Ithiel sank back against the wall.
"Y-yes, sir. I meant no disrespect..."
His own eyes slid shut, hands shaking slightly. He clenched them to make them stop.
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Kumiko
Rookie
Beneath the moon she wanders in search of the Truth
Posts: 15
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Post by Kumiko on Feb 17, 2013 14:40:45 GMT -5
Kumiko's eyes flicked to Ithiel, annoyed when he touched her, but then flicks back Azazel. She listens to the short exchange, a small smile appearing on her face a moment. Their General is a generous and kind Angel. She is very glad to be apart of his group.
Her eyes then flick to the ground, remembering what he had told her. Slowly she stands and turns to face his direction. "General Sir, I may not fully understand what you mean, but..." She bows to him as she speaks the next part of what she wishes to say. "... I will do as directed. But if the time shall arise I will put myself in harms way to protect someone of greater use to our Lord. I am merely a pup as you said, my skills are little and few, while you the other sir and madame are of greater potential for you have already defended much... I hope you do not see this as disrespectful, but I will do as the Lord deems best..."
She doesn't stand up straight and inside waits, waits for Azazel to make his choice about her words. Her eyes show no fear, no sadness, no happiness, actually the only emotion they seem to hold is concern... concern over if she has upset any of the higher ups [short of pinkie of course, she doesn't really like pinkie... he annoys her].
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Post by Azazel on Feb 22, 2013 21:55:51 GMT -5
(Apologies for the short break, guys, I've been bunged up with college work and illness ^^')
Azazel's gaze faded back onto Kumiko, his eyebrow raising and his head cocking to the side in a display of curiosity as he looked over his shoulder at his fellow Archangels. For a brief moment, one could almost see a flicker of something in his stare, as he looked back across to the blue haired angel who stood before him with such defiance.
"Your loyalty is most definitely admirable." He said calmly "But allow me to ask you one question, consider it not as a test of your loyalty, but one of your character. If someone is offering to die for me, then I want to know who they are." A single gloved hand moved out of his pocket and was placed on Kumiko's shoulder as he lowered his head slightly. Behind him, Kushiel's eyes widened, recognizing the gesture and the words that followed shortly behind it.
"What do you live for?"
"What do you live for?"
Kushiel's dull eyes flickered down to the ground...
"M-me..?" She asked, her gaze finally moving up to the newly promoted Archangel. "I-I live for..."
Kushiel stared at the young Angel in front of her, her eyes narrowing even further as she patiently awaited for her comrades answer.
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Kumiko
Rookie
Beneath the moon she wanders in search of the Truth
Posts: 15
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Post by Kumiko on Feb 23, 2013 13:50:54 GMT -5
[Its okay *hugs* we all understand]
There is no hesitation when she speaks.
"I live to serve, to do as the Lord bid. I live to protect the weak and guide the guide-less," Her voice lacks emotion, but its not recited, its how she truly feels.
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Post by Azazel on Feb 23, 2013 14:00:12 GMT -5
Kushiel nodded slowly when she listened to the younger Angel's response, and as her own gaze moved across to Azazel, her mouth moved in time with his, miming out the very same words that he had said to her not too long ago.
"You live to serve? Then I have an order for you."
"You live to serve? Then I have an order for you."
Kushiel's eyes flickered back up to Azazel, she seemingly perked up at the prospect of having new orders, a new mission with which to take on head first. She smiled broadly.
"An order? What is it, Azazel?!" The blonde blinked once, slowly, shaking his head and the very faintest traces of a smile visible just behind his collar. His cheekbones rising and falling in a steady motion.
"I'm ordering you not to die. I'm ordering you to live life to the fullest"
"I'm ordering you not to die. I'm ordering you to live life to the fullest"
Azazel moved his hand off of Kumiko's shoulder and placed it back in his pocket, as he seemingly reared back to his full height, looking down on the Guardian Angel. "I admire your loyalty, and respect your want to serve your commanders, be they me or the Holy Lord himself. That attitude will take you far in this world, but first you need to experience it. I want you to survive our mission here today and promise me that you will go away and discover something. You clearly have something to die for, but I want you to find something to live for as well." He looked over his shoulder, and Kushiel could swear she saw his gaze fall onto her for a moment.
"When you have something to live for, you will find that our ability to protect and defend what you believe in will become so much greater." He paused for a moment, his stare lifting up to the sky. "Can you promise me that, Kumiko?"
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Kumiko
Rookie
Beneath the moon she wanders in search of the Truth
Posts: 15
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Post by Kumiko on Feb 23, 2013 14:07:03 GMT -5
She now stands from her bow, head tilting to the side, but she nods, "Yessir." After a short pause she add. "As contradictory as this order is... You have my word, I swear I'll live." Just for a moment their is a flicker of emotion in her words, but its gone just as quick as it appeared. Now she shifts off to the side, allowing him to pass if he wishes to...
Her mind settling on one simple thing...
Not all Angels should be trusted...
But is it Azazel she doesn't trust? Or is it herself?
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Post by Azazel on Feb 23, 2013 14:15:27 GMT -5
"Good." The Archangel said with a brief nod, stepping past the other Angels and approaching the end of the alleyway, crouching down low, his eyes staring out from within the darkness of the shadows, examining the landscape that they had before them. He had anticipated this entire city to be a warzone, given how many demons resided within and just how powerful some of them were, but still, the fact that the city still stood must have meant that things were just how The Seraphim had gathered. They would need to wait for the reports from the Miles Angels that he'd sent out before they went about and did anything.
"Alright." He said, not looking over his shoulder, his stare not moving from the streets before him. "We'll hold up here for a while until our scouts return." He turned around, his back resting against the alley wall as he slid down into a sitting position. "I understand that this mission was pulled together rather hastily... And because of that, you may not know everything that you would like to. I will take this opportunity to answer any questions that you may have, but know that there are certain things that I cannot answer under even pain of death." He turned his head to face the others.
Grigori stepped forwards first.
"Why the hell are we just sat here? Are the reports necessary?" He crossed his arms against his chest. Grigori had a unique way to voice his opinions, that normally consisted of pounding those he didn't like into the ground, but even the giant seven-footer knew not to tangle with his fellow Archangel, even in the light manner that he normally would. Azazel's response came sharply, almost as if he had anticipated this particular question.
"Because, for some reason, Heaven's Second Sphere agents could not see through into this city in order to discern just what power lies within. They believe because so many powerful forces have gathered into such a small area, the concentration of energy has prevented them from properly picking individual energy readings apart. We cannot take any chances and charge in head first without the proper intelligence, hence why we have sent out scouts." There was a short pause, before Grigori nodded and took a few steps back, again. Azazel looked around at the others.
"Any other questions?"
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Post by Ithiel on Feb 27, 2013 16:07:57 GMT -5
For a moment, just a brief moment, intelligence flickered behind the silly facade Ithiel showed the world.
"You say powerful forces are gathered here; obviously that's the case, or else we wouldn't be here. Powerful demonic forces, too. But does our intelligence indicate just what these forces are? And aren't there supposed to be mortal fighters here as well? Much more powerful than those wolf-whelps and demon-spawn we put in their places earlier. If they are here, why have they not stopped the demons here? Why are they running wild across this place?"
His eyes narrowed, hardened. "Even though humans are easily corrupted, surely they aren't simply allowing the demons to have their way. Even humans aren't that stupid."
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Kumiko
Rookie
Beneath the moon she wanders in search of the Truth
Posts: 15
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Post by Kumiko on Feb 28, 2013 7:03:51 GMT -5
Surprisingly Kumiko moves closer to Ithiel, a hand falling onto his, almost as if she were giving a silent answer before saying calmly, "Just like us, just like the Lord, humans can love. While their love isn't as great it is always pure and with good intentions laced into it, just like their compassion and kindness... Misguided or in love, there could be a million reasons why, but I'm positive that's part of the reason why the Miles Angels were sent out..." She blinks before jerking her hand back and shakes her head. "Sorry... Sorry... Didn't mean..." And she moves away once more.
After a moment she asks an almost silent question, "As for the misguided... what do we do for them? I highly doubt there is enough of us to convince everyone one of them with out a..." Her voice completely dies, but in her head the word echos over and over and over... with out a fight...
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