canon: Book of Joby

[impudentsongbird]

Forgive me, but are you certain there's enough room in here for two of ... well, me?

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[disbenefits]

There's no maximum occupancy limit, you know.

[impudentsongbird]

Perhaps, but--two of me?

[Yes, he is just a bit disconcerted. Especially given what the other one's like.]

[disbenefits]

What, you don't like the other one?

[impudentsongbird]

He's a bit--

[Damned, disobedient, crass, Fallen?]

He can't be me.

[But he sounds a bit unsure, because ... well ...]

[disbenefits]

[ flatly ] Duality is a popular theme, apparently. You might as well roll with it.

trying to avoid spoilers is hard.

[impudentsongbird]

But why would my Master need more than one of me?

[Worried, Archangel is worried. What if he wasn't performing his duties adequately? What if God created another one of him as a replacement after--after what he did?]

/reads faster!!!!!!!!! stupid sexy 600 page book

[disbenefits]

I don't know. The more the merrier? I've never been one for masters, in all honesty.

this one isn't *too* far into it, luckily, but still.

[impudentsongbird]

He isn't that kind of master.

[Gabe resists the urge to suggest the replacement thing. This woman doesn't deserve to be burdened by his personal worries.]

i will catch up to him tomorrow. and then we'll make out.

[disbenefits]

[ She tilts her head at him. Hm. ]

What kind is that? The kind who makes copies for fun?

i await the hour. omnomnom.

[impudentsongbird]

[He looks shocked.]

No, of course not!

[Just the sort to command non-interference in a wager with the whole of Creation as the stake. Gabriel doesn't understand his Master's intent, but he trusts that He knows what He's doing. The Archangel just wishes He was a little more forthcoming ... and then mentally apologises for the lack of faith.]

If He has done so, He has cause and I trust His Will on the matter.

[disbenefits]

[ She's not going to laugh at you, Gabriel, but it's very obvious that she wants to. ]

What a very lucky master you have.

[impudentsongbird]

[Obviously she's amused by something, but Gabe is a bit confused as to what.]

I would say I'm the lucky one.

[Usually. Now, he's not so sure about. ... No, that's an unworthy thought. He shouldn't have had it.]

[disbenefits]

You would, wouldn't you? That's the problem with soldiers. Not nearly creative enough.

[ . . . although now she's hesitating, just a bit. ]

[machaseh]

One of you is enough to manage, brother.

[impudentsongbird]

Michael.

[That look there is a cross between radiant and hesitant. It hasn't been all that long since Gabe disobeyed, after all.]

You should see the other. You'd be glad for me.

[machaseh]

I'm always glad for you.

[ And while this is not strictly speaking true, it is mostly true, and he finds he's comfortable with that. ]

[impudentsongbird]

[Radiant. Definitely radiant, edged with relief at Michael's clear lack of judgement. Then it turns rueful.]

He's going to be jealous of that, I think. He hasn't had an easy time of things.

[machaseh]

Neither have you. [ Although his voice is sorrowful. He is sure, despite everything, that they might have faced worse in different circumstances. ]

[impudentsongbird]

[That makes any humour on Gabe's face fade, and he looks away with a swallow.]

Maybe. But his has been worse. There are times that I--I wonder--

[How close had he and this other Gabriel been to being the same person, really? How close to damnation?]

[machaseh]

Gabriel.

[ He grabs the other's shoulder and grips tightly, hoping to anchor him in some minor, physical way. ]

What do you wonder?

[impudentsongbird]

[Almost reflexively Gabriel reaches up to grip Michael's wrist, but it's in the sort of way that says he's looking for comfort, not recoiling from the touch. His voice is an agonised whisper.]

Some of the things he's done, Michael. I wonder--if I might not do the same ... if left long enough.

[Because he did disobey, and he is exiled, and surely there's only so much of this he'd be able to take.]

[machaseh]

[ His grip relaxes but he doesn't move away as sorrow passes briefly over his face. ]

There are things you don't know . . . that neither of us know. There are things that I know that you don't, I believe. But - [ he sighs, feeling as though he's betraying a lot by saying this ] - trust me, even if you waver before Him - you will never be damned.

[impudentsongbird]

[Michael's tone makes Gabriel look at him and star, his expression flip-flopping between confusion and dread and hope. He whispers:]

Michael? What ... are you talking about?

[machaseh]

[ He smiles, a bit sadly, because there is still much he doesn't understand. His Master's motivations, much of the time. ]

Why, the fact that I have faith in you, of course.

[impudentsongbird]

[Gabriel's first reaction is disappointment, because he'd been hoping that, maybe, their Master had confided in Michael, somehow, somewhen. Then his brother's words filter in and the younger Archangel finds his eyes wet. He manages a wavering smile, relieved and touched and hopeful but also uncertain.]

Thank you, but how can you--after ... that?

[What if he disobeys again, on something worse? Or is tricked? Or ... a thousand 'ors' and they all frighten him.]