This is it, the apocalypse 1x1

[BlueJae]

Aiden normally looked pissed, to be honest, but he looked even more pissed when he was tired. Naturally, and per-usual, this look was aimed at Gabriel. Was he suggesting that he was too short to get down? Sure, Chéri was seven foot, but that was her specie's normal height. Then again, if he attempted getting off on his own he'd probably fall face first. That was a chance he'd be willing to take. He moved to the opposite side of Chéri and swung his legs over her side, hopping off like on would the edge of something. He stumbled, but kept himself on his feet, of course he didn't feel so successful this time, he was still tired and...Off. Something was off, but he brushed it off for the second time and turned himself back around. That was better, he guessed.

 

[ROUX]

'I do believe I've just witnessed you're first lover's spat...'


Gabriel spun around, mouth agape, but the caretaker had already begun leading the animals away. The damned horse was always getting the last word. Plus, he probably looked like an idiot, gaping at nothing in the middle of the Redmont gardens. He closed hims mouth in a hard line, obviously irked. "You've infected Stefan with your tendencies for catty responses. Now he's never going to shut up," he muttered halfheartedly as he moved forward again.

 

[BlueJae]

"Oh good, you do talk to horses." Aiden replied, giving him one of those 'catty responses'. He really did hope that he was rubbing off on the horse so that when he wasn't around someone else would be sarcastic for him...That time would come. He wasn't staying with the guy twenty four seven, he didn't need a babysitter despite the fact that he didn't know this place at all. To be honest if there was anywhere dark and void of sun, the guy would be there. Which...Now that he thought about it probably wasn't the best idea in a place like this. Did he care though? No, not really. He followed after the angel, rubbing his eyes, looking around at everyone. Didn't they look happy? Fun. Times.

 

[ROUX]

"Or maybe they just talk to me. Why so bitter? Was the horse not as comfortable as me...?" Gabriel replied laughing and, pushing open a door and into the castle itself. It was...colossal. High ceilings, marble floors, and lots of beautiful furniture were just some of the things that decorated the area. He slowed his pace, taking i all in, and how different it was from the last time he'd been there. He headed towards the great hall. If he was correct, his cousin would be in the library, reading to her heart's content.

 

[BlueJae]

"She was more comfortable than you." Aiden muttered, looking up at the castle, walking in it was so...Open. He seemed to close up, he didn't like that. Sewers, alley ways, narrow streets, close spaces. This was none of them. He wondered where Chéri had gone, wondered if he could join her in a small, cramped stable. He liked the idea much better. Open space made him feel vulnerable, he'd been on guard since he'd gotten here, excluding when he'd passed out- and to say the least his awakening was...Rather strange. It was unexpected, but it'd just been for a brief moment, surely he'd been seeing things. It was nothing more than a bit of after effect, from what he wasn't sure.

 

[ROUX]

"That's not what your body told me," Gabriel snorted, turning the corner and entering the equally huge library. Books were everywhere. Not just on the many shelves, but on the floors, on the tables, and on the chairs. You could have very well gotten lost in the run=me if you tried hard enough. And for some people, that was exactly what they were going for. He idly picked up one of the first leather bound items he saw, flipping through it, his nose twitching at the smell of the old pages.

 

[BlueJae]

"Stop talking." Aiden said, blinking when they'd entered the library, he wondered, just for a second, if he could get himself lost and wait for Gabriel to leave so he could wander off. It was a good plan but it'd never work he imagined. If he really wanted to leave, he could take the exit and find his way out, make his way to Chéri and go somewhere darker. For now, he stood around, not touching a thing except for the floor as he crossed his arms and shuffled his feet. Such an exciting person he was, but then again he more comfortable than he'd been a moment ago. The library..Reminded him of alley ways, their aisle and such. It was nice.

 

[ROUX]

"Oh my..."


Gabriel barely had time to turn around and register the soft spoken words as he was literally tackled to the ground with a loud crash. His eyes widened with surprise, and then recognition, before finally a joy that hadn't been seen in a long time. He grinned at the blonde that had attached herself around his neck and kissed him on the cheek, wrapping an arm around her and squeezing before she sat up on his chest with a bright smile of her own.


"Gabe! It's really you?! I can't believe it! I missed you! Are you ok? What happened to your wings? Are the other's with you?" She asked in a flurry of short golden hair and waving arms, no even giving him a chance to reply. He chuckled, staring back at her with their shared ice green eyes. Some things never changed...


"Slow down, Tera, and yes, it's really me. I promise, I'll explain everything later...starting with him," Gabriel said, motioning to his companion. "Aiden, meet Teraschiel, Tera, meet Aiden. He came with me out of the gate."

 

[BlueJae]

Aiden's eyes followed the girl from the moment she started running at Gabriel to the moment she tackled him to the ground...Must've been his girlfriend, or overly excited wife, either or. He didn't make a move or a sound, just watched- until of course the attention was brought upon him. Eye contact, he was never good at it. He didn't wave, rather, nodded in acknowledgement of the...Teraschiel? Big name, not a big girl, well ok. That depended on where you were looking but Aiden wasn't really looking at her rather past her. It was something he'd learn to do due to lack of skill in eye to eye contact. It would look like he was paying attention but really he wasn't. It was better than not looking their direction at all right? At least in this case he seemed like he was listening, which was only half way true. Close enough.

 

[ROUX]

Tera just stared at him thoughtfully, before jumping up, her fluffy white wings rustling as she did so, and giving him a hug too, squeezing him around the middle. "Thank you for bringing Gabe back to us," she said, her voice carrying an accent similar to Gabriel's as she spoke against his jacket. Her older cousin snickered, waiting to see what Aiden would do about the seemingly never ending embrace. Angels really were physically expressive, and Tera obviously was even more than most. The contrast was entertaining, to say the least.


"Wow. Finally found someone tinier than you, Aiden," he smiled innocently, picking himself up off of the ground.

 

[BlueJae]

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Aiden blinked, this was not ok, this was by no means ok. This really, really wasn't. The hybrid didn't have time to react, to be honest, who the hell hugs a stranger. He didn't even hear Gabriel's comment, the only thing he could hear was his blood starting to boil. Literally. He could hear it crackling and popping, a natural defense usually that would turn his body to extreme temperatures. Naturally anyone or anything touching him at the time would be burned, but of course the girl had time to react. There were two signs that one got before it. Aiden tensing up and his temperature rising. He himself wasn't effected by the burning sensation, it would just feel like he was in a sauna or something, as for those touching him, a different story. He'd remembered burning the side of a silhouettes face once, the skin had started to decay and fall, it wasn't a pretty sight.

 

[ROUX]

Gabriel recognized the defense mechanism before his cousin did. He stepped forward, reaching for her arm. "Ter, I don't think-"


"Ouch! Jeez!" She hopped backwards, rubbing at her forearm, only slightly scorched, before she watched it heal away. She looked up sheepishly, feeling a bit bad that she'd touched him at all without warning. "That's one hell of a fever, ya got there," she smiled, letting him know she wasn't hurt."Look why don't I show you to your rooms. You are staying right?" She asked him, then turned to her brother with the same questioning look as she dropped her arm. Gabriel shrugged, examining Aiden one more time and evaluating that the man was still not exactly ok with all of this. "I don't know. Up to you Aiden. Of course, you don't have to...but I do. For now."


Truth was, he hoped Aiden would stay. He just wasn't sure exactly why. Maybe it was because he didn't exactly have many friends, being stuck in hell on earth for a century and a half.

 

[BlueJae]

Aiden made a 'hhhh' noise when the girl detached herself but he felt better, the heat however, did not go down. It stayed as it was, which was not surprising, at least he hadn't grown a tail, that would've been embarrassing. He blinked when she asked him a question, he hated it when things were directed on him. He didn't plan on sticking around for too long but it was still light outside. He couldn't wander around with it like that, simply unacceptable. He needed it dark, when he could use things to his advantage "Yeah, sure." He'd relax in whatever room he'd be given until night, then break out, go wander around some, he could be familiar with the terrain. Maybe he'd go and see how his friend was doing, his horse naturally. He wondered how dangerous this place could get. The worse the better.

 

[ROUX]

Tera brought them out of the library and up a long winding staircase, linking her arm through Gabriel's as they walked. This, even, was only one small section of the huge castle, which the girl had promised to show them round the next day, if they stayed long enough to see it. A few more slightly confusing corridors away from the top of the staircase, revealing a hallway of identical doors, obviously to the guest quarters.


"You two can pick where you'd like to sleep, no one else is in this wing right now," she explained. "I've been summoned, so I'll see you two lter, I suppose. Gabe, we've got tons of catching up to do," she said with a smile before bounding back down the hall, leaving Gabriel staring after her.

 

[BlueJae]

Aiden stared at everything as he passed by, not really caring much for what was going on in front of him. He already had his theories, he assumed they were right. No one had said otherwise, but he wasn't one to think aloud. His head turned at the sound of sleep, yes, he would need some of that. No, not would, he did need some of that, really. He looked at all the doors, they all looked the same and he didn't expect anything different in the rooms. He moved out of the way to let Tera pass, but unlike the other, he didn't waste time staring after her. He picked a far room down on the left side of the corridor and slipped inside. Time to get comfortable until nightfall.

 

[ROUX]

"So that's how Infernum came to make such a name for itself. Who knew...At least the Pyres won't be causing any more trouble for a while," Gabriel muttered, tapping his fingers on his knee as he changed positions on the bed. While Tera leaned against the wall with an uncharacteristic sigh. He looked up, confused at the change in attitude. it had gotten late since hed gotten settled into his room - across the hall from Aiden's - and Tera had come in to talk about an hour ago, as he'd wanted to explain the situation to her. In turn, she'd been catching him up on things.


"You really have no idea do you...Luce has really messed with your mind," she said, looking at him sadly, and he raised an eyebrow.


"I'm fine. I can deal with his mind games Tera, really," he tried to reassure her but she shook her head.


"You don't understand, Gabriel. You've been trapped on earth for over a hundred years, and he's used it against you in a terrible way. Do you remember Meccah?" she asked suddenly, wincing as he knew the name would cause him pain.


"Why...would you bring her up..." Gabriel spoke through gritted teeth, both anger and hurt arising from the mention. His past just kept coming back to bother him these days... Meccah had betrayed him. Horribly. It was a long time ago, when he was younger - more naive. He was already broken from the stab in the back from his half brother, and was vulnerable emotionally. So when he ended up falling for a human woman - Meccah had been her name - she'd used him. Wanted to bear him a son only to sacrifice the child to her own gods, to use the Angel's power in something that resembled witchcraft. It had, been his brother that had figured out what the woman was doing to Gabriel, though by the time Luce had shown up, the young angel had already bedded her.


"Gabriel. Luce...he told you the child died. That she died in childbirth...it was a lie."


"What are you saying, Tera?" Gabriel whispered in shock, his hands shaking from the revelation.


"Gabe, I told no one else you were here for a reason. That child is alive. That child is Nephillim...and he rules over this castle. Gideon Lightwood is Lord of Redmont..."

 

[BlueJae]

An hour later Aiden's story was much different. In a room discussing the lies of one's past? Unlikely. Out the window, onto the roof, and making his way down trying not to break his leg? That's more like it. He found it exceptionally hard not to slide down the slanted rules and fall but he managed to get to the point where he could jump down. When he did he took a glance towards the stables... Maybe later. He then turned his attention to the streets from which he'd come, mission A needed to be accomplished before mission B. He hurried off under the cover of natural shadows. Though he'd never seen the moon, he had now, and he enjoyed it. Much better than the overly bright sun, it was if anything appealing to his eyes. The streets simply weren't as full as he'd remembered. That was good. Walking alone, in an empty street, in the dark? Not the best of ideas but you know, Aiden was Aiden and he'd done far worse despite the fact he at least knew what he was doing then. He wasn't in the open too long, however, sudden movement to his left dragged him out of the street and into an alley way. Curiosity killed the cat... Usually. This time, though, the cat was greeted with a one eye'd dog. The other was definitely taller than Aiden, his build reminder him of someone who got into fights a lot. You know, muscly. When they turned he blinked, they were missing an eye, but most other features were hard to make out, and yet, this male seemed so familiar. They stared at each other for a long time before the other was the first to speak "Aiden?" The hybrid blinked "Matthias?"

 

[ROUX]

So much for sleep.


It was at least midday and Gabriel was still shut away in his room, sitting motionless with his back against the wall as he tried to comprehend. After a while he'd given up on the traditional rationality of a thought process, and settled for making a list in his head of all the crap that had been shoved on him in the little time span of under ten minutes.


He had a son - who's apparently been shaped by Gabriel's asshole brother.


Said asshole brother could apparently manifest himself in Limbo...must have been the fact that the archangels weren't around to keep him in check.


His newfound blood apparently hated his father.


And the boy's mother had been brutally murdered in front of her eyes, all because Gabriel made the mistake of taking Lucifer's word, clouded by his own guilt and sorrow at the time. It was quite a shoddy list...


"Bloody hell..."


He closed his eyes again, folded his wings around himself and whipped his head back against the stone wall with a satisfying crack, feeling better as the blood dripped down his neck. There was no way he was coming out, persistent cousin be damned.

 

[BlueJae]

'Back by dawn' was a now shot to hell phrase, Aiden had never returned, too cught up in his new version of an old friend. It was only when they reached a full circle around the town Matthias broke out a question.


"How do you know my name?"


"How do you know mine?"


The two stared at each other suspiciously, the familiar sense hanging in the air yet both knew they'd never seen to other in their life...Well, at least not this life. Limbo was a shadow of the original earth, but, what exactly did that mean? If there was...A chance that it could carry the shadow of those inhabiting it now then this...Aiden seemed to blank out but 'Matthias' was busy studying him "Where are ya from?" The one, single eye narrowed whilst the other was covered by an eye patch, a gaping hole no doubt. With the sun out it was easier to study the man and all of his features "You might not believe me if I told you." Aiden answered, suddenly blinking himself back into reality "Fair enough, where did ya come from, then?" He tried, Aiden took a glance back towards the castle "A servant?" Aiden snorted "I don't serve. That's distasteful, I'd rather be killed." He said, as if the all that he'd just explained was venom against his mouth, he spat it out like he'd just been insulted "I was traveling with a- ah, friend." He shrugged, Matthias didn't look convinced, or maybe that was an amused gleam in his eyes "Ah, a run away are ya?" Aiden made a half chuckle, a smirk played upon his lips "Call it what you want,I'll get back here eventually, but I prefer to move around at night. It helps with certain things."


"Demon-y things?"


"You know me too well."


"Vis-versa, am I right?" Aiden's smirk grew wider "You've no idea." He said, then looked up, he'd been out for hours and no one had come looking for him...All the better to waste the free time he had left accordingly "So what do you do?" He asked, continuing on, moving through the now more crowded streets as Matthias followed like a puppy.


Aiden wondered how he'd gotten here, over the man's shoulder as Matthias was running through town. What was it that he had said again?


"I don't know what the ocean is."


And oh, did it set the man off, he started trying to explain it to him, then growled, then picked him up and off they went. He wondered what could've been so important that he just simply couldn't explain it with words, he'd gotten so flustered. Finally, Aiden was set down, rather viciously, and turned to face...He blinked, then looked up at Matthias, who look like he was looking at...For god's sake "Matthias." Aiden said rather flatly, "I know. Ain't she a beauty?" He wiped a fake tear from his eye "What? No, Matthias, that is a hunk of never ending water. It's water." He said, turning around to face him, looking anything but amazed "Ya don't understand, look at it, doesn't it just call to ya? I live for the water, Aiden," he suddenly turned solemn for a second "but I don't have a ship." Matthias sunk down until he was sitting on one of the docks, staring longingly at the water "I'll never be able to save up for one, not with my lifestyle." He muttered, Aiden still didn't get it "So, you want to be a pirate then?" He asked, Matthias nodded slightly "With a crew of my own, ya know? Like a second family. I want to sail where no man has dared to go, do you know what's out there?" He suddenly looked back up, Aiden could tell he was about to go off...In a good way though "Can't say I do." He said, sitting down next to his friend "There are monsters out in the seas that can swallow entire ships, war ships. Anything that sails too close? Down she goes. Every sea has got them. Full of them mate. Completely invisible until it's too late! Nothing can escape them, there must be millions just zipping around under those waves, waiting for their next meal, can you imagine?" Matthias started using his hands to gesture all these things, Aiden just smiled and watched "I want to hunt those monsters, I need to. Do you know how I lost my eye, mate?" Matthias asked, Aiden shook his head "Serpent, boy, it was a serpent. Just a tiny one, but then again, I was just a kid myself. I want to find that serpent again, settle the score- and I'll do it." He said, suddenly jumping up, dragging Aiden up with him- taking an arm around Aiden's shoulders he pulled him in close, throwing his free arm out and dragging it across the horizon "We'll travel the seas together, you and I, ya can be my first mate, right hand man. We'll find that damned sea snake and strike him where he stands!" Aiden looked over at Matthias, his enthusiasm was...Impressive "But you need a ship." The one eyed man sulked "But...I need a ship." He said, rather bitterly, Aiden pulled from his grip, patting his back "We'll find you one." He said, the other gave him a half smile "You're not so bad, even for a demon like yourself." He said, pushing Aiden to the side playfully "Hybrid to you." He stuck his tongue out at the man.

 

[ROUX]

Life. It was a funny thing really....It could make the most desirable activities turn into the most hellish of chores. a.k.a., being the king's hand wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. At least, not after the tenth year he'd done it.


Alec supposed he should have been thankful for his position. After the ruckus he'd caused by turning down the throne, he'd half expected to be an outsider for the rest of his knightly career. Instead, they'd begged for him to stay on council, as the second most powerful man in Redmont. Power money, and slowed aging, all become of some stupid inherited scars on his skin. And then there was the annoyingly furious recognition...


He'd been told they were runes, that only Nephillim descended from archangels would have them, and that they'd give him great power. He distinctly remembered being chased down by several warlocks, trying to 'activate them' when he was a child, and only succeeding in making them glow and causing him terrible icy pain - like frostbite. So he'd sworn off magic. Any kind of magic. And he focused on what he considered to be actually productive - archery.


It was odd for someone of his position to choose a ranger's path of life. Many had expected him to be a battleaxe wielding terror in combat, armed to the teeth and using his creepy angel mojo, but Alec didn't buy in. The truth was, he liked adventure. Not the rigid formations of marching across the land to wreak havoc on enemies, but the intelligent approach of gathering information before anyone else knew it, hatching plans in the dark of night to discover something new, and the freedom of writhing in between the trees on horseback, racing to nowhere in particular, armed with a longbow and his own deadly accurate aim.


In fact, the only reason he hadn't left was become of his so called duty to his country...and a tiny, tiny flicker of longing to meet a certain member of his family, who he'd never know, but heard plenty about, thanks to his uncle. The trouble was, even though he knew Lucifer was a liar, he'd been telling the truth about Gabriel. And it was one of the most terrible truths he;d ever been told. So he stayed, wondering if one day he'd get the chance to meet the elusive angel - and decide what to do. But for now, he would work. And work he did.


He was riding on the way back from an errand, dressed in the standard ranger's mottled green coat but with the contrast of the gold 'kings hand' symbol pinned to chest armor as his horse trotted along. The infirmary had gotten low on some rare herbs, and he'd offered to get them in order to avoid being roped into yet another pile of paperwork concerning certain overdone royal matters with the Iron Bank. He was enjoying the sunlight, how it warmed his skin as it rose up from the west - before his scars, the symbols, started to burn. He hissed, trying not to be noticeable, even though people stared anyway. He didn't know what it was. It hadn't happened in years. Usually it was triggered by things of a rather...demonic nature, but there had been no presence of that in Redmont for a good fifty years now, in thanks to the warlocks. They really did hold everything together.


Alec rubbed his bare arms, wishing he'd worn something to cover them and the glowing marks that shone on his skin, combing through the crowd with his light blue eyes.

 

[BlueJae]

"Where are you off to now?" Matthias followed Aiden, almost resembling a body guard for the small hybrid, who in return waved him off "We're going to find you a ship, somehow." He said it like it was an everyday job, so Matthias just had to chuckle a little "You're a bigger dreamer than I am, aren't ya?"


"No time for questions, which way to your house?" He asked, turning abruptly and looking at the other "No time for questions but what does he do, asks one. East of here and- why do you need to know?" He watched Aiden bounce off and hurried after him, "Where are you going? You're going to get lost. Aiden! Oh for god's sakes, Charlot!"


"Middle names are for emergencies only." The smaller one reminded him, Matthias growled and rolled his eyes, they'd entered another street, and suddenly Aiden was pulled back by his collar "Watch it." Matthias pulled him back into the crowd "This way." He pulled him along behind the people, whispering "What are we doing?" Aiden whispered back, blinking when he'd walked into a shadow, and then it was gone. Matthias looked right, then pulled him across he street and into another alley way "We're taking he long way." He said bluntly "What was that about?"


"King's hand, never liked him. Never liked anyone who's with the king. Stay out of his way, or better yet, stay away from him- and anyone to do with that damned castle."


"I take it they don't like street rats." Aiden cocked his head, following the other for once "They don't like anyone that doesn't have money. It's how the world works mate." Matthias answered, Aiden frowned "Sounds a bit stereotypical." He said, Matthias snorted "It's life." And with that, they kept going.

 

[ROUX]

Gabriel leaned against the house, watching as the two walked towards it. He'd given up on being discreet, knowing that the truth had to come out eventually, so he'd forgone the cloak and soared over the castle's walls. He had needed to get out, out of the room, the building. No matter how 'open' the castle appeared to be, nothing could ever compare to the blue sky above it with the added pleasure of the air blowing against his wings as he flew. He'd needed to talk to someone, anyone, but Aiden was gone - presumably exploring somewhere - and Tera was nowhere to be found. In fact, that was rather odd, as she'd told him she wasn't going out at all today, something to do with the scribes...


Regardless he'd left, and had happened to catch sight of his friend when he'd neared the ground. He was with someone now, someone slightly familiar....just couldn't put his finger on the face. Maybe it was the eye patch.


Gabriel dived, tucking in the feathered appendages before whipping them out again at the last second for a landing, directly behind the two.

 

[BlueJae]

"Where is your house?"


"How many times you going to ask that, mate?"


"As many times as I have to before you tell me 'right there'." Aiden said, Matthias just chuckled, once again walking behind the other. He looked left to right, they weren't far from his house to be honest, but a sudden sound from behind "Ah, damn angels. Charlot." Matthias tugged on his friend's collar, who turned around to scold him on the use of middle names, but he automatically noticed Gabriel "Yo." He stuck a hand up to greet him in a way of sorts. He hoped tht this wouldn't go the same way it did on Earth. Gabriel trying to kill Matthias and all, of course, naturally it wouldn't, as Matthias wasn't demonic in this world. Least he didn't think he was, there wasn't anything odd about the man, except for the eye patch. But he was missing an eye under that, right? Right. No one wore an eye patch for no reason, at least not Matthias.

 

[ROUX]

"What do you mean she's been taken?! How...she...she's an angel for god's sakes! And this castle is supposed to be secure," Alec shouted, causing the man behind him to flinch, totally foregoing the phrase 'don't shoot the messenger.' He stood in the doorway to Tera's room, his hand gripping the wall so tightly he was leaving dents in the wall. "Who could have...."


----


Gabriel nodded at Aiden, before his eyes slid to the other man again. He blinked. Once, twice, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion as he tried to place the face. When he did, he was only more confused than he was before. He looked to Aiden, tucking his black wings behind him as he pointed at the man. "What - wait. Is he...?" he trailed off, string at him again with the same puzzled expression. It was almost enough to take his mind off of the situation at hand. Almost.

 

[BlueJae]

Aiden found the angel's confusion most amusing, but he didn't answer. Rather, he elbowed Matthias in the side, who grunted "Name's Matthias. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." He had the voice of a child who was forced to act accordingly because their parents had forced them to. Aiden took pride in being that parent. If there was one thing he appreciated, it was the fact that he was still the bigger man in the friendship. Even if Matthias was a human now and still bigger than him. Like the older brother that was smaller than the younger, though, he'd never really thought about Matthias's age, and it'd probably be a terrible idea to ask.