local angel gets bullied by ruler of greed asmr

[temperedguardian]

it is my god given right to dunk on cassiel forever

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[mauditsoleil]

It wasn't uncommon, as he'd already indicated! But Cassiel's reaction to the humble suggestion that they merely tell their superior of their feelings betrayed the truth, and everything said after that was only more evidence on the pile. His accusation struck true, and the sound that they made could only be considered a laugh in passing. Were Sisyphus a kinder man, he might have withdrawn in guilt, and a more pious man might have felt sicked to hear such a wretched noise from someone so holy.

Sisyphus only filled his glass, as if he heard nothing at all, awaiting the expected response; no argument, no denial. That in and of itself was as good as an admission of guilt. Guilt, at experiencing love. He snorted, heaven is a wretched place.

"We reside within one of those creations at present, I shall describe them precisely as they are." He moved without hesitation, as if he could tell from how their armor clinked and their cloth rustled precisely what they wanted. Without error he found their glass and filled it for them.

"Are you all so terrible at lying? You couldn't manage even some light principled indignation. I'd almost think you agreed with me, angel."

[temperedguardian]

They would have rejected kindness, in truth. That Sisyphus continues to drive forward, continues to pursue that weakness in them, it feels terrible. It burrows under their skin, squeezes at their heart; it hurts.

It's perfect.

Cassiel can only marvel silently at how easily Sisyphus can navigate physical space despite being blinded. Despite him not being able to see them, and thus being protected from the effects of looking upon an angel's face, they pull their hood further down so it casts them in shadow completely before they lift the helmet up to drink.

"If you want indignation and defense, you need only speak to one of the others for that," they murmur. "I thought you'd enjoy a change of pace."

It's not quite an answer - still with that evasiveness - but it's certainly not denial.

[mauditsoleil]

"How kind of you to entertain me then. Since you seem so shy to answer, I'll assume that it is yes." The shuffle of fabric, the gentle sound of metal against metal again, with the barest sound of a gulp.

"Hell was oddly gracious today, was it not?" Of course Hell would have had to craft this reward, Heaven certainly wasn't about to deliver any wine down here. "Take as much as you like, it's plain to see you're in need of the charity.

Would that I could, I'd grant you the gift of mortality. Rip the wings from your back and send you earthward. You could live out your days free to pine to your empty hearts content, and then in death perhaps be graced by heaven with blissful, beast-like subservience." The Virtues were clever, the same way a well trained hawk was. As were the Providences, if slightly moreso. Unlike the others in Hell, Sispyhus did not ache for heaven or for redemption, and Gabriel's repeated claims of such felt more like a vague threat than a promise of salvation.

[temperedguardian]

"It can be, when it is in a decent mood," Cassiel says, that heretical admission coming easily from them with no weight to it at all. A gentle clink as they set the glass down with delicate precision. "Though it is never so for long."

That gets another torn-metal laugh, quieter and less desperate this time. Oh, if it was that simple...if it was even possible, they would be sorely tempted. Having to live with this pain, never being able to ease it...

They love Gabriel. They are bereft of purpose. It torments them without end. And if they were to confess, they know nothing would change, or they would be looked on with sympathy, maybe pity - not love. As it had not changed for all those who loved, worshipped, him. He was not for the Ferrymen, nor the mortal who lingered in Limbo's halls. Not for an angel made to stand at his side.

(They wonder if he feels the way they feel - not in love, but in loneliness. How far Heaven had placed him, exulted him, poured praise upon him. How far they had raised him above the rest until nothing could ever reach him, not even the feelings of another.)

"It is a sweet thought, though I am sure even the lesser angels grow tired in their own way." There is a wryness to their tone again. "At least angels simply stop existing upon death. It is one of the few benefits, I have come to think."

When I die, there will be nothing at all.

[mauditsoleil]

Minos would be sorely disappointed, to see him behave like this towards Cassiel. Granted, he'd have been disappointed if he aimed his mockery at Gabriel too, but at least God's Will fought back. This was akin to kicking a downed animal, with barely the energy to whimper at each blow.

If his experiences with divinity were any different, he might have even felt bad for them. Instead, the husk swirled his wine about in the cup, listening as they set their own down to gauge from the noise how much they had drained. A sweet thought.

"For all that I hear that heaven is an endless paradise, it seems as if it has broken you far more than Hell ever could, angel." In fact, judging by their earlier comment about the superorganism's temperament... "I wonder if you wouldn't prefer it down here instead." There was an interest here, in finding just what might ignite a proper reaction from them, he'd admit. Not necessarily an intense one, this cruelty presented itself less as a hunter stalking prey and more like a child prodding a dying fly. Buzzing helplessly around on its back, each little spurt of motion and energy a mildly entertaining reaction.

Except that Cassiel was presently even failing to do that, these tragic little heartwrenching twitches were barely enough for him. Oh he could hazard a guess as to what might set them off, but that would be cheating.

Presently, anyway.

[temperedguardian]

That, surprisingly, gets another laugh - not torn and distorted, but simple amusement. The sound rings like a bell, properly angelic. It's something they've contemplated before, but never been brave enough to really commit to.

But they are still an angel, and they do not belong in Hell, no more than a demon belongs in Heaven. Not even a sinner should be in Hell, really...

"Heaven is still a paradise, for most. You truly shouldn't take my word for it." They shift in their seat, taking another quiet sip. "I came out wrongly at creation, that's all. Or I was made to be unloved, perhaps."

What other explanation could there be, to feel like this? To be cracked open until everything spilled out, to be perpetually bleeding and empty. It cannot be a flaw with God, so it must be some impurity within them. It's not as if they could ask Him, even if He was still here.

Another slight laugh. "Are you enjoying all this, King Sisyphus? Am I entertaining enough for you?"