Oannes' glade happens to be the choice at this moment. Passing time...it is what Soldekai has to himself of late. Time unfettered as he continues to enjoy his holiday. As much as a holiday can be, before he takes up his new duties. Unlike the tiny few who would venture to this isolated and heartless place, Soldekai tempts the quiet by taking a swim in the eternally green-blue waters. Oannes would like that, he thinks to himself, to know that his tether, his place, was still as beautiful and enjoyed by someone. Uplifting as it ever was. Not...gone...as Oannes is.
     Near him, a dolphin swims, going slower than the new archangel's motions carry him. It is a lesson, it appears, Soldekai earning waterwings. The Chamberlain of Fire did not spend much time in the quenching waters. He laughs a little at something the dolphin says, Hurry, you are going too slow! and the Archangel picks up his pace a bit as he moves out of the cave area and into the open shallows.

     Dolphin laughter. In clicks and whistles. In the chattering beneath water and above it. A challenge! As soon as you pick up speed, the porpoise quickens, lifting in an arch out of the water, then beneath it. Water sparkles against its smooth skin. Seemless, its motion. It is a part of the water. Motion, form. Purpose and Beauty in one fluid existence. Oannes' realm is a jewel around you. Encasing you. Enveloping you. Is there any place like it? Is it like swimming in the tears of God?
     Above the surface of the water, there comes a flickering of flame. Small. The first ignition. Violet, it laps at the air, undaunted and unintimidated by the water beneath it. It is a flame that cannot be quenched. Not merely by water. And it grows. Convecting. Roiling. Spreading and expanding.
     And in its fading -- no, not fading but a dissipating, a percipitation of fire -- sits an angel, cross-legged. Uriel. His-Her face is striking beauty -- and constantly shifting between more masculine and more feminine energies, suffuse in a glow. His-her long hair is streaked violet and platinum. It falls to his waist. His form is nothing but a warrior's. Mouth is both blushed and somehow golden. His-Her figure is wrapped in violet and bronze cloth. This is a place... I have much missed... but I see... it has not lacked for company. Brilliance... He-She calls you by your word.

     That will get any angel upright. Uriel? There are archangels...and there are Archangels. Soldekai's laughter stops for a moment as he tells the dolphin Go ahead without me for now. There is solemnity in it, and the dolphin looks about, then bobs its snout. He knows that he will see his swimming friend later.
     Turning about in the aquamarine, Soldekai begins to rise, his Malakim form returning. It is most appropriate to greet such Divinity in one's True Self, and so he does, darkening shadow of male angelic form. "Purest Heart," he calls in greeting, "...it is...an Honor...and a Pleasure," he says, bending his darkened head as hands come behind his back.

     Fingers tap against the Angel's mouth. Even as the wavering between Masculine and Feminine energies continues. A constant flux. Ah, no... a constant balancing act. Uriel's...true form? What is this anymore but that which He-She decides? "A lovely sanctuary, is it not..." The voice, resonant -- angelic tongue in most melodious phrase. Deep and full, it could belong to either Energies -- and both, at once. His-Her eyes are in some moments bronze, in others iridescent. The Archangel's wings are, however, the purest platinum white. A canopy. Of purity? At the mention of Purity there is a glimmer against his gaze. "It is good to see you, Brilliance. How are you adjusting to your... New Name?" And purpose. Bronze eyes take a sweeping survey of the surroundings. "Places... long left empty are beginning to fill..." Here, for you are here. And... perhaps Lucifer's own realm?
     He-She turns attention back to you. And the smile is beautific. Not enigmatic like your Galadriel -- but enlightened. Long hair, streaked both platinum and violet, drape over broad shoulders. And Uriel rises, standing on air.

     "I am well," Soldekai nods, hint of his choir upon his angelic speech, "...and yes...it is...one of my favorite..." places. Thought with no real understanding to the angel. When was the last time anyone saw Uriel? For himself...it was long before whatever transpired that the Archangel was called to God. That is what even he's been told happened. But, perhaps only few really know.
     The...Word..." he chirps divinely, "...sits within me, Archangel," said with titled reverence, as befits Uriel's station, "I cannot deny it, it..." he nods, "...Holds me. Comes from me. It is...Everywhere." On him, through him. There is no control, in many ways, and what others see, he can only guess. Darkened Brilliance. Not Lightbringer...for that Word belonged to one alone...but close in spirit and word. "I am..." he sighs a little, "...learning to Be." Soldekai hopes you, of all, will understand. It simply Is.

     A long sound, like song. Flowing. Plucked from wherever it existed and strummed midverse. This is the Archangel's thoughtful sound. A hum. For you, there is warmth to the smile. You, he likes. No, it is in Truth, Love. As all is. But there is a mutual respect here. A ...non-political respect. Darkened Brilliance? No. You are Your Own. You are Not Lucifer. And it is this you must hold with you. A maculine but slender-formed hand gestures...
     Two cushions appear floating above the water's surface. Between them a flat surface -- like a table -- but made of clear crystal... or... at least it seems to be made of such material. Upon the table appears a decanter of some kind, made of an iridescent material. Similar in consistency to glass. "Learning to Be. This is... what we all are doing. In... different ways... Myself, very much included." There is a brief pause and He-She tilts his head, long hair spilling over shoulders. "Even when One Is... One is Continually Becoming. The Word...Existence... is not static...Brilliance. Come... join me. I have missed conversation in my... hmmm... time off?" Platinum brows lift. There is a kind of warm... humor?... to the expression.
     Uriel sits cross-legged once again. This time, upon one of the cushions. Hands take up the decanter, and two small glasses appear. "I used to have tea with Light... in earlier ... moments." There is no true Time. There was Before. There is Now. There Will Be. It is all he knows. "Now... I shall have tea with you... A New Beginning to That Which Always Was..." The liquid that lands in the crystalline glasses is bronze. Like his hair...

     A seat. With Uriel. Time moves in surrounding waves, but even Soldekai must admit that this is an extraordinary moment. And The Archangel...moves casually as if he's just recently been on hiatus. With the power of the Ofanim within him, Soldekai appears cross-legged upon his cushion, even as you will the cushions into existence.
     "Thank you," Soldekai nods, eyes aglow as he watches the pouring. "I...am just...honored," he manages to get out, trying not to look stunned, "...thank you." A glance to you is long-short, he gazing upon the rumor now present. You. "I...hope you are well, Archangel, We..." and he ventures to speak for the Symphony, "...We have missed you. Very much."

     Bronze eyes lift and focus upon you and in that moment of focus the wavering between Masculine and Feminine halts upon the Masculine. But even the Masculine energies are so fine, that the beauty gives off something slightly Feminine yet. Perhaps it is the face of Purity. And the Way That Purity Is. But Purity is multi-faced, is it not? As much as Brilliance. You shall learn this. Even as he has. There is a smile. Warm. For Uriel's name means Fire of God in the seraphic tongue. The fire that purifies. "It is ...my pleasure and my honor. Truly. To have tea with the one who has been so loyal to the One Who Wanders." Solemnity there. He has a certain ... affinity for Gabriel's own suffering. Has he not known what it is like to lose? Ah, yes... and perhaps there is an understanding...is it forgiveness? ... for Lucifer's own loss. An understanding. He finishes with your small glass, and then his own. And the decanter is set aside.
     "I ... am still... getting used to the...change in atmosphere..." A small smile for that, a look to you. Interesting way to put it. And the smile softens. He lifts the cup. "Blessings to the Lord in the Highest," he whispers, seraphic tongue lilting. And then the tea is swallowed. It is .. as much honey. No... it is as much Light. He looks to you. "Thank you for sharing in my ...first cup of tea. I will have to visit Michael soon enough. So that ...Honour does not bruise itself. Brilliance... " He mulls upon this term. And you. Steepled fingers move to His lips. "Your duty in Fire will serve you well in your new role. No other ... could have succeeded Him. Have you thought upon the Lessons Lucifer left behind? For though..." a sigh, "...he shall likely never benefit from them... his successor has a ...wealth of information to go on...."
     Platinum brows and bronze eyes. In aspect, he is not much different in form from how the Archangel of Love once seemed. Related are they, Purity and Love. Love... another seat long left empty...

     So much in this moment. Soldekai appears to listen with rapt attention, breathing blessing over the drink as well, "Thank you, He Who Gives All Things." A smile comes and he tastes the sweetened Light. The cup is held reverently, as much to calm his nerves as to perch his beverage. "I hope Prince Michael will not...be upset with our visit. I am..." he smiles again, unable to do so when seeing you, "...just...excited." That you would visit him first. That you would come at all. That you even still exist.
     Sol smiles, trying to calm his blustery excitement, and nods to settle himself and answer you. "I hope my Duties will help me. I..think upon the Lightbringer sometimes," he confesses, looking around and below to Oannes' Grotto, "...I think about them All." All of the ones gone now. "I don't know that I...am the...only," his brows wrinkling, and glowy amber eyes peering tenatively beneath the dark lines, "...but there are lessons, I hope to have listened," his eyes close, as if bringing each of them up, "...well. And learned. I hope Yves in his wisdom and books will continue to help me see the Way." Leaving it to Destiny.

     "Prince Michael... his Word is dependent upon being....upset... war is upsetting." There is a blithe smile for that. Perhaps some Archangelic humor. "It... hmm... what is that saying..." Uriel tips back his head, long violet and platinum hair spilling to his waist. "It...builds...character?" Bronze eyes glimmer iridescent. A small wave dismisses the brunt of whatever Michangelic ...upset might be waiting. Somewhere. "Brilliance... " He pours another small glass of tea-honey-Light. "...so long as you keep your soul open... listen... yes, this is the key to it All. The hush..." A pause. "... the sound of Truth. That is when the Father may be heard." The small glass is lifted to his lips.
     Uriel sits for many moments, saying nothing. As if it is an exercise in that same silence. "There is a danger that comes with Brilliance... as with all things. Like Purity. Zealotism is its shadow. And too easy is it for some to be ... so blinded by their Brilliance... that they lose sight of their true purpose. Even as I did. Even as He did." He -- The Lightbringer. "And in that blindness, lives Pride. When Brilliance turns inward, against and ...into itself." Uriel looks to you again. The bronze eyes shining. "I want you to swear something to me, Prince Soldekai." Your name uttered for the first time.

     Few call him thus. And in it, his eyes alight again against the darkness of his form. Listening and aware. There is no mistaking that. Yes? he thinks, cup still held. Then, a limitation I can only give to you, Our Beloved Uriel, what I Have. An oath...dangerous for any Malakim to take. But his face is open and expressive, wishing to attend to the needs of One of the Four. And you especially. There is but understanding in his Heart for you. Love.

     "If you feel your eyes are burning... if for one moment... you feel the glare of Being and Becoming..." The voice is tremulous for a moment and Uriel inclines his head. But still, emotion is fire from his eyes. And violet flickers of flame fall from his eyes. "Have no fear, but call my name." The violet fire halts in the next moment. And emotion softens to Beauty... no, Purity... once more. The smile follows after. Slight, but warming. Spreading. Expanding, even as the fire did before. Where shall you create your realm, Brilliance? Where may I turn to see the glow of it?
     The thought lingers...hanging upon the air like breath freezing in the air. He tilts his head. "Tell me... Brilliance... what news of the Council? Amazing though it may seem, when in God's Glow, I... heard so little of the Council... let us speak of... hmm... lighter stuff over tea...."

     His head cocks, not quite sure what you mean. Some point to be reached...avoided...but exactly what moment that is, he knows not. But he will not press the point, Soldekai's eyes taken up with the beauty of you. He can't recall how you looked the last time you perhaps passed, but it cannot be as you are now. He smiles with you, unable not to, and then drinks a little of his cup once more, blessing the Creator quietly in his heart.
     "I..." he grins, "I...had not thought...of a place..." he admits, it being true. Eyes blink to see the myriad revelations that come with the information. Huh. Sol's brows arch and he nods to himself, to make that a point later. To think upon it. But he goes on, "As for...the Council," he explains, "...it is...unchanged in many ways, I guess, Our Uriel," said to remind you of how dear you are to the Symphony still, "...I can...only imagine though, what it is like to be..." he swallows, "...so close...to Our Father as you were. It...must have been True Joy."
     At least it was that, he hopes. It was not some horrible thing that happened to you. It can't be...God called you Himself! It must have been wonderful. But at the same time, he worries if you were in trouble or pained. "I guess...you have heard...about..." Sol sighs a little, "...of My Lady," never former. Always in the Present. To her, he is still tied and perhaps always will be, until things are righted for her once more -- right as he understands them.

     "I.... don't ...remember..." comes the melodious voice. There is a soft laugh to that. "It is... too much to remember, perhaps? God... Prince Brilliance... is ....Merciful..." An Archangelic joke. I don't remember, Soldekai. There is... no story to tell. Only... Peace... and so... It Is True. Where else could he have been so long? And to remember nothing?
     To mention of the Council, there is an uptilt to the chin. It is not a defiant look. Merely...measuring. "I will reacquaint myself with the Council soon... " There is ... is it hesitance? ... to that. It is not the House of Happy Memories. But... it must be faced. Purity... will not relent to Fear. It is set aside in the next moment. Long hair, platinum and violet, shifts with a breeze -- platinum pure wings stretching against the air of this jewel realm. "I have ...heard about Our Inspiration," Uriel murmurs. He has mentioned her. The One Who Wanders. "I saw her once... I think... or maybe it was a dream. I know I must have dreamed. I have seen some images of...How Things Have Become." It will take time. "Have you...heard from my ...commander. Urfiel..." The malakim. In Clearwater... America. Of all places. And not the archangel he should have been...

     Listening, Soldekai is taken by surprise at the mention of Urfiel. Not the expected topic of conversation. But he nods obediently, a little subdued on the topic. "She," it's female now, "...misses You." And your Direction. "You, Her Word." It is hard when your Superior is gone. It is a headless existence, somehow half-attached to the Symphony. Individualism...is not something the Mind understands. He has sympathy there too. "I know...she will...have joy seeing you, Dear...Uriel." Name so long unspoken. It is sweet to say it. Sol smiles brightly. "They will all...feel as if they..." he frowns, trying to find the right idea, but then it comes, "...can...go home again."

     Platinum brows go up at that. Female? We... are talking about the same Malakim? That takes a moment to sink in. The full moment in the lifting of the small glass and the finishing of the second tea. Nothing else on this is mentioned. He will ... see to that himself. "You shall have your own servitors," comes the melodious voice again, both Masculine and Feminine. "You shall ... fill your realm. I want to see the building of Heaven. It shall be... the Return of Glory." Uriel closes his eyes with that sweetness. "You shall... make a home... for those who have long gone without one..."
     The small glass in his hand disappears. Likewise the decanter. The cushions and tabletop remain. "Prince Brilliance," speaks Uriel, his voice deepening, his beautiful countenance yet wavering between Masculine and Feminine energies, "... it has been... my honor and my pleasure. I shall... return you to your... sanctuary." A pause and his bronze eyes settle on you, burnished in hue. "I ... must begin my second journey. A longer one. Forgiveness..." Blandine. His wings begin to settle around him.

     And in suggesting it, you guarantee it will be so. That is how Soldekai is. He looks around to Oannes' Grotto, and Thought makes itself known. All those...who have no one, no home. They are all...Brilliant. Lights. But as you reshuffle, Soldekai blinks and nods, setting his cup aloft. "I...cannot say...how I feel...Prince Uriel. It's good...to have someone...Come Back...to us." As if a heart was once shattered. He smiles, not wanting to belabor your time. It is such Joy...Restoration. He hopes it is that way...when everyone comes home. One day.
     He rises, the Archangel of Brilliance, so many plans running in his mind now. Just from a few moments with you. "Please...visit again soon," he murmurs, knowing you must have so many things to do, so many to speak to. Like Blandine. He can imagine your Walk. "We'll be with you," Sol offers with humility. All of them in the Symphony. "You can hear us."

     And he will need the Host of Heaven. Facing Blandine... it... is not a task anyone in Heaven would envy him. But Uriel rises easily. A smile playing across his features Masculine and Feminine. Wavering yet again. "As I shall be with you." Listen...
     A violet flame erupts, lapping at the air. In its fading, the violet flame becomes small. And with a final waver, it disappears. Never extinguished. Merely ... Becoming Elsewhere...

Posted by rowan at May 12, 2003 10:40 PM