Kit's apartment is marked on a map somewhere. The Symphony seems to start and stop there so often, and so regularly it seems, you could run trains by it. The lions turn toward one another so that two of their four heads (each) face one another. With mouths opening once more, Michael's sigil slices the air and opens a quick portal.
     It smells of myrrh and searing elements. Something sweeter than sulphur but pungent in its own right.
     ...Past it...
     Past it is Heaven. The Celestial Realm. The very heart of Michael's citadel -- a great campus, a war field, strewn with the battlements, war machines, heroes, armor, and still there is space for competing, for fighting. Rarely is this space ... vacant, without activity. But it is now. Vacant but for one. There is Michael, his spear imbedded in the earth. His golden curls shorn short, a golden diadem at the crown of his head. His clothing that gave inspiration to Byzantium and Rome....

     The Malakim that appears is both Light and Dark. The ashen murkiness that makes him Malakim stands outlined in a brilliant, invisible light. He has become more and less like his Brethren. Shaped as a man with wings, he cannot attain another form on the celestial. But it matters not.
     And even Soldekai has to steel himself in the face of Mika-el, He Who Is Like God.
     But...aren't I, as well?
     Soldekai crosses the field, the armor upon him acting as his outer layer. Quickly the ground is covered, and he slows, giving a nod to the Archangel.
     "You know why I am here," he states and asks simultaneously...

     My name is both a question and an answer. Who is like God? Who is like God. But it is the question that is most significant. It is the question I find myself asking again and again. Hearing the answers of others in the clamoring of war, metal, chaos, but finding no sense in it. And so I ask it again: Who is like God?
     Michael watches you, and there is something there, perhaps, that wasn't there before. Or, is it rather that you may see it now?
     There is respect. Not just for you but for the one you once served. There is concern. And there is understanding.
     "I have a ...fair notion, yes." He gestures for you to take a seat, and as he does, two Roman cross chairs appear, both embellished with gold. "However, rather than my assumption, let us have it stated plainly." And Michael sits, two sets of wings folding around him. A relaxed pose. But he is studying you. And your reactions. Your entry. Your fiery trajectory.
     He has little doubt as to why you're here. But...just to err, for once, on the side of caution...

     The chair holds nothing for him. He would prefer to stand. "I will have my audience with the Council," Soldekai states, "...and the matter should be cleared, for once and for all. I did not think we were in the business of setting farcical situations upon those who have done their best, to cover for the petty jealousies and politic that sometimes flourish in others' Hearts."
     Was that plain enough?
     Woe for the Malakim, who cannot be less than they Are, even if they tried.
     "If it is myself They are interested in, then they should know that I am prepared. But to dump their ridiculous righteousness upon a servant..."

     Michael prefers to sit, all the same. As you begin, he lifts a hand -- to stop you midstream. Not in command, and not to utter a command, but by the narrowing of his gaze, making sure he understands the nature of your complaint. "I, too, find it taxing, Brilliance, to have to explain God's Law to His own children, and I hope you will not think I am stalling on semantics, but of what farcical situation are you speaking?" As if there were so many, he needed the clarification.
     "You speak of Galadriel," he both asks and assumes, as you then seem to clarify with the word 'servant'. Fingers steeple and Michael lets out a scented breath. That, too, smells of myrrh. "That matter has been decided, Brilliance. And though it was not decided to my own satisfaction, I do not see how...reopening it shall better his situation. Those of Us who Understand Truth and Love know his worthiness. He will remember it. I have faith in the cherub. Blandine's faith is even more complete. I dare not speak for Blandine in any other cause, but this. For His support is so plain and so unwavering, it cannot be mistaken."
     After a moment, Michael rises, but this is not a signal that the meeting is over. No, simply he is facing you as a peer. He draws up beside you. "Soldekai, I know that you want to make it right. I do not enjoy watching the cherub struggle. Please know this."

     "Reassurances from others does not help when you think you have lost your way," Soldekai says frankly, voice even. He is not interested in hearing sympathy. Who best of all knows action?
     "He should not be trailed and watched like an offender, while in the other hand, he is made Sentinel?" Come now. It is insane. "If he should be Sentinel, then the others should know and it is there that conflict be reslolved. Why hide his honor? Would it bring divisiveness? If he is honored then he is not some...criminal."

     Sentinel? The face shows a moment of... surprise? But he lets that alone for the moment. "Yes, I know," Michael says to the general point and there is a sound -- on earth it would be a sigh. "He has received an honor from Blandine," he assumes. "Well... it is Blandine's to give, certainly. But my guardianship of the cherub has always been... just that. It is for his own best interest, Soldekai. He is in a very vulnerable condition in a very dangerous place. I would rather he pull himself up, faith tested, and Realize it on his own. Thus strengthened, faith resolved, he would be on firmer foundations than the city he occupies. My concern is two-fold. If I remove the protection, in his current ...state," which apparently he knows? Michael seems to know, indeed. "... he may be susceptible to coersion, or worse yet seduction. Or, if I remove the protection, and with it perhaps the semblance of a crime committed, or if We, The Council, take action to eliminate the conditions of his seeming punishment: what will he have Realized? Will he understand any of what he has helped to accomplish? Will he... rise as the comet he is and take his rightful place in the firmament? Or will he in false understanding, partial realization, only do us half the service he is truly capable of giving... or, worse still, will he truly Fall."

     Soldekai shakes his head, "Why is that last even a part of this? Why is he not removed from the situation that was manufactured that he now finds himself in?"

     Well, there's no good answer for that. Why isn't Gabriel removed from the situation that was manufactured? Michael purses his lips, and looks to you directly. "You can read the transcripts of Gabriel's trial, and replace the names. They read nearly verbatim in some sections."
     He has apparently performed a comparison...
     Michael exhales, folding his arms across his armored chest. "You want an audience with The Council. I think you should have it," he says suddenly. "You are an equal voice, by God's Will, who am I to stop you?" He seems amused by that notion. "But I have not heard an argument sufficient for my removing my guardianship of the cherub, Archangel," he raises a finger.

     "The lions do not change his state, Archangel. They are watchers. But will they stop his fall? Will they help if he is seduced? Will they help when his faith is tested, will they help him realize anything? Does he gain by their presence, or are they but a reporting device?" Soldekai responds.
     "I am sure, if something happens, you would hear. But if they cannot improve his situation, then he should be allowed to go on his path, in peace."

     "Only he can change his state," Michael notes. He does not follow that immediately with words. His fingers go to his mouth, thumb and forefinger squeezing his lower lip. He seems to debate with himself for a moment. "He could gain by their presence if he decided to. But," eyebrows lift upon the Alexandrian face, "...you are ... correct, in that it is up to Galadriel, regardless of whether they are there or not. And is faith truly tested if he has them in his company? Perhaps that is debatable."
     He is quiet another moment. "I should like to hear Blandine's opinion .... and Yves'," how strange Heaven has become of late, with such bedfellows. "But I shall take your philosophy and argument under advisement, Soldekai."
     At least it's on the table.
     "The arrangement was a compromise, and hard-won as it is. Understand that if we reopen the case, that those who gained something in the previous compromise, namely Dominic and Jean, will be loathe to give it up."

     Ah, there. The second name. He figured it could not have been but one. "Gained?" he murmurs. "I did not know this was about personal gain..." Ah, but is he hot. "I want responsibility for my own state and destiny, Archangel, not for it to be pinned on a servant, because of..." well, you have heard his words on the subject. He's sure it will get back to Dominic's investigators somehow.
     "I will bring it up myself in the next Council," Soldekai lets it be known. He will not need you to open anything.
     The sweet smell of political youth.
     "I thank you for your time, Archangel," Soldekai finishes, apparently done whether you allow him or not. He shifts a bit, angling as if to depart. But there is no rush.
     "I also...appreciate your care and interest...in Galadriel and in doing what is Right."

     "It is the only path I know to God's Heart, Brilliance," Michael softly says. "And it's relatively thankless. I do not mean to be the..." brows lift at the term, "...devil's advocate, pardon the expression, I just want you to know the layout of the quagmire you're about to march through." A pointed look. "But don't worry, I have a long spear." And suddenly he smiles. It's a beautific look. Not many see it. The ones who have seen it, most of them have seen it at the other end of that... long spear.
     "I care about the cherub. He impressed me. I want to see him do well, not because he is bold, certainly not because he impresses me, but ...because he is a true child of God. And I have faith in Blandine. Strangely enough." Another smile. "Oh, and of course, you, Ch..." He nearly called you Chamberlain. But he catches himself. "Brilliance."
     Hands lace behind his back and Michael straightens, chin dipping to eye you. You... will make the meetings interesting again, I see. "I will have to attend the next meeting then. A little... bird... will deliver a message to Blandine... suggesting she, he do likewise." You should have two or three allies anyway -- or at least those more prone to be allies than not.
     "Ah, and that reminds me, Archangel, I actually have a bit of business for you, if you don't mind. I have ... volunteered to facilitate a rightful home for an old veteran of the war. His present assignment isn't really working out..."

Posted by rowan at May 18, 2003 08:39 PM