maderr | More rambling and Sixpence

So, last night wrote about three-four pages of Embrace, as well as a couple more for chapter fifteen of Treasure. Also started this chapter of Sixpence, and finished it a little while ago.

rykaine has looked over it for me, so it should mostly be good to go. If I have any energy left when I get home, I'll get cracking on more of all the above. Whatever streak I'm on, I hope it lasts a long, long time

Chapter Seven
The Sky

Azrael looked up from where he'd been staring blindly at the ground. "It figures I'd get stuck with you," he shifted where he sat on an old barrel beside the barn where he and Rabdos had earlier fought.

Long fingers reached out and plucked the cigarette from between his lips. "Smoking is considered a vile habit even by the humans, Az." Belial brought it to his own lips. "Where ever did you acquire such a hideous habit? Hardly fitting an Archslave."

Taking the cigarette back, Az smiled. "From an old friend, Fallen." He handed Belial a fresh one, lighting it as he put it to his lips.

"Vile or not, they do have their appeal, don't they?"

"Indeed they do."

Belial leaned against the barn, langorously blowing smoke into the cool night. "So are you sitting down on the job, or what?"

Azrael took a pull on his own smoke, "Waiting for a rematch. Figured the others could take care of the rest. This one is all mine."

"Right. Why not just lay down the Law? That's what you angels are supposed to do, not all of this hide and seek and tag. Just search and destroy or something."

"No…not until we know Gabe is safe and have a better idea of what's going on." Azrael looked at him, "Righteous, Fallen, or Punished, there's no need to risk anyone's death until we have to."

"As goody goody as ever. However did you Deaths earn your black reputation? You're all marshmallows. Especially you. You're like Archmarshmallow."

"I am not a marshmallow."

"The Hell you're not."

"At least I'm not lazy."

"Why are you calling me lazy?"

"Because I can already tell you don't plan on doing a damn thing."

Belial shrugged, "I'll step in when I need to. This is an angel thing, I'm not getting involved until I know I can find the Morningstar's lover."

"Like I said, lazy. And you make it sound like you were never an angel."

"It's easier to forget things like that." He looked up, "It looks like your date's arrived."

Azrael dropped his cigarette and stamped it out. "Rabdos."

Rabdos ignored him as he appeared in the field, looking at the demon instead. "So they've gone crying to you already?"

"Why are you doing this, Rabdos?"

"None of your business."

Belial sighed, and took a deep pull of his cigarette before responding, "You know damn good and well that Gabriel is Lucifer's business. Which means you'd better start talking."

"Forget it. I don't answer to you or anyone else, I don't care what you say." Rabdos' knives appeared in his hands. "I came for a Star, not to talk."

Snorting, Belial pushed off against the wall he'd been leaning against. "Then I suggest you go pick on a lesser angel and not Az. You're not going to win."

"Oh no," Rabdos said with a dark smile, "Only Azrael's star will do. He needs to be taken down a peg, and I'm going to be the one to do it."

Belial's brows went up. He slid a glance at Azrael, "Are you two still antagonistic? Honestly." He smirked, "Not that I'm going to deny your arrogance could use a bruising, but really. I would have thought that old rivalry would have died by now."

"Shut up, 'Lial." Azrael spoke without taking his eyes from Rabdos. "If you were doing your job in Hell, this wouldn't be happening."

"Che. Not my job to babysit the Higher Demons." He finished his cigarette, flicking the end off into the dark field, "Though this one is definitely going to get a thrashing when he gets home."

"Che," Rabdos mimicked. "I'd rather die than go back there. And killing me is what you'll have to do before I explain anything."

The ferocity of his words gave Azrael pause. Belial however only snorted again, "I see what's going on here. I had no idea you were one of those," barely had he finished his words than he appeared in front of Rabdos, grabbing the Demon by the throat and lifting him off the ground. "I've had enough, Strangler. You're being childish, which would be fine except you've pissed Lucifer off in the process. Give up the Archangel and return his Star, or I'll strangle you the same as you strangle your victims."

Instead of attemting to reply, Rabdos glared hatefully at him and then looked up to the sky. His eyes began to flash light, dark, light, dark. Around them the world moaned, and only demons and angels could hear the cries of the stars as Rabdos stopped and started them, over and over in rapid succession, causing them extreme pain and making both Azrael and Belial ill, dizzy.

"Stop it! Rabdos!" Belial loosened his grip just enough to permit the Star Stopper to speak.

"Kill me or release me," Rabdos said shortly, eyes still flashing.

"I could just knock you out."

"Won't work."

"Then say goodnight." Belial gripped his throat tighter, and Rabdos gave a choked gasp of pain.

"Let him go!" Azrael roared, shoving the Demon off balance when Belial ignored him.

Belial and Rabdos went tumbling, the Fallen using his chance to break free. He held a hand to his bruised throat, gasping for breath, and glared venemously at Azrael. "Stay out of it, Archslave. I don't need your help."

"What do you need?" Azrael asked softly, watching him.

Something rippled across Rabdos' face, before it was coverd by his usual bitter anger. "Nothing you can give me." He vanished.

Belial glared up from the ground, "Did you have to push me?"

"I told you to let him go," Azrael lit a cigarette, tossing his pack to Belial. "Next time listen to me."

"Yeah, yeah. He said he wanted to die, I was just obliging him."

"There will be no killing unless I say so, Fallen!" Azrael's reprimand was thunderous in the empty field.

Belial gave a soft 'che' and fell silent.

"So?" Azrael asked.

"So what?"

"You figured something out."

"You Archslaves are about as dense as they come. That's not good, considering you're already a marshmallow."

Azrael grit his teeth, "What did you figure out?"

Sighing in disgust, Belial blew smoke in Azrael's direction before climbing to his feet. "You're a dumbass."

"Get to the point."

"Remeber what I said earlier? About how it's best to forget I used to be an angel?"

"Yeah."

"Some Demons aren't so good at forgetting." Belial looked up, "Some of them can't forget what it's like to touch the sky." He turned his gaze on Azrael, "I hadn't realized Rabdos was one of them, he's always so quiet, stoic. But it makes a lot of sense, now that I think about it. Back in the good ol' days, I don't think Rabdos ever left the sky." Belial took a long, slow drag, "It's not the Stars of Passage he wants."

"He wants to fly." Azrael said quietly.

"Yeah. Which is understandable. Being grounded? Sucks. If you don't try to forget..."

Azrael said nothing, his midnight eyes fastened on the stars.