[Video | UN: threewings]

[heavenfell]

[Everyone loves broadcasts that open with a scream. Hurried, breathless words follow for keen listeners:

"You're safe. Stop arguing with me. We will make our way back in time."

A light is turned on and Alexiel, clothed only in her long, dark curls can be seen standing by a door.

"I will take you out into the morning air."

She reaches for the doorknob, but she pauses, frozen halfway there.

"I am not a harlot."

Even though she defends her state of undress, Alexiel turns to the closet, opening it. Dressing takes next to no time and she finally reaches for her communicator.]

You really are a naughty boy.

Comments

[Voice|catch.a.fallen.star]

[neverbeentogeorgia]

You need to learn to stop accidentally broadcasting.

[ someone is displeased to have to listen into half conversations with your crazy brother, and being woken up by them... with a scream, no less... ]

[Voice|threewings]

[heavenfell]

It wasn't me. [Per se?] Did I wake you? He was giving me odd dreams.

[neverbeentogeorgia]

So gremlins came into your room to turn on your recording device so we could all listen in on one-sided-arguments with the brother sleeping in your abdomen. Yes, I'd say you woke me up. Both of you.

[ There's more than a little bite to his tone. Apparently someone is cranky when woken up before he's ready... ]

Just what exactly does your brother dearest inflict upon you in your dreams that make you scream like that, anyway?

[ But maybe that's the real source of his sourness? It's hard to say. ]

[heavenfell]

He is less restful than I expected. [As if Rosiel has ever followed the rules. He has a hunger for existing and, more importantly, he is aware that they are not where they should be.]

Is this where I beg for forgiveness from the original dark lord? [Keep biting. Alexiel actually finds this new grumpy side charming.]

... [Now her expression is far less amused. She raises a slender shoulder in a shrug.] I think you should go back to sleep.

[private]

[neverbeentogeorgia]

[ Yeah, she's probably not going to find his grump very charming in just a moment. The next response she gets arrived encrypted from public access. He's abandoned voice-only in favor of video now and boy. He looks pretty pissed, but it's a cold pissed: his voice is clipped and icy. ]

I believe we have already spoken on the issue of public presentation, but allow me to make myself clear. If you insist on addressing me that way in public broadcasts and on the streets, I will be forced to disavow any relation to you.

[private]

[heavenfell]

[It stings that his image matters more than...other things. Her amusement flees and all she feels is a storm. She wants to ask why it matters so damn much. She wants him to be proud of his role in everything. But this is his decision and she will honor it.]

Very well, Sakuya. [She looks away from him, voice controlled, refusing to be anything but calm.] Sweet dreams.

Re: [private]

[neverbeentogeorgia]

[ It is not that it's more important than whatever it is that she's going through. But she seems to find it impossible to understand that his real name and the things that he's done--they're a noose around his neck, waiting to tighten. If he is to live here, truly live here, then he can't use that name. In any case, hearing her address him as Sakuya seems to have appeased him; he instantly and visibly relaxes, though he's also reaching for something off screen--his cigarettes and lighter, apparently, as he lights up. ]

People have those?

[private]

[heavenfell]

[She walks outside before she responds, breathing in the crisper, cleaner air. Emotions are difficult for her to understand and even harder for her to process. Why can a handful of words feel like a knife? She has been stabbed, burned, mutilated... Yet this pain is new and entirely unwelcome.]

I don't know. [She certainly hasn't ever had them. But there is good in this world - in any world maybe - and she has had a taste of sweet.] You could dream of ripping my wings off?

Re: [private]

[neverbeentogeorgia]

[ He's patient, at least, if nothing else; even if she's still outside when she finally responds, or if it takes her a long time before she feels ready to come back to carry their conversation, he's still waiting. His face remains blank at her suggestion, which is mostly just a sign that he's regained his self composure enough to hide just how disturbing and disgusting he finds it. ]

So because I lectured you you think I want to fantasize about torturing you?

[private]

[heavenfell]

[The expression she gives him is reminiscent of Setsuna. It's a mixture of sad and frustrated - as if she wants to find some way to expend the negative energy his words have caused. But when she sees him - when she truly focuses on him - something softens.]

I know you wouldn't. [Because she knows him and, truthfully, she is a bit angry at herself.] Was that a lecture? It sounded like an ultimatum.

Re: [private]

[neverbeentogeorgia]

[ He arches an eyebrow, but he doesn't argue with her. He just shrugs. ]

Fine. An ultimatum, then.

[private]

[heavenfell]

You're fine with - [No, she bites her bottom lip and stops herself mid-sentence.] I will make a concerted effort to never wake you in the future.

Re: [private]

[neverbeentogeorgia]

[ It's cool. He can guess what she meant, though, and he can see that it's bothering her, so perhaps he can put some of that concern to rest. ]

I'm not asleep. Not the way you were. But some things are just better left alone,

video | un: undertaker

[somakemelaugh]

Oh my. Forget something, did we? [He doesn't say much beyond that, just a giggle and shakes his head.]

video

[heavenfell]

It's difficult to forget. [She frowns for a moment, glancing down at her abdomen.] My brother is being a pest.

[somakemelaugh]

So they can be. Should I expect a funeral soon? [He's not serious about that. Or is he?]

[heavenfell]

He need never fear death. [That is said quietly, resolutely.] I am his guardian and he should be resting.

[somakemelaugh]

As you wish. [He shrugs, no idea where this brother of hers is or what he is.] Quite the guardian. I'm sure he appreciates it.

[heavenfell]

[To explain that requires some...history.] He appreciates being whole again. The nightmare he lived is over.

[She brushes back her hair, clipping it into place.] Two babies were born in heaven; one, rosy, healthy, happy; the other, a shapeless lump of flesh. The first child knew of the other and begged their creator for their survival. The creator agreed on one condition; that the first child never acknowledge nor speak to the second child. Furthermore, parts of the first child were used to make the second whole. That was hardly a sacrifice because the first child could regrow what had been lost.

But the parts didn't last. The second child decayed and they begged the first child to kill them once their mind followed. The first child remembered the request and broke free of their prison - a self-sought prison so that they would not break the terms of the contract. They fell from heaven and when they were caught, they were marked as a fallen angel and given a harsh punishment.

For many human lifetimes, they would be reborn into different bodies. All of the bodies would die young and violently. The cycle would repeat until the offender was absolved from their sins.

When the second child awoke - for the first child had been able to put them into a deep slumber - they immediately sought out the first child, thinking that they hated them and wanted them to die. They had gone mad at last. The first child knew they needed to follow through on their promise all the more, but the human body made it difficult.

I shall simplify it and say that the first child stopped avoiding what needed to be done and they killed the second child at long last. [She closes her eyes.] The two are twins - perfect sides of the same coin - and so, in order for the second's decay to be halted forever, they needed to become part of the first.

So they did. Do you see?

[somakemelaugh]

[He listens to that tale, just grinning, as he does. His usual, almost expected grin. But behind it, he's put things together and he's no fool, as it might make him seem.] I do. So then, is this a case of mild insanity, as they like to call it, or is this a case of you not knowing who you are at any given time?

[heavenfell]

I know who I am. He knows who he is. [She looks at him pointedly and then touches her abdomen.] His soul resides here. With me. His insanity has been resolved and he is whole.

[somakemelaugh]

[What can he say? He's not one to judge. He doesn't even know what her world is like.] I suppose that's all that matters, isn't it? As long as the two of you are happy, or at least at an agreement.

[heavenfell]

[The twins became one - or at least in one body - out of necessity. Alexiel would not have chosen this conclusion, but seeing her brother rotting and mad had made her determined to hold him close. Really close.]

He is the only one like me. As long as I have him, I'm not missing any pieces of myself.

[somakemelaugh]

[Fascinating. He'd poke at her for details, but he hasn't in immediate interest in it, not just yet anyway. Something he'll definitely ponder later!]

A fair sentiment. Siblings can be the closest friends and the worst enemies. I may have known a few. Why should it be any different with yours?

[heavenfell]

I would argue that he and I are more than siblings. A great power was split between us. We are the children of Adam Kadamon.

[The mightiest angelic creation.]

We knew of each other without needing to be told.