013 (Voice) I wanna hear what you have to say about me...

[painhumbles]

[The NV comes on to static, like an old radio that isn't quite tuned into the right station. A few crackles, pops, and indistinguishable sounds later, and Gabriel's voice starts speaking... Except residents who have been here for the past year may notice that the messages sound a little familiar, disjointed- it's not Gabriel talking. It's Gabriel

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action;

[aslandish]

[ Perhaps it's planned. Perhaps it isn't. Either way, at some point during the day, their paths will meet -- united in common interest, though for reasons not entirely the same.

Watching them from afar (Lucifer and Chuck), he waits in silence. ]

action;

[painhumbles]

[Gabriel's avoided Aslan for an entire year- Castiel (the former) was fond of him, and now Chuck and Lucifer appeared to be befriending him, but Gabriel never saw himself as the type to associate with giant talking animals.

His current emotional state- Jinx and Lucifer and Ahiru and Odette and all of it? It kinda makes an archangel do crazy things. So the moment he feels the altogether undeniable Presence of Aslan, he excuses himself for keeping an eye on the incomparable duo of Lucifer and Chuck and moves towards the lion in a slight flutter of wings.]

How long's he gonna be like that? [Good opener, right? Like he's going to address his own problems to a lion like a kid in a confessional with the world's most fuzzy priest.]

action;

[aslandish]

[ That's the point, though, isn't it? For all that Aslan is indeed a beast, he is also so much more.

Sitting quietly, he looks at the angel when he approaches, soft yet somehow knowing. ]

Days.

His recovery will be swift.

action;

[painhumbles]

[He was hoping "a few hours." The revelation is disappointing, considering it's already been a day.]

He's not exactly known for his patience.

action;

[aslandish]

[ At least it won't be a week? Some things just can't be rushed. ]

He knew what would happen before it was done.

The pain will diminish with each passing day.

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[painhumbles]

So...

[He frowns, wondering how best to word this...]

...Why'd you do it? [Because nothing Holy has touched Lucifer in such a long time- most would be repulsed by him. Why would Aslan extend a hand- paw?- when their own Father wouldn't?]

action;

[aslandish]

[ He's quiet for a long moment at that question. The answer is complicated, as are most things related to this particular family.

There were a number of reasons why he did it. In the end, it all comes back to the same thing. ]

Your brother requires a vessel. [ Soft, with a touch of melancholy. ] I would not see him or others suffer for his lack of one.

action;

[painhumbles]

[Gabriel could buy that. Between Sam and the fact that if Lucifer didn't find a suitable vessel, everything would go nuclear... It all adds up to the same thing- Lucifer's better off with a healed vessel.

Or dead, as far as some are concerned. But death doesn't take here.]

You'd be one of the first who actually cared about his well-being, on top of everything else. He don't exactly inspire a lot of compassion.

action;

[aslandish]

[ To those who could only ever see Lucifer as the Devil and Evil Incarnate, that much is true. Aslan's vision is not so limited.

He looks at Gabriel, a measure of depth in that gaze that speaks volumes in and of itself. ]

What is and what once was are two very different things.

[ He knows. ]

action;

[painhumbles]

Sympathy for the Devil's just a song- no one else gives a crap what he once was. I gotta tell you... It kinda grates, after awhile. So he's a dick- big deal. He's still my brother.

[Awkward pause]

Basically, what I'm trying to say is... Thanks. For fixing him.

action;

[aslandish]

[ It's unfortunate, but he can't really argue the point. It's only due to his own rather unique position in this family drama that he can see things as they are, were, and could be.

There is not much he can say to Gabriel that will make things better, no promises of a better future. Everything hinges on choices that are and have yet to be made. Still- ]

There is always hope.

[ Cheesy and cliche though the words may sound, he speaks them from the depths of his heart. He is love, he is hope, and light itself incarnate, and he can be no other way. ]

action;

[painhumbles]

Thanks, Noble Heart. I'll be sure to log that away. [At least he sounds... Good-natured in his sarcasm. He can only be sentimental for short periods. It's a thing.]

action;

[aslandish]

[ He knows. And he takes no offense. ]

Be well, Gabriel.

[ A solemn look that is not without mirth. ]

We will speak again.

[ And with that, he is gone. ]