entrancelogs | Nothing Here To See, Just A Kid Like Me

[William is casting a critical eye over his room when there's a knock at the door. And oh, now there's nerves kicking in, as always. It's like hero worship nerves at their worst, and the young man gives the room another quick look over. Neat and tidy is an understatement. The room is decorated in light blues and surprisingly modern and minimalistic as if the owner decided that being opulent was just too much work. The only sign it's even lived in is the small corner that the lion cub calls his own, cluttered with small toys and a large cushion.

William makes sure his clothes are presentable before wiping palms on the sides of his shirt, plastering what he hopes is a respectful smile on his face when he opens the door. It's all too easy to stand to one side to let Gabriel through and it's a good distraction from the nerves kicking back in.]

Gabriel. Please, come in.

[The Archangel steps easily through the threshold, taking a quick moment to glance around the room if only to find a good spot to sit and make himself comfortable. After all, he has no clue how long this talk will go on and he plans to give the Principate all the time he needs for this.

Once comfortable he'll cross one knee over the other and lounge back in his chair like a therapist, waiting for the other to go on and confess his sins, or troubles. Whichever this may be he's not sure. All he knows is that William seemed unsure as to what to do about... something. Could be anything, or nothing. It could simply be the trouble of being trapped in a different world.]

What's troubling you my Son?

[It's been a while since he called William as such, and even longer still since he'd acted like a proper, holy being. It was one thing to go to church to speak to a priest when you've got something heavy on your mind, but to have an Archangel come to you personally? It was a gift. One he was happy to grant his most loyal Acolyte.]

[William recognizes when he's being treated, as such, to Gabriel's presence. He hadn't expected the other to come around after the text, but to merely say something back over the network. It just went to show how much he knew, the principate realizing that no matter how much time they spend in the same place, he will never truly be able to assume to understand the other's actions. Which, in his opinion, was exactly how it should be.

He watches as Gabriel takes a seat, waiting for the other to sit before taking his own as he tries not to fidget too much. That's failing and so William quietly huffs, linking his fingers and resting them on his lap as he tries to figure out how to explain what's bothering him. When he talks, it's slowly, as if the principate is trying to figure the words out as he's saying them.]

I don't think I'm useful in this place.

[Gabriel's brow furrows some with concern, as a friend would hearing their companion talk about feeling useless.]

What makes you think that?

[That wasn't the reaction William was expecting. He'd been expecting the archangel to agree, to say he was being useless and then perhaps point him in a direction. The concern has the young man caught off guard a little and the principate flounders for an answer.]

Every time I try to find out things I realize there's nothing to find out. That or I'm missing the bigger picture. There has to be a reason for this place, right? [Brows furrow as William looks to Gabriel, obviously seeking some kind of guidance.]

[This situation is a delicate one and Gabriel knows he has to choose his words carefully, but it has to be smooth and somewhat enlightening in some sense. He's an Archangel, it's about time he plays his role as such, giving his head Acolyte that motivation he needs to feel useful and succeed. The truth is though, their situation is a grand puzzle, something even he, himself has had trouble finding the answers to. He's scoured every inch of Wonderland by now, flown over enough times he could draw a detailed map. He doesn't know his own purpose here, perhaps it's punishment and they are prisoners. Or maybe there isn't any big reason at all. As far as he's seen there isn't a clear price for the things they're given. But then... he hasn't asked enough questions of the other residents and maybe it was high time.]

Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Or maybe you and I haven't been asking the right questions or talking to the right people.

[He sits, thinking deeply.]

You aren't useless William, and despite the fact of what I am and how much more experience with humanity that I've had, you were always better at connecting with them than I am. It's why I chose you remember? Because how you speak and the genuine light in your words is inspiration to them.

Certainly after the event it's still easier for them to trust you than it is me.

[Of course much of that was his fault. He sighs.]

Go with the church idea, or at least try to be more social. You'll be safe on all sides, either through me or Michael. Find out what you can from the people who have been here longer than us. There must be something we're missing.

[The fact that Gabriel is including himself when pointing out they may not have been asking the right questions just about takes the whole weight from William's shoulders. It's definitely the reassurance he needs and that's before he even hears the mention of the church, heart beating hard in relief. They were both doing wrong, if at all, and he wasn't going to get replaced by some archangel twin.

The praise has the principate's cheeks flushing as he tries to wave it off. Getting such remarks from Gabriel himself is way above his paygrade, but at the same time he won't refuse it. Pshaw. William isn't stupid enough to refuse anything his leader throws at him, and so he listens to the sociable comment with complete enthusiasm. It's what he's been trying to do, and with Gabriel's backing the whole thing just seems more viable.]

I'll do my best to. I'm not sure what would be useful if the people longer than us haven't found a way home, so I'll make sure to listen to all of it just in case I miss something.

If we've missed a trick who's to say they haven't. Their information could be pieces to the larger puzzle that we can put together for them.

Not everyone talks to everyone or shares what they know. This group, [ A gesture with one open palm.]

May have one bit while another has a second piece and without discussing things didn't know they went together to form a bigger picture. It's about playing the middle man which I'm confident you can do best.

[That made a lot of sense. William's seen first hand how people will talk to some yet not others. It's thoughtful enough that the young man falls silent, squinting slightly as he thinks it through. He needs to be able to talk to a large amount of people, get them to confide in him so he can start cross referencing things.

The smile he gives Gabriel is much more relieved for a change, William looking more upbeat than he has in a while.]

I'll be sure to get right on that. I get the feeling once people start talking we'll be surprised at what they have to say. Everyone has their secrets.

You're right, and I want to learn all that I can.

[Without saying as much he had a darker need for their secrets of all kinds. Blackmail and power lies in learning everything he could about someone. Like what he had with Claire, he could twist someone easily around his pinky if he could shake them with information he wasn't meant to know.]

Well, I suppose my work here is done. Unless you need something else from me?

[Eyebrows raise at the last question. Was Gabriel going already? It's difficult to hide the disappointed look on his face, swiftly schooling it into the usual, respectful smile.]

Oh no, no I couldn't keep you. Not unless you want to sit and talk about how things are for you, but then that's mundane stuff really. Um. Did you want to add anything?

[William is already kicking himself for acting like a total idiot. Back home he wouldn't even see the archangel that often. Living next door to one obviously hasn't changed the scenario too much.]

[Gabriel catches that short flash of disappointment and decides to stay comfortably seated. He chuckles softly, amused as the other tries to be polite and try not to impose.]

You're not keeping me William, and it's alright, if you would like me to stay a little longer I can.

[He shakes his head.] I won't bore you with how I've been managing to stay sane here over the last few days.

[A pause to consider. Aside from the useless comment he realizes he hasn't really been keeping up with William all that well. So in light of acting as if he cares about how his Acolyte feels he'll prod a little.]

How've you been holding up William? We've been away from home, Claire, your father... are you alright?

[Not that he hasn't SEEMED fine but then, William spends a lot of his time in his room too.]

[Shoulders just about slump in relief when Gabriel opts to stay put without laughing too hard at how much he's trying to act normal with the archangel. The mention of staying sane gets a slow blink. Was Gabriel struggling with something? That couldn't be right.]

Managing? I hope no-one is causing too much stress for you.

[The mention of Claire and David should have gotten a good reaction, but oddly enough William can feel his shoulders tensing. He still hasn't gotten around to explaining the whole exile thing, and right now doesn't feel like a good time to bring it up.]

I'm okay. I miss everyone but that can't really be helped. I wouldn't wish this place on them, so I'm just waiting to go home.

Not too much, no. Though some is to be expected considering what I'd done during the event.

[Arguing with humans got tiring and boring after awhile. He missed the sort that realized what he was and shut their traps. When arguing with an Archangel seemed like a pointless endeavor because he's a holy being created by God to do his will. He guided humanity and taught them, he was given the job to destroy them when they went awry...as they had done. But so many in this world either forget that or do not care. They see him as equal, or worse, Beneath them and it gets under his skin on so many levels.]

Mn, understandable. And as far as going home, so long as we work together, you and I, we'll find a way.

[If William could read minds he would agree with Gabriel's thoughts a hundred percent. Gabriel was the son of God and therefore did God's will as he was created to do. William was an acolyte and so did the work of God by following Gabriel's will. If the archangel asked William to jump from a cliff, the young man eventually would because it was something God wanted in a very roundabout way. Blind and devout was always going to be a dangerous thing, though so far all it hasn't done too much damage to the principate. Gabriel says they will find a way home and so William doesn't think to disbelieve it. Why would he?

William is more relieved than he's ever been when Gabriel seemingly doesn't pick up on anything, and he's even going to far as to put a smile on his face. Talking about the part where he was exiled and the acolytes were all dead wasn't going to happen today. Things were definitely looking up.]

Surely they would understand considering it was an event. If you'd like, I mean if you think it would be wise to, I can always talk to them and explain that I wasn't around when I should have been?

I'm not so sure, you see, I tried to explain that or explain I didn't know of an anchor nor was in the right mind to find one.

[He shakes his head.]

I feel you would meet with stubborn resistance and only waste your time, but more-over it's not your fault, William.

[He looks slightly pained.]

You died trying to save me. I won't forget that.

[William opens his mouth to simply states that they don't know that when the archangel drops his final statement. Say what now? That was unfettered praise from the archangel himself, and William barely even knows where to start with it.

Maybe snapping his mouth shut would be a good start, eyes slightly wide as his brain attempts to turn over and start. That almost sounded like a thank you. Was it a thank you?]

I uh... [Being the best speaker in Vega at least helps the young man to snap out of it. Gawking is not going to help and neither is stumbling over his words, the young man frowning slightly as he tries to somehow wave it off.] Oh no, really, no I mean anyone would have so.

Not anyone, William. Some still have it in their heads I'm no different than the Morning Star.

[He smiles softly, though it's somewhat lacking. To be likened to Lucifer when he's so loyal to his father and just doing what he wants of him. It pains him to think of.]

But you are not alone.

[The Morning Star. It takes a second or two to sink in who Gabriel meant by that reference; it's not one so easily banded around back home. Lucifer. Just the thought of the other archangel has shoulders instinctively tensing again, William's lips thinning in genuine irritation. Why were people so blind as to what was in front of them? Most would consider themselves blessed to see anything divine, let alone an archangel, yet people in Wonderland just didn't seem to care.

Quite frankly, it was blatantly disrespectful. Then again back in Vega there probably hasn't been an atheist since before William was born. It's a bit hard to deny angels when they wiped most of the world out.]

I'm not?

My brother would die for me, as I would for him.

[He's not 100% sure he could promise that he'd die for William, but it would also depend on the circumstances. It IS Wonderland. And he's swiftly finding out that anything can happen, especially if you least expect it to.]

And I'm sure with your guidance and time others will see I'm not as bad as I seem.

Of course he would, I can't see Michael doing anything different.

[If the pair of them truly hated each other, then surely one would have killed the other by now. It really didn't bear thinking about, William shaking that train of thought off as quickly as possible. Flattery gets people everywhere, and Gabriel's flattery is top notch. With his guidance....William has been wondering about that for a while. Wonderland doesn't seem religiously inclined and trying to break through was going to take a lot of time and effort.

If Gabriel says it can be done, then it's possible, the young man steeling his resolve.]

You don't seem bad, if you don't mind me saying. They just aren't looking correctly.

[That gets a small, appreciatively fond smile.]

Thank you.

[He'll stand in order to put a firm but affectionate hand on William's shoulder giving it a small squeeze.]

I'm proud of you, you know that right?

[Words he's certain his father almost never said to him. If ever. All the better to keep the boy loyally at his side. And the look he gives William is one a proud father would give his son.]

Just... be careful. Whoever killed you is trying to get to me.

[Though he has a good idea of who that is.]

[Just when William thought he'd gotten more than enough praise for at least a week, Gabriel gives the ultimate one and it's enough to have the acolyte going bright red. Being recognized for work is one thing, but being recognized for it by an archangel of the lord is a completely different ball game. Words! William needs to find some words so he can stop gawking like an idiot, stat!]

I uh, t-thank you. [William just shakes his head slowly before snapping out of his self imposed paralysis, already getting to his feet so he can open the door when Gabriel makes his move. The fact Lucifer was trying to get to Gabriel was no big surprise, and William just gives a nod at the mention of being careful. When it comes to the morning star there isn't much he can do about it, that archangel is too much when it comes to abilities and William knows he probably wouldn't even see it coming. That being said, he isn't too concerned over it. At the end of the day it would be God's will, in a roundabout way, and if that meant dying then William knows he will have to stomach it for the time being until the rota changes.]

I'll do my best. I probably won't see him coming, but if that's the case then it's meant to be.

I wouldn't say that.

[He gives his shoulder another pat before releasing him and heading for the door.]

Considering that he killed you when you were the only thing keeping me sane, so I wouldn't completely lose myself and go on a murderous rampage, speaks volumes. That perhaps someone wants me to kill the people of Wonderland.

I have very few people I care about here. If he kills you again, it's not that it's meant to be, but that he is trying to get under my skin. I will do my best to keep you safe.

[William knows when someone is ready to leave, and Gabriel is no exception to that. Which is fine, the talk was a good one and he can already feel his confidence growing now that he has an idea of a direction to head in. He'll even give another smile, opening the door and holding on to it as Gabriel talks again.]

But why would he want that when he can do it himself? Or the fact that everyone comes back? Unless there's a point people reach where they don't come back, but I don't know... [Actually shrugs, blinking at the "safe" comment.] That's more than I could ever ask for. And if I hear anything I'll be sure to let you know over these devices. I guess they come in useful for some things.

Edited 2015-01-09 17:20 (UTC)

Because William, sometimes people just love to fuck with you. Or in this case, my friends, to get to me.

[He shrugs.] It could be they're bored or simply tired of everyone here. Who knows?

[He turns back to the other with the most sincere expression he can.]

Do take care William, and let me know anything you discover. I'll see you again.

Nothing Here To See, Just A Kid Like Me

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