Raphael is drawn to the Safe House

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Time: April 27, around two AM
Place: on the front lawn of the Manor
Status: PUBLIC (anyone up at 2AM who wants to find him catching his discorporation out there)
Summary: A tired and weary Archangel discovers the Manor



Thunder cracked above him, splitting the night in two as the sky wept its cold tears on a dark world. His wings dragged pathetically behind him in jagged streams, the firey feathers jutted in irregular directions. The steady rain had long since washed away the blood smudged on his skin and face, but it still stained his torn clothes in cruel hash marks. His braid was partially undone, the wind catching the crimson strands and whipping it across his face like blood sliced across pale skin; a cruel reminder of what he had escaped from.

Raphael closed his arms around the bunny held protectively against his chest, its dark grey fur touched with blood that was not its own. The Archangel had taken off his labcoat and wrapped it around the miserable creature in an attempt to keep it warm, but the rain had soaked through the once-white fabric rather quickly. By the time Archangel and bunny reached Lower Tadfield it was about two in the morning and both were soaked all the way through, cold and shivering. Still, Raphael kept on, feeling drawn by an unknown force that seemed to tug at his weakened aura.

That force seemed to grow in intensity the further into town he moved. The moment he stepped down a pathway that lead to the front of a large beautifully-designed building it was as if he had stepped through an invisible wall... The rain still fell steadily but he had this strong surge of safe safe safe thrumming through his wrangled body. The relief was so overwhelming it dropped him to his knees, the wet ground shifting beneath his weight. You're safe... You're safe now...

He let out a sigh he hadn't realized he had been holding, curling heavy wet wings around him. The manor looked very elegant, perhaps a resort for the financially well-off. He wondered if he could stay here for awhile, or perhaps maybe just for the night so he could rest his aching body after trudging in the rain for eight hours.

If nothing else, maybe someone would be willing to take the poor bunny from him, perhaps give it a nice meal and a dry blanket.

He closed his eyes, tightening his hold as he surpressed another bout of shivering, and just enjoyed the feeling of being truly safe for the first time since he left Heaven.


((•))

Comments

Really? My phone displays them nicely below each other.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"Yes," Joe said, almost wincing in sympathy as he watched the angel. "It's a hotel. A friend of mine wanted to come here for a while, and since nothing was keeping me where we were before, it's usually fun to be around him and I wasn't exactly opposed to a change of scenery either, I decided to tag along. Then it turned out they had a bar with no bartender attached, and so here I am."

The bunny was as dry as it was likely to get here and now. Joe put the wet towel on the counter, deposited the bunny on top of it and pushed himself to his feet.

"I'll get your little one a bowl of water and see if there's any leftover vegetables in the restaurant," he said. "And then we really better get someone with medical training in here to tend to you."

I use a phone too but it displays them scootched over. Hooray for cell phone Internet usage!! :D

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael reached a hand over and lightly stroked the bunny's cheek, smiling when it nuzzled into his hand. "Do you think I could stay here?" he asked quietly. As vulnerable as he was right now it would be nice. "Who would I have to talk to?"

He felt his cheeks color slightly, setting the now-slightly bloody towel down and picking up the other clean one. He undid the rest of his braid so he could towel it dry. He wondered if Joe realized he was speaking of getting a doctor for a doctor, or rather, a doctor for the Archangel of Healing, but decided no matter what he said he knew he did need help getting his corporeal body fixed up before it died of any number of things, bleeding and infections the most likely.

Physician, heal thyself...

"Thank you for your kindness," he said genuinely, his torn up wings rustling slightly behind him. "I'll help you clean up the mess." And then if he ever got his powers back, he would gift Joe with anything he asked. Well, within reason of course. Raphael was the type to always remember another's kindness and he never let it go unnoticed.

"What is your deepest wish?"

Lets me play while keeping night watch or while working in the stables. Comes in very handy.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"There is one Mary Hodges, and a girl, Rose, who check in new guests. The way I understand it, angels and demons are free to stay as long as they wish as long as they do not harm each other or any of the people in the village. Excuse me for a second. I'll be right back."

As fast as he could, Joe walked over to the restaurant to help himself to something he could offer the rabbit.

When he returned, he wordlessly got out two shallow dishes, filling one with leftover vegetables, the other with water, and putting both down in front of the animal. He was very much aware that he still had not answered the last question.

"At the moment," Joe said finally, "my deepest wish is giving me nightmares almost every single night. Can you hide those wings? I'd like to call that doctor now." He reached for his phone.

I don't own a computer so I definately agree with the handy-ness of it :3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Fella sniffed at the bowl curiously, then upon realizing what was inside was edible he started chewing on a few celery sticks. He also licked up the fresh water until it was nearly gone before returning to the vegetables.

Raphael chuckled and scratched the animal behind the ears. He thought about what Joe had said, about his greatest wish giving him nightmares. He was about to ask about it when Joe reached for the phone. Stiffening he slammed his hand over the reciever. "No! I mean..." His cheeks colored at his outburst, moving his hand back sheepishly and hoping he didn't just break Joe's hand. He may be weak but he was still an angel. "I can't winch in my wings," he explained, feeling more like a helpless animal than an Archangel. "Uhm, if you can get me a suture kit and some disinfectant I can do it myself." The only thing was, he couldn't do his wings on his own. Or his back. Or...

Ah bummer... He needed help but... "I can't winch in my wings," he repeated in defeat, his gaze shifting to the bunny happily finishing its meal.

You know, in Germany they call a cell phone "Handy"

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"And how would I do that?" Joe asked, trying to keep the edge from his voice. Injured people overreacted at times - it was hardly surprising if an injured angel did the same. Still...

"Do I look like I have that kind of thing just lying around here? I also haven't gotten myself a new car yet, and it's not like I can just go and borrow one. You also spooked the bunny."

Joe went over to where it had ended up after jumping and taking off after the sudden outburst of violence. He hoped he wouldn't need to chase it around the bar.

Haha XD I didn't know that!

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Fella bounded across the slick linoleum, strong back legs helping him leap into places with the ease of an acrobat. Ah, the wonder of God's creation... But now was not the time for that. "Fella!" He called.

The bunny's ears pricked up and it obediently hopped over to the angel. Raphael scooped it up and set it in his lap, feeling bad about making Joe upset. He moved his head to one side. Car? "You-you're car broke down?" Slowly his foggy mind started to piece things together, like a mesapotamian puzzle lock, shifting and finally clicking into place. It was his nature -no, his very being to want to help. But humans... They only destroy themselves in the end, don't they... His gaze shifted down, the blood staining his clothing a cruel reminder of just how destructive humans can be. He still saw that young man with the gun, the shot echoing through the office... It made him shiver, and not because he was cold. 

"Do you mind if I had a look at it? I'm pretty good with mechanics."

Mechanics were simple. If one followed the instructions properly anything can be fixed. It was very much like being a doctor, except for things like cars and motorcycles. Simple yet beautifully complex machines. Machines didn't destroy themselves. Oh, they could certainly be destroyed, but it wasn't likely a car would start itself and then crash into a brick wall.

Only humans destroy their own... he thought bitterly, clutching the bunny tightly.

Re: Haha XD I didn't know that!

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"No, my car isn't broken," Joe said. "I simply did not bring one. They drive on the other side of the road in the rest of Europe, you know, and it's a bit inconvenient tohave the wrong kind of car. I just need to get myself one I can actually drive. And you, Sir Angel, are trying to switch the topic. You're still bleeding on my bar, so I think we better get this sorted out before you faint."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael abruptly sucked in a groan, arms around his middle. He could sense Joe was, understandibly, upset and it jabbed at his weak aura like a sharp knife. The bunny, sensing its new owner was disturbed, took off again.

"Fella!" He leaped from the stool and charged after it, tumbling hard to the hard floor with a smack! His wings, still misshapen at awkward angles, left him unbalanced, now a feathered mess around him.

"Fella, get over here!"

The bunny didn't feel like obeying and thus sniffed at the liquor spouts, defiantly daring someone to try and catch him.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Joe tried to get a secure stance and held on to the counter with his left hand as he bent down and took hold of the angel's arm to help him back up.

"Leave it," he suggested. "I'll put some food for it on the floor and I'm sure it'll come over sooner or later."

He took a deep breath before going on. "I also think you just proved rather impressively you're in no shape to take care of yourself. So sit back on that chair and stay sat until we've figured out what to do with you, will you?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He said nothing, cheeks burning in shame as he was helped back to his feet, wings dragging miserably behind him. "What can anyone do?" he finally asked, green eyes dull with defeat.

What good was an Archangel that could hardly get around on his own? Would it always be like this? Granted he was injured but...

"I'm sorry for all the trouble," he said glumly.

He really didn't feel like an Archangel right now. At all.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Joe sighed, prepared another dish for the bunny and put it on the floor.

"I have a friend who used to be a corpsman in the military. He happens to be living here. Are you going to try and break my fingers again if I give him a call and ask him to come down here?"

He could understand, of course, that the angel was apprehensive of people who might decide turning an angel into a lab rat was a good idea. He also conveniently forgot to mention that the last war McLeod had served in had been World War One.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"Is- is he a demon?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound as terrified of the idea as he felt. If a Hellbeast could do this to him, a simple demon could reduce him to nothing more than angel goo on the linoleum flooring. And what of his wings...?

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"Oh no!" Joe said emphatically. "He's a good guy. Not an angel, but he seemed to be getting on nice enough with Gabriel from what he told me. He'll not hurt you."

He kept an eye out for the bunny as he carefully moved around the corner. Stepping on it by accident wouldn't bea very good idea.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Gabriel... Oh how that name made his chest ache, but it was in a good way. Gabriel was here? That meant Michael probably was as well. He hoped he could see them. The longer he was beneath this manor's roof the more he wanted to be able to stay here.

"Alright," he said, though the idea still terrified him. Still, he couldn't keep bleeding all over the bar now could he? Flipping back a stream of blood-matted hair he nervously waited, watching as Fella caught the scent of food and bounded happily to the bowl set out for him. Soft tufts of red feathers rested delicately on the linoleum.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Joe took up his phone again to call Duncan's cell phone. It rang a few times before he heard the sleepy immortal's voice.

"McLeod? I need you down here," he said, then listened to the reply. "Yes, I know what time it is. No. Mac, will you just get down here? It's a bit..." He took a deep breath. "It's a bit difficult to explain. Yes. Thank you."

He hung up the phone and looked over the angel again.

"He'll be here in a moment," he told him. "Now - what about something warm to drink?"

[mcleod1592.livejournal.com]

Duncan rolled out of bed and threw on a bathrobe over his pajama pants. Whatever Joe had downthere that required his attention immediately, he wasn't going to get dressed for it. And then he'd tell his Watcher what he thought of people calling him to wake him from one of the few undistrubed nights he'd had since he'd arrived here.

Barefoot, he padded downstairs. In the lobby, he almost slipped in a puddle of water and somethign sticky. HE squinted down at the red smear. Blood?

Blood?!

"Joe?" he called as he quickly walked over to the bar's entrance. "Joseph! Are you--? Oh!"

He had pushed open the door and took in the scene before him. Joe was standing behind the bar, looking a little tired but otherwise fine. On a chair across from him on the other side of the counter, there was a ... an angel or a demon, he assumed, from the wings. Probably the latter, since the wings weren't white. It was sodden and bloody, obviously the source of the blood traces in the lobby. At his feet, a rabbit was munching greens from a shallow dish.

"What'd ya do ta him? Attack him with a knaife?" he asked Joe, surprise and tiredness making his Scottish accent thicker than usual.

It's getting skinny again, new reply thread? :3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He felt him before he saw him, the anger tearing through his weakened aura like the Hellbeast's claws tore through his flesh. He doubled over and tumbled off the stool, letting out a strangled cry. "Please..." he choked out. "For the love of Cheese Nips please c-calm down!"

He understood that humans didn't get that an injured angel's weakened aura left them highly vulnerable. He also realized he had just been completely rude to the someone who came to help him. "H-hello," he said, managing a weak smile. "I'm Raphael."