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.


((•))

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[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Joe woke drenched in sweat. The covers lay on the floor, what remained on his bed was tangled up quite remarkably.

For a while, he only lay back trying to catch his breath. He didn't remember much of the dream. That was just as well, considering what happened in the ones he did remember.

He closed his eyes and waited for sleep to come again. For a while he tossed and turned, then he gave up. A look at the lighted digits on his alarm clock told him it was a few minutes before 2 a.m.
He felt in need to fresh air - more of it than opening the windows could give him.

With a heavy sigh, he got out of bed, dressed in yesterday's clothes and took his cane to go outside. He's have to be careful on the stairs in order to not wake anyone. The idea of him, of all people, trying to sneak through the manor at night, made him grin. Almost as an afterthought, he took the pistol he owned and put it in his jacket's inner pocket. Couldn't be too careful out at night, in particular if you weren't all that suitable for close combat.

A little while later he stepped outside. it was raining, and everyonce in a while, lighting tore apart the clouds, followed by rolling thunder. It was pretty good weather to take a man's mind off of bad dreamas, he thought.

In the light of the next thunder, he saw a huddled figure standing by the gate. it seemed to be clutching something to its chest.

His free hand almost moved to the pocket here he kept the weapon of its own accord.

The next lightning revealed the man's soaked wings. Why was he surprised? McLeod had told him of angels living here. He just had never noticed any of them had wings.

"Hey!" He called out to the figure - angel? - as sharply as he dared at this time of the night.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael slowly opened his eyes, tiny droplets of rain falling from his lashes. He saw the man standing at a distance and for a moment his entire body stiffened, drenched wings snapping back in "fight-or-flight". Instead of looking intimidating however, another shiver just made him look as miserable as he felt. The bunny, sensing the Archangel's unease, shifted in his arms, bringing Raphael's compassionate instincts to the surface.

He slowly rose to his feet, careful not to do anything that would be considered threatening. Not that he was much of a threat with his presence as weak as it was, but that bit of information may not be as obvious to some beings.

"Excuse me..." He gritted his teeth, failing miserably at surpressing his shivering. "Could I get a dry blanket and maybe a carrot?" The poor bunny needed some food and something dry and warm. 

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"Excuse me", Joe said perplexed as he heard the request. Had the man just asked for a carrot? He seemed weak, possibly hurt - seemingly confused. Joe kept a hand on his weapon just in case.

"Are you injured, sir?" he asked with a hint of concern in his voice. "Here, why don't you come inside. It's certainly dryer there."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He seemed a bit uncertain, but the bunny in his arms needed to be somewhere dry. He gave a nod and slowly moved across the lawn. When he was close to the man the bunny poked its head out of the sopping makeshift blanket and sniffed curiously, droplets of water glittering on its wet fur. Its eyes shone in the flickering night.

"Are you sure it's alright?" Raphael didn't want to impose and he was well aware of how he must appear- wet, bloody, clothes torn and huge draping wings soaked with rainwater. It wasn't the sort of thing most people liked having in their building. Still, despite his uncertainty, he did want to go inside. It felt safe, and even though he couldn't explain why that was so, he still wanted to seek refuge beneath it.

He suddenly sensed the weapon (a gun, perhaps? He couldn't tell, his senses were fuzzy and clouded, like murky water in a pond) and stiffened again. "I have a very scary attack bunny," he said, hoping he sounded convincing. The shivering didn't help and the places where the demon had sliced into him throbbed and slowly oozed with blood, still not yet healed and probably getting infected now. If the man decided he was a threat and shot him, Raphael could do nothing but lay there and bleed to discorporation. "I... I'm not going to hurt anyone," he finally said, shivering pathetically as if in proof of his words. "I just- I just need something for the bunny. He's- he's cold and wet and... and... I can't do anything more to help him."

He looked at the man hopefully and he couldn't remember a time when he felt so desperate.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

The man - being - was injured. He was also soaked through, shivering and carrying a bunny that was no less soaked.

Joe let go of his gun, in one fast motion hooked the handle of his cane over his wrist and held on to the railing instead for balance and support before reaching out with his other hand to offer the stranger and his bunny a hand up the steps.

"Don't worry. It'll be okay. Come inside - we'll get the bunny dried off and I'll call you a doctor."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael couldn't help but smile at the man's kindness. He took the offered hand, moving painfully up the slick steps and hating himself for being so weak... His wet wings were heavy on his back, leaving him feeling off-balanced (feathers, it seemed, retained water like a sponge...) He kept his hold on the bunny, who was wriggling from his grip to sniff its little nose at the man.

"A doctor cannot help me," he admitted, his words sounding foreign to his ears. "I am an angel." Did he even have a right to call himself that anymore? He was supposed to be the Archangel of Healing. The man helping him had a cane and he could sense physical problems in the legs. If he had the power he would heal him completely -he wanted to help, he wanted to help... and yet...

He hears screaming and fear fills the room like a thick fog. A gunshot fires and there is silence... only silence...

he's dead he's dead he's dead he killed himself

...He took his own life and he couldn't stop it, he couldn't... couldn't...

Another violent shiver snapped him back to the present. He turned to the man, a human who could have easily ignored him, let him slowly discorporate. What reason would a human have to help an injured angel after all?"Thank you," he said hoarsely, feeling inadequate for not being able to truly express his gratefulness. He ruffled his wings, rainwater streaming from soaked feathers.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Oh really? Joe thought sarcastically. I never would have guessed, what with the wings and all.

Out loud he said: "You're also injured. But come in first. Let's discuss dictors later."

It wasn't that the angel seemed to be in any shape to resist anyway.

Joe took his cane again as he pushed open the door and held it for the other to go in first. He'd take him to the bar and sit him down first, then go grad some towels for angel and bunny to dry off a bit. Mary Hodges hopefully wouldn't mind if he took hotel supplies for a good cause.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

As an angel, Raphael was drawn to people. The kindness radiating from this one warmed him inside, as if standing before a campfire. He purred slightly. Detecting the sarcasm, his shy smile became an amused smirk. Well, it was nice to meet a human with a good sense of humor.

The moment he stepped into the building the soft thrum of safe safe safe became a tidalwave, surging through him so strongly it made his soaked feathers ruffle. Freeing a hand from the bunny he held the door open for the man. "What is this place?" he finally asked.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Joe went in, closed the door and then led the Angel towards the bar as he replied. "A hotel," he said. "It seems to attract the likes of you. Angels, I mean. I'm told there are a few of you here."

He stopped to unlock the door to his bar and opened it, went in and took down two chairs from a table.

"Here," he said. "Sit down. I'll get you something to dry off with."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He obeyed, trying to be careful not to tread too much water on the slick linoleum. He clutched the confused bunny tightly, surpressing another violent shiver which sent flecks of raindrops flying. Blood smeared where his back touched the high countertop as he slid onto a stood.

"Can- can we help the bunny first?" he asked. He curled his wings around, shining beneath the artificial lighting.

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

Joe noted the blood with some concern, but he went to get a few towels.

When he came back, he sat across from the man and handed him two, keeping a third one himself. "Here," he said. "Dry off a bit. If you let me have the bunny for a moment, I'll try to rub it dry."

He held out his hands for the animal. "By the way, my name is Joe Dawson. I run this bar."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He carefully passed the bunny over to the man's waiting arms. The bunny, now close enough to really get a good scent, nuzzled the man's fuzzy cheek with its little nose, sniffing along his jaw curiously.

"I'm Raphael," he said, bringing a wing around to dry with the towel. "And that's Fella," he added, motioning towards the bunny. He frowned at the poor condition of his wings, sliced up just as bad as his body was. "Erm, I might stain your towels," he said quietly. "I was... uhm, attacked..."

[josephdawson.livejournal.com]

"We'll wash the towels," Joe said as he started to gently rub the bunny dry. "And I think we really should call you a doctor. Those cuts should be disinfected properly, and I don't think stitches would be a bad idea either."

I'm think we should start a new reply thread after this one, its getting skinny :3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael gave another smile, grateful that he wasn't probed for questions. Come to think of it, the man didn't seem fazed in the least to hear he was an angel. Didn't he say there were others here? Je considered extending his aura to see if he could sense who else lived here, but decided it wouldn't be very nice if he passed out on the bar floor. He could always find out later, if...

"So... So people stay here?" he asked. "Like a hotel?" He wondered what he would have to do to stay here as well, it felt so safe somehow... "How did you come about this place?" He started towelling his wing, twitching a bit in pain when he dug his fingers in to dry them. The firey feathers seemed to hang there miserably, jutting in every direction and covered in so much blood it was difficult to distinguish between the fire-color and the deep crimson.

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.