Lucifer

"By Mercury’s shoes! And pulling them- fire chariots! But, alas, there is no reply."

For the first time Gabrielle heard a sound that was not pleasing to him. He did not like this new sound- it both confused him and worried him. It was the sound of God’s deep sigh. He had never heard anything less than the employed reverence in which God dignified him; now this sound made him shudder as if something had torn Heaven itself.

"It troubles you, too, Gabrielle?"

"My Lord, may my sacrifice alleviate you? I swear your loyalty shall bring every angel in Heaven to the cause-."

"Gabrielle, is it so strange that one such as I should want an equal? In all my reverence, in all my eternity, I have found this desire for another. Your love and the love of my people is pleasing, do not doubt this. But what I crave now, all the trumpets in Heaven cannot declare. This thing in me is something even new to myself."

"My Lord!" cried Gabrielle mercifully. It was as if he had called upon a supreme deity to acquiesce the burning in a close friend. But there was no one for him to appeal to.

"Do not fret, Gabrielle. Your God is infallible. Desire and love, after all, are not flaws, are they? Did I not have a hand in them as well?"

Gabrielle paced confusedly, his mind reeling.

"But why send for him? What word do you expect in response to your message?" asked Gabrielle, frantically imploring with his eyes. "Why confer upon him for your troubles in Heaven?"

"Dear Gabrielle, who knows more of such selfish desires than the Devil himself? True I call on Lucifer, but is he not in service to me? Is it wrong that I call upon you?"

"B-but-."

Gabrielle sensed His raised hand, silencing him.

"I want you to take Peter and seek out Lucifer. Surely this is some game of his to taunt me. Bring him to me. Leave at once."

"Is it not glorious today in Heaven, with all its splendor and magnificence?"

"Indeed."

"Dear Markus, why so gloomy? What holds you so uncomfortably?"

"Paul, oh, Paul! Have you slept these past two weeks? All the angels in Heaven know that Gabrielle and Peter went on an errand and have not yet returned."

"I have heard this, but do not know where they have gone," said Paul more melancholy.

"Nor does anyone," replied David.

"And with Gabrielle gone, no one has spoken to Him, save Matthew and he says nothing," added Jude.

"Hark! Here comes Matthew now!" shouted Paul. "Let’s press him to confide in us, lest something be amiss."

"Agreed."

"Matthew- here! Join us all and tell us how is it you fare."

"Brother Michael, thank you. I am well."

"Drink Matthew and tell us of your day."

"Well, thank you John. My brothers in Heaven are kind and I will return the kindness. My day was spent by the falls with my love, Daphne."

"'s it so? And what of yesterday?"

"Truly you are curious, John. Indeed, all of you are intent on my answers which to me seem so plain and ordinary."

"Not so, Matthew. For, what John so lackingly tries to do is find out your events two days prior, for someone created a most wonderful rainbow of colors over the river of Aeschycles and we are curious as to whom we shall merit with this divine beauty."