(no subject)

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

Date: January 18, 2001
Status: Public
Setting: Somewhere in the Manor
Summary: It's in the nature of most new mothers to want to show off their child.

Lately Uriel's attention hadn't really been on the events of the Manor. This might have been called understandable, considering that she had other things to be attentive about.

Right now, however, Bran was quite peacefully asleep on her arm, all her friends were who-know-where, and she was bored. Therefore Uriel decided to wander around a bit. Perhaps she'd find somebody to talk with to find out whether anything new had happened.

And, of course, to show her baby to anyone even the tiniest bit interested.

Comments

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

"That's true," Uriel replied with a smile, completely unaware of the other's rather vicious thoughts. "He was born just three weeks ago. Isn't he just adorable?" She proudly showed her baby to the other woman -- soft baby skin, black curls and tiny hands all wrapped in a blanket. "The wings were something of a problem, but eventually we got him out."

[chantinellie.livejournal.com]

"I remember," Ellie said softly, regarding the infant with a slight, quizzical tilt of her head. She'd had the same problem, or thought she had--nobody had actually explained to her what was going on during her own labor. But something had certainly been holding things up. She couldn't see this little one's wings, but it was easy to imagine they were just like the rest of him--small, soft and vulnerable. She wondered for the first time, with a pang of remorse and very belated anxiety, if it had been painful for her baby, too. Had her little wings been hurt, with no one there to assist in getting them out?

"He's so tiny..." She'd seen babies before, of course, but not often up close or so young. "What...what do you call him?"

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

"His name is Bran," Uriel replied, glancing fondly down at the child. "According to Loki, it means Raven. And it quite fits him, doesn't it?" she then asked with a smile, brushing the baby's soft raven-black hair. "He's such a sweet child, too. Never making much of a fuss if there isn't any reason to. I just hope his uncle's influence won't be too bad for him."

Oh, yes. She does assume Loki will be there for her son when he grows up. She refuses to believe anything else.

[chantinellie.livejournal.com]

Something about the casual gesture made Ellie's throat tighten up uncomfortably, and she was struck with a sudden, powerful desire to touch the child herself. Instead she clasped her hands behind her back and leaned toward him just slightly, summoning up a smile completely at odds with the sharp stinging in her eyes. "Well. Hello, Bran," she said a trifle thickly. "You have a lovely name, and I think you'll find this world isn't a bad place to be, once you get used to it."

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

There was something strange in Ellie's voice, Uriel noticed. She wasn't sure what it was or what to do about it, though, so she chose not to comment.

"Come on, Bran," she said instead. "Do thank the nice lady for the compliment." A bit more quietly, she added, "And lets all hope her second statement stands true as well."

Of course, Bran didn't say anything. However, he did choose this moment to open his eyes. His lovely, bright, almost-white eyes.

[chantinellie.livejournal.com]

Ellie blinked and looked up at Uriel, startled. Those eyes, a gift from the child's father, made his heritage unmistakable to anyone who had ever met Pestilence (though, if she recalled correctly, those of the Horseman's successor Pollution were similarly colored. Not that it would make much difference to those who would judge Uriel or her child by them.)

"He's beautiful," she said truthfully, holding her peace. As long as they remained in the Manor, they should be safe, and she had already given Uriel the strongest possible warning (http://community.livejournal.com/neutral_omens/87180.html#cutid1) months before. There was little point to frightening her again. "You must be proud."

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I am," Uriel replied, smiling down at her little son. "He's given me a whole new reason to live." Aside from Bran, there was of course Loki. The idiot would probably get himself killed if she didn't look after him all the time. And of course there was Bast, too. And the Doctor. Very importantly the Doctor.

Suddenly, she realized something. Ellie had had a child, too, hadn't she? Only that hadn't ended so well. Her gushing wasn't probably very polite or welcomed. "I'm sorry," she gasped. "I didn't realize..."

[chantinellie.livejournal.com]

"Sorry for what, Uriel?" Ellie said bleakly. Blessed, clueless angels...took her long enough to remember. "You didn't give the orders. And your sword doesn't kill."

She did touch the baby now, brushing the rosy cheek delicately with her fingertips as he returned her solemn gaze unblinking. Aware, as Uriel surely must be, how appallingly easy it would be to extend her claws suddenly and teach the angel what such bereavement felt like.

But there was Adam, and what would be the point, really? Pain begetting pain to no purpose and no end? She might as well return to Hell and cast herself on the mercy of Lucifer and Triskele. Metaphorically speaking.

"Be grateful," she said softly, withdrawing her hand and rubbing her fingers absently together where the feel of warm, smooth skin clung to them. "Teach him to count his blessings."

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes, I've thought it might be better if my sword did kill," Uriel replied. "And I was thoughtless. I didn't even remember..." She trailed off.

Despite trusting Adam's protection, Uriel couldn't help but tense a bit as Ellie's hand brushed Bran's cheek. She knew very well just what kind of damage the other woman could cause if she wanted to.

"I am grateful," she replied then. "More grateful than I ever thought I could be."

[chantinellie.livejournal.com]

Ellie's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected a reply so insightful about the nature of Uriel's duty, and wondered if the archangel knew how dangerous that kind of thinking could be for one still in a state of grace. Then again, if Uriel were to Fall, who would carry out the task of her severance? Interesting thought.

"I'm sure Aziraphale will be delighted to meet him when he returns," she said, still clinging to the hope that her favorite angel would, and sooner than later.

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

"Well, at least he promised to baby sit sometimes," Uriel replied. "I do wish he returns soon, though. There aren't that many people who would be delighted to meet Bran -- without ill intentions, at least."

She wished Odin would return, too, not only to get a chance to show her son at him but also for Loki's sake. That wouldn't probably happen, though.

[chantinellie.livejournal.com]

"Me, too," Ellie murmured, and then blinked at Uriel's statement. "Oh, I don't know. You might take him to see Adam," she said mildly, "or young Pollution. I imagine they'd like to see him."

[bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps." Uriel smiled a bit. "Bran is something of a half-brother to Pollution, after all. Not that Pestilence is truly Pollution's father, but... Do you have any idea where either of them is?" After all, it wasn't like she had anything else to do at the moment.