Hierarchy of Angels

Owner of the Angels and Felled; blog belongs to @ravens-and-rust Blog under construction.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

He missed his wings of white and cream.

The massive expanses of blinding white, the majestic, soft plumes of gold, the way Arioch's fingers brushed over the feathers, the kiss they'd share when they were alone, like the softest secret in the Above. He'd had Ari, and Ari'd had him. They'd had each other.

But Arioch betrayed him; unfailingly loyal to his parents and to The Heavenly Father. It hurt when he learned that his lover was the one who helped cast him down from the Above.

It hurt.

It still hurts.

I still hurt.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[four-winged-rebel]

  "I.. I came to see you.." She whispered, taking a small step forward. "So much has changed since you've Felled…" She took another step forward, her tail feathers dragging leaves and small sticks. It pained her to see her best friend — her crush — so hurt and ashamed of what he had become.   "Please.. don't hide from me. I want… I want to see you." Aegis' voice wavered slightly at the last word, and she kept advancing slowly. "Please, Var.."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian could hear her footsteps, could taste her Essence on his tongue like a fine, sweet wine; like a grape in the summer. Of course, he wanted her to take him in her arms like she always used to when he was sad—comforting her friend in his time of despair—but…he wasn't fit to touch her like this.   "Stop," he whimpered pitifully, drawing his wings tighter. "I'm hideous; you shouldn't gaze upon me. The Heavenly Father," the name was like poison—like death—in his mouth, "wouldn't want you to be looking upon a Fallen."   His tail feathers, black, gold, cream, and white, peeked out from under his wings, the gold flecks shimmering in the summer sun. His horns, obsidian dotted with silver, poked out from the wing cage, catching the light in a softer way than his tail feathers.   "Please, Aegis…"

[four-winged-rebel]

 Her advances ceased at his whimper, and she winced at the mention of The Heavenly Father. He did not know of her being down here. In fact, no other angel knew that she came down. "He does not know of my presence down here, Var." She whispered, staring at the other Fallen's tail feathers and horns, encapsulated by their beauty — the way the sunlight shimmered in the gold; everything about Varian now was just absolutely beautiful to the Angel.   "Varian, please… It has been so long since I have seen you; drop your wings and allow me to see you.." Aegis pleaded, her voice soft. She was so close to her best friend that she could almost touch his wings.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  What? The Heavenly Father wasn't aware…wait, she fucking snuck out!? That was surprising—a new spur of defiance he'd never expected from his law-abiding best friend.   "He doesn't…Aegis! Why would you sneak out!?" Maybe it was her pleas, maybe it was the fact he was so fucking astounded, but he slowly opened his wings, fixing her blurry figure with a pale-eyed, gob-smacked stare. He definitely looked different than he used to—what, with his darker hair, facial stubble, and presence of pupils. Not to mention the fucking horns, and the broken halo. From neck down, he was definitely well-toned from years of living on Earth, doing odd-job chores and building his little house…   And, of course, his wings and tail feathers both being four shades of absolute, breath-taking beauty. Four wings, wrapping around him in a 'c' shape.   "Do you know how stupid that is?" He's genuinely worried, his eyebrows drawn together over all five eyes as he brings up a darkened finger to swipe hair behind his leathery wing-ears. Oh. Those. "You realize that, if you're caught, you're going to be fuc- freakin' charged and Felled before you can blink!!"

[four-winged-rebel]

  Aegis simply stared at his new form, her breath hitching in her throat. He was so beautiful now.. Not that he wasn't before, but now, he was different colors than she had ever seen before. Everything she had known was so bright. Varian, however, was anything but. And he was beautiful.   "Of course I know that." She scoffed, tilting her head with a small smile. "I'd also be charged for creating a rebellion against The Heavenly Father, yet here I am."   She took a step forward, one of her hands reaching up to cup the Fallen's face; his stubble rough on her palm. it was unlike anything she was used to, and she could've sworn she was falling for him all over again.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  He took her silence and barely audible gasp as horror; the leathery appendages on the sides of his face twitched, folding in shame as he looked down at the ground. His Fallen-stained fingers dug themselves into the grass under him. He knew it. He was hideous.   The amusement in her voice drew his gaze back up, though, and his mouth gaped—revealing his canines—as she said her next piece. "You did not." His words were hushed; hopeful. Was there really a resistance?   Her smooth hand was cold and jarring on his cheek as she laid it upon him, and he pulled himself away, eyebrows drawing together as he shrunk in on himself. It felt…wrong. Right, but wrong. She shouldn't touch me.   "I…don't think you should touch me. My tainted Essence will get on you; I don't think other Angels would take kindly to it."

[four-winged-rebel]

  She pulled her hand back, instead allowing it to fall to her side. Her smile faltered for a moment before returning, nodding at Varian's hushed words. "I did. I convinced some friends of mine to rebel against The False God — that's what we call Him — and voice just how cruel He is. We are small, though I believe that we can gain more.."   She paused for a moment. "…If you join. You're our leader, Var. We need you," Her hand was placed on his shoulder, though it wasn't without its hesitancy. "I need you."   "Please.. I do not care what the other Angels will think. I still.." No. Don't say it. "You're still my friend. Fallen or not. I know you're still the same Varian that I grew up with."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  His wings drew in against his back, shivering as feathers fluttered against each other and laid flat. The feeling of her hand on his skin sent shockwaves through him. She was warm, yet cold, yet void of temperature all at the same time. Was this how Angels felt to humans?   "But...how am I supposed to lead a group I can't even access? I can't go back up there to lead you all..." Of course, her urgency spurred him on; he wanted to join her so he could lead his...army? He didn't even need persuaded; anything against The Hea--   The False God.   Anything against him, and he was in.   And then her last line truly sank in and he looked away, eyebrows drawing themselves down. His mood immediately sank. "I'm not the same Varian you grew up with though," he muttered.

[four-winged-rebel]

Seeing Varian like this shattered her heart. "But you are." Aegis said softly, her free hand moving to tilt the other's chin up to look at her. "I know that underneath all of that gruff, you're the sweet, kind, brave Varian I grew up with.."

She sighed, her gaze softening. He looked so different than the Angel she knew. Though, she had to admit, the rugged look was good on him. "I shall be your voice for the resistance. You may lead them from down here."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  He turned his face away from her comforting hand, crossing his arms over his chest and closing all eyes but two. He softly shook his head, his broken halo flickering into visibility from its hidden plane. "No, Aegis. You don't understand; I'm not...I've changed. I kill now, I curse now, I've sullied my hands with...unholy acts. I'm not the same Varian."   At her suggestion to lead the resistance from the ground, he shook his head again, this time with less disagreement and more insecurity. "I...how do I even know I'm a good leader? I don't know where to even start..."   His skin itched. He started to feel uncomfortable thinking about himself in a leader position--he didn't think he could handle it...

[four-winged-rebel]

Oh, how her heart dropped at the sight of her best friend's broken halo... What was once bright and pure, was now anything but. Varian's words broke her heart even further; she knew that somewhere in there was the old Varian. "But I do understand.. You are not the only one who has done impure actions, my friend." Aegis calling him a 'friend' pained her — she wanted so desperately for him to be more. "And you start being a good leader by stating that you're here; that you're alive. Everyone else believes you to be dead,"

She squeezed his arm gently; a smile creased her features. She needed his help.

"So it's time for you to prove them wrong. Do not throw away your shot, Var."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  His blackened hand came up to move Aegis's grip from his arm, but he hesitated, fingers twitching as her words set in. What did she mean by that? Had she done impure things? His pale pupils affixed themselves on her blurry form, searching where her face was for any inkling of an expression that could help him.   "Have you...have you been impure, Aegis..?" He was far enough gone that he didn't particularly care if he'd been impure. However, Aegis was still part the Above. She was still a functioning member of Its society.   Instead of moving her hand, he closed his around it gently--as if afraid he'll hurt her--and just held it there. She was so calm, so caring, so insistent...he couldn't say no. She'd always been so patient with him...

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[four-winged-rebel]

  "I.. I came to see you.." She whispered, taking a small step forward. "So much has changed since you've Felled…" She took another step forward, her tail feathers dragging leaves and small sticks. It pained her to see her best friend — her crush — so hurt and ashamed of what he had become.   "Please.. don't hide from me. I want… I want to see you." Aegis' voice wavered slightly at the last word, and she kept advancing slowly. "Please, Var.."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian could hear her footsteps, could taste her Essence on his tongue like a fine, sweet wine; like a grape in the summer. Of course, he wanted her to take him in her arms like she always used to when he was sad—comforting her friend in his time of despair—but…he wasn't fit to touch her like this.   "Stop," he whimpered pitifully, drawing his wings tighter. "I'm hideous; you shouldn't gaze upon me. The Heavenly Father," the name was like poison—like death—in his mouth, "wouldn't want you to be looking upon a Fallen."   His tail feathers, black, gold, cream, and white, peeked out from under his wings, the gold flecks shimmering in the summer sun. His horns, obsidian dotted with silver, poked out from the wing cage, catching the light in a softer way than his tail feathers.   "Please, Aegis…"

[four-winged-rebel]

 Her advances ceased at his whimper, and she winced at the mention of The Heavenly Father. He did not know of her being down here. In fact, no other angel knew that she came down. "He does not know of my presence down here, Var." She whispered, staring at the other Fallen's tail feathers and horns, encapsulated by their beauty — the way the sunlight shimmered in the gold; everything about Varian now was just absolutely beautiful to the Angel.   "Varian, please… It has been so long since I have seen you; drop your wings and allow me to see you.." Aegis pleaded, her voice soft. She was so close to her best friend that she could almost touch his wings.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  What? The Heavenly Father wasn't aware…wait, she fucking snuck out!? That was surprising—a new spur of defiance he'd never expected from his law-abiding best friend.   "He doesn't…Aegis! Why would you sneak out!?" Maybe it was her pleas, maybe it was the fact he was so fucking astounded, but he slowly opened his wings, fixing her blurry figure with a pale-eyed, gob-smacked stare. He definitely looked different than he used to—what, with his darker hair, facial stubble, and presence of pupils. Not to mention the fucking horns, and the broken halo. From neck down, he was definitely well-toned from years of living on Earth, doing odd-job chores and building his little house…   And, of course, his wings and tail feathers both being four shades of absolute, breath-taking beauty. Four wings, wrapping around him in a 'c' shape.   "Do you know how stupid that is?" He's genuinely worried, his eyebrows drawn together over all five eyes as he brings up a darkened finger to swipe hair behind his leathery wing-ears. Oh. Those. "You realize that, if you're caught, you're going to be fuc- freakin' charged and Felled before you can blink!!"

[four-winged-rebel]

  Aegis simply stared at his new form, her breath hitching in her throat. He was so beautiful now.. Not that he wasn't before, but now, he was different colors than she had ever seen before. Everything she had known was so bright. Varian, however, was anything but. And he was beautiful.   "Of course I know that." She scoffed, tilting her head with a small smile. "I'd also be charged for creating a rebellion against The Heavenly Father, yet here I am."   She took a step forward, one of her hands reaching up to cup the Fallen's face; his stubble rough on her palm. it was unlike anything she was used to, and she could've sworn she was falling for him all over again.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  He took her silence and barely audible gasp as horror; the leathery appendages on the sides of his face twitched, folding in shame as he looked down at the ground. His Fallen-stained fingers dug themselves into the grass under him. He knew it. He was hideous.   The amusement in her voice drew his gaze back up, though, and his mouth gaped—revealing his canines—as she said her next piece. "You did not." His words were hushed; hopeful. Was there really a resistance?   Her smooth hand was cold and jarring on his cheek as she laid it upon him, and he pulled himself away, eyebrows drawing together as he shrunk in on himself. It felt…wrong. Right, but wrong. She shouldn't touch me.   "I…don't think you should touch me. My tainted Essence will get on you; I don't think other Angels would take kindly to it."

[four-winged-rebel]

  She pulled her hand back, instead allowing it to fall to her side. Her smile faltered for a moment before returning, nodding at Varian's hushed words. "I did. I convinced some friends of mine to rebel against The False God — that's what we call Him — and voice just how cruel He is. We are small, though I believe that we can gain more.."   She paused for a moment. "…If you join. You're our leader, Var. We need you," Her hand was placed on his shoulder, though it wasn't without its hesitancy. "I need you."   "Please.. I do not care what the other Angels will think. I still.." No. Don't say it. "You're still my friend. Fallen or not. I know you're still the same Varian that I grew up with."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  His wings drew in against his back, shivering as feathers fluttered against each other and laid flat. The feeling of her hand on his skin sent shockwaves through him. She was warm, yet cold, yet void of temperature all at the same time. Was this how Angels felt to humans?   "But...how am I supposed to lead a group I can't even access? I can't go back up there to lead you all..." Of course, her urgency spurred him on; he wanted to join her so he could lead his...army? He didn't even need persuaded; anything against The Hea--   The False God.   Anything against him, and he was in.   And then her last line truly sank in and he looked away, eyebrows drawing themselves down. His mood immediately sank. "I'm not the same Varian you grew up with though," he muttered.

[four-winged-rebel]

Seeing Varian like this shattered her heart. "But you are." Aegis said softly, her free hand moving to tilt the other's chin up to look at her. "I know that underneath all of that gruff, you're the sweet, kind, brave Varian I grew up with.."

She sighed, her gaze softening. He looked so different than the Angel she knew. Though, she had to admit, the rugged look was good on him. "I shall be your voice for the resistance. You may lead them from down here."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  He turned his face away from her comforting hand, crossing his arms over his chest and closing all eyes but two. He softly shook his head, his broken halo flickering into visibility from its hidden plane. "No, Aegis. You don't understand; I'm not...I've changed. I kill now, I curse now, I've sullied my hands with...unholy acts. I'm not the same Varian."   At her suggestion to lead the resistance from the ground, he shook his head again, this time with less disagreement and more insecurity. "I...how do I even know I'm a good leader? I don't know where to even start..."   His skin itched. He started to feel uncomfortable thinking about himself in a leader position--he didn't think he could handle it...

[zarigi]

This is just a short thing I did a while back. Wanted to see how fast I could do a clean animatic!

Audio from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[four-winged-rebel]

  "I.. I came to see you.." She whispered, taking a small step forward. "So much has changed since you've Felled…" She took another step forward, her tail feathers dragging leaves and small sticks. It pained her to see her best friend — her crush — so hurt and ashamed of what he had become.   "Please.. don't hide from me. I want… I want to see you." Aegis' voice wavered slightly at the last word, and she kept advancing slowly. "Please, Var.."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian could hear her footsteps, could taste her Essence on his tongue like a fine, sweet wine; like a grape in the summer. Of course, he wanted her to take him in her arms like she always used to when he was sad—comforting her friend in his time of despair—but…he wasn't fit to touch her like this.   "Stop," he whimpered pitifully, drawing his wings tighter. "I'm hideous; you shouldn't gaze upon me. The Heavenly Father," the name was like poison—like death—in his mouth, "wouldn't want you to be looking upon a Fallen."   His tail feathers, black, gold, cream, and white, peeked out from under his wings, the gold flecks shimmering in the summer sun. His horns, obsidian dotted with silver, poked out from the wing cage, catching the light in a softer way than his tail feathers.   "Please, Aegis…"

[four-winged-rebel]

 Her advances ceased at his whimper, and she winced at the mention of The Heavenly Father. He did not know of her being down here. In fact, no other angel knew that she came down. "He does not know of my presence down here, Var." She whispered, staring at the other Fallen's tail feathers and horns, encapsulated by their beauty — the way the sunlight shimmered in the gold; everything about Varian now was just absolutely beautiful to the Angel.   "Varian, please… It has been so long since I have seen you; drop your wings and allow me to see you.." Aegis pleaded, her voice soft. She was so close to her best friend that she could almost touch his wings.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  What? The Heavenly Father wasn't aware…wait, she fucking snuck out!? That was surprising—a new spur of defiance he'd never expected from his law-abiding best friend.   "He doesn't…Aegis! Why would you sneak out!?" Maybe it was her pleas, maybe it was the fact he was so fucking astounded, but he slowly opened his wings, fixing her blurry figure with a pale-eyed, gob-smacked stare. He definitely looked different than he used to—what, with his darker hair, facial stubble, and presence of pupils. Not to mention the fucking horns, and the broken halo. From neck down, he was definitely well-toned from years of living on Earth, doing odd-job chores and building his little house…   And, of course, his wings and tail feathers both being four shades of absolute, breath-taking beauty. Four wings, wrapping around him in a 'c' shape.   "Do you know how stupid that is?" He's genuinely worried, his eyebrows drawn together over all five eyes as he brings up a darkened finger to swipe hair behind his leathery wing-ears. Oh. Those. "You realize that, if you're caught, you're going to be fuc- freakin' charged and Felled before you can blink!!"

[four-winged-rebel]

  Aegis simply stared at his new form, her breath hitching in her throat. He was so beautiful now.. Not that he wasn't before, but now, he was different colors than she had ever seen before. Everything she had known was so bright. Varian, however, was anything but. And he was beautiful.   "Of course I know that." She scoffed, tilting her head with a small smile. "I'd also be charged for creating a rebellion against The Heavenly Father, yet here I am."   She took a step forward, one of her hands reaching up to cup the Fallen's face; his stubble rough on her palm. it was unlike anything she was used to, and she could've sworn she was falling for him all over again.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  He took her silence and barely audible gasp as horror; the leathery appendages on the sides of his face twitched, folding in shame as he looked down at the ground. His Fallen-stained fingers dug themselves into the grass under him. He knew it. He was hideous.   The amusement in her voice drew his gaze back up, though, and his mouth gaped—revealing his canines—as she said her next piece. "You did not." His words were hushed; hopeful. Was there really a resistance?   Her smooth hand was cold and jarring on his cheek as she laid it upon him, and he pulled himself away, eyebrows drawing together as he shrunk in on himself. It felt…wrong. Right, but wrong. She shouldn't touch me.   "I…don't think you should touch me. My tainted Essence will get on you; I don't think other Angels would take kindly to it."

[four-winged-rebel]

  She pulled her hand back, instead allowing it to fall to her side. Her smile faltered for a moment before returning, nodding at Varian's hushed words. "I did. I convinced some friends of mine to rebel against The False God — that's what we call Him — and voice just how cruel He is. We are small, though I believe that we can gain more.."   She paused for a moment. "…If you join. You're our leader, Var. We need you," Her hand was placed on his shoulder, though it wasn't without its hesitancy. "I need you."   "Please.. I do not care what the other Angels will think. I still.." No. Don't say it. "You're still my friend. Fallen or not. I know you're still the same Varian that I grew up with."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  His wings drew in against his back, shivering as feathers fluttered against each other and laid flat. The feeling of her hand on his skin sent shockwaves through him. She was warm, yet cold, yet void of temperature all at the same time. Was this how Angels felt to humans?   "But...how am I supposed to lead a group I can't even access? I can't go back up there to lead you all..." Of course, her urgency spurred him on; he wanted to join her so he could lead his...army? He didn't even need persuaded; anything against The Hea--   The False God.   Anything against him, and he was in.   And then her last line truly sank in and he looked away, eyebrows drawing themselves down. His mood immediately sank. "I'm not the same Varian you grew up with though," he muttered.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[four-winged-rebel]

  "I.. I came to see you.." She whispered, taking a small step forward. "So much has changed since you've Felled…" She took another step forward, her tail feathers dragging leaves and small sticks. It pained her to see her best friend — her crush — so hurt and ashamed of what he had become.   "Please.. don't hide from me. I want… I want to see you." Aegis' voice wavered slightly at the last word, and she kept advancing slowly. "Please, Var.."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian could hear her footsteps, could taste her Essence on his tongue like a fine, sweet wine; like a grape in the summer. Of course, he wanted her to take him in her arms like she always used to when he was sad—comforting her friend in his time of despair—but…he wasn't fit to touch her like this.   "Stop," he whimpered pitifully, drawing his wings tighter. "I'm hideous; you shouldn't gaze upon me. The Heavenly Father," the name was like poison—like death—in his mouth, "wouldn't want you to be looking upon a Fallen."   His tail feathers, black, gold, cream, and white, peeked out from under his wings, the gold flecks shimmering in the summer sun. His horns, obsidian dotted with silver, poked out from the wing cage, catching the light in a softer way than his tail feathers.   "Please, Aegis…"

[four-winged-rebel]

 Her advances ceased at his whimper, and she winced at the mention of The Heavenly Father. He did not know of her being down here. In fact, no other angel knew that she came down. "He does not know of my presence down here, Var." She whispered, staring at the other Fallen's tail feathers and horns, encapsulated by their beauty — the way the sunlight shimmered in the gold; everything about Varian now was just absolutely beautiful to the Angel.   "Varian, please… It has been so long since I have seen you; drop your wings and allow me to see you.." Aegis pleaded, her voice soft. She was so close to her best friend that she could almost touch his wings.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  What? The Heavenly Father wasn't aware…wait, she fucking snuck out!? That was surprising—a new spur of defiance he'd never expected from his law-abiding best friend.   "He doesn't…Aegis! Why would you sneak out!?" Maybe it was her pleas, maybe it was the fact he was so fucking astounded, but he slowly opened his wings, fixing her blurry figure with a pale-eyed, gob-smacked stare. He definitely looked different than he used to—what, with his darker hair, facial stubble, and presence of pupils. Not to mention the fucking horns, and the broken halo. From neck down, he was definitely well-toned from years of living on Earth, doing odd-job chores and building his little house…   And, of course, his wings and tail feathers both being four shades of absolute, breath-taking beauty. Four wings, wrapping around him in a 'c' shape.   "Do you know how stupid that is?" He's genuinely worried, his eyebrows drawn together over all five eyes as he brings up a darkened finger to swipe hair behind his leathery wing-ears. Oh. Those. "You realize that, if you're caught, you're going to be fuc- freakin' charged and Felled before you can blink!!"

[four-winged-rebel]

  Aegis simply stared at his new form, her breath hitching in her throat. He was so beautiful now.. Not that he wasn't before, but now, he was different colors than she had ever seen before. Everything she had known was so bright. Varian, however, was anything but. And he was beautiful.   "Of course I know that." She scoffed, tilting her head with a small smile. "I'd also be charged for creating a rebellion against The Heavenly Father, yet here I am."   She took a step forward, one of her hands reaching up to cup the Fallen's face; his stubble rough on her palm. it was unlike anything she was used to, and she could've sworn she was falling for him all over again.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  He took her silence and barely audible gasp as horror; the leathery appendages on the sides of his face twitched, folding in shame as he looked down at the ground. His Fallen-stained fingers dug themselves into the grass under him. He knew it. He was hideous.   The amusement in her voice drew his gaze back up, though, and his mouth gaped—revealing his canines—as she said her next piece. "You did not." His words were hushed; hopeful. Was there really a resistance?   Her smooth hand was cold and jarring on his cheek as she laid it upon him, and he pulled himself away, eyebrows drawing together as he shrunk in on himself. It felt…wrong. Right, but wrong. She shouldn't touch me.   "I…don't think you should touch me. My tainted Essence will get on you; I don't think other Angels would take kindly to it."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[four-winged-rebel]

  "I.. I came to see you.." She whispered, taking a small step forward. "So much has changed since you've Felled…" She took another step forward, her tail feathers dragging leaves and small sticks. It pained her to see her best friend — her crush — so hurt and ashamed of what he had become.   "Please.. don't hide from me. I want… I want to see you." Aegis' voice wavered slightly at the last word, and she kept advancing slowly. "Please, Var.."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian could hear her footsteps, could taste her Essence on his tongue like a fine, sweet wine; like a grape in the summer. Of course, he wanted her to take him in her arms like she always used to when he was sad—comforting her friend in his time of despair—but…he wasn't fit to touch her like this.   "Stop," he whimpered pitifully, drawing his wings tighter. "I'm hideous; you shouldn't gaze upon me. The Heavenly Father," the name was like poison—like death—in his mouth, "wouldn't want you to be looking upon a Fallen."   His tail feathers, black, gold, cream, and white, peeked out from under his wings, the gold flecks shimmering in the summer sun. His horns, obsidian dotted with silver, poked out from the wing cage, catching the light in a softer way than his tail feathers.   "Please, Aegis…"

[four-winged-rebel]

 Her advances ceased at his whimper, and she winced at the mention of The Heavenly Father. He did not know of her being down here. In fact, no other angel knew that she came down. "He does not know of my presence down here, Var." She whispered, staring at the other Fallen's tail feathers and horns, encapsulated by their beauty — the way the sunlight shimmered in the gold; everything about Varian now was just absolutely beautiful to the Angel.   "Varian, please… It has been so long since I have seen you; drop your wings and allow me to see you.." Aegis pleaded, her voice soft. She was so close to her best friend that she could almost touch his wings.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  What? The Heavenly Father wasn't aware…wait, she fucking snuck out!? That was surprising—a new spur of defiance he'd never expected from his law-abiding best friend.   "He doesn't…Aegis! Why would you sneak out!?" Maybe it was her pleas, maybe it was the fact he was so fucking astounded, but he slowly opened his wings, fixing her blurry figure with a pale-eyed, gob-smacked stare. He definitely looked different than he used to—what, with his darker hair, facial stubble, and presence of pupils. Not to mention the fucking horns, and the broken halo. From neck down, he was definitely well-toned from years of living on Earth, doing odd-job chores and building his little house…   And, of course, his wings and tail feathers both being four shades of absolute, breath-taking beauty. Four wings, wrapping around him in a 'c' shape.   "Do you know how stupid that is?" He's genuinely worried, his eyebrows drawn together over all five eyes as he brings up a darkened finger to swipe hair behind his leathery wing-ears. Oh. Those. "You realize that, if you're caught, you're going to be fuc- freakin' charged and Felled before you can blink!!"

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[four-winged-rebel]

  "I.. I came to see you.." She whispered, taking a small step forward. "So much has changed since you've Felled…" She took another step forward, her tail feathers dragging leaves and small sticks. It pained her to see her best friend — her crush — so hurt and ashamed of what he had become.   "Please.. don't hide from me. I want… I want to see you." Aegis' voice wavered slightly at the last word, and she kept advancing slowly. "Please, Var.."

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian could hear her footsteps, could taste her Essence on his tongue like a fine, sweet wine; like a grape in the summer. Of course, he wanted her to take him in her arms like she always used to when he was sad—comforting her friend in his time of despair—but…he wasn't fit to touch her like this.   "Stop," he whimpered pitifully, drawing his wings tighter. "I'm hideous; you shouldn't gaze upon me. The Heavenly Father," the name was like poison—like death—in his mouth, "wouldn't want you to be looking upon a Fallen."   His tail feathers, black, gold, cream, and white, peeked out from under his wings, the gold flecks shimmering in the summer sun. His horns, obsidian dotted with silver, poked out from the wing cage, catching the light in a softer way than his tail feathers.   "Please, Aegis…"

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[four-winged-rebel]

Hearing her name from the Felling's mouth made her feathers rustle, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to stay quiet. She wasn't sure if she should reveal herself just yet — she wasn't ready to see him just yet.   But… Heavenly Father bless her, she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him all about what's happened since he became a Fallen: the resistance, the new rules, everything. She took a deep breath, before stepping out from behind the tree, her head down.   "Hello, Var.." She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She couldn't bear to see him up close like this — it intrigued her, yes, but… it was like seeing a bad ex. She wanted nothing more than to rush to him, hug him and hold him close, apologize for everything that's happened. But she didn't. She just kept her gaze to the forest floor and rubbed her arm nervously, giving herself a half-hug.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  The pale blob that was her figure materialized in his range of sight and he uttered the softest of gasps, his clawed hands coming down to rest softly against the forest floor. His fingers…he couldn't let her see him this way…why…he quickly snapped his wings around himself in a protective shell, trying to hide his tainted figure from her pure eyes.   Hearing the nickname she and…Arioch…had held for him through all their years of friendship…oh, it sent a razor-sharp claw straight through his heart. He twitched like he'd been stabbed, his tail feathers swiping over the grass.   "…Aegis…" he rumbled, almost a whine. "Why…why are you here…"   The last sentence was a whisper. Barely perceptible over the cage of his thick wings…

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.

[four-winged-rebel]

 Aegis watched as her old friend did all of his daily chores from above the treeline, quietly observing him. She had never seen the Earth before; it had been outlawed by The Heavenly Father for "normal Angels," but she never listened to Him. The Earth was so beautiful! How could He forbid anyone from coming down here?!   At Varian's curse, she flinched. She flew down below the canopy to get a closer look at him. He looked so different than the Angel that she once knew; his feathers were darker, he had facial hair — a foreign sight to Aegis, but it still astounded her nonetheless. He looked nothing like the Angel she loved. But he was alive! The Resistance would be glad to know that their leader is still alive, even if he was Felled.   She took a small step back, preparing to fly off back to Heaven before anyone noticed she was missing. Unfortunately, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot was not what she planned.   She froze.

[admin-of-the-fallen]

  Varian hissed, moving at an impossible speed into a crouch, his half-sightless eyes flicking from tree to tree in a vain effort to spot who was there. A familiar…something touched his tongue as he attempted to scent, and he recoiled sharply. He knew that flavour of essence. But what was she doing there? Why was she down from the Above? She didn't smell tainted or like she had Earthen things adorning her impure figure; she was still pure and untouched by a Felling.   "…Aegis?" He strained to see, to no avail. "…is that you? I…I know you're watching me…"   Really, if she was here and still an Angel, The Heavenly Father must've sent her. The Aegis he knew never was one to break the rules…

[admin-of-the-fallen]

@four-winged-rebel

  He felt like shit. Like, he usually felt like shit, but today was just…not it. His shoulders ached, his eyesight was blurry, and his nose was stuffed with the onslaught of spring pollen. He laid in the soft grass of his yard on his stomach, his two large pairs of wings spread out on either side of him, soaking up the soft sunlight as he groaned to himself. He was miserable. Sure, the sun felt good on his cream-and-obsidian wings, but…spring was so not his season. He dreaded it every year.   His tail feathers twitched, laying over his handsewn shorts and making soft hushing noises as they shifted across each other; his stubble scratched his arm as he shoved his face in the crook of his elbow. Varian was bored. He'd already restocked on his spring herbs, he'd hunted what he'd needed for the week, and he'd done all the house chores for the day. He now had nothing to do, other than to wallow in his own misery and loneliness.   The fluff of his shoulders tickled his nose and he sneezed, jerking up into an upward dog pose.   "Fuck!"   And that's when he realized he was being watched.