Sasrir smiled at Alaric. "Mr. Alaric, I'll leave Medici in your care. He's got a sharp tongue, but he's not a bad person. I hope you'll be patient with him."
In that moment, Sasrir resembled a mother entrusting her child to another.
Alaric blinked, catching the hidden meaning in Sasrir's words. Even he was a bit surprised. He met Sasrir's gaze, smiling. "I don't mind looking after Medici for you, but…" He paused, then continued, "Are you sure about this? I'm pretty greedy... once something's in my pocket, it's not coming out easily."
"Though I'm reluctant to let Medici go, I know that forcing him to stay in our current situation would only cause pain for both sides, leaving wounds that can't heal." Sasrir said with a sigh. "It's better to let go cleanly. It's best for everyone."
His dark eyes met Alaric's, and he offered a gentle smile. "At least you're our ally, Mr. Alaric. I can trust you with him."
"How cunning!" Alaric laughed, eyeing Sasrir again. "Your concern is genuine, but so is your scheming. A half-broken, less loyal Red Angel isn't as useful to you as sending him to me. It plants a pawn by my side, helps Medici recover under my watch, and earns my favor... a near-perfect triple win. You're better at deals than I am!"
Sasrir's expression didn't shift much. "I won't deny that those were part of my considerations." He said calmly.
Alaric poked Medici, "whispering" loudly, "See? Your mom admitted it. He doesn't even love you!"
Medici rolled his eyes. As a conspirator himself, he could see through Sasrir's calculated triple-win move. He wasn't some naive sweetheart... he could handle being used. What he couldn't stomach was outright betrayal and abandonment, like Adam's.
If Adam had been upfront about his identity and reasons, Medici might've even accepted "dying" for the plan. It wasn't death he feared... it was the betrayal itself.
He shot Alaric a glare. "Didn't someone just say they don't care if feelings are mixed with motives or deception? Why're you acting like a pure maiden who can't handle being used now?"
Alaric grinned. "So you do see Sasrir as your mom, huh, Red?"
"..."
Damn it, I walked right into that.
Sasrir watched their banter quietly, a slightly exasperated smile on his face. "So you've always seen me as a mother, Medici?"
Medici felt a twinge in his stomach. He glared at Alaric before turning to Sasrir. "You know he's spouting nonsense."
"It's just been a while since I've seen you like this, so I couldn't resist teasing." Sasrir said, his smile almost tender, revealing a glimpse of his true nature. The Dark Angel was less pure white and more a cunning schemer.
Medici nearly rolled his eyes again.
Damn it, the whole world's full of jokers. This place is doomed!
Sasrir's expression grew serious. "Though I can't quite fill the role of a mother, if you're willing to see me as a guardian, Medici, I wouldn't mind."
Medici, usually so quick-witted, was at a loss for words.
"So he is a mother hen!" Alaric chimed in, summing it up. Then his expression turned serious. "Now for the question: Mother Hen Sasrir, do you love your children?"
Medici's body stiffened. He wanted to curse Alaric for the absurd question but couldn't help glancing at Sasrir, curious about his answer.
"I don't have just one child." Sasrir said, his gaze gentle yet firm. He looked at Medici, then Alaric. "But I think I do love my children... all of them."
Alaric clapped like an excited seal.
Medici, meanwhile, looked petrified, as if turned to stone. It was hard to imagine the Red Angel in such a state... like a kid flustered by praise or someone who'd eaten a strange mushroom and seen something unbelievable.
"But why not a father?" Sasrir raised an objection. "I don't think I have anything that'd cause a gender mix-up."
"Because the father slot's already taken!" Alaric said, looking at Sasrir matter-of-factly. "Grisha's the classic savior-type dad. With him as the father, you've got to be the mother."
"And…" Alaric winked. "You're Eve, right?"
Sasrir's smile carried a hint of resignation. He shook his head, conceding. "Fine, I'll respect your perspective."
Alaric, as if sensing something, eagerly asked, "Mr. Sasrir, I've always been curious about something."
"What's that?" Sasrir looked at him, puzzled.
"Are you really always working overtime?" Alaric asked with a straight face.
Even Sasrir froze, caught off guard by the leap in logic. After a half-second pause, he nodded. "As the deputy of the divine kingdom, I handle most of its affairs for the Lord. I suppose you could say I'm always working overtime."
Alaric's face turned sympathetic, then serious. "That's so unfair, Sasrir. How can one Creator handle most of the work?!"
"But I'm the Lord's avatar. My purpose is to manage these things." Sasrir explained.
"Even avatars deserve rights!" Alaric declared passionately. "Times have changed, Mr. Sasrir. You can't forget the eight-hour workday and weekends! You've got to fight for your rights. If you're this overworked, what about the people below you? You've got to set an example!"
***
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