— Within the Garden Of Eden —
Uriel, dressed in garments of blue with a mask to the side of his head, flew his way over the pastures and meadows of Eden to the domain under his jurisdiction. Each plane was like the last—why try and make a new Elysium when you hold the blueprint for flawlessness?
He landed at the outskirts of his border, greeted by many of the clansmen in his legion.
"Dearest Uriel," One angel said as Uriel landed, "Chamuel waits for you."
In Uriel's sect, the trees grew tall to the skies above. Angels flew between them, as others tended to the flowers and meadows underneath.
Uriel was first greeted by the Dominions of his clan, the second-highest order of angels beneath a Virtue. Each took his hand and escorted him down the rows of trees that made a red carpet for his return. The Powers–the third class of angels–stood up from their work and bowed in reverence of their Virtue's presence.
"Chamuel? He waits for me? How long has he been waiting?" Uriel asked.
"For not too long, he recently arrived in search of you. He wished for us to fetch you upon your return."
The Dominions led him to a part where sunlight shone brightly over a secluded section. A throne of flowers and fauna sat amid arrangements of bouquets and hardwood.
Standing next to the throne whilst leaning against the frame, Chamuel was staring up at the sky with his greenish, wispy hair blowing in the wind. The trees and plants rustled in accordance, the many hues matching and accentuating the colours of his robes.
"You kept me waiting long enough, Uriel," Chamuel said, his tone quick, and low-toned, not daring to take his eye off the sky, "You have my forgiveness, but try not to keep me waiting so long again."
His robes were more those of a general's coat, buttoned-up all the way with a cut at the seams that ran down the back, making two long tails that touched the ground. He was the first of the angels to truly wear a form of pants, long enough to reach his ankles.
His earrings were large and extravagant, seeming to be the most noticeable jewel of those on his form. It contrasted with a small necklace strung firmly on his neck, unable to be swayed or moved.
"For a Virtue of Kindness, you've always had a certain roughness to you now, Chamuel. Do please reserve your anger with me," Uriel replied, waving off the other angels that had escorted him..
"I never said I held anger toward you. I just would rather you be punctual when it comes to leaving and entering your domain."
"Can you really fault me for my tardiness when I went to see Raphael? He asked me to play him the melody of our birth."
Chamuel took his eyes from the sky and looked over to Uriel, who had a cunning smirk on his face. This drew Chamuel's annoyance, despite how quick he was to then agree with his stance.
"You are exempt from my scorn," He replied, causing a small snicker from Uriel in return.
"Please…It serves you best to not to string words to a tune like that of Raguel," Uriel jeered, walking over to the throne, "You sound too similar in demeanor to his rule keeping and constant rereading—aloud, mind you—from his copy of the True Sinactius Codexius that Raziel holds,"
"Comparing me to him is like comparing a bird and a bee. I do as I please within the constraints I am given. He is stringent in his purpose and holds too rudimentarily to what he believes. I can adapt; he cannot."
"Whatever melody gives the most comfort, my friend."
Uriel sat on his throne, with Chamuel still leaning against the frame. The two sat there in silence, Chamuel with his eyes closed and arms crossed, while Uriel side-eyed him with a smile on his face.
"You don't normally come by unless you have something on your mind." .
"You wouldn't be far off, I did have a question. And normally, you tend to be a better source of an opinion than the wisest angel amongst us. So, here I am."
"Are you sure you didn't wish to have someone keep you company instead?"
"If I wanted company only, I would have just stayed with Midra and Dragnash."
"Sure then, ask whatever is on your mind."
Chamuel stood quiet for a moment, almost as if recalling and recounting the information needed to ask the question.
"Lucifer posed this to me days ago. I had not thought about it much at the time, but for what it is now, after I took time to ponder it, it makes me depressed in thinking about it from the perspective that he told it to me from."
"What did Lucifer ask?" Uriel asked.
"He asked if I thought the gods had a favourite and if they did, who would that favourite be. He also asked how I think they should be honoured as their favourite."
Uriel turned to him as he continued.
"I did not have an answer for him ready at the time—but even after thinking about it—I would have rather not come to an answer. It makes me wonder what the true purpose of my—If I'm worthy of any praise…If I'm fit to be a—"
"You are fit to be a Virtue, and that is the end of the discussion," Uriel cut him off.
Chamuel turned to him, listening to his friend speak with high optimism
"It matters not if they have a favourite, and if they did, I would surmise it to be Gabriel. But if not, what difference does it make? No matter what, they value us highly—every single one of us."
Chamuel saw the complete faith he had in him. There was not an ounce of doubt in the words he had spoken. Immediately, Chamuel was assured of his position, taking his hand and placing it on Uriel's shoulder.
"Thank you for your wisdom," Chamuel somberly said. "I know who I am. I am the Virtue of Kindness. There is no other that can take my place until the day of my death comes."
"Besides, who did you think was their favourite, anyway?" Uriel asked.
"It differs from you, but I thought it would be Raphael. He seems more caring and understanding of all the clans. The more subdued and less commanding version of Gabriel, with a sort of elegance and reverence, yet understanding. Something I doubt I could attain."
"Raphael would tell you to think higher of yourself; he already said the same to me," Uriel smiled, before Chamuel took his hand off his shoulder and walked away.
"Again, you have my thanks, Uriel. This talk of ours was better than any I could have had with Raguel, or even Raziel," Chamuel said.
"You are free to come back anytime you wish. Perhaps next time I can have a piece of music prepared for you to hear," Uriel replied.
Chamuel departed, unfurling his wings. Uriel was left assured he had done a friend a great service.