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tsuru_sanA Happy Belated Valentines Day to my flist! Hope it was good for all of you. Myself, I skipped my 8 am class, had lunch with my father, and brought brownies in to my Victorian Britain class. After VB class, I also nipped up to Portsmouth for apple cider, a popover, and some new music. A good day in the life of Sam. X3
Today was much more trying. Besides taking a positively evil Intro to Logic test, I had my interview for an RA position. I've been trying wicked hard to get an RA post at UNH for next year, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I felt like I made a good impression during my interview, and I should know by next Thursday whether I've got the job or not.
Anyway, on a less serious note, I have some new Bible slash. Tis Lucifer/Gabriel based on this passage: "One of Gabriel's longest terms on Earth accounted for his most personal experience with mankind. Over a span of twenty-two years, he appeared at regular intervals to the prophet Mohammed in order to dictate to him the whole of the Koran. [...] and the prophet was careful to take down the Archangel's words verbatim.
During one of the last points of the transcription to Mohammed, however, Gabriel came to a very harsh passage and felt a moment of concern in the telling; unintentionally misspeaking the Word. As a result, upon his return to the realm of Heaven, Gabriel found the Gates impassable. For an unknown span of time, the Archangel awaited his return to Grace as he witnessed another, lesser angel, Dobiel, act as his proxy. At the end of his exile, Gabriel felt a call from beyond the curtain and returned to his station. No word was ever spoken of the incident by Gabriel or his winged brethren."
—The Book of Angels by Todd Jordan (page 62)
Although tBoA is more of a fantasy book about angels, this section piqued my interest so I researched it a little. While Gabriel did supposedly dictate the Koran to Mohammed, I couldn't find any mention of Gabriel screwing that up. However, I did find that, according to the Hebrew Talmud, Gabriel did get in trouble for disobeying a command, and when I looked at a translation of Yoma 77a in the Talmud, it did indeed say that he'd been exiled briefly with Dobiel acting as his proxy.
So yeah, this resulting story has been languishing half finished in my notebook since English class last semester. Then two weeks ago I decided to complete it and draw a little one page comic to go with it; on the whole I'm fairly pleased with them.One idea down, 10 bazillion to go. o_O
Title: Tempting the Messenger
Pairing: Lucifer/Gabriel
Rating: PG
Summary: After accidentally misspeaking the Word, Gabriel finds himself trapped outside Heaven's gates. Ever the Tempter, Lucifer makes an offer, but Gabriel is disinclined to accept.
Pristine white wings beat against still and heavy air as Cherub Gabriel alighted on the soft, sandy ground of Purgatory right outside the gates to First Heaven. All around the angel was empty quiet, the pale blue sky in sharp contrast to the ivory, featureless sand. And then there was the gateway. It was impressive under any circumstances, but against the bland backdrop of Purgatory, the entrance to the lowest level of Heaven appeared all the more majestic. Incredibly tall, the gates were wrought of ornately crafted gold and shimmered beautifully.
Still shaken and hurt from the gruesome message of the end times that he'd been called to deliver to Mohammed, Gabriel shuffled dejectedly up to Heaven's gates. On top of sadness, he also felt guilt for having misspoken the word. He'd corrected himself of course, but the guilt still nestled uncomfortable in his chest. Sometimes it was hard being the bearer of bad news. Halfheartedly, the Cherub reached out to push Heaven's gates open; however, to the angel's great surprise, they stayed firmly shut. Confused, Gabriel pushed against the gates again, first with just his hands, and then as the panic grew, he threw himself bodily at the glittering entrance. It would not budge. The glittering gold bars held, immovable as a stonewall; Gabriel was not even able to leave a scuff mark upon the cool metal.
Locked? he thought, trembling with horror. I'm locked out? Have I Fallen?!
Seized with a fresh wave of panic, the Cherub flung himself against the gate, beating desperately at the gold bars and crying for someone—anyone—to let him in, but there was no one, no guards, not even God. How cold and alone the angel felt. He could still feel God's Presence, but it was muted and faraway. Surely that wouldn't be the case though if he was a demon? After a moment of hesitation, Gabriel unfurled his wings but could not bring himself to turn and look. Would they be black like those of the Fallen ones...?
A soft flutter of feathers, and Gabriel craned his neck to see. They were white. They were still white. The pure, sweet relief made the archangel weak, and he almost thought that he might weep.
But why then was he shut out? Gabriel looked up imploringly at the towering golden gates that formed one of the entrances to First Heaven. Yes, he'd acted poorly but clearly not poorly enough to be cast down. If he was still an angel, then why did they not...?
"Hard knocks, hmm?" a voice called genially.
Not expecting anyone else and not having felt another's aura, Gabriel whirled around in shock. Standing casually a few feet away was a tall being, confident to the point of arrogance. Black robes and grey armor covered most of his body, and when he smiled, he showed his fangs. "Lucifer!" Gabriel gasped in recognition. "How did you even know I was here?!"
"Yes, yes, a pleasure to see you once more too," the demon smirked. "And of course, I make it my business to know why angels of your rank are flitting about down on Earth."
"What are you doing in this place?" the Cherub demanded, quickly getting over his surprise at seeing the Lord of Hell in dreary Purgatory. "You cannot enter the kingdom!"
"Ah, that's true, isn't it? However," Lucifer added with a nasty smile, "I'm not in the kingdom, and, oh, neither are you."
Gabriel blanched. "I have done nothing wrong. There's just been a...misunderstanding. Get thee behind me, Satan."
Lucifer chuckled darkly, remembering dry desert and unsuccessful temptations.* "You'll need more than petty, clichéd rhetoric to get rid of me."
"Then I shall ask you directly: Leave me be, O Prince of Darkness." Gabriel turned away, resting his forehead against Heaven's gate. The gold bars were cool against his skin, and they sparkled beautifully, but they would not open.
Lucifer of course did not leave but instead drew nearer. "Mmm, how do you like it, Gabriel?" he purred, sidling closer and placing his hands possessively on the Cherub's shoulders though the demon was careful not to let any part of himself touch the golden gates. "Do you like being His puppet? You work and strive for Him, but when you make one little slip-up, He throws you in the gutter."
Gabriel's shoulders rose and fell in a tired sigh, but he didn't shrug off Lucifer's hands. Gabriel hoped the demon lord would go away. The angel didn't want to fight unless he had to; he only wanted to go home.
Knowing he had the upper hand, the Devil allowed his hands to travel down the angel's body, laying caresses like worship over the pale immortal's clothed flesh. "Tell me, Gabriel," Lucifer purred seductively, hands almost at the angel's hips, "what will you do now? It seems that you have fallen out of His favor, so why not fall just a little...bit... more..."
"No." Holiness and Conviction echoed through the air, and Heaven's gates rattled on their hinges. Gabriel swung one gloved fist and hit Lucifer squarely in the stomach.
Not expecting the blow or the raw Power behind it, the Lord of Hell was thrown backward, but he managed to stay on his feet. In front of him, Gabriel glowed like a white torch. His four wings were spread wide, and his aura and halo shone with beautiful Light.
Lucifer chuckled and wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. Gabriel's blow had actually caused some damage—he was a Cherub after all—but Lucifer healed the injuries quickly nonetheless.
Trembling with hurt and fury, Gabriel's brightness wavered as he finally toned it down. It hurt always to see how different Lucifer had become. Gabriel still remembered his friend's soft blue eyes and joyous smiles and recalled the happy closeness they'd shared while flitting through the skies of Heaven, white wings brushing together. Lucifer was nothing like that now though. The confident friend and favored companion that Gabriel had loved and still loved was gone or so buried under pride and bitterness that any shred of selfless goodness would be impossible to find.
Winching in his wings, Gabriel slumped back against the gates. "Oh, how much you have changed... Here I am, weakened and at a disadvantage, and you choose this moment to strike. Lucifer...you are so cruel."
Snakelike yellow eyes shrewdly regarded the subdued angel, but this time Lucifer approached him gently, genteelly even. When the Devil was close enough to touch, Gabriel looked his head away, but with two fingers, Lucifer tilted his face up and forced their eyes to meet.
"Poor Gabriel," the Lord of Hell soothed. "My poor Gabriel. How dare He treat you like this; such an unfair punishment for so small a crime..."
"Please, Lucifer..."
"I would never treat you so," the Devil cajoled. "I would give you so much more than this cold refusal."
"You think I would choose the Pit and your lies over the Silver City and His love?" Gabriel scoffed.
"Hell is not so horrible as He would have you believe. The City of Dis is vast and many-marveled, and my palace is beautiful and intricate. If you would come back with me, I could give you anything that you desired. You could eat only the finest delicacies: spiced wines, ripe pears, bittersweet chocolates... You would be able to rest your head upon the finest blankets of soft silk and embroidered damask.
"All of Hell would be open to your exploration. Be mine, Gabriel. We could fly once more together, buoyed up by the thermals of my realm. You think my love for you is dead? I shall show you a new and intimate and far more pleasurable love than any that you have ever known. I shall be devoted to you alone. I shall give you anything you want. Tell me, Gabriel. Tell me what it is that you desire, what it is you want, and if it is in my power to grant your request, I shall do so..."
Gabriel closed his eyes tightly. What could he say to such offers? The honest truth was that Gabriel missed his former-friend. Lucifer was yet beautiful despite his Fall, and his temptations were...compelling. It was so easy to pretend that nothing had changed, that they were still both friends, that Lucifer hadn't tried to kill him during the Rebellion. Even knowing the truth, Gabriel would've been a liar to say that he didn't want what was being offered now. The Devil's voice and smiles promised sweet things, new and forbidden things.
As if sensing the angel's faltering, Lucifer leaned closer, their lips almost brushing, and whispered, "What is it, Gabriel?" Their breath mingled, and the air itself seemed to hang heavier while waiting for the Cherub's answer.
"I want..."
"Yes?"
Blue eyes opened again; however, instead of acquiescence, they held Conviction. "I want you to leave me alone."
Yellow eyes went wide. "What?!" Lucifer hissed. "What did you say?"
Gabriel pulled free of his former-friend's grasp. "I said, 'I want you to leave me alone.' And since that is certainly within your power, you will do it, will you not? Anything I wanted, you said. Or will you prove yourself once more a liar and a traitor?"
Shocked with the weight of refusal, it was Lucifer's turn to falter now. "You would spurn me? You would spurn me?!" Lucifer floundered, but, ah, is that not the folly of Pride when one always thinks that he is the best option? "I would have given you anything! Everything!" the demon snarled. "Why do you not choose me?" Finger nails lengthened into claws, and Lucifer grabbed Gabriel by the collar of his robes before slamming the Cherub back against the golden gates. "Why, Gabriel?!"
"Ah, Morningstar, would you do violence to me?" Gabriel asked, cold and mocking. The angel swayed a little in Lucifer's grasp as he attempted to balance on the tips of his toes. "How quickly you show your true colors."
The Devil's grip tightened briefly before he released the angel. "You are a mindless fool, Gabriel. You would sooner choose to be His servant than my ally?"
"Yes."
Lucifer bent and gave a sarcastic half-bow. "Then I shall leave you to your fate," he sneered. "My offer still stands though. When you get tired of waiting outside closed gates, call my name."
Gabriel shook his head. "Never."
Yellow eyes glowed sinisterly. "We'll see. Never is an awfully long time even for our kind."
-fin-
*What Lucifer's recalling here is his temptation of Christ and how Jesus told him, "Get thee behind me, Satan." From the King James version of the Bible, Luke 4:5-8.
Not really a cleaned up image (haha, I even left my own handwriting in the speech bubbles), but I like how Lucifer turned out.
I also drew some other slash art of my personal favorite Lucifer pairing: Lucifer/Beelzebub. *grin*
Ah, Lucifer and Beelzebub. They put the "fun" in "dysfunctional". Although Lucifer has his tender moments and Beelzebub is very protective of his Lord, the two of them are often rather...brutal. -_-' The above picture is a good example of Lucifer pushing and Beelzebub pushing right back.
Their love leaves bruises. XD
Also, a manga news update! I know some of my flist fancies the managa Pet Shop of Horrors. Well, the sequel Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo is finally in stores! I heard ages ago that TOKYOPOP had licensed it, but for a while, I didn't catch wind of any further plans. Then last week when I was in B. Dalton's bookshop, I was pleasantly surprised to finally see volume one. Ah, such joy. Hopefully the next volume will be out soon. *grin*
Today was much more trying. Besides taking a positively evil Intro to Logic test, I had my interview for an RA position. I've been trying wicked hard to get an RA post at UNH for next year, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I felt like I made a good impression during my interview, and I should know by next Thursday whether I've got the job or not.
Anyway, on a less serious note, I have some new Bible slash. Tis Lucifer/Gabriel based on this passage: "One of Gabriel's longest terms on Earth accounted for his most personal experience with mankind. Over a span of twenty-two years, he appeared at regular intervals to the prophet Mohammed in order to dictate to him the whole of the Koran. [...] and the prophet was careful to take down the Archangel's words verbatim.
During one of the last points of the transcription to Mohammed, however, Gabriel came to a very harsh passage and felt a moment of concern in the telling; unintentionally misspeaking the Word. As a result, upon his return to the realm of Heaven, Gabriel found the Gates impassable. For an unknown span of time, the Archangel awaited his return to Grace as he witnessed another, lesser angel, Dobiel, act as his proxy. At the end of his exile, Gabriel felt a call from beyond the curtain and returned to his station. No word was ever spoken of the incident by Gabriel or his winged brethren."
—The Book of Angels by Todd Jordan (page 62)
Although tBoA is more of a fantasy book about angels, this section piqued my interest so I researched it a little. While Gabriel did supposedly dictate the Koran to Mohammed, I couldn't find any mention of Gabriel screwing that up. However, I did find that, according to the Hebrew Talmud, Gabriel did get in trouble for disobeying a command, and when I looked at a translation of Yoma 77a in the Talmud, it did indeed say that he'd been exiled briefly with Dobiel acting as his proxy.
So yeah, this resulting story has been languishing half finished in my notebook since English class last semester. Then two weeks ago I decided to complete it and draw a little one page comic to go with it; on the whole I'm fairly pleased with them.
Title: Tempting the Messenger
Pairing: Lucifer/Gabriel
Rating: PG
Summary: After accidentally misspeaking the Word, Gabriel finds himself trapped outside Heaven's gates. Ever the Tempter, Lucifer makes an offer, but Gabriel is disinclined to accept.
Pristine white wings beat against still and heavy air as Cherub Gabriel alighted on the soft, sandy ground of Purgatory right outside the gates to First Heaven. All around the angel was empty quiet, the pale blue sky in sharp contrast to the ivory, featureless sand. And then there was the gateway. It was impressive under any circumstances, but against the bland backdrop of Purgatory, the entrance to the lowest level of Heaven appeared all the more majestic. Incredibly tall, the gates were wrought of ornately crafted gold and shimmered beautifully.
Still shaken and hurt from the gruesome message of the end times that he'd been called to deliver to Mohammed, Gabriel shuffled dejectedly up to Heaven's gates. On top of sadness, he also felt guilt for having misspoken the word. He'd corrected himself of course, but the guilt still nestled uncomfortable in his chest. Sometimes it was hard being the bearer of bad news. Halfheartedly, the Cherub reached out to push Heaven's gates open; however, to the angel's great surprise, they stayed firmly shut. Confused, Gabriel pushed against the gates again, first with just his hands, and then as the panic grew, he threw himself bodily at the glittering entrance. It would not budge. The glittering gold bars held, immovable as a stonewall; Gabriel was not even able to leave a scuff mark upon the cool metal.
Locked? he thought, trembling with horror. I'm locked out? Have I Fallen?!
Seized with a fresh wave of panic, the Cherub flung himself against the gate, beating desperately at the gold bars and crying for someone—anyone—to let him in, but there was no one, no guards, not even God. How cold and alone the angel felt. He could still feel God's Presence, but it was muted and faraway. Surely that wouldn't be the case though if he was a demon? After a moment of hesitation, Gabriel unfurled his wings but could not bring himself to turn and look. Would they be black like those of the Fallen ones...?
A soft flutter of feathers, and Gabriel craned his neck to see. They were white. They were still white. The pure, sweet relief made the archangel weak, and he almost thought that he might weep.
But why then was he shut out? Gabriel looked up imploringly at the towering golden gates that formed one of the entrances to First Heaven. Yes, he'd acted poorly but clearly not poorly enough to be cast down. If he was still an angel, then why did they not...?
"Hard knocks, hmm?" a voice called genially.
Not expecting anyone else and not having felt another's aura, Gabriel whirled around in shock. Standing casually a few feet away was a tall being, confident to the point of arrogance. Black robes and grey armor covered most of his body, and when he smiled, he showed his fangs. "Lucifer!" Gabriel gasped in recognition. "How did you even know I was here?!"
"Yes, yes, a pleasure to see you once more too," the demon smirked. "And of course, I make it my business to know why angels of your rank are flitting about down on Earth."
"What are you doing in this place?" the Cherub demanded, quickly getting over his surprise at seeing the Lord of Hell in dreary Purgatory. "You cannot enter the kingdom!"
"Ah, that's true, isn't it? However," Lucifer added with a nasty smile, "I'm not in the kingdom, and, oh, neither are you."
Gabriel blanched. "I have done nothing wrong. There's just been a...misunderstanding. Get thee behind me, Satan."
Lucifer chuckled darkly, remembering dry desert and unsuccessful temptations.* "You'll need more than petty, clichéd rhetoric to get rid of me."
"Then I shall ask you directly: Leave me be, O Prince of Darkness." Gabriel turned away, resting his forehead against Heaven's gate. The gold bars were cool against his skin, and they sparkled beautifully, but they would not open.
Lucifer of course did not leave but instead drew nearer. "Mmm, how do you like it, Gabriel?" he purred, sidling closer and placing his hands possessively on the Cherub's shoulders though the demon was careful not to let any part of himself touch the golden gates. "Do you like being His puppet? You work and strive for Him, but when you make one little slip-up, He throws you in the gutter."
Gabriel's shoulders rose and fell in a tired sigh, but he didn't shrug off Lucifer's hands. Gabriel hoped the demon lord would go away. The angel didn't want to fight unless he had to; he only wanted to go home.
Knowing he had the upper hand, the Devil allowed his hands to travel down the angel's body, laying caresses like worship over the pale immortal's clothed flesh. "Tell me, Gabriel," Lucifer purred seductively, hands almost at the angel's hips, "what will you do now? It seems that you have fallen out of His favor, so why not fall just a little...bit... more..."
"No." Holiness and Conviction echoed through the air, and Heaven's gates rattled on their hinges. Gabriel swung one gloved fist and hit Lucifer squarely in the stomach.
Not expecting the blow or the raw Power behind it, the Lord of Hell was thrown backward, but he managed to stay on his feet. In front of him, Gabriel glowed like a white torch. His four wings were spread wide, and his aura and halo shone with beautiful Light.
Lucifer chuckled and wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. Gabriel's blow had actually caused some damage—he was a Cherub after all—but Lucifer healed the injuries quickly nonetheless.
Trembling with hurt and fury, Gabriel's brightness wavered as he finally toned it down. It hurt always to see how different Lucifer had become. Gabriel still remembered his friend's soft blue eyes and joyous smiles and recalled the happy closeness they'd shared while flitting through the skies of Heaven, white wings brushing together. Lucifer was nothing like that now though. The confident friend and favored companion that Gabriel had loved and still loved was gone or so buried under pride and bitterness that any shred of selfless goodness would be impossible to find.
Winching in his wings, Gabriel slumped back against the gates. "Oh, how much you have changed... Here I am, weakened and at a disadvantage, and you choose this moment to strike. Lucifer...you are so cruel."
Snakelike yellow eyes shrewdly regarded the subdued angel, but this time Lucifer approached him gently, genteelly even. When the Devil was close enough to touch, Gabriel looked his head away, but with two fingers, Lucifer tilted his face up and forced their eyes to meet.
"Poor Gabriel," the Lord of Hell soothed. "My poor Gabriel. How dare He treat you like this; such an unfair punishment for so small a crime..."
"Please, Lucifer..."
"I would never treat you so," the Devil cajoled. "I would give you so much more than this cold refusal."
"You think I would choose the Pit and your lies over the Silver City and His love?" Gabriel scoffed.
"Hell is not so horrible as He would have you believe. The City of Dis is vast and many-marveled, and my palace is beautiful and intricate. If you would come back with me, I could give you anything that you desired. You could eat only the finest delicacies: spiced wines, ripe pears, bittersweet chocolates... You would be able to rest your head upon the finest blankets of soft silk and embroidered damask.
"All of Hell would be open to your exploration. Be mine, Gabriel. We could fly once more together, buoyed up by the thermals of my realm. You think my love for you is dead? I shall show you a new and intimate and far more pleasurable love than any that you have ever known. I shall be devoted to you alone. I shall give you anything you want. Tell me, Gabriel. Tell me what it is that you desire, what it is you want, and if it is in my power to grant your request, I shall do so..."
Gabriel closed his eyes tightly. What could he say to such offers? The honest truth was that Gabriel missed his former-friend. Lucifer was yet beautiful despite his Fall, and his temptations were...compelling. It was so easy to pretend that nothing had changed, that they were still both friends, that Lucifer hadn't tried to kill him during the Rebellion. Even knowing the truth, Gabriel would've been a liar to say that he didn't want what was being offered now. The Devil's voice and smiles promised sweet things, new and forbidden things.
As if sensing the angel's faltering, Lucifer leaned closer, their lips almost brushing, and whispered, "What is it, Gabriel?" Their breath mingled, and the air itself seemed to hang heavier while waiting for the Cherub's answer.
"I want..."
"Yes?"
Blue eyes opened again; however, instead of acquiescence, they held Conviction. "I want you to leave me alone."
Yellow eyes went wide. "What?!" Lucifer hissed. "What did you say?"
Gabriel pulled free of his former-friend's grasp. "I said, 'I want you to leave me alone.' And since that is certainly within your power, you will do it, will you not? Anything I wanted, you said. Or will you prove yourself once more a liar and a traitor?"
Shocked with the weight of refusal, it was Lucifer's turn to falter now. "You would spurn me? You would spurn me?!" Lucifer floundered, but, ah, is that not the folly of Pride when one always thinks that he is the best option? "I would have given you anything! Everything!" the demon snarled. "Why do you not choose me?" Finger nails lengthened into claws, and Lucifer grabbed Gabriel by the collar of his robes before slamming the Cherub back against the golden gates. "Why, Gabriel?!"
"Ah, Morningstar, would you do violence to me?" Gabriel asked, cold and mocking. The angel swayed a little in Lucifer's grasp as he attempted to balance on the tips of his toes. "How quickly you show your true colors."
The Devil's grip tightened briefly before he released the angel. "You are a mindless fool, Gabriel. You would sooner choose to be His servant than my ally?"
"Yes."
Lucifer bent and gave a sarcastic half-bow. "Then I shall leave you to your fate," he sneered. "My offer still stands though. When you get tired of waiting outside closed gates, call my name."
Gabriel shook his head. "Never."
Yellow eyes glowed sinisterly. "We'll see. Never is an awfully long time even for our kind."
-fin-
*What Lucifer's recalling here is his temptation of Christ and how Jesus told him, "Get thee behind me, Satan." From the King James version of the Bible, Luke 4:5-8.
Not really a cleaned up image (haha, I even left my own handwriting in the speech bubbles), but I like how Lucifer turned out.
I also drew some other slash art of my personal favorite Lucifer pairing: Lucifer/Beelzebub. *grin*
Ah, Lucifer and Beelzebub. They put the "fun" in "dysfunctional". Although Lucifer has his tender moments and Beelzebub is very protective of his Lord, the two of them are often rather...brutal. -_-' The above picture is a good example of Lucifer pushing and Beelzebub pushing right back.
Their love leaves bruises. XD
Also, a manga news update! I know some of my flist fancies the managa Pet Shop of Horrors. Well, the sequel Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo is finally in stores! I heard ages ago that TOKYOPOP had licensed it, but for a while, I didn't catch wind of any further plans. Then last week when I was in B. Dalton's bookshop, I was pleasantly surprised to finally see volume one. Ah, such joy. Hopefully the next volume will be out soon. *grin*
