Michael felt he should talk to his Brothers. One of them could help him with how he felt. He hated this- he felt like he was pining, mopey, creepy, all things he was not. He wanted to return to his caring, kind, happy self.
Michael heard the whispering of the lower-ranking angels who lived in his home, Ophelia and Victoria. Usually, he would never shut them out. He enjoyed their company and saw them less as maidservants and more as friends. Victoria was always able to make him laugh, and Ophelia was always so bold with her words, putting him in his place when he had done something stupid. They were always good to him, and he hated being moody like this. The maidservants talked to each other, and moody Jeremiel was unpleasant to work for; he didn't want to be unpleasant to Victoria and Ophelia.
The youngest Seraphim changed from his black silken night pants to his usual white-on-white attire. He laced his pants, tucked in his shirt, and buttoned his white waistcoat. Michael tucked his wings closer to his body and jumped out the window. He didn't want to disturb Ophelia and Victoria, so this seemed the best option.
Michael landed on his feet, crouching slightly as his feet hit the ground. He stood to his full height, stretching his wings and folding them back. He started to walk toward the library. If he were going to speak to anyone, it would be Raphael. Raphael would understand.
"At least, I hope he will understand," Michael wished aloud to himself.
The Seraphim stood before the large, magnificent building where Raphael could almost always be found. He took a deep breath and pushed the immense golden doors open.
Michael searched the first floor for his Brother. No sign of Raphael. He searched the second and third floors, peering between every bookcase in case Raphael had fallen asleep among his best friends, the books. After checking all the aisles, Michael found Raphael intensely reading a book in an alcove on the fourth floor. If Raphael hadn't been blinking occasionally or playing with a lock of his brown hair, he could have easily been confused for one of the statues scattered around the library.
"What are you reading, Brother?" Michael walked up to Raphael, being sure to speak before approaching, so he startled the other Seraphim less. Raphael looked up from his book.
"Lore and History of the Angels," Raphael blinked, trying to adjust his eyes from the pages to his Brother. "It seems silly, knowing we are angels, but there's really some interesting things in here. For example, apparently Seraphim blood can heal wounds of humans, and the blood of four Seraphim will convert a human to an angel. Not a Seraphim, of course, that is how we are made, but an angel like your Ophelia or Victoria. Isn't that fascinating?"
Michael was very interested in his Brother's words. He could heal humans? "Does the Ruler know of this ability?" Michael asked.
"Of course. He allowed it to be put in the book as well. It's unfortunate that we are sworn not to interact with the humans, we could really help some when they are hurt".
"Can human blood do anything?" The younger Seraphim was very interested in the subject now. His blood had magic? Did others have that ability? Questions swam in his mind, but he picked the ones he felt were most important.
"No, it just helps that specific human. A shame, really." Raphael flipped the page of his book. "Was there something you wanted to talk about, Michael?"
Michael sat next to his Brother. He picked at the buttons on his waistcoat. "Not yet. Tell me more about your books. It shouldn't be all about my questions all the time. I care about you and your interests too".
Raphael perked up. Michael was the only one of his Brothers who asked about what books were interesting this week. Raphael's green eyes scanned a pile of finished books, looking for one he could talk about without boring Michael. He picked a thick tome, 'The History of Humankind.'
Raphael stood, stretched, and sat back down next to Michael. "I read 'The History of Humankind' yesterday, I figured with your more frequent trips to the Mortal Plane, you would have more questions and I would be wise to prepare. It has some useful information. For example, humans apparently do not typically possess any magic, but every few decades, magic does appear in a child, but the humans always kill the child."
"Why?!" Michael was shocked. Why would humans squash any sign of magic in their kind? Why would they remove the magic that could help their people?
"It is unknown. Humans fear the unknown, and once unusual things begin to happen, they remove the source." Raphael seemed not to be affected by this information, simply reporting it as fact.
"Is there anything in the book about humans and angels?" Michael tried to ask Raphael in a way that seemed interested in the book, not getting information for his own purposes. "I mean, have they ever interacted? Is that why the Ruler does not allow it?"
Raphael's green eyes looked deep into Michael's ice-blue ones for any sign of insincerity or deception. Seeing his genuine interest, Raphael ran his fingers through his brown hair. "No. There is nothing in any book I've ever read about a human interacting with an angel. It has always been forbidden, and the Ruler has never given a reason. None of our Brothers have ever dared to question Him why."
Michael continued to ask about the books to avoid any suspicion of his Brother. Raphael spoke of the history of humans, from how they believed in the Ruler and the Kingdom, calling it 'religion,' to how they tended to put much care into their wealth and social status.
After a few hours of chatting with his Brother, Michael felt more at peace. He stood before Raphael bowed slightly, and thanked him for his company before leaving the library. Raphael smiled, glad to have spent the time with his Brother. He reached over, grabbed another book, and settled back into his alcove for another reading session.
Michael left the library, glad he chose to talk with Raphael. Zerachiel was a close second choice, but Raphael had a deep understanding of Michael. He began home, hopeful that Ophelia and Victoria would be forgiving of his black mood.
He stood before the door of his home and took a deep breath. In the parlor sat the maidservants, having an afternoon tea. Ophelia turned her head and, seeing Michael, gasped. She stood, her short stature barely coming mid-chest to Michael. She ran to Michael and hugged him, then stepped back and cleared her throat. "Apologies, Seraphim Michael, we were just so worried about you! You weren't yourself!"
Michael smiled softly at the tiny angel and affectionately ran his hand across her blonde hair. "Thank you for your concern, ladies. I had a tough day at the Palace and did not want my bad day to become yours. You are wonderful caregivers of both myself and my home."
Victoria finished her tea and went to the kitchen for a third cup. She gestured for Michael to sit with them, and he joined them, sitting across from the short blonde Ophelia and the slightly plump redhead that was Victoria. The three angels all sat and chatted together, sharing their afternoon as friends would.
"This is the way the Kingdom should be," Michael thought as he heard Victoria talk about her friend's life as Remiel's maidservant. "Status aside, all angels together as equals, as friends.'
Michael spent about an hour with Ophelia and Victoria, reassuring them that the prior day was for their benefit. "My bad day shouldn't be yours," he continued to stress on the pair of maidservants. "I did cause you worry. Let me help you with cleaning from our tea."
Victoria and Ophelia protested; he was a high-ranking angel and should not be concerned with cleaning teacups. He playfully flicked his wings at the women, blocking them from getting the cups from him. Victoria laughed and lunged, catching him off-guard. Michael dropped all three cups, shattering them all. Victoria apologized profusely, but Michael waved his hand, dismissing her. "I didn't like those cups anyway, it was time for them to go."
Ophelia beamed. Her master was back to himself.