Blown Wide Open, Tag; Raphael

[Raphael Angelus]

Raphael watched as it seemed to dawn in Gabrielle that what she had done was wrong. He watched her torment increase tenfold and felt satisfied that his words were heeded. He was quiet as she thought it through. She realized what she had put at risk and Raphael nodded slowly. "Emotion has had the better of us all... sometimes I wish God did not subject us to them. But his ways are mysterious even to us." But Raphael paused and stroked Gabrielle's cheek. "Sorrow does not suit you, Jiblet. Yet you let yourself slip into it so often. Find yourself joy in something simple, perhaps then you will be content. Love is a game far too cruel and unforgiving." Raphael did not enjoy seeing her upset. She was one of the few people who moved him deeply. Despite the fact he saw her emotions as fickle and weak, there was a connection that made sure his heartstrings were pulled at nearly every tear.

Raphael noticed that she recognised the situation as possibly dire. And that it was. what ground had heaven lost in that blink of an eye? Hopefully not much. Probably more than expected. He saw her eyes move in a shocking pattern. It was like winds upon the oceans again. They had reconnected, like their elements do on earth. He had initiated the rages of the seas before and he was doing it again, this time withing Gabrielle. He wondered if she would get angry. It was a rare emotion in her, but it could be a frightening one. A righteous one. What would happen to her sensitive heart if she found out that her betrayal of heaven was mirrored by Akoni's betrayal of her?

He did not know what he would prefer.

But her sorrow was not wished for.

She was a weak link now.

"I cannot guide you, sister. I am not your keeper. I can only say this; steel yourself and be prepared. The key here is that if hell believes you vulnerable, they will try to chip at your weakness and your love. If this is the case, you must be prepared for hail to rain on you. Steel yourself. Be wise and tell me if situations change. Hell may forget that you are an archangel. you have power beyond my own. Let them underestimate you and we can use this to our advantage. but most of all..." Raphael locked gazes with Gabrielle. "Never meet him again unless there is a plan. Do not go willingly for a casual meeting again. Never."

[Gabrielle Angelus]

The feeling of being overwhelmed was coming onto her again. Gabrielle felt hurt, felt scared and felt angry all at once, a typhoon of emotions racing through her at once to make her eyes flash about. How could she have been such a fool, to let love take her in its hold like it often took humans? Was she not an Archangel? Could she not control herself? And as for Akoni betraying her, as she now felt he had, the nerve he had! She had only wanted to help him out of love for him and care, and instead now it seemed he was running to the very enemy she so despised! Now the war was turning tide and again, it seemed Hell had the favour! The Water Archangel's eyes gazed into her Wind brother's as her face showed her negative emotions now rising to the surface. A thundercloud seemed to pass over her frame as her eyes darkened, her lips lowered in a frown and the energy she gave off was nothing but of hurt.

"I will not meet Akoni again. Not unless I have a plan. Perhaps from him I can learn some of Hell's plans. We already know who he is closest to." My, how quickly things changed. Gabrielle could feel her heart bleeding at her want to betray Akoni but she felt she now had no choice. Her priority had to be the war, her loyalties to those who were on her side. God had chosen her and for a reason. She couldn't forsaken Him by letting love get in the way of what she was chosen to do!

Gabrielle's form shook under everything transpiring in her mind. It hurt her so much to feel this way and to do what she was planning on doing. Her complexion seemed to pale as she felt faint, not even Raphael's winds rejuvenating her. The situation was draining the energy she had, firming her belief that she wasn't as strong as her brothers, though Raphael thought differently. Was this not why Uriel had her remain in Heaven? Was this not why Mika watched over her so closely, and now also Raphael? "I am not stronger than you. Does this not prove it? Never would you have allowed this to happen and yet I sat idly by and let all we have worked for be jeapordized by a love I can never have...." Now the tears returned, but they hurt more than the tears she had shed before. Instead of shaming Raphael by having him watch her cry, Gabrielle turned from her brother as she looked down towards the Earth where Hell resided under, cursing the day Lucifer ever existed. Cursing the day she ever fell in love and put those she cherished most in harm's way.