[gabe, uriel] Where we break hearts and step closer

"I'm sure you know." He rumbled, lids falling shut over his eyes. Muzzle tipped towards the ground, posture suddenly awkward. It felt wrong, to be here again. With Samael. He knew that he risked another mauling, or possibly worse, for being in his presence. Whiskers twitched, and he pulled himself together. This was for the sake of the whole family, getting information and thereby putting together a plan. He needed to know what was going on, so he could situate himself where he needed to be, to keep everyone safe.

"You have more babies!" Uriel cried, too close not to spook him. He flinched from the loud sound, auds pressing towards his skull. He focused his attention on Samael now, brows drawing together with focus. Oh. There it was, the scent of newborns. Familiar to him from Samael's litter, and the few times that Father's followers had coupled. "Congratulations, Lucifer. May the little one's be blessed.." He trailed off. Surely he would not want his children blessed by the Lord. He left it like that. Perhaps Samael had new gods now, to bless his children.

He ignored the warning tone of his sister's voice, as his Fallen brother spoke finally. Hearing his voice was so strange now, there was the lingering taste of copper in his mouth when he heard it. To listen to the words of a demon was to sin, and he knew the price very well now. Nevertheless, he forced himself to pay attention. "My son is dead Gabriel," It came back to him, struck in the face with it so suddenly. The source of his attack. The stench of blood on the wind. Samael's faint scent, the overpowering smell of Michael's musk. Wet fur sliding across his nose. It had been one of Samael's children, and the herald had forgotten him entirely. It knocked the breath out of him.

"and only one man knew how to find us before his murder. Michael may have done the act of slaughtering a boy who would never raise a paw in even his own defense, but a hidden message awaited me. One I believe came from none other than the man I love wholly, my own brother who I thought would narry raise a paw against me.... tell me it isn't true.... tell me my heartbreak is false Gabby. Tell me that wound was made with no intent to force you to tell him how to find them."

His lungs faltered as he drew in a breath, it caught in his throat. He forced it out, tried again. Another breath. He felt like the world was crushing him, its weight too much to bear upon his shoulders. "In truth, brother, your son had been slaughtered without my knowledge. That is my burden to bear, that I could not stop Michael from stepping from the Lord's light to kill him." His blank stare was directed in the direction of Samael's voice, expression shockingly empty of emotion. He had cried enough, and he didn't want Samael's pity now. He sought only the justice that his brother wanted, and if that meant he would need to lose more of his flesh as penance, he would. "I found your child's scent with blood on the breeze, and Michael's alongside it. When I found him, your son was already dead. Our brother carved my sin into my flesh so that I may never forget the dire crime of conversing with a demon again. I was not privy to his plan to slay your child, nor did I play a role." He announced, solemn of tone. He would not grovel or beg, it was not in him.

"Regardless, I will understand if you seek to do the same, as penance for your lost child." Gaze would be downcast, eyes shutting against the attack he suspected might come. There was evident anger in his brother's voice. Rightfully so, for losing a child. That Gabriel could forget the tragedy only spoke to his own sinful path.

The blow did not fall. Yet. "There are five new Morningstars. Three young girls, Darya, Dominika, and Divo. And two more boys, Micah and Forfax. Each bear my marks but it is Micah who bears the mark of the herald as well. His coat is every bit as golden as Gabriel's."

His blood ran cold. Had Samael discovered the secret to creation, as Father had? There could be no other way for a child to bear resemblance to himself. Gabriel had borne no sons, as that was not physically possible. Did he have a doppelganger lurking on this planet? Luring in his Fallen brother with promises of what Gabriel could not give? The Lord had created himself and his brothers all at once, without sisters to speak of. Where had Samael found a woman who looked like him? Or perhaps this was all a ruse, meant to do... something. Gabriel wasn't sure what his brother aimed to achieve with this statement, but it had to be something.