yes, we believe in the wisdom of our god

[jovahs_heiress]

Isabella is generally referred to as: promising.

Angels in general are a breed apart. Of course they've all got lovely voices, they've all got classical music training and know the masses and prayers, they're all blessed winged creatures -

But that doesn't mean they're all smart, or all good, even (Isabella was taken to see Windy Point, once, or what's left of it, and of course she sees the scars on Galo Mountain every year at the Gloria; there stood angels who were not good). And Isabella is smart and good.

Isabella is always the first to volunteer for an intercession. She likes them. She'll call down weather, plead for seeds, pray a shower of medicine to fall from the sky, and she will get what she asks for, and she loves nothing more than to dive from hours aloft in prayer and clasp the hands of the people she helped and go home to the Eyrie to take on her next assignment. When there are none - when there is the right amount of rain and sun in the province, when there is no plague and no famine - she studies. She studies a bit of everything, but she fancies herself particularly a historian, investigating the accounts of Archangels' reigns past. From books, mostly, although once she wrangled herself a year in Cedar Hills to assist the Archangel Linus, and when she is in the Eyrie she closely follows the leader of the host there, the former term-lapsed Archangel Delilah.

She tried to get in with the other living former Archangel, too, Alleluia the oracle who served as Delilah's interim while the latter's wing recovered from an injury, but after a few hours' conversation Alleluia said that she could not accept Isabella as even a temporary acolyte and sent her to Peninnah instead. Isabella learned a lot from Peninnah, but she's confused about why Alleluia turned her down personally only to send her to another oracle, after such a prolonged interview. Particularly since Sinai is in her own province; what was the point in sending her all the way to Gaza?

But the instruction came from an oracle, and oracles' words more often than not come from Jovah. She went to Gaza, learned from Peninnah, and went home.

Now she is back at the Eyrie, and the first thing she wants to do is let Delilah know that she's back. Her wings aren't so tired that she can't immediately fly to the Corinnis or the outskirts of Semorrah or anywhere and accomplish something. Failing that, she'd love to sign up for harmonies again now that she's home and wants to know what she ought to schedule around.

Delilah is with her husband Noah, and a visitor. He doesn't seem like a petitioner, and he doesn't look like an Edori, although the fact that he and Noah are talking in Edori suggests that he might be an adopted one. (There are hardly any Edori of either sort left; most of them live in Ysral, now.) Isabella waits patiently outside the door for the host leader's attention.

Comments

[jovahs_heiress]

Isabella stammers again but finishes the story, which ends with her chasing the bird into a tree too densely branched for an angel to climb and ultimately carrying Tobiah himself down to shimmy up the trunk and retrieve his pet.

[pythbox]

"You're sweet," Micaiah says fondly.

[jovahs_heiress]

"Thanks," says Isabella, smiling at him.

"It's like a fairy tale," sighs Rinnah.

Charles harrumphs.

[pythbox]

Micaiah beams.

[jovahs_heiress]

Isabella's reunion conversation with her parents continues to range over miscellaneous topics and continues to incorporate handholding. When Isabella mentions that she ought to see Serah today, Rinnah ushers her and Micaiah out the door, laughing. And Isabella doesn't seem disposed to let go of Micaiah's hand.

[pythbox]

He smiles blushily at her and laces their fingers together.

[jovahs_heiress]

Serah's quarters are nowhere near her brother's. (Angels and mortals require different accommodations and live in different sections after they move out of the rooms that adjoin their parents'.) Isabella knocks, bouncing on the balls of her feet, and a person who looks like a female wingless Elisha perhaps one year older than he explodes out into the corridor and immediately engulfs Isabella in a hug. "Elisha told me you were back! Why didn't you come see me first?" Serah said. "I was only down in Velora! You could have found me. Is this Micaiah? Oh, he's cute -" She aims her face at the ceiling, as though addressing Jovah - "I approve!"

"Yes, Serah," says Isabella patiently. "This is Micaiah. Micaiah, this is Serah."

[pythbox]

He giggles!

"You're really cute," he says to Serah.

[jovahs_heiress]

"Why thank you," says Serah with complete unselfconsciousness. "So you're going to be Isabella's angelico, huh?"

"Serah."

"No, no, you're too modest, you really don't need to be you know, many Archangels have been famously pompous - anyway, I'd say I ought to be friends with you so I can get special favors when you and her rule Samaria together but I'm already her best friend so you can be sure I will like or dislike you solely on your own merits," Serah says cheerily.

[pythbox]

"Good to know," he laughs.

[jovahs_heiress]

"Tell me about your merits," urges Serah, grabbing Isabella and Micaiah each by a hand and pulling them with awkward simultaneity through her door. One of Isabella's wings winds up buffeting Micaiah, all soft and warm; she doesn't seem discomfited by the accidental contact. "Elisha only knew a handful of things!"

[pythbox]

"Aww, they are cuddly," he says, grinning at Isabella. To Serah: "I have huge vocal range and I tell funny stories and a lot of people will tell you I'm the best kisser in my tribe."

[jovahs_heiress]

"What do you think about this claim, Isabella?" Serah asks very seriously.

"I... would have to take his word for it?" Isabella manages awkwardly.

"Your Kisses are like stars come to earth and you have not sampled any less capitalized kisses?" exclaims Serah, completely scandalized.

"...Yes."

"Well," snorts Serah. "I suddenly need the water room. I'm sure I'll be at least five minutes." And she flounces off to her adjoining water room.

[pythbox]

"A lot of people will tell you I'm the best in my tribe at some other things, too," Micaiah says cheerfully. "Well?"

[jovahs_heiress]

"Well - if you want to," says Isabella. "I cannot at this time claim it as one of my own talents. Fair warning."

[pythbox]

"That's okay," he says, and he leans in and kisses her.

[jovahs_heiress]

She makes a creditable effort to kiss back.

She also makes an intrigued little sound in the back of her throat.

[pythbox]

Micaiah makes a sound somewhere between a hum and a giggle. She definitely seems to be getting the idea.

[jovahs_heiress]

Experimental kisses ensue.

Serah gives them a bit longer than five minutes, and still comes out to a scene of kissing. "Goodness gracious," she deadpans. "I am astonished to find this going on. Whatever shall I do."

Isabella breaks off to roll her eyes at her friend. "So what did you do in Velora yesterday?" she asks.

"Shopping!" crows Serah, clapping her hands. "Do you want to see what I got?"

"Why not?" Isabella laughs.

Serah got several pretty dresses. She shows them off each in turn with loving and elaborate descriptions in spite of the fact that her visitors can plainly see them for themselves.

[pythbox]

"Oooh," says Micaiah. He gets very enthusiastic about the dresses.

[jovahs_heiress]

Serah considers this no more or less than the height of virtue on his part, and winds up directing most of her commentary at him rather than at Isabella, who regards the pair of them with tolerant amusement. Her own interest in outfits is very limited.

[pythbox]

Micaiah commentaries right back at her. Excitedly. He should add flattery to his list of talents.

[jovahs_heiress]

Eventually, Serah runs out of dresses to show off, and has exhausted her remarks on her new hairclip too. "You're dressed so plain, I would never have guessed you'd like fancy things," she tells Micaiah.

[pythbox]

"I like fancy things," he emphasizes. "I like them way too much to travel in 'em."

[jovahs_heiress]

"Well, you're staying here, now, aren't you? Isabella, why haven't you taken him shopping yet, that's verging on criminal, the poor boy, I insist you fly him to Velora right now - and then come back and fetch me! - and put him in some nicer clothes," says Serah imperiously

"Do you want to go shopping?" Isabella asks Micaiah mildly.