InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Don't let me detain you."

Constance 'Diligence' Webber (ex_industria602) wrote in forgotten_gods,
@ 2009-05-05 20:41:00

Current mood:	drunk
Entry tags:	diligence, gabriel

Who: Diligence and Gabriel
When: Night, May 5th
Where: Gabriel's apartment
What: Diligence is drunk, unintentionally. Cue amusement?

Diligence was many things. A hard worker, devoted friend, somewhat sanctimonious virtue, kick-ass baker... What she was not was a quiet drunk. Or a mature one. In fact, she was definitely more of a child-like, silly drunk - which was pretty apparent when Gabriel made his way back home. After unlocking and opening his door, he was greeted by the sight of pink-faced Virtue swaying back and forth on the coffee table, wearing an over-sized 'Bellevue Hospital' t-shirt, a pair of white cotton panties, and a giant grin.

Hearing the door, she turned to face him and waved her arms happily in the air. "Gabriel! I'm the Virtue of No Pants! Happy fifth of May!"

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 08:07 pm UTC (link)

It seems while the archangel was out working the dinner shift at the shelter, Ms. Hard Work herself was cutting loose and knocking back a few in the process. Blatantly startled by what greets him on the other side of the door, he’s remarkable at not letting it stun him entirely. His jacket is shrugged off and hung up, and his bag is dropped near the coat rack. Calmly he made his way over to the coffee table, peering up at her, curious and a little amused.

“The Virtue of Pantslessness?” He inquired, humoring her. “Have you retired from Diligence permanently, or is just a little vacation?”

She wasn’t hurting anything just yet – only making an ass out of herself in his living room, and he wanted the story before he sobered her up, because he has a feeling she’ll be too ashamed once he does to say.

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 08:20 pm UTC (link)

It wasn't like the virtue hadn't worked a full shift along with some volunteer time in the nursery, more like some of her co-workers had decided that they should celebrate Cinco De Mayo and she had been dragged along. She hadn't intended to be in the state she was now, however her friend had obviously had other ideas. Little Constance was always so chaste and sweet, she needed to unwind. So, they took matters into her own hands.

"I'm very diligent about my pantlessness, silly archangel!" She responded, resting one hand on her hip before continuing. "My friends bought me iced teas!"

She was incredibly happy, wanting to dance and even go running all around the city handing out cookies or something. She was pleased to see Gabriel smiling at her too, because she'd have been really sad if he wasn't happy too!

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 08:29 pm UTC (link)

He reached to put his hands under her armpits and lifted her from the table, to settle her back down on the floor beside him, despite how she might protest.

“Iced tea, hmm?” He was still smiling. He reached then to brush his hand along her forehead and through her hair, lifting the cloud of alcohol from her mind as easily as one would brush dust from a beloved bookcase. “That sounds delicious, but how about a cup of coffee, and some pants?”

He was watching her eyes, not her hips, his expression gentle, still smiling. Poor Virtue, so innocent and naive. She couldn’t be blamed for this, and if she were, he would absolve her himself.

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 08:37 pm UTC (link)

She didn't protest when he pulled her down off the table, standing a little unsteadily and blinking as she pressed her hand to her forehead.

"Yeah, my friend Jennifer kept saying I should try her drink. It was really tall, but it tasted good." She watched his hand as he raised it to her forehead, suddenly feeling a lot better. And incredibly aware of the breeze on her legs. "Oh...yes. Um, they're on your bookcase. Excuse me."

She turned bright red, obviously mortified as she carefully moved past him to retrieve the pants from where she had thrown them. "I would appreciate some coffee, please. Thank you." She refused to glance in his direction, hurrying towards another room to fix her appearance.

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 08:45 pm UTC (link)

He chuckled after her, good-naturedly as she scurried off out of sight to arrange herself again, slipping off into the kitchen to put the coffee pot on and fish one of the many cookies she had stashed around his kitchen out to chew on. Chocolate and macadamia nut, and just a little chewy; perfect. He fished down a Chinese food take-out menu, assuming she hadn’t eaten yet, and he was in no mood to cook tonight.

By time she joined him again, there was a nice steaming cup of coffee resting on the island, prepared how she likes it, with a cookie settled on a paper napkin beside. He wasn’t about to judge, it wasn’t her fault.

“Hungry?”

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 08:57 pm UTC (link)

She reappeared quickly, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail as she seemed to be studying the ground quite intensely. She felt embarrassed, ridiculous, and silly all in one, and truly hoped that she hadn't done anything to ruin her friendship with him. Humiliation could be recovered from. Losing a friend wasn't that easy.

She had a thin smile on her face as she approached and picked up the coffee. Taking a sip, she was prepared for all sorts of questions and possibly a well-deserved lecture. Instead, she found herself confused by his question.

"Ah, yes, thank you. What were you thinking?"

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 09:03 pm UTC (link)

A lecture? From Gabriel? Unlikely. He is the Archangel of Mercy, after all. If you want retribution, ask his brothers. Besides, she had said it wasn’t her fault, and he believed her. Unless of course she became a lush and a liar in the last twelve hours. Had she gone out aiming to become inebriated, he might have more words for her, but as it was, she didn’t, so on to more important things. Like dinner.

“Sesame chicken, fried noodles, sweet and sour pork.” He waved the menu. “What about you?” it was offered over then.

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 09:14 pm UTC (link)

It wasn't that Diligence was unaware that Gabriel was the Archangel of Mercy, more like she was still worried that her actions would have repercussions. She would have to be careful and make sure she had words with her co-workers, considering that she wasn't exactly pleased to discover that they had duped her. She was not the type who would willingly jeopardize her position.

"I'll have beef and broccoli, and that should be fine for me." She didn't even have to glance at the menu. "Are we getting it delivered, I have some cash in my other pants."

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 09:19 pm UTC (link)

He shrugged.

“I’ve got cash. I just don’t feel like cooking.”

He wandered then to find where the cordless phone had gotten to, to call and order their dinner. With that finished, he returned to the kitchen, and gave her a look.

“I don’t understand the mortal fascination with making others go against their nature. As if it’s accomplishing anything. Are you alright?”

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 09:29 pm UTC (link)

She shrugged as well, accepting his generosity.

"I'll have to get dinner for us some night to pay you back, then."

She took another thoughtful sip of her coffee, ignoring the cookie for now as she tried to figure out what to say to her supposed friends tomorrow. This would be difficult.

"I think so, just somewhat hurt and upset. I don't understand it either, I mean, what if I had ended up getting hurt, or doing something untoward?"

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 09:45 pm UTC (link)

“You do enough around here. Consider it repayment for the cookies I’ve been living off of for the last week.” He gives her another bright smile, and pours himself a cup of coffee then.

“See, you would think of that, and I would think of that, and I think we’re both on the same page as to how we feel, but they, I believe, would find it funny. Misery loves company, and to make up for their own moments of weakness and shame, they would seek to hear about yours.”

His shoulders roll, tense, as they often are.

“They don’t like to believe that anyone is better than them, ever.”

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 10:04 pm UTC (link)

"Oh please, you were kind enough to take me in after what happened. Baking some cookies is nothing into the debt of gratitude I owe you." She grins slightly brighter, blushing softly.

"That's somewhat ridiculous and self-defeating! You would think that people would work to help get past those moments of weakness and shame, so they can elevate themselves and others around them. Why take delight in the failings of others? Where does that get anyone?"

She narrows her eyes slightly, shaking her head.

"It's one thing to be aware of and pleased by their accomplishments, but their attitudes can't get them far..."

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 10:16 pm UTC (link)

“Their attitudes haven’t gotten them far, which is why we’re here to gently guide them whenever we can.”

His head rolls back as his head tilts, causing his neck to crack and a sigh to escape him. That’s better. His gaze focuses on her again.

“Their morals are shot, and they stray, more and more every day from the path of the righteous. And all we can do is try to help guide them back on it without being heavy-handed.”

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ex_industria602
2009-05-05 11:24 pm UTC (link)

"It's difficult, but with time and effort I just know we can make a real difference. They just need to want it."

She knew that she sounded like something you'd read off a motivational poster, but when it came down to it she truly believe what she was saying. She just wished others did too.

"What could have happened, really, to bring people so low? I feel like we could work around the clock and somehow it wouldn't be enough for us to affect everyone."

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fortitudo_dei
2009-05-05 11:31 pm UTC (link)

“That’s why we don’t effect everyone, or even try to. We help those that need us the most, and try to encourage others to do the same. Lead by example, Diligence.”

He sipped from his mug then and turned to look out the window.

“Over eight-million out there alone..” He shakes his head. “Unless we start performing miracles, there’s no way we can reach them all.. and even such things are incredibly dangerous. Mass hysteria is not a means to an end. He gave them free will. It is their choice with that gift, what they do with it. And while you and I might see some of what they do to be so incredibly wasteful.” He looks back to her then. “God gave them the choice to be that way, and He knows what he’s doing.”

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