Don't Shoot the Messenger

[Froy Gutierrez, male, he/him ] whatever you think you know about GABRIEL DOE, the 25/unknown year old, PANSEXUAL, NEW COMER, it is likely time for you to start reconsidering. the rumored ANGEL (ARCHANGEL) is often described as TRUSTING + EMPATHETIC, but don’t let them fool you; they can also be CREDULOUS + PETTY, which often has them regarded as the THE INSPIRITED. they are a/an BAKER/SERVER at GEEKS AND FREAKS, but it’s also said they are a/an ARCHANGEL within the LEIGON OF HEAVEN'S ARMY. whatever you hear, you can’t deny there’s more to them that meets the eye, and it’s time we start uncovering the truth.

GRAVY: What kind of food can you not live without?

"Since I started baking - definitely pastries. I love how flaky they are. They have such a good texture and you can fill 'em with all kinds of stuff. Versatile and fantastic."

HARVEST: Do you hoard anything? If so, what is it?

"Not that I know of? I mean...maybe I've got a bit of a problem hoarding new hobbies? Is that a thing you can hoard. I've been trying to learn how to play every single sport possible."

"Hmm...well, my fondest childhood memories were when me and my brother's were all together. Literally any and all of 'em. My family's had a bit of a...tumultuous relationship since then so I always look back on those fondly."

“Hmm I’m sure the broken glass would certainly put a damper on your evening.” She nods glancing around the place. “Its full moon with a wolf head engraved within it. Its a tad worn over the years so might not be the easiest to decode.” She ran her fingers over the piece and realized that it was likely that very movement that caused the damage to it. “Norse belief that a wolf chased each the sun and moon across the sky. I have Hati, who chases the moon.”

-

“Probably. Broken glass is a pain to clean up, especially on the main dining room floor. Dangerous, too,” He agreed, his eyes fixed on the pendant as she told the story behind it. Gabriel could tell she was some sort of supernatural beast - going by the wolf, he’d assume she was one. While he held the belief that the supernatural creatures were warped versions of his Father’s creations, he didn’t hold quite the same disgust for them that some of his brothers did. And even if he did, he had enough manners not to try and smite someone in the middle of a restaurant. “That’s a cool belief, I know like nothing about the Norse mythology. Do you have the sun wolf too?” 

“Oh, okay good.” He sighed out in exaggeration before laughing gently. “Yeah, I suppose there’s really not many non-creepy options. Unless you’re secretly like, psychic, or something and can gaze into the future.” He elaborated with a rather bad vocal riff. As he continued to carefully attempt to piece together parts of the sand wall, he glanced every now and then to look over the other male. The sadness in his eyes seemed so mismatched from the energy he was putting out, but by the time he went to comment on it Gabriel was answering his question.

“Oh? Well, welcome to the town then, Gabriel.” He smiled warmly. “Uh, yeah! Born and raised here my entire life. I don’t think I’ve ever even really set foot outside this town before come to think about it.” He laughed once more. “It was a lot more peaceful and a quaint sort of experience than the recent months have been. I don’t know, I guess I never gave it much thought because it was all I really knew.” He mused.

-

“No no future vision unfortunately. That would be really useful, though. Kinda spoils the fun of living, though; knowing exactly what’s going to happen and everything about everyone without having to ask,” he mused, trying to straighten his ugly mound of sand into something that better resembled a tower. Gabriel was quickly discovering how little skill he had making things for himself. His Father did not pass that on, it would seem. 

“Thanks! It’s good to be here. Besides the whole…thing not long after I first got here, this place has been really nice. It’s pretty out here and you’ve got a lot of interesting people. Like that lady that comes in every day to buy coffee with no coffee - just steamed milk and sugar.” Briefly, the archangel entertained the thought of what it would’ve been like to grow up on earth. To grow up period. Having a childhood sounded fun and freeing for the most part, a part of him - the part he buried deep down as much as he could - yearned for it like it yearned to relax and focus on the simple things that made living as a human so nice. 

“Guess it’s hard to describe what you experience when you’ve never had anything else to compare it to. Any reason you’ve never left here or…just never got a chance?”

Apple Pie: Fondest childhood memory?

Autumn: What is your favorite thing about Fall?

Baste: Favorite scent?

Cranberry Sauce: What's the one thing you can't leave the house without?

Drumkstick: If you could go back in time and live in any time period you want, which period would you choose?

Feast: One food you don't like sharing with others?

Family: Who is the person you are closest to?

Gobble: Are you better at talking or listening?

Gravy: What kind of food can you not live without?

Ham: Funniest joke you've ever heard?

Harvest: Do you hoard anything? If so, what is it?

Corn on the Cob: Do you like a little mess in your life or do you prefer things to be neat and tidy?

Mashed Potatoes: What is something that always brings you comfort when you are sad?

November: Favorite time of the year?

Pumpkin Pie: What is one kind of dessert you could eat everyday and never get tired of it?

Rolls: Do you think you're a selfish person in any way?

Stuffing: Are you happy with your body image?

Sweet Potato Casserole: Weirdest food combination you've ever tried?

Squash: Your biggest disappointment?

Turkey: The stupidest thing you've ever done?

“Why does everyone seem to automatically assume that my mind goes straight to something creepy or something perverted? I mean… they’re not always wrong, but still! Do I just give off a creepy pervert vibe that I’m not aware of?” Arynn remarked in a sarcastic complaining tone.

He grinned a little wider as Gabriel made the transition almost immediately to the sandbox edge alongside him. What was it others around his age liked to say - he definitely was passing the vibe check? He hummed for a moment at the question. “I’m not really big on wars and conflict, so… what about two castles and we just surround them with one big sandy fence - like ancient neighbors or something?” He chuckled with amusement.

As he began scooping and packing sand into one of the shaped containers, he glanced at his coworker. “Are you a local from around here too? One of our other coworkers - Fish - was a local and turns out I could’ve been making friends with him this entire time and didn’t realize it.” Arynn chuckled.

-

“Nah, nothing like that. No creepy pervert vibes from what I can tell. I just figured it’d sound kinda creepy knowing the spelling of your name just out of the blue with no explanation.” Gabriel elaborated, starting to push his sand into a mound in front of him, deciding to try his hand at making the base of the sandcastle without the help of the tools. 

Arynn’s answer to his question had him smiling all over again, Gabriel was comforted knowing there were still humans who didn’t possess the anger and passion for violence that was their downfall over and over again. For as much as he adored them, they had a habit of destroying themselves. “I’m not a big fan of wars either. Neighbors it is. Allies with an epic shared fence.” His words were earnest but his eyes couldn’t help but to betray the sadness that came over him like a cloud whenever he thought of war and conflict and all it had taken from his family. It was a selfish thought - one his brother would not approve of - but disagreement had torn most everyone he loved away from him and that wasn’t something you easily set aside. 

Or at least he didn’t. Raphael seemed to have an easier time of it. 

“Nope, I’m not from around here. Just got here, actually. Still finding my footing and all that. It’s a nice town as far as towns go. You’re a local, though, right? What was it like? Growing up here.”

Sebastian stared at the piece of jewellery, squinting to try and see where he’d seen it before - he hadn’t. Though, he was sure his daughter would appreciate a trinket, so he put a confident smile on.

“Ah yes, thank you. A gift for my daughter, she loves cats.” He explained, snatching the jewellery from the other man, placing it in his palm. It was a little bent up, but he was sure he could straighten it out in no time. “I should give you a tip for finding that. What’s your name so I can give my compliments to your boss?”

-

“No problem, glad I could help. I hope you’re able to fix it up easy enough.” Gabriel stuck his hands into his pockets once the pendant had found its supposed owner. “My name’s Gabriel, and there’s no need for a tip or anything. Just doing my job, I’d hate to throw someone’s present away on accident.” 

“I’m pretty sure offering free food is bribery, and not a positive customer experience.” She snorted. She nodded, though at the moment she was anything but vibing. A stolen object shoved in her closet, her nightmares and headaches getting worse by the day. Yeah, she was doing just peachy. “Why not? You look… pretty young, if you don’t mind me saying. No reason you can’t just kick back and relax sometimes.”

-

“Why can’t it be both? No one’s ever told me bribery isn’t good customer service.” Gabriel asked, his smile wide enough to show off his dimples. If they ever met again, he would have to consider telling her who and what he was, if she was so insistent on keeping her identity a secret it seemed a good way to break the ice. He was sure his brother would want the help of someone like her to fulfill their holy mission. “Well, I’m younger than I look.” It took some willpower not to laugh at her suggestion that he would ever be able to ‘kick back and relax.’ No, Gabriel was not created for relaxing, or most things that seemed nice, apparently. “And I’ve got a lot of responsibilities. No kicking back for me. Not now, at least. Not ever if you ask my brother.” 

When asked to not use the information he was given for evil, Marshall chuckled. “If I do, feel free to expose me. I’m pretty sure the story of a dirty Deputy would sell like hotcakes,” the Light Faye jested with sincere amusement. “You’re my new favorite baker, Beefcupcake,” Marshall assured. 

“… I can see it. You’d pull it off as well as Kaneki,” he teased playfully. “Perfect. I promise it’ll go smoother the second time, the third is just when I shine,” the Light Faye jested. Still, he listened intensely as Gabriel the baker spoke of where he was from… And the suspicion that was nesting within him only grew. “Northerner,” Marshall jested, although the answer had not been an answer at all. “Nice… well, welcome to town.” He was definitely hurrying over to the station to look up Gabriel the baker. 

He looked at the food packed up for him, reaching for the box and looking over to Gabriel with a smile in silent question on whether he was allowed to have it or not. 

-

“I’ll hold you to that, Marshall the regular.” Gabe chuckled, pausing their conversation for just a moment to check on the muffins in the oven. Not done yet. “Your favorite baker, huh? May wanna save a declaration like that ‘till your grand third impression. I’ll bake you somethin’ fresh for your official judgement.” 

Nodding in response to the deputies obvious interest in the box of pastries, the archangel was more than happy to move on from his stupid answer to Marshall’s question as quickly as possible. “Those are all your’s. Unless you want me to warm ‘em up for you? It’d only take a few minutes at most, but it’s your call. Customer’s always right.” 

It was an old necklace and in all honesty she should have been looking into getting it rechained but it was hard to find quality work these days. When her first husband gifted it to her it was something she kept with her always, as a reminder of what she fought for. Grabbing it out of the air as the male held it hanging she gave it a careful look over to damage. “Teach me to allow details to be over looked.” She was in truth more interested in taking in the other within the building than she was on her fashion but this was important to her. “I might have gone on rampage if I found I lost this.”

-

“Heh, well - in that case - I’m extra glad I found it. Saves us both the trouble of a rampage.” Gabe offered her a polite smile. “What is it, if you don’t mind me asking? I dunno if I’m looking at it wrong but I can’t seem to make sense of it.” It would bug him the rest of the night if he didn’t get an answer, no matter how silly the question was. 

Michael didn’t regret his decision to leave Heaven. He didn’t have it in him to continue leading the Legion, couldn’t stand the way everyone celebrated the loss of Lucifer, his inability to share his brethren views and ideals anymore bound to create conflict that could have very well started another war. He chose to abandon his home, to give up his grace, because he truly believed it was for the best. For both himself and his father’s kingdom. But Michael couldn’t deny there were heavy repercussions for his decision, leaving his youngest brother behind without knowing if they’d ever see each other again something he did lament.

He never intended to hurt Gabriel. He never intended to hurt any of his siblings…

Mike laughed at the other’s quick retort. “I’ve certainly started to feel my age. I’ll soon need a walker to get around this place.” He didn’t age as quickly as humans, and neither did he age at the same rate as the supernaturals. But without his powers he felt the exhaustion more easily, the ache in his body (specifically while in the process of healing from an injury) definitely taking it’s toll the longer he remained on Earth. Maybe one day the body he held would give out and he’d be put to rest. Maybe then he’d finally feel like he punished himself enough.

The older archangel chuckled, his gaze settling on the small dog. “Coco is quite the charmer.” He stepped closer to the counter, petting the Chihuahua. “But don’t let his little act fool you. He’s bossy. Especially when he’s not getting the attention he wants.” Mike nodded in gratitude as Gabe complimented the store, the question that followed making him chuckle again. “I honestly don’t know,” he admitted. “The name was already attached to the store when I got here back in the twenties, and even then nobody really knew the origin.” There were plenty of rumors and stories, but nothing that could be proven. “No matter how it changed through the years, the name never did, so I decided to keep it once I bought it in the seventies.” He shrugged. “Oddities I added later. It used to be a records store before I got it.”

-

“You are still strong, brother, I don’t think a walker is needed just yet.” He assured, though he didn’t really know what condition his brother was in since his severance from heaven. He was not the same as before, his presence didn’t feel the same, and yet it was unmistakable. Hell, Gabriel wasn’t even sure if his lifespan had been sustained though he quickly pushed that from his mind. Losing his brother to something like age after finally having him back would be a knife to the heart he wasn’t sure he could take. 

Turning his attention back to the dog, Gabriel’s smile returned as he leaned against the counter. “Coco is a very good name for such a gentleman. It suits him. I don’t think he appreciates your slander, though. Ruining his good impression. I’m sure he is as well mannered a creature as any.” Scratching at the dog’s chin, he resisted the urge to pick him up and hold him close. He was so tiny and endearing. “Hmm. Whoever Howie is, I wonder how they would feel to know that their name lives on without them? It’s impressive that it’s remained mostly unchanged for so long, everything here on earth seems to evolve so quickly. People, places, animals, landscapes - nothing is constant. I wish I could’ve seen it when you first got here, I think it’d be cool to witness that change myself.” 

“Oh, well, that makes way more sense than anything that was running through my head to try to explain that.” Arynn remarked and laughed softly. “Baked goods are very distracting. All those smells day in and day out and the temptation to just eat them all yourself? You’re a hero, man.” He mused jokingly. When Gabriel shared his sentiments about sand-castle building, Arynn looked over at him with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

“What’s stopping you?” He questioned as he hopped up from the table. “Come on.” He coaxed, gesturing for the male to follow him as he backpedaled towards the sandbox that was - thankfully - pretty abandoned. Arynn didn’t have any real qualms about playing in the sand, but he knew other people might not share his same lack of maturity. Plopping himself onto the wooden frame of the playground’s border, he glanced around for the community plastic toys - shaped buckets and shovels for packing the sand into them.

- 

“Well I’m kinda sad I don’t get to hear your theories, but I can’t think of any others that aren’t vaguely creepy so it’s for the best,” He grinned, finding Arynn’s laughter contagious. “Believe me, it takes a lot of willpower. And...just between the two of us, a may eat one or two when no one’s paying attention. For quality control only, if anyone asks.” 

Raising an eyebrow, Gabriel wasted no time following Arynn to the sandbox, sitting down next to his coworker and taking a moment to drag his fingers through the coarse sand, enjoying the texture against his skin. He could always feel so much more down on earth, everything had such a physical presence. “So, what kinda castle are we building? Or...are we doing two warring nations instead? Two peaceful neighboring nations?” 

@gabrieldxe​

Pinching the rim off his glasses between his index finger and thumb and adjusted them a bit as he continued to read. This of course was more a force of habit than anything else. Ever since he became a hellhound, Quinn hadn’t need his glasses. However, he still wore them from time to time. They provided him a since of normalcy and the memory of a the time before. Reaching his hand down, Quinn grabbed one of the random assorted pastries he ordered and took a large bite out of one of them. The warm fluffy treat tasted great and caused him to speak while mid chew. “Wow, who thought it was wise to pluck one of heaven’s buttery clouds and put it on my plate?”

-

If there was anything more ego-crushing than being set up on a blind date by co-workers, it was being stood up by said blind date. The only reason Micah had agreed was because he knew the woman was going through an awful divorce, and therefore looked rather happy when Micah had agreed to go out with her cousin. He figured it was worth the shot, because what did he really have to lose? Apparently a lot, including his good mood. Now he was holding onto a drink and trying not to let it annoy him too much. “I have a lesson for you: Never trust a probie who is having their own relationship issues. You know, she said her cousin is very reliable and trustworthy and perfect husband material. I would say he is neither of those things when he doesn’t show up and with that also ruins his chances of getting free drinks”, he said in an almost bitter tone to whoever had stepped up to the bar seconds before.

-

“Noted.” Gabe replied with a sympathetic smile, caught off-guard by the man’s venting but always happy to listen. The archangel had very little experience with dating and relationships but he watched a lot of terrible tv so he felt confident in his grasp on the in’s and out’s of romance. “And hey, now you know he’s unreliable right off the bat and you don’t have to waste your time getting attached to him. Besides there are plenty of people at this bar to buy drinks for if that’s what you really want to do.” 

Gabriel didn’t drink, alcohol did nothing for his supernatural biology, but that didn’t matter. The main reason he went to bars was to talk to people. Humans were so much more willing to be open with themselves and others after a drink and some good company. “That’s what bars are for, right? Meeting people?” 

“I suppose it can be if used right or left unchecked. Definitely not as out of control as its opposite in those same conditions though.” Jett had been trained to use his powers in that way. Although, it wasn’t typically seen as a wild destructive force which was probably what made it so surprising when it was. “Lightning is definitely the less fun part of a storm…no matter how many times you’re used to it’s touch.” The last half of his sentence was spoken in a rather low and his breath more than anything. “Oh, that’s interesting, wouldn’t have thought normal guys would be so resistant to weather like that.” Of course, there were definitely quite a few species that scurried into hiding when rain came. But of humanoid kind, there was really only the one that name came from that panic over it.

-

“It’s not as refreshing, for sure.” He agreed, slicking his hair back once again as the water began to weigh it down. “Normal guys? As opposed to what kinda guys?” Gabe wasn’t ready to admit quite yet to what he was, not unless he was flat out asked, but his curiosity got the best of him. The man in front of him was not playing at subtle, or at least not trying to when it came to people who knew what to look for. “You’re pretty passionate about rain. Or, at least, you’ve got a lot more opinions on it than I figured. Are you from around here? Seems like the kind of place that gets a lot of rain.” 

“Oh. How biblical.” He joked briefly. “I like it though. Has kind of a soothing quality about it.” Arynn hummed for a second as the male took a seat on the bench. He blinked in slight surprise when Gabriel not only knew his name, but was aware of its unusual spelling without him having to ramble about it for several seconds. “Uh - yeah. Hole in one.” He laughed awkwardly.

The young man took a small breath and nodded slowly. “It really is.” He spoke softly. A finger lifted as he gestured to an old sandbox playground. “My grandmother used to bring me here on the weekends after school when my mom was busy with work. She’d push me on the swings or just watch as I made terrible sand castles that she always claimed were beautiful.” He smiled fondly at the memory. “Even after she passed and my grandpa afterwards, I kept coming here every now and then just to sit around.”

-

“Thanks! I like it. But I’m biased since it’s my name and all,” He beamed, realizing only after he saw the look on Arynn’s face that maybe he should’ve explained how exactly he knew the spelling and stuff. “I promise I’m not weird or anything, the spelling’s on your name tag and the schedule. I meant to ask you about it when I first started working at Geeks and Freaks, but then it slipped my mind. Who woulda thought baked goods were so distracting?” 

Arynn’s fondness softened the archangel’s features even further, Gabriel had always found himself endeared by the sentimentality of humans. He liked to think he could be sentimental too, but they had a real knack for it. “That’s sweet. I haven’t made sandcastles in forever - “ or never, really, but that didn’t seem like the kinda response a normal human would give. “ - it’s a shame people stop doing those sorta things when they get older.”