World Tree MUSH

    It's been about a few days since the violent overthrow of Bishop False...
    Kyner and his men has brought stability and peace thus far afterwards but there's still a lot of questions and things that need to be handled, for now... Things are quiet. Castiel, after her injury, was given a room in a local inn to recover, and has spent the past few days convalescing and resting her injury away. It was an injury that would have likely been lethal if not for her hardy constitution and Matsu being there. But now the small angel is on her feet, it's slow going, but she's up and about enough to make her way to the window and open the blinds to let the sunlight and breeze into her room.

Itana spent a lot of time in the following days sitting by Castiel's bedside. She hasn't always advertised her ability to brew potions, and it's been limited by her lack of access to ingredients from her own world. Her stockpile has been steadily whittled down by the curatives she's mixed together to help nurse Castiel back to health.

At the moment the window opens, there is a small knock on the door. "Castiel?"

Itana waits a few seconds before easing through. With no need for fighting here, she's settled for her simple tunic and slouched boots, and she's carrying a small tray with a little bowl of seasoned oats, a glass of sunny fruit juice and another little potion in a pale green hue.

"How are you feeling...?"

    Illumiel's been out in the town, helping stabilize things, and reminding some of the former zealots under False's regime that it is a Bad Idea to upset an Actual Angel. Luckily most have opted to not engage and to submit to the New New Regime, which is starting to manifest in a republic-style committee of surrounding towns and villages sending representatives to the capital. Illumiel has taken it on herself to oversee the first few meetings, being a 'threat of violence' if things get out of hand or too heated.

    A few minutes after Itana enters, another knock comes, "Sister...?" comes the other angel's voice, before the door cracks open and the blonde haired head peeks around.

    "Come in." Castiel's voice is soft and warm as ever, gentle and inviting as Itana knocks. And again as Illumiel peeks her head in.
    "Come in, come in. I think I'm finally well enough for visitors." The small blonde says, turning her head with a soft smile on her lips at the sight of the pair.
    Castiel folds her hands behind her back as she turns to face them.
    "I am better than I was, before."

The sight of a healthier angel is enough to lift a pall of worry from Itana's heart. A little smile creases her face, relief showing through a gesture far more subdued than she actually feels.

"I'm glad. I was worried for awhile." Moving to give Illumiel some room, Itana maneuvers to the bedside and sets Castiel's breakfast down. "If you take nothing else, ensure that it's the potion. It will help your muscles heal."

She looks up again and folds her hands at her waist. Quiet eyes scan Castiel quickly, as if ensuring there's nothing she missed that would require immediate attention.

"You had us worried."

    Illumiel slips inside, closing the door with a soft click of the latch engaging. She steps cautiously closer, hanging back from Itana, as if ashamed.

    Not of Itana or Castiel... but of herself... She takes a breath, then blurts out. "You should have let me take that lance, sister... I was braced for it... you... you could have died, and then what would I do?!" She clutches the hem of her dress, crumpling it in little balled fists, her bangs hiding her eyes... though little crystaline tears drip down her cheeks. "My light is the one that should fade from this world, not yours..." she continues. "And what did you say to me last time?"

    Her face lifts, and her voice, normally more harsh in tone, perfectly mimics Castiel's... even to the pang of heartache. "If I were to lose either of you, or both of you, I would lose my way, forever."

    A small hand reaches up, palm warmly cupping Itana's cheek as she sets the meal down.
    "I will drink the potion." Castiel says, ever the agreeable and good-natured, and just flat out good patient. Itana need not worry about Castiel spitting up her medicine, no no.
    For the most part, she seems to be in good health and spirits as she retracts her hand, setting it over her stomach where the lance had pierced her.
    "There isn't even so much as a scar; Matsu's healing truly is a thing of wonders." She says before a soft and sad cast falls over her expression.
    Because of what Illumiel has to say.
    Slowly Castiel approaches her twin, thumb tenderly and delicately wiping away the girl's tears.
    "That... Dear sister, is why I could not stand idle while he would have hurt you." She says at first. "Your light is just as bright and worthy of shining as mine, you know. Because I love you, and Itana loves you. You are loved, sister. And that is why I did what I did."

An angel hand touches her cheek. Itana raises her hand a moment to touch the back of Castiel's. She knows all too well that there is no better patient, even though itana herself is a relatively average and low-tech doctor.

However, there is a crying angel. Itana stops, opening her mouth just slightly, then closing it and pursing her lips intently as she watches Illumiel pour out her emotions.

As Castiel steps in, Itana moves slowly after her. Stepping around the more serene of the two angels, the archer draws an arm around Castiel's shoulders, the other around Illumiel's, drawing both into her. "Neither of your lights should fade from the world," she offers, her voice low and softer.

"Will you let me be selfish for a moment...? Because if your lights went out, my world would feel far more empty."

    Illumiel is quiet, staring into her twin's face. She reaches up, trembling hands cupping her twins cheeks, as she leans in to press forehead to forehead.

    Itana comes in, and pulls both angels close. The Avenger is normally reticent to engage in these group hugs, but now, she leans into Itana's embrace, eyes closing as she starts to relax.

    There is, indeed, a crying angel.
    And this cannot be allowed to continue. Thankfully Itana sees to that, pulling both girls to herself, allowing them to relax and bask in her warmth as they hold one another.
    "I am sorry to have worried you." Castiel says at first. "The both of you..."
    With her cheek resting on Itana's shoulder she huffs softly. "It was thoughtless of me to have done what I did. But... I will stand by it." She says a little more firmly while brushing Illumiel's cheek with her palm. "I think we are all being selfish right now..." She murmurs.
    "And that is okay."

Itana hugs may be getting more familiar. As is often the case, she's warm and smells like something vaguely cinnamon-like.

Drawing her arms more tightly around the pair of little angels, Itana rocks a little and lowers her cheek to rest in Castiel's hair. Her eyes close for a moment as she breathes slowly, chest rising, and then falling again. "You don't have to apologize," she murmurs. "I should apologize. I barely remember how things happen. The first thing I remember is coming back to my senses over you."

The archer tilts her head to the other side and lets her cheek settle against Illumiel's hair now. "Both of you... you deserve to shine as brightly as you can. You both promised to protect me, once.

"Let me promise the same for you. I love you both too much to not try."

    Illumiel is quiet, just letting herself be comforted... she may almost seem to have fallen asleep, before she lifts her head from Itana's shoulder, and lifts a hand to gently caress the human's cheek. "We look after each other to the best of our abilities." she says, turning her blue eyes from Itana to Castiel and back... "I... will do my best not to sacrifice myself."