The Choices Made [for Daily / admonish]

[thisducks]

[ He didn't understand.

He didn't understand why they were all so mad at him. Everyone was so mad. Being shoved into a silent, dark room and told to stay there in a tone that brook no argument... it felt like hours ago. Deep inside, he was afraid for Lilith. He had no idea where she was, how mad they were at her. All of it felt so incredibly confusing and seeing the people he loved look that angry, that... scared? It left him shook to his core.

So Lucifer sat in silence, his wings wrapped around him like a tight cocoon, with his knees drawn up and his arms wrapped around his knees. He thought of Sera scolding him for saying he loved the humans with all his heart when she finally caught him sneaking down to the Garden. He thought of Lilith crying, telling him the words Adam had spoken to her that made her angry until she cried in his arms, and how he eased her tears and found ways to make her smile again. How he'd wanted her to be free when she said she felt like she was in a cage.

It'd all made sense in his head, before. What difference would her knowing more make to the other angels? Then he'd feared Eve would be trapped in the same way, what if Adam would do the same..?

He'd just wanted them to be happy.

So why was everyone so angry at him? ]

Comments

[thisducks]

[ To Michael's words, Lucifer finds himself nodding in agreement. If Father will throw more angels down, then they would catch them. They can build this place to be something bigger and better than Heaven. Show Father that He had cost Himself more than He understood the day He would cast out His son.

When Michael speaks of the Fall, his fingers tremble without him realizing. His brother had turned them over, determined to take the brunt of the Fall, but Lucifer had seen them staring into his very soul. The endless Eyes, tearing him apart on a level deeper than anything had ever touched, seeing every memory and thought he had ever had and twisting them into the forms they bear now.

Lucifer's swallow is audible and his breath out shakes in his throat. ]

Then no matter what we see out in the ashes, we cannot believe we are alone.

[ A concept more terrifying than monsters out in the darkness. ]

...If it uses darkness... then we will bring light to drive it away. I know we can. Physically, mentally... everything-ly.

[admonish]

No, it would be foolish. No matter how long we are destined to stay here we should not grow complacent. I fear that the moment we do, that is when something profound will happen.

I do not mean to worry you by saying such things but we need to be prepared for whatever is sent our way. Friend or foe.

[ feeling the trembling of the hand, he twists his torso so he can reach back and both grab and steady it. ]

There is one thing I am certain of and that is that, together, we can accomplish anything. No matter the obstacle, we can overcome it as long as we have faith in one another and trust our instincts.

[ there isn’t so much as a tremor in his voice when he speaks the next part. it is beyond a promise. ]

As long as I am here, I will protect you with everything that I am. Be it evil, your doubt or the darkness lingering around us. Should you stray, I will always find you. The only thing I fear here is losing you.

[thisducks]

I am not a child, Michael. I know I cannot believe everything will be perfect and safe, and that we are in the dangerous unknown.

[ His eyes meet his twin's with a certain level of firm determination, believing very much so in Michael's words and the sworn oath. There is no place in him to even begin to doubt his brother means those words with everything in him. Still, he turns his hand to squeeze the one over his, trying to make his own voice sound as sure as the oath just made to him. ]

I will do everything to not be a weakness to you. When you cannot see, I will be your eyes. I will be the light in the darkness- for you, for anyone who finds themselves here, and against the evil we saw.

[ His voice falls softer, but it's matched by the touch to Michael's cheek, just below the strange hands over his eyes. ] If I lost you, I would lose myself. Just promise me you will not throw yourself in the path of the spear again. ...If you fell before it, I would have picked it up and finished the mission it had began.

[admonish]

I never claimed you were, I would have stated the same thing even if you were thousands of years older than me. I am simply more cautious than usual now, I am not accustomed to being caught unaware. You are my guiding light here, one I would be lost without.

[ still, he manages to sound apologetic at first. he is so used to having most of the answers that right now? he is doubting himself most of all, not Lucifer. ]

You have never and will never be a weakness, you are my strength. Even now, I do not think you realize how strong you truly are but I do hope, one day, you will see what I see.

[ he shakes his head, reaching up to touch the hand on his face. ] You know I cannot lie, Lucifer, that is not a promise I can make. Will it satisfy you if I say that I will be more mindful of my actions in the future? Father is not cruel, neither of us would have succumbed to it.

[ he almost seems to look right at him on the next part. ] Even a spear could not stop me if you were in danger.

[thisducks]

[ Really, it was exactly what he expected to hear from his brother and had still said what he did. Lucifer's smile in return, though unseen, might be heard in his response to Michael. A sad smile, trying so hard not to let his own heart fracture on his next words. ]

It is just us now, and maybe it will only ever be us. ...for either of us to fall takes the other out as well. [ Leaning forward to put their foreheads together, he murmurs softly. ] Truly two halves of the same, as we ever have been. I will do what I can to not put myself into danger, trusting that you will not throw yourself into unnecessary danger in return.

[ Lucifer kisses his brother's temple, then sits back and unfolds Michael's wing onto his lap. Like Michael, he could do this with his eyes closed if necessary, but it gives him something to focus on rather than the very real knowledge that they simply are not safe. To start, since the water is fresh, he begins to clean out the bite wound, glad Michael can't see his nose wrinkling as he carefully manipulates the wound to get all of the ash out of it. Then, he conjures into his hands first a balm to keep anything else out of it, smearing it with gently fingertips to coat the span of the injury. When he realizes bandages will not do well, he closes his eyes and simply imagines what he needs. A sort of skin about this big in size, that would cling to the surrounding feathers without damaging them but strong enough to stay on even with movement.

He makes it white in color with a pattern similar to the rows of tiny feathers, so the wound will be somewhat hidden, and summons it into existence with a golden flare of his magic. With a delicate touch, he applies it across the bite to seal it off. ]

...given that we do not know how long it will take us to heal, that will keep the bite clean until it finishes.

[admonish]

To that I can promise. Be my eyes and I will be your sword, you will never know loneliness while I am by your side.

[ he leans into the contact and briefly tries to follow him when he moves away but catches himself. the way their foreheads meet and the tenderness of the kiss makes his heart ache, wondering if this will only be a temporary peace.

though he never makes a sound throughout his work, a muscle in his back does twitch a bit near the tail end of the cleaning. it’s only Lucifer’s careful manipulation of his wing that clues him into how bad it could be. too big to be from a human-shaped mouth but also not large enough to require anything more than this. in conclusion: were he not in his brother’s company right now, he would have likely been unable to completely save the wing. ]

Thank you.

[ to combat his sadness, he tries to glance over his shoulder at him. if he fears being separated and left here alone, maybe he can be reassured by something else. recalling his fondness for them, he murmurs to him. ]

Perhaps in the quest to populate our humble abode, you can bring some of your ducklings to life. They brought you joy before, let them do the same for you now. If nothing else, the quiet will not be nearly as unnerving.

[thisducks]

[ Lucifer's gentle fingers had just started their work on Michael's feathers when Michael threw that idea out. His eyes go wide in realization that his brother is right. The creatures he had loved more dearly than any of his other creations - able to swim, float, fly, and adorably waddle. He had been so very, very proud to present them to Father and Sera to go to the new world... Father had enjoyed them, in his way, but Sera had only looked at him with apprehension and weariness. ]

I... I could! There is no one to tell us no any longer... [ The water started to ripple as Lucifer's wings, held up above as he knows the water will get ashy all over again, are quivering hard enough in excite to affect the tub. ]

I could make them a lovely pond, and grasses to live in, and some trees... I need to attempt something like a sun!

[ He pauses, then sheepishly- ] After our defenses, of course.

[admonish]

[ before he can catch himself, Michael laughs and it comes from a special place because, rather than the quiet ones he typically does, this one shakes his shoulders and carries. of course ducks would lull that delight out of him.

it is more than endearing, it gives him a moment of peace where he isn’t thinking about their current situation, but rather the moment that bright and shining face first ran towards him with his new creation in the. even then, if he had to be honest, he would wonder if the inspiration for them was Lucifer himself.

when he looks over his shoulder again it is with a brilliantly fond smile that softens his face considerably. ]

I can feel your wings trembling, you concentrate on your ducks and I will finalize our defenses. It would bring you comfort to see them daily and me comfort to know that you have joy.

When I have a solid foundation in place for our defenses, we can move onto them. Will that work for you?

[thisducks]

[ It lights up Lucifer even further to hear Michael laugh. A little sound of gasped joy leaves him before he nods several times, then wrapping his arms around his brother's neck, nuzzling at Michael's hair. ]

Of course it does! I want to help you with the defenses - you know how it should be, I can make whatever you need. I will do what it may take to complete turning this place to as much of a paradise as we are able.

[ With Michael, he can shine, knowing he will never be alone but also, that his back will not be a place to strike for whatever lies beyond the fences of their little homestead. Inside his heart, he makes his own silent promise to his brother.

I will do everything in my power to make you happy, and I will always love you.

With one last nuzzle, then a sneeze as ash tickles his nose, Lucifer sits back. ]

...We might want to get this all out of our hair, too.

[admonish]

Some things remain the same, even after all that has changed on our bodies. It brings me joy to feel your enthusiasm.

[ when he hugs him, he briefly rests one of his hands against his arm, squeezing it. for all the pain they have endured since their arrival here, a moment like this nearly makes it all worth it. to picture his brother as anything other than this, he does not dare it, but it will haunt his dreams tonight. ]

I can think of no other person I would rather help me than you, and not simply because we are the only ones present. You understand the way my mind works without me having to utter a single word, so I know that whatever we decide upon will be constructed masterfully and with the utmost care.

[ the hand on Lucifer’s arm moves to his face to cradle it for a moment. there is nothing in this world he would not do to ensure the owner of this face kept smiling, nothing at all. one day that may come to change him in ways but he does not dwell on it now.

instead, much in the way his twin does, he makes his own solemn vow: to love, cherish and protect him from harm no matter which direction it comes from, with the same determination that sent him here. at the sneeze, he murmurs a quiet bless you without their Father’s name attached. he doesn’t even notice it. ]

Removing it from our hair will prove easier than getting it out of our wings. Perhaps you should refrain from further nuzzling until then, hm?

[thisducks]

...because I am you, and you are me, Michael. Two halves, one whole. [ It's spoken so simply because it is simply fact. Not opinion, not guess, not question, just the absolute truth in Lucifer's mind. ] Of course I will know you best.

[ The smile can be heard in his voice as Lucifer finishes, shifting back again and after a few moments to think about how best to handle it, comes up with an idea. He gently urges Michael to move backwards with him, then hops up onto the edge of the tub, his wings draping outside and dripping onto the floor. There is little reason to care though, focused on his task. ]

There we go. Lean your head back, onto my lap. That way, I can rinse the ash from your hair properly. I think I could actually get it nearly fully clean, with a bit of work! ...Even if our wings will take longer than that.

[ A look towards the brighter side of things, even if that brighter side may be dim still. Beside him, Lucifer summons a small bowl and more importantly, a comb. That way, he'll be able to work through his brother's matching duck butt hair and get it clean. ]

[admonish]

And yet you were surprised that I chose to come with you. [ despite the subject matter his tone is light, and the statement is punctuated by a smile. ] What I mean to say is that I, too, know you best of all. Even your curious and oftentimes peculiar habits.

[ he does as he is told to do with zero hesitation, angling his wings in such a way that they don’t get in the way of his methods. hearing the feathers of his brother’s wings dripping on the ground is amusing. while he settles back and takes his position, he finds himself shifting again so he can reach out and run his fingers over one of his hooved legs.

it is a slow and meticulous process, he doesn’t leave a single inch of that leg unmapped, even going as far as to manipulate the various parts in an effort to perfect his balance later.

leaning his head back into his lap, he lets his arm settle back into the water and allows him to get to work. ]

I have brushed your hair before, so I am certain I will have no trouble taking care of your hair as well. Thank you. When we have finished cleansing ourselves, I think the next task on our agenda should be resting.

[thisducks]

You say that as if I am the only one in this room who has peculiar habits, brother. [ Never before had any one disobeyed their Father like Lucifer had, nor had anyone been handed down such a sentence as to not only be banished forever, but cast down into the only place angels dared to roam. When Michael had first spoken those words of Father's, how could he not believe he was about to lose everything, Michael included? Moments that will remain in his nightmares for all his years to come. ]

...I would not mind a long rest. [ And that is where Lucifer, wisely, decides to leave it. There's no point in making Michael grow more concerned than he already is by saying he wants to sleep to help the pain, to forget temporarily about all that has happened in such a short time, to not feel the painful chill of fear and the betrayal of home that lingers in his chest.

But even as he slowly and silently works through Michael's hair, he realizes that he has no idea what has happened to Lilith and Adam. For all that he had protected Lilith, wanted so badly to see her happy and free, that never meant he loved Adam any less. Now... now, without a doubt, something has happened to them both. It would be so easy for Father to decide they were a failure, to go so far as to destroy-

His hands stop completely in their motions, not seeing that the gold has returned beneath his fingers, as the horrible realization stops his heart in his chest. ]

[admonish]

To which of my habits are you referring? It is perfectly reasonable to prefer peace and quiet when doing paperwork and reading scripture. Or that I prefer to observe rather than engage when it comes to meeting others?

[ he certainly can’t be referring to unwillingness to break a rule, as he showed him today the he was perfectly capable of doing so. maybe it is how, on occasion, he finds he talks to himself when something particularly vexing is on his mind, but that is only because it helps him focus. ]

If you are not against it, I will stay with you. It would put you at ease knowing that when you wake up, you will not think you are alone here. Even now, thinking of what could have been..

[ he finds himself trailing off not because he is hesitant to continue, but because something feels off. sure enough, Lucifer freezes up and Michael lifts his head off of his lap so he can turn and reach up to take his hands. he doesn’t say anything immediately, instead taking his hands and drawing them to his own face to give him an anchor point. ]

Concentrate on me, Lucifer. Listen to my voice and come back to me. What is it that troubles you?

[thisducks]

I'm referring more to your inability to be anything less than early to anything, but at the same time you hate waking up in the morning and I have to encourage you awake, or maybe instead that if I didn't make you stop and groom your wings, I think you would forget in your need to work. [ With a bit of extra tease in his voice, as if he didn't completely forget to preen his own wings most of the time- ] Or that you will have conversations in your sleep.

[ But as he lost to his own thoughts, it shows the darker side to his incredible Gifts. That he might alone have been given such a power as his imagination and everything to give it birth, it means that perhaps he alone could have so defied their Father's orders. It means that when the blackness rises in him, it so easily shades everything and is raised higher by the power of his own dreaming, until it simply takes over.

Thankfully, with a brother like Michael, there is someone who knows how to pull him back. ]

...what if He destroys them? [ Even after all this, even in their state brought low, he's worried about his beloved humans. ] Because... because of me... they might be hurt, or scared, or- or- [ Michael will feel when the tear falls, hitting one of the hands across his eyes where Lucifer is leaning forward, temporarily as unseeing as his brother. ]

[admonish]

Being prompt is an admirable quality to have, it allows me to finalize my notes before a meeting. As for my sleep, I do not sleep often so, when able, I make good use of the time. I often wonder if it is less that you want to wake me up and more that you are in need of companionship.

[ look at him bristling at the latter accusations. ] It is tedious and time consuming, I groom them well enough. And I do not talk in my sleep. [ he absolutely does but will never outright admit to it because, being asleep, he never gets to hear himself. ]

He would not do so. [ there is no hesitation or room to question his opinion. ] If anything was meant to happen to them, it would have happened during the Trial. I cannot be certain about other matters but of that? I am certain. They did not arrive with us so, whatever He decided to do, they were not punished severely.

[ uncaring of their state of undress, he shifts in the tub to face him, resting on his knees so he can reach out and hug him around the middle. there is nothing else he can say, they both know something happened to the humans. his humans. feeling about with his hands, he reaches up and cradles his face in both hands. ]

Remember than I cannot, and would not, lie to you. Trust when I say that they are safe, wherever they are. They have an inner strength they have not yet tested. Have faith in them.

[thisducks]

[ He wants to tell Michael all about the entire conversations he has had with him in his sleep, never mind just talking, and that he's always enjoyed the privilege of being able to sleep beside Michael. They would sleep face to face, surrounded in one another's wings, or tucked up back to chest in the closest possible hug with their chins tucked up through a forest of feathers. However, the tease has been lost in the face of the cold that threatens to overwhelm not from the outside in, but inside out.

His head lifts to look Michael in the eyes - or at least where his eyes should be - while his own well over with tears. They pour down his face in silent fear, so deeply, deeply worried for them. They would never know how much he cared, how worried he is even now for them... there's a sob that rips out of Lucifer, a sound as raw as the agony in his chest. His head comes down to Michael's, gripping at his shoulders as he admits the truth. ]

The last words I ever said to Adam were us fighting! I just wanted to understand what was happening and he was so angry with me- and now Lilith is all alone- Michael, I deserve to be here! You don't-! Their strength should not need to be tested, you should not be blind and hurt- I am everything they told me I am! I do make everything worse and now I've made all of you lose everything-!

[ Another sob tears through his throat as his wings curl inward, his whole body tensing like he is an animal ready to bolt. ]

[admonish]

Lucifer—

[ but he is unable to get a word in edgewise before his brother breaks down, he can feel the tears falling even before he hears the sob. it breaks his heart and fills him with something unfamiliar to him, something dark that comes to life just beneath the surface. rage. not at his poor brother but at the one who pushed him out so callously without even looking upon his tear-stained face.

he had to watch it, had to look upon his other half as he trembled like a little rabbit under the threat of retribution. where was Father? unable to attend or unwilling to look upon the face He loved so dearly as the owner of it fell from the heavens? one of his hands grip the edge of the tub so tightly that it makes a noise of protest, as if it might soon give way. ]

Lucifer-

[ he is cut off again as Lucifer finally crumbles under the pressure, just as he feared he would. he can’t see him, he can’t look him in the eye and tell him everything will be okay because he would be lying. there will be difficult times even on the best of days but it is something they can overcome together.

Michael, I deserve to be here! You don't-!

that is the straw that breaks the camels back. he grits his teeth, trying to bring himself back down but he is unable to. the voice that spills from his lips is sharp, commanding and full of anger, fully reflecting his newly acquired demonic nature. ]

Lucifer!

[ just as quickly it is gone and Michael sinks back into the water, covering his face with a hand. he yelled at him, something he has never done before and he could not possibly feel any worse than he does right now for it. he does not reach for him again just yet. ]

Enough. Please. No one deserves to be here, you least of all, but we are here and to lose ourselves now is not an option. The things that I lost are unimportant, and I know that they would agree with me. Friends fight, Lucifer, nothing is perfect, but the love we share for you is the closest thing to it. I would Fall a thousand times over if it meant you would not spend a second here alone.

Blaming yourself like this and losing hope is not like you, my brother. Do not let Him win.

[ he finally reaches for him again, to pull him in close so he can smooth his hair back despite the ash. ]

I will never chastise you for your tears but I made my own choice, and I do not regret it. I need you to be strong, Lucifer, stronger than you ever thought you could be—because you are.

[thisducks]

[ Michael would hear silence from Lucifer in the wake of his raised voice, but when he reaches for Lucifer, he would feel something he never could have imagined ever happening from his twin - Lucifer flinches at his touch.

Nothing about it is conscious, but from Lucifer's perspective, he is seeing and hearing something like he's never before. He had looked up just in time to see what looked like fire blazing beneath those covering hands, the lash of a tail just above the water, combined with the voice that sounded nothing like the Michael he had known all of his existence. Michael had never so much as raised his voice to him, never mind... this. ]

I'm sorry. [ Lucifer's voice sounds so small, then even quieter when his head dips down. He'd told himself to be strong for Michael, knowing that his brother would need him to be strong and he's already failed that so soon.

He isn't strong, and he knows it, but Michael needs him to be. His whole body throbs in a point of pain - from the blood marks at his chest and back, to his aching wings, to muscles sore from the contortion of bones within during their change.

Don't let Him win. ]

...I'm sorry, Michael.

[admonish]

[ the flinch has him drawing both hands back, though they hang in the air awkwardly. less than a few hours into their stay here, wherever here might be, and he has already scared him. for the first time since he lost his sight, he is thankful because it means he does not have to see the undoubtedly wounded expression in his face.

his voice is quiet again, with no hint of the venom it held before. ]

No. I am sorry. I should not have—

[ but he did, making excuses for it now does little for the mental image Lucifer will have to live with now. all he can do is reassure him as best he can, to remind him that his anger was directed at someone other than him. ]

My anger was not for you, it will never be directed at you. I am not asking you to change any part about yourself but I will ask you not to shoulder blame that is not yours to suffer. Lilith chose and so did I, and we would make the same choice again. To exist in a world where you are not would be worse than this.

[ he reaches up and wipes his tears away with a surprising amount of care, leaning in to kiss one cheek and then the other. ]

I cannot thrive in a place where you are not, because I would not be complete. Be my hope, Lucifer, and I will be your strength. Confide in me when you are afraid and I will show you there is nothing to fear.

[thisducks]

You cannot speak for her, Michael. ...We have no way of knowing what their fate will be and if she would choose this again. I cannot deny you your choice, though. [ There's a tiny hiccup in his voice, reaching up to catch his brother's face while it's so close to his and bringing their foreheads together. ]

I'm trying, I swear I am. I cannot be as strong as you, but I will keep trying! I cannot help but but scared for them; I have you and they do not. We know what happened and they do not. I- I made my choice... and took theirs away by doing so.

[ His voice drops away, sounding so very tired in a way Lucifer never does. Always full of energy, always wanting to go, to learn more- usually only falling asleep when he's completely exhausted himself. Today, tonight, time no longer has a relevance, they've both gone beyond their exhaustion points. ]

...Let me wash my hair, and we can sleep. I'll be quick about it.

[admonish]

You know her best of all. If given the chance to blindly follow Adam or have her eyes opened to the truth, would she have chosen any different? I cannot speak for her, but I can speak for the experience. To know the truth is painful but liberating.

[ when their foreheads meet, he tilts his face as if meaning to look at him. finally, he tilts his face up and presses a kiss to his crown before nudging their foreheads together again. ]

If you believe in nothing else, believe in their strength. I wish that I could give you the answers that you seek, but I cannot. If there comes a time when I am able to, I will ask about them. You have my word.

And I am perfectly capable of helping you wash your hair. [ one clawed hand reaches up to run through his hair, itching at his scalp as it does so. he never uses enough pressure to hurt, but he also knows his own limitations right now so, after a moment, he relents. ]

At least allow me to hold the bowl steady, so I do not feel useless sitting here.

[thisducks]

I... [ But Lucifer has no words in response to his brother because he knows Michael is right, that in the end, Lilith wanted to be free. It was why he had done what he'd done... to give her wings to fly and find her freedom in the world. He thinks of Eve, the life growing inside of her, and even though it seems a ridiculous thing, he can't help but close his eyes and for a moment, pray for her and the child within her. ]

All three of them are incredibly strong. ...I think Eve will need to be the strongest of all. [ His voice goes even softer, a little sadder instead of the anguish of before. ] I was excited to see the tiny human.

[ Lucifer's eyes close as he leans into the itching, his wings quivering at the feeling. ] You are not useless! You don't need to be useful in everything... but- [ He summons more clean water into the bowl, instead turning and putting the comb into Michael's hand. ] Let me scrub through it once in the water, then we can get out the rest together. Deal?

[admonish]

I would not tell you something if I did not think it was true. False hope is cruel and never something I would give you, Lucifer, especially not in this matter.

[ he continues to play with his hair not just to put him at ease, but also to get an idea of how much ash they are dealing with. more than he initially thought, it’s a wonder how Lucifer managed to get it out of his hair. at the mention of the tiny human, he feels his own heart drop. ]

To be the first of something is both a great honor and a great responsibility, having an inner strength bestowed upon them is necessary. We should know that better than anyone, hm? Being the first of our kind ourselves. It is because of that, knowing it was just us once before, that I know we will find our footing here.

[ despite feeling as if he is just trying to placate him, he does smile and shift the comb between his fingers. ]

Deal. Yes, I do not need to be, but it is preferable. I dislike being caught unaware.

[thisducks]

[ It was less terrifying then, in so many ways. They were naive and innocent, not knowing or caring that they were the only ones. They had each other and they had Father; what else had they needed? As things expanded and changed, it had never seemed like a bad thing, only new and curious, but of course Father had remained an unchanging solid. Then... Michael had been given responsibility. That had been one of the biggest changes. Lucifer had in a way as well, seeing to it that everyone had what they needed from Heaven itself. He had created from nothing as the city needed to expand, as the idea of oceans and beaches, of forests and mountains, as new levels and concepts came to be- until Heaven had been plenty big.

Michael's responsibilities had continued, and his... hadn't. The beginning of what likely led to- well, all of this. ]

I know. [ Lucifer leans forward to kiss his brother's forehead, then shifts forward and into the water so that he can dunk his head down and furiously scrub into it with his fingertips, wincing a time or two as deeply unused to claws as he is, but at least being able to swish away the floating ash to cycle in some cleaner water a few times before flipping his head back. It throws water up on the wall behind him, but that he can ignore to make his scalp less itchy!

Only then does he come back over to Michael, settling himself in front of his brother. It means his wings will be in the water, but he'll dry them both off once they mean to step out completely. ]

It's strange... with no sun. I feel like I have no idea what time it is, or even if it's day or night.