Greyashe chapter 291 is entitled 'Down below'.

Previous chapter 290: In retrospect...

Next chapter 292: Don't have any fun, okay?

Summaries page.

-Short summary-

The angels curious to as to what occurs in the world below them send one of their own to have a look.

-Long summary-

Even the lesser angels have noticed the 'choir' convening more often than usual lately, though to what end isn't evident. Rumors float in the air like the cherubs who have mastered their wings, though for the moment at least what the hubub is related to is kept under wraps. Little do the angels know that the choir's discussion will ultimately change the fate of a world. Maybe not their world, but the ramifications would send a shockwave wide enough to even reach the angels on high.

For now, the choir meets yet again with their leader; the current deus Dio. The Dio of back then is a man, not a boy and has stern features as well as hardened eyes, unlike the boy who currently lives among humans. Though one thing at least has not changed, and that's the inherent boredom in his posture and expression. This isn't a surprise however, as Dio did state at one point that he hates the bureaucracy that is the 'choir', which is ultimately what lead to his decision of going to live with humans when his tenure ended. For now, the metaphor of a CEO who would rather be out playing golf rather than listening to the advisement panel talk about project revenues is fitting for the angelic leader.

A member of the choir stirs him out of his boredom induced stupor by calling his name, and he quickly sits up straight, and gives a vague indication that he was paying attention. The choir member stares at him for a few moments, and despite having the knowledge that Dio probably was NOT paying attention continues his thought. He asks the choir members to look at what seems to be a hologram of a planet. Another angel asks if this is the world in question, and the first angel confirms this. Dio stifles a yawn and without masking his doubt, asks how they've just now noticed that there is life there? The angel replies that it truly is a strange occurrence since for sure there hadn't been any life there during their last affirmation. The world below had always been very quiet and devoid of any life. To be honest, it was -until now, even quite boring. It was only during the last 'affirmation' that a very faint existence of 'life' had been confirmed. Another angel muses that perhaps this life has always been present, but has done a spectacular job of hiding from them. Of course hiding isn't something that can be done forever, so maybe what they're experiencing is a slip up. Dio blows air thoughtfully, and turning to the first angel he starts to ask what the next step is.

The choir prides itself on the pursuit of knowledge, so even before Dio's question is able to make it from his voice box to the freedom of the air in the assembly hall, the first angel has already excitably stated an intention to go down and investigate. This is statement causes a furor in the ranks and even Dio who had been playing hangman in his head suddenly rises to attention. Going down there? As in, not being up here? Forgive the expression, but that truly sounds like heaven. Dio had always fancied himself a 'man's deus', one who enjoys exploration and adventure to politics. That's not to say he doesn't enjoy being in his lofty position, but lately things have become stale and boring. Not to mention the idea of there being any sort of life besides their own intrigues him on several different levels. For one thing, if there are beings beside the deities living in the universe, that would then mean there is a possibility for all kinds of life to exist somewhere out there.

The angel nods and continues to excitably talk about the possibilities that Dio had already unfurled in his mind, and most of all the pursuit of knowledge that would come from another race of living beings! Although there is the very real possibility that they are unintelligent, there would still be so much to learn about them. Dio once again is unable to hide his emotions and quickly asks if such an expedition to the surface would be possible, and if so when would they be departing? He's willing to assist if it means he can go too....

...Dio's voice trails off as the other angels eye him incredulously. Why would he go? He has to be deus. Obviously out of all the possibilities for personnel on this future envoy, he would be one that would never be considered. Dio slumps back in his chair and mutters how he hates his job, and quickly tries to conceive a way to get back at the angels in the 'choir'. A black light bulb goes off, and he then quickly decrees that none of the 'choir' would be allowed to go either. After all, if he has to be deus, it it only goes without saying that they would need to be his advisers.

The angels trade glances and with a sigh concede defeat. They too were excited at the possibility of being able to go down to search for life, and despite knowing that Dio is only denying them out of a misguided and petty attempt for revenge, they would have to stay above to ensure the envoy goes off without a hitch. So then, the newly formed question would be who then would go? Even though they're all excited about going down, it's hard to imagine that other angels would share the same sentiment, since most of them are happy living their quaint lives here amongst their brethren. They ask Dio to write a decree that would (en)force someone to go, but Dio slumps back in his chair and resisting the urge to pick his nose declines. If he can't go when he wants to go, then why should he force someone who probably doesn't want to? He will give the green light to the choir to take volunteers, and once they have a suitable team he will then give them his blessing, but he reminds the choir that these should be volunteers. If he finds that they used their influence to influence someone's free will, he'll call off the whole project indefinitely.

The doors to the assembly open, and angels walk out. Although no one would openly say it, there is a degree of dissent with Dio. On the contrary, he had been one of the best deuses when it comes to his benevolence and openness to new ideas. So in short it's a real game of give or take with him. Now the task before the choir would be finding an angel who doesn't mind a possible sacrifice of the known for the perils of the unknown.

A small voice behind the leaving angels catches their attentions. Not so much because they weren't expecting anyone to be near the assembly hall, but because it without warning had said that it would volunteer. The angels turn and behind them is a teenage angel girl with her hand in the air. Her face is red indicating that while she had indeed been the one to call their attention, it had come with a great deal of effort on her part. Her eyes are shut tight as well, only opening when the silence becomes overbearing. Hazel eyes peek from under long blue bangs, and for a moment the two parties stare at each other, before the little angel adds 'please'. One of the choir members clears his throat and asks if this little angel knows exactly what she's volunteering for. Taken aback by the acknowledgement of her existence to a degree that steals her ability to speak, she nods quickly. Another member asks 'how', and she with a silver tipped fingernail she points at the door and grins sheepishly. Once again with her small voice she replies how a few of her friends were curious as to why the members of the choir had been meeting so often, and so she had been 'dared' more or less to sneak over and eavesdrop on their meeting. She doesn't understand the particulars, but going down to the surface sounds ever so interesting.

The angels huddle and have a small meeting right there in the hallway. Although it would have been nice to have an adult volunteer, the likelihood of someone who's settled down with a family turning around and then volunteering for a mission like this is slim to none at best. Moreover, they want to start the excursion as soon as possible, and having to look for another volunteer would be arduous. One angel asks for the girl's name, and she replies 'Ambriel'. They ask if her parents would be okay with her going to the surface? Ambriel twiddles her fingers and replies that she'll have to ask them, but maybe with a bit of influence from the choir, that wouldn't be a problem...?

The choir is less than amused that a mere girl is inadvertently manipulating them, but they promise to at least talk to her parents. If anything the idea of their daughter spearheading a project that could lead into the future of angel kind should at least pique their interest. One angel explains to Ambriel that they will need a day or two to begin preparations, and at that point they will contact her and her parents. Ambriel curtsies, and thanks them for their time. The choir then is off again, this time with a slight pep in their movements, as the race for knowledge while derailed for a moment is back on. Ambriel exhales and asks herself what she's just done....she just got swept up in the moment. Yes, it is the truth that she is genuinely excited about going down below, but she's also mind numbingly scared at the prospect too. All she knows is being an angel after all. Though, before her now is the chance to be more than 'just an angel'.

How right she was, or would be.

Down below, the sky is clear and the stars twinkle in turn as if they're all part of a intergalactic symphony.  The land scape is completely untouched by human life, and the clear lake is a mirror that a waxing moon gazes into and sees itself in. Suddenly the water ripples, and a trail of ripples wash over the tranquil lake before disappearing once again into the moonlight as an audible sigh mixes into the night wind and carries itself into the glittering overture that is midnight on the world below. Watching and waiting, even on the surface, a being hopes to break tradition and venture into the unknown.