Work Text:
Sera barely has any time to mourn the loss of the Morningstar before the elders decide it's time to try again.
With a new angel this time, tasked with many of Lucifer's old duties, bringing joy and creation to mortals, in addition to serving as a de facto "substitute" for Sera, capable of performing all her rites, if such a situation ever arises.
That part -- that Sera will be training her cautionary heir, her own replacement -- does not sit well with her at all. She had not won her place as High Seraphim easily. She was not created for it, but earned it by proving her loyalty, her unwavering dedication to the mandate of Heaven, and unlike a lot of her compatriots, not showing how disillusioned she is by the loss of Lucifer.
He was Adonai's favorite child. Then gone, just like that. She tries her best to pretend it doesn't bother her.
If her Lord can banish his favorite angel in all of Heaven, none of the Seraphim are safe. No matter how much Sera mourns the loss of her brother, her friend, her confidant, she doesn't show it. She cannot. Not if she wants to keep herself and the rest of her people alive and well.
When the day she is to be assigned her new ward finally arrives, Sera is ready. She's prepared to be greeted by another beautiful, perfect, devout creature of Heaven's creation, purposely formed with all the knowledge necessary to perform her duties, minus some of Sera's input, to prevent another Lucifer situation. What she is met with, instead, is something completely out of the ordinary.
A child. Not just a small angel, or a cherub, or a soul that died in childhood, but a young angel. Sera has no basis for comparison, because angels are ageless beings, but this one appears to be the equivalent of 7 human years. Old enough to follow directions, and stare at her nervously from behind the legs of one of the elders, but with features so fresh and new to the act of living, one might mistake her for a Winner.
She looks so confused, uncertain of where she is and what's going on. She could have been created that very day, as far as Sera knows. That would explain the terrified look on her face.
"Stand up straight!" the elder booms. He reaches around to grab her. "You're in the presence of a Holy one!"
The elder in front of the girl pulls her small arm much too roughly, bringing her forward, until she's standing before him, facing Sera. The girl looks up at the High Seraphim slowly, knees shaking and the beginnings of tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes.
Now that she's no longer hidden, Sera can clearly see the resemblance between the small angel and herself. It's like she was made to be a carbon copy of Sera's own likeness. Same dark skin, same snowy, opalescent hair. Same star-like freckles adorning her cheeks. Sera isn't certain about the purpose of this particular...design choice. But it frightens her, how alike both of them are. It's as if His Holiest put no thought into her creation at all, and merely copied Sera's blueprint.
Then the elder who presented the girl just...turns around and starts to walk away. Panicked, Sera reaches after him, voice shaking and fingers wringing together in uncertainty. Her palms are sweaty and clammy.
"Um, sir! My lord! What--what am I to do with her?"
Without even turning around, the elder scoffs, clearly ready to be done with this situation and move on with his day.
"Were you not briefed on your directive? You are to train this one in Lucifer's duties, as well as your own. To be your cautionary heir. She was made simple, and malleable, and will follow all of your commands. If she does not, she can be replaced. Is that too difficult for you, High Seraphim?"
Sera is shaking. Her body tightens up, heart jumping up into her throat, like she's being choked. The girl is still standing there, in a similar state of distress and confusion, not moving toward or away from her. Sera's not certain if the girl understands the gravity of her situation...Sera hopes beyond all hope that she does not.
They don't expect the girl to last. Or for Sera to succeed in training her. That's why they're not preparing her, or preparing Sera, for what either is supposed to do next.
"Understood," Sera says, even though she absolutely does not understand. The High Seraphim doesn't even recognize her own voice. She speaks slowly through the fear, trying not to let the hitch in her throat become evident. "Does she...does she have a name? What do I call her?"
Again, the elder scoffs at Sera, like she's wasting his time.
"Call her whatever you'd like. Or call her nothing at all. She's just the prototype. She will grow and learn, if she does well. But chances are, she won't last long, and we'll be right back here very soon. Good day to you, High Seraphim. I hope, for your sake, you both do your best."
As the elder walks away, and the small angel is left in Sera's shadow, the girl sinks even deeper into the ground. She cowers before Sera, just like she'd cowered before the elder, as if the High Seraphim might hit her, or yell at her, or worse.
She does not speak, and makes little more than the occasional gasp or light whimper. Sera's brow furrows, hand reaching for her in concern. Sera gently touches the crown of her head, but the little one jerks away violently.
She's barely a day old. Was created that morning for a grander purpose, of which she knows absolutely nothing. Sera can't imagine how terrifying...how overwhelming that must feel. She'd manifested in the ether, knowing everything she would ever need to know. This one, however, doesn't even know her own name.
Sera kneels when she reaches for her this time, as low as she can get with her exaggerated height. She was made to be intimidating; a lofty presence before the mortals, constantly having to remind them they needn't be afraid in her presence. But right now, with one of her own kind, she's tempted to shrink herself down to be less of a threat.
Thankfully, she doesn't have to. The girl finally looks up at her from under the hair that's fallen in her face. Sera notices she's in a simple white gown, with no shoes, or anything to protect her feet. It's not like her feet will hurt in the same way mortals do, but it's considered unsightly to be without heavenly robes in the common areas. Not dressing this girl appropriately before bringing her out in public… Sera suspects the humiliation was the point.
But why?
She's not Lucifer. She hasn't done anything wrong. Why go to all this trouble to treat her this way if she's to be Sera's replacement? Or if not that, to be thrown away? It's absolutely horrible what the elders have done! Why, and how, could Adonai ever allow this? In all His infinite wisdom, there has to be a reason.
Sera doesn't think on it further. There is no point trying to decipher the intentions of the Heavenly Host. With a single swirl of her hand and a wave of holy light, the young angel is suddenly garbed in pearl and lavender robes resembling Sera's, and some simple white shoes. Her wings now appear more healthy and full, and the girl's halo shines as if freshly polished. Her hair floats weightless around her face, freckles sparkling like stars in the sky, skin flecked with gold from Sera's blessing.
Sera kneels in front of her, slowly, supporting the girl's bottom and upper back as she lifts her off the ground. She weighs nothing. Quite literally as light as a feather, even with her freshly conjured robes, that are a tad big on her. No matter. Sera will get the measurements right for future iterations.
She's already decided, she will not fail this one the way she failed Lucifer. There will be plenty of time to help her. She will see this through.
The girl gasps at being carried, almost falling out of Sera's grasp before grabbing onto her shoulder to regain her balance. She hadn't been expecting to be picked up, and twists her upper body fruitlessly in an effort to escape, crying softly. Sera doesn't let go and coos sweetly.
"It's okay, Emily. It's okay. I've got you."
The name comes to Sera easily, as if someone had placed it into her mind with purpose. She doesn't even have to think about it. The girl immediately responds to it, halting her struggle and looking into Sera's eyes like she's just been given the greatest gift a person could receive. Another blessing, so quickly after the first. She stops struggling.
Sera smiles at her, hitching her up higher into her arms so she doesn't fall. She seems to be getting heavier with each passing second. She's also beginning to look far less pale, and there is now a semblance of life behind her once terrified eyes.
"Emily. Do you like that?"
Emily says nothing, but nods slightly, almost imperceptibly. She still has yet to say a word, but the recognition of her own name is progress. She's still looking at Sera with wonder.
It's a start. Sera will take it.
Sera thinks about flying them somewhere, but isn't certain if Emily knows how to use her wings. She doesn't want to scare the poor girl, any more than she already has been. Walking is fine for now. The High Seraphim hasn't mingled with the people in a while, anyway, and it never hurts to show her face among the progeny of Adam, for appearance's sake.
Even if it's awkward, and even if she hates every second of their ancestor's bloviating nonsense. None of it is her business, but Emily will have to get used to it, to do her own work. If she is ever to bring joy to human souls, in whatever form that takes, she needs to get face-to-face.
"Do you like ice cream?" Sera asks, shaking the uncertainty from her own mind. "Or...have you had ice cream yet? With sprinkles?"
Emily looks at her, confused, as if she's just grown a second head. Sera laughs. There is so, so much Sera will have to teach her. She holds onto Emily tighter and takes them out into the street.
"It's so delicious! It's sweet and creamy. The humans on Earth will discover it in due time, when they learn about agriculture and animal husbandry...oh, but that will come much later! Right now, it's all for us to enjoy. Let's get some!"
Emily certainly doesn't know what "humans" are, or what "Earth" is, and it's not as if angels need to eat, but the prospect of something sweet makes her eyes light up for the first time that day. She still doesn't speak. Not yet. But the slightest, tiniest hint of a smile crinkles her mouth at Sera's eagerness. If that is all Sera gets out of her today, even if not a single word, she will consider the effort more than worth it.