Azalea, returning to Vessel form, falls into step beside Aron.
Hitherby rolls along, hand over hand over hand. Her eyes look faintly dizzy, except for the ones perpendicular to the axes of rotation.
Azalea says "I find myself - perplexed."
Hitherby sings, quietly, "Hi, Azalea."
Azalea nods to Hitherby.
Hitherby adds, "Perplexity can be unpleasant. I experience it often, although I have never been able to figure out why."
Azalea says "I am failing to understand how Superiors define 'a job well done'."
Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "You mean Archangels or Superiors in general?"
Hitherby says "I think the answers are very different, depending on that."
Azalea says "What's the difference?"
Hitherby thinks. "All assignments end with some failure and some success. Superiors all care about every success and every failure. Archangels care *also* about the reasons for these successes and failures. I understand that Princes rarely do."
Azalea says "Why is it that we fail spectacularly, to the point where we need rescuing by a superior, and are then lauded for our good work? This is the third time in as many weeks this has happened."
Hitherby thinks. "I mean, if Persona isn't soul-dead, I doubt that its Superior cares that it was Michael that put an axe through it and ruined the place. Whereas I'm rather hoping that Jordi will be at least mildly pleased with me for holding Persona off, even though I ended up losing and thrown onto the ground, because it *was* a really powerful and possibly Worded creature." She reflects.
Hitherby considers this.
Azalea says "In Hell, I would likely be working the salt mines, for such an occurence."
Aron murmurs, suddenly, "That we called Michael was not an indication of failure."
Aron says "That I called Blandine, some time ago was... not quite an indication of failure."
Azalea says "That we were able to call Michael was a miracle; everything else was the indication of failure."
Hitherby says, "I think Michael was happy because we brought him to a place he couldn't find. Well, Phineas did. I think Blandine will be happy with you because you did well under the circumstances. Those are different things."
Aron shakes his head. "We are the vehicles of God's will, Azalea. While success, in itself, is desirable, that we fight at all is a success as well."
Azalea says "What else would we do?"
Aron says "No one else fought the fight we fought. In all the years that place has existed, no one else pierced the veil."
Aron says "We accomplished an improbable thing, and in fighting to make that act worthwhile, we opened the way for Michael."
Azalea looks dubious.
Hitherby says "Philosophically, I differ a little; I just be myself, as made by my Superior, and assume that he made me this way to please him." She considers. "In a way, you don't have that advantage, Azalea; in a way, however, you have a greater one. Because, you know, you were recovered and changed not just by Blandine, but by the will and grace and plan of God.""
Azalea says "I was created a demon, by someone not born to it. An imperfect product of a poseur, I like to think of it, and doomed to failure as a result. Hell requires perfection, or one is easily lost."
Hitherby rolls over and over as she moves along.
Hitherby says, "You've been reforged." A wry smile on several mouths. "In fact, I understand you're still glowing. But I should probably have professed a different philosophy. I'm a Kyriotate; I have others."
Aron says "Do you think you did badly?"
Aron says "In the false Heaven."
Azalea says "Yes."
Aron says "What could you have done better?"
Azalea says "I do not know. Perhaps more subtlety might have been possible."
Aron nods. "I have been considering that."
Aron says "I don't think it was. However, Sister, I have some small experience with perfection."
Hitherby says, calmly, "Phineas did not convince the fake Malakim."
Hitherby says "I've learned relatively few things, but one of them is not to try and play out a losing game."
Hitherby says "At least, not when there are others."
Aron says "Threat creates expedience and necessity creates heroism, but neither can manage perfection."
Azalea inclines her head.
Azalea says "I can't say that I /mind/ being lauded for my work; I've had little of such over the centuries. It strikes me as odd."
Hitherby says, "I thought you did pretty well. Besides being a different person, which pretty much averages out, why would Michael disagree?"
Hitherby says "I mean, sure, his super-Superior insight might show up some flaw that I don't see, but the opposite holds true as well."
Azalea says "Very well."
Aron says, after a time, "I think you did well."
Aron says "I continue to be glad to have you at my side."
Aron says "As you said, I think you can do better. With the gift given us, I hope we will live long enough to do so."
Azalea smiles, faintly. "I hope so."
Hitherby rises into the air and twirls on a different axis as she floats. "I admit that I was expecting to get collared and locked up somewhere. No big deal, though. We'd laid a solid foundation; another few tries and we'd have had them." She grins. "I mean, what's one little battle?"
Aron looks wry.
Azalea says "I do not know."
Hitherby says "It would have taken them several weeks to regain the confidence of the Redeemables. And they would have had no choice but to do so, *because* Princes don't accept failures. So much happens in several weeks -- no prison's inescapable. Plenty of time."
Hitherby whirls. "I mean, we could have lost, and all. I just don't think we *had*."
Aron says "Which is to say, perfection takes time."
Hitherby grins. "I'd accept that restatement."
Hitherby sings a few Kyriotate scales.
Aron says "I think perhaps we should see our Lady, and then look in on the flock?"
Azalea says "You don't think she's tired of us?"
Aron's lips quirk. "We shall soon find out."
Hitherby says, "I think I need to drop off a report to Jordi, even if it's just stream-of-consciousness, but we can meet up after you've seen the Lady of Dreams and I've done so? And then, as you say, look in on the rescuees."
Aron inclines his head. "That would be most pleasant."
Hitherby says "We need to check to see what the current status is with Daimonique and Sephar and Sarah, too."
Aron nods. "Indeed."
---