Be me, Uriel
Been receiving letters from my sister, Gabriel
Excited to show me around the place, told me that Zagzagel would be around, or "Zaggy" as she lovingly refers to him alongside a photo of the two of them.
Told to take the appearance like theirs just to "fit with the environment", something about humans living around the area not being able to comprehend the true figure...
Standard stuff, but why not a human outright? I guess it's whatever.
Finally arrive at the place, which somewhat reminds me of the Garden of Eden, with most trees holding countless fruit. I take careful steps as I bump heads with someone who had been taking a turn
Oomf!
"Hey, buddy, watch where you're..."
"Wait a sec, aren't you..."
The both of us get up this guy begins to dust me off, only to rub a noogie on my head
"By God! You gotta be Uriel, right?!"
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Zagzagel? My, what's up with the appearances? It's good to see-- Oough!

"You know it. Ahh, come on, I'd missed you old-timer, I thought the mail Gabby was sending you was for naught, but yet here you are. How was the trip? The Garden still doing okay?"

Oh my, I know it has been like...

Pause, begin to count as I look back at Zag

By the heavens, it's truly been eons, oh, we've got to catch up! Let me just--

"Oh, come now, I'll show you around Edenville, try not to get too scared of the guys living around here, we got a rather queer cast, like a machine who feasts off of blood, or the overzealous kid who loves church."

Oh jeez, should I be taking notes? I feel slightly overwhelmed with the anticipation, but like, see, I've studied humans thoroughly, but a machine who feasts off of blood? Heaven's sake, I've just gotten to simple inventions, how could that be possible?! Doesn't it have far too much iron in its system and...

By this point forwards, my voice had become far too accelerated for me to keep up, almost as if it had turned into a long rant, but with Zag's precognition, he stopped me on my tracks

"Try not too stress too much, kid, I know you're the angel of wisdom or whatever, but try playing less by the rules, stretch your bones a little, spread your wings. We have our own purpose and duties to pursue, but what is all that if we don't enjoy ourselves once in a while? I think I know a place we could start off at."

Oh-uh, yes, yes! That sounds great, I've just...Ah, I'm just so angsty to see what this place has to offer, it's truly a sight to behold! Trees bearing fruit everywhere and countless animals I've studied for centuries, it's all so exciting!

"Right, right, well try not to get your panties in a twist, Uriel. We should get you a proper name as well, as Uriel would be too on-the-nose, don't you think?"

On the nose?

Zag begins to push me gently by the back with his wing as he moves his hand in a circular motion, as he leads me towards what appears to be downtown
"On the nose. See, not a lot of folks know that we're angels."

Not a lot...Wait, are you saying our identities have been compromised?! Oh good heavens, oh my, oh oh oh!

I begin to fan myself, as Zaggy gently hits the back of my head with a soft grin on his face
"It's not that big of a deal, and even around here, only the most devout followers of Christ live here, so they just...accept it as a fact, much more with the fact that we're all different in our ways."

It's...not that big of a deal?

"You kidding? Folks don't ask many questions, and with spirit too, Gabriel has been having a bit of an affair with a human, Jonah's the kid's name."

She's with a child?! Oh my oh oh!!!

I fan myself harder as Zaggy rolls his eyes and grunts
"...In a literary sense, you fool, he's not an actual kid. I thought you were a scholar of human psychology and of language evolution and you can't differentiate when it's in jest, and when it's literally?"
I pause as I walk with Zag, as I nervously shrug and give a bit of awkward laughter

See...I uh...I don't deal with humans as much anymore...? I've been busy reading what they had been making and uh...Yeah...

"And here I thought writing with Papyrus was excessive, well, don't worry, we should get back on track and less on the tangents and try to listen to me carefully, would you? Don't hyperventilate, capiche?"

C...Capiche?

"Aaaahhhh...Forget it. Before you even dare ask, it's informal slang for saying do you understand
Zaggy wraps his arm around my shoulder as we begin to arrive

Oh, well, if that's the case, capiche!

"Hah! Now you're getting it, kid!"

Uhm....Right...back...How did it go again?

"Right back at'cha?"

Dammit! I almost had it!

Zaggy begins to laugh as they arrive to a small restaurant
The both of us take a seat, as he grins,
"Sure you did, how about we get you to start experiencing things like a mortal, huh?

Experiencing...?

"Yeah, I mean, I'm sure you rotated with someone in order to take some leisure time, right?"
I begin to tug on my jacket as I look to the side,
"..."
"No way."

See...

"NOT A CHANCE. DON'T TELL ME YOU..."

I uh...Well...I...

"So you're telling me, when I exchanged posts you..."

I did. I stayed guarding the Garden, even after uhm...Adam and Eve left.

"And you didn't think to ask for someone to switch with you?"

Yeah I...Well, not really, I...Okay see it's a little bit more complicated than you can...I...err...uh...

I begin to grow more flustered as I slowly slumping into the chair, hiding my face on my chest.
Zaggy, looking defeated, looks down as he presses his fingers onto his nose, rubbing it in a circular motion as he let out a frustrated groan
"You're not psyching me out, right? Be honest."
Zag leans closer as he pursed his lips with a concerned frown

N...no...

"And the texts you read? Who brings that for you?"

Seraphims help me, I usually exchange with them, but I continually kept guard and...

"By the lord you're...Ahhhhh, good grief."
Zaggy could be seen to pray for me, while covering his face, only to burst out in a suppressed laughter, as he covered his face.

What's so...funny? Is something wrong?

"No, no, it's just...By the heavenly lord, Uriel, I can't take you seriously. That's amazing you were able to just be there for millennia without exchanging places with anybody, did you genuinely forget what the Lord said?"

Uh...It's...been...a...bit...?

I shrug once more, as my hands grow shakier, looking away from Zaggy and staring around the place as if he were trying to avoid all interaction
"He told us to take care of ourselves when we needed, I know we're angelic beings, right, but not to overdo it. I guess I know why he said that to everyone, because of folks like yourself, Uriel."

I mean, I did enjoy my time there, and like...I've studied, and I've written back! Come on, it's not that big of a deal, r...right?

"Uriel, you cannot maintain eye contact with me even if you tried, you're doing it right now."
My drifting eyes snapping back to the mildly annoyed Zag, as he rolled his eyes and let out a deep breath

Okay, fine, so what that I can't maintain eye contact with you? That doesn't make my job any different from yours, right? I mean, sure, I know a lot of things and hadn't...interacted with humans extensively and...

"I'll stop you right there, you just answered your own question, you needed to interact with more people, but you stayed there in the Garden for a little too long for your own wellbeing."
I pause as I begin to scratch my neck, with Zaggy talking himself with some person with an apron who had emerged from the brick building
The lady nods in agreement after Zagg whispers and returning back to the building
"Alright, well, it's a brand new day, and now you'll be able to live life a bit freely. I do have a bit of a curiosity however?"
Looking around, attempting to play it "cool", I robotically glance back at Zaggy, with my hands now on the table, with my wings attempting to do the same.

What could that be?

"..Nevermind, see what you're doing?"
Zaggy began to circle his finger from how Uriel was leaning, how his elbow pressed onto the metal table, and how the orange-cream-colored wing did the same.

Wh...What am I doing. I'm doing nothing wrong?

"You haven't moved around much."

How would you know?!

Zaggy glanced at me with a gaze that could be described as that of 'Are you seriously trying to lie to me right now'?

...Fffffine. I haven't flown much and I may be disoriented...

Zaggy leaned forwards using both of his elbows, as he stretched his wings, his gaze continuing to stare at Uriel like a falcon staring at its prey.

...I can do that.

Jealously, I pressed my hands onto the metal table as I attempted to move my wings separately, but they were also curled.
I began to sweat bullets as I stared to the sides, only to fan himself yet again, with his wings following along.

Okay, I can't do that, but so what?! I'm still a very capable angel, I alone stood in the Garden of Eden!

"I never said anything about your capacity, Uriel. Why are you bringing that up? I'm not doubting your loyalty to the lord or anything, it's just an observation."
I began to puff up my cheeks as my face grew as red as an apple, only for the jealousy to be interrupted by a mini butterscotch cake. My eyes lit up like a starry night as I saw how it was decorated. I began to shift my gaze, as I pressed my face onto the side of the table to have a better view.
Zaggy's eyebrows raised as the lady with the apron glanced back at the Angel, with him shrugging, and her handing her both forks. He placed both forks to the side, as he had his own mini-butterscotch cake.
"He's coming from out of town, forgive his behavior."

This is amazing...Beautiful! Oh my stars! I've never seen one of these pastries before in my life, why, I should take a bite, but I need a full set of forks for this, wouldn't I?

"Full set of what now? Good grief, Uriel. We're not in the nineteenth century anymore, we don't need that sort of fancy cutlery."

"We don't? I thought the English said that the sun would never set on the British empire? I mean, we're speaking English, are we not?"

"It's just a very universal language for humans, but the British empire got dissolved a couple of years ago, haven't you kept up with--- Ah, right, you don't read the news."

I...may be a bit behind with my history, but I've compensated it with...

"Yeah yeah, okay, save the compensation, just eat the pastry." Zaggy cut through the mini cake as he began to take small chunks. While eating, he used his wing to hold the fork, as he held it out for Uriel.
I begin to sweat as I stare at the fork that Zagg is reaching out with.
He is chewing slowly while leaning on his arm, seeing how I move my hand towards the wing carefully.
He tilts his wing back slightly, as he holds my hand down onto the table, with my wing moving down at the same time.
"Come on, kid, I know you can do it."
I bite my bottom lip as I feel his hand pressing down gently on the cold table, with the wing shakily moving over to Zaggy.
I flip my hand underneath his, as the wing does the same, cupping.
"Alright, I know what you've just done but it's a start. Enjoy the flavors of Earth."
He drops the fork from the wing, as I clench my fist, the wing following along, as I drop it on the table and slap the fork to the table in order for it not to fall to the ground, with a loud BANG heard.
Zagg pauses as he stares at me.>Zagg pauses as he stares at me.
"Let me guess, you took traditional methods of travel and..."

Yeah, I did. I couldn't really deal with flying other than if I just hovered in place...But even then, I had more than a pair of wings. It's honestly shameful and...

"Oh, Uriel, for Pete's sake, stop trying to put yourself down, aren't you meant to be more or less...inspirational? Like, I'm being fully honest when saying you're one smart cookie, a lot of people pray for the same extensive knowledge you hold."
"Try not to beat yourself up, you just need to live life a bit. That's why the big man told us to take care of ourselves. Here, open your mouth."
I open my mouth as he cuts a piece of my cake, stuffing it.
My eyes dilate as I feel the sweetness hit, as I cover my mouth, tears beginning to form as I sniffle.
"Better?"
I nod as I lean back, gazing up at the baby blue sky, remembering the sweetness of the many fruits. What fruit could've had this flavor?
How is this even possible? I can't believe that humans could've made such a delicacy. I wanted more!
Eagerly, I grab the fork with my palm, as I stab it on the cake.
...It quickly turns to a mush with the amount of times I attempt to lift it to my mouth, but I simply raise it to my mouth and scoop it with the fork, making sure to not miss a drop.
"Sheesh. You must've been starving from all that travelling. Who would've known that you've had a sweet tooth?"
With my mouth full, I rub the starchy sweetness with the back of my hand

Thish ish sho ghood!!! What ish this?!

"Here's some napkins, we can wash that sugar off your fur a little later. Rub your mouth on it."
I do so, as crumbs can be seen, continuing to tear up
"Butterscotch, it's a mixture of brown sugar and butter. It's also part of a cake. You can make a cake out of anything."

...Anything?

"Yeah, I mean, I know you've read the cookbooks and believe that's it, but there's more out here on Earth than you would believe."

ANYTHING?

"...Yeah?" Zagg raised an eyebrow as he continued with his cake, wiping himself off with his napkin as he saw Uriel do the same carefully
"Alright, Uriel, I'm going to throw you to the fires once more, I hope you're ready for this."
I feel my body grow ever-more eager as I give a rapid nod, as I stuff my face with the last remaining crumbs of cake and sauce, cleaning my mouth off once more.
Zagg hands me some sort of cotton-paper with iconographic images, alongside a couple of silver coins.

Money?

"Yeah! But don't think these coins are enough, alright? you'll need to also hand the lady this. We call these dollars."

Right, okay! Simple enough!

"They'll also ask you to sign something, but that's just to confirm payment, it's not so hard, right?"

...Right! Okay!

After a bit of waiting, Zagg stacked the plates as the lady with the black apron held a machine.
The total was told, and I handed her the money as she handed me a couple of copper coins, alongside a receipt.
She asked me to sign, as she is looking for a pen around her person.
Zagg raises an eyebrow as he stares at the lady anxiously, unsure of what his brother would do.

Right! I'll sign this...

I begin to look around my sweater as a small pen popped up, it was burning from the back, but the heat was rather modest.
Zaggy's expression grew to that of terror as he waved the server, telling her that we'd hand her the receipt inside.
"Now remember, Uriel, you need a proper name around here. I go by Zaggy while I'm Zagzagel, Gabriel goes by Gabby, should be simple, right? You could go by...Uriggy? Iggy? Something like that..."
I begin to think as I stare at my firey pen, blinking gently.

I know what I'll call myself, it's perfect!

Signed, Riley
I stuff my pen back inside my sweater as I hand it to Zaggy, both of us getting up.
"Riley...?"

Riley! It has a nice ring to it.

"...Iggy would've been better, but just know that this is how you'll be called from now on. Alright?"

It sounds great! Now, why are you being so doubtful?

"Just seems off. Hold on here while I deliver this, alright?"
After a minute or so, Zaggy returns as he begins to guide me yet again somewhere.

Great heavens, that was a feast, was it not?

"...Sure. It was a great and wondorous feast, but hey, I'm glad you got your first taste on earth after so long."

Exactly! I'll have to check back on my studies and learn about butterscotch! I want to try creationg butterscotch EVERYTHING! My, I've never had anything so sweet and so...Ooooh! It tasted so great, it felt like I was in a land that flowed with milk and honey, oh...I must know again what fruits grow this so I can grow them on my free time, maybe add them to the garden and introduce this delicacy to our brothers!

I wrap my wings around myself as I cross my arms, continuing to yap on, while Zaggy's wings gently push me back to the residential area of Edenville, as I continue to run my mouth about what else I could include with butterscotch, and continuing to mention milk and honey. It was as if I were a broken recorder.
"Well, enough about butterscotch, milk, honey and...fruits of the sort..."
Zaggy rubs the inside of his ear with his pinky, as he looked at Riley, closing his wings as he waved for me to come in.
"Welcome home, Riley."