100 prompts - Tears

[cattygabriel]

In response to this meme, for halosphere 's prompt. Many thanks to the lovely stillnotfallen /angelofawesome  for betaing! <3

Tears

 

  

It is warm and humid, and the heat is not helped by the huge bonfire burning in the middle of the town. A scrap of mulberry-bark paper escapes the fires, flying up towards the pale young man in priest’s robes standing nearby. The Archangel Gabriel catches it and stares at the half-hieroglyph still visible and wonders: how much knowledge, how much Mayan culture has already been burnt?

    A conquistador pins a screaming woman to the ground, ripping her dress open and roughly shoving her legs apart, and Gabriel looks away, wincing; he longs to put a stop to these atrocities, but he is to remain unnoticed. How can You ask this of me, Father? His eyes fall on more conquistadores wrestling a crowd of screaming, struggling villagers towards the fire. At his side Father Diego de Landa steps forward, Bible in hand. The struggling instigator of the rebellions is brought before him.

     “Do you convert? Will you accept the teachings of Christ the Saviour?” Father Diego appears to be attempting a merciful look, but he cannot hide his anger and contempt, and the Mayan priest knows this. He stops his struggles, standing straight and shaking his head, defiance burning in his eyes.

  “Burn him along with everyone who will not convert.” Father Diego catches sight of Gabriel’s horrified expression. “It is the only way,” the Franciscan priest says, almost kindly, despite the religious fervour burning in his eyes. “These pagans have refused our mercy, and the mercy of Christ the Lord. You know they will burn in Hell. And perhaps the sight of the flames will convince them that ours is the only true religion. Filthy savages – they practised human sacrifice! Praying to bloodthirsty heathen gods, demons in disguise…”

  “But Christ preaches mercy,” Gabriel whispers. “And it is not our right to burn them on Earth, Padre, whatever their sins.”

  “It is our right to convert the heathens, and punish the unrighteous.”

  Gabriel stares at him for a moment, before the screams and pleas for mercy drag his gaze back to the fire. He bites his lip so hard that he draws blood, as he watches men, women and even children be killed for refusing to convert. Some of them are calling out to Nahuatl, Coatlicue, Kukulkan, and he knows no god will come; he can only watch as the men are put in stocks and locked into a house which is then set ablaze. A young boy stares right at him with huge dark eyes and Gabriel sees the plea for help forming on his lips, drowned out by screams of pain. The boy is roughly tossed into the flames consuming the house. Gabriel tries to turn away, but then he sees the great tree near the village, branches weighed down by women hanging from them by the neck. The flames reflect off the armour of conquistadores hanging screaming children up by their feet, and the Archangel’s hands clench.

  How can the Son’s teachings have been so misconstrued? Gabriel’s very function is to carry out God’s will and spread His messages; this twisting of all that he represents causes almost physical pain; a sharp darkness licking at his essence, an almost tangible lump in his stomach . Where did he and his fellow angels go wrong?

  The stench of blood and burnt flesh and death is in the air, and the screams are dying down. Father Diego looks smugly satisfied, and that more than anything makes Gabriel feel sick. Against his will, his feet bring him to the large tree hung with corpses, and he stares at the body of the woman dangling before him. The rope is tight around her neck, her tongue lolling out, and her eyes are fixed heavenward. Next to her, a child is still struggling, upside-down face screwed up in pain. He sees Gabriel standing there, and for a moment his other limbs stop flailing, one hand reaching upwards to the angel in silent supplication.

    Gabriel kneels by the child, touching his forehead softly and trying to ease the pain, and unbidden tears flow down his cheeks.



 

  

 Author’s Note: This is an actual historical massacre that took place in a town called Yobain, and the Franciscan priest Diego de Landa was a real person.

Comments

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww! *sniffles*

When I studied Church History I often wondered what Gabriel did, how could the Scriptures be so horribly misconscrewed. I hurt for those people, and for Gabriel being forced to do nothing. You portrayed the devastation and the emotions perfectly.

*huggles Gabriel*

[cattygabriel]

*offers tissue*

The horrific things humans have done to each other in the name of religion affects me so badly; I can barely imagine what it must be like for the gods and angels. Thank you! <3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

I think the children seeing him and silently begging for help would have been the worst for Gabriel. And then seeing that there was no remorse, only bloodthirsty hunger... You have a wonderful way of writing that allows the reader to be put in their shoes (or sandals, as it may be) and see the world through their eyes.

[cattygabriel]

It really did hurt Gabriel a lot. I don't know how he's held on to his innocence and his hope and faith in the best of humanity; he's seen them at their best and worst, and there's been more of the worst. He is mercy and faith and hope, and this really hurts him.

*BLUSH* I've been writing for a few years, so I guess it's just practice. Thank you, dear. <3

[faithful-healer.livejournal.com]

This was an extremely hard read and I constantly found myself looking away, so I cannot begin to imagine how hard it was for you to write it.  The things humanity has done in the name of religion always makes me cringe.

this twisting of all that he represents causes almost physical pain; a sharp darkness licking at his essence  I love the imagery here, even though it really hurts to read.  How is it that a message of love and acceptance can be so horribly misinterpreted?  How devastating it must be for the angels to stand by and do nothing as humans continue to march forth and destroy each other in His name.


(Just in case I confused you, this is divine_tempest.  I caved to Belial temptation. This journal is totally your fault. ♥)

[cattygabriel]

I was tired and half-asleep while writing this, so I think that state of numbness insulated me somewhat. However, I read about these massacres and Father Diego de Landa when I was 12 or 13, and it has stayed with me all these years.

I can count the number of times Gabriel has cried on my right hand and have fingers to spare. This is one of those times. :/

I figured. ;) And I will happily accept the blame! <3

[faithful-healer.livejournal.com]

I took a history course on the Holocaust in college that required quite a bit of reading.  I used to read the books either right before bed, or skimmed them in between my early-morning lectures.  Basically, times when I was already slightly disconnected and thus able to emotionally distance myself from what I was reading.  Still, I don't think I will ever be able to forget some of what I studied.  Some things stay with you.

:( Poor Gabriel. Raphael will simply put a hand on his shoulder and stand behind him quietly.


Either you are better at tempting than you thought you were, or Belial is starting to rub off on you. ;) and <3

[cattygabriel]

... I just finished watching SPN 5.14 and the last part was heartbreaking. Dean Winchester crying... :'S

Ouch. I was always a history geek, even as a child, and tales of the Holocaust and stuff like the Oradour sur Vayres and Oradour sur Glane mixup affected me. :/

Gabriel wouldn't mind a hug, though. ;)

Belial is starting to rub off on me. xD Also, I will be overseas, relaxing in Bintan, for the next three days.

[faithful-healer.livejournal.com]

Poor Dean. Their whole family is so messed up. 5.15 is also heartbreaking.

:/

Awww. I think Raphael can manage that. <3

Oooo! Sounds like fun! :D I hope you enjoy it!

[cattygabriel]

*looking forward to next Monday*

:D

I did! It was amazing. :D

[faithful-healer.livejournal.com]

Raphael is very good at hugs - he is warm and strong and so very peaceful. (And I use this icon because I can!)

:D Awesome! Glad you had a great time.

[cattygabriel]

:D There are times when I could do with a hug from Raphael as well, then. (It is pretty and it fits, considering he's Patron of Science and Knowledge! :D )

[faithful-healer.livejournal.com]

Same here. He is a bottomless well of serenity and is always willing to share that with his brothers. (I always think of Raziel when someone mentions the angel of science and knowledge, and associate Raphael more with doctors and medicine. Then again, Raphael gave Raziel's book of knowledge to Noah, so I suppose there's quite a bit of overlap there. Oh, angelology, you are so confusing and contradictory sometimes.)

[cattygabriel]

:D I think his brothers would appreciate it very much! (The Sefer Raziel? Oh goodness, angelology gives me a headache at times. xD)

[faithful-healer.livejournal.com]

*hugs Gabriel tightly* Angels need more Raphael-hugs.

(I think part of the problem with angelology is there's no real way to research it. Very little is written about the angels in canonical or apocryphal literature in either Christian or Islamic religious texts. A large chunk of modern belief is based on pagan/secular interpretation rather than any historical documents. Add in all the new age and artistic books which have absolutely NOTHING to do with any religious texts and that often contradict what little canon there is, and it does make for quite a headache!

Now if only I would put half as much effort into research for my job as I do for this random religious stuff...)

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel: *hugs back*

That they do!

(I agree! It's all so confusing and contradictory and has nothing to back it up, and acquaintances have commented that if I put half as much effort into studying as I do for angelology research and he like, I'd be a top student.)

You're turn! :D

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

(10. Breathe Again (http://halosphere.livejournal.com/10249.html))

Kinda short, but I hope it makes you smile :)

[glacialphoenix]

I know I messaged you what I thought, but I kind of feel obliged to leave a note here.

1. [sends Gabriel hugs]
2. It still manages to break my heart, girl. (I will always be vaguely glad I chose to study Literature and not History; as it is, historical fiction tends to break my heart anyway.)
3. I'll see you when you get back, and perhaps the fic will be finished by then. <3

[cattygabriel]

I'm still amazed at the response to this; it's emotionally stronger than I expected. O_O

History does break my heart. :/

<3

[glacialphoenix]

The fic is finished. Along with three others, one of which is your prompt. Check my journal? <3

Gabriel art from the Book of Angels

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Gabriel (http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy92/Rh-II/1276205836.jpg)

Gabriel kicking butt! (http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy92/Rh-II/1276205860.jpg)

Re: Gabriel art from the Book of Angels

[cattygabriel]

I actually do have a copy of the first picture and it amuses me a lot! And oh my goodness, the second one... *DIES LAUGHING*

He looks like a bodybuilder on steroids. Thank you so much for sharing these, dear! <3

Re: Gabriel art from the Book of Angels

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed them! I thought it would be fun :3

One of the pages about him was rather interesting:

One of Gabriel's longest terms upon Earth accounted for his most personal experience with mankind. Over a span of twenty-two years, he appeared at regular intervals to the prophet Mohammad in order to dictate to him the whole of the Koran. Mohammed, in his personal writings, described Gabriel as regal and compassionate. There are 114 sorates, or volumes, that comprise the Koran and the prophet was careful to take doen the Archangel's words verbatim.

During one of the last points of the transcription to Mohammed, however, Gabriel came to a very harsh passage and felt a moment of concern in the tellings, unintentionally misspeaking the word. As a result, upon his return to the realm of Heaven, Gabriel found the gates impassable. For an unknown span of time, the Archangel awaited his return to Grace as he witnessed another, lesser angel, Dobiel, act as his proxy. At the end of his exile Gabriel felt the a call from beyond the curtain and returned to his station.

I kinda cried when I read this bit Q_Q Poor Gabriel!!

Re: Gabriel art from the Book of Angels

[cattygabriel]

Oh! That's one version I hadn't heard. I have read that Gabriel was exiled from Heaven after losing a duel with Dobiel, who then took over Gabriel's duties while Gabriel was on Earth. Michael then helped Gabriel defeat Dobiel.

Unfortunately, it was a long while after I started playing Gabriel, and thus far I've been ignoring it for LTSH-verse Gabriel as nothing had been mentioned in his backstory or character, and I think that such a thing would have lasting impact. For future stories, though, I think I'd rather take your account of Gabriel's exile - it fits his character. Thank you so much for this!

Re: Gabriel art from the Book of Angels

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! I'm glad you enjoy them! There are pictures of his horn and scythe too, as well as some beautiful paintings of sparrows (that apprently he uses to escort good souls to each unborn child) and a picture of him in a long black robe blowing his horn for the Rapture, I can snap pics of those too if you want?

Re: Gabriel art from the Book of Angels

[cattygabriel]

Scythe? I have read that he is also the Angel of Death, but then so many angels are called Angels of Death that I just stick with Azrael for death in general and keep the fact that Gabriel is the angel of death over kings.

Yes, please, I would love those pictures! Thank you so much! <3