Pride

[Private to Envy, Gluttony, Lust and Sloth]
I have not heard from Wrath, which was not unexpected, so I counted her out, and Greed was not interested, so he is not involved in this equation either.

In your inbox there should be an e-ticket under your mortal alias and an address to a place in Chicago. I will see you there on Thursday. I don't have the patience to deal with any uninvited guests so leave your demonic tag-alongs at home, please.

Sloth - don't be late. The plane won't wait for you and neither will we.


[Private to Gluttony]
I would appreciate it if you can keep this to yourself. Wouldn't want anything untoward happening to Temperance now, would we? You know if the demons from hell get wind of this, they will do a lot more than just kill her.

I heard the chains rattle as the fetters, warm and heavy, fell away like dust fading into the abyss.

You never know how much room there is until you have the chance to stretch, and you never appreciate breathing fresh air until oxygen feels musty and sultry.

Pain is to know that you are still alive, still real, still human. Freedom tastes bittersweet.

He is gone, for now.


[Private to the Seven Sins]
The vacant seat may still be warm, but I am moving. You are either on my side, or you can hang on to your chains. The decision is yours.

[Private to Temperance]

I am a little late in welcoming you back, and you have my most sincere apologies.

Now, I know that you are good acquaintances with Gluttony. It's a little more than obvious and he isn't particularly known for his discretion. So you will know what I am about to write. I will only say it once.

I know that this must feel like glorious summer romance and everything is going just fine, but you would know that he pounces on anything like a rabid dog and that will not change until the End of Days.

Stay away from Gluttony, Temperance. It is unnatural, it is unlawful; you are betraying him, you are betraying yourself and you are betraying God.

I have no qualms about ending you, and I have no qualms about ending Gluttony. I have not been aggravated enough to lift a finger in the past few millennia. The last time I was angry, I clipped a certain angel's wings and sent a third of them down to hell with him.

So, please. Do what is right, and don't make me angry.

God bless.

[Private to Agrat Bat Mahlat, Eisheth Zenunim, Lilith & Naamah]

Good evening ladies. I have a small request - I need to borrow something of Satan's. Preferably something... fresh. A week old or two, perhaps. Your bodies do not count. Rest assured, it will be returned in the condition it was loaned to me in.

Money, sex, souls or anything else you would like in return - I am more than happy to provide.

Something of Lucifer's and something of Raum's would also come in handy.


[Private to Greed]

I don't suppose you have anything that smells like chargrilled 2000-year-old chicken belongs to Raum? I need to borrow it.


[Private to Eve]

Eve, I know we have only spoken when Greed brought you to Lust's villa, but I was wondering if you have anything of Michael's, or of the other angels, that I could borrow.

If not, don't worry. I can always do something that will bring them to me.

Hm. Woke up feeling all tingly inside. Haven't felt this way since... well, that's impossible. He's always on the opposite side of the state from me. a long time.

In other news, I seem to have misplaced my silver cross. I'm sure I had it after that dog left, so her eating it or burying it somewhere would be impossible.

Since the Big Man deigns me unworthy to speak to, who is the patron saint for finding lost things?

I never caught on to the whole pet-raising fiasco, but the dog has arrived, and I have almost no experience with my new canine acquaintance.

Lust, on the other hand, seems quite enamoured by it. So it may be somewhat cute but surely making motherly, baby, reassuring noises at it is going a little overboard?

Perhaps this gift would better suit her, Gluttony? I want it out of my house, and no amount of headtilts, licking or pleading/sad/cute faces it makes at me will change that.

[Private to Michael]

Don't push your luck.

One with your standing should know that picking on the youngest, weakest one isn't playing fair at all.

Back when flexing muscles was considered to be 'in fashion', I took down your top dog fair and square, and a third of your army went with him. I didn't go after the weakest nor was it a low blow; I thought I could expect at least this much from the almighty archangel.

You know how much I hate getting my hands dirty, so don't force my hand, Michael. There will be enough fighting to come at the End of Days to satisfy both sides. Until then you can sit tight like the rest of us and at least pretend to be civilised. I know that's asking a lot of you but if you pray about it, I am sure that God will grant you the wisdom and strength to know when to act and when to play nice.

Ouch.

[Private to Lust and Gluttony]

Change of plans. The power-tripping asswipe's having one of his hissy fits again. I have to go over to NYC.

I will catch up with you in NYC once he's done sulking. Then perhaps we can arrange something for back here in LA.

Don't invite Wrath - she never kisses my ass the same way she kisses Satan's and I'm insanely jealous, my house is worth more than she'll ever earn and I just got it refurbished - or Greed or Raum - this party is for adults; 21 and up only.

Fuck.

Yes, yes, he's back - I get the picture. Are we done with the screaming orgasms, panic attacks and daddy complex overdrives?

Good.

We now return to your daily scheduled life.

While I have been working tirelessly on set, I suppose I haven't missed anything of importance apart from Greed turning into an attention-seeking, prepubescent boy with a daddy complex?