Gluttony.

Paradise was beautiful. After all, it was paradise. Lush emerald blades scattered the floor and pristine woodland flourished. Flowers bloomed an array of colours and brought scents to the nostrils so pure and fragrant that any soul would remember this place for millennia. It was perfection. It was the garden of Eden. 

But with everything perfect, temptation naturally followed.

Curiosity was the only thing that the young angel ever felt. She had no other feelings or true understanding yet. She was created with the intense light of the lord which burned bright through her sapphire gaze. She was so full of hope and imagination that most were in awe of her innocence. It could be frustrating to the rest of the Arch Angels as she needed consistent supervision. She wasn’t hard of understanding or slow at learning. The problem was that she was too quick at picking things up. As if her sole purpose should have been that of a guardian, not an archangel. But that was not God’s plan.  

When evening struck Heaven, it wasn’t like the darkness Earth knew. All through nightfall, a gentle glow remained across the Silver City. It was something no one could explain – a bit like every angel’s existence. They just existed, and that was that. But Azazel questioned it. She questioned everything. Which included why Gabriel and Michael were so adamant to drag her from the garden that day. It caused her mind to wander. 

“But Lucie was fine with it. Why wasn’t Mikey?” Azazel whined as she tugged on Gabriel’s hand impatiently but was met with silence. As always, Gabriel was scribing as the hand of God. So wrapped up in her quill and parchment that she hadn’t even picked up on the little blonde’s sulking next to her. With a frown from the ignorance, Azazel carelessly climbed onto Gabriel’s lap tugging at her hair. Gabriel sighed as she placed the quill down and picked up the little angel, a look of dissatisfaction across her face. 

“That’s enough for one day.” Gabriel muttered as she stood up, carrying Azazel in her arms. A dramatic sigh came from Azazel as she threw her arms backwards, flailing around in Gabriel’s firm hold which didn’t allow for squirming. 

“But Gabe! It’s not fair!” Azazel groaned, pushing her bottom lip out as threw her head back, glancing up at the marble ceilings of the library which each book was being hand written for; pouting profusely. 

“Sleep now. It’s time to be at peace.” Azazel continued to pout as her sister planted a gentle kiss upon her forehead before leaving the juvenile in her chambers to settle. 

But even at this age, she was like a dog with a bone. She had laid her eyes on something she wanted. And she was not going to stop.

Azazel laid in the luxurious silken sheets, pondering over what to do. She wanted that fruit so badly. It looked delicious. She had no idea if it was or not. Being in a permanent state of content, she had no need to try it. But there was a part of her which was crying out for it. The temptation was strong. But she would not succumb. She was an Angel, not Eve. She would not do such a thing. 

But secrets did not exist in Heaven. She had to tell someone. Someone who had no idea what she was on about. Someone with no opinion on the situation and could give her a genuine, honest truth on the matter. 

She clambered out of bed awkwardly; rolling onto her stomach as her legs dangled over the side before she slid out and to her feet. She was surprised that Gabriel hadn’t come running back as Azazel had barely allowed her to leave her chambers before she was up and out again. 

Carefully stepping to her door and peering out to see where Gabriel had gone, Azazel sighed in relief to see no sign of her sister. So, she continued; cautiously slipping out of the gap which was always purposely left open. Being the youngest, her siblings were naturally protective of her. Not that anything would ever happen to her in Heaven. But Archangels were natural fighters. Protecting was all they knew. 

Azazel’s melodic voice quietly sung out to the door she finally stopped in front of; hand raising and opening the door without any consideration for privacy.

“Uri?” The blonde pushed the door open slowly as her beady eyes peered in. A smile came from Uriel’s soft, angelic features; sitting upright to address the young angel who’s bare feet padded across the pristine flooring. 

Azazel hauled herself up on the bed next to the arch angel who was forced from their slumber; Azazel shuffling to get herself comfortable as she crossed her legs and began to twiddle her thumbs. 

“Azazel. You should be asleep.” Uriel said with a stern voice. “What would Fath~” 

“Uri, can I ask you something?” Azazel’s bright blue gaze glanced down at her older kin, an awkward smile coming to her little face as she tried to comprehend how to addresss the situation. 

“Sure..” Uriel slowly sat up, a frown coming to his features as he watched the young angel try to find her words. Pondering over something which was probably minor and irrelevant no doubt. Uriel was used to it. All the angels were. Azazel would always ask bizarre things. She was the only one who happened to question everything. Her existence, her sibling’s existence. The Lord’s existence. She was far more switched on than any of them. Her age just went against her. 

“What does it mean when you want something... that you don’t need?” Azazel quizzed, her voice full of innocence. 

“What do you mean, Azazel?” Uriel held his arm out for her, a grin coming to Azazel’s lips as she shuffled closer and rested herself against Uriel. She dramatically shrugged before giggling.

“I don’t know. It feels strange!” Azazel said through her quiet laughter. Uriel frowned and glanced down at her, taking her chin underneath his grasp to raise her eye gaze to his own.

“Strange?” Concern began to show itself in his voice as he watched his little sister try to explain herself. 

“Ok, so me and Lucie and Mikey and Gabe and Azzy all went to the garden today.” Azazel began, a pearly white grin blessing her angelic features. “And I saw the fruit. It was so shiny. I wanted it. But they said I couldn’t. But I really wanted it, Uri..” Azazel sighed, flopping her hands down with a pout. “I know we don’t need it. But I wanted it. I wanted them all. They were so pretty. They looked so shiny..” Azazel bit down on the corner of her lip as she glanced down; not picking up on the panicked expression which came over Uriel. 

“So you’re telling me that you desired this, little one? You desired the fruit? Even though you don’t.. need it?” Uriel asked, slowly unwrapping Azazel from his grasp as he pushed back the bed covers and got up; his glorious white robe outlining his glory. With a pout to her lips, Azazel glanced up and slowly nodded. A confirmation that Uriel had every right for the fear which now overwhelmed him.

She felt Gluttony.