Same office, same man. He glances at his timepiece, then opens the bottom desk drawer. It is filled with file folders, neatly labeled and arranged alphabetically in the angelic tongue. He plucks a thin folder from those filed under S, leans back in his chair, and reviews its contents. Several minutes pass, and then a knock is heard.
Doctor: "Shilom, good to see you again. Please come in."
The Mercurian walks in, less hesitantly than the last time, and sits in the other chair.
Shilom: "Good morning Doctor. Sorry I'm late."
Doctor: "Not at all. You are my only visitor this morning, as I've been told that my Cherub friend is currently in trauma. Her overprotectiveness got her into trouble, I'm afraid. Arranges himself and his notes. Shilom, as I said before, this may take some time. Perhaps we should first establish what you want to accomplish in these talks, yes? There must be some focus to our conversations. Do you have a specific goal in mind?"
Shilom: "I'm not really sure. Well yes, I guess so. Yes. I have this problem with... It all started back... I don't like being around... I..." Shilom pauses for a moment, then sobs. "I'm afraid of Ethereals!"
Doctor: Silently passes a box of tissues, and waits until Shilom has herself under control. Speaks very gently. "I can see where that would be a problem. How long have you had this fear?"
Shilom: Blows her nose, and thinks for a moment. "I don't really know. Until recently, I haven't actually seen any Ethereals since before I was outcast. A few hundred years ago I noticed that I felt very uncomfortable around mythological images. You know, paintings showing manticores, that sort of thing. For example, once I was on Coney Island, I guess in the early 50's, ah 1950's, and there was a merry-go-round. I was watching it as it turned, then I saw that one of the horses had a horn on its head. I really don't remember... I guess I started running. It was a good fifteen, twenty minutes, anyway, I was well outside of the park when I came back to my senses. That wasn't the first time, that was the first time I lost control. Now it seems to happen often. Sometimes I even go Celestial to run away."
Doctor: "That is serious." Purses his lips, considering. "Shilom, in my time in Heaven, I have discovered that angels can be very like humans in many ways. We all have fears, and often we don't know where they come from. When we discover the roots of our fears, it makes them more understandable, do you see?" Waits for Shilom's nod, then continues. "From what you have told me so far, it is likely that this particular fear is a holdover from your service with Uriel. I know that you might feel, ahem, uncomfortable discussing your time with him, but we will take this in small steps. It is easier that way. Now where has that pen got to ... ah!" Pulls out a new sheet of paper, and makes a notation at the top. "Please, tell me how you came to be one of Uriel's servitors. Were you created by him?"
Shilom: "Yes... Yes I was created by Uriel."
Doctor: "Very good. You've told me that you were created about 100 years before the War began. What were your duties in those early days?"
Shilom: "Well, my first assignment was in a seasonal village along the Ubangi. We were helping them rebuild their culture, you know, after the flood and all. I was with a mixed group of celestials, working on ridding the local temple of Ethereal influences. Our group consisted of a couple of Cherubim, one with Janus, a fairly young Seraph with Yves, and an Elohite also with Yves. Our leader was the other Cherub, a very experienced servitor of Dominic. He was my mentor, and eventually my lover, on Earth anyway (I was in a female vessel at the time). Our assignments kept us working very closely together, I became quite fond of him, I guess I fell in love. And I thought he felt the same about me. Maybe he even did..." Shilom pauses for a few seconds. "...for a while."
Doctor: "Mmmm. Even an immortal may occasionally have problems with her, ahem, love life. Perhaps, with your permission of course, I might talk to this Cherub. As he knew you so well in your early days, he might be able to shed some light on your situation. What is his name?"
Shilom: In a barely audible whisper, the Mercurian replies: "Destroyer of those who oppose the Lord... Asmodeus..."
There is a sudden stillness in the room, broken only by the sound of the doctor's pen snapping in two. The doctor attempts to speak, but at first only inarticulate squeaks emerge.
Doctor: Clears throat. Twice. "Ahem. Ah, well, yes, is that the time? Goodness, how late it is. We will have to continue this later, yes? I have a few other things to attend to, I hope you don't mind. Oh, don't mind the ink, I'll clean it up later. Goodbye, Shilom, I'll see you again soon."
The doctor practically pushes the Mercurian out the door and returns to his desk, wiping his ink-stained hand across his sweating forehead. He shakes his head, muttering.
Doctor: "Asmodeus... She was in love with Asmodeus."
He reaches into his middle desk drawer and pulls out an unmarked flask. Opening it, he takes a small swig, then a bigger one. He addresses the empty air.
Doctor: "Miss Marian? Please cancel the rest of my appointments for today. I...I'm not feeling very well."
He puts the flask away regretfully, closes the drawer, and sighs.