Angels in general are a breed apart. Of course they've all got lovely voices, they've all got classical music training and know the masses and prayers, they're all blessed winged creatures -
But that doesn't mean they're all smart, or all good, even (Isabella was taken to see Windy Point, once, or what's left of it, and of course she sees the scars on Galo Mountain every year at the Gloria; there stood angels who were not good). And Isabella is smart and good.
Isabella is always the first to volunteer for an intercession. She likes them. She'll call down weather, plead for seeds, pray a shower of medicine to fall from the sky, and she will get what she asks for, and she loves nothing more than to dive from hours aloft in prayer and clasp the hands of the people she helped and go home to the Eyrie to take on her next assignment. When there are none - when there is the right amount of rain and sun in the province, when there is no plague and no famine - she studies. She studies a bit of everything, but she fancies herself particularly a historian, investigating the accounts of Archangels' reigns past. From books, mostly, although once she wrangled herself a year in Cedar Hills to assist the Archangel Linus, and when she is in the Eyrie she closely follows the leader of the host there, the former term-lapsed Archangel Delilah.
She tried to get in with the other living former Archangel, too, Alleluia the oracle who served as Delilah's interim while the latter's wing recovered from an injury, but after a few hours' conversation Alleluia said that she could not accept Isabella as even a temporary acolyte and sent her to Peninnah instead. Isabella learned a lot from Peninnah, but she's confused about why Alleluia turned her down personally only to send her to another oracle, after such a prolonged interview. Particularly since Sinai is in her own province; what was the point in sending her all the way to Gaza?
But the instruction came from an oracle, and oracles' words more often than not come from Jovah. She went to Gaza, learned from Peninnah, and went home.
Now she is back at the Eyrie, and the first thing she wants to do is let Delilah know that she's back. Her wings aren't so tired that she can't immediately fly to the Corinnis or the outskirts of Semorrah or anywhere and accomplish something. Failing that, she'd love to sign up for harmonies again now that she's home and wants to know what she ought to schedule around.
Delilah is with her husband Noah, and a visitor. He doesn't seem like a petitioner, and he doesn't look like an Edori, although the fact that he and Noah are talking in Edori suggests that he might be an adopted one. (There are hardly any Edori of either sort left; most of them live in Ysral, now.) Isabella waits patiently outside the door for the host leader's attention.
"It's like a fairy tale," sighs Rinnah.
Charles harrumphs.
Isabella's reunion conversation with her parents continues to range over miscellaneous topics and continues to incorporate handholding. When Isabella mentions that she ought to see Serah today, Rinnah ushers her and Micaiah out the door, laughing. And Isabella doesn't seem disposed to let go of Micaiah's hand.
"Yes, Serah," says Isabella patiently. "This is Micaiah. Micaiah, this is Serah."
"Serah."
"No, no, you're too modest, you really don't need to be you know, many Archangels have been famously pompous - anyway, I'd say I ought to be friends with you so I can get special favors when you and her rule Samaria together but I'm already her best friend so you can be sure I will like or dislike you solely on your own merits," Serah says cheerily.
"Tell me about your merits," urges Serah, grabbing Isabella and Micaiah each by a hand and pulling them with awkward simultaneity through her door. One of Isabella's wings winds up buffeting Micaiah, all soft and warm; she doesn't seem discomfited by the accidental contact. "Elisha only knew a handful of things!"
"I... would have to take his word for it?" Isabella manages awkwardly.
"Your Kisses are like stars come to earth and you have not sampled any less capitalized kisses?" exclaims Serah, completely scandalized.
"...Yes."
"Well," snorts Serah. "I suddenly need the water room. I'm sure I'll be at least five minutes." And she flounces off to her adjoining water room.
"Well - if you want to," says Isabella. "I cannot at this time claim it as one of my own talents. Fair warning."
She also makes an intrigued little sound in the back of her throat.
Serah gives them a bit longer than five minutes, and still comes out to a scene of kissing. "Goodness gracious," she deadpans. "I am astonished to find this going on. Whatever shall I do."
Isabella breaks off to roll her eyes at her friend. "So what did you do in Velora yesterday?" she asks.
"Shopping!" crows Serah, clapping her hands. "Do you want to see what I got?"
"Why not?" Isabella laughs.
Serah got several pretty dresses. She shows them off each in turn with loving and elaborate descriptions in spite of the fact that her visitors can plainly see them for themselves.
Serah considers this no more or less than the height of virtue on his part, and winds up directing most of her commentary at him rather than at Isabella, who regards the pair of them with tolerant amusement. Her own interest in outfits is very limited.
Eventually, Serah runs out of dresses to show off, and has exhausted her remarks on her new hairclip too. "You're dressed so plain, I would never have guessed you'd like fancy things," she tells Micaiah.
"Do you want to go shopping?" Isabella asks Micaiah mildly.