When one thinks of Heaven, perhaps the first thing to come to mind would be the big pearly gates and fluffy clouds to lounge around on. Maybe one would also think of little cherubs floating everywhere, looking sweet and innocent and filling Paradise with their delightful harp music. As it would turn out, the final resting place of the very very good was not this way at all. The actual appearance of Heaven varied from person to person, each soul living out their existence in a place customized to their own personal desires. Of course, there was a main street and gathering place that appeared the same to everyone, but after leaving it they were free to carry on with whatever made their little angelic souls content.

The condition of having everything your heart desired came with the obligation of accepting whatever job you were given without complaint. Everyso often there was a rotation in the job schedule to keep things as fair as possible. On the day of the new job rotation, Aubrey learned that he would be sent down to Earth in order to help the humans down the path of good and righteousness. For all that Heaven had to offer, at times it could be a little…well, boring; there were hardly any challenges to face. Earth, however, was a compleeetely different story.

Like the stereotypical image that humans gave to angels, Aubrey’s hair was a beautiful golden blonde. It fell just past his shoulder blades and he typically wore it in a single braid. His eyes were a blue that could go from bright to stormy depending on his mood. The clothes he found the most to his liking were a good pair of faded blue jeans and simple t-shirt of any color. He currently was wearing jeans and a plain white tee as he made his way for the job assignment bureau, humming a cheerful tune along the way. When he stepped inside, he chit chatted with the woman behind the desk for a little bit before she waved him through a door.

The first thing Aubrey saw when he walked into the office was a ginormous Saint Bernard. It grinned a big, happy doggy grin and a dribble of drool fell from its mouth onto the carpet. Aubrey made a face at the dog while a voice from just behind him said, “Don’t you just love your new partner, Brey?” The blonde jumped and spun around to see Mr. Morrison, the angel in charge of making sure new job assignments were started successfully, smiling happily at the dog—err…his new partner.

“…I would lie and tell you that I do, but you know that’s not allowed here, Mr. M. I’m sure I’ll learn to like him…her…it…”

“Bob.” Mr. Morrison supplied helpfully.

Aubrey blinked between the other angel and the furry creature. “I’m going to be going to Earth with a dog named…Bob? Surely you’re joking.”

The older angel shook his head. “Nope. This is Robert, aka Bob, the Saint Bernard. He’s going to help you down on earth, sniffing out the people most in need of your guidance. Isn’t he wonderful?” While he spoke, Mr. Morrison walked over and scratched Bob behind his big furry ears. Bob closed his eyes and let his tongue flop to the side out of his mouth; more drool found its way to the carpet.

“Well…that does sound rather helpful, actually.” Aubrey smiled at the angel and his new partner, vowing to buy a drool bib for Bob as soon as they made it down to earth. “I guess we’re ready to go now.”

Mr. Morrison nodded and pulled a ticket from his pocket and handed it to the blonde. “Your train leaves in thirty minutes. Don’t be late or who knows where you will end up in the end. Oh, and remember not to let Bob have any sweets while you guys are down in the human world.” The Saint Bernard whined sadly. “Sorry, buddy. Anyway, good luck Aubrey. See you in a couple hundred years.”

The sin was a whisper through the stillness of the train-- not only in the chilling figurative manner but also in quite a literal sense. Who would have known the train between the three realms would have been a man? It was an unfair choice, what with being the only transport between temptation, salvation, and the world caught between the two. It was only natural that demons would tempt him, and likewise, the little angelic people from above would try to save his poor soul.

With this such conductor, it was obvious that that was not happening. A female demon stood close behind him, her small hands placed firmly upon each of his shoulders as he stood still in the middle of the train isle. Her lips were but an inch from the shell of his ear, her words soft as she egged him onwards. The train had already slowed quite a bit thanks to her, and with the lack of other passengers she was truly hoping she could get away with this.

"Angels would do you no good," she cooed sweetly, the warmest of smiles lining her lips, two sharpened teeth prominent near her top lips. "Lookie here, those pearly gates are but a wasteland, where you become the lapdog, sent out to do the work those higher don't have the backbone for." For her, this was true of the station they were nearing. To each being there was a different interpretation of heaven, and for her there was truly no other appearance than that of a wasteland. She fancied it looked rather like hell, though that may be going a tad too far.

The woman herself, Aysel, had no particularly demonic traits to her aside from the gleam in her eyes and the two slightly sharpened teeth. She had teal hair that hung in a cute fashion about her, a few strands curling while the rest fell in as straight manner. Her eyes complimented its deep color with the lightness of their grey, and her skin nearly mimicked porcelain with its pale, luminescent quality. Her dress was no different than any human, and was surprisingly modest for her race. All in all, she looked rather like a human, but when meaningfully playing with a mortal soul, well, she could be quite a trickstress.

She had been trying for an hour to accomplish what no one before her had, to divert the conductor completely from stopping in heaven before taking her to earth. This was the natural course, starting in hell, rising, then taking two of each race to the middle man. When she noticed that while she had gotten close, she had not fully accomplished the job, she let go of the shivering man and backed off with a childish pout. He ran back to do his job, the train stopping abruptly at the station as she sat down with a soft sigh. She swung her feet from underneath her impatiently, wanting to meet this competition of hers while her companion shifted uncomfortably from its spot.

It was a hawk, perched in a fashion that could appear to be menacing from the handrail across the isle from her. It squawked as she had failed to convince the man to take her straight to earth without an angel, and she shrugged slightly towards it. "Sorry, Sebastian, I tried. He's trained not to, ya know? At least no Angel has gotten to him,..." she added with a slight mumble, then flashing it a smile. "Oh but think of what fun this could be! We do get to meet our competition, after all-- they might even be silly enough to tempt a bit. Spook 'em, yes?" The hawk simply stared at her oddly before looking jout the station window, wondering where exactly the angel who would be joining them was.

“Come…on…Bob.” Aubrey panted to the large furry dog beside him. After he had left the office of Mr. Morrison, he found himself distracted by some sort of parade taking place in the main square. The parade had been lovely and all, but…he’d lost track of time and currently found himself making a mad dash for the station. The Saint Bernard didn’t seem to mind the little bit of running, tongue flapping wildly about accompanied by a healthy stream of drool.

When they finally made it to the platform, the angel was embarrassed to find the train already there and waiting for him. His cheeks were nearly crimson as he handed over his ticket to the man who ran the train, apologizing profusely as he stepped aboard. When he noticed the one and only other passenger on the train, his eyes widened a touch as realization dawned on him; he’d completely forgotten the little tidbit about a demon, his competition down on Earth, riding the train as well. Before he could do, or say, anything to her though, his fluffy companion padded over and plopped down in front of the demon, leaning against her heavily and staring back at Aubrey with a meaningful expression.

“Ah, sorry about that!” The blonde hurried over and collected his partner’s leash and attempted to drag him away from the stranger. “Yes, yes, I know she seems like a good candidate for saving, Bob.” Aubrey muttered in a low voice, still trying to get the dog to budge. Shifting his attention once more back to the woman, he offered her a sheepish grin even though just being so close to such an evil being made his skin crawl; demon or not, he still wanted to be polite. “I don’t suppose you’d be up for some kind of divine saving would you? I mean, I guess as a demon you wouldn’t be interested in such a thing, but…it never hurts to ask.”

A sly grin spread across Aysel's face as she saw the golden blond enter the train, running alongside a monstrously-sized Saint Bernard. She immediately presumed that the dog was to be his companion, as her hawk Sebastian was to assist her. The thought made the fact that the dog ran right up to sit in front of her all the more ridiculous. A short, nearly musical laugh parted her lips as she looked down as the dog curiously, almost in a fashion that could be considered fond. Or of her hands rose to place itself gently upon the canine's head, and though she was perhaps a tad annoyed by it, she ignored whatever drool slid onto her lap from his placement. "That's a good boy," she spoke with a bit of amusement, though it may appear kind in some sense as well, "Look at who's already working, Sebastian."

The hawk in the corner of the train cart let out a loud screech, enough to make even her flinch. At the Angela's set words she laughed softly, flashing a playful smile in his direction. "He's not too much of a bother, I reckon he'll be a lot of work," she commented, looking down at the dog before looking up at the angel in an almost studious fashion. His being near made her feel uncomfortable, almost as if she were suddenly far warmer than she liked. Despite this, she acted casual, not wishing to seem intimidated in the least-- it was in her nature to wish to be superior.

Sighing softly, she shook her head, letting a little shrug off of her shoulders. "Sorry hon, I'm a bit past saving," she laughs softly, though not harshly, instead letting it out as a soft, smooth sound. "Though if you're ever looking for some actual fun, I do believe I can interest you. Do let me know if you ever decide temptation appeals to you," she smiles almost warmly as the train doors closed, and the hawk in the corner screeched once more. Pouting in a childish fashion, she looked up at him, "Sebastian, be quiet. If I can stand it, then so can you. Keep it up and you'll find yourself stuffed in a trash can..." she murmured the last bit to herself.

Once he saw that the demon would neither harm his dog or his person, Aubrey relaxed almost visibly and pulled up a seat opposite of the woman. Yes, he had been brainwashed into thinking that all of the minions of Hell were vicious creatures, and no, he usually wasn’t wrong in that way of thinking. The fact that his rival—because she would after all be looking to condemn souls while he meant to save them—hadn’t tried to kill them, was a bit surprising to the angel. Maybe there was some kind of unspoken agreement that the two teams were expected to play nice until they reached Earth.

“No one is past the point of saving, my lady. But,” Aubrey’s lips turned up in a wry smile, “I’m not going to bore you with all the details of my campaign.” The demon’s next statement made him laugh, the sound the bright tinkling of bells and he said, “Thank you but I have plenty of fun Upstairs. I’ll never stray from my true path, just as you wouldn’t dare stray from yours.”

The sound the hawk made had the blonde fighting off a wince, and he decided in that moment that he was thankful Bob, for all his trouble with drooling, would never make a sound that pierced his eardrums. He made a clicking sound with his tongue and the Saint Bernard in question roamed over to his side of the train car and sat down on top of his feet. No doubt they (his feet) would be asleep in a few moments, but at least he could ruffle the dog’s fur to seek comfort.

“What’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?” He blinked. “Wait…you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want. I know you lot get all fussy when it comes to the concept of names holding power and whatnot.”

She inwardly cringed as her opposite decided to take a seat near her, having hoped that perhaps he would move a bit further. The close proximity made her feel a bit dizzy, that and his response to her words. They were sickeningly good, dripping with sweetness, it was all very unnerving for her. The fact that he didn't insist on saving her after she had told him no was refreshing, though, as well as how he had yet to attack her in any sense. She supposed that might be her duty to start any fighting, but she didn't see any need to do so if he wasn't acting aggressive. He was even speaking to her on normal terms, as if they were no demon or angel at all.

She sighed softly At his reply, shaking her head a bit at him. "A shame," she sighed softly, but would agree to disagree so long as he didn't go on as she had expected him to. She appreciated that in some way, but still knew that tempting him would have been fun. She may still even try that once they reached earth. "That's refreshing." she commented in a nearly pleasant manner.

Her gaze followed his up to the hawk, then rubbing the back of her neck uncomfortably, unsure of how their partnership was going to work. Then again, the angel here had a dog the size of a horse to work with, so she could be somewhat glad for the size and weight of her companion. His words made a playful smile rise to her lips, and she laughed when he finished, finding the stereotyping he was doing incredible. Perhaps she had done similarly in her thoughts, but not aloud-- and the way he phrased it, with his innocent application of manners, made it all the more amusing to her. "Not all of us have problems with names," she explained with a small smile, "Mine is Aysel. What's yours?"