Are you?

[The insult doesn't so much as ding his calm demeanor.]

I've met servants of The Angel, but never an angel proper. I wonder what they would think of you.

[He sets his drink down and turns to study his new acquaintance more closely.]

The Angel of Destruction only prefers the bracelet and the adornment of fear, so I'm not actually so disappointed.

My name is Cousin Ferinc. [He toasts him.] I think we know different angels; it's good to meet you.

The Angel is the bloody genocidal arm of Kospodar Chuvishka, an arm that miraculously survives with that notable figure some generations dead. I'll take the irritating bastard any day. [He smiles, eyes warm. He may not believe in the Holy Mother, but his patron Saint did, and in his name he does eschew slurs against women or very lovely parts of their bodies. ]

In fact, it might be said that irritating bastard is part of my religious orders, and so I must be sympathetic.

Certainly the one I've got the most experience with, cousin, though legends say some of them are kinder.

But your brother; tell me about him. I know the Chief keeps tabs on him; it would take a full tractor lock to drag ship politics out of him. [Which he says with some regret and some fondness.]

You're right. That does sound very human.

How do you measure age, in the canopy of heaven?

Then calling him 'bat Cas' is more about his actions and attitude?

[Besides sounding oddly adorable.]

It does sound like sensitive information. [He takes a drink of alcohol, thoughtful.]

What are you going to do, being here in your brother's place?

[Ferinc gives him a frank look.]

It it something you've been without? A desire, or a need?

[Professional question.]

Is it such a strange question? Need is a form of pain; the malcontent's duty is to help souls in pain.

[Disdain washes right over Ferinc; the Malcontent being the order of perverts and untouchables leaves you very hard to insult.]

Life is full of wonders, Cousin. Even life after life has new experiences. Isn't that something? [He sips his drink, looking serene.]

What comes after, for an angel?