Gabriel shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "Heaven got word that an upper level demon broke away and wanted... information. Knowledge about Lucifer, or any unrest in Hell. It makes sense that they'd send someone they know can stand up to a Crown, as they don't know how he'd react." The explanation spilled forth without him really thinking about it; it seemed plausible enough that the angel was a bit surprised that he hadn't in reality received such an assignment.

"As for what happened to draw your attention... well. Breaking away from Lucifer isn't necessarily the same thing as betraying him to the other side. Perhaps he reacted badly, or simply wasn't willing to negotiate with an angel." Memories of those occasions when he and Belial had been at odds seemed quite distant now to Gabriel, and yet somehow more real than those few months they'd spent together before all this had torn their delicate bond. In that moment, none of it was pleasant to recall.

"Does that work for you?"