"Terrible," he manages before her question, because what kind of life would that be for a child? What kind of life did that mean Jude had led, the poor dear?
The question gives him pause because it's been a rather long while since he's had to actually explain what the AntiChrist is. Humans of Earth have been well-aware of the concept for centuries; it haunts their literature and film, and often shows up as accusations in horrible right-wing political propaganda. Her question, then, makes him wonder if he has to first explain what Christ is. She may not have any knowledge of the human religions outside of those that include the fae. So, rather than ramble the entirety of Christian theology at her, he attempts a--what is it called? Those summary guides to literature? A Cliff's Notes version...as best he can.
"Well, he's the opposite of the Christ. The Anti- Christ. Christ, of course, being Jesus, the Son of God, whose death on the cross was to atone for humanity's sins. The AntiChrist is thus in direct opposition of that. He is the son of Satan and was supposed to herald the End of Times." Aziraphale wrinkles up his nose with indecision and then adds, "There was a bit of a fiasco, actually. It's, uh, quite funny in retrospect--now, wasn't so funny at the time, of course--but the newborn AntiChrist was supposed to be switched with the baby of an American politician...and it all went a bit wrong."
no subject
The question gives him pause because it's been a rather long while since he's had to actually explain what the AntiChrist is. Humans of Earth have been well-aware of the concept for centuries; it haunts their literature and film, and often shows up as accusations in horrible right-wing political propaganda. Her question, then, makes him wonder if he has to first explain what Christ is. She may not have any knowledge of the human religions outside of those that include the fae. So, rather than ramble the entirety of Christian theology at her, he attempts a--what is it called? Those summary guides to literature? A Cliff's Notes version...as best he can.
"Well, he's the opposite of the Christ. The Anti- Christ. Christ, of course, being Jesus, the Son of God, whose death on the cross was to atone for humanity's sins. The AntiChrist is thus in direct opposition of that. He is the son of Satan and was supposed to herald the End of Times." Aziraphale wrinkles up his nose with indecision and then adds, "There was a bit of a fiasco, actually. It's, uh, quite funny in retrospect--now, wasn't so funny at the time, of course--but the newborn AntiChrist was supposed to be switched with the baby of an American politician...and it all went a bit wrong."