Rusted Before the Rain (Nael)

Bowen · Sep 24, 2015

@"Trahnael"

One of his students had warned him of an oncoming rainshower but had assured him that it wouldn't cover the entire city.

He thought that he probably should have learned by now that trusting a student's casual sensory magic as absolutely correct was a bad idea, and he could even remember previous incidents, but still he adapted his route home that late afternoon. He passed through downtown rather than using his more roundabout route, the route that kept him away from people and landmarks that ran the risk of triggering associations. Associations had too many connections, and pulling on one innocent thread could very easily bring down an avalanche of pain.

He was downtown now though, and it was still raining. He was drenched from head to toe, and for now at least was able to keep his thoughts at bay without going farther than damn my back hurts. Wing stumps didn't really draw attention in Manta Carlos, so no one was staring really, but thinking about them caused problems that were internal and far too dangerous to risk, especially in public. Not being stared at and only thinking of current physical pain didn't erase his growing general unease, though. There was something familiar in the air, and its thread led down a very dark tunnel. A tunnel webbed with fractures and precariously held together with forgetful stitches and glue.

He kept his head down, and hoped that the other angel in the area left him alone. The tunnel loomed at his back, and threatened to crumble.

Trahnael · Sep 25, 2015

That other angel was just as inconvenienced with the rain.

Fortunately, he had an umbrella and his apartment was just a couple of blocks away. He was taking a day off from work, but he had to run a few errands-- pay bills and buy stuff. He was walking down the street when the odd feeling surrounded him suddenly.

The familiar presence of another angel.

Sky was not as fazed as he thought he would be. After all, he ended up being in an island where so many beings have gathered, and angels weren't an exception to that. He didn't want anything to do with this angel as much as possible, but the presence was getting nearer and nearer. Sky froze in place. He clutched the handle of his black automatic umbrella tighter and looked around, not knowing if he was anticipating something, or if he actually wanted to see the angel, or... or if he was just panicking. His sneakers were getting spattered by raindrops each second, slowly becoming damp until his feet inside have gone cold. He probably stood there on the same place for quite a while, he didn't know for sure. And then he saw a walking figure some distance away, soaked by the rain, but was still heading his way.

The presence he felt was even stronger now.

Sky unconsciously headed towards this man, this angel. He didn't want anything to do with him, but for some reason, he was still attracted by his mere aura, even though it felt dark and sad and pained. Sky missed home. He was just not ready to admit that. And he just didn't consciously know about it yet.

"Um..." What to say? The other angel was only a few feet away by this time. When they were finally close enough, Sky had one question he managed to utter. "...Won't you let the rain pass somewhere?"

Bowen · Oct 1, 2015

@"Trahnael"

Of all things, Rime hadn't wanted the other angel to approach him, much less address him. Not by name, at least. He had so far succeeded in not looking at the other angel, so it wasn't as if he'd known if he had known - er, him - at all. The voice was reassuringly unfamiliar, other than the cloying scent of angel.

"Because I'm already wet, and continuing in the rain is not going to change that," he said shortly. Stress roughened his voice, and though he had no intention of being rude or coarse, he still didn't come across as particularly friendly. He took a careful breath and tried to moderate himself better. "Have a pleasant day."

Nope, moderation wasn't working. He shifted his more-intact wing stump awkwardly, a stiff lump shifting under his soaked jacket, and tried to ignore the too-sharp surge of pain it brought him; he still felt himself grimace. His back didn't like his at the best of times, and the cold wet just made it more irritable.

Trahnael · Oct 2, 2015

Sky frowned. He was slightly taken aback by such coldness, but it should've been expected. They were strangers, after all. Mostly though, he was actually saddened by it. He felt like... this angel was... in pain. And as he passed Sky realized that it was probably literal pain. He noticed the wing stumps in the angel's back, outlined by the wet clothes over it. The sight was enough to remind Sky of his own experience in the past, when he, too, had his wings ripped from his back. The pain remained until he was given back his wings, and that was only for a certain reason. He shook the thoughts away, and followed the angel unconsciously, not wanting to lose him.

"The rain isn't good for you... Though I guess you already know that," he muttered. He felt stupid for acting on what he suspected were instincts, but he didn't stop anyway. "You're in pain. Please, let the rain pass. I'll help you dry up and....and feel better."

Bowen · Oct 2, 2015

@"Trahnael"

Rime found his gaze sliding over to the other angel. It wasn't as if he had known this particular angel, after all, and he knew he had fallen. Being reminded of things he remembered was painful, but not especially damaging. He had lots of practice about not remembering why he had fallen, especially in detail. Things had gone wrong, that was all.

That was all.

He weighed his options. He could keep going, and eventually admit that yes, he hurt a lot and was going to be in extra pain for like the next week until he healed back to his usual state of mild agony. He could. He'd survive, given what else he'd survived. The wonders of apparent immortality.

Or he could put up with the active discomfort of another angel's presence, and at least dry off. Short term pain, longer term reduced discomfort?

Well, he could always leave later. His legs worked, after all, and it wasn't as if he were easy to lock in.

He sighed.

"All right."

Trahnael · Oct 11, 2015

"Good." The frown faded and was replaced with a smile. Sky was sharing his umbrella to the other angel now. "My apartment is just in the corner of this block. Let's wait for the rain to stop there."

Inviting over a stranger to his house was strange, but something inside him just can't help it. He was attracted to the angel's presence and wanted the aura to last longer. Yeah, that's probably it. Sky led the way to his apartment, which was on the first floor of the building at the end of this block. He left the umbrella in its stand in the hallway. And then he opened the door, and welcomed the other angel inside. "Come in, please."

Bowen · Oct 11, 2015

@"Trahnael"

Rime had to stoop a little to keep the clearly less stressed angel from having to strain to cover him with the umbrella, but with his back the way it was it wasn't much of a dip.

He'd been invited into homes many times over the years, and with a wide enough array of reasons not to be particularly stressed over this one. The only problem was the angelic aura that rubbed him the wrong way. He didn't need to breathe or move for that. He just had to exist. As long as he didn't dwell on it too much, though, it remained bearable.

He also had many years' experience at scraping rainwater off of his miserable self, and he left such a puddle at the building's door that he didn't drip any more once he was inside. "Thanks," he said quietly, and stepped in.

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Rusted Before the Rain (Nael)

Bowen

Well-Known Member

Trahnael

Well-Known Member

Bowen

Well-Known Member

Trahnael

Well-Known Member

Bowen

Well-Known Member

Trahnael

Well-Known Member

Bowen

Well-Known Member