Spirit Me Away

[Zacharias]

I walk this empty street

The tall figurine of Zacharias stood calmly, nothing about him moved but the ruffle of his brilliantly large and white feathers every now and again. He was here.. again. Standing on the very edge of the beach, watching the large, blood-red sun rise slowly, seeming to appear out of nowhere. His heart ached this morning, and what confused him further, is that he had no reason as to why it hurt. Such things were becoming more and more often as of late, frankly, this was twice as confusing. The Archangel let his wings stretch to their full extent, absorbing the sun rays and seeming to rejuvenate his senses. After a moment, his arms raised too, it seemed prudent to make this symbol at the sunrise, though he didn't do it out of habit, or out of fear either. A brisk shake of his head made the Celestial focus. Now was certainly not the time for thinking. The wind swirling along the stretch of beach made a sort of music only he could hear, and whispered the words of his lords onto his awaiting ears. Nothing was more beautiful. The bare-chested Angel waited a moment longer, then looked up at the sky, his eyes seeming to fill with a luminescence coming from somewhere unseen. The light spread, encasing his entire body in a casing of illumination. In the blink of an eye, the spire connecting Zacharias with Heaven dissipated, and he sighed dreamily. It was a wonder the sand where he had been standing hadn't been turned to glass, yet for all the heat the light had radiated, the Archangel appeared completely unharmed. Deep blue eyes meandered around the beach again before he let himself relax in both frame of mind and posture. While shifting his weight from leg to leg, the beautiful alabaster wings drooped with almost a sigh of their own. The Celestial was completely visible to those who cared to look for him, but this wasn't of any consequence, as far as he knew, this stretch of sand was unreachable on foot, and the water was too rough for any sea-faring craft.. though a rather large quantity of birds and woodland creatures surrounded him, all sitting completely still and existing in harmony. Finches sat unafraid next to large crowned eagles. Field mice cleaned their whiskers while perched atop the same log as a snowy owl without any tense feelings. Serenity was the only word that could describe the gathering of beings. This was the one time of day when everything could co-exist without worry. Unity was a fickle thing, especially when dealing with mortal beings. Humans seemed to change their minds no less than three times before deciding on a single course, and even then, were not happy with what they had come to decide on. The entire ordeal was slightly heckling after a while, but one grew used to it, if not completely immune. Though, Zacharias had learned, many a time, that immunity was quite impossible even for an Angel. He had once thought that he could never smell the salt-coated air of the sea, but the Lord had given him that, along with the other five senses man thought himself so superior because of. In all reality, men were so new to the world that many animals had confided him their concerns on human supremacy. was there such a thing as the 'Ultimate species'? Men thought themselves so amazing because they possessed imagination, but what they did know, was that all animals had dreams. Not just dreams that all beings had when asleep. But they had aspirations. For their lives, for their spouse's life, for their children's lives... Men just couldn't seem to grasp that something was equal to them. Appalling enough, certain groups of people had stopped worshiping to their Gods, only because no such higher-power would ever be given to them. It was disgusting. The Archangel snorted in disgust before stretching his wings again, sighing in comfort. Leisure was a lovely thing, something Zacharias seldom enjoyed, nothing was ever over for them. Ever.

On the boulevard of Broken dreams

[Belladonna Duyfken]

<sup>The flaming haired daemon wandered silently on a grassy verge that encompassed a small cove. The sun rose in the distance, brilliant hues of red, orange and yellow seeped into the sky, staining the navy colour, like wine stains carpet. A gentle zephyr stroked her features, pulling at the fiery tresses, brushing life into her cheeks. The morning was cool, and the weather whispered stories of snow, but not a cloud could be seen in the clear heavens. Belladonna's only company, a slender tonkinese, pounced playfully in the grass. His brown and black coat shockingly bright against the pale green shades of the grass. He was not an ordinary cat, he had been created by Chava, the goddess of life, as had Belladonna. The two were in a way connect, and not just by the amethyst eyes that they shared.

Without warning the cat stood to alert, body ridged, apart from the tail that twitched anxiously. He sniffed the air as if testing, then glancing over to the sea nearly yowled to Belladonna, Heads up, we've got a celestial down there. Belladonna was accustomed to her pet and confidant talking, to most people he sounded like any other cat. But when he wished it, a listener could imagine those meows form words, and sentences. The daemon nearly tripped over her feet as she scrambled back wards alarmedly from the light. It was told that in her forsaken state such a pure light would burn her alive. She didn't feel like testing the theory. Her heart beating hard as she stared wide eyed at the connection between heaven and it's creation.

Much to her relief the light was short lived, leaving behind the unmarred view of the huge opal sea. Taking deep slow breaths as quietly as she could she tried to gather her thoughts. A celestial, connecting with heaven, right there. Not for the first time she wished she still possessed her wings so she could speedily fly away. However when Chava had banished her Belladonna's wings had been reduced to dark markings covering her back, not completely unlike tattoos. In her light undyed cotton shirt they would be plainly visible. Nervously she rubbed her sweaty palms on her tan breaches and approached the edge. Carwyn, her feline companion, followed cautiously. He was no forsaken like Belladonna but neither was he of pure blood anymore.

Glancing down over the edge that dropped away suddenly, her violet eyes rested on the celestial. His was tall, tall even for a celestial, or a daemon for that matter. Belladonna looked over her slender 5'7" body, why Chava had chosen to make her this way Belladonna had no idea but then Belladonna had noticed that Chava did a lot of things just to see what would happen. For a moment she watched silently from her perch. The fresh salty air tickling her nose. Let's go meet him. She told Carwyn impulsively. The cat looked up at her, He could kill you. The tom pointed out, And his god would think no less of him, you are a daemon after all. Belladonna grinned in a way that made Carwyn nervous, That's what makes it interesting.

Looking around she spotted a slop of land that wasn't so violent in it's decent. Agilely she half climbed, half slid down the earth that quickly changed in texture from deep rich soil to granny sand. Carwyn did what could have been a sigh, and followed far more gracefully. Slipping to the bottom, and onto the sand Belladonna checked to make sure her twin daggers, strapped across her back were no worse for ware, than boldly strode over to the celestial. Carwyn, also at the bottom now, leapt onto her shoulder to avoid getting too much sand in his fur. Stopping a couple of meters from him she suddenly had nothing to say. Inwardly scolding herself for not at least thinking of something to say it was Carwyn who spoke, making sure the celestial would be able to understand his language, How goes the life of the light? He asked, not trying to hide the pert nature of the question.</sup>

[Zacharias]

The sound of a voice coming from behind him made the Angel tense, then wave his hand in an odd way, only to have a large, brown leather coat raise itself from the sand and waft toward his fingertips. Slipping the jacket over his arms, it was almost odd, even for him, to feel his wings slide right through the thick material. Flexing his wings, the silvery-haired Angel made himself loosen his posture and start to turn around, it didn't take long for him to tense again, fighting with his instincts. A Daemon. Typically, Zacharias had no ill feelings towards anything, but in his present state, mourning over something unknown, the presence of a Fallen was particularly unwanted. " Life goes on as it always has, and always will. No matter how we act, much is written out before us, all one can do is play the cards dealt to them. " Shuffling his large white wings, the Angel turned around and studied the pair, a rather lovely Daemon with wine-red hair, and a tom-cat perched on her shoulder. " An interesting proverb, don't you believe? Though, I find the reference to cards a little odd." Sighing to himself, Zacharias rolled his shoulders and stretched out his wings again before letting them droop, the tips brushing the sand in a weary way. " Normally, I would ask you to leave, but seeing as how you're here, I suppose it would be quite rude to displace you from my sight. In lieu of a kinder course of action, might I ask why you've decided to climb all the way down that ridge, just to come down here? "

[/b] There was no contempt in his voice, no anger, no coldness, he was merely curious. Not such a rare thing for him. The wind floating along the beach whipped the Archangel's golden hair around, but it didn't seem to affect his wings, which seemed to be placidly pressing themselves into the warm sand. Only then did it occur to Zacharias that all the animals had gone from the clearing, making him chuckle softly. He would never understand why the smaller woodland creatures would gather around him when he stood there. They seemed drawn to his presence, but it wasn't something they [/i]did without their consent, each one chose to come. Everything seemed so quiet at this hour, even though it was considerably late in the day, the Earth was tilted fully on it's axis.. This was the time of... 'year' when the sun rose later, and set much earlier. The human conception of time was so.. strange! They veiwed it as a dimension instead of as... what it was, Time! Always tinkering and tampering with what they should not touch, that was their nature. Much like cats, always touching what they know is not safe. A warm smile lit up the Celestial's face as he flexed his wings again, sighing with comfort.
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[Belladonna Duyfken]

<sup>Belladonna did not fail to notice the tension that the voice of her cat had on this celestial before her. Alerting the other to the fact that his privacy was now shared. She also didn't fail to notice that though he had forced himself to relax upon seeing with whom he shared his privacy returned all hostile feeling to his body. She was not surprised by his reaction, she'd expected worse. Belladonna was after all despised by most of the pure and ignored by others. The fact that she had had the nerve to freely walk up to one was almost unheard of in daemons. Daemons were rough, they were sometimes violent and Belladonna despised a lot of them for what they did, but they weren't stupid. Most wanted to live at least until they reached the 5 digit numbers. Belladonna was undecided. She thought that if you didn't live life on the edge what was the point of living.

What did give her a little shock was his melodious voice. It was like velvet and she had to mentally slap herself to bring herself into focus. Arch angels were famous for their beautiful tone. But rumor and reality are very different. There were more than one ballard sung by minstrels talking of fair maidens who's hearts melted to the sound of an arch's singing. Belladonna had thought the songs rather fanciful, more myth than truth. She'd often put them in the category with dragon riders and unicorn tamers. Now that she actually came face to face with such a sound it all became believable. Swallowing a little nervously thinking she might have really gotten herself into this time. Arches were meant to be the most powerful of all celestials, she stroked Carwyn to hide her anxiety. Maybe this was a little too much on the edge for her.

She shrugged at his comment about cards causing Carwyn to dig his claws into her sensitive skin. Grimacing she shifted his position a little prying out his claws. While she worked, Well it is a human saying. her tone was that of someone pre-occupied as she was careful that Carwyn's claws wouldn't do anymore damage, I've lived among humans for over 500 years now and I still don't understand them. Carwyn in a more suitable position she looked up at the celestial noting his perfect features and silvery hair that danced in the flushing breeze. Her gaze held for a little longer than Carwyn liked and he shoved his wet nose in her ear. cringing she pulled the cat off her shoulder. Keep that up and I'll make you walk in the sand. Carwyn looked up at her his lavender eyes unblinking, tail flicked with energy, he was obviously not pleased with being moved from his perch. As her ladyship wishes. snorting a little he then reclaimed his spot on her shoulder. He turned back to surveying the celestial with open distrust.

Listening to these voice again she wasn't surprised by the words. Other celestials would have tolerated much less of her. Tickling Carwyn under the chin as she thought for a plausible excuse. Finding none she decided to go with honesty. I guess I was curious. It's been a long time since I spoke with a celestial. At least not since Eth- She cut herself short. She'd nearly blurted out her history to an angel, and an arch at that. Knowing Chava it wouldn't surprise her if her story had already circulated the "pure" world. Chava was not one for keeping secrets, she was often painfully blunt. Even if Belladonna's history was known to everyone she now bore a different name in order to escape the entanglement. She wasn't yet prepared to awaken the knowledge of just anyone to the fact that she had been that celestial. The one who'd turned her back on her goddess for a mortal, and one with "corrupted" blood at that. Only Carwyn knew who she was and she was determined to keep it that way. Changing the subject, My name's Belladonna by the way, she shifted position to be more comfortable. Belladonna Duyfken, Lady knight of the realm, ex guardian celestial for Chava. She smiled at the last part to cover any negative feelings to wards the goddess.</sup>

[Zacharias]

The Celestial listened with placid content, overjoyed as the feeling of loneliness slowly ebbed from his torso, leaving him nothing but the usual sense of peace and happiness. Eyes drifted up to the sky, searching it with clarity before sighing again. Nodding without looking Shifting slowly, the Angel settled down to listen again as she spoke. The odd thing was, is that he actually was enjoying himself. In the presence of one he wasn't really supposed to be seen with, at that. ' Belladonna? ' He asked himself mentally, ' Just like the plant? ' After giving her name, Zacharias let his thoughts wander before he let himself look back at the Daemon. " Too true. I have lived among them since the dawning of time, and every time you think you understand them. Their emotions and thoughts, they change themselves. It's maddening. " The Archangel came very close to rolling his eyes as she added the last part. " Now now, my dear, there's no need to add that. " Zacharias waved a hand in almost a dismissing manner before bowing elegantly and saying, " I am most pleased to meet you Belladonna. I'm called Zacharias. Might I inquire as to the name of your companion? " Gesturing to the cat perched atop her shoulder before reverting his gaze back to the maid herself. Five-hundred years, she said? She certainly didn't look that age. Did Daemons keep their immortality? The Angel shuffled his huge wings, then pinned them behind his back in a peaceful manner. They were a nuisance sometimes.. but their ability to slide through most materials took away from most of the irritation they caused. Studying the woman before him, it took the Angel a moment to move from her slim form to the cat's. Why had he such a bitter taste? Zacharias was loathe to point this out, yet the feline seemed irritated, even angry at him, and that was something that didn't happen often. Why such bad feelings? No one could tell him but the cat, though, he wished to wait until a later date to ask such an impertinent question. " Curious? " He asked, reverting back to the first question he had asked, " Curiosity killed the ca-- Oh, excuse me. " The Archangel had to fight to maintain a placid face, the grin he was holding back was sure fighting hard. A slight bow of his elegant head was directed at the cat before eyes returned to Belladonna, " Curiosity is not always the best reason to act. Many a time, I've gotten myself into perfectly beastly tangles because of my blasted curiosity. " He winked slyly at the red-headed woman before letting his wings extend to their full height yet again. " They get frightfully cramped. " He explained, " If I don't fly often. I prefer walking, and it seems to madden them. " Zacharias rolled his brilliantly coloured eyes in good humour then let the large wings droop once more.

[/i][/center]

[Belladonna Duyfken]

I'll take you for who you are.
If you take me for everything...

The wind caught Belladonna's long tresses, causing them to take flight. Coming to life like a fire who's hot coals had been blown on by the breath of heat. Fluttering in front of her face only to be swept aside by one of her hands. He was so very much taller than her that she had to look up even at this respectable distance. A hand continued to stroke Carwyn's head and jaw as the angel before her spoke, enjoying the sound of his melodic voice. She pulled up the corner of her mouth in a half smile.

When she spoke her tone was distinctly more relaxed. I've given up trying to understand what goes on in their minds. It's enough to drive a perfectly sound person insane. Better to go with the flow and observe the obscurities in my opinion. Besides - she shrugged, this time carwyn didn't dig his claws in - Somethings are not meant to be understood. She paused thinking through her next sentence, Mysteries are what makes life bearable-interesting she quickly added, on the end. Though that's just me. Some people wish to understand everything, but I wonder, if they were granted omniscience, would they still want it? Her eyebrows knit together in a frown as she thought the idea through.

Noticing the celestial again she forced another crooked smile, Now I'm getting philosophical, if I don't stop myself I'll launch into the meaning of life. Laughing lightly. It was true. Often Belladonna found herself pondering over the meaning of life, why had she been created and why oh why did she have to walk a treacherous path. It was true what the celestial had said, you can only work with what you are dealt. This didn't stop Belladonna feeling a pang of resentment to Chava for allowing her birth. When Belladonna thought back she wouldn't have done anything different. She, probably wrongly, accused Chava of the cause of her miserable turn of events. Her gaze slid to his wings and then flickered instantly back to his face. Schooling her features into a smooth expression so as not to allow her thoughts and emotions to escape to the surface. But the control broke and she couldn't help but smile wryly at the comment that followed. Pleased to meet her? was he just played on the polite rules of society or was he genuine. She decided on the first. The idea that a celestial would genuinely be pleased to see her was, well, inconceivable in her mind. Zacharias, he said his name was. Not one of the Arch's she'd heard of but she didn't doubt that he was just as powerful.

Carwyn shifted his position again as Zacharias fixed him with a nod. The cat flicked his tail with impatience and before Belladonna could reply, I'm not as ignorant as other cats, I can answer for myself. His tone was acidic and Belladonna winced. My name is Carwyn and I'm this one's baby sitter. She needs someone to keep her from doing anything stupid. He glowered over at Belladonna with fierce eyes that glinted. Though she likes making my job hard. Now his gaze turned back to looking at the celestial. Carwyn was like this to almost everyone, even Belladonna. For once Belladonna wished he couldn't speak.

She turned to Zacharias with an apologetic look. I'm sorry about him. She motioned her head to the tonkinese, He's not the most friendly of cats. I've tried teaching him manners but it never seems to stick. Only a shadow of a humor touched her lips It's as humans say, dogs have masters, cats have servants. Carwyn flicked his tail again at Belladonna's comment, but for once kept his mouth shut. Belladonna thought she knew what he wanted to say and it puzzled her that he didn't. Per haps being in the presence of something so much more powerful than himself or Belladonna was putting him on edge. What ever the reason he was acting very strange.

Smiled with humor this time at his quote on cats. Carwyn acknowledged the bow but had an itching feeling it was more in mock than a show of respect. but satisfaction brought it back. It's probably just as well I'm not a cat, I would be dead several times over otherwise. She grimaced a little at his cautious words. Sometimes she wondered why she let her curiosity get away with what it did. Belladonna often found herself in terrible situations, some life threatening because of it. Carefully, You can be alive forever but never live. Pausing to gather her thoughts, I'd rather live and die young. Shrugging for what must've been the millionth time during this conversation, I have nothing to hold me here anymore. Her tone was matter-of-fact. She had noticed in the past that this often shocked humans, who's life was so short but Belladonna nearly always spoke her mind.

Belladonna wondered about the wink for a bit and then pushed it aside. She sighed wistfully, Ah yes, I remember wings. Chuckling, It seems like they have a mind of their own a lot of the time. To say she was surprised by his remark on preferring to walk would be an understatement. Belladonna had loved the feeling of flying, or being weightless, and falling only to glanced away from the ground as if to frustrate the hard ground. I loved flying, well technically, I loved falling now that was a rush and a half. Belladonna had always been a daredevil, her parents called her an adrenaline junkie. Her nerves of steal and love for a challenge had doomed her from the moment she'd been born.

((OOC: sorry about the slow reply. And i got a little carried away LMAO))

[Zacharias]

Sparkling emerald eyes watched as a soft breeze whispered down the beach and tugged at the woman's hair, sending it in beautiful disarray. It was beautiful... The way her long, red hair seemed to try and lift free from her scalp and drift down the stretch of sand. Zacharias became so enraveled in watching the way her locks waved on the gentle air current that he blinked softly when the wind ceased itself. If Angel's possessed the power to flush, Zacharias' face would've been a brilliant pink. Smiling in an extremely embarrassed way, the Archangel let his grin slip as he noticed how she had to crane her neck to simply meet his gaze. " Please forgive me. " The Celestial murmured with a self-irritated frown. Long legs were crossed as the male sat, motioning for Belladonna to do the same if it was more comfortable. " Aye, though it's something that my mind refuses to relinquish. Have you ever started something, say a puzzle of sorts, then gotten yourself so tangled up in it that you can't stop until it's completed? " Facade was twisted into a pleasant smile, enjoying himself quite thoroughly. It had been far too long since he had had a decent chat with something that could lay claim to vocal cords, this young woman, Belladonna, sparked an interest in him that he had thought long since dead. At her last sentence, Zacharias chuckled, which grew into a soft laugh which soon became full-throated laughter. The Angel leaned over and covered his mouth with his hands, almost pressing his face into the sand. " My my my my! What a delightful mind you have, my child! What a wonderful realization! How sad that you are right! Al those, including myself, seem to yearn for infinite wisdom, yet if we did know everything, I'm sure most of us would loathe it. "

[/b] Mirth bubbled inside of him and his eyes sparkled in a felicitous way as the Archangel tried to still his chuckles. " My eyes! That is wonderful. " He murmured to himself, not bothering to hide the beautiful smile one his face. Her twisted smile made Zacharias raise an eyebrow in a cheerfully bewildered way, then chuckle again. Nothing could dampen his spirits now. " Nay, child, I quite enjoy your philosophical chatter. It takes my mind off the worries of the present. " He smiled warmly, eyes holding a glint that seemed to betray his young mask. The light coming from them seemed half fatherly, yet half... something else. All thoughts of her 'un-purity' were cast from his mind as he studied her. Who cared if she was, indeed, a Daemon? Should that make him any more or less bitter toward her? Certainly not. Of course, there were the Angels who would disagree with his choice of staying in her presence, but he [/i]was the Archangel, and nothing they said had any leverage on his actions. Only Chava and the other Gods could command him. That was certainly a bother. Having to be 'shared' by all the Gods. Most of them were amazingly selfish.. which meant worlds of work for him. It took no more than a moment to see Belladonna internally quarreling with herself over something.. and the Angel raised a soft brow. ' Should I say something? ' He mused to himself, quite silently. There was no reason, at present, to open his mouth, yet her frown made Zacharias feel guilty. " Have I said something? " The Archangel asked tentatively, making sure not to seem nosy. It was his nature, as with most Angels, to try and solve whichever problem she was facing at that moment, but one had to be careful with such things. It seemed as though most Humans, and a great many other creatures of many races, despised charity and concern, which they often mistook for mocking. " Please tell me, as I am always trying to better myself, so that I might not make the same mistake again? " No one could doubt his sincerity. It probably dripped from every word he spoke. Vividly coloured eyes darted to the cat, perched atop Belladonna's shoulder, surveying him with cold feline eyes. " Whoever said any other cats were ignorant? Certainly not I. Nor did I say that you were, but it seemed as though your harsh looks and bitter tone suggested that you had no wish to speak with me, so I decided to let you your privacy. " Zacharias' tone was not harsh, quite the opposite, though it did hold a little reprimand. " I am most pleased to meet you, Carwyn, I apologize for keeping you out of the conversation. I would be most honored by your input on anything that should come up. " This was also practically full with honesty, hopefully the cynical cat wouldn't find anything horribly wrong with his testimony. Head turned slowly to look back at Belladonna with an understanding smile, " It's quite alright, I see nothing wrong with his behaviour, everyone has the right to say or do as they wish, and nothing you, or I, say should have any impact on what he thinks is right. " A hearty chuckle slipped out from between Zacharias' perfectly sculpted lips as she spoke of another proverb. " Very true, my dear, Humans seem to understand much more than Chava gives them credit for. " He winked secretively before shifting his large, pallid wings, that seemed to radiate every colour of the spectrum, yet none at the same time. The Celestial nodded slowly, digesting Belladonna's statement with a thoughtful frown before speaking slowly, " How painfully true that is. Though, even though I might live forever, I am bound by the rules of my race, I am alive, but not allowed to live. How I envy you, I am too much a coward to attempt to break free of my rein, yet you, you were exiled for doing what I am terrified of even thinking about. You are much braver than anyone I know. " Mouth closed slowly, but Zacharias didn't even notice, his gaze was pulled to something unseen in the sand beside him. Slowly, but quite surely, the gravity of what he had just said hit him and the Angel's eyes widened with authentic horror. Even stiff as he was, and obviously afraid, the Archangel still managed to look beautiful. " P-please. " He started to stammer, " Please forgive me. I beg you. I.. had no i--ntention to say anything like th-.. I swear to you. " Lyrics spilled out of his mouth before he could stop them. Damn. Of course now he looked like a complete fool, but there wasn't anything to do about that now.. What a moron he had been. Simply speaking without thinking about the words coming from his lips. " I honestly didn't mean to bring up anything painful or impertinent. I beg your forgiveness. "[/center][/i][/size]

ooc- I believe I got a little carried away as well. ^^

[Belladonna Duyfken]

I can't speak it
or else you will did my grave...

Belladonna smiled a little, fighting off a blush as she noticed that he watched her hair as it danced and wove in the air. She was thankful for his gesture for her to sit down. It gave her an excuse to look away while she fought for control of her face. There is nothing to forgive. She replied honestly, a little perplexed about why he felt he needed to apologize. Slipping gracefully to the golden sand she crossed her legs comfortably and Carwyn took the opportunity to slide from her shoulder and into her lap where he settled himself in a position far more comfortable but out of the sand. As he did so a hand slipped over his crown and ears.

Yes, I can safely say I’ve become a little obsessed with some puzzles. The way humans think doesn’t really enter that range though, I seem to loose interest. I’m sure my parents would say it was because I was still too young to comprehend the enormity of it all. Picking up as tick and playing with the sand in front of her, Not that I’m complaining. I like to say I’m young even if I’ve lived far longer than mortals, though I suppose in the immortal world I still am only a child in a lot of ways. Carwyn looked up from where he rested his feline jaw on Belladonna’s leg, Wow never thought I’d live to see the day sarcastically. Belladonna ignored the comment.

Belladonna glanced up as he laughed and much to her embarrassment another blush blossomed on her cheeks as he praised her as grin spread across her features. Rather shyly, which was not part of her nature, Belladonna was many things, but shy wasn’t normally one them, she fiddled with the stick in her hand. Feeling her skin cool on her face she risked a glance up, Worries of the present? Raising an eyebrow slightly, I could not imagine on such a morning that one would have worries. Though- She paused grimacing, I can believe I would fall into that category without too much strain. He was very handsome, but then all angels were meant to be inhumanly perfect. She ducked her head again as she realized he was once more studying her.

She could have slapped herself. What on earth had come over her. This was just ridiculous. Carwyn blinked up at her with a knowing gaze that did nothing to settle her nerves. Belladonna blinked a little hearing the words that tolled with sincerity Oh no, you’re fine. Just… thinking. a ruthless smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she glanced up once more, It’s a rather dangerous hobby of mine. I normally end up in a pile of trouble when I think too much. Carwyn glanced at the arch as he was addressed and shifted position once more. He didn’t offer a reply, instead just dropping his head a little in a sought of nod and put his head back to resting against Belladonna’s leg.

Hearing the truth in the words as Zacharias once more spoke to Belladonna she sifted position a little just as Carwyn had done and looked at his face. Realizing she might have been staring when he laughed she snapped her gaze to the curve in the beach as it reached out into the ocean. She enjoyed listening to his laugh, it out did even his voice for beauty. There is much Chava doesn’t know. She replied somberly, without looking at the angel a little worried of what she might see play across his face at her treacherous words.

At the mention of her little trip from grace she felt her face drop a little. Holding her mouth in an emotionless line, shifting her gaze to the sand where she drew with her stick again, nothing in particular, she blocked out the memories. She heard him stammer his apologies and she shook her head softly, It doesn’t matter. She glanced up at him, her chest ached but her eyes were dry. When I… she searched for an appropriate way to say it. When I voluntarily rebelled I wasn’t given a choice, at least not in my mind. She looked back at the ground still doodling, debating silently whether she could trust this arch with her story. He certainly wasn’t like other celestials she had met since she had become a daemon. Carwyn often said it was better to talk about problems, but was this one she could share? Per haps it was about time she came out of hiding. Sighing, finally relenting to a decision There are many things in the world that I will never understand. One of them I encountered while I was running an errand for Chava on earth. A power beyond reckoning, she glanced up through her lashes Love. A soft smile touched her lips and turned back to her sand creation. I did the unthinkable, I fell in love with someone that wasn’t Chava. To make it worse I tried to hide it. Another sigh But there is little that Chava doesn’t see. Chava, ordered his death by my hands, not because of our… connection, but because he was… well… a were-fox, and he’d… well… done some things that were unforgivable. A hand caressed Carwyn’s head as he purred in her lap for moral support. I went against Chava’s orders, I refused to bring Chava’s justice to him. Instead I warned him. We tried to run but… she paused to gain control of her emotion concentrating on keep her voice flat, emotionless. You can’t cheat the goddess of life. After the deed was done, she offered to over look my discrepancies providing I swore never to allow my allegiance to her to waver. Belladonna couldn’t hide the malice in her voice, the resentment that she felt towards Chava. I told her where she could stick her allegiance and the next thing I knew I was on Janzis in an inconceivable amount of pain to find I’d gotten just the punishment I deserved. Realizing she’d been holding her breath she released the air, I gave myself a new name, and trained as a knight. She held back exactly what she did for a living. She didn’t know just how different Zackarias was but she would bet that if she told him she worked as a mercenary and an assassin it would have detrimental affects on her life.

[Zacharias]

Brilliantly emerald eyes watched in mortified silence as Belladonna relayed a short story. But it wasn't any story... it was hers. Zacharias sat, unblinking, seemingly carved from marble as she spoke.

' Love? ' The word hit him like a sack of sand to the stomach. An Angel.. falling in love? It was simply unheard of. But then again, it couldn't be... The Archangel wandered around her face for a moment, then let his eyes drift shut. What a peculiar thing. Chava must have misinformed all of the Angels.. to blind them that they could love someone that was not her. " How amazing. " Came a gentle whisper after a long moment of silence. Refusing redemption? A knight? A woman? In love with a were-fox? Multiple questions whizzed through his mind, making him want to shudder.. if he could. Lids slid shut, covering the green irises from both seeing and sight. Zacharias felt the most absurd impulse to wrap Daemon in his wings... and banish all ill-feelings from her mind. But surely she wouldn't accept that. It seemed silly to even think of such things. Thinking of 'thinking', the quirky cogs of the Archangel's mind began whirring. As always. Brief images from his past on the Earth flooded his mind. Some were happy, things that made his lips twitch in the beginnings of a smile, other were quite the opposite. It seemed inevitable that this thought should turn to wards love. That was the only thing that made living a semi-human life bearable. To see young couples striding through crowded city streets, without a care in the world. Such a thing, was far to precious for an Angel to posess... Yet Belladonna had. The faint stirrings of envy in Zacharias' chest were obliterated before they grew, but the echo was there. How lucky she was! And she didn't even realize it. Angels couldn't love one another. Chava had fashioned it in a way that they would be repulsed by the very idea of loving a fellow celestial. The kinship between Angels was more of a 'brotherly' relationship. Zacharias twitched for a moment, then realized that his chest ached. Or more rather, his lungs did... a soft frown and a quick thought gave him notice that he wasn't breathing... And hadn't been since the beginning of their conversation. ' How stupid of me. ' His mind murmured in a self-irritated way. True, he didn't have to breathe, but one got tired of not doing so after a while. Zacharias had a particular fondness for his sense of smell. Chest rose and fell as the Archangel forced his lungs to operate, giving him useless carbon-dioxide. An Angel was much like a tree. Or an plant for that matter... Blond strands of hair floated on the salty, oceanic breeze, only to fall back into perfect alignment on his back. Gah! To Hell with it all! She was right. Where was the fun in having hair, if not to maintain it? The Archangel might as well have been bald. Lips moved soundlessly as the Celestial muttered to himself, far too low for even the feline perched on Belladonna to hear. Questions itched inside of him, burning his throat with their intensity, but he wasn't a fool. Only a imbecile of remarkable proportions would see fit to ask such impertinent questions. " Might I ask something? " Came the murmur. Zacharias felt no need, yet to speak, Belladonna could surely hear him fine, and if she couldn't, there was no doubt that Carwin would see fit to translate. The useless organ in the left side of his chest gave a feeble twitch, then a searing pain spread through it. A pained wince echoed from the blond Angel's mouth before it ceased. The massive white wings twitched softly, then stretched themselves, clearly of their own accord, but the Celestial made no move to stop them. They only grew more 'cranky', if such a word could be applied to wings, when he cramped them. Again, the male felt that chiding urge to reach out and touch her, simply tamper with her feelings the slightest bit... though that was an exceedingly crude term. What he really did was let some of his happiness poison her. It would seep into her until she felt nothing but calmness and serenity. Opening his eyes, the Celestial was surprised to see his wings outstretched, only a few inches from touching Belladonna.[/center][/size]