Fowlhunter [GL]

“Good morning, did you sleep well- my goodness, what happened?”

When dawn arrived, Mrs Tionn came to greet the two guests that had stayed over in her apartment the night previous. Knowing that they were busy travellers, she had packed a basket of breakfast that they could take with them, in case they were in a rush. Basket on her arm, she knocked on the door and creaked it open, only for her words to break off at the sight of them.

The angel, who went by the name of Ennanis, didn’t look too bad. Her rose hair was more tousled than yesterday, but it was still shiny and smooth, falling around the blades of her wings—really, it was quite impressively maintained, given its sheer length. She was out of the angels’ sky-blue uniform, instead wearing a windbreaker jacket, sleeves rolled up to reveal her golden armbraces; below it she wore a cotton blouse and shorts. She looked slightly dusty and her feathers ruffled, but otherwise she was quite well put-together.

Jemi, on the other hand.

“We went on a walk,” Jemi was the first to speak, by way of explanation. After running off that night, she had eventually returned in the morning. In her hand she was holding a dripping washcloth, as if mid-wiping her face. Her hair was a veritable gold storm.

“Did you walk through a thundershower? I don’t think it was raining last night…” Hurriedly, Mrs Tionn set the basket down on the table and approached Jemi, running her hand through the woman’s tangled locks. “How did you manage to mess up your hair again so soon after I did it for you? And oh… the dress…”

Jemi had changed out into different clothes, but the black dress that had been on her person the night before was laid out on the bed. It was rumpled beyond recognition, covered in scuff marks, the parts of delicate mesh torn in several sections. Her stockings sported long ladders of ripped denier, trailing from thigh to toe.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Ennanis said.

Mrs Tionn blinked at the angel. “What have you got to apologise for, dear?”

“Shut up, cinderhead,” Jemi gritted out, splashing her washcloth back in the basin. It was then the morning light caught her face, and Mrs Tionn noticed the trail of blooming red marks down the woman’s right cheek. As her eyes travelled over her mussed hair, the ripped dress, and her tight expression, realisation dawned on her.

“Ohh, I see…” Mrs Tionn nodded sensibly.

“No! You see nothing. Ignore her,” Jemi protested, putting a hand over her flaming face.

“-I have no money to compensate for the dress, but please accept these chocolates,” Ennanis continued, holding out a bag. Meanwhile, Jemi’s head was buried in her hands.

“It’s quite alright, dear, I didn’t wear that dress anyway,” Mrs Tionn said very kindly. “I’m glad it got put to… umm… good use.” Before Jemi could interrupt again, she glanced at the woman and said, “Do you need ice for that? Would you like a new dress?”

Jemi coughed, recovering some scant composure. “I’ll take the ice, but leave the dress. I have my own clothes. I wouldn’t want to ruin another one of your garments.”

“In case you go on any more walks?” Ennanis supplied.

Jemi shot Ennanis a downright murderous look. Ennanis held up her hands, devoid of shame.

“Well, I’ll leave you two girls to it,” Mrs Tionn chirped, really sounding quite merry. She patted the basket on the table. “Enjoy your breakfast. Jemi, and you can help yourself to ice in the freezer anytime.”

“Please take these chocolates,” Ennanis shoved the bag at her again. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Sure thing, honey,” Mrs Tionn finally took it. “Take good care of yourselves, alright?” The door squeaked shut.

Ennanis peeked into the basket, finding within it thick slices of sourdough, pods of coconut kaya jam and butter, sachets of tea and coffee.

“Don’t mind if I do,” the angel grabbed one slice and spread jam on it. She saw the look on Jemi’s face. “What? I’m starving.”

“Do you ever get embarrassed of anything? Seriously?” Jemi demanded, now trying to brush out her unruly hair.

“No,” Ennanis said. There was a silence. Then, she said, “Also, by the way, I meant what I said last night.”

Last night. Even through their drunken haze, it would be impossible to forget what had happened last night.

More than the chase across the rooftops, more than the moment of desperate passion—

A warm hand curled around a cold wrist. An admission…

Jemi exhaled, her hairbrush still. Violet eyes fixed upon some far corner of the wall.

“Yeah, well, I meant what I said too,” she said, not looking at the other.

…and a rejection.

Ennanis munched into her toast. Outwardly, she didn’t look bothered, but the angel’s expression rarely gave anything away.

“What do you want to do now?” she asked instead.

“I’m going to meet Theseus at The Shifting Sands. It’s an underground bar in Crete, east Archizoun. It’s a couple hours from Orchid Avenue by horse,” Jemi said, brushing her hair again. “I’ll convince him to bring me into the heart of the Cretan Labyrinth and find Ying and Asha.”

Ennanis’ expression shifted. “Just you?”

“Didn’t you hear Theseus? Angels can’t go into the Labryinth without withering instantly. Soleki can’t enter it,” Jemi folded her arms. “You should find something else to do.”

“That’s fine by me,” Ennanis nodded. Her eyes dragged along the floor, but she went on talking. “We’ll cover more ground that way. I do have some ideas. Sabira Beneste—my comrade—she’s been contacting me. I’ve been concerned about how the Graveyard Division has been doing in my absence. Something also has to be done about the Beasts, for sure.”

Jemi looked at her.

“...We’ll try to act reasonably,” Ennanis promised. “But… you know too that the Beasts now aren’t the same ones that you knew before. A clash at this point is inevitable.”

The woman exhaled. “I know. Do what you must. But be reasonable.”

“You have my word,” Ennanis said. Then, suddenly, “Jemi, let me show you how to block a communication charm.”

“...?”

“I’m going to send a charm to you—but, instead of trying to create a wall between you and the charm, you have to let it in. Let it wash into you, so strongly that it washes over you.”

Jemi did as told. In Ennanis’ mind’s eye, the charm she sent flying into the air disappeared midway, even though the woman was just standing across the room from her. “That’s it.”

“That easy?” Jemi blinked.

Ennanis nodded. “I know you can’t see it from your end, but the next time you don’t want me knowing where you are, you’ll be able to tell.”

Meeting Jemi’s questioning brow, Ennanis explained. “I did this because I want you to trust me, like I trust you,” she said. “You may not consider us friends, and hardly even good allies, but I’m not your enemy anymore, Cockatrice. I hope you remember that.”

Jemi was silent for a long moment. Then she sighed. “Sure.”

After all, after everything that they had gone through together, it would only be moronic to refute it. One would have to be purposely obtuse to try and say they were still enemies.

“Have some breakfast,” Ennanis notioned at the basket. “It’s good.”

Jemi ate like a bird, but she ate. They sat on the bed, close but not touching. There were moments when they both reached for the same thing, fingers brushing, and the electric charge that skipped between their hands went steadfastly ignored by the both of them. Eventually, though, they polished off the basket.

Ennanis stuffed her jacket pockets with coffee. Jemi swept up the breadcrumbs and emptied them into a pouch. She pulled on her cloak once more, knotted her red scarf close around her neck. She attempted to yank the brush through her hair a final time, before abandoning the fruitless task.

“I guess I’ll meet you after this is all over, then,” Jemi said.

“Yeah,” Ennanis got up herself, stretching her wings. “Don’t let that prince do anything to you. He’s full of it, but he’s still strong. Also, he’s immortal, and all that.”

“Did you forget who you’re talking to?“ Jemi flashed a grin. “Between you and me, I think I can handle an immortal.”

“Right,” Ennanis' returning smile was dry.

Angel and human stood around, merely looking at each other for a moment.

Then, as Jemi turned to the door, Ennanis called, “Wait, lightning bug. Before you go.”

Jemi glanced back. Dimly, she wondered if it was going to be another ration bar. But then, Ennanis surged forward. Leaving no time for Jemi to step back, Ennanis clasped her hand around hers.

Jemi’s breath caught as she felt a warm current rush through her. It was Soleki mending, burning away her pain once more, until it was a distant thing, just like back under the bridge. But that wasn’t all.

Leaning in, Ennanis whispered something in her ear, so quietly that only Jemi could hear it.

Jemi’s eyes widened, her fist tightening in Ennanis’ grip. “Have you lost your mind? You can’t…”

Ennanis whispered some more. After which, she straightened, let go of her, and said, “Good luck.”

With that, the angel left first, a sweep of rose hair and fluttering wings.

Jemi looked down… and sighed, long and hard.