Prophecy

Chapter 15: Picnic

*Xavia's POV*

As it turns out, the food Grace picked out for me was tasty and very satisfying. I didn't even know what it was that she ordered, but it was damn good. I wasn't sure what the difference was between Earthly food and the meals prepared where I come from, but it was clear that one was vastly superior. The food from Earth felt as though it was prepared with the heart, and well... My home's food was just a means to eat. It was made from cruelty and necessity. I was glad the portion I received was plentiful, as I had planned to share some with Raziel.

When the sun was beginning to set, Grace emerged with an empty Styrofoam container and placed it on my table. I was sure she read my thoughts about sharing my food, but that couldn't have been the reason. Regardless, I gave her a curious expression, wondering why she had done that. She smiled and answered my silent question by explaining that I had a lot of food left on my plate and that the cafe would close soon.

It made sense after that.

I quickly packed my uneaten food nicely into the box given to me, and I said goodbye to the angel with a shy smile and wave.

Not too long after departing from the restaurant, Raziel and I reached the abandoned church. Once safe and out of human eyesight, my friend removed himself from my body and transformed into his dog form. I got into a comfortable sitting position and leaned my back on the wall, closing my eyes for a few minutes. I wanted to let the reality of what actually occurred today sink in.

Raziel was too excited; he wanted food and made sure I knew by pawing at the container and crying. After he barked, I opened my eyes and looked directly into his, and then he said, "Xavy, I know you saved that for me. Can I have it now, pretty please?"

All I could do was smile in response.

I opened the Styrofoam container and set it on the ground beside me; Raziel practically attacked its contents. In a matter of seconds, the entire portion of leftovers was gone, and he was licking it like crazy.

I chuckled and commented, "Keep going at that rate, and you'll eat the box, too."

Raziel's tail wagged as he stopped licking and turned his head to me, "I can't help it; the food on Earth is literally to die for. I never knew such things existed."

My friend and I were content and felt good after the day we had, so it didn't take long for us to try to rest. What I wanted most was time to pass so tomorrow would arrive faster. I was excited to have this date with Grace but also nervous. However, I went over things in my head so much that sleep was hard to attain. The hours seemed to pass quickly, and all I achieved was stressing myself out because I hadn't been on a date in over a century.

I didn't know what I was doing or what I was thinking by proposing such a ludicrous idea to Grace. But the more I thought about the moment and the white-haired angel, the more it felt right doing what I did. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to help my nerves, and it was my anxiety that appeared to disrupt Raziel's sleep. He took matters into his own hands and suggested we try ways to lessen my ever-growing anxiousness.

And it was his idea that led us to role-play.

Countless hours were spent attempting random scenarios and possible topics of conversation. Raziel even tried to make it as accurate as possible by morphing into his monkey persona. To play the part of Grace, he spent a few minutes finding items scattered around the church in order to makeshift a white wig and tattered clothing. Apparently, he found a relatively clean mop head, broke it, and put it on his head. I nearly choked on my spit when he raised his voice and made it as feminine-sounding as possible.