Angels

Home is Behind the World Ahead

Castael hid behind a grouping of dusty old couches. She sat in the farthest left corner of the Hall of Classics, quietly reading about Bilbo Baggins. A soft series of thudding of footsteps announced the approach of a new person. Her brain sorted through weights and heights. He was male, and nearly six feet tall. The consistency and balance of the footsteps indicated the age to be in their mid-teens, and they were an Uptown citizen.

Dark brown hair came into view, and Castael recognized him as the kid she'd knocked over running into the library. The kid she was supposed to be protecting.

"Wonderful," Castael muttered as she hunched down further, pretending like she hadn't noticed him approaching.

"Excuse me, but may I ask if you have seen someone carrying a small leather bound volume of the Hobbit?"

"Oh, yeah, sure. I have it, but I've read it at least a thousand times. You can have it, if you like." She handed him the book, and stood up. He looked surprised for a few moments before smiling. Castael smiled a bit back, but stood quickly and bowed.

"Castael Arctus, at your service."

"Haha, you make introductions like unto a Downworlder. That seems quaint, and very funny."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"You even talk like one. It is perfectly alright, my Grandmother was a Downie." He blushed and looked down. Castael continued to stare at him, her head tipped to one side. She analyzed his body language and personality, concluding he was friendly, too trusting, but very thoughtful and sweet.

He looked back at Castael, and she turned away quickly and began gathering her backpack together. A hand grabbed hers once she stood, and the kid shook it furiously. "My name is Tyler. It is a pleasure to meet you, Castael Arctus."

She smiled warmly at him, and turned her back, walking down the aisles of books, looking for vintage manga. It was her second favourite genre of classics. Maybe she hadn't been so bad at protecting him, but it was still dangerous for a guardian to introduce themselves to the one they existed for. Interaction, unless absolutely necessary, was forbidden. Castael had been given special permission, because everyone knew that once Tyler made a friend, he was unsettlingly loyal to them.

"Castael Arctus, Miss Arctus, wait!" Tyler called after her. Castael cringed, making a split second decision. She knew that if she said no, then she'd look suspicious, but if she said yes, she could come dangerously close to a relationship, and even closer to revealing her identity.

Besides, Deus Kinia-chan had changed Castiel's location of surveillance. No longer would she be a Downie, she'd be trapped in the uppity life of careful, rule-following souls. Kinia knew that Cas couldn't handle rules, but that was besides the point. Now was the time to make a life changing decision.

"Oh Kinia, forgive me I pray!" Castael cleared her throat and turned, politely asking Tyler what he needed.

"Oh, I was just wondering if you'd like to go do something, with our remaining free hours. We still have a while, so we could go get something to eat, or something." Tyler asked, his blue eyes bright.

"Yeah, ok. That's fine, I'd really like that." Castael smiled slightly, and then gasped a bit. "Oh, what if we went to the hoverboarding park?"

"I am afraid I am unaware to the rules and ideas of hoverboarding." Tyler blushed, and Castael laughed.

"I can teach you, if 'ya like! It'll be fun."

"Of... Of course."

"What's your, er, I mean, our curfew again? I'm new to this province, so I don't totally remember everything."

"2100 hours." Tyler said, smiling. "You ready?"

"Haha, of course!" Castael and Tyler left, excited for the hoverboarding rink. But something dark troubled Castael. Going with Tyler opened a potentially unwanted door. Nephilim we're supposed to be loyal to their Gods, to the point of death. But now, Kinia's rules were being broken. That could result in relocation in rare cases, but death in most others.

Perhaps Castael could reason with her Deus, but that was highly unlikely for Kinia to change her mind.