Soulstrings

10: Descended From Heaven

I can't believe it! Actual people from Paradise! This is amazing! This is incredible! This is–okay, Iden, calm. You're calm. Act like a leader.

Padge whistled. "That is one pretty girl."

Vara stood up for her chair. "I can't believe this. Iden does not fall for two dimensional females based solely on appearance!"

"Really? I think Iden and romance don't mix at all."

"There's something suspicious with this girl, I'm sure of it! Am I right, Jerilyn?"

The girl looked at Vara with a perplexed expression on her face, not really following her train of thought.

Vara ran a finger through her hair. "Iden's an idiot sometimes, so as his teammates, it's our job to remind him to be more wary of strangers."

"If by remind him you mean embarrass him in front of a girl, then I'm all for it." Padge leapt out of his seat, already beginning to clamor towards Iden, and along the way, had to be careful to not step on thugs groaning and clutching their aching limbs. By the time Iden's face came into clear view, Padge was certain his friend was going to faint. He was blushing furiously, and he was sure that he had never seen Iden so nervous.

"I, well, um, this is nothing."

Padge propped his hand on his hip. "Well done, Iden. That reply was the pinnacle of manliness."

The girl retreated, releasing Iden from her arms, allowing the flustered boy to breathe.

"So the name of my hero is Iden?" She smiled. "I'm Tabila, nice to meet you."

"P–pleasure's all mine." Iden's good arm tugged on his collar.

Padge stepped in. "Now that you've met Iden, would you like to meet his cooking?"

Tabila cocked her head to the side, interested. Her eyes shined in the candlelight, innocence reflecting in her pupils. "Why? Is there something special about his cooking?"

"The fact that it fell a bull? Yes?"

Iden felt his cheek twitch in annoyance. "My cooking is not that bad."

Padge cleared his throat. "It is."

A bright laugh escaped Tabila's lips, like the beautiful chime of bells. "Not only are you funny, but you're pretty cute too."

"Why, thank you." Padge gracefully did a melodramatic bow. "You are speaking with the magnificent Padge Nyle, after all." His gaze shifted to Iden, and Padge wiggled his eyebrows as if saying, She called me cute.

"Okay, that's enough!" Iden huffed, pulling Padge away from Tabila. "So, are you alright? Is there anything else I can do for you? If there isn't anything, I would like to ask you something."

Tabila bobbed her head. "Go ahead."

Iden took a deep breath, anxious of the reply. "Are you really from Paradise?"

The girl replied without hesitation. "Yes."

Descended From Heaven

 "Oh, you're the leader of your own Search group? That's really impressive!"

Vara wasn't sure when was the last time Tabila shut her trap, but she didn't care. She was far too occupied trying to stop herself from slamming one of her shields in this so-called angel's face as she led Iden up the stairs, out of the tavern and into the inn. Apparently, she wanted to introduce her "hero" to her brother. Vara wasn't sure was she hearing things accurately over the sound of her grinding teeth.