My Angel-Yogscast fanfiction

Chapter 9: Air

Martyn's POV
Finally, things have simmered down between Duncan and I. Lewis sided with me, which was slightly uncharacteristic but helped greatly in coming to the agreement that we shouldn't do any thing to destroy magic. Simon generally stayed out of it, preoccupied by some sort of digging plans but Mia was always there. She didn't speak often but when she did, it always swayed things in my direction. Yet, in the whole time that she would speak, she'd never even look at me. In fact, during discussions, I don't think she spoke directly to me once. Either way, she should be safe. Every day, Duncan reminds me that once we've left he'll proceed with his work, I tend to ignore his comments now.
I swing my pick axe over my head, smashing it into the stone in front of me. Every few seconds, the glaring light of yet another torch blinds me, followed by a cheeky look from Lewis. Mia stands besides me, mimicking my actions. She watches me intently, only occasionally breaking her gaze to make sure no mobs have spawned. She carries no shame for her constant observations but I can never sustain a glance at her shimmering eyes lit perfectly by the torch light. The thudding of stone dissolves any silence between us all as we search for precious resources. As time goes on, the heat from torches and physical strain from the labour leaves us all longing for a break. We lean against the walls, pulling out our water bottles. Lewis, is the first to break the silence,
"So, Mia, I was having a little look at global history to see if I could work out where you were from." He begins. Mia's expression barely changes for a few seconds,
"Have you found anything interesting?" She asks, with a tiny smile,
"Well I started by looking into some of your tattoos. I thought they may be common in some culture or another. Annoyingly, there wasn't a lot on that. But I have done a lot of research into your linguistics and I think I've pin pointed a few areas you could be from." He explains, Mia's smile grows at the news,
"That would be fantastic, Lewis! Thank you so much." She thanks,
"That'd be great, huh, Mia?" I smile. Her smile fades, just for a moment,
"Definitely." She agrees, unable to sustain eye contact. "Would you too mind, if I went for a little walk, I really hate being underground?" She asks,
"Yeah of course." I agree. Mia nods and begins wondering down the mineshaft we have created from our hours of labour. I watch her strut away, no longer looking over her shoulder. Lewis gives me a small shove, "hey, what was that for?" I moan,
"You can stop gawking at your girlfriend now." Lewis teases,
"No way!" I protest, "I'm just helping her until she starts to remember who she is. Besides, what do we even know about each other?"
"Right, until she remembers. When do you think that will be exactly? I mean, how much have you really done to jog her memory?" He questions. My brain scrambles for an answer, any answer,
"Well...I..." what few words I can gather, barely escape my mouth.
"Think about it: do you really want her to remember where she's from? I'm not saying you should stop her, I just think you should consider what sort of relationship the two of you will have once the amnesia goes." Lewis explains, playing with an unlit torch as he talks,
"If Mia wants to go home, then that's her decision. If she wants to stay with me then...I wouldn't mind it." I shrug. Lewis groans,
"Alright then. I never thought she'd be your type." He comments,
"She's not just looks, Lewis. I mean, yeah, she's gorgeous, but that's not why we get along. She's smart and brave and it just seems like she'd do anything to protect me. She has such a unique personality, it takes a lot of time but eventually you get to see a glimmer of how she really is. Those little moments, where her guard is dropped and you see the joy and the vulnerability and the way she comments about little things. And her smile... you don't see it often, but when you do..." I trail off. I catch myself and stop, "but that why I like her as a friend, nothing more." I deny. I think over my previous words. I recall the time we've had together, all of the moments I've seen Mia truly be herself. The little jokes she'd make when we were fortifying the base or tending to animals. The way she'd giggle and play with the piglets when she thinks I'm not looking. The look on her face when I first woke up from my injury. I feel like, I get to see a side of her that no one else does. I'm starting to feel like maybe I'm the only true friend she has right now.

***
Carys/ Mia's POV
I've found myself in an abandoned field. The remnants of a previous settlement still remain like a skeleton. One could only image what had happened to those who lived here. The gorgeous, tall grass tickles my knees as I make my way over to Araquiel. She's cleared out a small area in which we can practise magic. She sits atop an ancient statue of two lovers from a classic tale. Even I had heard the tale of the two lovers who went to war together, they were both shot at exactly the same second but they remained in an embrace until their bodies fell to the floor. The story was beautiful, one which continues its own battle against time, however the statue seems to have lost that battle.
Spotting me, Araquiel begins to descend the statue. Her wings allow her to gently glide down to the floor like a bird. I can't help but look on in awe as she swoops through the sky with ease. A few birds follow slightly behind, obviously confusing her for some sort of queen of the skies. As she closes in on me, her wings change shape and she adjusts her body so she comes to the ground in a comfortable walk.
"Did anyone follow you?" She asks instantly, glancing over my shoulder,
"No, everyone is preoccupied with something, we should be fine." I confirm. "Shall I?" I ask, wrapping my hand around my necklace. Araquiel nods before taking a step back from me. I smile as I pull the charm off, freeing my neck from its custody. I feel a warmth on my back as my wings reappear, they are far smaller than Araquiel's, but I feel no shame in that. I can't resist the urge to run my fingers over the soft pillows. There's certainly nothing more sensational than the tickle and comfort of an angel's wings. The freedoms from suppression allows my body to be filled with joy. Each cell in my body relaxes as the tight grip to resist any magic is released. I let out a sigh of relief, only to see a few silver sparkles emerge along with the air.
"I didn't realise how much I had missed this." I admit, fully embracing the feel of magic swimming through my veins like a joyful dolphin. Araquiel looks to me, her lips pursed in consideration,
"Would you like to stretch you wings?" She offers, "but make sure you don't go too high or far; we don't want someone seeing you." She warns.

My eyes shut, allowing greater focus on my senses. I begin to run forward, building momentum as I flurry through the grass. My wings extend at the cold tickle of the wind, each feather receiving its own embrace of air. My wings outstretch, arch and as I jump, take control. The clouds be on me closer, reaching out to guide me into their comfort. As my speed increases, the intensity of the winds hushing builds into a symphony of swishing and singing of nature. I burst though the clouds, bringing my self into a warmer and heavier atmosphere. At peace with my altitude and view, I fall into a content hover. The wind is calmer at this height, only occasional wisps prompt my hair to movement. Birds flutter towards me, entranced by my presence and dominance over what should be their domain. One bird, whom must be feeling particularly courageous, pecks at my feet. My wings change their pace, bringing me slightly higher but not to much of my exasperation.

I watch down on the word below me. Such great power can be felt at this height. Only on this particular rare moments, when one can physically and mentally distance oneself, can the beauty of the world truly be appreciated. It rings with it a great peace I have longed to meet for so long. In awe of this sensation, I allow myself to relax and simply open my senses. There is little sound at this height, even the clanking of the thousand factories would merely sound like a muffled whisper. The flapping of my wings is the only soft sound I can hear as my body dangles in the air. Strangely, there's a timid sent to the atmosphere. It's sweet, light bubblegum and roses but...less intense.

"Carys!" My peace is interrupted by the sound of Araquiel's call just below me. I sigh, I slow my wings so that I drop to the appropriate height. "It's time to come back down now, we have a lot to cover and we certainly don't have a lot of time." I obey her command and allow myself to plummet to the ground, only flapping my wings when I am about to hit the ground. I skid along the grass and my wings retreat into a resting position. Araquiel soon follows, "Are you ready to start?"

"Ready."