Coexistence

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Kai walked beside Aki, looking at everything around them. To him, his first impression of Aki was that he was someone annoying. After finding out he was an angel, was even more surprising than he had ever been. Instead, he just wanted Aki to stay away, but somehow. He felt intrigued as to why Aki was the way he was. Even he knew that other angels weren't as bubbly and persistent as him.

Although, Kai knew that he would have to keep a certain distance between them. If it was just temporarily it would be fine he thought. He knew that he might have crossed the line, but he would make up for it, by staying away from Aki. He had to be wary that the fact Aki was an angel, could cause trouble for Natsume, his other acquaintances, and him. Especially himself. He had somehow become soft and it was something he couldn't tolerate, with what he had to deal with. He had to throw that side of him away and become a person that could escape from the invisible chains that bind him to Varin and cause him to be looked down on.

He was partially in confusion when Aki mentioned him sacrificing his life for someone and sighed. Since when did I mention I would give up my life? Kai thought, biting down on his own tongue afterwards after seeing Aki's eyes brighten to prevent him from speaking his thoughts aloud. Unlike angel's demons were known to be sly and secretive creatures that were not and never to be trusted. Although Kai never really lied, he often spoke his mind truthfully and coldly in the most shortest possible answer to where no one could even consider what he had just said; let alone know whether he was telling the truth or not. But they were surely often offended by his cold remarks.

Kai, sensed Aki questioning about the question he had asked in his head. He knew that Aki must have been thinking about whether or not it was related to a current real life situation, but Aki wouldn't know if Kai didn't say anything. As long as Aki didn't ask about it of course. When Kai looked at Aki, he saw him biting his lip and knew what was currently going through his mind.

He wasn't exactly in trouble. He was trapped. Well, maybe that meant he was in trouble. Though it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. At least that's what he hopes. As long as he isn't caught, he would be fine. What he was a little concerned about, was being caught around Aki. It was possible that news would spread fast that they were seen to together and suspicion between the two races would arise. Kai could already imagine in his head what would happen and it definitely wasn't a good one. He was sure that another war after many years would break out and things would definitely become out of balance.

Kai then shrugged as he stared into the tanks without answering Aki and grunted. Completely going back to the way he was before as if the conversation never took place. He got an answer from Aki, though it wasn't what he was expecting or what he had hoped to hear, but it was good enough. After hearing Aki talk deeply about friendship, Kai could slightly, grasp what being friends was. But as always, Kai seemed to see the darker side of it. "Friendship could also bring tragedy and misfortune...." Kai said quietly from under his breath, not meaning for Aki to hear it. Friendship isn't so great... If that friend died, he would only be replaced by another friend, Kai thought to himself.
 
(I am so sorry about not replying earlier! I didn't get an alert, and was waiting for you to post >_<)
 
Bubbly and persistent pretty much summed up the angel who walked beside Kai, his features still shining somehow, even in the dim light of the room. Akiel exuded that typical joy of angelhood, especially while he could be with a friend. Even if they were discussing difficult or unpleasant things, he didn't mind.



What did concern him was the way Kai seemed to pull back after opening up even a little. Aki could tell that the other boy hid a lot of things, and though he was not actually as mean and indifferent as he wanted everyone to think, Kai was trying to get back to that. Perhaps he was trying to protect himself, but from whom? Or what? Aki got an answer from Kai himself, but without knowing his true nature, the angel's guesses were skewed a bit.



'Friendship could also bring tragedy and misfortune…'


If Kai was looking at Aki, he would see the angel's cheerful expression falter, and his pale brows crease under the golden fringe of hair, tinged blue by the light from the tanks.



"Is that truly what you think?" he murmured, his genuine sympathy for Kai showing in every feature. Unlike the other boy, Akiel didn't seek to hide what he felt, but wore his emotions openly. "I wish I could show you how wonderful friendship can be, how it can give you strength and comfort. Maybe you've been hurt in the past, or people treated you badly, but it doesn't have to be that way."



For a moment, his fingertips pressed against the glass of one of the tanks, and little golden fish gathered around it, as though feeding off of his bright, angelic essence. Aki watched them with a sad expression.



"It must be lonely with no one to trust or talk to." The thought that Kai was in such a place made him want to wrap the other boy in his ams and hug him to pieces. Instead, he watched the fish.
 
((It's alright ^^ I should be the one to apologize for not being able to post frequently))

Kai followed Aki and stood beside him when Aki stopped to look at some fish swim in the tank. Considering how he was a demon and his upbringing differentiated from most people including demons, might have affected him in someway. Their were some pros and cons to how he grew up. Most of the good things about it is his mistrust for others and distance. It wasn't so great being how he is in the human world or around an angel, but it benefited him in the demon world. He was less likely to be caught and who knows what would be done to him if he was. Just the thought of it made him cringe.

He didn't need to answer Aki. Kai was sure that Aki should know by now how he thought of things in his perspective. Most of it anyway. It was quite obvious what his answer would be if he really did answer, but it was so obvious that he didn't need to say it. Doesn't have to be that way... Kai thought, making him grunt with disapproval at what Aki had said. "What makes you think that?" He mumbled, realizing that Aki had said something that nailed the target of his childhood.

It took only a moment to forget that Aki was an angel, but he would always remember whenever he would question Aki's detailed and observant explanation.

Kai didn't disagree that it was lonely. He wouldn't want to admit it. To him, it would show some kind of weakness. Probably a downfall for angels. Having a companion that your close to that ends up in problem they can't get out of.... They were bound to have to make some sort of trade or abandon their companion if they ended up unable to escape or defeat a demon of high status. Though they were lucky enough that the most demon's of high status never leave their realm to go to the human world and instead order others to do their work for them. Like Verin for example.

Being reminded that Aki was an angel and that he was an optimistic and positive person in general, Kai didn't really like that the angel's positive mood seemed to falter. "I'm hungry," Kai lied, walking ahead of Aki to go to the food court and get some food. Though it tasted bland to him, he knew that Aki would probably enjoy it a lot more than he would, remembering how he was so happy to eat food at the cafe. All Kai was hoping for, was that Aki's mood would brighten again rather then become dull.
 
(It's ok! I can't post as often, either, because of work ^^ Just post when you can. No judgments here!)



Aki's mouth pressed into a hard line for a moment, and his gaze turned almost intense as he looked at the bright, glittering fish in the water. For someone as tender-hearted as he was, it could be difficult to watch people suffer. He knew it was necessary- even angels couldn't go around holding the hands of every human through every trial. They would learn nothing, and remain weak if they were shielded from the worst the world had to offer. Out of the depths came greatness, and no angel would dare deny that to the humans whom they protected. It still touched their noble hearts, however; angels wept freely and without shame when they saw such things. Unlike humans, they could not be brought down to misery and despair, as such belonged to the realm of the demons. Aki's sorrow for his friend would never have the power to crush him, though it was no less real.



As Kai turned and headed out of the aquarium, Aki trotted after him, watching his expression. The pensive look on his own face seemed to soften a bit, and after a few moments it smoothed out again. However, there was a hint of sadness in his smile as he looked at the other boy.



"You don't really like to be around people, you don't talk with them, or smile at them. The only one I've seen you speak with is the man at the cafe, but you never seemed happy when you were around him." he paused, brightening a bit. "But you showed me the birds…you didn't have to do that, or to bring me here…"



Aki let those words hang in the air as they walked. Though he liked food, eh wasn't really interested at the moment. Kai was concerning him, and he wished he could help the other boy in all the ways he seemed to need it.



By the time they reached the food court, Aki's short-lived darker mood had drifted off, and he was almost as cheerful as before. He seemed to be trying his best to be happy for Kai's sake, as much as because he was just that way anyway.



"Since you treated me to the zoo, I'll buy lunch!" he smiled, reaching into his pockets for the money that appeared there. "What do you want? A sandwich? A corn dog? A hamburger?"
 
Kai didn't get what Aki's point was when he stated that Kai only talked to Natsume and that he didn't have to bring Aki. Would you rather I never brought you at all? Kai thought to Aki even though he couldn't hear and bit down on his tongue so hard that it drew blood. It took him a lot of will to not speak bluntly and snap at the angel. So instead of saying what he really thought, he thought carefully about what he was going to say. "Because... You like animals," Kai said, stating that he saw Aki's love for animals when he dragged Kai with him to see the seals.

Kai could feel the concern emitting from Aki and sighed quietly as they entered the food court filled with people. It was boisterous and made Kai want to cover his ears from all the chattering entering his ears. What brought his attention away from the crowd of people, was Aki's sudden change in attitude and stared at him in wonder as to how he could change so quickly.He heard that most human's referred to that with the term, mood swings. But he was sure that, that wasn't the case. It just looked that way to him and most people around them.

What went through Kai's mind, was his questioning of Aki's 'allowance'. Aki seemed to be quick and eager to pay, offering and randomly sticking his hand in his pocket for money. This, was something Kai began to have on his mind. He didn't have the right to question Aki on how he got the money, since Kai had done assassination jobs for people to earn his. He was sure that option of his was crossed out of his list though.

For demons, they didn't have money come out of nowhere like angels. Of course Kai didn't know that angels could do that since demons had it different. Unlike angels, they would steal, cheat, or lie their way to success and earn money. Kai of course, does jobs and works for his money with his own hands, though the jobs he chooses to do aren't exactly the best choice.

Before, when he didn't meet people like Natsume, he would kill people constantly as a job and would sometimes also kill the clients who requested him, but in the end lied or planned to rat him out. Like that, he lived without being caught, killing people who refused to shut their mouths about his identity and whereabouts. That is, until he met Natsume. After that, a part of his lifestyle changed and he left his past behind to live quietly for as long as he could.

Kai, shook his head to Aki's offer and walked to a stand that sold shaved ice. It was plainly ice,and was one of the human foods he didn't exactly mind. Despite having flavor, Kai couldn't taste it. It was bland to him, but he like the feeling of the cold and tasteless solid that would melt in his mouth.

Kai wanted to pay on his own accord. He didn't want to use anyone's money. He knew that people worked their life to earn their living, but he didn't know Aki wasn't like that. He wasn't even sure how angels earned their money when they came and blended in with the humans.

"I'm paying..." Kai stated as he took his order and was handed a bowl of shaved ice with tropical colors. He didn't give Aki any chance to be persistent in offering to pay. Kai himself was persistent to what he chose and he wouldn't give in once he does.

After getting his order, he looked at Aki. "What do you want to eat?" He asked, his voice muffled as he spoke with a spoonful of ice shoved in his mouth. His spoon sticking out as looked at Aki questioningly.
 
It was strange to watch Kai, like the sun occasionally peeking out of clouds, but never completely showing its full glory. There was darkness in him, that was certain; being an angel, no one could hide from Aki that their souls were tainted. But the angel saw hope in his friend. Kai hid his true self behind a mask Aki couldn't quite figure out or see beyond. He wanted to very much, because what little he did see, he liked.



Though disappointed in treating his friend to lunch, the angel shrugged it off. He wasn't one to stand in the way of generosity, and it would have been rude to decline. Pointing out that Kai might not be able to afford it would hurt the dark-haired boy's feelings. Aki decided it was best not to argue. Besides, Kai would find that he had extra money someday when he needed it- Aki would make sure of that.



"You're so kind!" he beamed, rocking back and forth on his heels in that eager, childlike way. "Next time it'll be my turn to treat you!" Then, turning to one of the vendors, he requested a hot dog with just a touch of mustard. The vendor, who had been looking rather grouchy before actually smiled at the angel, handing him his lunch with an extra bag of chips. 'On the house'. Aki thanked him with a cheerfulness that made the vendor grin.



As Akiel bit into his corndog, he handed the chips to Kai. "Here, want these? You were so kind as to pay for my lunch!" The money from earlier still jangled a little in his pocket, but he would save it for something else. Money came to angels whenever someone gave generously to an individual or a cause, out of the goodness of their hearts. There were still many individuals in the world like that, and even in such evil times the heavenly coffers were certainly not empty.



Aki had always wondered about demons, if they got money the opposite way, but no one could ever give a definitive answer. Halcyon speculated that the highest-ranking demons hoarded it for themselves, leaving the lower ones to get it in other ways. With angels, the money was free for all, and accounts were made up at the end of each day. That was how things had always been; it was what Aki was used to. And since he and the other angels didn't spend vast amounts for selfish reasons, like humans, there was always enough to go around.



"Do you like your ice?" the angel asked after a bit, mustard in the corner of his mouth.
 
Kai grunted in response to Aki and wondered to himself if there really would be a next time. The way Aki sounded so sure about it made it seem less likely to happen. Kai wasn't sure when he would be caught. If he did, there was no chance of going back.

He then looked down at the bag of chips Aki offered and shook his head; thinking that it would be a waste for him to eat anyway. Pushing the bag back towards Aki, Kai refused the offer silently. Better for someone who can taste to eat it then waste it on someone who can't... Kai thought to himself as he ate another spoon of his shaved ice.

"Yeah..." Kai answered halfheartedly. He wasn't exactly lying since he didn't mind it. It wasn't terrible and he was able to tolerate it compared to the cinnimon rolls he had at the cafe.

"Is... That good?" Kai asked, while watching Aki bite into his corndog with a questioning look.

Every time he watched someone eat food, they always made a happy and satisfied expression if it was cooked right. He was curious to know how it tasted even if he couldn't taste it himself. He knew that he could never taste the way humans or angels do, but if it's just knowing, then Kai wouldn't mind hearing about it. He always wanted to know how each type of food tasted differently for different people.

He knew that even if people agree that the same type of food eaten tastes good, that they tasted it differently since everyone has a different taste bud. In his case, he didn't exactly have the palette that humans and angels have. His genes came more from his fathers side, so he had to live in a way that most demons lived. Unlike most demons, he didn't kill the humans to eat. That was probably why he seemed more like a human was because he didn't have the element of feeding off of the humans fears and darkness.
 
"I guess you don't like chips." the angel tilted his head to one side, before shrugging. Honestly, had he known Kai couldn't taste food at all it would have made him very sad. Good food was one of the delights of life, and not being able to savor every bite was no way to live. At the moment, Akiel just thought Kai didn't care for chips.



As he saw Kai eyeing his corndog, the angel nodded vigorously, holding it out to him. "Want some? It's yours anyway since you bought it for me. Cime on, have a bite!" It wasn't as though the angel would starve. He ate entirely for pleasure now…that and to blend in. Sometimes, humans had to see him eating or they started to ask pesky questions.



Aki wiggled the corndog temptingly. "It's very good…salt, a bit of sweet from the cornbread, and just a little spicy from the mustard. It's amazing that mustard is so common nowadays. All spices, really. It used to be so hard to get them! You had to have a lot of money, and send people across the ocean for them. Or they would have to wait for the caravans to come down the Spice Road. But they make food taste so good! It's wonderful how everyone can have them now. Could you imagine having to wait for the mustard seed for months and months, and then have to make it yourself? Of course, it would taste different anyway because food is processed now, and corndogs are a modern invention. But still!"



And Aki was off again, talking about strange things most boys his apparent age wouldn't be discussing. In the bright sunlight, his head of golden hair looked like a halo, and his eyes shone with innocent enjoyment of passing on knowledge. Kai looked like the kind of boy who thought deeply about things. Maybe he would continue to have such strange discussions with the angel? Aki hoped so!
 
Kai looked at Aki and down at the corndog hesitantly, not sure whether he should take a bite to not disappoint the angel or just brush it off to prevent having to find out what it really taste like to him.

The speech that Aki had finished off made Kai's lips curve upward slightly in a smile that he tried to suppress, "Sure... Just one bite then," Kai mumbled taking a bite out of it and chewing it slowly. "It... Isn't bad," he lied as he tried holding back the urge to spit it out.

Compared to what Aki had described it to taste like, Kai didn't taste any of what Aki had said it tasted like. To him, the bread tasted like dry sand with no taste, the mustered just tasted like a plain liquefied spice, and the meat had a bland and strange texture. Despite that, Kai forced himself to swallow it down, knowing that it was what normal humans did and lied that it didn't taste bad. Disgusting.... It tasted... Like nothing, Kai thought to himself.

After swallowing it, Kai stuck a spoonful of his shaved ice in his mouth to rid of the taste, but ate it in a way where it looked as if he was enjoying his food rather than trying to mask the previous sand like taste of bread.

When it the after taste left, Kai handed his leftover shaved ice and handed it to Aki. "Do you want it?" Kai asked, no longer having an appetite. Well, not that he had one anyway. Offering the cup of his shaved ice that was gradually melting in the heat to Aki and not wanting to just waste it and throw it out. He decided to ask Aki if he wanted it or not before actually throwing it out.
 
Aki could tell that Kai didn't quite like the corndog, but it didn't raise any alarm bells. After all, lots of people didn't like them. Even angels had preferences, but all food tasted good to them. They ate for the joy of it anyway.



Akiel was delighted that Kai wanted to give him his shaved ice, but he made sure the other boy really didn't want it, before finishing off his corndog, then diving into the ice with relish. The cold tickled his tongue, and he giggled.



"It's like eating snow, but with fruit juice!" he grinned, then proceeded to slurp up the rest. His trash was placed in the trash bins (angels were neat about that sort of thing), and Aki bobbed back and forth on his heels again. He looked very much like an excited little boy who can't wait to do something that made him very happy.



"Thank you for the corndog, and ice. You're very kind! Next time we have a meal, it'll be my treat." Yes, even thanking other people pleased the angel. Even more than that, it was his friend that had payed for him, and even such little acts of generosity were rewarded. Had Akiel known what Kai had done to get his money, he would not have accepted it under any circumstances.



Looking down the several pathways, the angel beamed at the possibilities. "Where shall we go from here?" he asked, sidling up to Kai but not touching him.
 
Kai watched the angel finish his meal and the ice cheerfully and smiled slightly as he looked away. He then nodded his head from Aki's thanks and shrugged from the comment of him being 'nice'. "Sure, no big deal," he said quietly as he began walking when Aki stood beside him.

"Reptiles," Kai spoke as he remembered that they could interact with the snakes there. Almost all the animals at the zoo were interactive except for the fishes. They were tamed and trained by the humans to interact more with humans as entertainment so they weren't harmful. "You can go see whatever animals you want..." Kai suggested, thinking that Aki would or might prefer looking at a certain animal rather than follow Kai around. Though most of the animals, Aki couldn't go near without Kai since he had the key and just asking the employees without Kai around or knowing anyone working there personally, was impossible to get access. It was a safety rule they had anyway no matter how much Aki gave out the kind and bright vibe, it wouldn't work if the employees' job was on the line.

"Is there an animal you want to go near?" Kai asked. He wasn't exactly sure if Aki had a an animal he wanted to go near that couldn't, but if he did, Kai would just let him, since he was the one who dragged Aki with him to the zoo. Though he himself didn't know his reason exactly.

It was nearly about time the sun was setting, and Kai was sure that Aki had to go soon, as did Kai. He had to avoid walking in the open at night to prevent being caught easily. It was a pain to him, but he had to put up with it. Kai really liked to look at the night sky, but he could only stay inside and look at it from the windows after all. He was waiting. Waiting for when the time would come when he didn't have to hide all the time.

Looking up at the sky painted in orange and red hues, he sighed and turned to look at Aki. "You probably have to go soon..." Kai reminded Aki, in case he forgot.
 
"Oh, I do love reptiles! Which are your favorites? Snakes? Lizards? Let's visit the ones you like best, because I like them all!" He was perfectly happy to follow Kai around, because everything good pleased him. Without Kai there, he wouldn't have presumed to use his angelic power to get into the animals' cages unless there was some greater need than his own amusement.



As they walked toward the reptile house, Akiel looked up at the sky, but his smile didn't go away. So far, Halcyon hadn't called him back, probably taking care of all their duties himself. Halcyon was quiet and a bit stern, but Akiel knew he liked for the younger angel to make friends. When Aki had told him about Kai, Halcyon had been interested in helping Aki's friend to get away from his current life. Sometimes that required true friendship and love, rather than swords and displays of power. Akiel would have lovely things to report when he reconvened with Halcyon that night. It would be in another couple of hours, now. Aki didn't get to experience the night on Earth much, but he got to see quite a few sunsets.



"I will go after we see the reptiles, and I've made sure you got home safely." the angel said, smiling at Kai. Halcyon wouldn't mind that, he knew. Aki walked close to Kai, just watching him with that bright smile on his face. "I'm having so much fun! I hope you are, too!"
 
".... You like them all?" Kai said more than asked. Is that possible? Kai thought, wondering how Aki could like so many things. "Do you have anything you dislike?" Kai thought aloud and mentally hit himself. He figured that Aki would dislike bad things, but he wondered what things Aki disliked besides the bad things. Kai kinda predicted that Aki would most likely answer the question by saying that he didn't like people sad, hurt, upset, etc. He also thought that even though Aki didn't say it aloud, that he disliked demons.

While pondering about that, Kai figured he answered his own question and found that he had no need to hear an answer from Aki.

Home... Huh? Kai thought distantly. Guess I should go back for once, he thought even though he knew that he would only be welcomed by the dark, cold silence, and empty home. In fact, he actually had two homes. He wasn't exactly sure which or if he even considered them both his home, but he definitely couldn't go back to his father's home. Instead, his mother's home was in the human world, which gave him an advantage for a place to stay without paying. He didn't exactly have a liking to it. He didn't even have much memory of being able to roam freely around the house with her around. She would always freak out and go hysterical.

Shrugging the thought away, he looked at Aki's bright smile and nodded. "Y-yeah..." He said, telling the honest truth. He did enjoy his time at the zoo a lot more than when he was alone. Maybe by now, he felt as if he might have really considered Aki to be his friend, though his other part remains to have less faith in the angel.
 
"Well…" Aki thought for a moment. "There's a lot of bad stuff in the world not to like. People often are very cruel to one another, and even seeing animals kill one another for food is hard, but…animals are following instinct and humans have to be free to choose or they'll never learn." Seeing more animal footprints painted into the ground, Akiel decided to hop on the elephant ones only, just for fun. "What are the things you don't like? I know you don't care much for people, but is there anything else?"



Silently, Aki wished he could take Kai home with him, but except under specific circumstances, angels weren't allowed to just bring people back with them. For one thing, it tended to result in death by heart-attacks or the human going mad. Being among even partially-glorified beings like angels in so many numbers was an overwhelming experience at best, unless the particular human was fully prepared. That all depended on the purity of the particular person's heart. Given that fact, there were very few humans who would be happy among so many angels, and an even smaller number willing to return to earth after being among them. Such individuals existed throughout history, but they were very few and far between. In spite of the fact that he liked Kai, Akiel wasn't willing to chance it, even if he had been allowed.



As the afternoon passed, they looked through the reptile house. Aki still had not asked many probing questions of Kai, as he was trying to be sensitive, but he did ask one question, watching the other boy take his keys out for the snake enclosure. There was a lovely boa constrictor on the other side of the glass.



"Are most of your friends adults, like the one who let you have these keys? You don't really act like a boy your age... I think I might be the only friend you have who's a kid like you." Even Kai would know, by the way Aki said this, that it was not meant as an insult. He genuinely wanted to know.
 
Kai stood beside Aki, watching him hop on the animal prints painted on the ground. "I... Dislike many things," Kai said, thinking that he had too many to even list. Nearly most of them had to do with humans and demons,but he was sure that if he told Aki, Aki would would find it strange and suspect him which would result in his identity being found out.

As they got to the reptile house, Kai took out the key to open it and shrugged to Aki's question. Never really thinking about it, Kai did realize that he never actually hung out with anyone his own age. Considering his circumstance, he obviously couldn't associate himself with people younger than him unless they were involved with the things he was also involved in, which was quite rare. He barely ran across anyone his own age or anyone younger than him that he associated with on his job or as an acquaintance.

Getting along with adults was a bit easier in Kai's opinion since they were more knowledgeable and talked less about random and useless things. He learned quite a bit from them/the elder people. Though he wouldn't exactly call himself mature despite looking that way, he did have his childish side. He was a teen after all. Being around older people, didn't exactly make him any different besides gaining knowledge.

"No, I've never been around anyone my age or younger... Besides you currently," Kai answered truthfully. "What about you?" He asked as he opened the entrance and walked in to see several snakes hanging on vines on the ceiling, laying on the ground and hissing.
 
Aki had to admit silently to himself that he found it sad, thinking about Kai not liking a lot of things. There was so much in the world to love, so much to be thankful for! Then again, Kai's life had probably been very difficult, and not everyone had a cheerful outlook. Perhaps he might like more things if he was helped to see them in a different light?



Aki pondered this as they made their way to the reptile house, entering the room that held the tropical tree snakes. While most of the snakes in the reptile room were in their own enclosures, this small area was open and filled with a few actual trees, as well as fake ones and branches. The snakes here tolerated one another and lived together quite well. Those near him as he walked in seemed to perk their heads up, and watched him with beady eyes, tongues slipping in and out. Aki was only partly distracted by the beautifully bright green tree pythons that hung from the trees in the small room. As he lifted one hand to let the snake smell him with its little tongue, he watched Kai with a soft smile on his face. Aki would not have been allowed to see and do such things without Kai…not in a zoo, anyway, and certainly not in this area.



"No brothers and sisters close to your age? No cousins? I don't really know anyone my own age, either." the angel said, allowing the bright green snake so slither along his arm and over his shoulders. It was almost acting like it wanted to cuddle. He laughed as its tongue tickled his cheek.



"Most of the people I deal with are older than me. They're all very kind, and patient, but it's nice to have someone my own age to be with." Among the angels, age was not so much how old you were when you died, but how recently your death occurred. Aki didn't remember exactly when he had perished himself, but given how young he was when compared to most of the others, it was fairly recent. In his area of angelic jurisdiction, there were no other angels his 'age'.



"Oh, look!" the blond smiled, pointing down to a long, slithering body on the floor among the leaves near Kai's foot. "There's a boa….a rosy boa, I think? It wants to climb you!" Said boa was already lifting its head to get over Kai's shoe and up his leg. "They are wonderful, but misunderstood…. Do you very much like reptiles?"
 
Kai shrugged and was right when he guess that Aki probably hadn't known anyone around his age. Although angels, demons, and humans could look a certain age, angels and demons most certainly weren't the same age as humans. Most don't really age physically and others can change their appearance however they pleased. It was certainly difficult to be able to tell whether anyone was the same age. Sometimes, all you could do was guess by how they looked and just go with it.

Since Kai was partially a demon, he was able to maintain his appearance even if he grew older, his physical appearance wouldn't change. In exchange, on his human side; he would easily die if he was injured severely. Despite being able to handle an accident like a car crash and being able to heal quickly, he would most certainly die if he was continuously inflicted injuries which wouldn't give him time to heal. His body wouldn't be able to focus on which wound to heal and he would most likely die. That he knew very well since he was put in that exact position when he was young.

Though Kai wasn't sure if angels had the same life span as demons since he never really read about angels that much. He didn't have a reason to or any interest either. But now that he was getting to know Aki, he did grow some interest in learning about angels. Like demons, Kai was sure that angels lived long. Longer than humans anyway. That for sure he knew. What he didn't know, was that angels were once people too that died.

Interrupted with his thoughts, Kai looked down to see what Aki had been talking about and saw a snake climbing up his leg. He then bent down and put his hand near the snake to let it slither up his arm and held it. "Yeah," Kai responded to Aki as the Boa snake wrapped around his arm. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't like them," Kai stated straightforwardly like his usual self.
 
Akiel was too busy letting teh snake climb all over him, and give little snakey 'kisses', to think much on the finer points of being an angel. Angels, while they could be weakened, could never actually be destroyed. Neither could demons. The different kinds of celestial or hellish matter that made them up could be dispersed, scattered, sealed away, but never destroyed.



Aki and his compatriots were souls of the type to fight for justice and mercy, even if they could be forever obliterated; that was why they were angels. The fact that they were ultimately indestructible, if not undefeatable, made it easier to do their jobs. Once their jobs were done, when the earth was fully cleansed, and all beings in the world judged and sent to their various afterlife destinations, the work of the angels would be complete. Then, they would spend the rest of eternity with their loved ones in well-earned, joyful peace.



In the meantime, there was much to be done, and many battles to fight, both great and small. All souls being precious, Aki and his superiors saw nothing wrong in befriending a wayward boy to help him back on the right path. It wasn't quite within a warrior angel's jurisdiction, but kind deeds were part of an angel's nature. For the day, Halcyon could take Aki's heavier duties, and call his young partner if needed. So far, Aki hadn't been, and he was glad. The day had been wonderful, and Kai's company had been enjoyable and intriguing.



Perhaps that was how he had gotten permission to spend the day with him- the elder angels were intrigued, too. To them, Kai was important for his own sake, but also because he seemed to be the lynch-pin of something greater in the realm of evil. A mere errand boy, maybe, but through such 'minor' players were whole empires toppled. Aki was glad to topple with them, especially if he could save his friend in teh process. Whatever it was about Kai that drew the angel to him, Akiel wanted to stick as close as he could.



"That snake really likes you!" he giggled, then squirmed a bit as the bright green snake over his shoulders slid over a ticklish spot.



Calming down a bit after a moment, he let his snake climb back onto her tree, which made room for a larger vine snake to wrap around his head like one of those old Egyptian crowns.



Aki laughed again. "Look, I'm Rameses the Great! And you look like one of those snake dancers from Burma!" The snake on his head slithered around to his shoulders, and decided to hang there like a jade necklace. "What do you like about snakes, Kai?" Aki gave no indication that Kai had said anything in a brusque or even rude manner.
 
Kai pet the snake as it rested on his arm and looked at Aki. "Dancer?" Kai said, giving Aki a questioned look. For a second, Kai let a quiet laugh slip out and watched as the snake on his arm slid up, constricting itself around Kai and resting it's head on the upper part of his arm. Realizing that he had laughed, Kai passed it off as it had never happened and didn't bother to cover it up.

Now that he thought about it, Aki was the first person that had ever made him laugh so much in just one day. It was a rare sight for anyone that knows him. In fact, he had never laughed in many years. At least, not around a person. Aki was the first person that had made him open his closed heart by a small crack.

Slowly, Kai was growing unsure of what he always thought and believed in after meeting Aki. Maybe, just maybe he was changing because of Aki.

"I like their free will to move however they please," Kai answered while thinking about how he admired how the snakes were very flexible that they could move around without any restrictions. Which brought him to wonder if snakes ever got tangled by being able to move around.

Unknown to Kai, he didn't realize that most of what he liked had something to do with freedom. Whether he was constantly thinking about being free from the invisible chains that binded him to Verin and the demon world, he grew an interest with how animals lived freely or trapped in a zoo with humans. The thought of freedom might have got him to thinking about it constantly, but that he was not aware of. It was one of the things that might make someone suspicious of his way of thinking. Being around him long enough, most would notice if they payed attention to the details, they would realize that most of what he mentioned, usually revolved around being free.

"What do you like about snakes?" Kai asked back to Aki as he let another snake slither up the same arm the other snake was on and playfully fought each other for the spot.
 
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