The Island of Clouds

"No, please, don't apologize for your questions. I just hope I can give you satisfactory answers for them all," he said, smile still on his face. His pace was slow so she could keep up, unwilling to release her hand any time soon. Her presence was a comfort; it brought a companionship that he wasn't quite familiar with. Rexia was his friend and the other Cloudis were cordial enough with him, but Lyra exuded something more than that. He didn't quite know what that thing was, but he wanted to know. He had learned so much about her and her kind, but they had only touched the tip of the iceberg. He wanted to know everything.

For now, he could settle for telling Lyra about the Island. "Yes, it does rain. The storms that Pallick commands to hide us from the humans also provide the Island with rain. They aren't violent storms, so the water fills the lake and stretches out along this river." He used his free hand to sweep over the small river they walked alongside.

"There are many different animals here, but they are unlike your animals on earth. From what I understand, the Life-fire helped them adapt to the world up here." He stopped, taking a knee at the river bank and leading her with him. "See? Even the fish are different from yours." He pointed to the small fish wriggling around in the water against the stream's current. Sure enough, above their fins were a pair of translucent, shiny wings, similar to the wings on a dragonfly. "I don't know of any earth fish that has wings too."
 
Again, his smile encouraged hers and she briefly she thought this is so..easy. So many things in her life were difficult and hard to deal with, but this...being around Saraph, walking on an Island of Clouds..it felt like a dream. She didn't ever want to wake up..or stop holding his hand as he responded to her questions, quenching her curiosity little by little. Lyra nodded along, again thinking up new questions around his answers as they walked. If it was possible for her to stay for her whole life, she wondered if she'd ever run out of questions.

She knelt with Saraph at the river bank at stared at the glistening surface before looking a bit deeper as he instructed, pointing out the fish and their nearly transparent wings. Her breath left her quietly as she watched them swim with wide eyes until he mentioned a lack of knowledge on earth fish. She hesitated a moment, unable to tear her gaze away from the gorgeous fish before turning her head to meet his eyes and adding to his knowledge of earthly fish. "Well, there if this one kind of fish that people call flying fish, but they don't have wings like that. Their fins are just longer and so when they jump out of the water, they glide above its surface for a little while. I've never seen any myself, but they're in like every ocean nature movie there is." She laughed lowly and briefly, remembering an old science teacher that used to show way too many marine biology videos in class.
 
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Saraph watched her study the fish in fascination. When she turned to him and described how some earth fish were similar, he smiled. It blew his mind just how different, yet similar the Island was to Earth. He knew the Island had originated from Earth, but to see just how alike they were was strangely wonderful. Dreaming of Earth and to have someone so knowledgeable about the place right in front of him was a miracle. He wished she never had to leave, but he would certainly never forget anything she ever told him. He had been trying to keep a record of everything she had informed him about, but sometimes he found himself too caught up in her words to remember to write.

As she kept talking, he tilted his head, but never once did he release her hand. It was comforting to have someone as curious as he, for he'd always been an outcast because of his desire to know. To watch her enjoy his world was almost intoxicating; he would never tire of it.

"What's a movie?" he asked, helping her to her feet. If they kept walking, they might find more strange animals and prompt new questions. He didn't think he'd ever hate hearing her voice or her laughter. He felt something for her in a way he had never felt before, and he had only seen it when he'd hurt her with his words. He never wanted to see her so sad ever again, even if their parting would bring that sorrow about once again. His feelings for her had been the whole reason he'd suggested they try to remain friends, but his emotions were hard to ignore.

Before she could answer his question, he gathered her into his arms for a tight hug. His wings mirrored his arms, wrapping around her to enfold her in warmth. "Thank you for sharing all this with me."
 
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He smiled at her and her heart fluttered with a light, feather feeling. It still baffles her that these avian beings--these near-angels-- are so much like people. Not that it should be surprising considering their origins, but...they smile to show happiness and frown when they're sad and all these little things that stay somehow constant throughout so many cultures and even the Island of Clouds. That even Saraph with all his strange formality and innocent curiosity still found it comforting to hold another's hand. She never wanted to let go.

Saren said:
"What's a movie?" he asked, helping her to her feet.
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Lyra stood with a shocked blink and wondered if there was any equivalent of a film on the Island. It would be such a shame if that weren't the case, considering she wanted to be a film actress, but she shouldn't have assumed he would know. "Oh sorry, I should have--umm..." Before she could further explain or even begin to articulate an understandable definition for it, Lyra was pulled into a sudden hug, complete with warm wings that folded around her in a sort of cocoon that felt like home. It was surprising, but not unwelcome, so she wrapped her arms around his middle and squeezed when he thanked her. "Of course," she mumbled into his chest with a smile. "Thank you for sharing so much of your world with me, especially since you have more to lose in doing so."
 
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Saraph chuckled, but it was a gentle sound that wasn't aimed at her or her words. She simply gave him the desire to laugh and smile whenever she was around. Rexia had a similar effect on him, but it wasn't so strong. Perhaps there was something wrong with him to be so infected by happiness, but he would have gladly taken the intoxicating feeling of joy, even if Lyra had to go soon. It was better to feel happy with her now than feel nothing at all. He knew he would remember their small chats and everything they'd taught each other about their respective worlds.

"I'm glad to share all that I can with you. I would show you the whole Island if I could. Though, the Life-fire is perhaps the most exciting part. No human has ever been so close to it, and yet, it accepted you as if you were one of our own. I think that means it feels you are special, and I won't forget that." At the end of his words, he returned her soft squeeze, his wings fluttering around her. There was no chill in the air, but his feathery embrace was still warm and cozy.
 
He released her slightly, enough to look down at her as he laughed gently and smiled like the angel she always felt he was. She couldn't remember being this happy before, really. She wanted so much more than she could get of this unadulterated joy but she knew it was fleeting, which made her all the more desperate to soak it in while she could. If anything, she'd always have the memories. And Saraph could never be forgotten. It was simply impossible.

Again she listened to his melodious voice, smiling and silently disagreeing for a moment because she knew for a fact that the most exciting part of the Island was wrapping his arms and wings around her again and she couldn't help smiling wider for it. If she lived as long as Cloudis she'd never get tired of the feel of his wings around her. She probably wasn't as special as the Life-fire might have thought or special enough to stand by his side, but Saraph thought she was, and she was okay with that. So she breathed him in and held him tight because no words could express how she felt now anyway.
 
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Saraph eventually let go of her, but he seemed determined to keep a hold on her hand until she had to truly leave him. He gave her another smile, one that spelled real happiness for the first time in a while. "Come. I have so much more to show you." They only had so long left, and while he could not show her every inch of the Island as he wished, he could take her around some of the safer parts. After their encounter with the Wolke, he was less inclined to go out without some form of protection. Only the Cloudi warriors were allowed to have weapons, but none of them would appreciate an escort duty. He preferred their time alone anyway, since they wouldn't be getting much more of it.

Saraph spent the rest of the day with Lyra, walking around with her along the stream, showing her more unique fish and even some strange colored frogs that didn't seem to match anything on Earth. Lyra was quick to tell him all that she knew about Earth animals, and he always listened with the rapt attention that he only seemed to give her. She was so smart when it came to everything about her world, and if he didn't require food and sleep, he was sure he could have listened to her until the end of his days. His smile hardly left his face while they walked, and rare were the seconds that he released her hand.

It was growing dark as Saraph started to lead Lyra back to his home. A yawn accidentally escaped his lips, and it was enough for him to duck his head in slight embarrassment. "I apologize. I'm not used to walking around so much." The smile that was still clearly written on his face spelled that the trip had been more than worth it.
 
Lyra was no more willing to let go of his finger than he seemed to be with hers. They walked and time flew by as they meandered, laughed and talked and talked and talked. Every new bit of information she gleaned from him felt like a new puzzle piece with which to understand his infinite mind. She could never get enough and it felt like he couldn't get enough either, which was understandable, considering earth was much larger and more complicated than she she could explain and they conversed for hours. Lyra tried not to ramble though because she adored the sound of his voice and the way he talked about the different creatures he introduced her to kept a permanent smile on her face almost all day.

As they headed back home, Lyra looked up at him while he yawned and caught the feeling as he apologized. She yawned after and laughed gently. "It's okay, we both had a long day." It was clear she was growing weary, but her large, doe eyes stayed locked on him, glowing with adoration and a silly determination to stay up all night in his company.
 
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Saraph had never been one to wish a day would never end. When he was younger, he and Rexia would run off, wishing the day could be over so they could escape the taunts of the other Cloudi children. There weren't many of them, but his lack of flying capability had made him somewhat of a laughingstock. He and Rexia always wished to grow older so they wouldn't be taunted. Rexia came under fire far less than Saraph, but her habit of sticking close to him led to cruel jabs and jokes. Even though they were adults now, Saraph still wished that the days would pass quickly so he could hope to forget the things that had been said to him and Rexia.

When he was with Lyra, he wished the day would never end. To spend an hour with her was a treat, but to spend an entire day with her was a gift he could never reciprocate. Her love of curious explanation, the way she fixated on him when he spoke, her laugh when she discovered something new about his world… Saraph knew he would never tire of any of it. To spend the rest of his life knowing that Lyra was his friend was a comfort he'd never known. When she left, he knew he would feel an ache, but he would always remember what she was to him.

He squeezed her hand before he finally released her to open the door. Once they were inside, he closed the door and padded to his bed. He could have collapsed right then and there, but he let Lyra sit beside him. "You may stay in here tonight, if you wish." He recalled her nightmares, and he didn't want her to relive such terrors, not after such a wonderful time spent together.
 
Lyra crossed the threshold beside him and felt a dreadful heat pass through her gut. She took a deep breath, pretending that the day would never end and the Island could be her home forever. She'd felt this nausea come and go every sunset as she returned to Saraphs home and it became gradually stronger as the house grew more familiar and comfortable to her.

She knew her dreamy days were numbered, but she couldn't recall having been happier since before her parents died. But she couldn't think of that now. She was with Saraph. And she wouldn't ruin the near-perfect day with thoughts of her past. No was not the time for that. Not while she was following drowsily behind those gorgeous glinting angel wings back to his room, where he invited her to stay. Lyra blushed. They had slept in the same bed before, but never had she been asked...never had anyone wanted to intentionally spend the night with her, at least not someone she felt so strongly for.

"Okay...thank you," she mumbled, then sat slowly beside him with a shy smile. "And thanks for showing me more of your world. I wish I had more to give you to show my appreciation, but I hope you know it means so much to me." She paused and blinked up at him. "I had a really wonderful day with you Saraph."
 
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"I'm glad," he answered with a smile, catching her deep, brown gaze. And he truly was glad. He had never had any need to make someone smile, unless it was with his music. Being put on the outside of the small circle of Cloudi that lived on the island had left him with few friends. There were those that enjoyed his music and singing, but they were not a true part of his life. Rexia had stuck by his side, and though she drifted from time to time, she always came right back. Still, she had never needed his help to smile, for Rexia found beauty and life in everything around her. Making someone happy had never been one of Saraph's strong suits, but he found himself wanting to see Lyra smile more and more as the days passed. He wanted her time to be the best it could be, given their circumstances, and it had crushed him to know that he'd hurt her, even when he'd been trying to help. Now, he felt as though he'd made it up to her, by granting her a walk that spanned half the island and knowledge that neither one of them would ever forget.

As he sat there next to her, his wing curled around her shoulders for a brief moment before he stood. He padded to the small chair beside the window and unbuttoned his shirt, draping it over the chair. He fluttered his wings, a few feathers falling to the ground. He shook his head and ran a few fingers through his hair before he settled back on the bed. His shirt didn't really constrict his wings, but the cool air filtering through the open space of his window felt nice on both his feathers and skin. He rested on his side on top of the blanket, both wings hanging off the side of his bed. His eyes were already closed by the time he settled his head on one pillow, but he wasn't sleeping just yet. Instead, a soft hum rumbled his throat and permeated the air, quiet enough to be a lullaby.
 
Saren said:
"I'm glad," he answered with a smile, catching her deep, brown gaze.
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The sincerity in that smile undid her. She felt unbelievably lucky in the strangest of circumstances. Despite a literal plane crash being the reason she's here and the fact that she'd have to leave basically the same way, Lyra was stuck in this particular moment, happier than she had been in the longest time.
He was so relaxed around her, enough to discard his shirt so casually, revealing to her just how much he trusted her to be so vulnerable around. And how beautiful he was. No matter what had or will happen, she couldn't be more grateful for having met Saraph.

So Lyra allowed herself to be vulnerable too. Somehow she'd been able to let down her walls with him one by one and now she curled up beside him, tentatively taking up as little space as she could while taking in the gorgeous way the sunlight glinted off his impossibly dark feathers, in absolute awe. She was afraid to fall asleep in case this had all been a dream, and yet there's no way she could have ever dreamed up a world like this or a person this wonderful.
 
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The hum deep in his throat never seemed to waver or die down, even as he edged close to sleep. Lyra had hardly shifted the bed when she moved, and the Cloudi didn't stir even as she moved close to him. One eye opened to watch her, but he didn't speak. He only smiled at her, his wing fluttering as he let it fall over her like a makeshift blanket. The feathers ruffled softly along her skin and clothes, but his goal wasn't to tickle her. It simply felt right to be close to her at any given time. He had already put aside the harshness he'd shown her earlier, and now, he just wanted to be her friend.

After a few moments of quiet humming, he spoke. "Thank you for walking with me today. I like to believe the Island itself enjoys when someone appreciates everything it has to offer. Perhaps that is why the Life-fire did not burn you." He paused, eye flickering to the ceiling as he thought about his next words. "If you would like, I will take you to the Life-fire once more before you leave. I believe it would not mind your presence again."
 
Given the blanket of his wing and subtle body heat plus his incredibly soothing voice, Lyra was already having trouble keeping her eyes open. Everything just felt so soft, like she could melt. The Island of Clouds truly was a paradise. If she closed her eyes now, would she find it all to be a dream when she next awoke?

She had to blink a few times to keep from dozing off before the music of his voice turned into a slightly less musical tone, thanking her for accompanying him as if it wasn't something she was endlessly grateful for. And she was about to interrupt to tell him just that, but the word Life-fire seemed to wake a spark in her. She tried to meet his eyes from where she was tucked to his side under his wing, but she couldn't quite see what he was thinking until he suggested going back to the hearth again. She blinked in surprise because somehow it seemed a shock he'd let her go there again, but she didn't know why. The memories from when she had last visited seemed suddenly hazy and out of reach. And she yearned to go again. It was difficult to keep from blurting out how badly she seemed to want to go back, but she managed to ask, "Are you sure?" because she knew it was a big risk for him and she didn't want to cause him more trouble than he already had.
 
Watching her shift around to look at him made him smile. He never wanted to see her frown again, and while she was here, he was going to do everything in his power to make her happy. "Yes, I am sure." In fact, he was certain he'd never been so sure of anything in his life. "I think it has been a long time since the Life-fire has experienced a human, and while it is dangerous for you to be exposed for too long, I think you are deserving of another viewing."

His wing fluttered against her shoulder, soft feathers stroking her skin. He wanted nothing more than for her to stay, but arguing with Pallick and Erith about the situation would get him nowhere but in trouble. "It responded to your singing, and I think it liked it. I suppose no one really knows if it is a living being or not, but no one visits anymore. It was sacred once, but my people have forgotten what made us, so I believe it likes to be appreciated every once in a while."
 
Lyra nodded along, simultaneously grateful for his affirmative answer and excited to go back. She heard his words of caution as well, but they didn't really affect her the way such words should--not that she had such a high sense of self-preservation in the first place.

She smiled blissfully at the feeling of his feathers on her skin, hesitating just slightly in her sudden need to visit the beating heart of the island. She felt badly for the island too. How could its people forget about it so easily? People on earth don't even know for sure if their gods exist and they worship like there's no tomorrow. "I'm sure it does. I'd love to go one more time..as long as you're able to take me away before it gets too infectious.." She mumbled, shamed from the last time she'd visited.
 
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