Chapter Two

Adrael and Aeria had sat in silence for a long time, each contemplating on their own thoughts, in the very dark room.

Adrael was wondering what the girl had done to be put on earth. Aeria pondered the same thing about him.

Finally, the silence was broken, when Adrael began speaking.

" You never answered my question." He looked troubled. Aeria instantly was cautious, curling her legs around her.

" Which one?" her tone was guarded. Adrael tried not to stare, but it was hard. He hadn't seen any one of his kind in nearly seventy years.

" What did you do to get sent down here? It had to be something bad." He leaned forward now, definitely interested, probing now, and trying to get her to talk.

" Um…." Aeria hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't trust him; she just didn't know how to explain it herself. "I was at the viewing circle…and I fell in." It sounded lame to her ears. She had specifically left out the part about Id. Aeria wasn't ready to admit anything about it yet.

" Well why aren't they looking for you? There was doubt heavy in his voice. Instantly she was defensive.

" I don't know. They don't like me, maybe that's it." She snapped. Adrael leaned back, startled. He didn't know she could be so harsh she looked innocent, but he would have bet on his existence that she was a lot tougher than she looked.

Then Aeria's face changed.

"Sorry." Se mumbled, ashamed. After all he had done for her, taking her here, giving her a drink, being so understanding, and couldn't even be polite? She would have blushed. She should have…she didn't have blood?

Adrael noticed her confusion.

" What is it?" he queried. She looked at him strangely.

" I don't have blood?" it came out as a question. His brow furrowed, and an intense light came into his eyes.

" No. For some reason, we are still immortal. No blood, no aging, no wings. I don't know why though. I thought it might have just been me…" he trailed off.

Suddenly, a thought hit her.

" That's why you were so cold!" she stood up, looking triumphant. Adrael merely looked confused.

"When you found me," Aeria explained, "I felt your aura, and your soul. They were both really cold. I didn't know why." He looked at her with multiple expressions on his face.

"You felt my soul?" There was jealousy, disbelief, and envy. Aeria felt confused suddenly.

" Yes, cant you?" Adrael shook his head, to her shock. She looked horrified. He sighed, and stood, stretching his legs, cramping from all the coffee he drank, and from sitting still after drinking it. She was still standing, those bright violet eyes studying him. It made him uncomfortable.

" Lets go get something to eat, and you a change of clothes." Aeria nodded in agreement. As he began walking to the door, Aeria followed, letting him exit first. It was dawn now, and the suns light was creeping over the buildings, casting light shadows on the street. Instead of the younger crowd, it was now businessmen, going to work to provide for their families. Aeria gaped, mouth-hanging open. It was so different! There was no perfect temperature; in fact it was rather cold. And the people didn't look the same; there were fat old men, younger trim ones, tall hats, and short hats. Aeria was overwhelmed.

Adrael looked back, and noticing her expression and shivering arms, he paused, debating. He had forgotten how confusing it was, being here for the time.

" Listen, your gonna get sick if you go out like that. And you should get used to everything first, before you come walking around town. Why don't you stay here, and ill get everything. Okay?" He was waiting for her to answer.

"'Kay." She said in a small voice, turning, and going back through the door. It closed softly, and with a sigh, Adrael walked off down the street.

When Adrael came back a few hours later, Aeria was asleep again, sleeping in the chair. He had in his arms, a long skirt, and a tee shirt. He had guessed at what size she wore, hoping he was right. And he had Chinese.

The smell alone had woken Aeria up. It smelled mouthwatering. She smiled when she saw him.

For some reason, it set his heart off. Somewhat shyly, he smiled back.

" I didn't know what you would fit into, so I had to guess. I hope these are okay?" he held the bag out. Gingerly, she took it, and looked inside.

" Thanks" she smiled again, as he kicked himself for feeling like that. He hadn't even known her a whole week, and already, he felt like this!

" The bathrooms down that way" he motioned down the hall.

" What's that?" she asked, innocently. He smiled in spite of himself.

" I take it you…died, before then." She nodded, looking amused at his searching for an alternative word for 'died'. He was funnier than he knew. " well, you can just use my room then" He led her down the hallway, and turned on the light. She stared in awe at it, before turning around to face him.

" Thanks. Again." He just turned and went back to the kitchen. When she had finished changing, she put her other dress in the bag, setting it against the wall. Taking a moment, she looked around his room. There were liquor bottles everywhere. And the majorities were empty. The bed was unmade, and there were…holes in the walls. It was dark in here too. Aeria was thinking about the differences between here and the clouds when she walked back out into the living room.

Adrael studied her face. She was thinking hard about something. And thankfully, the clothes fit.

He was looking hard at her when her when she got into the kitchen. Embarrassed, she looked away, and played with the hem of her shirt.

This was getting awkward.