The angel looked even more confused up close, thought Lenalee. The small angel looked around in lost wonder, trying to get up on his own two feet and failing like a newborn babe. The demon mage heard a sniffle coming from the summoned person as if the little child of God was going to cry. Lenalee crept closer without thinking, knocking a small pebble down and thus scaring the little one.
The angel gasped in shock as he locked eyes on the duo that stood in the shadows. In his surprise, he instinctually curled his white wings that seemed all too unnatural in a dark environment like this. The absolute beauty of the wings attracted Lenalee's attention, since she had not seen an angel in real life before. The angel's wings were gorgeous, so to speak. It was smaller in size as compared to a mature demon's own, but they looked even more durable and bulkier. Where a demon's wings were sharpened to strike an enemy like a sword, the angel's wings were muscular to withstand massive attacks identical to a shield.
Therefore, considering the situation at hand, Lenalee wasn't at all surprised when the angel stood up fearlessly to face them but had his wings closed up around his slim body like a thick coat of feathers, betraying the angel's nervous demeanour. Lenalee sensed, more than heard, Lavi's sudden departure from her side.
"Where are you going? He's an angel!" Lenalee hissed.
Lavi pulled his arm back as if stung by Lenalee's touch. He growled as he pointed at the still-confused summoned person, "that's right. He's an angel, Lenalee! How can a stupid angel help me?"
Lenalee stood in front of Lavi and growled back at her stubborn Demon Lord, "maybe he can help, maybe he can't. But if I did the spell right, that thing is the very key to saving your sorry ass!"
"If you did the spell right. But you didn't. Instead, you called upon a bloody angel instead! I swear, Lenalee, this is-"
"A-ah, excuse me-" A soft voice broke their dispute apart as easily as a hot knife cutting through butter. Lavi and Lenalee jumped back to get ready for an attack, but the person in question was holding his hands out in a calm manner and smiling sweetly. When had he come so close without my knowing?! Lavi cursed inwardly as his black wings spread themselves widely. No one had ever gotten past his ever-alert senses before, be it a spirit or a figure. So having the damn angel get this close to him without a sound made Lavi all the more distrustful towards the pure creature.
The angel's wings fluttered closely as the angel waved his gloved hand in polite greeting, "hullo, my name's Allen Walker. What are your names?"
Lavi growled while he shook his body as if he can physically shake the angel's voice off of his body. Without acknowledging the exasperating angel's very existence, he retreated away from the now-cold dungeon after ordering Lenalee, "Take the creature to one of the rooms, if you must. I don't want to see it anymore,"
Lenalee rolled her eyes as she allowed Lavi to leave, giving a tired sigh. The angel Allen still stood patiently in the centre, his eyes now showing a tinge of childish and curious attitude. As she stepped out of the shadows to reveal her true self, she saw the change of disposition from Allen; from blatant curiosity to a happy-shock expression.
The angel widened his glittering eyes as his small wings fluttered furiously behind him, "oh! You're a demon! Hullo, what's your name?"
"Lenalee of the Black Order clan. Sorry for my Demon Lord, Lavi. I'm sure he'll come to his senses," Lenalee smiled as she came closer. She made sure that her own demon wings folded themselves, making her appearance smaller than it normally was. Though, her wings still vibrated with eagerness. She was fascinated with the angel; how can those small wings carry the weight of a body? How does the angel defend himself if he doesn't have any weapons on him? Do angels come in different sizes or is Allen an abnormality?
"Please to meet you, Lenalee! I don't suppose you know how to get out of here, do you? I don't even know how I got here," Allen chuckled as he shyly rubbed the back of his neck, a light blush painted his pale cheeks, "I have this tendency to get lost often, that's what people always tell me,"
Allen's melodic voice was not like any that Lenalee had heard before; it had the voice of both a hardened soldier and an innocent child. The voice spoke of tranquil times and provided a calm aura around them, making Lenalee feel at total ease even when confronting a new and probably-dangerous being. Allen's very voice made Lenalee feel sleepy and peaceful, as if she knew that this unknown being would never let any harm befall on her while she lay her guard down. Is this the power of an angel? Lenalee thought dreamily as she felt her eyes close to darkness.
A slicing sound of a familiar sword cut through the soothing illusion, throwing Lenalee back into reality. A long and thin sword glimmered at Allen's outstretched neck, the wielder growling from behind the surprised angel, "You move, and I'll cut your neck wide open,"
Lenalee shook her head to clear herself off and move forwards to calm an enraged demon, "Kanda! Stop! Allen didn't do anything!"
The swordsman didn't let down his stance, though his solid voice gave way to disgusted confusion, "Allen? Who's Allen? It has a name?"
Suddenly, Allen's wings popped right open with tremendous speed. The offensive movement made Kanda step back in surprise, giving Allen ample time to hit the demon with one wing and retreat far away within a small span of time. Allen's wings covered his body once more like a concrete cocoon, watching with mild mirth when Lenalee came forward to stop Kanda from approaching him. Allen's eyes gleamed like a child, but held some sort of warning for the angered demon. "I am Saint Allen Walker, and I am an angel of the Lord. Pleased to meet you, Kanda," Allen stuck out his tongue playfully, not caring at Kanda's demonic growl and sharpened wings.
The very fact that Allen's entire posture was too unguarded made Lenalee reconsider her opinion of the angel. It was obvious that Allen had experience dealing with dangerous demons, despite his small size and first impressions. To make matters more complicated, it had occurred to Lenalee that Allen might just be tricking them with dramatic innocence to cover up his vicious attacking styles. But Lenalee filed that assumption for future thoughts as she pushed Kanda away from the nonchalant angel. When pushing didn't work, she did the next best thing: giving the male demon a hard kick in the gut.
"I'm sorry that you had to see that, Allen. I don't usually use my strength to push people around," Lenalee sighed as she led the angel towards one of the lower rooms in their castle. Since the Black Order clan lived modestly in a castle located at the furthest part of the earth, there were numerous rooms that nobody used. She watched with amusement as Allen looked around his surroundings with unhidden awe.
"I expected demons to live in Hell, covered with red curtains or dark magic," Allen said as he passed an open window that spoke contrary of Allen's words. There were forests and roads leading away from the castle grounds, telling Allen that they were definitely not in region where tainted souls go to when they die. A light laugh came from Lenalee, pulling Allen away from the window.
Lenalee smiled as she continued leading the way, "who would want to live down there? All there is back down in hell is damnation anyways. It was interesting to watch the souls getting tortured in an everyday basis, but it gets boring after a couple of centuries. That's why Lavi moved us up here; there are so many things to do! We c-"
"Do you eat humans? Or suck their souls dry? Are your wings actually poisonous to the touch? How do you guys handle the sunlight? Canyou even handle the sun? Or light?" Allen's sudden burst of questions made Lenalee stop her tracks. After which she tried to stifle her laughter. Allen's fluttering wings then covered his body again, as if they had the ability to shield Allen from the restrained laughter of the demon. Allen quickly tried to defend himself as he waved his hands around in a panicked manner, "It's not like I know you demons very well! This is my first time I've met a live demon up close and personal and it's really amazing! I mean, I've had dealings with your kind before… But it's not like I've had time to sit down and chat… And-"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Lenalee burst out laughing because she couldn't take Allen's childish pout and blush, "You're so cute, Allen," she walked clumsily as she recovered from her laughing spree, "you'll just have to wait and see, neh?" she ended with a wink of a mischievous eye. Her laughter threatened to start anew when she saw the peculiar mixture of both curiosity and weariness coming from Allen.
"Here we are," she opened one of the olden doors leading to a medium-sized room. There was a single bed at one side of the room and a square window with blue silken curtains at the other side. A wooden table decorated with interesting carvings sat stoically at the edge of the room, giving the entire area a simple yet homely feeling.
As Allen looked around his new room with wide-eye wonder, Lenalee said with strict conviction, "You can't leave the room for anything, Allen. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety if you meet other demons,"
"But I can't stay in here, Lenalee! I need to be outside!" Allen tried to make Lenalee see reason.
Lenalee was having none of it and patted Allen's head as an apology, "sorry, Allen. Lavi's orders. Until he decides what to do with you, you cannot leave this room!"
And that was where Allen stayed for the first few days. After all the excitement of being in a Demon Lord's territory died down into a simmer, Allen was feeling downright bored. Staring at the wall and admiring the wooden designs of the table can only give Allen so much pleasure. After all, he was a free angel. Therefore, being confined to such a small space like this can drive any angel like him insane with boredom! His wings puffed out in annoyance, a certain reflection at his frustrated self. Allen sighed; no matter how hard he tried, he could never get his wings to obey him and just stay still! Unlike his older brethren, his white wings mirrored his every inner expression and emotions, making his personality easy to read if one can read the signs and their meanings.
Just as he was about to pull at his moving wings in playful sternness, two mumbled voices came from outside his door.
"-m teling you, it's true!" said a voice, deep and playful.
"It can't be! Lavi doesn't need that and I won't believe it until I see it!" retorted the other; this one was young and filled with intelligence.
Allen giggled as he creeped closer, fingers itching to open the door and only stopped its tracks as Lenalee's warning came to mind. Wait! You can't leave the room for anything! Allen was conflicted as his angelic part begged to obey the order. But his curiosity part –which was definitely the larger part-, was speaking logically to him. I won't be leaving the room; I'll just be opening the door! I'm not going out! Allen grinned to himself triumphantly.
The second voice continued to speak, "I won't believe that there is an angel until I see an-"the door opened just in time, revealing what was inside the secret room. The demon shouted in shock as he took in the being who stood by the door with a thrilled expression and opened wings, "-ANGEL! AH, LOOK OUT, REEVER!"
Allen's interest of discovery was thoroughly rewarded by a heavy knock in the head by a spear.
"Oh shit! I'm sorrysorrysorrysorysorrysorry!"
Allen groaned as he rubbed his head in mild pain. As his vision came back, he saw two demons adorned with silvery-black armour and a spear on their hands. One was taller than the other; the taller one had the hair colour similar to the sands Allen would find from pretty beaches. Allen gazed thoughtfully as he had not seen a demon with such unique hair colour before. The other one grew brown hair, but what had attracted Allen's attention were the glasses that the demon wore on his face. It was comical, to say the least. With the presence of that accessory, Allen can hardly see the demon's eyes and he immediately felt a small sense distrust towards that demon. He preferred looking at people's eyes while talking to them. The demon was practically unreadable with the glasses on! But Allen wasn't swayed. There are other ways to read body language. For example-
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I'm really sorry!"
-The frantic speed and tone of voice depicts genuine concern and the awkward bowing shows deep guiltiness… Allen cleared his throat and laughed his pain away, "It's alright. It's really my fault, actually. I wasn't supposed to go out at all,"
He felt an alien hand touching his wings and he whirled around in near panic. The sandy blonde demon lifted his hands in apology and a cheerful grin, "sorry. It's the first time I've seen an angel's wings so close and I couldn't resist. It's awfully soft, you see. Like my favourite pillow or the soft gust of the cold evening wind,"
Allen had the gall to blush at the demon's unknowing compliment. His wings opened up little by little, a sentiment that the angel was beginning to like these demons as his own friends. The smaller angel looked up in wondrous curiosity and he smiled like a twinkling star with the still-present rosy cheeks, the picture of innocence enraptured the defenceless demons immediately.
That change in conduct didn't go unseen by the demons. The apologising demon moved his hand forward without thinking that the angel may have the ability to slice his hand into tiny bits. He just thrusted it in front of the angel as if he was a long-lost friend of the new angel and leaving himself open to attacks was a norm. What am I doing? Is this the power of an angel?
"Hi, I'm Johnny! What's yours?" the demon decided to roll with the punches and stood with suspense, his hand still open for the angel to either take it in good graces or leave it in pieces.
"Saint Allen Walker. Please to meet you, Johnny," Allen took it all with stride. He took the demon's hand, but pulled back as soon as his dainty hand touched the demon's own calloused hand. Both of them hissed after the mere contact, each holding their own hand as if the very touch burnt them severely.
"Well… I guess we now know what happens if an angel touches a demon," the other demon called out his musing. He wanted to clap Allen on the shoulders, but remembered the result of contact and so returned to Johnny's side instead, "Hey Allen. I'm Reever. Lavi told us to guard you, so here we are!"
Allen blew cold air onto his hand, revelling on his quick healing powers. He quirked an eyebrow at the two guards, displeasure painted his angelic face, "Guards? Why? Does your almighty Demon Lord not trust me?"
"Do you really blame him? I'd do the same if I was in his position," Reever replied, his own eyebrows furrowed in silent challenge. The two locked stares for a few seconds until the younger angel gave up.
Allen rolled his own eyes; childish disappointment whined itself in Allen's voice as he threw himself onto the neatly made bed, "I'm boooooored. What can I do in a room like this? Angels are meant to be doing something at this time of day, not wasting breathe and time!"
Reever stretched his shoulders as he ignored the defenceless angel on the now-dishevelled bed, "not our problem. We're only here to guard and supervise,"
"Do you have books here?" Allen's muffled voice came from underneath the cushion. He sat back up on the bed and took out his 'angelic look' card that could make some of his brethren bend over backwards for him; he made sure that his wings were looking slightly wilted and defeated, their ends lying softly down onto the blanket below. With only a slight blush and shining eyes, Allen murmured with a melodic tone reserved only for singing lowly hymns in churches, "if I had something to read or even do, I'll be a good angel in the room. I won't need to go out and cause trouble for you guys…"
Needless to say, even demons can fall for the angelic look. Allen laughed victoriously in the inside as the two demons stuttered while their faces blew up beautifully red as roses. Only when the duo ran out of the room had Allen allowed his wings to flare up and outwards in undaunted glee. He drowned his laughter into his cushion, his wings twitching furiously behind him. Although a small part of him felt guilty for using his 'angelic look' card, Allen was more enthusiastic towards the prospect of actual reading materials! I can't wait to read books from actual Demons! It's going to be so awesome!
"What's wrong, Allen?" the demon who had introduced herself as Miranda called out in worry. She had been the one who brought a ton of books for the new angel to read (after she had fawned over the fact that there was an actual honest-to-goodness angel living in their castle!). She was instantly captivated by Allen's very presence and his symphonic voice made Miranda questioned her hardened heart.
Alas, when Allen had all but attack the offered books with undisguised delight, the captured angel chocked up and shimmering tears came out of his heavenly eyes. The angel had a book opened and he spoke with regret in his voice as if he had made a grave mistake that cannot be undone, "I can't read this.. It's all in demonic language…." Oh my poor heart! Thought Allen, finally I got a book to read, but I can't read the language!
Miranda watched helplessly while Allen cried, his wings drooped downwards as if the very life that held them up was sucked out of them. Reever and Johnny came charging into the room, thinking that Miranda and Allen were being attacked. Allen stopped his sniffles, his once sparkly eyes were now covered with a thin veil of glimmering tears and his rosy red cheeks turned even redder. Allen sniffed as he stammered in frustration but resignation, "R-Reever, Johnny.. I can't read these books… I'm sorry to have wasted your time,"
The helpless face of an angelic Allen was too much for them to bear and the two soldier demons had to go out of the bedroom to stop their nosebleed from flowing out. That look should be illegal! It made Reever's skin crawl and had his stomach do somersaults at the same time. He felt like he would anything to make a crying Allen smile again, as if his world would not be the same ever again if Allen slept with anger in his heart and bitter tears in his sweet eyes.
"Does that power even exist?!" Johnny wheezed out.
Reever only shook his head, feeling his energy drained from that single look alone, "I don't know, Johnny… But I think Allen's gonna be a handful while he's here," he sighed to himself as he heard Miranda splutter her assistance to teach a sobbing Allen on how to read the demonic language which had been kept secret for years.
Meanwhile, Lenalee was on her way to the common chambers where her Demon Lord usually resided on a quiet afternoon day. Her eyes turned into a frown as she took in Lavi's uncaring self, "what're you going to do with Allen? He can't stay here forever,"
Lavi only shrugged his shoulders and left Lenalee's question unanswered. From his point of view, the vile angel was like a mere scab from a wound; to be ignored until it was time to peel it off and leave it for dead.
Lenalee came forward with bravado and impatience, "Lavi, if you don't do something about Allen, then your curse wil-"
Lavi surged forward and clenched his fist around Lenalee's neck. His bottled-green eye drenched in black as his mighty wings burst out to cover the room with darkness. His voice dropped its normally jesting façade to bring out the merciless Demon Lord from within, "Don't ever mention that to me. Don't speak of that sorry creature and I don't need you to remind me of my blasted curse!" Lavi pushed Lenalee away, his wings moving like shadows as Lavi stood upright with a malicious smile that made Lenalee whined, "You want me to do something? Fine. I'll just eat the angel's heart,"
Hullo! I'm absolutely swamped with activities, so I'm terribly sorry! Also, I've decided to continue this story, so no worries! This story is different than my other stories because I've decided to write from Allen or other characters' POV instead of my usual Lavi POV. So I hope you enjoy this new twist of mine! :D Loves and kisses from Kid Darkness!
