A Goddess, an Angel and flowers, Oh my! [Active]

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Duma, Urd
Content: Duma comes to see Urd in the hope of finding something to grow.
Setting: New Hope
Time: Early Evening
Warnings: None



As strange as it felt flying under the domes of the city, it was more natural to Duma than walking. He did not misjudge the curves or bulistrades of the buildings, yet he could feel something missing from the flight. Air, or something which passed for it, running over his skin. he was used to the shock people looked at him with, the offering of clothing which did not fit. But he had never been ashamed of his nakedness and he saw no reason to begin now.

Duma hoped that the Goddess (whatever that precisely was) could help him find flower seeds. He needed something to do, lest he lose himself completely. He struggled to interpret the silence here, spent too much time lost in old memories.

He managed to land with a crash outside the Cheap Prayer (whose name he still didn't understand.) Landing had become something of a problem, with not enough resistance or time to properly slow himself down. It was awkward and undignified. Nevertheless, he walked across to Urd's shop, and knocked sharply on the door.

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[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

"Amazing!" a sultry voice sounded from behind Duma. Urd stood behind him on the street, inspecting his wings with a complete lack of respect for personal space. "You really are an angel. Completely unlike mine, of course, but different dimensions will do that." She smiled, reaching around him to open the door.

"Duma, right? Welcome to my shop. I'm Urd."

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Duma stiffened as Urd inspected his wings. To groom another's wings was an intimacy that was usually only reached after several thousand years of knowing the other being. Still, Duma was learning the old rules did not always apply here, so he stepped away, allowing Urd to open the door and enter in front of him, inclining his head as she confirmed his name, hoping to make clear his thanks for her hospitality.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Urd watched him over her shoulder with a small smile as she lead him into the shop. Clearly not the talkative sort, this angel. Perhaps to put him at ease, she would show him her own wings, such as they were. "You'll have to forgive my curiosity," she chuckled, turning around to face him fully. "Not often I meet divine beings from entirely different worlds."

She lightly touched her heart with both hands and bowed her head. From her back, a white light spread as two feathered wings unfurled fully, one black and one white. A second or two later, a luminescent woman was hovering behind her; the owner of those wings. The angel had swept back black and white hair, scrolling black markings over her pale skin and was nearly as naked as Duma.

"This is my angel, World of Elegance." The angel in question tilted her head and smiled serenely at Duma, as mute as he.

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Duma inclined his head again, trying to show that he did indeed forgive her curiosity. Had he been a different creature, even a different angel, he would have tried to examine everything that made the city and it's inhabitants what they were.

At seeing the angel unfold from Urd's back, Duma looked on in mute shock. Was this some kind of demon? How could a being, one called an angel even, be trapped inside the body and spirit of another person? Were they subsumed wholly and released evey so often, or were they... Duma still reeled, trying to fit it into his frames of reference, and failing miserably.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

"Ah..." That was not quite the reaction she'd expected. Urd held up her hands. "It's alright! Guess I should've explained it better. Many goddesses like me have an angel...they're a reflection of our soul. The heart's mirror." She glanced up at World of Elegance, who placed her hand on Urd's shoulder gently. "We're a part of each other. She is me. She strengthens my power and we share the closest bond."

Both goddess and angel turned from each other to gaze at Duma. "You have nothing to worry about, Duma." To punctuate this point, the angel moved toward him, giving off faint light and an aura of warm acceptance. World of Elegance held out her hand, silently requesting to hold his hand in hers.

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Duma nodded, more agreeable with the explanation, although the idea of two beings with one soul still confused him somewhat. But being peacable and understanding was in his nature, and he assumed that were either Urd or her Angel in distress at their positions, he would hear unsettlement in the silence.

He took the hand that World of Elegance offered to him, trying to reflect the warmth she was send ing to him, which displaced the sense of confusion and worry. Duma smiled.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Urd watched the smile brighten Duma's expression with a shrewd eye. Of course, it didn't take someone as perceptive as she was to see he was a being used to misery. The smile didn't seem to reach his eyes at all. But he was trying. And World of Elegance, for her part, seemed quite content to continue holding his hand.

"So! You wanted flowers, right?" She put her hand to her chin, the other on her hip. "If only I still had my roof garden on Iriela. I bet you'd like that." She continued to mutter under her breath, moving behind the string of beads that served as a partition to the back of the shop. Before too long, her head popped out and she stared at Duma.

"Where do you wanna plant these anyway?"

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

As Urd went out of sight, Duma was trying surrepticiously to examine the other angel that still had hold of his hand. He had never met a female angel before, the Silver City was populated with beings that were almost in the shape of men. Still, he didn't want to be rude, especially since he knew how awkward being investigated could be.

Urd was right, he would like a garden. He planned to grow a garden, to make him feel more at home, more purposeful.

Duma furrowed his brow when he was asked the question, which required more than a yes or no answer. He cast about for pen and paper, and upon finding them, wrote in neat handwriting In a flower box for the moment. When I find a place of my own to rest in, I shall set about growing a garden.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

World of Elegance's smile only widened as she caught Duma's eye. It seemed she had no qualms about being the object of curiosity. As Urd joined them once more, she floated back to the goddess but not before lightly touching Duma's shoulder in silent comfort.

Urd watched Duma write with a slight frown. So he really couldn't speak? He was more and more of a mystery each passing moment. She quickly scanned the letters he wrote and nodded decisively. "Hmm. Well, perhaps these will do." Joining the pen and paper on the table, a few plain, unmarked packets were spread for Duma's perusal. "I'm afraid they don't have labels so I can't be certain what kind of flowers they are. Or if they'll even grow without the use of magic."

She glanced over to him and grinned. "But you don't seem the type to want to use supernatural means in something like this. Better to let it grow under its own power, hmm?"

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Duma was indeed comforted by the light touch to his shoulder. He was surprised to see her float without much apparent effort, where his own flight was far more mechanical.

He looked over the packets of seeds, curious at what could be inside them. He recognised none of the seeds, and had a feeling they would not grow into flowers he knew.

Duma took the paper and pen again I am a good, patient gardener, but I don't have any particular dominion or magic that makes things grow.
He looked slightly awkward as he perused the paper. I apologise, I have nothing to pay you with. I can give you service, or be in your debt.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

She read his words once more, pursing her lips in thought. No speech, a difficulty flying and without any apparent magic? What a strange angel this Duma was. Urd remained silent as she watched him continue to write. At his last message, she smiled gently.

"This one's on me. No one would have bought those seeds anyway...there's not much interest in growing anything in Paixao." She brushed her long hair from her shoulders, turning her head to face one of the shop windows. The sky had darkened already, the fog spreading its sinuous tendrils within the shadows. "...but if you'd like to do me a favor, just try to stay indoors as much as possible during the night. At least until we get the fog under control." She frowned, her face in profile, her expression pensive.

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Watching the fog, Duma hadn't been too worried about it, he assumed it was no more than the sulfurous skies that made it difficult for mortals to breathe. Still, the previous night he had heard the cries of people fleeing monsters, real or unreal, and with a warning he could believe that it was dangerous.

Looking at the deepening darkness outside the window, Duma worried as to how he could complete his favour without asking Urd for another. Perhaps if he could help 'Get the fog under control.'
Duma wrote again on the piece of paper. If the fog is dangerous, then I worry I am already too late. If I could impinge on your hospitality for the evening, perhaps I could help you solve the mystery of it.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Without turning her head, Urd glanced down at Duma's writing. She smiled apologetically and shook her head. "It's not so simple as that, though I do appreciate the offer. It will take a combined effort and some thorough scientific examination. And time. I've been working with some...people. We'll see what comes of it."

She moved around the table and pressed the packets in his hands. "There are a number of empty houses scattered in the city. Find one for yourself. Take shelter. In the morning, the fog will be gone and you can set about planting your flowers." She smiled.

"Stay in contact. We heavenly beings should stick together, after all."

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Duma took the seeds and smiled a little, before standing. He bowed to show his thanks, placing a hand on Urd's forearm to radiate a feeling of friendship and warmth. It was more difficult than he had remembered, which tinged the feeling with his own loss, and he pulled his hand away quickly. Duma then made a slightly foolish show of pretending to look for somewhere to put the seeds, before deciding to merely hold them in his right hand.

He took the pen and wrote I have spoken with a Seraph named Lamington. We are becoming a veritable host. I will stay in contact, thank you very much for the seeds, and the conversation.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Urd was about to respond to Duma's light touch on her forearm when he quickly pulled away. She said nothing as she watched him gather his dignity again, pretending for his sake that she didn't notice his odd reaction. That would be something she'd investigate later.

At his message regarding Lamington, she grinned crookedly and nodded. Along with her sister Belldandy, it seemed Duma was right; there were certainly more divine beings in Paixao lately. As with everything under these domes, she had to wonder if it was coincidence or fate.

"You're welcome," she simply replied. Her angel decided on a more affectionate route -- World of Elegance came forth and wrapped her arms around Duma's shoulders, hugging him with a slightly mischievous smile on her otherwise serene face. She pulled away almost as quickly, giving a little wave as she faded away.

[flowersinhell.livejournal.com]

Duma was exceptionally surprised by the hug bestowed upon him by World Of Elegance. He hadn't been hugged in a long, long time, and before he could get his wits about him to attempt to hug back, she had let go and dissappeared. Duma stared at the spot she had been for some little time, before shaking his head and again attempting to gather his wits about him.

Duma once again took up the pen and paper and wrote I am staying in the St Destino Hospital for the time being. They have a chapel there. You and your angel would be most welcome. His handwriting had become slightly messier with the last message.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

She took the paper and smiled at the words. "I will. And maybe I can find a way for us to communicate without you having to write it." Urd met his eyes and winked. "Though your handwriting is really good! Much better than mine." She didn't mention that she noticed it had become messier. Why that would be, she could only guess. Perhaps the kindness shown to him tonight, however small, was something he wasn't used to.

She turned and headed to the back door again, pushing aside the beaded curtain. She gave him a final smile and a nod before disappearing into the shadows.