Fallen Skies

Strange New Form

The weeks seemed to go by slowly, though Ahani took them in stride. Slowly, she began to grow familiar with the world she now called home, and as long as Emmanuel was somewhere nearby, she had taken to exploring a little. She had found the organ room a number of times when Emmanuel would sometimes be seated and playing, the peaceful tune following her through the halls. She had also found the large washroom, with its sectioned off baths, as well as a large bath in the center made more for relaxation than bathing. Near the washroom was the balcony, though she didn't allow herself to linger there for long. Ahani's memory of her arrival plagued her, and at times if she stood too close to the doors, she could feel the wind whispering to her as if drawing her to the edge.

Shuddering, Ahani turned away from the balcony and followed the sound of the organ back toward the washroom. Her wings had begun to sprout, and the ache was almost unbearable at times. However, Emmanuel had brought her a soak, something she could use in the bath if she wished. She made her way past the organ room, back to the room she called her own, and among her belongings she found the soaking satchels, picking one up from the leather bag that they had been placed in. With one in hand and a towel over her arm, she moved to grab a change of clothes. Ahani winced as she opened the wardrobe door, the movement of her shoulder causing the partially feathered wings on her right side to tighten. Slowly, and with a sigh, she grabbed one of the sleeping gowns that had been crafted for her, the silk of it brushing against her skin and causing her to pause. It was carefully made, the direction of the fabric and the opening in the back allowing for her wings to grow without confinement. After admiring it for a moment, Ahani looked at the rest of the clothing that had been brought to her.

There were tunics for everyday wear with pants that went with them, dresses for occasions that might call for it, as well as a few more night dresses that were made for bed. Ahani was never one for dresses and usually opted for a tunic and her underwear for sleeping, or on some occasions, nothing at all. It wasn't like anyone came into her room. Ahani slowly closed the door to the wardrobe and turned, making her way back toward the washroom, though she paused as she passed the organ room.

Emmanuel sat at the organ, his fingers dancing softly over the ivory keys, the organ playing its song as he did so. However, as if sensing that Ahani was standing in the doorway, he stopped playing and turned to look at her, shifting slightly to the right. One hand remained on the keys, though the other was resting on his lap. The way his wings stretched out across the floor behind him gave way to the impression that the Fallen was relaxed, his mind having been anywhere but the present. Ahani gave him a light smile, looking away. She had grown accustomed to her new Fallen companion, welcoming his presence most times. "I'm heading to the washroom, my wings and back are aching," She said softly. Emmanuel remained as he was for a few moments before he stood, walking over to her as he folded his wings behind him, the gilded feathers catching the candlelight and shimmering as he moved. Part of Ahani couldn't wait for her wings to finish growing, a feeling of longing growing in her to feel what it felt like to fly.

"Turn around please?" Emmanuel said when he reached her, waiting for her to respond before he reached out to her. Ahani turned as one of Emmanuel's hands gently rested on her shoulder and she could feel him shift in movement as he leaned in to inspect her wings. "Your wings have grown quicker than I've ever seen before," he said softly. "I'm sorry if this hurts, but I need to make sure they are growing properly. With this kind of growth, we need to keep a closer eye on them than I previously thought," Ahani clutched her clothing and towel tightly to her breast, closing her eyes and bracing herself when she felt the light brush of Emmanuel's fingers against the feathers sprouting on her wings. They were small, mixed with pin feathers and down, but they were growing. Emmanuel slowly extended one of the large upper wings on her back, checking them for any signs of malformation in the joints and bone structure. By the time he was finished, having checked both sets of upper wings and lower wings, Ahani felt breathless, her eyes streaming with tears. She knew it was for the best that they be looked over, but the agony was almost unbearable.

Emmanuel moved to stand beside her, gingerly resting a hand under her chin and using the other to brush away her tears. He sighed, pulling her into a comforting hug. "That hurt..." She whispered, her breath muffled against his chest. Emmanuel nodded.

"I know, and for that I apologize," he replied, his tone gentle. "There is some residue around the lower feathers and the base of your upper wings and on your lower wings that will need to be washed off before it infects your feather roots. It's nothing to worry over, our young deal with it frequently. It's due to the stretching of skin and muscle. Some of it dries and falls away, though some of it remains on the feathers and skin beneath," Emmanuel explained, his voice humming in Ahani's left ear as she held her position, her head rested against his skin. She nodded in understanding. Slowly, she drew away from him.

"I'll go get the soak ready," She said softly. The pain had begun to subside in her shoulders and wings, though it still remained a dull throb deep in the muscles. Ahani had used the soaking satchels once before and found that they worked wonders. It made her wonder how many others he had supplied the satchels to for the use of the children going through much of what she was right now. Emmanuel watched her go, standing in the doorway of the organ room, his glowing eyes following her as she went. He had helped her before with her wings, once in the past week while she was in the soak, but something stirred this time. Drawing in a breath, he turned away and released the breath through his nose.

"Get a grip on yourself," Emmanuel grumbled to himself, approaching the organ and closing the lid that shielded the keys from dust. He lingered there for a time, waiting for Ahani to get ready before he made his way to the washroom. When he entered, he knocked on the wooden door, letting her know he was there.

Ahani was seated in the medium sectioned off bath, her knees drawn to her breast and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her wings were stretched out to either side, the feathers sticking together as if she had sat up not a moment or two before he had entered the washroom. "Come in," Ahani's voice was muffled, as though she were speaking to her knees. Emmanuel moved away from the door, closing it behind him.

"Are you okay?" Emmanuel questioned. There was silence for a few seconds, the only thing filling the surrounding air was the scent of the herbal mixture that made up the satchels.

"I'm tired," Was the response Ahani gave. Emmanuel wouldn't argue, he was sure the growth of her wings were taking a lot out of her. He approached her carefully, making sure to stay behind her so as not to cause her any discomfort. He knelt down beside and slightly behind her. Her posture showed exhaustion, pain, and longing for the current events to be over and done with. He knew the feeling, he himself had gone through it when he was young.

"Hand me the sponge?" Emmanuel requested, waiting until Ahani held the soft sponge out to him. He thanked her softly, dipping the sponge into the water and carefully running it down her back, starting from just under the nape of her neck and down her spine between her wings. He made sure not to use too much pressure, not wanting to cause any unneeded pain. "Let me know if it hurts too much," Emmanuel hummed, continuing to run the water down her back before he moved on to gingerly begin cleaning the base of her wings. Ahani tensed, but she didn't fight him. After some time, she seemed to relax as the soak took effect. Smiling a little behind his mask, Emmanuel spoke once more. "I'm glad that this works for you. I had my doubts, considering how you came to live among us," He said, his eyes drifting to the scar that claimed its place just above the lower part of her right set of ribs. A wave of guilt washed over him at the sight of it. It was a clean scar, though it stood out against her graying skin as a white mark. He turned his gaze away from it, resuming his tender washing of her wings. He moved from the base of her wings outward, carefully lifting them as he ran the herbal water over the feathers. It would help them grow as well.

"Emmanuel?" Ahani spoke, her voice breaking the otherwise silent room. He paused, looking up from her wings as he waited for her to continue. "What am I going to do here? I mean... what is my purpose?" She said, lifting her chin off her knees and turning slightly to look at him. He had to admit to himself, he was kind of stumped by this question.

"I'm... not sure yet," He said, the tone of his voice giving away that he was unable to give her a confirmed answer. She watched him, her eyes intense for a time before she moved. Before he could turn away, she stood up, her hair lifting from the water and falling down her back between her wings, the wet strands sticking to her skin. Emmanuel swallowed hard. He had never seen her unclothed, aside from sitting behind her and helping her clean her wings. She turned, looking at him fully. Her body was slim, curved, and the areas that had begun to gray stood out against her otherwise pale skin. Emmanuel couldn't help but look at her, studying the form that stood in front of him, waist deep in the water she had been sitting in. There was a seat in the water, a bench that allowed for relaxation, though the rest of the basin was quite deep.

Ahani didn't move, her eyes on Emmanuel as he took in the sight of her. For a moment, she remained as she was before something drew her forward. She stepped around the bench, remaining waist deep even as she approached the edge of the basin. As if in a trance, Emmanuel remained where he was. Ahani lifted her hands from her sides, gently placing them on either side of his mask, though it wasn't to lift it. Emmanuel's breath nearly stopped in his throat as her gentle hands met the metal of his mask, the scent of the herbs that made up the satchel's strong on her skin.

Ahani leaned in, resting her forehead against his mask, her eyes closed. "Thank you..." she whispered. "For not allowing me to die... for helping me through this," She lifted her forehead off his mask, her eyes meeting his gaze. Emmanuel's jaw muscles worked as he tried to control himself. The need to pull her close, to pull her to him was strong, but he didn't want to make a move that would damage the trust that had been placed in him.

"If it came down to it, I would do it again... though hopefully on different terms..." He whispered back to her, one hand lifting to rest over one of hers. For a time, they remained like this, taking in each other's presence.