You got your finger on the trigger, but your trigger finger's mine
Despite she and Samaira not being incredibly familiar with each other, something about the woman’s behavior struck Israfel as odd. She seemed terribly withdrawn and uncertain, showing off her mended wing with a note of caution as though expecting every little motion to hurt. The gilded woman understood. In the days following her rebirth she had moved tenderly and fearfully, as though expecting the agony of burnt flesh instead of healthy, supple muscle. Mentally the pain remained. ’Phantom pains’, she had heard someone in the Hospital say once or twice; a pain so traumatic that even after it healed, it would still be remembered.
Israfel could see it on Samaira’s brooding expression, because it was the one so often looking back at her in her own reflection.
Regardless, the Warden simply arched a brow but didn’t press. It wasn’t her business after all, and despite usually not giving a damn about people’s privacy something about her tentative familiarity with Samaira kept her from prying. It wasn’t until Alaunus acted, approaching her with large hopping steps. He brandishes his wings like weapons, the iridescent shimmer striking in the sunlight and seeming to shift and morph as he proceeds to flap his wings frantically and give her as meaningful a stare as a heron could muster.
Israfel’s expression shifts, confusion crossing her features. It wasn’t until Solaris’ voice murmured gently in the back of her mind that she understood.
’He would like for you to assist the young Samaira,’ the Phoenix explained patiently, her beaked maw twisting up in a coy, knowing smile, ’In flight.’ The Sun Daughter paused. Rose-kissed lips turned down in a thoughtful sort of frown, her brows furrowing. Assist Samaira in flight…?
Samaira, it seemed, did not share the sentiment or the desire, for her following words were dampened with somberness. A pale ear cocked and Israfel took a step closer, tilting her head curiously to the side. Well. It wasn’t like she had anything else to do today, and if she helped the earthen woman get over her past demons in any way, that was an accomplishment. Right?
“Why not try now?” The ivory woman inquired, the husk of her tone tinged with genuine intrigue. “No point putting off the inevitable, right? The weather’s amicable and it’s just us. It would do your wing some good, and help it build strength in the muscles and joints again. If you want, I could help you?” Of course Israfel wouldn’t make Samaira accept her help, and the Sun Daughter definitely wouldn’t force her to… But a small part of her hoped that the earthen clad woman would accept, if only for Israfel to feel as though she had made some kind of accomplishment.
Helping others and all that, right?
@
