125 Help

"Are you sure?"

Ackster's voice stopped Karandiel before she could take more than half a step out of the clearing in the grass he made.

Karandiel froze like a deer caught in headlights before she slowly turned around and looked at Ackster. She had no reason to be afraid.

"Am I sure about what?"

Ackster remained seated and looked up at Karandiel. She was even more breathtaking when awake, and he could see her piercing grey eyes.

"About leaving. As far as I can tell, you seem to have lost your powers, miss angel."

Karandiel narrowed her eyes slightly.

"And so? Are you going to test that theory and stop me from leaving?"

Ackster shook his head.

"No. I just want you to remain safe."

"I can handle myself."

Ackster nodded.

"I am sure you can. But even the strongest of warriors need help sometimes. There's nothing wrong with that. If anything, realizing and acknowledging one's need for assistance is a strength in itself."

"So you're saying you want to help me?"

"Yes."

"You think I need help?"

Ackster didn't answer directly since he could sense that Karandiel was getting a little—just a little—displeased about him implying that she needed help.

"Now, I don't know what you're doing here in the mortal world, but let's put it like this. Do you know where you are?"

"Of course."

"And you know how to get where you're supposed to be?"

Ackster figured that it made more sense to assume Karandiel had come down to the mortal world for a specific purpose and not because she had been cast down, stripped of her position as an angel. So, he talked like he thought Karandiel was an angel on a mission.

"...Of course."

"And you can do what you need to do without getting hurt?"

"What's with all these questions? Who are you, anyway?"

Ackster shrugged and held up his hands to show he meant no harm.

"That was the last one. I just want to make sure I can see you off without having to worry about your safety."

"Ridiculous."

Karandiel harrumphed in displeasure. But she didn't turn around and storm off. She sat down gracefully with her legs folded below her. She crossed her arms and looked at Ackster.

"You didn't answer my question."

Ackster restrained a smile until his lips were just barely curved and nodded at Karandiel with closed eyes as a way to give her a gentle greeting and acknowledgment.

"I thought you were about to leave. What good would knowing who I am do if you don't want my company."

"..."

Karandiel gave Ackster an impatient look.

"I am known by many names. Most recently, it was Hugo. Before that, it was Dean. And I am considering changing it to Brian along with my hair color."

"Hmm."

Ackster looked at Karandiel with an expression that said he was waiting for something, and it wasn't her hum of thoughtfulness.

"I will tell you my name if you tell me why you're hiding your identity."

"Alright. I am on the run from someone. I will hold off on the details until we get to know each other better—if that happens."

"Okay. My name is Karandiel."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Karandiel."

"I'm sure it is."

"You're supposed to say likewise or that it's your pleasure in situations like that."

"I know."

Karandiel's glare eased up as she suppressed a smirk.

Ackster sighed with a tired smile. He was about to say something when his stomach growled.

"Ahem."

Ackster cleared his throat out of awkwardness.

"You don't happen to be hungry, do you, miss Karandiel?"

"Drop the miss. And yes, now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind eating."

Ackster nodded.

"Great. Then, I'll be right back. I'll go look for something to hunt."

Ackster stood up.

"What?"

Karandiel questioned him and did the same.

"What?"

"I'm coming with. Weren't you supposed to help me and keep this powerless angel safe?"

"I remember someone saying something along the lines of not needing help."

"And then I sat down. If you're going to continue selflessly helping me out during my stay here, you're going to have to work on your delicacy, Brian."

"Alright. My apologies. Then, since it would be risky to leave you alone, could I have the pleasure of your continued company as we look for food?"

"Excellent."

Karandiel nodded with a proud look on her face before walking into the sea of grass that was almost up to her shoulder-length hair.

Ackster cleared his throat.

"Um, Karandiel…?"

"Yes?"

She responded without stopping or looking back.

"That's where we came from. And I didn't see any tracks or signs of anything edible. Also, for your safety, I recommend we choose another direction."

"I knew that. I was just testing you."

Karandiel turned around without changing her expression and walked in the other direction.

"Did I pass?"

"With flying colors."

Ackster held back a sigh of relief as he caught up to Karandiel.

Since she had been about to leave the first thing she did, he had been worried she wouldn't take kindly to Ackster encouraging her not to. Thankfully, she could be reasoned with, and she accepted that she wasn't in an optimal state without much of a fuss and that she could use the help he could offer.

She was also easy to talk to, at least on the surface. So far, they had just introduced themselves to each other with barely anything more than their names, and neither had said anything about what they wanted or thought. But Ackster was hopeful.

Though, he still didn't let down his guard.

Ackster didn't forget that the first thing Karandiel did when waking up was pretend to be asleep so she could leave without disturbing Ackster. Her current behavior could be an extension of that since she was still worried Ackster wouldn't let her leave peacefully. Or just until she had recovered enough strength not to have to worry about Ackster's opinion about her departure.