Unknown - 3

Greedy breaths broke through the sound of the air, the incessant singing of the wind that pounded through his ears. A distraction that barely touched his mind. 

All as he looked for the flower, the home, or even just the girl. It was a fruitless search though, merely unsettling the people as they watched his own vigil.

Like a bird he took to a new spot, migrating under the awed eyes of the people below. Yet even then Gabriel could do nothing as he was continually stopped by mundane things. A gust of wind here, a bird there.

So many distractions all compounding into a frustration that brought him to the edge of the city, only to once again perch upon the guards tower. It startled them from their sleep.

Not that he blamed them, there was hardly a visitor to be, the other day was a rarity as apparently it was a day of travel.

When the merchants come and go, taking what they want and selling to those that needed what they offered.

And like the other day so too would they leave, free and unfettered by the curse of the city.

"Is…" A guard stuttered, speaking up, "Is there something we can do for you… Mr. Angel?"

Gabriel turned, his stare impassive as he sized the guard up. From his armor, to his forgettable face. But that was just what he needed, a citizen that had known this place their whole life, and one amicable to talk.

"Yes" Gabriel spoke, his voice almost ethereal in tone.

He rose from his vigil and turned to reach out his hand in an instinctive handshake. The sun, the rolling fields of both wheat and unidentifiable plants all helped to create a visage that the guard would never forget in his life.

The sight of an angel smiling, taking in the world yet at the same time acknowledging him. It burned into his heart with a passion, a smile sneaking onto the guard's hidden heart.

He turned back and led Gabriel to a table, it was not much, a barrel and a shoddily held up wooden table, but Gabriel didn't mind. 

Gabriel sat down and ruffled through his shirt, only to find the slightly crumpled flower.

The white almost outshone the black by this point, taking up more of the flower than the black had in the beginning.

"This flower… its qualities are weird." The guard stared hard at the flower, only to slightly pick it up with a dainty hand. He placed it in front of his critical eye then once again placed it down.

His eyes closed in thought before with a rough gesture he found himself slamming his fist down on the table.

"Ah- I remember now, it was a little farm, quant compared to the ones we usually have. But it was nice, they had this way of making beef-ah it just melted in your mouth- Oh' but anyway, I remember going down there as a youth…" He trailed off a twinkle in his eye as he reminisced about some event.

"You see I was a young boy and towns and all," He waved his hand as a point and Gabriel got the meaning.

Towns, at least in this age and kingdom, were while great and big, rather isolated. Most would never go out of the sphere of influence of the town and stay there their entire life.

So it was obvious what the guard was saying.

"Ah- I just remembered," he blushed faintly and rubbed the back of his head, "James."

"Gabriel" He introduced himself, a small smile on his face.

"Anyways, as usual I was going there to woo this little lady," He brought out a picture of two people and a baby, a beautiful woman that seemed so content in the picture.

It was funny how the technology worked here, it was like they were both in the middle ages and halfway into the modern age. 

They had things like photos and wallets, even a centralized currency but didn't have cars or well paved roads. It was a mismatch, and it was all caused by mana.

"But anyway I was going down there and I found myself drawn to this field. It had the most beautiful flowers, whiter than even the whitest white you could think of, and of course, the romantic that I am, I grabbed a couple for myself, only to find them turning black. But of course they were still beautiful and the rest of the story is told. I married her and had a beautiful girl of my own."

"Thank you, but if it is not too much trouble are you able to point me in the direction of this patch. I need to confirm something." Gabriel asked, with the purest smile he could muster.

"Of course, but I don't quite remember it as well as I could, so if it wouldn't bother you, would you mind waiting until after my shift, I'm sure that if we go together it might jog my memory."

"Of course." Gabriel agreed.

The sun rose from the sky, only to be plucked from it soon after. An hour, three, then a fourth and his day was over. The sun had set through the sky and with it came what would soon be dinner.

A supper made from the guards, no, James's wife. She was a nice woman, as beautiful as the picture had shown but the paper could not show the aura radiating off of her.

It was not powerful, but this motherly feel that made one feel as if they had been returned to their mother's embrace.

James sat us both down, soon swamped with an excited daughter. She jumped and leaped into her seat, practically vibrating with energy.

Gabriel smiled at that, the same warmth spreading through his body as he took a bite of the food. It was neither rich nor extravagant but it reminded him so of his home.

And when he was finished, Gabriel turned towards James, and he too smiled, leading both of them towards the garden where they could talk alone.