I hadnât meant to eavesdrop on War and Death when they were in the stables. But I was already there before them, freshening up my own mountâs stall and let me tell you: thereâs absolutely zero soundproofing between the stalls. I hear every word, and were I the gossiping type, this would absolutely be the hottest piece of gossip around. Itâs also, without doubt, the most interesting thing thatâs happened around here since...well, I donât really know when.
A human that can see us? Itâs too delicious not to pop down to Earth and take a look. Especially Joseon, home to my favourite spicy cold noodles. Ah, bibim guksu, how I adore thee.
Said human currently has his eyes on his phone, head bowed in respect to the mobile device. Small white earbuds are jammed into each ear, drowning out the world around him. They match the errant chunky white streaks in his black hair, a fashion statement I find both odd and adorable. Too bad heâs a boy, I sigh to myself. A girl wouldâve been even cuter. He doesnât even notice Iâm there until he walks headlong into me, staggering back. Iâm impressed: I thought for sure he would lose his balance.
âApologies,â I say, holding out a hand in greeting, touching the other hand to opposite elbow in a mirror of what customs I remember from Joseon -- no...I believe it is called South Korea now. He reaches out reflexively to take it, and only once my fingers enclose his does he look up in surprise. I guess he didnât expect it to be a lady who nearly knocked him to the ground. Silly human.
A growl rips up from his stomach, and I canât help but laugh. Iâve never shaken a humanâs hand, but I bet heâs suddenly really hungry, and itâs absolutely because of me. Oops.
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âExcuse me,â he apologizes with an embarrassed grimace and small bow of his head.
âWow,â I giggle, âdefinitely not what I expected.â
That alerts him to the idea that something might not be normal about our interaction, because he pulls on his hand to take it from my grip. I let go; Iâve already gotten enough information about this odd human in but these few moments. I like him though; heâs like an adorable little puppy. I resist the urge to pat his curl-covered head. I get the feeling he might pass out from hunger if I do that, given how one handshake reduced his stomach to loud grumbles.
A musical chirp erupts from his phone; he looks down immediately to check it. Thatâs when I sense it: the feeling of being watched. The human looks back up from his phone and his lips part in surprise as his eyes slide past me. They open wider with alarm; I keep my smile fixed in place, searching the humanâs dark eyes; I try to make out the details of the other shape reflected there. Something old and yet familiar stirs within me: the desire for violence. Itâs been a long time since I was involved in a conflict, and it takes everything in me not to turn around and launch at the unknown figure. But if I turn around, whomever it is will know that Iâm aware of their presence, and this stalking predator likely thinks Iâm the unaware prey.
How wrong they are.
Another, almost equally as young-looking human comes out and wraps their arm around our human in a headlock. I use that moment to finally whip around, scales summoned to my hands, but find no one there. There is only the scent of aether and spice.
An archangel?
Well thatâs more than a little curious.