[IC] The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

[AkiBlue]

"Got it!" The fallen angel called out as his wings stayed stretched open so the animals wouldn't stray off the path. As the last sheep made its way into the stall, Aoba patted its head and smiled. "And you're the last one." He walked over to get the feed, watching as Dani impatiently stood by the door. "Thank you Dani. This is the fastest they've ever gotten inside." Even though he had to soothe some of their feared spirits, they all got into the stalls safely. Soon, they'd start to learn that the site of Dani usually meant it was time to go inside. The smaller demon crossed his arms, giving a grunt of response, not paying him any attention. "Why does he seem so much in a rush. . ?"

"Are we done here?" Dani's eyes never left a spot past the pasture. He was practically bristling and ready to jump out to attack, but he'd wait. . . It would be no fun at all to kill them at once. He sniffed the air and then grinned deviously. "There's five of them Kurotama. . ." Aoba blinked and quickly locked all the stalls. If he was talking about demons, then he'd have to make sure all the animals were safe and had no way to escape. That was no problem though, he just had to feed them.

Once Dani was given the okay, he darted into the center of the pasture and crouched down, waiting for the first signs of them being close.
- - - - - -

"Heheh, whoever gets to that tasty smelling creature gets the win, right?"

"Whoever can take down those two demons should be crowned champion." A more nervous demon slipped lower to the ground. He relied more on stealth than physical ability, but it did help him become an amazing hunter.

"Oh quit your whining Daemon. It's two against five! Just remember, we don't kill the angel yet. Oh not yet." Out of the five demons, two were female. The one that spoke, Elise, lead the small group. Once they reached the border, they all stood at the ready. Just as she was about to say something, one of the demons got too antsy and flew off. "No you idiot!" She hissed but it was too late. Dani waited just as the demon flew over him in order to jump up and send his claws through one of his wings. The demon howled and crashed to the ground, giving Dani ample opportunity to pounce.

"You guys are fools if you think I'm going to let you anywhere near that barn." He grinned darkly, holding his hand over the demon's throat pressing harder with every second. That was interrupted when a second demon, the female, tackled him down in order to save the other. He kicked her off, careful to throw her in the opposite direction of the barn, right before sinking his claws into the demon he planned to kill first. "Don't think you're getting away that easy." He growled and pressed hard, feeling bones crush. Dani giggled at the sound before flinging the demon away, only to chase after him like a dog chasing a stick. Except instead of retrieving, he once more pounced to attack the demon, planning to crush some more bones in the process, fully aware that the female demon was trying to sneak up on him. When she jumped at him, he reached out and effortlessly clawed and opened her throat. The demon couldn't even gasp as she collapsed onto the ground.

Aoba only saw the first demon and squeaked in surprise. As fast as he could, he pulled the heavy barn door closed. "Be careful you two. . ."

[PopeAlessandros]

As soon as all the animals are past Kuro closes the gate and makes his way towards the barn. Dani flashes past him, snapping at the beasts before settling in the doorway, his haze locked on the place where he can sense the demons. Kuro slows his own breathing, feeling the energy about them rising as Dani prepares his attack. Smiling at Aoba he chuckles softly. “It's okay Little Mouse, we'll handle it, you just take care of you livelihood.” With a wave he sends Dani off, following much more slowly, ready to offer back-up support should he need it. 'Dani may be stronger than I, but he's still reckless as ever. . .' Taking a seat on the fence he waits and watches, knowing he'd just be in the way if he tried to rush in now.

First one gets grounded, then Dani get's hit hard from the side only to recover and continue on. As the female falls, her own blood drowning her, Kuro tenses. 'That's not good' He watches as the other three come all at once for Dani, their formation perfect. He is too busy killing the first demon to bother to look up and see this and Kuro gets to his feet as all three manage to land hard blows to his older brother. He snarls, letting out a short howl to distract them, however they ignore the wounded demon. 'Damn. . . Well, he can take them, but he's gonna need some doctoring of his own if. . .' His head snaps up as what sounds like a firework booms and crackles overhead.

It takes a moment for Kuro to recognize the noise but when he spots the fireball heading for the tussling ground in the middle of the pasture he smiles warmly while rolling his eyes. Moving as fast as he can without breaking open his wounds the youngest brother races forward to put out any fires his sightless sibling inevitably is going to leave behind. The three remaining demons look up at the sound as well, giving Dani a chance to knock them back and regain his feet. Hissing he jumps back as what appear to be flaming discs come whipping out of the fireball to take down all three at once. Flopping down Dani grumps and licks at his wounds, pouting that he didn't get to have more fun.

Kuro quickly outs out the now toasty demons, watching as Homura prepares for one of his spectacular crash landings. 'Honestly, blind demons should not be allowed to fly!' Not needing the added bonus of the inevitable crater that would follow such a crash the youngest brother darts forward and manages to catch the blind demon before he hits the ground. The force of the landing cracks a few of his healed ribs and with a groan Kuro falls to the ground, his big brother laying atop him with a big grin. Dani bounds over, laughing at the pained noises before pawing at Homura. The slightly taller demon hisses and settle in, content to just lay on Kuro until he's ready to move.

“Hello little brothers!” He chirps, poking at Kuro's face and reaching out for Dani. Dani fist snaps at the outstretch fingers but Homura flashes him a glare making the younger sibling comply. Homura runs his fingers of the smaller male's face and smiles. “Still pretending to be a baby, huh?” Dani snaps again, tacking his older sibling off the prone Kuro. Finally able to breath properly Kuro reseals his ribs and sits up. While Homura and Dani are busy Kuro disposes of the corpses with his black flame. Since he didn't kill any, he doesn't take any body parts from them for charms, instead just turning them into nutritious ash.

Sighing he looks over just in time to see Homura reaching for one of Dani's wings, a vaguely panicked look on his face. “Dani, back!” Tugging on the leash to make sure the smaller male heard him he races over, wrapping his arms carefully around Homura to keep him from freaking out. He envelops them both in his own black flame, the older male finding fire soothing, and hopes it will be enough to calm him down Dani goes back to licking his wounds as Homura leans into his brother, loving the feeling of his black flames dancing across his surprisingly flame retardant skin. Kuro has the hottest flame in hell, or anywhere for that matter, and Homura is the only being he can not burn.

Turning around in Kuro's embrace Homura wraps his arms around his brother's neck and gives his cheek a kiss. “Hellooooooo brother!” He raises an eyebrow, clearly expecting a response this time.

With a long sigh the youngest sibling replies, “Hello brother, what the hell are you doing here?” By his tone it's clear he is both dis interested and quite interested in his big brother's reply.

The slightly shorter male opens his mouth to respond only to freeze and sniff the air. Kuro curses under his breath as the wind shifts, bringing the scents from the direction of the barn to them. Animals aside, something as pure as the angel leaves a definite taste on the wind. His white eyes go wide and he lets go of Kuro, slipping out if his grip to take a few steps towards the barn. Dani snaps and jumps up, racing to block his path causing the silver haired male to pull up short. “No! Not yours! You stay away!” Homura's eyes narrow again but Dani does not budge.

Kuro lets out a faint sigh, not in the mood to deal with a fight right now. Tugging on Dani's leash he watches the boy yelp and grab at his back. Dani glares at him. “Kurotama, he'll tell, he;s a little tattle tale and they'll take him away, and he's not theirs! He's m-”

Kuro cuts him off. “Now that he's up here there is no hiding him from Homura, you know that. Now be nice or his will run home and tell. Got it?”

As Dani grumbles the oldest brother present whips around to look at the youngest. “You have him on a leash!? Pops is gonna kill you!” Even muffled by his normal face cover he wears in public it is clear that the frail looking male is actually a little disturbed by the idea.

With another sigh Kuro wraps an arm around his small shoulders and presses a kiss to one of the only exposed bits of flesh on the male, his temple. Homura croons much like their father does under affection and leans against his taller younger brother. Speaking softly Kuro poses a reasonable proposition to his dear fire loving older brother. “Yes, what you sense in the barn is an angel, a fallen one, and if you go blabbing to Pops and the rest, they will take him away, and corrupt him, and most likely, kill him. However! I know how much you've always wanted to examine one, and if that happens, you'll lose your chance to do so.” Rubbing Homura's back he murmurs, “Of we keep him a secret, you can come see him and examine him almost whenever you want, and he'll still be an angel, and not just another twisted thing. Alright?”

Homura paws and shifts while Kuro talks, looking very much like he's ignoring the taller male, however when he finishes speaking it's clear that he was listening the while time. “It get it, no need to worry. If I can really get a good look at an angel, I can keep my mouth shut. . .” He lets out a sigh, standing up straight and looking straight into Kuro's eyes. “You do know they are going to find out eventually right? We're not stupid, even when you were diving that giant trench in the middle of the ocean, we knew where you were and what you were up to. Once Pops is back to his old self and. . .That reminds me, why was he happy after you left?”

Rolling his eyes he pats the silver bedecked head and just shakes his own. “If Pops thinks you need to know, he'll tell you.” Homura looks to Dani who shrugs and shakes his head. Though they all torment the crap out of their littlest brother, he is the most trusted out of all of them. As such, as they make their way back to the barn Dani remains calm, trusting that Kuro would not be letting Homura see the toy if he didn't trust his word. Homura is inwardly giddy at the idea of meeting an angel. More of a burden on the battlefield than a boon he's never been allowed to take part in the fights against heaven. Which Kuro sees as unfair since he has excellent aim despite the blindness, and it is that sentiment among others that makes the hot head trust his baby brother so much.

Once at the barn he whispers, “Keep your energy in check. He may be fallen, but too much demonic energy still makes him sick. Also, no matter what Dani thinks, Aoba doesn't belong to anyone and is not a pet, so just talk to him like you. . .” he has to think about it a moment. “Talk to him like you do Issho.” Homura looks baffled at the comparison but doesn't object. Opening the barn door Kuro slips in first, Dani bounding after to tell Mama all about what just happened. The eldest sibling stays in the doorway, waiting for the all clear before coming forward. He can already feel the faint holy energy coming from the area and he doesn't want to have to pull down his mask to upchuck. He takes the time waiting to get his digestive track under control.

Spotting Aoba in the pen with Mama and the newborn Kuro sighs and walks over to stand next to Dani, leaning on the fence. Ignoring the babble coming from the smaller male perched on the fence he smiles warmly at the angel. “Well, Dani took out two of the five, then. . . Well, someone showed up and showed off, taking out the other three so we're clear for now.” Dani snorts to stifle a giggle at Kuro's accusation of Homura showing off, the noise coming at the same time as a “Hmph” by the door. Kuro suppresses the urge to roll his eyes and goes on, holding out a hand to help the angel out of the pen. “We lost a little grass, but it should be fine. It got some fertilizer out of the deal, so we're good there.” Once Aoba is at his side Kuro slips an arm around his waist, knowing the angel can likely sense the extra demonic body.

“Also, about the someone. . . .” He lets out a sigh, motioning towards the door. “Little mouse, this is Homura, my older brother, sixth child of Satan. . .” Homura ducks out of sight, his shyness kicking in now that he's been introduced. Dani scoffs, having finished his retelling and now watching the meeting. Rolling his eyes Kuro lets go of Aoba and instead wanders over to the door to retrieve his big brother. Like a shy child Homura latches on to him, hiding his face in Kuro's shoulder as he's escorted into the barn. “He's less bloodthirsty than Dani, so he's a bit safer to be around, but he's blind, so move slowly around him so you don't startle him.” Dani does not object to the idea of being less safe than his older sibling, taking it as a compliment. Homura peeks at Aoba every few seconds, his unseeing eyes takeing in little details that only his eyes can see, the barn itself all but invisible, and the animals simply small glowing specks of life.

[AkiBlue]

Despite staying away from the door, Aoba could still hear the howls and sounds of fighting. It made him flinch every now and then, but for the most part he remained calmed and sat with the newborn. "I have to name you. I've been so busy, I almost forgot. I'm sorry. I'll think of one today or tomorrow." He spoke gently and petted the calf in order to keep himself calm. Just as things got louder, everything got quiet again. Aoba peeked over Mama and stared at the barn door. When it started to open, he immediately ducked down from view. He sighed, spotting Dani as he immediately took up conversation with the cow. Aoba scooted towards the fence and then looked up as Kuro appeared. Aoba took his hand, and gave a confused look at towards the idea of another demon coming to help them. Why on earth would any demon do that? Just for the sake of killing something?

As he moved out the pen, Aoba tensed when he realized the demon was still there. The only reason he was still walking towards it was because Kuro was leading the way. He listened carefully, wondering why this demon had the right to stay, but all the others didn't. Then it all pieced together when he stated who he was. "A brother?" He echoed and looked to see the demon duck out of sight. Aoba only managed a quick glimpse of his attire. It was a little surprising to see the demon act so shy. 'Well. . . That's a slight relief. . . It makes me feel less. . .nervous.' As much as he trusted Kuro, demons were demons. And Aoba was an angel, fallen, but still an angel. And he couldn't help but rethink Father Gerard's idea of 'meeting Satan's family'. It made him fidget where he stood, and look down at his feet. Though, hearing that the demon was blind did perk his curiosity if only a little.

Dani rolled his eyes again, seeing both Aoba and Homura acting shy. He scoffed and leaned against the fence. "Well? Say something sheesh." Aoba looked over at Dani and then gave a sheepish smile.

"O-Oh, sorry. I- I'm Aoba." The fallen angel looked at Homura, catching glimpses of the pure white eyes looking at him. He took heed to Kuro's advice and stayed in one spot, shuffling his feet every now and then. Once more Dani rolled his eyes and stretched. The act made him look between the two demons he was used to being around. "Are you two okay?"

[PopeAlessandros]

Despite the question being posed to Kuro and Dani, it's Homura that answers. “Dani's got six scratches, two sets of claw marks on his shoulder, and a bit of talon stuck in the shoulder blade, but that'll heal quick. Kuro broke his ribs again, but they will heal, his lung is bruised, his hand fractured, a light concussion, twelve bruises, and a cracked hip.” Dani giggles at his assessment and reaches around to dig out the talon he didn't notice. Kuro rolls his eyes.

“Yes, the amazing Homura, cataloging everything he can see. . .” The smaller male whines then sighs as his little brother offers him a peck to the forehead. Petting those silver locks he murmurs, “Be nice.” before moving to Aoba's side with a warm smile. “Homura's just here to get a look at you, for lack of a better way to describe it. Don't worry little mouse, he's more shy than you are, around new people at least.” He mimics the kiss to his brother on Aoba before looking around the barn. “Is everyone well and accounted for?”

Homura stands holding his left elbow in his right hand while his left arm hands loose at his side. He glances at the angel every once in a while, wondering what's going on in that innocent head. After a few seconds of this however Dani lets out a sigh and bounces over to him, turning so that his wounds are exposed. “Fix it!” he orders playfully and without thinking Homura seals the wounds with a light touch, hiding behind Dani's wing with only one eye still on the angel so he can take a longer look.

[AkiBlue]

Unexpectedly, Homura answered before either brother could answer. Aoba was both amazed and worried. His amazement was expressed first. The fallen angel had heard of immortals with talents such as his. It was a sixth sense, or some other really cool power. He was going to ask him about it, but the worry kicked in. The injuries the two had sounded really bad, but he couldn't do anything about it. That's when Dani jumped in front of him and demanded to be fixed up. Aoba watched curiously as the oldest brother so casually healed the smaller one up. For a moment, he beamed in delight before scurrying behind Kuro and gently nudging him front and center of Homura. The fallen angel peeked behind Kuro and had gave a wide pleading look. "Can you, um, can you fix Kuro too? Please?"

There was a slight pause, but Homura fixed him up as well. Aoba beamed and grinned when Kuro was all better. He expressed his happiness rather calmly, trying not to sicken the demons with his purity. At least not too much. He made a happy little sound before nodding. "Thank you Homura. It's nice to know Kuro and Dani won't put off their injuries." He smiled again and then remembered his fascination from before returned. "Oh, everyone in the barn is fine. I was sitting with the baby while you were out. And I have to figure out a name for him still!" His attention slowly turned to the shy demon that was still staring at him.

It was a little odd to see a demon that was more shy than he was, and yet somehow it gave him his own little boost of courage. The fallen angel inched closer to Dani's wing quietly. His blue eyes never left Homura's pure white ones, just in case the demon made and sudden movements. Dani stared in slight annoyance as to why he was being used as a barrier. "You know. . . I'm not very interesting." He started quietly. "I don't do much. Just do chores around the farm and such. Nothing more. Nothing less. . . Well I sleep too, but that's about it." He shrugged, hoping that Homura would relax a little, which was kind of ironic because he was normally the one that was supposed to relax.

[PopeAlessandros]

Kuro lets out a little whine as Aoba ignores his question in favor of begging he be healed. 'You know. . . .I'm gonna owe him after this. Healing ain't free, and right now, he sees you as my bargaining chip. . .' With a sigh he waits patiently as Homura complies, running his hands over the wounded areas while Dani stays curiously in place. 'Aw look, that must be his payment. Making a wall for poor Homura' Kuro smiles at his older brother only to be shot a nasty look. Rolling his eyes the youngest gives the silver haired male another kiss before stepping back, stretching and testing just how well he's been patched up.

Watching silently as the angel's glow grows, the happiness in his voice clear, Homura's curiosity only intensifies. 'He really is happy that they are feeling better now. . .Does he like my brothers? That's silly, he's an angel, they hate us! But. . . .But, with what Kurotama said, he's treating the angel real nice like, so maybe. . .Maybe he just doesn't trigger the hate, that clash. . .'

“Well that's good.” Kuro murmurs, ruffling Aoba's hair. “You'll think of something.”

The exchange is very telling tot he blind demon, the sight of the energies simply brushing against one another rather than crashing together is a bizarre sight. Homura has watched through his pool before, and that's not how angel and demon energy interacts with each other. He jumps slightly as the angel turns to look at him. He can't see it, but he can tell. When someone focuses on something, their energy shifts in that direction. It's automatic. He holds Dani's wing carefully, watching it get closer, the light brighter than any he's seen so close other than they father's.

He listens to the angel, unblinking, waiting. . .”You're an angel. . .” He murmurs, his voice soft, but sure. “You are a pure form, different from humans and demons, of which I can seen many. You are different, and even from other angels you are different. You are unique, you are special. . . .You may be a link to something even more special, but. . . .I'd need to examine you more to figure it out. I would need time, and my research, an-”

“Homura, one step at a time. . .” Kuro says softly, stopping his older brother's inevitable mad ramble.

Homura ducks a little, chuckling. “Yes, of course.” He seems to grow a little more confident, letting Dani's wing go. Dani shakes out his wings and after looking around at the tree of them, hops up into his loft bed to 'wait out the crazy' as he would put it. Standing a little taller Homura's eyes travel up and down, head tilting this way and that. 'I wonder if I could touch it and not clash, or is it just Little Black Cloud and him that interact so well. I should have asked Dani before he ran off. . .He's hovering above the ground, but I don't feel a breeze. . .A second floor? He said it's a barn. . .What's a barn?'

He pauses mid musing to take a step forward, holding out a hand. He pauses and drops it, glancing at Kuro then back at the angel, like a child asking for candy. Kuro waves a hand. “It's up to Little Mouse.”

[AkiBlue]

Aoba listened and nodded at his first statement. "Mhm, I'm a fallen angel." He grew quiet again to let Homura speak. The next thing made Aoba smile sheepishly. "Different? Yeah, I do believe I have discovered that." He blushed lightly at being called special and unique. He was none of those things, at least he didn't think so, but somehow a blind demon thought otherwise. He looked down shyly, not knowing what to say, but it soon turned into more curiosity as he spoke of examinations. His eyes went to Kuro in a slightly concerned fashion. But the fallen angel relaxed almost instantly, not feeling anything to worry about.

The last thing Aoba wanted was to be used as a test subject. He doubted that would happen, but there was no point in not worrying about it. The thoughts faded before they could go off on a tangent and cause him to be unfocused. He stepped back as Dani moved out of the way to avoid his wings and watched Homura with a curious gaze. The fallen angel involuntarily flinched when the blind demon brought his hand up. Both recoiled from the other's movements as if they were both afraid of each other. "Up to me? What exactly. . ." He shuffled and looked at the hand that was out along with those white eyes. 'He's asking if he could touch? Of course. He does have to use his other senses.' Aoba gave a small nod and inched forward. His hand slowly reached up to Homura's, careful not to frighten him or anything.

Aoba's eyes never left Homura, wondering what expression he would have from the interaction, and still being a little cautious because he was a demon. The fallen angel guided Homura's hand up to his cheek and pressed it there gently. With a nod, he slowly let's go and lets Homura touch his face. He's tense at first, being so close to the demon, but slowly and surely he relaxed. Aoba put his hands behind him, fiddling with his wings and waiting for him to be done.

Dani had peered over the loft to watch older brother. He 'hmphed' finding it unfair that he wasn't allowed to touch the angel until 'forever' later. His nails scratched the wood he rested on before he yawned and got bored of them.

[PopeAlessandros]

Homura's feet shuffle against the straw strewn dirt floor of the barn, the few moments it takes for the angel to make his decision agony. When at last it begins to move again, coming in closer, he has to resist leaping in delight. He does however smile and swing his arms gently. 'Yay yay! I get to touch it. I wonder if it's a big tough guy. . .No no, not enough energy, and it sounds small. The heat coming off of it makes it smaller than me. It's definitely a boy, no doubts there, but I. . .' He is too delighted to have something new to examine to think too coherently and when the angel stops so do his thoughts.

Kuro watches the approach with only mild apprehension knowing that as long as his dear older brother isn't spooked Aoba will be just fine. 'After the way he grew up, it's no surprise he's timid. My mother may have disowned me, but she's never actively tried to kill me, and I was much older when my crap happened. . . .' He sighs softly, looking at the two timid little guys begin getting acquainted.

Homura carefully removes on of his gloves before Aoba take a hold of it. The touch is much cooler than he's use to and he shivers slightly.'I guess demons run hotter than angels, or, it could be that he's mortal now and running cool like a human. . .' He focuses on ever sensation, every motion, letting the information just pour in, a look of concentration on his face. Unlike a demon with naturally white eyes there is a faint impression that the white is not solid, like somewhere behind the white there is a pupil and iris just out of sight. In his own mind he is looking down at the angel, watching him carefully for any sign of, well, anything.

He does not feel a clash between their energies and he takes comfort in that, relaxing a bit and smiling slightly despite the need for complete concentration. When at last he is free to explore, the soft skin beneath his fingers confirming a few suspicions, he begins as one would expect, mapping out Aoba's features slowly and carefully. “You're very pretty.” he murmurs, his fingers sliding into the angel's hair where it rests atop his crown for several seconds. His movements speed up ever so slightly when his hand moves again and the other comes up to rest gently on Aoba's shoulder. The gloved fingers flex slightly on the fabric and his smile widens.

Recognizing the look Kuro sighs softly, the sound catching Homura's attention without startling him. He looks over at his little brother curiously. “Dear brother, I know you're excited, but he did not give you permission for an exam, only a touch, and only his face.

Homura pouts. “He didn't specify that. . .” The fingers on Aoba's shoulder flex gently again.

Kuro rolls his eyes. “Common sense, genius. For mortals and angels. You don't go stripping them without explicit consent.” Moving slowly over to the two of them he carefully detaches his brother and takes him into his arms for a gentle hug.

From above Dani cackles. “Watch out there Aoba! Homura will have you stripped and strapped before you can say amen!”

[AkiBlue]

Homura's hands wandered and Aoba quietly watched. Occasionally, his eyes would shut when he felt his fingers too close. He didn't want to get accidentally poked in the eye. The demon's hands were warm, just like Kuro's were. He suspected the same for Dani, but the last time he was really that close to him was when he 'helped' him fly. He wasn't used to all the touching, but at this point what would he be used to with the demons around. There were the demon animals, the fighting that was actually love, the fighting that was to kill, the- well, the list could go on really. In his tangent of thoughts he heard the compliment he was given. His cheeks warmed, but he didn't question him like he wanted to.

After Homura's hands trailed out of his hair, his own hand replaced it and fixed it. His gaze went back on Homura's clear eyes, staring as if was looking for something. That was interrupted as both of them turned their attention to Kuro. "Exam?" Aoba echoed, not quite registering the issue. His eyes widened for a moment as the two continued. "O-Oh no. No, no, no." Aoba quickly shook his head, only further blushing thanks to Dani.

"I'd rather you not try stripping me." He held his arm as if it were injured and looked up at Dani who was still laughing away. "Hmph." He made the sound quietly before looking at Homura again. Aoba watched as the demon hugged his youngest brother, once more keeping an eye on the fallen angel. He still pouted like a little kid, so of course Aoba started to feel just a little bad. He couldn't help it. "Um," He started and scuffed his shoes against the hay. Aoba wasn't going to change his mind about being stripped, but he decided to try a compromise. "You can. . . You can touch my wings instead? I'd just prefer, um, you not try and. . . Strip me."

Fortunately, the smile indicated that Homura was happy with this idea as well. He moved from his brother and happily took a step forward. He didn't go too far since he didn't know if anything was there in front of him, besides the fallen angel. Aoba met him the rest of the way and turned so his back was to him. Waiting for Homura, Aoba's face scrunched up as he thought. "Question." He finally said, though it was pretty soft.

"How- um, what exactly do you see?" Aoba blinked and then shook his head. "S- Sorry that sounded kind of rude. I meant, um, can you see- well, of course you can't but I mean-" He had an embarrassed flush and then put his hands over his face. In his normal squeaky manner, he apologized and shook his head. "Never mind. . ." He decided to just leave it alone so he didn't offend the demon any more. But that didn't make him any less curious about why he was called pretty. . .

[PopeAlessandros]

Homura returns the hug slowly, his eyes still gazing over his brother's shoulder and Kuro has to refrain from chuckling. 'Do not need to encourage him, or Dani' He knows that if either of them are ever going to take Aoba seriously, he has to hide his own amusement to discourage them from treating the angel like a thing. No sooner does he say this than the feathered male backs down from his stance slightly and Kuro once more has to hold his tongue. 'Little Mouse, you can not keep giving in to the puppy dog eyes! You will forever be putty if you're always giving in. . . . .' Again though, he does not say this aloud, instead letting Homura go to get his new prize. He presses his hand gently to the wing space on his older brother's back to calm him down before going around to check on the animals.

The eldest demon in the barn reaches out, brushing his fingers over the feathers ever so lightly. 'I know their wings are more durable, but if I damage them, he may not let me touch them again. . . .This feels like those bird things Issho use to bring me to play with and practice seeing! Such little lives there, but this. . .This feels off' His head tilts to the side in confusion. 'This doesn't feel like. . .' A moment later though he is distracted by Aoba's question. He pauses, ready to answer, but then it goes on to say never mind. Letting out a faint coo he looks at Kuro curiously.

“He wants to know, but asking a blind guy how he sees is considered rude I guess.” Kuro murmurs, patting one of the pigs who doesn't look to happy about it.

“Oh. . .” He murmurs, looking back at Aoba. “That's weird. . .” He shrugs, going back to playing gently with the wings. As he does he begins explaining the best he can. “I can't see things without life in them, or at least life energy. I can see hellbeasts even though they don't have real life, the fake life that makes them tick is barely visible to me. I ran into a lot of stuff as a kid. . .It was kinda pathetic. . .”He pauses sadly for a moment, his body stilling. But then with a sigh he goes on. “Anyways, you know how you can feel where Kuro and me and Dani are? Well, Issho always noticed, he's our eldest brother. . . .I hope he and Pops are getting along okay after that thing. . .Anyways, he noticed when I would cower away from others, I would look towards them.”

He smiles very proudly. “Smart one that Issho.” Dani snorts only to earn a fiery gaze from Homura. Dani quiets down, peeking out from behind a stack of hay. “As I was saying. . .” He says with a faint growl. Kuro pay a little closer attention, moving within a quick dash of the two. He's not worried Homura will hurt anyone, but if he lights the barn on fire on accident there could be issues. “Issho noticed this and figured I must be able to see something so when he took me in, I was really young, before I lost my heart, and he began testing me. I remember being really scared for a while, but eventually he brought me earth animals and stuff with low, bright energy which was easier to see.” He nods happily.

“Yup, little fluffy and feathery things, I would chase them around like a hell hound once I figured out they couldn't hurt me. I could. . .See them, and after a time, I came to recognize all the different energies, because that's all I could see. Energy, intensity, shape, and color. It became easy to identify things. I see them behind my vision. It's like, when no life energies are around, it's all black inside a big room, but as life energy comes in, I can see it from across the room.” he nods. “Also, I only know colors from what others have told me about them, so the only ones I'm sure about are white, black, and gray. . . .Like these” He runs his fingers across the feathers down to the base. Curiously he rubs the spot that, on demons, is pleasantly sensitive. Kuro almost tries to stop him but decides against it.

[AkiBlue]

"You're one weird angel. . ." Dani eyed Aoba as he got all flustered. Aoba was still embarrassed about his little screw up, and then pouted when he was called weird. Fortunately, Homura decided to explain it for him. Aoba listened in interest. The fact that Homura did seem to run into things as a child made demons seems a little more. . .less scary in a sense. Of course he wasn't going to be rude and laugh about it, so he stayed quiet to listen attentively. Aoba did remember Kuro mention he was the youngest of fifteen if he was correct. That was definitely a lot of siblings. . .

Aoba still felt a little unnerved about meeting all of Kuro's siblings. There were a lot of them and a family reunion sounded dangerous. The faint growl was enough to get Aoba's attention and flinch away a little. But, he relaxed when Homura continued. "Issho sounds like a nice brother." Aoba mused quietly, and fiddled with his shirt. If even a demonic sibling could be helpful and loving, maybe what he learned about demons could have been wrong. . . "That's really interesting Homura." He was sincere as usual and smiled warmly.

The idea of only being able to see a few colors made him turn his head to look at the demon behind him. "Hm, it isn't the same being given descriptions of color. . .And knowing just those colors don't leave much to imagine. . ." He thought about something he could do. Maybe even explain things how he saw it from his own eyes. Aoba was sure things were at least slightly different from an angel's perspective. The fallen angel didn't realize that despite meeting the demon for the first time, he had already decided to do something nice for him. He didn't know what, but Aoba would figure it out.

An unexpected shiver ran down his spine and for the first time his wings actually moved. He tried to keep still as possible so he didn't startle Homura. But the odd sensation made his cheeks turn red and made him look in confusion. 'What on earth did he just do? It f- felt kind of. . .nice?' He tried not to freak out too much, and was surprisingly successful. His wings stretched out a little before slowly folding closed. Dani eyed Aoba and snickered from his hiding spot. The confusion was obvious in the angel, but it was even more funny watching him force himself to stay calm. It seemed like an interesting little thing to toy with- when Kuro wasn't around to beat him.

Aoba stepped forward to face the blind demon and gave a polite smile before rubbing his neck, even if he couldn't see it. "Um," Unsure of what to say he fell silent. Luckily though, a low 'moo' from one of the cows filled the silence, and got his attention. Hopefully the animals weren't too startled by all the demonic presence in the barn.

[PopeAlessandros]

Homura watches the reaction with pure fascination and interest. If the flux in the energy, the slight shift, wasn't enough of an interesting reaction, the way it felt when his muscles stretched to extend his wings amused him to no end. 'They are much heavier, so the muscles here feel stronger than the ones we have to hold and maneuver ours. I wonder if their bones are thicker, or like a birds with the honeycomb insides' His fun does not last long as the angel steps away. He is a little disappointed but doesn't complain. He's got enough to think about for now, he doesn’t really need any more at the moment.

Meanwhile Dani watches as Kuro's hawk like gaze narrows on the two of them, the interaction obviously one he's not willing to put up with for very long. 'Watch out Bro, the Little Black Storm Cloud is rumbling' Dani isn't very far off either. Kuro is not mad however with a faint growl Homura immediately identifies as an attack noise and turns to meet it with a yip, the taller demon pounces on his older brother, sending them both tumbling about.

“No fire, this place is flammable.” He manages between strikes, snapping at a clawed hand as it comes near his face. Unlike his fights with Dani, the fight with Homura is more of a wrestling match. Actually harming the fiery demon can cause him to overreact, and since Kuro is naturally the weakest of the bunch he'd rather not risk it right now. Homura does not often get the chance to scrap with a sibling as courteous as Kuro and as they roll about on the straw covered dirt floor of the barn he giggles madly in joy. Dani watches, itching to join, but he knows that jumping in with two flame wielders could get the animals hurt, and burn down his temporary “Bedroom” so he contents himself with watching and growling with a grin.

~*~*~*~*~

Fenrir doesn't know what to make of these demons. One seconds they seem to be happy and calm, and in the next they are trying to tear one another apart. He had nearly had a heart attack as yet another son of Satan showed up, but as he watched off and on, his duties keeping his attention when needed, he realized that for the most part this demon is a big chicken. He'd almost had another heart attack when the beast touched a spot on Aoba he knows all angels respond the same way to and a rain of worry ran around his body that the demon was about to do something unforgivable. However next time he looks the first one and the new one are wrestling about. . . .It's all so confusing.

[AkiBlue]

Aoba jumped when all of a sudden the two demons were fighting. He was automatically worried, as he was when Dani and Kuro fought. Though, now he learned to be worried about the things around and not the demons actually fighting. A few of the animals got riled up by the fight and Aoba scurried to each one. "There, there. It's okay, they're just being. . .playful I believe." He looked back as they tumbled around, still petting a sheep. He soothed it back down before patting the little piglets that were flopped about. "Good little piggies." He closed the back door of the barn and opened the front door. The sound caught Homura's attention briefly, but he quickly returned back to the fight, snapping at his younger brother again.

Dani watched as Aoba went about, quietly tending to the animals. The scene was rather interesting. Two demons fighting and an angel working around them casually. His rational mind made him laugh at this. While his brothers were distracted, he quietly flew down near Aoba. The fallen angel glanced over at him curiously before automatically reaching to pat his head. Every time Dani got close to him, he normally gave a cute childish look just to get the fallen angel a little closer to him and a little farther away from Kuro. Dani merely huffed at the pat and then leaned against the gate, staring at Momma.

Aoba decided to lean next to him and look at the baby. "What about. . . Hm, I heard a person call someone Bailey." Dani wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "Nah, I don't really like that one either." The two sat quietly, in a way, sharing a quiet moment that neither of the two really ever had done. "What about Otto?" Dani was about to disapprove of that name too, but staring at the calf, he tilted his head a little.

"That. . . Sure, I think that works." Aoba beamed and rocked on his toes for a moment. Dani didn't understand how anything could be so happy about simple things, but he decided not to hurt his brain thinking about it. Aoba giggled softly towards such a calm moment with the rowdy demon, then turned to the two wrestling about. "Kuro, I named the baby Otto! Dani thinks it's okay too!" Aoba realized there was not much else that needed to be done. Everything was done early that day before and while Kuro was gone.

He had almost completely forgot about Father Gerard's visit as well. He then puffed his cheeks and poked at his stomach. "I'm hungry. . ." His stomach growled a little but he waited for Kuro and Homura, not without wandering towards the door of the barn first.

[PopeAlessandros]

As they wrestle around on the floor the elder male occasionally glances towards the fretting angel and smiles. Kuro sees this ever time, at least when his head is not otherwise occupied, and with each one his redoubles his attack. Once they are far enough away from the other two Homura whispers, “Jealous Little Black Storm cloud?” There is a purr in his voice and a knowing look in his unseeing eyes.

Kuro glares at him, knowing it's useless for the most part but feeling better for having done it none the less. He does not respond right away, simply growling and trying to pin his older sibling. On his fifth try however his head is positioned right by Homura's ear and he chances a response. “That is not an acceptable action, even among our own kind. It's rude, especially since he's so young, he doesn't even know what you just did!”

Homura tosses Kuro against a support beam, moving the fight even further from the two over by Mama. Kuro lets out a hiss as the smaller male slams into him, his smile widening. “I bet you've touched there. I can smell it on you dear little brother. . .You want him. . .” That last part is said in a hiss as Kuro twists his arm behind his back, pulling him in close.

His response to the accusation is one that surprises the older demon, making him pause his fighting just to look at his little brother. Kuro's voice is soft, and uncertain. “I don't know what I want Homura. I would delight in watching him squirm beneath me, but even as I think on that, the pleasure feels. . . .Hollow. I. . .I don't know. . .” They are quiet for a few seconds before Kuro tackles his brother tot he ground and they roll back towards Dani and Aoba. Hearing the angel call out the baby's new name he smiles. The fight only lasts a minute more, ending with a flare of black flame that Homura takes and curls around himself like a scarf happily, purring like a cat.

Dani rolls his eyes. “He's always been easy to distract. . .” Kuro chuckles, bringing Homura to his feet as the flame sputters out, his overly pleased smile shifting back to a curious one as he looks towards the angel.

The black haired one rolls his eyes. “You can check him out more next time. You should get back before Issho misses you and asks where you went.” Homura whines, pouts, kicks the ground, but eventually he nods in consent. Dani snaps at him when the older male pats him on the head, but Homura just chuckles, in a very good, if confused mood.

After nuzzling Kuro's chin he at last turns to Aoba, stepping towards him while a curious cat noise sounds in his throat. Reaching out slowly as to not frighten the youth away, he once more presses him fingers gently to Aoba's face. After a few silent moments he says, in a voice oh so soft, “You are very special, beautiful little angel. Don't try and sell yourself short. You are. . . . unique.” Kuro watches the exchange silently, knowing Homura is still thinking on what he said, and for a brief moment wonders just how much more his older brother understands the situation than the rest of them, because it is clear to anyone who's met Homura that his shyness hides a great well of knowledge and understanding.

[AkiBlue]

Aoba watched the two end the fight and have a peculiar look towards the flaming scarf. It made him rub his neck subconsciously before putting them behind his back. Even though Homura had to leave, he had the feeling that this wouldn't be the last time he saw the blind demon. So, he still kept true to his planning to do something nice for him. He didn't know why he wanted to, but he didn't question it either. His gaze went to Homura as he got closer to him. Aoba remained calm as the demon's warm hand touched his face. What followed made Aoba shuffle his feet and look away in embarrassment. "T- Thank you." His response was just as soft, but more timid.

Homura smiled and gave a nod before wandering out the barn door since Aoba was right at it. He didn't bother straying too far, and decided to make a portal home where he stood. Aoba watched, stepping away from the portal, until the demon and the portal disappeared. Before Aoba could say anything, Dani bounced forward in front of Aoba. It wasn't expected, but somehow the fallen angel refrained from jumping. "We should go fly around again! C'mon! I'm bored, and you did all those boring chores!"

Aoba's blue eyes met Dani's before glancing at Kuro's. "But- I kind of wanted to eat. . ." Dani then pulled on his arm lightly.

"We can fly around while Kuro makes food and all! Aw, come on. . . Pleaaase?" He put on his best cute child impression. When Aoba sighed, he giggled knowing that he won him over. It was really easy to get him to agree to stuff. "Awesome! Now come on! It's not like you don't know how." He stretched out his wings and started to fly up, still pulling at Aoba childishly.

"Alright, alright." Aoba laughed softly and tried escaping from Dani's hold. Seeing that he couldn't, he opened his wings and flew up with the smaller demon. Dani was right, Aoba did know how to fly, but just like he had mentioned before, he never really needed to fly for long periods of time.

"What if you gotta fly away or something, huh? If you can't fly for more than two seconds you could get captured you know!" Dani had let go of Aoba and was flying around him.

"I couldn't just run away anyway. All of my animals are here." Aoba playfully stuck his tongue out and continued to fly around. He was pretty steady compared to the first time he had done this, but he still needed a lot more work with his endurance.

[PopeAlessandros]

Kuro rolls his eyes at the obviously flustered angel, keeping his possessiveness in check and instead of responding he goes around to all the animals for one last check. Homura glances at him before heading out of the barn and the youngest lets himself relax as the portal finally takes the spastic fire wielder home. 'I know I can't keep him secret forever, but I'm going to count myself as exceedingly lucky that the two who have met him thus fare are ones who are easily persuaded. . .The wins would have run off to blab to Pops five seconds after seeing me with an angel and Dani bound. Homura didn't even bat an eye at that other than to say Pops is gonna kill me. . .'

As Kuro begins delving into philosophical differences between his family and all other ones he's ever seen, demon human and angel, Dani kidnaps Aoba leaving Kuro alone to wander back to the house lost in thought. He doesn't even glance up when the smaller demon buzzes him, making his hair whip about wildly. Dani pouts at being ignored but goes back to focusing on Aoba without a care towards why he was ignored. 'It's interesting how, despite how upset I am that yet another of my dear siblings has come to know I'm basically living out my life now with an angel, that I have absolutely no fear of being cast out or rejected, or even shunned by my family'

Pushing the front door open he walks to the kitchen and begins preparing soup and sandwiches without paying much attention. The easy to make meal doesn't really take concentration to make well. 'The Little Mouse just helped one demon, and barely at that, and he gets cast out, something I know to be far more painful than he's letting on. While I on the other hand am slaughtering my own kind with no regret, even taking trophies of their flesh, just to keep this one angel safe and. . . .Yeah, Pops will kick the crap out of me for what I did to Dani, but he could care less about the lives I take since, hey, I'm his kid and I'm acting with a sound mind. I'm not doing this for some crazy nonsensical reason. . .'

He pauses in his chopping of greens for a second. 'Though, I don't know the reason, I know it makes sense. . .. Odd' Humming to himself, laughing internally over the irony that his father is kinder than Yahweh, he finishes making the greens heavy ham sandwiches. Turning off the now steaming beef and veggie stew Kuro heads to the front door and calls the two in for dinner. Once he's sure at least one of them heard him he goes back to the kitchen and bowls and plates the meal, pouring a glass of OJ for each of them. The second trip to the store he'd splurged a little to get some variety in their diets.

[AkiBlue]

"C'mon slowpoke! Keep up! Think of it as training!" Dani flew circles around Aoba, metaphorically and quite literally. He was trying to get Aoba to move faster. To have such sturdy wings like other angels, Aoba surely didn't fly like the ones he had witnessed. It made him prod at the wings every now and then to see if they worked properly.

"I told you Dani, I have never needed to fly far. So I didn't use my wings as much as the others." For some reason Dani didn't like the answer he was given so he continued on the subject.

"What about when you were sent to this place? Didn't you fly here?" Aoba shook his head, not paying attention to himself actually getting a better hang of it.

"The title is 'Fallen Angel' for a reason you silly demon." Dani huffed when he was called silly.

"Oh really? I didn't think it was literal! Oh man, did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" There was a slight pause from Dani and he laughed at the human pick up line that he asked. Aoba wasn't quite sure what was so funny, but before he could answer, Kuro called them in. Dani was still laughing but Aoba was sure the smaller demon would start to follow as well. As the fallen angel flew down for a landing, more like tried to, he stumbled and tripped into the doorway. Dani laughed as he flew over him and landed. "You should probably work on landing too." He grinned and hopped on the couch to eat.

Aoba stuck his tongue at Dani before folding his wings and wandering to the source of the nice smells. "You're going to have to teach me. . .Or at least give me a book so I can learn how to do this as well. Just in case you have to go and I want to make food." The angel helped Kuro bring the food and drinks to the table before sitting in his usual spot on the couch. "Thank you Kuro." He smiled and then began to eat quietly.

[PopeAlessandros]

The demon's head snaps around as he hears the less than graceful landing of his current obsession and he smiles as Dani and Aoba act almost like human siblings. 'I worry less and less each day for the two of them being together, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing, but. . .' He lets out a sigh, smiling at the angel as he comes over to grab a few of the dishes. He nods at Aoba's declaration and subtle request for even more training. “I don't plan on leaving you alone long enough to need it any time soon but I will teach you some basics soon. For now I want you to focus on the other stuff. Let me do my thing here.” He chuckles softly as Dani makes a comment about Kuro becoming a house demon.

“Yeah yeah. . .” he murmurs, setting down the sandwiches, placing Dani's beside Aoba's. The smaller demon perks up at the sight of less green sticking out of his sandwich a purrs happily. Plopping down on the couch he lays into his meal with gusto, quite hungry after the flying lesson and the fight from earlier in the day. Kuro smiles at the angel, “You are most welcome Little Mouse.” He murmurs softly, still a little lost in thought, unsure of what to talk about or if he should simply eat then head out for evening chores.

Dani on the other hand has plenty to say. “You should really watch your wing tips on your turns. I don't know how you do it with feathers, but you gotta kinda curl'em just so. Also, you’re treating your body like a sack of skulls. You gotta read the air and let your body move naturally, not like you’re carrying it around. You guy do this lift thing, I've seen it, and it does this thing with the air that allows you to shift.” He continues to ramble between bites, ignoring his contemplative sibling sitting across from him. He finishes first and doesn't even look up as Kuro stands, ladling him another bowl full and handing it back with the smaller male's eyes still locked on Aoba and his wings.

[AkiBlue]

Aoba continued nibbling on his food. He noticed Kuro kind of spaced out, but said nothing of it, mainly because Dani decided to give him pointers about flying. He sat a little confused as Dani spoke and munched his food. "Curl my wing tips?" He looked at his wings and tugged the tips gently before continuing to eat. He'd figure it out sooner or later. Aoba occasionally glanced over at Kuro who was still quiet, but to be nice he continued to pay attention to Dani. "Maybe we can try again some other time. It's kind of difficult to know what you're talking about when our wings are. . .different." Dani merely shrugged and wolfed down the rest of his food.

When they were all finished, Aoba took the dishes. "It's okay. I'll do it. You cooked." He coaxed Kuro to sit back down before going to clean up. It was only fair that he cleaned up since the demon cooked. That, and he was still wondering what was wrong with the demon, but he didn't want to impose. When the dishes were all clean, and Dani had wandered back to the barn for bed, Aoba smiled and wished Kuro a good night before heading to bed himself. The next few days were pretty much a routine. Nothing exciting happened, demons didn't show and try to attack thankfully, and no visitors came by. Aoba was a little disheartened that Father Gerard didn't want to visit, but it was completely understandable. It also saved Aoba a headache about his right and wrongdoings.

One night, the angel had been a tad bit restless. He had been overthinking the day, wondering about too many things. While he assumed everyone was asleep, he opened his window and looked out. It was quiet and the stars were out, so he stepped out on the window and then with a flap of his wings, ended up on the roof. Aoba crawled up to a higher spot before sitting and looking up at the stars. He faced the field they had been working on. From far away, it looked like something was growing. It was probably the weeds again, but he decided not to worry about it at the moment. For now, he watched the stars. 'I wonder if anyone is watching me from up there. . . They'd have some rather choice words for me.'

[PopeAlessandros]

“Aoba, you silly boy, what are you doing up at this hour?” Fenrir mumbles, glancing at the mirror between reports. The mountains of paperwork littering speaking to the hours he's spent buried in them, unable to sleep. Rolling his shoulders he decides to take a little break, bringing the mirror up to his face so he can examine the scene more closely. Even in the middle of the night the moon reveals all the little changes that have taken place since the angel fell to earth and was embraced by demon kind. His darkened wings, his faintly tanning skin, his completely different wardrobe.

'And it's not just physical changes either' Fenrir muses. 'I don't think I have ever seen him more. . . .content. More satisfied at the end of each day, or more happy just going about his daily routine. He is surrounded by demons, with the threat of more dropping by each day, and not all are friendly, though I am still on the fence about these so called “friendly” demons he lives with. But that aside, every day his life is in danger, he's not sure he will make his way to the next season without running out of food, he is performing hard labor with hands he has trained long and hard to perform more delicate tasks, he even injures himself and is worked hard by an overbearing demon, and another who seems to want to push him to the limits just for fun. . .but still he's. . . .Happy' The angel knows Aoba is not completely happy, as no angel can be when God has turned his face from them, but comparing his old life to his new one, Aoba seems a far happier and content angel, despite all the bad in his life.

~*~*~*~*~

With all of his senses tuned in to the angel constantly Kuro wakes the second he Aoba moves from his bed and is on his feet before the angel passes through the window. 'What is he thinking, going out in the middle of the night?!' He yawns, stretching and looking about the room. Over the past several days the young demon has spent a lot of time lost in thought, letting Dani and the Little Mouse get to know one another better, only having to separate them a couple times when the little demon got over excited or started playing too rough.

Lifting his eyes to the ceiling Kuro stares for several minutes, letting his mind wander freely over the past month and with a faint laugh he wonders what he would have said if someone told him this is where he would end up after being captured. 'I was ready to die up there, when they finally figured out pain was no motivator for me. That their petty anger and righteous wrath was never going to get them anywhere. I mean, I always figured there would be a way out, if I just kept my eyes open, but of all the endings I imagined, this. . .' He shakes his head, moving around to the front door and stepping outside.

As quietly as he can he ascends to the roof, landing lightly and making his way over to the angel's side. Without a word he settles down next to the angel, wrapping one of his warm wings around the smaller figure to keep the cool morning breeze at bay, lessening the chance of the silly angel catching a cold. He doesn't say anything, just sits there silently, protecting the angel even though he never asked for it. 'He never will ask either. He still doesn't get why I do it, why I'm here, why I care. . .' He sighs softly, looking up to the sky to watch the stars.