Caught Where I Shouldn't Be (M)

Rhilia shifted, nervousness bright in her sparkling green eyes. She was so close! So close! She could hear their breathing, could hear the rustling of their sleeping bags as they moved around. The angel was shivering with fear and delight, the feathers on her wings brushing against each other softly as they bristled in anticipation. The sappy pine tree Rhilia pressed herself against obscured her view. You can do this. They are oblivious in this state. Stay quiet. She told herself, putting a bare foot forward. The bed of pine needles rustled beneath her, causing her to grimace and step back. Rhilia took a deep breath, pushing forward once more. A loud, sudden snore made her jump, but quickly reassured herself that humans often made weird sounds as they slept. Completely normal. A fire was cracking and popping, sending ashes and smoke into the air. Holding back a cough, Rhilia knelt by the flame. Her wings were tucked back, glistening in the moonlight as she hunted for something of interest. She felt her hand brush against a leather sheath, and smiled. Rhilia ran the tips of her fingers along the worn leather. It had seen better years. Sucking in her breath, Rhilia lifted it, brushing off the dirt that had gathered. There was a soft hiss as she withdrew the blade. The dagger was in better shape than its sheath, with a eccentrically carved obsidian handle and slightly curved, shining silver blade that could slice through an animal's hide like butter. A deadly weapon, and the owner probably had no idea of its worth. Shaking her head in pity, Rhilia stood, still holding the dagger.

Normally, she was against stealing. But there was something about this blade, something that called her in. She gazed at her reflection, wondering what the men would do if they woke up and saw such a bizarre creature. The idea made her shudder. Rhilia wanted to flee, but the humans were so... intriguing, that she couldn't stay away. If they woke and saw her, then she would slit his throat and fly away. That simple. With the dagger against her chest, Rhilia continued searching, going as far as digging through their packs and taking an apple. Only the necessities, she told herself, closing one of the packs and moving onto the next.

Rhilia could sense a change in the air around her, and tensed. Her hand moved the sword at her side, and slid it out with a swift motion. She whirled around at his voice, glaring at the man. "It isn't a matter of fun. It's a matter of what I need." Rhilia spread her wings, preparing to take off at a moments notice. "And who will believe your story?" She glanced around, and brushed excess hair from her face. A smile lifted at the corners of her mouth, and Rhilia stepped towards him, sword pointed towards his chest. She tilted her head cockily, golden eyes nearly glowing.

"This forest is littered with dangerous predators, you know. Things that even lovely weapons such as these couldn't kill" She ran the dagger along his chest mockingly. Rhilia stepped back, slipping her sword back into its sheath. "Just so I can avoid a fight, I'll compromise. You can keep this dagger, but I keep the apple. Seem fair enough?" She tossed the apple up into the air, catching it before backing away with a giggle.

Rhilia stopped, staring at him with suspicion in her golden eyes. "You wouldn't be planning a trick, would you, adajah?" She asked, slowly starting to circle him. "I don't know about you, but I don't like it when people trick me." She whispered, pulling her wings back so they nearly touched. With out another word, Rhilia launched upwards, landing on a branch with amazing balance. "You aren't like most men I've met. None of them would give up a dagger such as this so easily." She told him. Her normal shy personality wasn't there. Rhilia wondered if she was in danger, and the better part of her told her now was not the time for being scared.

Rhilia mentally shrugged, hoping he would be true to his word. "I won't hurt them, as long as they don't hurt me." She nearly hissed. Quickly, she locked her knees around the branch, swinging so she was upside down and facing him. Her hair fell from its place, the feathers that served as the pins dropping to the ground. Rhilia smiled shyly at him, bringing her wings forward so she could look at them. "Adajah, what other kind of winged beings are there? Angels, hon, Angels. Wings are common among our kind. The ones without wings are either veterans, or, plain old humans, like you." She laughed, fiddling with the dagger for a moment. "I don't find it rude. After all, Angels are not common. You have every right to be curious."

A melodious laugh drifted down from the trees. "I would never, ever do that, Adajah." She whispered, and leaned back against the tree. The flirtasious angle wasn't one she could keep up. It took all her courage to just stay in his sight. Rhilia knew she should keep moving, but she needed sleep as well. Sleep would never come, not with humans so close below her. To pass the time, Rhilia ran her finger over the dagger's blade, leaving a beaded trail of blood. If she was to be murdered, it would be with this blade. It was sharp enough that one wouldn't feel it when it sliced through their skin. Wiping the thick red liquid from the almost delicate edge, Rhilia sighed, glancing down at the camp.

Rhilia had seen the battle. Not really a battle. More like a slaughter. She hadn't seen the man she had spoken to, and could only hope that he had made it. Sadness overcame her. War was something she hated. Innocent men murdered, just like the ones below her. It wouldn't do any good to stay here. Sighing softly to herself, Rhilia stepped from the tree branch, wings catching her and carrying her towards a nearby river. She watched the ground go by beneath her, and pondered her situation. The dagger was held tightly in her hand, brushing against her hip as she flew. She had pinned her hair up again, but a few stray strands still hung loose.

Rhlia landed just before the end of the forest. She was nervous. She always was before she went out in the open. All she had to do was rinse the dirt off and get a little to drink. A hunched form caught her attention, and she remembered it from the night before. A wave of relief washed through her. Silently, quickly, Rhilia approached him. "You never gave me your name. Awful rude, you know." She said softly, kneeling in front of him and placing the dagger in his hand.