Bida smiles

Flash_Guardian enters the glen of midnight, hands intertwined with his loves, smiling into her angelic face.

Bida hugs Flash and whispers "I've missed you"

Flash_Guardian hugs his love back. "And I you," he says softly, nuzzling up against the side of Skrayling's head. "We finally have some time to ourselves. I'd love to spend some time catching up ... I feel almost like I know you and yet don't know you all at once ... you know?" He leans back to look into her face with interest.

Bida stares into his eyes, "exactly."

Flash_Guardian breaks from her embrace, putting a hand behind his neck. "But where to start? I mean, there's so much ... I wouldn't even begin to ... what have you ...? Where have you ...?" He trips over his own words, not knowing what to say.

Bida clasps her hands in front of her, her arms slack, "I could ask you all the same questions."

Bida raises her hands, "ok, lets do it this way. You ask a question, then I ask a question. That way, we can both find out everything. Bear in mind, however, I'm still just beginning to remember everything."

Flash_Guardian laughs, a wondrous smile crossing his face. "Fair enough," he agrees. He quickly finds a good place for the pair to lay down, a small patch of clover growing underneath a break in the treetops that opened up to the starry sky above. With a gesture of his free hand, he politely offers Skrayling a seat in the patch, helping her to sit if such is her wish.

Bida walks over and sits next to Flash, leaning her head on his shoulder for a moment, then sitting up, looking straight at him, "What is your first question?"

Flash_Guardian decided to start with the obvious ... also noting that he still was not wearing a shirt, but has slung his cape about his torso much like a toga. "Alright ... how did you come to be an angel?"

Bida says, "That one is easy. I was a mortal girl, and I died." She frowned at the last two words, then looked back at Flash, "Where did you grow up?"

Flash_Guardian nodded, amazed. It was simply eerie how much he and his love had in common. "I originally grew up in a small town ... but that was many revolutions ago, and it is difficult for me to remember," he says, his face clouded by sad nostalgia. "I actually can remember my earlier years spent in Nirvana after I too died as a mortal ... I remember them better than I do my former life."

[Flash_Guardian] "What was the first task you were ever assigned as an angel?"

Bida gives a half smile, "what is your next question?"

Bida tilts her head as she thinks. . . "I think. . . It was either to be a guardian for a little boy, or to be his friend."

Bida shakes her head, "I cannot remember his name though." She thinks for a minute for the next question for her beloved, "Where did we meet?"

Flash_Guardian ponders, tilting his head to one side. "In the same small town where I grew up, if I remember correctly. No ..." he corrects himself. "It was at the university. You were studying to be a psychaitrist, I think." He smiled fondly as he remembered. "You always mentioned how you wanted to help people ... it was one of the things I liked most about you." He gives Skrayling an adoring glance.

Bida blushes and looks down

[Flash_Guardian] He ponders for a time, thinking of his next question ...

[Flash_Guardian] "Is there ..." he begins to ask, but changes his mind, thinking of a different question. "What's your favorite way to spend your time?"

Bida looks ashamed, "before I met you again, (last week ^-^) early on after my change into a demon it was to kill. Now, I don't know. I'm scared of myself." She shakes her head and forces a smile, "What about you, how do you like to spend your time?"

Flash_Guardian gives Skrayling a frown of sympathy, taking a moment to brush the back of his hand against her cheek, sweeping a lock of hair away from her face. "Perhaps you still need some time to settle and adjust to the change," he said hopefully before responding to her question. "As for me, I don't care what it is I'm doing. Fighting, training, questing, playing my flute," he says, pausing to regard the silver whistle tucked into his belt fondly, "or even just jiving with the common folk I find. I guess I'm always trying to live life to its fullest, you know," he says casually, putting his hands behind his head and laying back to look up at the sky. "Working as a servant to the god of Time really teaches you to appreciate each moment, I suppose," he said, staring fondly up into the night sky above. A thought lingered on his face, as though perhaps there was more to his answer ...

Bida lays back resting her head lightly on Benjamin's chest, and sighs, "I suppose. As an angel I never really kept track of time. I never needed to."

Flash_Guardian continued after a moment. "Actually ... a fellow avatar told me once that I needed to stop thinking like a mortal and start acting like the avatar that I am. We got into a bit of a tiff over the whole point." He looks rather ashamed. "I dunno ... I don't see it as such a bad thing, trying to stay connected to my past, and who I was." He shakes his head, squinting up at the sky. "I don't ever want to forget ... what it was like to be a mortal ..."

Flash_Guardian looks down at Skrayling's head on his chest, and smiles fondly, bringing a hand from behind his head to run his fingers lovingly through her hair. This was the easiest time he had ever had warming up to the reincarnation of his love ... perhaps because they were so similar ... Distracted as he was, he completely forgot that it was his turn to ask a question.

Bida gently pokes Benjamin in the side and said, "your turn."

Flash_Guardian lets out a rather cute, nonsensical noise as he is poked in the ribs, glaring at Skrayling with a grin and a twinkle in his eye. Quickly he thought of a question. "Did you have any friends among the angels?"

Bida raises her eyebrow, She had forgotten that he was tickleish. A mischevious twinkle lit up her already bright eyes, but she answered seriously, "I don't think so, but I may have. I don't remember."

Bida sits up and turns around. She reaches to Benjamin's side, in an attempt to tickle him furiously.

Flash_Guardian is caught completely unawares as his love suddenly looms up over him and mercilously tickes his sides, tucking slightly into a ball and beginning to scream and laugh, twitching and twisting to try and evade her fingers. "Hey!" he called out in protest, glaring at her happily again. "That's not a question! That doesn't count!"

Bida giggles with delight, "It's not supposed to be!" she slips and lands on her back, still laughing.

Flash_Guardian seizes the opportunity of Skrayling's clumsiness. His hand stealthily reaches over to the where her wing joins with her back, and tickles at the joint with two gentle fingers.

Bida arches her back with a laughing screech, "NO! AHHH! CHEATER!CHEATER" She rolled over and over, trying to get away, unsuccessfully.

Flash_Guardian grins wickedly, quickly rolling with her, scrambling to keep up. At last he cannot keep his fingers at their appointed place, but manages to put an arm around and over her to keep her from rolling away further. He grinned miscievously back down at her. "All's fair in love ..." he said, smirking.

Bida leans her head up and kisses him quickly, hoping to surprise him again.

Flash_Guardian is surprised to find his loves lips upon his ... he relished the sensation, her pure lips brushing up against his. An eternity seemed to pass ...

Bida reaches up around him, with a passing tickle, but she wraps her arms around him, then breaks the kiss, holding him tightly, her eyes filling with tears.

Flash_Guardian is pulled down into an embrace with his love, his head on her shoulder, unable to see the tears in her eyes. "These are moments too long left in waiting ..." he whispers silently in her ear. The night air was cold, but next to the warmth of his love it was difficult to tell. He places a hand on the back of her head, stroking her hair. Now both of them had forgotten their little game of questions.

Bida chokes down sobs, "Why did it have to be like this," she barely managed to whisper, holding tightly to her beloved.

Flash_Guardian frowned, feeling his love's sadness plucking at the strings of his heart. He also held his love close to him, nestling his nose up against the side of her face. "Fate is a strange man with strange ways," he says. "But I do know one thing. This was meant to be. I was meant to find you here, and I have. For once, Fate seems to be on my side ... maybe he finally understands."

Bida stands and backs away, tears streaming down her face. She shakes her head, "Why did I have to love you? Then or now?"

Flash_Guardian blinks, surprised by her actions. "What do you mean?" he asked, sitting back on his hands and staring up at her, bewildered, wishing only to comfort her.

Bida smooths out the front of her dress unconciousley. Her dress, rather than the white it once was, it was a deep grey with blood red edging.

Bida falls to her knees, trying hard not to sob, "It. . . It wasn't meant to be. . ." She rubbed her eyes furiously, trying to dry them.

Flash_Guardian stares blinking at Bida's sudden change of dress. Rising, he moves to her side. "Of course it was," he said assuredly, kneeling next to her. "We were there ... the pendants ... you changed, I saw it." He tries to look into his love's eyes.

Bida shakes her head furiously, "I am not who you think I am."

Flash_Guardian mouths wordlessly at Skrayling, refusing to believe her words. "But ... you have to be ... what's gotten into you, love?" He bore a look of worry and panic, wanting to be close to her but suddenly feeling very distant.

Bida mouths through her tears, "I'm so sorry." She finds her voice, "I love you, but I shouldn't"

Bida hides her face in her hands, struggling to control her sobs.

Flash_Guardian opens his mouth to protest ... but his face quickly melts into a look of concern and non-understanding. "Skrayling," he said urgingly, reaching out to take her arm gently, not knowing what else to do or say.

Bida pulls away harshly, yelling ,"DON'T CALL ME THAT! please! don't." She stands and turns her back to him, wanting him to leave her alone, but at the same time hoping he holds her and tells her that it'll all be ok. She knew it wouldn't be ok though.

Flash_Guardian stayed kneeling, unmoving ... just looking at the woman before him. Something was different and very wrong, he could feel it buzzing through his senses. His heart bid him stand, and walk up to stand behind her. He wanted to touch her, but his mind reeled with questions. "Bida ..." he said, not knowing what other name to call her by. "Talk to me. Please."

Bida turns and looks at him, her face tearstained, but she was no longer crying. "I was sent, to you. I am not who you think I am. I am not who. . . who I told you I am."

Flash_Guardian 's lower lip trembled as a look of fear and uncertainty spread over his face. "Then who are you?" came the logical reply.

Bida shakes her head and bites her lower lip, "It doesn't matter anymore. I love you now. I really do!"

Flash_Guardian stood there. Again his heart betrayed his mind for a moment, and he took a tentative step forward, but just one. His mind raced with thoughts and emotions. Caught up in his whirlwind of confusion, he found himself suddenly unable to move or speak, just stare at the woman before him.

Bida 's knees buckled but she made herself stand, "don't leave me here. please. I'll tell you anything you need to know, just, please, don't leave me alone. I can't be alone again."

Flash_Guardian stood for a moment longer ... then stepped to Bida's sides, carefully wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. A moment longer and he spoke. "My love has taken many forms before," he reasoned. "Why should it matter what form she is given now? You love me ... that is all that matters." He takes her hand in his. "I'll never leave you alone," he spoke boldy. "Not this time."

Bida stands limp in his arms, "you don't know why I was sent." she whispered, barely audiabley

Flash_Guardian eased them both down to a seated position, cradling Bida in his arms. "I have never hurt you before," he says reassuringly. "Though sometimes you have felt pain as a result of my actions, a thought that still haunts me to this day." He looks ashamed for a moment. "Please," he says, looking questioningly back into her face, "tell me."

Bida looks into his eyes. Her eyes filled with tears again, but she refused to let them spill. Her hand now rested on the hilt of her sword, her fingers limp, "I was sent to kill you." she said at last, looking at the ground, "but the first time I saw you, i wondered, 'what would make them want to kill this man?' so I got to know you, and to love you. My name really is Bida, but I called myself Skrayling, incase you knew of the "Outcast Angel" The only angel who was also an assassin."

Flash_Guardian 's head shivered and recoiled, as if struck. Many things he had expected, but death was not one of them. He stood, taking her words in slowly, mulling them over.

Bida couldn't look him in the eys, for fear of seeing sudden hatred at her lies. "I did nearly kill you, on several occasions, before I was cast out of heaven, as a half mortal half demon. When you found me again, I really had forgotten everything, but in the 5 days we were apart, My previous employers found me again, and sent me after you. They said it would be easier to kill me, because I had forgotten almost everything, and because you trusted me. Last night I nearly stabbed you, but I couldn't. I just couldn't kill you."

Flash_Guardian stood there, nodding. His own eyes were growing moist, and his stance seemed to weaken slightly. He swallowed and blinked, and at last his voice found words. "Your employers ... who are they?"

Bida some demons from hell. My sister knew them. I cannot recall their names," she looked at him, "honestly, I can't remember."

Flash_Guardian pondered for a time. He had made many enemies in the darker places ... such was the course of his profession. But how they managed to track him here, he could only guess. Now there was only one more question on his mind. He turned back to Skr ... Bida, a look of sorrow and concern on his face. "And if you don't ...?"

Bida looks back at the ground. her shoulder slump in defeat, "then they will send another after the both of us, over and over, until at least one of us dies. I've hunted for them before."

Flash_Guardian became suddenly brazen, a determined glare lighting up his face. His first reaction was to say, 'Let them come,' but he knew better. There were far more deadly foes than even he could handle in this realm, and he knew that it would only be a matter of time. His thoughts returned to Bida, and he licked his lips in apprehension. He had wanted to say more, but all that he managed was "I'm sorry."

Bida sighs and stands, "I. . .I've caused you too much trouble, with my lies and assassination attempts. I'm going to return to them. . . If I can remember where to go, and say that I've lost you. . . or something. I'll think of something." She looked around, then selecting a path she began walking towards it.

Flash_Guardian shook his head, his gaze following her. "Don't," he spoke. "They won't believe you. I wouldn't, if I were them." Bida could see that there was a look of care deeper in his eyes, behind his more logical words. His expression softened. "Maybe I could ..." He looked down at the ground, trying to think of something.

Bida looks suspiciously at him, "Maybe you could what?"

Flash_Guardian thought for a second longer, then turned to look back at Bida, suddenly smiling. "Maybe we could do something about it," he said, his eyes full of hope. "You say they'll make us fight for our lives? I say we bring the fight to them." He looked surprisingly bold, standing firm and resolute.

Bida looks shocked, she stammers, "y. . . you would. . . you " she shakes her head, clearing it, "You, would stand by me, even tough I tried to kill you, for no reason? You would stand up for a love built on lies?"

Flash_Guardian takes a step toward Bida, his eyes shining. "It wouldn't be the first time that I fought to defend you," he explained. "The very first time was when we were still mortal ... the first revolution, so long ago. The world was descended upon by nightmarish creatures ... they came after both of us, these creatures, with the power to devour the immortal soul, snuffing a person's life force from existence," he said, raising a hand and snatching something invisible from the air in front of him for emphasis. "But I fought them anyway, with what little power I had ... I fought them to protect you." He looks into Bida's face, still smiling.

[Flash_Guardian] "And I succeeded."

Bida looks at the ground, blushing, "you fought for me, when you barely knew me." Her eyes began to well once again, her voice filled with anger and bitterness "and it was I who sent several of them after you, to test your strength."

Flash_Guardian continued to explain. "You survived ... you lived on to accomplish great things with your life. But though I somehow banished the creatures that would have destroyed you, they succeeded in ripping me bodily and spiritually asunder," he explains grimly. "That's when lord Chen first took notice of me, and the strength I posessed. He saw in me potential, and snatched me from the nothingness that I was quickly fading into ... he made me an avatar, exactly as you see me before you," he relates, holding his arms out in a showing gesture. "But what he still didn't know, and what took me centuries after that time to figure out, was that it wasn't just my strength ... it was ours." He reaches forward and clasps one of Bida's hands in his, looking into her eyes.