Losing My Religion

I love it :D

Thanks ^-^ This is gonna be an awesome RP.

You want me to start?

@ Yuurei.

Doesn't matter much to me either way. I can if you want

That's helpful XD
Okay~ go ahead then!

@ Yuurei.

(-cracks knuckles- ^_^)

Leilah had passed all of her tests with flying colors. She was one of the best fighters in her class, knew how to follow orders, had a fair amount of intelligence, and was good at what she did. Everything she did, it was to become an archangel. She was so close, almost there. She thought she'd had it, that it was her time, and then she was given the news. She had to serve a mission on earth before she could reach her goal. Of all forms of torture, this is what they tested her with. She had no interest in the fallible beings, no previous intent to visit earth and the humans there. Now it was her requirement. There weren't specifics really, pertaining to this mission. She wasn't to guard a specific human, wasn't to save one or join a war. They dropped her in a town and left her, expecting her to figure out what exactly it was they wanted before she could return home and gain the archangel status she had striven for for so long.

All in all, Leilah was miserable. There was no way to put it mildly. Her glamour made her feel naked. The raw, angelic power glowing just below her skin was muted, a side-effect of a glamour to help shield her from humans and demons. There was no light ruffle of feathers behind her, but the feeling of a draft against her back. She had dark hair pulled back behind her, a black, fitting shirt, a pair of shorts, and sneakers on. Oh, she fit in well enough with those walking around her, but as previously mentioned, she felt positively wrong, naked, and utterly miserable. She was sure this was a punishment. What else could it be? "Damn angels," she muttered under her breath, leaning against a wall and not bothering to hide her glower as her gaze followed the people walking past her. She had her arms folded across her chest, and carried the air of someone who shouldn't be bothered just then. Was she supposed to find somewhere to stay, someway to pay for such a thing? What was she going to do to earn her way back home? So many questions flitted through her mind, and she became increasingly angry at her situation. She didn't know anything, didn't have any hints. She had been dropped in the middle of nowhere without a single word said.

(Well then. Here I go! Hopefully it's okay! ^^)

He coughed a few times for good measure, looking around him at the innocent humans passing him by. It was technically his first time on earth--the first time he'd been allowed to leave hell after his promotion. He rolled his shoulders and ruffled his short auburn hair. The image wasn't too far away from his demonic one, it simply lacked all of those extra non-human parts... horns, wings, the works. He didn't mind it all that much, but it felt a little stifling. His image was small and unassuming, which unfortunately came complete with weak muscles and apparently an human immune system. What good was that anyways?

He coughed again. Was he getting sick? Could that happen? He ignored it in favor of letting his dark brown eyes scan the area once again. He couldn't decide who would be the best target, how he should approach them, what he could offer every human that passed him that would have them following him on a mere suggestion. The demon he'd trained under made it seem so easy, but in comparison Rennyn was just a fledgling. It was a new concept, a new world. He bit his lip, forcing his features into the picture of innocence expected of his appearance and stood from the bench he'd been sitting on. Deciding that it didn't really matter, he let his gaze focus on a woman. She was probably in her early to mid thirties, a mother's age, and approached her cautiously.

"Excuse me," he muttered quietly, letting his shoulders sag sadly and biting his lip again, "I wondered.. can you help me?"

He could see it in her face immediately. He'd definitely made the right choice.

@ Yuurei.
(I think it was great ^-^ How soon do you think Leila should step in and everything should start?)

Well, she couldn't stay here glaring at everyone who passed by her forever. Actually, she could. But that would serve no purpose. She had to find some way to get away from this godforsaken place as soon as she could manage. Maybe if she walked around she would find some way to do that. So Leilah pushed off the wall she had been leaning against, startling a group of teens happening by, and started walking. The sun was high in the sky, telling her it was probably about midday, and the slight chill in the air partnered with the fact that none of the leaves were even remotely golden, looking as if they were just regrowing actually, suggested to her that it was spring. In Heaven there weren't really seasons... she knew all about earth though -it was mandatory- and so as her eyes took things in, so she judged her new surroundings.

Clack. Clack. What an awful sound. She nearly found herself wincing each time it sounded behind her. She wondered if it was a cane or some sort of shoe that made such a noise. Leilah stopped under an awning, letting quite a few pedestrians by, apparently along with the owner of the clacking noise, and then started again, eyes searching. She would find out how to get out of this place. Failure was never an option for her.

---

Della was waiting for her daughter, standing just outside the park. Since arriving there, she had hardly taken her eyes off of her little Abby, but when she heard the voice nearby saying "excuse me" she turned to look at the boy. He was coughing, shoulders slumped, and looked small and pathetic. It gave her heart a pang. She nearly simply told the boy she would help with whatever he needed, but bit her lip at the last moment to stop herself. This was a strange boy, she reminded herself. She couldn't simply do such a thing.

Glancing behind her to make sure that Abby was behaving herself, Della then turned back to the boy before her. "That depends. What do you need help with?" she asked of him gently. She had seen boys -and girls- before, who appeared much like him. They had no place to go and often needed food, sometimes asked for shelter but not often, and usually money. Knowing herself to have a tender heart, especially when it came to kids, she usually tried to avoid such cases where she would be asked to help. She had Abby to think about. Abby was only nine, without a father. The two of them lived in an apartment not far from the park, and Della worked long hours. It had to be tough on her little trooper, but they both somehow managed it.

(As soon as you want! Also, thank you for taking the random lady! :D)

He coughed again, making sure to cover his mouth so as not to scare the woman away. For some reason humans thought it was gross to cough on one another. He didn't really understand, demons didn't cough so it was never comprehensible to him. He took a good look at the woman before him--she was definitely a mother, he concluded as he watched her glance back at the small human that could only be her daughter.

She seemed to be lower-middle class or under, definitely not well-off financially, so money was an option. She had a daughter to take care of, very maternal... he calculated. He had a few possibilities here, he might even be able to combine them. In the end, he felt giddy. This could be the absolute best person he could have possibly chosen as a target. He had to fight to contain the depressing aura, calm himself enough to continue the charade.

"I um.." he trailed, appearing nervous and hesitant, "I wondered if you knew of someplace I could stay." He paused. Why did he need a place to stay? "As of yesterday I'm a little.. homeless." He looked down at the ground, scuffing one shoe against the cement. He looked back up again quickly, "I have money, I swear! I just... I don't know where to go."

(Figured I would help ^_^)

Della couldn't help but feel bad for the poor boy in front of her. He appeared distressed, though for the life of her she couldn't fathom why he had decided to come to her. She didn't dwell on that fact too long though. "Oh, well..." she tried to think. "I'm sure there are plenty of places that would take you if you have money to pay," she told him. "I would help you myself..." Another glance at Abby. "I'm afraid I just can't afford it right now though, honey," she said, appearing sincerely apologetic. "The apartment I live in has a low rent though," she added quickly, attempting to be helpful. "A poor sweetie like yourself, I'm sure they'll be able to find you a room you can stay in." She really did hope she was being helpful in some way towards this poor boy. She was glad he wasn't trying to ask more of her too, because she just wasn't sure how much she would've been able to do for him in the first place.

---

She was starting to get very tired of simply walking around. There wasn't anything she could do. Leilah was stuck, and she didn't enjoy admitting it, even if it was only privately. So, in what she could only describe as a foul mood, she ended up exiting out of the apparent constant flow of pedestrian traffic, huffing as she made her way to a nearby park. Maybe she could find something here, she thought. From what she could tell, there usually seemed to be quite a bit of trouble that happened around little kids. Shootings, murders, rape, etc. If she could do the 'angelic' thing and save a bunch of kids, surely that was a guaranteed acceptance back home. So that was how she ended up leaning against a nearby wall and waiting -watching.

Yet nothing seemed to be happening of any interest. Her eyes scanned over the humans, uninterested, because nothing appeared out of place.

Apparently she hadn't been searching close enough though. After the second scanning of her eyes, she frowned as she noticed what looked to be a homeless boy talking to a woman. Hey, there was something, she thought. She could go help him, since nothing else seemed to be happening. And even if it didn't work how she wanted, she would get points anyway, and maybe the next thing she did would get her home. So with that in mind, and feeling a little brighter, Leilah pulled off of the wall she was leaning against and started over.

She almost didn't notice the feel of a demon until it was too late. When she did though, she didn't stop dead in her tracks as someone else might have, but instead kept walking. She changed course however, walking right by the boy and the woman he was talking to. The closer the got to the couple, the stronger the dark feeling became, and it passed after she had passed them. So either the woman was a demon, or the boy, she decided, frowning to herself as she paused a few feet away, sitting down and subtly casting glances. She judged the woman's expression, all nuturing and caring, and the boy's, all innocence and needing help. Of the two of them, which was more likely to be a demon?

Well, she decided. There was actually only way to find out. Whatever conversation they were having, she would interrupt somehow, get in between them, and then she would know. And when she knew, she would act from there. Since she didn't have any weapons, it was unlikely she would do much except be possibly saving the human's life, but maybe... no. She needed a sword to kill a demon. It would get away, and that upset her.

(Oh gosh, I didn't notice you'd replied!)

Rennyn's eyes widened hopefully, and he flashed a charming smile at the helpful woman and lighting up his face. "Really?" but his expression immediately fell again. At this moment, a strong, heavenly presence flowed around him, getting stronger and stronger and then passed. A girl, he noticed from the corner of his eye. Was it possible?

He ignored her. It took a lot of effort, but he remained calm and kept up his appearance. He sucked his bottom lip in and looked thoughtful. "I.. I've never lived alone before, honestly. I don't even know how to rent an apartment, what you need to do that..." It disturbed him how well he was playing the pathetic young boy act, but at the same time he was rather proud. He sneaked another furtive glance at the girl that had passed. Was she an angel? Her aura made him want to puke, but he held it in. She was watching them. Did she know who he was? He decided it best to just keep pretending. It was likely that she knew one of them was a demon, and if he didn't stay by the mother, she'd know which one it was immediately.

@ Yuurei.
(haha, then I think I'll just continue pressing the reply button then)

Della couldn't help the smile that found her face at the hopeful look that suddenly passed the boy's face, letting her know that she was, in fact, doing a good thing and helping after all. Every once in a while during the conversation, she kept sneaking peeks at Abby, but that was simply to assure herself that her daughter was still playing happily in the playground and not in any trouble or having run off. What sort of mother would she be if she didn't do that?

"Well, I'll help you with it then, if you need. It's really simple once you've done it once," she assured the boy in a soothing, motherly voice. "They'll want you to make a deposit of sorts -so when you move out, if you've made a mess, they use that to clean it up. And if they don't need to do anything, they give it back to you. You'll pay a monthly rent too, and all that. Like I said, all very simple." She, of course, had no idea about the angel.

---

So, how to seperate the two... "Mama!" A little girl suddenly called out. Since a lot of kids were yelling and screaming and having fun, she didn't pay much attention to it at first -that was, until the woman turned, wide eyes landing on a little girl hanging from some very high monkey bars, looking as if she was about to fall. The girl was obviously scared, probably fearing how much the fall would hurt.

But just that alone let her know who the demon was. No demon, despite what act they were playing, would hang around a little kid, much less get worried over one. Her eyes focused on the boy. He hadn't shown any signs of noticing her, but she was sure he had. It was impossible that he hadn't. She also noticed he tried to keep close to the woman as she rushed to her daughter's aid, probably to confuse Leilah.

Well, she decided, there was no subtle way to go about this. She sauntered over to where the scene was happening, walking right up to the demon and putting an arm around him despite the foul feeling it gave her. She was repulsed by that dark, slimy feeling, and wanted as far away as possible from it, but forced herself to stay still. The woman had already gotten her daughter down and was giving 'Abby' a stern talk. When she looked up, surprise was clear on her features.

"Hello," Leilah began smoothly. "I'm sorry if this one here," she tightened her arm around the demon a fraction. It should've been painful to him except her glamour prevented that. Just another reason to hate this place. She bulled on, "has been bothering you. I lost him in the lunch crowd, you see." She likely wasn't nearly as good at acting as the demon was, but she hoped her face showed only guilelessness, and she could get the demon away from this woman and her daughter.

@ miki-nevermore

(( Guess I'll borrow the random~ ))

Rennyn grimaced rather noticeably, looking like he would protest, but rather surprisingly he refrained. Now that he had the woman's aura he could always find her later if he needed. For now, he needed to do something with this angel. Her arm around him felt light and yet heavy. A reminder that she and he were opposites, not supposed to be in such close proximity with one another. He clenched his fist so hard that the nails of his human fingers began to dig deeply into his flesh. He wanted to break form and run her through the gut, but he wasn't allowed. It would cause chaos and mass panic within the humans, and for some reason that was forbidden.

Della looked confused. Hadn't this young boy just gotten done telling her that he was homeless? Was this a sibling of his? But they didn't look a like at all. A friend maybe? He didn't look very comfortable with her. In fact, he looked downright angry as the girl's arm pulled him in tighter. "Who might you be?" she asked precautionarily. She wouldn't be a mother if she didn't worry when strangers appeared, and though she found the boy's reaction to be suspicious, she couldn't immediately doubt his innocence.

@ Yuurei.
(Sorry, I've had to do chores until just now. Cleaned out an air conditioner, cleaned the house and then swept the front porch, ate, and then washed the dog)

Leilah could feel the demon's discomfort, as strong as her own if not more so, but knew he wouldn't risk doing anything at the moment. She felt sick to her stomach in being in such close proximity but felt that she hid it well. She offered the woman a smile. "I'm family," she said, at the same time realizing they didn't remotely look alike. "Our parents couldn't have children and instead opted to adopt," she improvised. She pulled a face. "Thank you for trying to help my brother. I've been looking for him everywhere since I lost him. We should probably be going soon though.

The sooner she got this woman away from the demon's influence, the better. Oh, it wasn't that she was worried for the human. In fact, she could care less. She had been planning on doing something for some human to try and get back home though, so the prospect of saving a human from a demon had her nearly giddy. It was sure to get her home. And that was how Leilah found herself in a better mood, even with her arm around a demon. It honestly disgusted her, but the woman didn't look like she was wont to actually trust the angel standing in front of her, so Leilah did what she had to do. She knew her story was plausible, or at least hoped it was and the demon hadn't already told the woman something to contradict what she just said. She didn't plan on saying any more either until the woman spoke, and hopefully gave her an idea of where she should go with her story to get the demon away from the woman and her daughter.

@ miki-nevermore

( oh wow, haha. It's okay~ I've got class soon. )

The heavens were truly cruel, Rennyn thought with no lack of irony. This.. angel was going against just about everything he'd just said. He looked her up in down with only just barely disguised disgust. Between the two of them, she definitely seemed the less trustworthy one. The only thing she had going for her was the very fact that she was female. For some reason, females gained some weird innate trust in each other that just could not be explained, least of all to a demon who didn't understand humans anyways. But then something clicked.

This wasn't just a hook, it was a huge haul! Not only did he have this human woman already caught on his bait, but an angel was attempting to step in now. He could only imagine it now--his fellows assumed he'd bring in something small and simple, but to bring in an angel? That would be the best of all first reels. He'd be a shoe-in for another promotion, and before he knew it, he could even be sitting beside Lucifer. He hid his grin behind a cough and composed himself again.

Della, on the other hand, was still not so convinced. "This boy just got done telling me that he was homeless," she ventured, hoping she wasn't somehow making things worse by revealing this, "why would he say that?" Abby hugged her leg quietly, and she patted her daughter on the head to appease her. Things weren't right here, and it truly worried her. "And for that matter, why would he lie?" She didn't think he was the type that would lie for no reason, so even if he was, there was likely a very plausible explanation, she decided.

@ Yuurei.
(ahh, okay. I'm cleaning my room and organizing my binder now busy today, since school starts again tomorrow)

At the sudden cough, she glanced over at the demon, lips pressed together. She was surprised he had yet to say a word. Then again, she was also thankful. If anything, he would've called her a liar or some sort, made sure she didn't get the chance to get him away from the human. Still, this entire situation was simply strange. This was her first interaction on earth, with a human and demon, and she had no idea how to tell whether things were going good or no. Still, the thought that she wouldn't have to be in this place much longer kept her going, kept her hopes up as she continued on with her charade. Whatever the demon was thinking, she knew it couldn't be good.

And then the woman said something to give her a clue as to what had just been going on! Leilah became convinced someone was looking out for her, else things wouldn't be going so smoothly. The woman would've said nothing, and she would struggle. Leilah moved her arm out from around the demon, but stayed close. She wasn't going to let him run off just yet, and she still had convincing to do with the woman. "Oh... he wasn't lying." She glanced down and then gave the demon a sharp look, making sure the woman caught it before looking back at her. "I'm so sorry he bothered you... I already told him we could handle it on our own, but he's scared. Our parents didn't own the house we were staying in and we got kicked to the streets... He has anxiety problems though, I think... we've spent all day trying to find somewhere to stay, and just haven't managed it yet." She glanced down again, wondering if her fabrication was in any way believable to this woman. She still didn't know what all the demon had told the woman, and she was really just working from nothing. "Like I said, I'm sorry he bothered you," she continued. Despite she had just managed to get away from touching the demon, she reached over and gripped his arm. "We should really be going. It's already afternoon and I want to make sure we find someplace before it gets dark."

Perfect, he thought. She'd done it all on her own. This angel had continued his charade for him. He wanted to cheer, laugh hysterically, do something! But he bit his lip. He would just look insane if he did that, after all. "This kind lady told me that the apartments where she lives are very cheap, isn't that good news?" he asked, mouth curving innocently once more and showing off a brilliant smile. "She was even telling me how we can rent there."

Della was very pleased. Though there was something still not right about the two, she was glad that she could help them in the end. And the boy seemed very optimistic about seeing where she lived. She'd be lying if she said she didn't want to know that the boy was safe and somewhere nearby. There was just something about him that pulled her in, made her want to mother him just like she did her own child. "That's right! I could refer you," she added helpfully.

@ Yuurei.

Leilah nearly gave herself away when the demon spoke again. She had just been about to drag him off. Of course, neither would actually be able to do much because of the rules that angels and demons were governed by. They weren't to make a ruckus on earth if they could help it, for one, and if they dead, not around the humans. So, it would've just been a nice chat. He had to go on about apartments where the woman lived though, and just when she had thought things were turning around and something was going right... well... things were going very wrong it seemed, and she had to play along.

She slowly unclenched her hand from around the demon's forearm. It appeared neither was going anywhere for a time, so why make herself suffer? "Oh really?" she asked, both to him and the woman. She looked at the woman, now looking very pleased with herself. "Thank you, that would be great!" She had to force out the words, but somehow still managed to keep the act up. How, even she couldn't answer. How did it all go this wrong so quickly?! She didn't have any intention of going back to this apartment with this woman and this demon, possibly having to keep the charade long enough to rent the apartment and continue pretending to be his adopted sister all the while. She just wasn't sure she could do it.

And yet it seemed she had to...

@ miki-nevermore

( I read this in class and couldn't stop giggling XD )

Rennyn didn't have to fake his gleeful expression. Oh, everything was going so right today! When the angel had first come along, he want to rip her intestines out, but now he wanted to praise her very existence. Without her, he wouldn't be feeling nearly as accomplished and elated as he was. He wondered if the little fairy's God actually loved him more than her, because there was no way that she was feeling blessed right now.

"I can take you to the office right now if you'd like. They should still be open, you may even be able to move in immediately!" Della felt oddly euphoric. She felt as though the obvious energy of the boy was seeping into her and lifting her spirits. "My name is Della, by the way. And this is my little girl, Abby." Abby waved shyly at the two, but said no more. She looked rather suspicious, actually. Della thought this odd, since her daughter was usually very active and social, but the older girl's appearance was a little darker than Abby was used to becoming acquainted with. Maybe that was all it was. Though her eyes seemed to be focused very seriously on the boy...

"My name is Rennyn," the boy introduced cheerfully, holding his hand out for her to shake, "you can call me Renn, if you'd like."