Angels and Demons(Zinc)

[Absyrtus]

The shopping had been finished, Zinc had eaten, had new clothes, a teddy bear upon Absyrtus's insistence, and food to put in the kitchen. Absyrtus was a bit tired, wanting to get home to his foxes, though he adored spending time (and money) on Zinc. Glancing at the boy next to him he smiled warmly and parked in the driveway, climbing out of the car and picking up Zinc's bags from the trunk of the car. Stretching he rolled back his shoulders and chuckled at the insistent yipping emitting from the house. A small nose pressed against one of the windows, the small fennec Copper curiously peering out at him and pawing at the window. He opened Zinc's door and helped the boy out, insistent on carrying the boy over the threshold of the house. "We can go back out tomorrow to buy things for your room." He smiled and walked into the house, Copper and his other red fox Todd jumping around his legs. "Calm down now!" Setting Zinc on the couch Copper hopped up and crouched down, sniffing Zinc's hand and looking up at him with curiously perked ears.

Todd tilted his head and jumped up, not onto the couch but resting his paws on the cushion as he sniffed Zinc's legs. "Do you want to shower?" Absyrtus asked as he wandered into the kitchen and started stacking food in the shelves and the fridge, piling food onto the shelves and in the freezer. Various art supplies and cameras littered the house, blank and half finished canvases lounging and covered by sheets, paint sets laying to dry empty paint tubes creating a pile in one corner as brushes littered cups of water stained colorful and bright. Cameras of various ages ranging from the first ones invented and the most modern were precariously stacked on top of each other and on pallets strewn around the livingroom. Copper and Todd grew more excited as they explored Zinc, the new person in the house.

[zinc]

Zinc felt as though he was dreaming, there was nothing this man seemed to do that wasn't so unusual to him. He wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and hope this night would never end, but he knew better than that. He made a small noise as he was picked up again and held gently onto Absyrthus' top, making sure not to look him in the eye because he didn't want him to see his embarrassment. He heard his master talk and couldn't help but shake his head, letting his hair cover his eyes, "Please master you... You've done too much already." He hadn't even known he would get a room to himself and now this was becoming all too unreal.

As he was placed his hands left Absyrtus' top and after lingering in the air for a moment he watched the two foxes in front of him; they were beautiful. Zinc lifted his hand to the small one that began to sniff him and watched it as if it were but an angel, letting it sniff him as much as it liked. His attention turned back to his master and he blinked, looking down at himself and shaking his head, if he could say one thing about the farm he came from, was it kept him clean. It wasn't long before Zinc's eyes found the paintings and canvases around him and he looked at them curiously.

Standing he walked over to a few, letting a finger run down them very hesitantly, as if it were a spiders web and may break with the slightest of touch. He opened his mouth to say something but the words he wanted seemed to disappear between his lungs and his tongue, resorting in a soft small cough. He had so many questions to ask but didn't know if it was safe to ask, his upbringing had taught him curiosity was punishable, but this man, whoever he really was seemed kind. "Master?" He whispered, in a worried breath, "your paintings... they're very good."

[Absyrtus]

Absyrtus leaned against the counter for a few moments. He paused and thought over his life, the various amounts of slaves he'd bought and traders he'd injured. Each individual who'd come into his house...thens lipped away... He wasn't one to resell slaves, even the most threatened and angry he loved just as much as anyone. Sliding down the cabinets he sat on the floor, his tattoo itched as he leaned his head back, closing his eyes and sighing. He'd need to update the tattoo, two more tiny names to be added to the mural painted by his first angel all those years ago, the same paintings he'd sat in Sandro's workshop and watched him paint. watched him recreate Venus, Mars....he'd posed for the man. And the man had still slipped away from him, right through his fingers. Holding his head in his hands he released a shaky sigh, Copper stumbling in upon hearing the noise with his finely tuned ears. Petting the fox Absyrtus heard the small comment, soft from the pale lips. His heart throbbed. He painted for Sandro, his angels were all for Sandro. But maybe....maybe he needed to stop living for Sandro.

He had Zinc now, once of the cutest and shyest angels that had ever lived in his house. His camera had always captured the artists, those who yearned to learn to paint, language, loved to travel. Zinc seemed different. As did River. These two were different, in a weird way. He didn't respond for a few minutes, his call caught in his throat. He stood, supporting himself on the counter, and quietly walked back into the living room. He walked up behind Zinc and wrapped his arms around his middle, pulling him against his chest and resting his head on his shoulder. "Thank you angel." He sighed softly. Zinc smelled good, not because of any product of cleansing agent, but his natural smell. It calmed Absyrtus, his trembling fingers ceased and his breathing became even.

[zinc]

Zinc watched his new master as he sat on the floor, his soft eyes looking concerned for the man before him. He looked uneasy, sad and his tugged at Zinc's heartstrings. He didn't know what to do, he didn't even know what he was thinking and all he felt he could do was watch, no longer able to look at the paintings. He watched as Absyrtus walked towards him and he couldn't help but feel a little nervous about him being behind him, but when he felt the arms around he jumped, not expecting such an embrace. It was strange, Zinc wasn't used to such an embrace and so when his mind went blank to a response and he couldn't help but find himself leaning back into it, his hands absentmindedly going to rest on the arms that were around him Zinc was surprised at himself. He blushed, feeling himself move in such a way and then again at the angel comment, he liked the nickname he had been given, it was better than an element.

Zinc made sure to let his fingers rest on Absyrtus' and when he felt the trembling his face turned to a rather sad expression and he turned around to face his master, he wanted to do something, anything. As he saw him relaxing Zinc's hands made their way to cling to Abystus' shirt and his fingers entwined with the material gently. "Master?" He asked, in a little voice, trying to sound encouraging, "Is there anything I can do for you?" He looked up at the eyes of the man before him and stared into them, obviously looking for some sort of answer.

[Absyrtus]

Hearing Zinc's tiny concerned voice sent him over the edge. Tears sprung to his eyes and he smiled. Gently cupping the boy's face he pressed his trembling lips to his forehead, and pulled him close into him. He tried to hold back, burying his nose in Zinc's hair to calm himself down. Things were getting too emotional, he'd lost too many too fast and knowing Zinc was human made it all worse. He wondered how long Zinc would survive, the last human companion he had died suddenly of a seizure. Traumatized by the event he'd never wanted another human to be captured by his camera, but Zinc was different. Sniffling quietly he cooed and called softly to Zinc, words of praise vast on his tongue. Something about Zinc....

"Sandro." He murmured quietly. Zinc was a lot like Sandro. Sandro had been as sweet and shy in Florence. Though saddened he tried to calm himself down quickly,hoping he hadn't alarmed Zinc too much. His mortality frightened Absyrtus to no end, but he wouldn't mention it until he was forced to face it. And he hoped he'd never have to face it. But when the time came Zinc would be faced with a choice. Keep his humanity, or follow Absytrus into eternity.

[zinc]

Zinc heard the tears and panic shot through him, he had never made anyone cry before and it made him tremble with a slight fear mixed with the pain of guilt. He felt the kiss on his forehead and then the tears fell onto him and his panic only heightened. He held the other man close as he could, clinging to him slightly to try and comfort him, which he had never tried to do before. He could barely hear the words coming from his master, they were almost drowned in sobs and Zinc began to wish himself more useful to Absytrus, he couldn't help but stroke his back very gently.

He heard the other name, which confused Zinc a little. He didn't know who this man was, but he assumed it meant a lot to his master and he couldn't help but want to cry himself. It was a strange feeling indeed, feeling utterly useless. The smaller boy stepped back a little, so that he could look into his master's eyes, wondering if he could see anyway to cheer him up, even if it were a little. He wished he knew what was wrong, but part of him was too scared to ask, did he really want to know what could upset a man so much? Yes, he had to know, he wanted more than anything to help, his loyalty to such a man had already told him this. "I... Master why have I upset you so much?" His voice was soft with concern, and there was something rather soothing about the way he spoke, though terrified of the answer, Zinc had managed to stop himself trembling.

[Absyrtus]

Looking down at Zinc, he smiled. "It wasn't you my angel not at all." He paused, wondering if he should be getting into this. But Zinc looked so sweet and sincere, and he hadn't told his story in a long time, since no one had ever really asked. He sat on the couch, pulling Zinc onto the spot next to him. He rested his head on Zinc's holding him tightly in his arms. "I'm going to tell you a story, a story about two men long ago." He pondered how to start the story for a moment, his heart hammering in his chest remembering the events of so long ago.

"Back in the 1400s there was a brilliant painter, innocent and sweet. The painter was named Sandro Botticelli, his art later would be world renown in museums everywhere. This painter had a friend, a friend who was male and the same age as him, who also loved to paint. The two always hung out together, but in an odd way. The two were very affectionate, more so than a lot of other boys. See, the thing was, the two boys were in love. A lot of Sandro's paintings were modeled after his friend, since he loved to paint the boy so much. Unfortunately for the two, they could not last forever. Sandro's friend ceased to age as he did, he stayed the same age frozen in time. So....Sandro's friend was forced to watch as Sandro grew old....and eventually died." His voice had become strangled at this point, his heart throbbing painfully in his chest. "After that his friend wandered the earth, finding all of Sandro's paintings and taking them for himself, leaving museums forced to hang up copies of the real work." Stroking Zinc's hair Absyrtus fell silent.

[zinc]

Zinc made a small noise as he sat, it was a movement he hadn't expected and as he was used as some sort of pillow he couldn't help but blush. He had always loved the other bred humans to tell him stories, even when they were horror stories it gave him some hope that there was something more than just sitting in the dark room. Zinc shifted slightly, placing a hand on Absyrtus' to show he wanted to listen, making sure not to hold it too tightly. Zinc listened intently, taking in every word that his master said, each sentence was a little bit of a strain on Zinc's heart and he could only make the assumption that his master was the un-aging boy.

Zinc used his spare hand to reach in his pocket, making sure the pen he treasured so much was there for some comfort. And then he started to understand, Zinc was human, and he would age, like any normal person would, and this would make his master hurt. He couldn't help but tremble a little, reminded of his own mortality, it hadn't worried him before, but it started to now, he didn't want his master to feel this way. He tried to speak, but his words caught once again in his throat and he couldn't help but cough.

"Master..." He began, trying to stop his words from shaking, with little success, "I... I wish I knew what to do." He admitted his freely, being far too honest was a trait he couldn't help but have. He would have done anything to see this man smile again.

[Absyrtus]

Absyrtus buried his face in Zinc's hair, the pain seeping out of him replaced by a calm and peace. He held Zinc for a few moments, quiet. "Angel you don't have to do anything, you listened to me and that's all I even want." He ran a hand through Zinc's hair softly. "Don't feel sad little one my story isn't the happiest but it isn't the worst either." He smiled softly. "If you would like soon I could take you anywhere you would like to go, I'm due for a yearly trip to Italy so I would enjoy you going along with me." It was soon the anniversary of his beloved's birthday, and though he usually went alone this time bringing a guest with him would allow him to teach someone all about Sandro, about his paintings and his struggles. How people expected too much of him and criticized him for painting "pagan" images. A smile twitched at his lips remembering how flustered and worked up he always got over it.

"Zinc.." he called the boy's name for the first time. "You may...have to make a very important decision soon." He'd always avoided human slaves, human angels rather. For this reason. Aging. He couldn't take aging. "One that will change you...and I don't want you to feel pressured, or even think about the answer until the time comes where I ask you. For now put it out of your mind, just remember that your answer is your own and no one else can tell you the answer."

[zinc]

Zinc made a small noise as his hair was stroked, this sensation was a nice one to him and his small frail body shivered at the touch. He really wanted to just cling to his master now, and not let go but worried about the consequences. He listened to his masters words and part of him wanted to jump, his stomach twisting slightly as words offering him to do what he wanted. "Master... I would love to come with you. I've not been anywhere..." His mind tried to focus, but he couldn't help but think about all the wonderful things that could be out in the world, but then some horror stories of past friends struck him and his fingers clung to Absyrtus shirt suddenly, "If I am with you..." He muttered, a little worried about what could be out there.

He looked back up at his master, hearing him speak his name it almost made him sit up straight, his strange coloured eyes wider than they had been in a while. He listened to the words and thought for a moment, he couldn't see a decision that would change his life so much. He smiled a little, letting his fingers cling to the shirt a little more. "I don't know what it is, but I'll want to make you happy..." His words were soft, and with a small blush on his cheeks he looked away from his master, not sure what else to do now.

[Absyrtus]

A tranquil smile graced his lips, pressing his lips to the boy's forehead he chuckled. He could sense the fear radiating from the boy, perhaps a fear of being captured abroad? The thought caused Absyrtus to pause, he'd never let that happen. It wouldn't happen, especially in Italy. He was quite well known in Italy especially for his association with Sandro which is why he'd acquired so many of his actual paintings without much of a hassle. "Do not worry my love, I will protect you." He cooed softly to the boy and encouraged his enthusiasm for the trip. It'd be a wonderful experience for him.

A smile quirked his lips and he laughed. "My angel, what would make me happy is you making a decision for yourself. Without me in mind." He chided gently. Slowly he'd lead Zinc into making more and more decisions for himself, leaving him to finally be able to take care of himself as a free man should he decide to leave. He wasn't exactly adamant about holding his slaves hostage, many were able to walk out the door whenever they wished.

[zinc]

Zinc really wasn't used to this much attention, and defiantly not used to someone being so kind to him; it would have brought tears to his eyes if he hadn't been fighting them off so hard. He smiled, looking down at the floor at the thought of being protected, he truly had been lucky that day at the market when he was found, and he wondered just why he had been so frightened. But Zinc still knew nothing about his master, who and what he was and as much as this troubled him, he was far too scared to ask. Most demons look human, as do vampires and all manner of other creatures and he wondered why someone would pay so much money for someone they were going to be so kind to?

With some hesitation he looked back up at his master, eyes looking a little concerned. He wasn't used to making decisions, and he had always been taught that he, and what he thought, would never matter. But he brought a smile to his face, even if it wasn't a convincing one and he nodded, keen to please Absyrtus. "I'll try my best." His words were a little shaky and his breath seemed to have escaped him somewhat.