Storm’s Eye

Apokastasis

“What'll it be then?” a big bulky bartender asks the two, after they had been looking at the prices. “Uhm... We don't understand the writing...” Falcon would answer. “We haven't got any money either...” Snowen would add.

“Oh yeah! You're those mortals, or whatever, who managed to enter our realm, yeah?” The muscular figure smiles down on them. “I guess we are those mortals, then...” Falcon scratches his head. “What of it?” Snowen suspiciously asks.

“I thought you'd find yer way to Bub's!” The aproned giant grins. “I've not seen a mortal soul for ages!” the barkeep bursts out. “But frankly, in my time they were, well, not so scrawny...” A demon looks at them from one of the tables, as does a group of angels.

Both Falcon and Snowen are obviously depressed by something, seated atop tall barstools. “You need a stiff one, yeah? I'll give you guys a round, on the house...” Falcon and Snowen look at each other. “Strongest you got,” they both say. “The strongest, huh? You guys are really bummed out then,”

“Yeah...” they both sigh. “Yeah, it takes a pretty depressed fellow to be wantin' milk...” Their heads shoot up. “I was thinking something even stronger,” Falcon says, Snowen nods. Massive hands pats their shoulders, “You are indeed brave... Since it's you... alright...”

The bartender gets down behind the counter. His bald head shines like a cueball as he digs around. He finally produces two tall glasses with a brown liquid. “Cocoa for the burdened soul,” the barkeep says and turns to some celestial beings that just came in. Neither Falcon nor Snowen dared to find out what was even stronger than what they already had been presented...

“Gee...” Falcon wipes his nose. “Not quite what we'd expected...” “No kidding,” Snowen replies. “Shouldn't judge a book by the covers though...” He raises the tall, cold glass. After one quick sip, he can conclude “This is fucking divine!” “Beelzebub's recipe,” The bartender winks at them.

The glasses are quickly emptied... Before the last drop goes down, a bat-winged, short guy catches their attention. “You're those mortals, right?”

They nod while swallowing the last of their brown liquid.

“You prob'ly miss your gals,” “You might say that...” Falcon responds. “I know someone who might help you with that...” The red being says in a helpful tone. “Have we anything to lose, Snowen?” Falcon chuckles. Snowen almost breaks into laughter. “Hell no! Show us what you got,”

The little devil, or whatever, smiles and leads them to one of the backrooms.

Their eyes are greeted by Star and another angelic figure, a pitch black vixen with red hair, literally buried in paperwork.

“Did you fill in those forms for theirrr-eh...” Star says. The black vixen shuffles several bunches of papers. “Resurrection of Xeni and Kit, their further timewarps... but we still lack a volunteer for their twins... Did you do Joon and Zaz' reports?” “Wrapping it up... Dammit! Why can't my “angelic” senses tell me stuff like this!?” “Tell you what, Star?” “THAT!” Star points at Snowen and Falcon. The black vixen is kind of startled by seeing them. “This is a bad time to catch us, boys!” Star says in a grumpy way.

The black vixen seems a bit shy. “What's wrong?” Falcon asks “Afraid that we might see you without make-up?”

Star slams her pen down. “NOW, I'm ready to chit-chat...” Star starts smiling “I'm sorry, I always get a bit cranky when faced with mountains of paper. Zaz... do you believe in angels?” “I do now...” Snowen replies.

“Obviously you're a bit in doubt... No wonder poor little Sky is so shy...” Star sighs “Go on Sky... At least say hello to your client,”

Sky gently gets off her chair, her eyes are curious of Snowen's, but dares not look directly at them. Falcon is surprised how young Sky seems to be, she looks to be 15, compared with Star who fits 20.

In a cute way, Sky stutters; “H-h-hi...” Had it not been for the black fur, she would have been as red as her hair now...

Star telepathically speaks to Falcon; “The poor little girl has got a major crush on Zaz... And we angels aren't really allowed to meddle with mortals' love-life... Rumor has it that she committed suicide only to see Zaz once again,”

Snowen smiles at Sky, she seems a bit relieved by that. “Nice to meet you,” He says “Do my eyes frighten you?” Sky quickly looks up and down at her red dress again. “N-no... but... eh...” “Stop hiding yourself,” Snowen says with great warmth, then gently lifts her muzzle. “You need not be afraid of me,” Sky's eyes are like two rubies, two very shy rubies. She lowers her gaze again after a brief look at Snowen's black orbs.

“Indeed...” Falcon answers Star back. “I see it a bit unfortunate that she is Zaz' guardian,” Star says in Falcon's head “as I am planning my retirement soon, and she's still under my wings. Poor girl,” “Wha...? How does angels retire?” “Ever heard of reincarnation?” Falcon's eyes widen.

“Uhm... Star,” Snowen says “That red guy said you could offer us some help...” Star seems enraged. “That little bastard! He didn't tell you that Death owes me a favor, did he?” “Uh...No...”

Star eases up, a bit. Snowen curiously asks: “How did you know we wanted that kind of...” “Because Haven and Malek are getting some forms for it,” Star breaks him off. “Ehm... Star... I...” Sky almost whispers and walks over to Star to whisper something in her ear.

“Oh... I see...” Star says a bit worried “So you...” Sky nods. “I'm sorry boys, but you gotta go...” Star says. She does a gesture with her hand so a blue hole opens up on the floor.

“Come over here,” she orders. She kisses their foreheads and gives them both a hug. “Until next time, you'll need this...” she says and lets go of them.

“Now go down the hole before Sky... eh, just get down the hole,”

The two mortals throw a last curious look at Sky, it looks as though her dress is bulging a bit by her shoulders.

The hole vanishes as Snowen goes in after Falcon. “Don't worry Sky...” Star says and gently checks Sky's back “I'm here for you, honey...” Sky starts crying, a massive pain is building up in her. Star maternally comforts her, to what extent she can...