HSS: Angela: Of Time and Archangels.

HSS: Angela: Of Time and Archangels.

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Commissioned by Timaeus

Wordcount: 1009

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“Thank fuck you’re here. I’m going insane.” Miyakuro is as polite as always. “Take this brat off my hands. Please.”

“You’ve had her for only a day.” I point out the obvious because it will irritate him. Irritation gives Miyakuro strength. He feeds off it, becomes stronger of it, and relishes the opportunity to be spiteful in turn. It does not work this time. Matters are more dire than they appear. “Is she truly that bad?”

“I’d rather dip my dick in honey and stuff it into a hive of ants than deal with her for the rest of the night.” The statement is descriptive and crass, but does not involve any insults to my person nor my heritage. Truly, the situation is worse that I initially believed. This child is not merely a troublemaker… but an intelligent troublemaker. The most difficult kind of child to raise. “I would appreciate it if you could take her off my hand before I decide to try flying without magic.”

I debate whether to irritate him by regurgitating a quote from a comedic, yet tragically British, novel.

I decide against it, since he seems to actually be suffering.

“I see. Go ahead and rest then. I expect to be paid, but I’ll make sure she’s in bed by the time you get back.”

“I’ll pay you just for watching the house, but if you actually manage to seal that demon away, I’ll bake you a cake every week for the rest of your life.” The promise is endearing and I wish to take advantage of it. However, Miyakuro isn’t in his right mind. I take his coat and place it on his shoulders before gesturing him to leave. “I’m serious. I’ll do it. If you’re not joking, and you’ll actually get me a fucking night’s worth of sleep, I’ll bake for you the rest of your life.”

Poor, suffering man. He’s so out of his mind he doesn’t recognize the marriage proposal parallels. I pat him on the back and wave to him goodbye.

The words are all very amusing and endearing, but they are born from stress and madness.

I’d rather hear them while he is trite, annoyed, and blushing to the very tips of his ears.

So, I see him out without allowing another word, before turning towards the home with intent to fulfill my promise.

…

It takes me five minutes to get her to sit down. She is truly a troublesome child. In the orphanage, four is the usual time for the rambunctious, energetic ones. Still, if she were chosen by a pair of parents who had high energy, she’d have done well. It’s only to Miyakuro and Mayu’s misfortune that they will be handling a child with more energy than the two of them combined.

She’s quite different from the women who came to me and offered to ensure all the children places in an Arcology if I killed one man for their sake.

For one, I did not imagine the Silver Maiden ever being captivated by simple, remote-controlled vehicles.

“Ooh, make it spin more! Yes!” There is always a glut of spare parts everywhere. Even in Arcologies, if someone knows where to look, simple scraps can be composed into quick, long-lasting,toys. I had fashioned a small, simple airplane from a sensor, mini-motor, and a few scraps, then had my Communicator program it. It was better than the first toys I’d made, simple things that merely ran forward and which the children chased, but I could see that it won’t hold her attention for long. “Huh?”

“Play with it yourself. Don’t break it. I’ll be making something else for both of us to play.”

“…” Children like toys. They are also conducive to learning, if they are properly made. Wooden blocks were the first I’d made, but they didn’t teach much. I always strove to make the most of everything we had. It was strange that I was doing it for a being that promised me that I wouldn’t have to do it ever again. It’s likely that she was lying about that, though. According to Miyakuro, he’d taught her everything she knew. So, yes. Very likely that was all an elaborate lie to get me to help her without cost. “What if I break it?”

That is a good question.

Not how to use it, how it works, or if it is hers.

Only “what if I break it”, because she must be careful with it, so that she can return it, or take care of it.

“Be careful not to. It’s not fragile, but it can still break.” Some would say it would be fine for it to break. Others would simple laugh or stay silent. No. The importance in interacting with children is keeping in mind that they understand, and will do their best, if you do the same. They are tiring and unrepentant collections of curiosity who fervently wish to understand, and be part of the world. “Learn slowly. Don’t do anything without caution. You have plenty of time.”

She nods and smiles at my words.

Again, it is important what she doesn’t do.

She does not place the toy down and fret, nor does she consider my words to be absolution from guilt. She strides forward with my words in mind, so that she can enjoy herself to the fullest with what she’d been given.

She is being what an ideal child would be to a toy.

Curious, but cautious.

Happy, yet measured.

Yes, she is beyond the abilities of most to take care off, especially while she learns so quickly, thus easily growing bored and searching for new experiences… but it is not the fault of her guardians for being unable to care for her, and neither is it her fault for being who she is.

She is an energetic, curious, and spirited child who wishes the most of every moment.

That must one day be curtailed and put into order, but not until it is properly nurtured into permanence.

I might not be an Aspect, but I know very well that an Aspect will appreciate looking forward to the future with a smile every day.