In the abyss Bingwen wanted to scream, to cry, or to plead. He was suffocating as he fell deep within the endless shadows. The more he tried to move, the more he felt his body had abandoned him.
He woke up drenched in sweat trembling with tears running streaming from his eyes. He took deep breaths to calm himself. When he realized he was still in bed with the curtains closed. He quickly dressed and called Angelo, but he didn't respond. He peeked on the other side to find it neatly arranged and empty. "Angelo must have gone to get something to eat." He thought. Bingwen paced towards the window, the day star was already high up in the sky. He hadn't had nightmares in such a long time since then, that night had haunted his dreams for many months. He wished to never remember that night ever again. But even now it still haunts him.
A knock from the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned around and opened it to find Angelo with sugary cookies. "Oh! Hi, Bingwen, would you like to join me for lunch?" He asked. Bingwen didn't answer him and asked him, "Why in the world didn't you wake me up?!"
"I called your name a couple times but you didn't answer, so I thought you were ignoring me, I'm sorry. Should we go eat?" With that, Bingwen squeezed through and exited, "We have to get back to Neil Mansion and give the information to Master Griffith."
"Wait! You haven't eaten yet have you? You don't seem to be well right? Come on, we should eat before leaving. "
"WE'RE WASTING- okay. I'm sorry, we'll go eat but then we'll leave right away alright."
"Alright then, let's go," replied Angelo. When they arrived down stairs to the eating area, they quickly ordered their food. Bingwen didn't order much and asked Angelo to eat quickly. Angelo tried to keep the conversation going when Bingwen made it nearly impossible. Whenever he asked a question he'd dismiss it and continue eating.
Angelo finally pouted, "Why are you so dismissive of my questions today? You weren't like this yesterday." The way Angelo could get so talkative and persistent extremely annoyed him now. He flusteredly said, "Well, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed alright! Now quit it, we have to get back. Are you done eating yet?"
Angelo was stunned when he witnessed his sudden outburst. Who knew Bingwen could get so moody. He was just fine yesterday, why would he be in such a foul mood if the mission was a success? He wondered if it had anything to do with losing the map or making a scene by destroying the building. Maybe he shouldn't have used his bombs like that. Everything went too fast yesterday. Maybe what the feline said really got to him. He was too impulsive. There was barely time to think about other solutions in the heat of battle. Taking risks and thinking fast can save lives you deem to protect after all. His first priority is Bingwen and will always be as long as he remains on his mission. Until the day comes, he will remain by his side.
"Yeah- I'm done," said Angelo. "Good! Come, I've already paid beforehand. Let's go," replied Bingwen.
"Wait-"
"Now what!?"
"…How are we getting back?"
"I know this guy- look, just follow me. I have everything covered. Alright?"
Bingwen turned around and started fastwalking through the city. Angelo almost got caught in between the crowds and got too far from Bingwen. They passed many street markets bustling with people as they finally reached the edge of town where they met an old man covered head to toe with black cloth. Only his hardened cold eyes were visible to them. Bingwen waved at him and greeted, "Hank! Long time no see." He gave Angelo the stink eye and laughed, "Ironic he, who has wings and yet cannot fly. Hahaha! Your deal with the pixies proved useful. Thank you my friend!" Angelo was unimpressed.
Bingwen spoke, "it's no problem although I do need a favor. Or make those two. I'll be taking two of your Spectasaurus Ailenia."
"Knock yourself out kid! You're always welcome here in my business! Even if you're Griffith's boy. I will always be here for you if you ever need anything."
"I am most grateful for you, here take this bag there's something in there I thought you'd like plus the cloak."
"I see, thanks kid! Have a great day and good luck!"
Angelo quickly caught hold of Bingwen's arm when he punched him in the stomach. "Don't touch," he scolded. Angelo hastily groaned, "The scroll!" Bingwen slightly regretted punching him and said, "Don't worry I have it on me. Sorry about that, does it hurt?"
Angelo shook his head, "A little. It was my fault I should've just kept my hands away."
Angelo never rode a single animal in his life, this was the very first time he has ever tried to ride before and was quite excited; But as soon as he saw the hideous creatures in front of him he nearly blacked out. It was so hideous that not even five of the foulest creatures mashed together would compare to its rare beauty. He's never seen one of those in his whole life! "Hey Bingwen, maybe I should fly instead? I've never had to ride anywhere before. And plus this thing is-"
"Just get on! The Spectasaurus Ailenia will take us halfway there. All you have to do is stay seated and keep your balance. Do not fly remember?" While riding the Spectasaurus Ailenia, they made their way back to Neil Mansion. They rode as the day star was three quarters away from setting. The Spectasaurus Ailenia finally came to a stop where there was a long water container. Angelo quickly jumped off and landed face flat on the grass. He was grateful to finally be able to touch the ground! He started cheering in his mind when he heard Bingwen ask, "Are you doing alright? Should we continue riding a little longer?"
"NO! I- I mean haha we should continue on foot. They should start heading back to their little houses, no?" Bingwen gave a nod and started walking. Angelo thought to himself, "it seemed that he had calmed down a bit. Could his mood be tied to how long he slept? Maybe I should've taken a peek." Angelo shook his head and started thinking about Bingwen and COPPESS. Angelo really wanted to know where Bingwen stood in the form of being with COPESS.
It had probably been approximately two and a half hours of walking in dead silence. Angelo's feet started to ache with all the walking and just yearned to flap his wings and fly. He turned to Bingwen who walked five steps ahead of him and whined, "My feet are aching, are you sure we are taking the right route? It looks too different from down here… maybe I could fly and check to see if we're going the right direction???"
"No," said Bingwen. When Appia teleported them "Halfway" she really dared to go further than the boundary Griffith allowed; which was where the Spectasaurus Ailenia dropped them off. If Griffith knew about this she would automatically be prohibited to teleport further from The Neil Mansion and relieved of her duties. She'd be forced to stay by Lillian's side and serve her. But for her sake, Bingwen will keep shut and pretend he hadn't noticed.
Angelo remembered how earlier he said everything would be on his dime when he clearly didn't see Bingwen pay for anything and instead exchanged a bag and a cloak. Then there was that sudden change of character last night after the fight. Who even was that guy? Hank? What kind of name was that? They must've had some history with the whole pixie situation. What else did they get? He was quite curious to know what was in Bingwen's bag before he gave it to that cloaked old man. He seemed to have something against COPESS except for Bingwen. Now that he thought about it, he also seemed to be connected with the pixies that roamed between the city and COPESS' boundaries. He said he struck a deal with them. He was surely a mystery all on his own. After all this time, Angelo was only able to get to know his surface. He needs to know how to crack his door open. First things first, secure the mission by leaving a huge impact on him and becoming besties just like Lillian wanted.
First he needed to see if Bingwen was willing to give him an answer he'd been asking himself, so he asked him once again, "Soooo… Bingwen, after going through a life and death situation. Tell me, what do you really think about COPESS? I just wanna know the little things like- how about ummm… housing? Or the missions you go on." Bingwen didn't know what to answer, so he muttered, "Well I… I think… I think we need to take this straight to the council. After that-" Angelo cut him off and pressured, "pleeease, Bingwen, I really let my heart out with you man. Why can't you just give me your honest opinion! Is it too much to ask?" Bingwen shrugged and continued walking. Angelo became a little impatient and pushed him further, "look I'll just let you know I'm quite loyal to the right way to enact Justice and power. I just want to know your opinion since you're our Master's son and all."
Bingwen was in no mood to talk about COPPESS' government. He looked down and picked up a tiny yellow flower. His hair was slightly jumbled, and yet he didn't care. He said, "Take a good look at this flower. Its life has come to an end, and so has this conversation." Angelo swiped the flower and replied, "Well, if you take this flower and replant it, it may continue to grow. It just takes a second chance and proper care." He looked around for a proper place and replanted the flower. Who knows if the flower will actually survive after being replanted. When he finished, Bingwen just stood there frozen. Did this guy actually think it could survive? In between this period of time, Bingwen was left in a trance thinking about what he just witnessed. He was now a murderer, before that night he had never once thought about killing a man. Now he just wanted to redeem himself, he felt broken like the promise he'd made himself to not become like Griffith. Griffith thought himself as a misaha with power in his head who would once get rid of all impurities in this world with murder.
Angelo put his hands on his shoulders, slightly shaking him out of his trance. Bingwen snapped out of it, he found it a little funny, "physical contact is forbidden for an engaged unless in danger. Which in this case, it's both of us. Get your hands off me." Bingwen didn't sound very pleased, but Angelo implied, "Who said we weren't in any danger right now?"
Bingwen let out a light gasp. He was pulled into Angelo's arms, little did he know THEY WERE BOTH HIGH INTO THE SKY! Angelo purposely flew in the wrong direction just to tease him. "ANGELO LET ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!"
Angelo pulled the most serious voice he could muster despite being petrified by how his actions would end after this, "No, we are in danger now." Bingwen felt weird how gravity made him feel inside. He didn't like how sudden this feeling overwhelmed him and yelled, "YOU! TAKE ME BACK TO LAND RIGHT THIS INSTANT OR-"
Angelo again teased him again, this time by enveloping them both in his wings and letting himself fall with him in his arms. He flew back up, only this time he went higher. "No, I said we are both in danger, remember?"
Bingwen was scared of being dropped at this point with all the movement. "Stop r-release me now" Angelo loosened his arms that were originally tightly wrapped around Bingwen's waist. He had no intention of actually dropping him, "I'm not lying, you are truly in danger, while I'm in danger for you." Bingwen tightly wrapped his arms around Angelo's neck, closing his eyes under the mask. His long braid became too loose to remain tied, so the bottom began to unwrap itself. Angelo once again tightened his embrace. "Hey Bingwen, I bet you've never had a view as great as this."
Bingwen opened his eyes and Angelo smoothened his flight. The day star setting made the sky a dark green with a hint of yellow and pink. The clouds looked like they'd been painted on the sky by a painter who spent their whole lifetime making this a perfect view. Angelo slowly spun around letting Bingwen take a look below. "I know how much you admire nature. I've seen you, and when you mercilessly plucked the flower off the ground, I sensed there was something wrong. Look below, not many have seen a view like this. Isn't it amazing? You might not trust me right now, but I don't need you to. I tell you now that I would never dare think of or ever try to hurt you. I see you." They both stared at each other, both faces were hidden by a mask, which were only a few inches apart. The wind was so powerful that it became their song.
Bingwen muttered, "L-let's get down first, I need to arrive at Neil Mansion." "Okay," Angelo carefully turned around before getting closer to the ground. He halted before he let his feet touch the ground. Under a quick spell, he finally released Bingwen, who took a couple steps back dizzily.
"I-" before Angelo could finish, Bingwen interrupted him with a slap. Bingwen's palm didn't even reach Angelo. Only the tip of his fingers slid across Angelo's mask. The next thing he saw was Angelo's left eye. His eye was a deep brown, his eyebrows were bushy yet defined and sharp. His head tilted to Bingwen as his eye looked directly at him; his eyes widened as his cheek blushed. The corner of his mouth was barely visible, but it was obvious his jaw had dropped. They stood shocked and horrified for a while before Angelo fixed his mask, no longer revealing a part of his face. "Did he just!? Did he just… try to slap me because of that stunt I pulled or did he want to see my face?!" Angelo questioned himself and panicked out loud, "I- I y-you? D-did you just… break a…rule? Y-you almost took off my mask and saw my whole face."
"That w-wasn't- I didn't... It was a slap! It was just a slap! I- I didn't mean to!"
"You pretty much just removed my mask and saw my face. If it weren't for your 'slap' you wouldn't have seen my face."
"WELL!... IF IT WEREN'T FOR, FOR THAT FUCKING STUNT YOU PULLED, I-I WOULDN'T HAVE SLAPPED YOU!"
"Well, if you wouldn't have been so mysterious about it, I probably wouldn't have pulled that stunt! Mysterio!"
Bingwen froze, tensed, let out a loud scoff, before finally storming away. Angelo jolted towards him, landing his left hand on Bingwen's right shoulder. "No! It's okay, I won't tell anyone! AAHHH!"
Bingwen took a hold of Angelo's arm and tried to throw him and give him a beating, but because of his wings, he wasn't successful and instead rolled down the hill together. Good thing it wasn't a rocky hill! It didn't take long before they both rolled into another terrible situation. This so-called "terrible" situation had Bingwen on top of Angelo. Bingwen's arms wrapped around Angelo's neck, protecting his head; while Angelo's were tight around Bingwen's back and slim waist. His wings protected Bingwen as they fell so they hurt, he slowly relaxed them and revealed Bingwen, his legs lifted up between the other person's legs by accident. Angelo softly whimpered, "Welp… This sure is hard to explain."
Bingwen's hair was already disheveled; at this point his braid was pretty much nonexistent. Bingwen slowly lifted his head, his hair brushed all over Angelo's neck and face. Both of their arms loosened. Bingwen was dumbfounded; he trembled at the sight. He sat up and covered half his already covered face. Angelo's hand rested on the latter's hips. Bingwen tensed up even more as he slowly got up and ran. Angelo didn't move for a long time, just laying on the grassy floor. He tried processing what just happened. "Oh… I-i'm dead meat aren't I? Fuck!"