A Collection of Strays

“No! It smells like blood.” Mari complained. 

The mercenary sighed. “For the last time, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but we don’t need everyone swarming you like a circus attraction. Let’s not make this more chaotic than it needs to be.”

“ My hair covers me just as much as that smelly thing. Can’t I just walk around like this?” Mari refused to surrender despite knowing that she was being unreasonable. She understood that humans had rules but the blood saturated scent in his cloak was bad.

 “That would be incredibly noticeable."  The man patiently reasoned "It’ll be quick and I promise that my house smells normal. I’ll get you food. You’re hungry, right?"

“Food?” Mari jolted up, her eyes shining. 

The man chuckled at how quickly she’d perked up. "My grandmother is an amazing cook. But first...” Mari eyed the cloak. She really didn’t want to, but she felt ravenous. The man gently wrapped it around her. 

Mari took a deep breath. The smell was gross but it wasn’t as overwhelming as she had  thought. She flapped her arms and the cloak fluttered like wings. ‘This is enormous!'

The man laughed. “You're like my little brother. Not so bad, right? Just a few minutes.” He reassured.

Confusion washed over Mari. While flustered, he hadn’t rejected her. He’d immediately jumped into worrying about the particulars. Even if it was what she wanted it was uncomfortable. Her tribe had strictly enforced rules of caution and conformity. As much as she wanted to live free, those stupid instincts of over 400 years still taunted her.

“Hey. You seemed uncomfortable. So why? You’re just...gonna let me come stay at your house?” She cocked her head to the side, trying to figure him out. 

“Why? Why? I’d come even if you didn’t want me but isn’t it dangerous to let someone you just met into your home? My family would take inconvenient, twisting routes to our nests out of paranoia of being followed by predators or hunters. You humans are fascinating. Doesn’t your behavior open you up to predators?”

The man burst out into laughter at her inquisitiveness. “That’s ironic coming from you. Attaching yourself to a random human isn’t the stealthiest survival strategy.” 

Mari could tell he was teasing her, but it was good natured and playful. 

''He has such a warm smile.’ She thought. ‘Heh. For such a scary guy, he’s a big softie! His height is still intimidating though.’

He gently patted her head. “To be honest I don’t know about your feelings.” He blushed slightly. "I’m not good with that stuff. I’m going to forget about that for now but...” He ruffled her hair. “You’re an interesting girl. You’re a unicorn and all, so I can’t leave you alone, can I?"

Mari grinned back, gently swatting his arm. He seemingly had a complicated life, but he was already the ray of light and joy in her dull existence that she craved. Besides, she was functionally immortal and had nothing but time to win him over! She’d definitely make this human who’d captured her heart share her feelings! 

 While she had visited towns in her human form, she had never  stayed in one. No matter how much she intellectually knew it was fine, she constantly heard the voice of her aunt in her head telling her the dozens of ways it could go wrong. But this would be okay. It was a small village and, as the man had promised, they were used to being visited by magical beings due to being. From her sense of the town, it seemed quiet, secure, and accepting.

The man froze. “Is something wrong?” She asked.

 “Not exactly. You just... haven’t told me your name.”

 “Oh, duh!” She smacked her forehead. "I'm Mari.”

“Mari...” The way he said her name made her stomach flutter. “That’s such a pretty name.” 

Mari couldn’t hold back her ear-to-ear grin. “Thanks! And yours is...?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry!” The man jumped, blushing lightly again. “Azreal. My name is Azreal.” Timidly he held out his hand to her and she quickly slipped hers into his. “Mari, if nothing else, I hope we can be friends. I-if that’s okay?” He added awkwardly.

Mari squeezed his hand in both of hers briefly. Even if she was as straightforward as a hammer to the head, it wasn’t like she was socially ignorant. Despite his lethal profession, Azreal was timid and awkward. She wanted to reassure him.

Mari suddenly became anxious. She was used to being considered too much. Too loud, too pushy, too energetic. She asked for too much. She acted too familiar with people. She got too attached too quickly. She was too focused on herself and not concerned enough about others and their comfort. She was “too human” or “too frivolous” for her family. It felt like she was being reluctantly tolerated. She loved this man and didn't want to scare him away. Mentally, she kicked herself. 'Azreal isn't auntie. He won't yell or be mad.'

“ I’ve been so bored and was praying for someone to talk to! This is going to be fun!”

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“Haha! Found another stray, Az? You really do attract them!”

“ Mind your own business, Manch.” Azreal rolled his eyes at the jovial old man who’d called out. 

“Woowww....” Mari giant eyes tried to take in everything. A sharp pain shot through Azreal’s foot. “Ow!” He grabbed Mari’s shoulder and gently nudged her away from him. 

“Mari, that’s my foot! I promise, we’ll have plenty of time to explore later! So please pay attention and calm down.”

“Ooo-kaayyy, Azreeaelll.” She sing-songed, looking around like an albino owl in spite of his warning. Azreal was irritated, but kept calm. ‘No point in getting mad. She’s just an oversized, excited child. Sori’s definitely going to love her Their brains are wired to the same program.’ 

He studied her round face. ‘ I know unicorns were supposedly blessed the beauty and grace of the angels, but she really is beautiful...’ 

 The hooded cloak obscured her hair and horn, which was his main reason for her wearing it. Mystical creatures weren't unusual but Mari’s appearance radiated an unusual aura. If anyone saw her, they’d instantly sense her unique nature and powers. He wasn’t in the mood for dealing with that attention today.

“This is considered a small town? There’s so many people! And it's..!” Mari was so excited she struggled to explain the feelings flooding her.

“This is Teatris. It’s not an exciting place, but the people are kind."

Mariwas forcing herself not to take off running. Azreal noticed that, when she got overly excited, her nose would get scrunched up and wiggle. 'So cute, yet so dramatic! Even if unicorns are solitary, they’re perceptive creatures. Mari has to be a few hundred years old at the least, so you think humans wouldn't be that fascinating.’ 

A unicorn that saw more than just sin, evil, and violence when they looked at humanity. A being of pure good that saw and enjoyed the positive things in the world.

Azreal became self-conscious. While he heard Mari’s conversation and the noises of the town, his mind didn’t comprehend it. His body was going through the motions in the physical world, but his inner being was stuck in the dark, oppressive haze of his thoughts. Her words reverberated in his mind.

“I’m in love with you!I knew I’d never meet someone as special as you ever again!”

There was no comparing the two. It was like a dove standing next to a venomous snake. Dangerous and a night a day difference. If she wanted love, why was she insistent on him specifically? 

‘She can perceive the natures of humans, so why would she think I have an attractive soul? I became corrupted and twisted a long time ago. Shouldn't she choose one of the holy knights? They’d be a better match for her...’

 He had no reason to believe that she wasn’t serious about in being in love with him ,but that didn’t mean that he understood. 

Mari knew what he was. Being a mercenary was a choice he had made of his own free will despite knowing how morally wrong it was. So why did she want him? What could he offer her? He felt scared, yet he couldn’t help but being happy and yearning for the connection and acceptance she was offering. He wasn’t good with people and knew nothing about romance but...he was lonely and he craved affection, despite being undeserving.

‘I’m nervous But...I’d rather bring on my own destruction by being near someone who's so much better than me. All I have is my family. It’s an selfish wish, but I did always pray for friends when I was younger. Maybe this is God answering me? At least, I really want to believe ...’

“Azreal! You’re not listening!” Mari pouted, snapping him out of his misery party.

“Ah, sorry. I was just thinking and it became overthinking.” He shook his head, trying to knock away the claws of his anxious thoughts. “I’m paying attention now. What did you say?”

“I asked what your family is like.”

 “It’s just me, my little brother Sori, and Nanny Tenka who takes care of us. Sori is a cute and hyper little kid. Nanny's an amazing woman. Sori and I wouldn't survive without her. She’ll be over the moon to have another female around.”

“You have a little brother?”

“Uh-Huh. He’s 8. He can be a little stinker sometimes but he’s a sweet kid. Do you like children, Mari?” She vigorously nodded her head. 

"Yes! I love playing with them! When I’m in my unicorn form, they’re usually the only ones who can see me. And I come from a big family. I don’t have any siblings, but got tons of cousins."

They were almost at his house and Azreal’s stomach was doing backflips. ‘God, Please let it be safe for her to live with us’ He silently prayed.

As they approached, he saw Nanny Tenka in the outdoor kitchen. The evening sunlight gleamed off her veil as she stuck her head through the door and called to Sori. His grandmother was a pretty and calming person.

The fire in the brick oven flickered invitingly and he could smell the fragrant herbs that hung drying from the tin roof. A sense of peace settled over Azreal. 

 ‘I’m one of the luckiest people in the world. Mari's a perfect addition to our family. Nanny and Sori something to say, but she’s one of us. Here goes nothing!’

“ We’re here. It’s not much but I hope you’ll be happy for however long you stay with us.”

Mari’ gave him a poke in his ribs. "I plan on staying with you forever, remember? Because I love you! You couldn’t get rid of me if you wanted to!”

 He took a deep breath.

“Hey, Nanny. I’m back.”