We’re on the road again in an odd silence, he didn’t seem uncomfortable with it, but I sure did. I’ll just make some small talk then. “So.. Why’d you become a Paladin?” I asked with a tilted head. It was weird to see, considering his parents.

He looked off toward the morning sky, the sun just above the horizon, casting a beautiful light over the open space. The air was crisp and felt amazing against my light blue skin and in my lungs. One reason I remained a nomad was because of this feeling. “I wanted to help people and give hope to them.” He snapped me out of my current thoughts and back to the topic at hand and it almost warmed me but also made me want to puke because of how goody goody that sounded. He smiled and laughed at himself. “Though it probably sounds childish when I say it like that.” Well, I wouldn’t go that far.. He’s definitely a paladin though… They all have around the same good person attitude that makes me slightly nauseous.

There was something different about him though where it wasn’t making me as sick as I usually feel. I shook my head, “I don’t find it childish” I smiled and looked down the road. It didn’t seem to end as it disappeared over the horizon.

“What about you? Why did you become a bounty hunter?” He asked. How did I know it was going to take that turn… Or right, because it’s the obvious response. I laughed internally.

“Well, it wasn’t my first occupation… But so far I think it’s my favorite. I started because now I help people find things they’ve lost, there are other benefits too but that one is my favorite. I love traveling and searching for things and getting into danger.” I didn’t want to tell him everything. That probably appealed to him best.

“Huh, getting into danger? Wouldn’t you want to avoid danger?”

I shrugged. “Why avoid it? Life is so much more interesting when there’s something dangerous going on.”

“I mean, I guess?” He looked back at his battleaxe, “I suppose a good fight here and there does make things interesting, but recklessly throwing yourself into danger is usually not the wisest decision” I wonder if he keeps looking at his weapon because Zelaphor is talking to him.

“If you know what you’re doing, it's not that bad”

Malachi shrugged, “I suppose. Still can’t say I support the idea.” He stayed quiet, he dropped the conversation and seemed to be more focused on his direction, and his ears started twitching to every sound around us. Our feet crunching on the dirt, Nexxis padding next to me, a bird tweeting a call in a nearby tree. I was entranced by his ears and couldn’t help but pop up next to him like a small child and study them. I was popping up all around him, watching them move to the sounds and seeing them move if I made extra noise. Eventually I playfully tapped one with my finger to see what would happen. He leaned off to the side, away from me and looked at me bewildered, “Uh? What are you doing?”

“Your ears move in response to your surroundings, that’s awesome.” I played as if I didn’t notice him leaning away from me. He’s so awkward. It’s as if he wasn’t used to someone giving him attention, oh wait. Poor thing.

His eyes glance side to side, as if he was trying to look at his ears. He looked confused by my amusement and snickers a bit, “You find these awesome? They pretty much have a mind of their own, but I guess they’ve helped me from surprise attacks.”

I continued popping around him and started noticing all of his features, his fluffy black hair, his long curled horns, the texture of his skin, his old scarf, and I stopped and stared into his golden eyes for a moment before continuing to bounce around. “Yes I do, I love that they just do and you don’t make them, that just makes it better.” I was mesmerized by him and analyzing him.

You probably seem like a child or a stalker. Zagasihr laughed at me.

I rolled my eyes, Shut up.

Malachi continued to lean away from me, feeling a bit awkward, “Have you never seen a tiefling before?” He asked and his tail hung low, the end was swinging rapidly to the tension.

“I have, we traveled together for five years, along with a couple others,” I waved it off, “We were close, but there’s something different about you.” I said before my eyes darted to his tail and I slowed down to watch it.

“Different huh?” He looked down at himself, “I don’t know, besides the obvious class choice, I don’t think I look too different from other tieflings.”

“No, personalities, you seem almost more alert.” My eyes were locked on his tail, “She was more relaxed.” I said as an afterthought.

He looked off thinking about it, “I guess these past few years have made me a bit… on the edge… It doesn’t help either that I can sense all these demonic auras around.” He sighed and mumbled to himself, “Divine sense is such a curse and a blessing…”

I tilted my head, “Uncle mentioned something about divine sense during the years I lived with him,” I thought to myself as I caught up, “What exactly does it do? Like how do you know? What’s it like? Is it smell? Sight? Pointing arrows?” I asked, looking at him.

He scratched his head, “It’s kind of a mix of senses? Evil auras give off a toxic, foul smell and if I’m close enough I can see their auras, usually a red color if I had to describe it.”

“That’s cool, probably annoying though.” I looked up, “Why are you out here all alone?” I finally asked. The clouds slowly rolled by and a gentle breeze came through, blowing our hair just barely.

“It gets irritating at times,” He said but then flinched at my question, he tried to brush it off, “I prefer the quiet. Gives me time to think.” He said but I knew that there was more to it than that.

I decided not to pursue it, I don’t know him very well, but I did raise my eyebrow at him. “Alright, I guess I can’t say anything about traveling alone though.” I laughed.

“I’m guessing you traveled alone before? Why suddenly join up with me then?”

“I’ve been alone for about fourteen years.” I shrugged. “Wanted to change it up… Also, you intrigue me.”

“Fourteen years? Wow…” He looked off again, obviously lost in thought over my statement, “I can’t imagine being alone for that long”

I shrugged, “I got used to it, but I haven’t had anyone to talk to.” I laughed, Nexxis rubbed against my leg, “You don’t count.” I rolled my eyes, you talk to me in my head, so it’s not like I use my voice ever.

You got a point. Nexxis said with a chuckle.

Malachi smiled a bit. His eyes fell, sadness in them, but he shook it off. He noticed a sign pointing in multiple directions and looked it over debating on where to go, I watched him with interest. “I need to head southeast… Maybe if I take the east route and cross over…”

I laughed and grabbed his wrist and started walking down a path, “You’re not the greatest with directions are you?” I asked, “Sometimes the best paths aren’t even marked.” I said thinking out loud.

Malachi looked away ashamed. “Directions can get complicated sometimes… Doesn’t help when you aren’t a strong reader…” He mumbled the last part but went along with me. I pretended I didn’t hear him so as not to embarrass him more. Soon a town peaked over the horizon as the sun was directly above us. Malachi glanced at his gold pouch and did some mental math with help from his fingers before joking to himself, “Maybe I can get a salesman to actually sell me a potion or two. That last town was pretty harsh.”

I tilted my head, “why though? Why were they harsh?” She noticed him counting. “Do you need help buying anything?”

Malachi glances down at me, surprised. Maybe I’m missing something. “Well… It’s complicated. People are usually afraid of me. You know, the whole infernal heritage and all.” He looked back at his pouch, “… though I should have enough gold from my recent pay, so I’ll be okay. Thanks for offering.”

“I don’t see why people would be afraid of you… You don’t look scary.” I said, puzzled. “I have more than enough if you need help, just gotta ask” I shrugged.

Malachi adjusted his bag, heading closer to the town, “Well you’d be a first… People have every right to be afraid when you look like a demon…”

I let out a quick laugh before covering my mouth as we made it into the town. He does not look like a demon to me.

You know his- Zagasihr started,

I don’t care for you right now. He is not scary though. I said with a huff.

That’s only because you’re used to dealing with full demons. To regular people he looks like a demon.

Are you saying I’m not normal?

Yes, because you’re not normal.

I rolled my eyes then pointed at Malachi, “Don’t try and ditch me. I’m grabbing a pastry and I’ll be right back.” I said and glared at him as we made it into town between the watchtowers on either side of the main road.

He looked down at my fox, “I assume if I try, I won’t be getting very far.”

“No, you won’t” I shrugged with a cute laugh before walking off. The town wasn’t very big, with few businesses or vendors. I looked around for a few hours and finally found a bakery. Upon entering I noticed that all he had here were breads, not tasty pastries. My irritation was growing.

The man at the counter smiled at me, “Welcome miss, what can I help you with this evening?”

I forced a smile and walked up to the counter. “I was wondering if there was anywhere I could get a pastry here.”

“I’m sorry miss, our baker just quit so we only have breads now until we find a new pastry chef.” He said frowning. My eyebrow started to twitch. I felt the anger coming, Zagasihr’s sinister grin as I couldn’t control how mad I was getting despite my best efforts. The demon stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder, taking control. I tried arguing but was overshadowed by pure rage, red tinting my thoughts. My inner self gripped her hair in frustration at trying to unsuccessfully calm down. My outer self, on the other hand, raised a hand and shot a fire at the man and soon the whole building was up in flames. Zagasihr teleported me out and released me just before Malachi arrived. I watched the building burn as the baker cried out for help. Zagasihr used my anger to take over, again... I can’t keep this up. Malachi instinctively charged into the building and came out with the injured man,

“Are you alright? What happened?” Fuck, this might be a bad thing.

“My shop…” The baker said in shock as he watched his shop burn. He couldn’t seem to identify what had happened though, that’s good. I guess Zagasihr’s intimidation was on high for this one.

Malachi looked around frantically, trying to pick up the demonic aura he must have felt when Zagasihr took over. He was confused as to how it just disappeared. He set the man down and cured his wounds then looked over to me. “Lia? Did you see what happened?”

I can’t tell him the truth, “No, I just got here. I was coming to see if he had any treats.” I said before handing the man two coin purses. I hid my expression from Malachi as I looked the man in the eyes, an expression that I had no problem killing him if he told anyone the truth.

“Th-Thank you miss.” He said. I gave him enough to fix the shop. I stood and turned to smile at Malachi.

Malachi looked between me and the building, “I could have sworn I sensed something…”

I shrugged, “I wouldn’t know, I don’t have that ability,” She said, “Were you able to get what you needed?” I asked as the baker wandered off.

Nearby guards came, blocking people off from the building. Some of the men walked by and gave Malachi dirty looks. The paladin simply stood up, glanced at the building then walked off, “No, but I should have enough supplies for at least a few more days. So let’s just go.”

I grabbed his wrist. I felt so mad that people would treat Malachi like this. It isn’t right. But this time Zagasihr wouldn’t use my anger against me, not that he cared since he doesn’t like Malachi. “Hold on would you?” I asked, annoyed. “I could get them for you.” I offered.

He looked over at me before looking at the nearby shops, “Lia, it’s not a big deal. I can get some healing potions in the next town. Maybe even come across a wandering salesman.”

I glared at him, leaving Nexxis with him as I walked off toward one of the shops. He looked down at her with his arms crossed and sighed in mild frustration. I came back and handed him the things he had mentioned he needed plus a few extra, “Here, now you don’t have to worry about it.”

Malachi looked a bit shocked as he looked over the supplies, “I-don’t think I have enough gold to pay you back for all this”

I rolled my eyes, “You don’t have to pay me back.”

“Are you sure?” He seemed genuinely shocked by my generosity. Honestly, this isn’t something I ever do, but I feel different about him. I like him, which is an odd thing for me. I like the people I’ve traveled with before, but this was different. I could feel Zagasihr’s mounting annoyance at my new found feelings.

I laughed a little, “Yeah, I’m sure. I don’t spend a lot of gold so it really didn’t break me.”

Malahi looked back at the supplies, “Uh thank you very much. This will definitely help out a lot.” I smiled at him, I hope I can show him more. It isn’t fair for such a nice guy to be so terribly treated by others. Even if he could be a pain in the ass.