The Big Apple

[Dimgwrthien]

Claudia watched the view from the top of an apartment building in New York. If she looked far enough, she could make out the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and dozens of other areas she loved to watch.

One of the humans that she 'worked' for (or did they work for her?, she wondered) lived in the building under her feet. It had been an interesting meeting for the both of them. The human spent their night, like most others, pleading for change and for hope. Claudia wanted to give it to her so badly, but she knew it wasn't her job to.

She turned around, making sure her sweater was straight and her skirt wouldn't get caught on anything, and headed down the rickety elevator, reminded of heaven a bit too much, and stood outside to watch the cars.

[Dragonfly]

Claudia was here, Milo had known she would be. And he had brought Ali as well. He held the hand of his young charge tightly, uncomfortable in the crowded streets with gray buildings, gray sky and the dark gray street. He knew that she would be overcome by the colors, though. The bright red of the banners proclaiming sales, the yellow hats, blue coats, flashing smiles, the sounds, smells. Sensations washed recklessly over the both of them. While it would usually intoxicate the adventerous Milo, now it unsettled him. He had someone precious to him to watch out for.

Which was exactly why he wanted to see Claudia. He had arranged so the two of them could give Ali a tour of the city, satisfying her curiosity. At least a little.

Finally the guardian angel caught sight of Claudia, gazing half-heartedly at the passing vehicles. He gave Ali's hand a tug, startling her from her enthralled view of the city, and set forward to talk to the angel.

[Dimgwrthien]

Claudia waited until Milo and Ali were close enough to talk to normally. She had never seen the girl before, though she knew Milo well from their years in heaven together. The girl's eyes stood out to Claudia first. It was her favorite thing to look at with humans since they got that certain look that she had never seen in an angel. Maybe it was life. This girl had expression, though, and Claudia fought to understand it.

"Beautiful day," she said to them, taking in a breath of the smog and exhaust from the cars. She loved the smell of a crowded city where the humans shared their air closely. "Welcome back, Milo." She pulled him into a hug, trying to wrestle his tall frame into her arms.

[Schmetterling]

Ali smiled as the two embraced, slightly envious of the closeness that the woman seemed to have with her guardian. Though the feeling didn't last long, replaced first by the excitement she felt at finally seeing this place, then by the wonder that Milo had actually let her come. She assumed he would have fought alot harder than he did saying 'She could be mugged' or 'Fall down a man hole' or something similar.

She brought her thought back to the being before her and streched out her hand, "Hi I'm Ali."

[Dimgwrthien]

Claudia broke away from Milo, letting her hand slide down his shoulder slowly. She grinned at the girl. There was still something amazing about her eyes, and she wished she could understand why. Maybe she had never seen such perfectly brown eyes. Her own reflection of green eyes had greeted her too often.

"Hey. I'm Claudia. I'm supposing Milo's mentioned something about me and who I am."

[Schmetterling]

She nodded, "Yup. I know that you're an angel and that you and Milo know each other and..." She pasued and blushed slightly, "Mm-kay, maybe he didn't tell me that much." Though in actuallity she had probably been preoccupied and not paying attention when Milo went into the lenghty description of his friend.

[Dragonfly]

Milo shuffled his feet awkwardly. He had mentioned quite a bit about Claudia, but had known Ali wasn't paying attention, and mostly said it anyway out of obligation. Ali was being awfully tactless, but there was nothing to be done about it but love her for it. He grinned between his two friends and indicated that perhaps they should start moving, as they were disrupting the current of people moving around them.

[Dimgwrthien]

Claudia pulled out of the stream of people, still smiling at Ali and Milo. It had been too long since she last saw Milo, and it amused her how he seemed to protect and love the girl so much.

However, Ali's words drifted in her head for a moment, and she wondered what Milo had been telling her. She tried to take her mind away from the subject, but it seemed to keep on coming back.

"What were your plans today?" she asked, keeping as close to the street as possible as they walked. "Whatever you're doing, I want pizza."

[Schmetterling]

At the mention of the word the scent wafted past her nose. She breathed in deeply and let out a 'mmm' as she exhaled. "Pizza sounds good." She looked to Milo to see if he would agree.

[Dragonfly]

Milo nodded without hesitation. It wasn't his favorite meal, but it would do for today. Especially as both girls seemed to want it.

Milo's attire had been carefully selected so he would meld in with the crowd and could more easily concentrate on the well-being of Ali. A throw-over blue jacket, modest sweater, jeans and a light scarf. His startling red hair would have to remain, as he wasn't willing to change that.

[Dimgwrthien]

Claudia glanced down the street a little. "You alright with pizza, Milo?" she asked, then said without waiting for an answer, "There's a nice place down the road. One of those stands. Very good pizza. No mobsters around." She grinned at the two. "I love talking to the Italians. Can I order? They have beautiful accents."

She broke off, realizing how jumbled her words seemed to be. To make up for it, she glanced at where Milo's eyes seemed concentrated on. "Nice clothes. Almost makes your hair normal."

[Schmetterling]

Ali followed silently, eyes darting every where attempting to take in every thing around her. From what she had seen of Claudia so far she rather liked her. The angel was definatly some one she wouldn't mind befriending, and the way she would ramble on was quite amuzing. After a few moments she adressed Milo.

"What are we going to do after we eat?" She questioned.

[Dragonfly]

"Whatever you like," Milo said to her, "It's not my adventure, after all. This is for you, and for Claudia." He pulled his scarf a bit closer to him, chilled by the autumn air.

[Schmetterling]

She thought for a moment but when nothing came immediatly to mind she turned to Claudia, "What would you like to do Claudia? I'm sure you know your way around here much better than I do."

[Dimgwrthien]

Claudia thought for a moment, glancing around at the names of the buildings. There was a clothing store across the street with people walking in and out that could have been models. There was a row of apartments near her. People continued to buzz around her.

"I'm more used to Chicago than this area. Let's grab some pizza and I'll take the two of you to the Body Museum." She grinned. "No, not there. I'd rather keep my lunch with me. There're some clubs and attractions. See how we feel."