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The solstice shall arrive in three.
Thus was the prophecy Nicole divined.
The earth will shut her eyes.
“Indeed, the crops will wither and die, leaving no ingredients or nutrients behind. Humans are no longer like the creatures from whence they came. Their instincts have persevered, yes, but they have dulled nonetheless.”
The men of the North will come.
“Indeed, their village shall be conquered, leaving few behind. Humans are brutish in nature, similar to the animals from whence they came. Their instincts have survived, and by these harmful ways so have they.”
The rodents, they will bring ill tidings.
“Indeed, those foul critters will crawl beyond their walls, leaving those remaining in a sickly abyss. Humans remain the most vulnerable populace, despite their physical and mental strength. Their instincts have betrayed them, whether through empathy or hatred.”
Hm, your impression of my superiors proves accurate as always.
You laughed, “Thank you, dear Nicole.”
You know you should not refer to me so tenderly.
“I apologize. Back to work it is, then.”
No visions remain. I have already delivered what shall come to pass.
“Surely you jest?”
Rarely have I done so, oracle. Now who’s sharing the jokes?
“There is much to prepare the people for – I must leave for counsel at once.”
—
Nicole often took to the wilderness when you departed. Receiving a bond assignment was highly sought after by curious divine envoys, this was merely a fact she had come to learn during her time in preparation. Nearly what… a decade ago now you were named her oracle. The great prophet’s messenger to the people. Being tethered to a human meant you could not return to the heavens until their death, but at least she could gain more experiences than those on the guardian route.
The cold creek flowed rapidly over her feet, which perched on a plentiful amount of weathered stones. Such a unique sensation had come to be a favorite of hers after taking on a corporeal form. Still angelic in nature and appearance, yet more palatable for the masses.
You had never seemed to mind when the material escaped her. When her guard slipped too far and revealed celestial secrets. Your gentle acceptance remains warm in her chest, its fresh racing mimicking the water below. There was much to enjoy about flesh and blood – this foreign beat certainly being one.
—
Hunters, warriors, and healers rest in their beds beneath the stars, fully consulted on the spirits to come. There was only so much within your power as an emissary of fate. “What has been written must be ordained.” This was Nicole’s learned comfort that she shared years ago, on a cliffside beneath the moonlight. To accept one’s position along the golden string and ensure the coming events pass as beneficially as possible. Divine foresight can only be put to use by those with great wit and intellect, it is useless singular. The ability to plan properly and efficiently is essential in this field.
Pale blonde hair emulates its color in fractal wings, illuminated beautifully in their breeze-like sway. Her cold left hand extends from the steps of your porch, holding a warm teacup and its matching saucer. You chuckled out a thank you, following her inside. She could always sense your arrival.
How will they fare?
“Well, I believe. They are as prepared as possible, what comes now is up to them.”
The cabin returned to silence, wind billowing against the windows noise enough. Warm florals coated your tongue, a salve to the day's stress.
How are you?
“Much better now that I’m home.” you smiled. “What did you find the most enjoyable today, Nicole?”
Every night you ask me this, and my answer is the same.
“I still want to hear it.”
Simply being here.
“I’m happy you’re here too.”
You’ve said that every night as well, and it only grows more true.
—
Nicole often took to the study when you stayed home. Living with a human proves useful in many ways. The most prevalent remains education. While the heavens have always held the world’s knowledge, certain events will always be altered or confused. She’s found that some have even been removed entirely. Here, that is not the case. An entire second floor has been dedicated in this limited cabin to learning and sharing. Books of all kinds rest on the shelves, each capturing different pieces of Nicole’s attention for the day. Her favorites have become science and romance. One far more grounded than the other in the confines of her mind, but no less intriguing.
Within the realms of science, one can learn what the spiritual does not explain. As an angel, she has long been taught and believed in the power of the celestial. A divinity existing since time immemorial that has shaped the very earth and its creatures. To learn, then, that another explanation can exist, has been most thrilling.
Within the realms of romance, one can learn what the mind does not explain. As an angel, she has long been taught that universal love is the only emotion she should be concerned with. To betray this unspoken oath would cast you down to earth, left to rot in the flames of humanity. Holding one above another was sin, and for this sin you lost your identity. No voice, no divine form, no wisdom. Thoughtless and lonely, you traverse the dirt as a spirit, leading wanderers to boons. In between these pages, however, she can live another life. She can imagine the overwhelming flush of love, safe from reprimand.
Still, these books would only lead her mind to you. After sharing your lives for so long, she felt this kinship was natural. That the foundation of it had been there since the beginning. Now, she understood that her feelings drifted past a sense of family. Perhaps even past that of friends. She could picture every alternate reality with you from the inky scrawlings in her hands. Present, past, and future. In peace, in tragedy, in passion. With mind, body, and soul. How charming that dream would be.
—
“When did your halo change, dear Nicole?”
In truth, she hadn’t noticed. For once something escaped her ever observant eyes.
What does it look like?
“It shines the same, but appears entwined with thorns.”
Spears struck her chest, leading the chair previously holding her to fall as she rose. Immediately, she ran to the front door, revealing the chilled air behind the wood as she exited. The cold could hardly be felt under her supernatural skin, but the wind could certainly still whip around her. Footprints traced heavily behind her in the snow, leading to the cliff beside your home.
From here she had an unadulterated view of the moon and its minions.
No one shall cast me out. From this day forward, you control me no longer.
—
"Something has changed in you, dear Nicole.”
Indeed.
There was no advantage to excuse the absence of her wings, nor her halo. No advantage to deny the decrease of her magic. Foresight has long sat beside her heart – it would go nowhere. She’s only lost the everyday conveniences. The sense of brimming vitality.
Do you mind it?
“Of course not. You will always have a place here, regardless of what form you take.”
How did you piece it together?
“You fell asleep on your notes not too long ago. I merely caught a glimpse or two trying to wake you up.”
I appreciate your kindness.
“It is not just kindness. It is love.”
You… really feel such a way about me?
“As naturally as the breath in my lungs.”
She did not respond. Did not dare yet test the limits of her new existence. Instead she wrapped her arms around you as tight as possible, communicating the ferocious beat of her heart. When you laughed and kissed her cheek, that strength melted to a comfortable embrace.
“So, what did you find the most enjoyable today, darling?”
Simply being here, with you.