Their plans quickly diverted from training to instead going to Amara’s armory. Ezme was delighted when she listened to Amara explain the basics of how firearms worked, and watched everything Amara did with sparkling eyes as she handled the weapons. 

And Ezme was even more delighted when they went outside to the observation deck to test them. Although they could fire them inside, Amara disliked the loud bangs echoing inside her chambers.

Soon they held a competition in marksmanship, which Amara was winning easily as she had practised for a much longer time.

“Nooo! I almost won!” Ezme exclaimed dejectedly.

Not even close, Fluffles.

Amara grinned. “You just need to practise more.” 

Ezme smiled. “I’d like to know how it does against demons. It’s probably weak against the more powerful ones, but maybe it can still be useful against some.”

“I suppose there might be more powerful weapons out there. I believe sniper rifles can pack quite a punch, but they don’t normally fire that rapidly. At least if they are like in games.” Amara explained before she waved her hand towards the rifle in Ezme’s hands with a smile. “Anyway, you can keep it.”

“Can I?!” Ezme exclaimed with sparkling eyes.

Amara shrugged. “It’s not like I need that many weapons at the moment. Besides, I can easily get more, should I need another spare.”

“Thank you.” Ezme smiled brightly as she looked down at her new possession. She stored it with her inventory skill before she looked up at Amara again. “I noticed you have a lot of things now compared to when I left.”

Amara grinned. “Well, I needed them.”

“I seem to recall you reproaching me for stealing before.” Ezme replied with a wry smile.

Amara shrugged and crossed her arms. “Like I said, I needed them. Besides, a lot of things aren’t exactly stolen. Just borrowed. For an undecided length of time.” 

Ezme grinned. “As if the mortals will see any difference.” 

“Well, I’m not allowed to tell them that, am I? So I guess they’ll just have to live with it.” Amara sighed.

Ezme smiled as she tilted her head and looked at the pulsing clouds of light. “I heard some people on Ramay praying to me, asking why I was stealing their prized possessions without any notice.”

Amara looked at Ezme. “Well. Sorry. Didn’t mean to get you blamed for it.” 

Ezme smiled as she looked at Amara. “It’s fine. I just need to stop by and explain it, so they won’t mind in the future.”

“You’re going there now?” Amara asked.

Ezme shrugged as she replied. “Might as well. They’ve waited a while for answers already, I guess.”

You just got back. I don’t want you gone, especially not this soon. Amara frowned. “How long will you be gone?” 

Ezme grinned. “I’ll be there and back in a flash. Enough time for you to make us some tea?” 

Amara let out an inner sigh of relief. “Alright then. Mind apologizing to them in my stead for the inconvenience?” 

Ezme let out an amused snort. “An angel doesn’t need to apologize for inconveniencing mortals. But I’ll explain it to them.” 

Amara raised an eyebrow. “I’m not an angel, remember?”

Ezme smiled as she walked to the ledge and spread her wings. “You’re not, but I am. And with what you got ahead of you, I don’t think you need to apologize either. If you want to, do it yourself once you’re allowed to.”

Amara watched as Ezme took off, slowly flapping her wings as she flew away before they suddenly shined brightly. With the next beat, the angel was gone from view. 

You really think I can do this, don’t you Ezme?

I suppose it’s better than getting told I’m going to die no matter what I do.

And somehow I don’t want to disappoint her either. I wonder what face she would make if I manage to enchant Earthen weaponry?

Amara sighed before she turned and went back into her chambers to prepare a fresh pot of tea for when Ezme would return.

___________________

 

Amara was in the middle of brewing the tea when she heard the doors that led to the observation deck open, followed by footsteps. However, rather than the normal pace Amara was used to hearing from Ezme’s footsteps, the steps were much more forceful. 

Is she stomping?

Amara went out from the kitchen and saw Ezme crossing the room, headed towards the bedroom with an inclined head. 

Alright, something is up. 

Amara hurried after her and caught up with the angel, as she was about to go through the alcove to the bedroom and asked with concern. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Ezme spun around with a face that was beet red, her eyes moist as she pointed an accusing finger at Amara. “You! Stay away!” 

Amara was frozen in surprise as Ezme turned away and continued walking.

That wasn’t anger. Not real anger, anyway. Was that embarrassment?

Amara watched as Ezme headed towards the bed, froze up and groaned before she changed direction and went to the sofa. Ezme sat down and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

After a few seconds Ezme’s pressed her forehead against her knees as her hands went up to her scalp and squeezed her hair while she let out a groan.

Yeah. That’s embarrassment.

Amara went to the kitchen and fetched the pot, came back to the bedroom and poured them both a cup of tea. Amara put Ezme’s cup in front of her on the table.

“Thanks.” Ezme sat unmoving with her forehead still against her knees. 

“No problem.” Amara said and took her own cup and sat down at the other end of the sofa.

What happened? Farsight.

Amara’s vision was filled with the landscape of Ramay in an instant. Amara decided to go to look at the capital city she had stolen artifacts from before.

Nothing out of the ordinary so far anyway. Ezme probably spoke with the higher-ups, which means either the king or the pope, if they have one.

Checking the cathedral yielded nothing, everybody seemed to go about their usual by what Amara could see.

Turning her eyes to the royal palace, she noticed a hole in the roof. 

Amara smiled wryly as she thought. Way to make an entrance, Fluffles. 

Looking inside she saw what seemed to be the king, a young woman in extravagant jewelry and dress, as well as a priest having a discussion. 

Dammit. I can’t hear what they’re saying. I wonder if - 

[Ding!]

How handy. Yes.

[Ding!]

The moment the second bell rang Amara could feel that divine power heat up her ears, as well as her eyes. She already heard the voices talking, as if she was present inside the throne room. Amara instinctively felt that she could choose whether to only listen, see, or do both.

The drain to see was the same as before, but the consumption of divine power to be able to hear was quite high in comparison. 

Amara smiled and sipped on her tea as she began listening.

[“...but is it right for us to make up the gospel? We know nothing about this new goddess Amara, nor how she met with Lady Ezme.” (The King)]

[“It doesn’t matter much Your Majesty, for they will not be made public. The guidelines that have been written down over the millennia by our predecessors are clear, on what we should do when Lady Ezme refuses to give us the correct information.” (Priest)]

[“Oh?” (The King)]

[“Yes, we shall simply write a false one, and pray to Lady Ezme to inform her that we have written a new gospel that we will publicise, in order to show our devotion to her. Once she hears the information is false, she will forbid it. If we insist that it is to show our devotion, and repeat the process long enough, she will eventually give us the right information.” (Priest)]

Amara spat out the tea that was in her mouth, spraying a mist of tiny water droplets over Ezme. 

Ezme’s head turned slowly with her lips set in a line as she looked at Amara.

Amara covered her mouth with her hand as she looked at Ezme apologetically. “I’m sorry. It was unintentional.”

Ezme snorted and snapped her fingers, immediately drying her clothes and hair before she hugged her knees tighter.  

“Sorry.” Amara repeated and went closer and stroked Ezme’s wings. Perhaps because she could tell that Amara was sincere, Ezme chose not to admonish her. 

Amara gently stroked the feathers as she looked at Ezme who rested her chin on her knees. 

Fluffles, do you even know that you’re being played by your own believers?

Amara used Farsight to return to Ramay. The discussion had apparently already ended, so Amara chose to explore the castle. She noticed that the young woman that had been in the discussion was hurrying down the corridors with rushed steps. 

What’s the hurry?

Amara watched as the noble woman, that probably was a princess, rushed with flailing skirts and pushed open the doors to what appeared to be her chambers, as she went straight to a desk and sat down and began writing. 

Amara took in the sight of the princess’ extravagant room, curious to see how a princess actually lived. It was as expected, filled with beautiful and intricate furnishings, that would have cost a small fortune back on Earth. As she looked in the adjoining room however, she saw something familiar. The bed looked almost identical to the one she had been given by Ezme.

Wait...don’t tell me it was hers.

Amara suppressed a giggle as she patted Ezme’s wings. 

Now, let’s see what you were in such a hurry to write down.

Amara directed her Farsight back to the previous room and peeked over the princess’ shoulder. 

Now what have we - oh.

Oh.

Oh!

I need to get a copy of that when it’s finished.

Probably best to hide it from Ezme though. She’s still far too innocent.

Amara cancelled her Farsight and thought. So they think we’re in a relationship. 

I have to use this to my advantage. I should get us to take pictures together and ‘accidentally’ drop them to Ramay.

Amara looked at Ezme and smiled. “So they know about us, huh.”

Ezme blushed and exclaimed angrily as she turned her face to Amara. “What do you mean, us! They misunderstood!” 

Amara smiled. “I suppose that’s true.”

“Yes!” Ezme exclaimed before she sighed and put her face against her knees again.

Amara grinned mischievously. “After all, we can’t have the public make our relationship official before we’ve agreed to it.” 

“What relationship! We’re not-hmpf!” (Ezme)

When Ezme turned her angry red face towards her, Amara leaned in and pressed their lips together. Ezme had frozen in surprise, but as she felt Amara’s tongue advance she jerked back and pushed Amara away.

However, Ezme didn’t control her strength as she pushed Amara in a panic, which made Amara tumble back across the sofa and over the armrest, before falling down and coming to a halt on her front on the floor.

As Amara looked up, Ezme had already crossed the sofa and covered her mouth with her fingers as she looked down at Amara with concern.

They stared at each other before Amara burst into laughter.

Ezme’s face flushed rapidly and declared loudly as she stood up from the sofa and walked briskly towards the alcove. “Training! We’re going back to training!”

Amara turned on her side and smiled wryly as she watched the angel pass her. Ezme glanced at Amara, and immediately averted her gaze and blushed intensely while increasing her pace.

A giggle escaped from Amara as she rolled on her back on the floor with a bright smile on her face.

Ah, Fluffles. 

You make my day.