Shadow and Light; Demonic Wings [ Arianda | Tento ]

-note; this thread takes place durong the events of Africatastrophe -

The sun blazed fiercely over the rugged landscape of Africa, casting long shadows that danced in the heat. Tento moved with urgency, his breath coming in steady, controlled bursts as he navigated the uneven terrain. The child on his back, limp but stable, whimpered softly, tears streaming down their dirt streaked face. The weight of their fear was almost as heavy as their physical presence.“Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you”, Tento murmured, his voice gentle and soothing. He could feel the child's small hands clinging to him, shaking with fear. “We’re almost there. Just hold on a little longer.”

The child's cries began to quiet, replaced by soft sniffles. Tento’s calm demeanor and reassuring words seemed to ease their anxiety. Despite the dire circumstances, there was a spark in Tento’s eyes. He had to get this kid to safety, he promised their parents. Sweat trickled down Tento’s brow, mingling with the dirt and grime that clung to his skin. His muscles burned with exertion, yet his grip remained firm and protective, ensuring the child was secure. The basic kaido he’d administered had stabilized the child’s injuries, but time was of the essence.

In the distance, an area that promised shelter and a camp. It was better than being out in the open with hollows possibly attacking them. He just needed more advanced medical aid. Tento’s eyes were fixed on this goal, his determination unyielding. Each step as he flashed was taken with purpose, his mind focused on the mission at hand. The weight of the child on his back growing heavier by the minute. “You're doing great, just a bit longer,” he continued, his voice steady. The child’s breathing began to slow, their grip on him less desperate. Tento’s words had brought them a small measure of comfort, enough to quell their immediate fears. As he pressed on, the sounds of the environment faded into the background, replaced by the rhythmic beat of his own heart.

Tento moved swiftly through the makeshift streets of the refugee camp, the small, injured child secure on his back. As he neared the camp, a strange yet familiar energy pulsed at the edge of his senses. He paused for a moment, brow furrowing in curiosity. It was an energy unlike any he had felt recently, a blend of warmth and sorrow, strength and vulnerability. There was more to it then the first time he sensed it.

It was human. It was a Shinigami clearly, no a demon and most certainly a qu8ncy. It was a…DEMON. His thoughts turned to the demon, Arianda, that was the only energy he felt like this before and was his only reference. It felt like her. But why here? She was in Africa still despite the chaos still? She was strong sure but she didn't give him the vibe of someone liking fighting or seeing it. And there were a lot of spiritual energies around her, weak energies.

Tento quickened his pace, guided by the intriguing presence ahead.As he rounded a corner, the sight before him caused him to pause. Arianda sat in the midst of the chaos, an injured child cradled gently in her lap. Her voice, soft and soothing, sang a lullaby that seemed to weave a calming spell over the area. The child's cries subsided, replaced by soft, contented breaths. A ping hit him at the sight. She looked human. Much more than any camouflage form could do.

Tento approached cautiously, not wanting to disrupt the tender moment. He watched as Arianda’s hands moved with care and precision, administering what healing she could. Her powers might not have been perfect for healing, but her ingenuity and dedication were undeniable. Every touch, every whispered word, was a testament to her deep-seated compassion.

For a moment, Tento saw beyond Arianda’s demonic exterior. He saw the silent tears that escaped her eyes when she thought no one was looking, the pain that mirrored his own whenever he saw a child in need. It was clear that each child she tended to reminded her of her own lost daughter, a wound that could never truly heal.

"Arianda," Tento called softly, stepping closer. “Do you…want help?”, Tento said carefully laying the child on his back down gently to them. A green glow flowing from his hands outreached to both of them. “You've…been here taking care of all of them yourself?”.

“Despite that, you've still done a lot. I don't think a lot of them should be alive right now from their energy…”. Tento's focus was unwavering as he attended to the injured children, his hands steady and practiced. After ensuring the childs’ wounds were properly dressed, he gave them a gentle pat on the head, offering a reassuring smile before moving on to others in need.

As he worked on more people, Tento's eyes occasionally drifted toward Arianda, filled with a careful and softening look of surprise. He watched as she helped people, her methods a bit rough but undeniably effective for the long-term recovery of their injuries. For those with the most severe wounds whom Arianda tended to, Tento moved beside her, providing additional healing with the same level of care and dedication.

When Arianda turned her attention to the teenage boy, Tento couldn't help but admire her ability to charm the boy into accepting treatment. That was deadly. He remembered the sensation of that kiss to his cheek she gave him before she left, despite his unease about finding out she was a demon. He had thought all of them were gone. But there she was and here still. She…seemed okay. But from his experiences a demon was supposed to be anything but that. Was it not as easy as Hollows when they became Arrancars?

After Arianda finished speaking with the boy, Tento approached, his voice calm and kind. An attempt for a cordial rapport to be built. "I found the little one wandering alone in the aftermath. I couldn't just leave them there, so I brought them here to get the help they needed".He then leaned down to Arianda, placing a hand on her shoulder before whispering. “I….found bodies along the way. A man and a woman, matching his features. But I don't know if…”.