“But he’s really very sweet. He’s a lot of fun to be around and always has some interesting knowledge—”
“That is enough,” his voice cut through her so low and quietly.
She stuttered to a close, vision resting back to him, “Right, we’re not talking about him, this is about us.” He nodded in agreeance. “And there was really nothing you knew about the vibrating?”
“It is just as much a mystery to me; I have not heard of this situation until you.”
It was the truth, after all. How was he to become interested in a human if they were to become a meal shortly after?
This human asked a fair bit of questions, his response to only about half. Yet she answered every single one he asked—about the strange sensation she had, to when she felt it and what it was like. They conversed about why he didn’t go out to kill unless absolutely necessary, remarking how some humans tasted wrong and he would be hungry again shortly after if that was the case.
“Can you have livestock instead of humans?”
“No, I cannot. If I am unable to feed properly on certain humans, I certainly can not survive on less intelligent heaps of meat.” She nodded thoughtfully, taking all the information in. “And this does not disgust you in any way?”
The female laughed lightly, “In some weird way, it’s all actually very interesting learning about you. Maybe because it’s a secret. Maybe because you’re something more than a human being. I’m not quite sure.”
“You find me interesting?”
It was a sentiment he never would have thought to hear. All he ever came to know was fear from these humans. The sudden change from one in particular had struck a chord with him, made him feel different. At first it made him angry, his ego getting in the way and refusing to acknowledge a change in perspective. Humans were food sources, not something to connect to. Then the anger dissolved into confusion—attempting to process a human’s innermost workings and hidden plans, what they meant after every little remark.
She leaned forward, an intense look read on her face that made his mouth part open for a heavy breath to escape, “I am deeply fascinated with you.”
The resolve broke, the look in her eyes showcasing no hidden motives, a look that reminded him of someone from his past, yet he couldn’t place. This human truly did find him fascinating instead of one to fear now. She truly did want to know about him.
He stood abruptly, walking over to where she sat, he may regret this in the long run, yet he extended his hand anyway, “Come with me. I would like to show you something.”
Tilting her head in uncertainty, the hand was taken regardless. He noticed a tint in her cheeks at what was his kindest gesture to her, leading her to the window where the fire escape sat outside.
“Follow me, I will wait for you at the tree line.”
Disengaging their hands, he leapt, moving with swiftness to keep out of sights. Landing on a branch in mere seconds, he turned back, locating the small human. She had been much further away than he anticipated, not as fast as he was, still he waited for her.
Finally, she reached the line of spruce trees, looking around for his figure. He watched her below him, searching around in circles. With a leap, he landed behind her, startling her enough to jump and spin around.
“This way.”
He led the way through the maze of branches and roots, hearing her pant from attempting to keep up with his stride, wandering the forest until they came across the manor once more.
She took in the clearing, “This is?”
“My home, so to speak. This is where I have been living, I figure you may want a proper look at it. If there were anything here for you to discover, I can allow you free reign. It actually has a lot of charm.”
An astonished look met him, “You’re going to show me your home? This house?” She gestured to the building.
“What, did you think I slept in a tree? You do not have to if you want,” he chuckled, opening up more with the human. Or Avie, as she was regarded? It was what that annoyance called her…
“No! No, I do, I would love to. Thank you.” She eagerly jogged the short distance to catch up.
As they arrived at the entrance, he opened the door for her, allowing her entry first. Avie walked in, taking in the same space he presided, taking in the sight of the first floor.
“I’ve been in here before, that night. I thought I was being led to this building.” Her hand traced over the graffiti on the wall beside, “Do you get very many unwelcome visitors?”
“Not for a while, have you seen upstairs at all?”
She eyed the staircase warily, “Are the stairs safe?”
“Strong as bricks.” He stepped to the side, gesturing for her to try them out.
Upstairs, he showed her his sleeping arrangements; various soft materials gathered in a makeshift bed. Many stacks of books littered the room, a large window allowed the moonlight in and draped across a small elegant loveseat—a wood burning furnace sat cold in the corner.
Picking up a title, jade attention skimmed over a few pages, “Can you read in this lighting?”
“I often use the fireplace in the living room, it makes it much easier.”
Avie smiled, closing the book, “You’ve done a lot of reading.”
“It is the only thing I can do to pass the time.”
The human looked back to him, realizing his lack of hobbies. Searching the room again with her eyes low, she seemingly counted the hardcovers occupying this space alone. She huffed, a visible debate happening across her face as her expressions changed.
“These are probably how you know so much about us.”
Handing the hard cover back to him, he took it from her fingers, his talons brushing against their
