Psyche & Eresto Part 1: Second Life
Chapter 3 of 4: Untitled
The first few days in Angelhome were a big adjustment. In the mornings, Kim woke up in a panic thinking that she was late for work. She had run around the bedroom, wondering where her clothes were. Typically, Eresto would just stare at her perplexed until she would remember where she was.
In those first days she went back to her apartment through the doorway often. It was partly to get things that she would need from home, like books and clothes. But she also went back due to a nagging feeling that her First Life was falling apart in her absence. She continued to do these "First Life Checks" (as she started calling them) before getting used to the fact that time was not passing in her apartment and in her life while she was with Eresto.
Meeting a few of the other mortal women ("her sisters" as they referred to themselves) helped Kim adjust to Second Life. She saw Cassandra regularly, who seemed to be checking up on her once a day or more. Cassandra seemed to be very respected and the "veteran" among the women there. The others that Kim had met were polite but seemed like they were giving her some space.
Kim had asked Cassandra about this. "Every ten days there's a banquet," she had explained. "The next one is coming up. If you're still here after the first banquet that's when the others will start seeking you out more. Until then, they're giving you some space to get acclimated. Spend the time with your angel."
It was very noticable that there were no mortal men in Second Life. It was apparently a women's club only. Cassandra confirmed Kim's suspicion ("that would be a mess in a lot of ways") but didn't offer any reasons why. Kim wondered if having men there would interfere with the angels courting the mortal women who lived there.
The palace had an exercise gym for the women to use, to pass the time and stay healthy. Kim had tried it out and was impressed. In fact, the angels had a knack for having many conveniences around the palace for the mortal women to use who lived there. In the palace kitchen, which the angels didn't seem to use much, there were always foods from the orchard or taken from Earth.
Kim's time with Eresto was magical. They would usually spend the evenings walking the paths around the palace. She had told him about her family back home in First Life, and her friends including her best friend Beth who tried to give her relationship advice. She spoke about her work as a CPA and some of her coworkers (whom she definitely wasn't missing at all). Eresto would tell her about an artist he was trying to inspire "to create the next Sistine Chapel" as he would sometimes say.
When Eresto was off on his duties during the day, Kim would busy herself in the palace or on the grounds. She began to think of it as a stay-at-home-angel-wife lifestyle. One of her favorite passtimes was running or walking in the orchard around the palace. There were always new paths to explore, and it was nearly impossible to get lost as the palace was a large landmark in the middle of the trees. The vibrant colors of the orchard trees and their multicolored canopies never got old, and she felt that she could wander through them for days and not get sick of them.
Kim slowly began to realize that her feelings for Eresto weren't just lust with a beautiful lover. She was falling in love with him and wanted to give herself to his strong and loving care. But at the same time, she felt that he wasn't being honest with answers to her questions. She had asked him a few times about his previous relationships and why he was single for so long and never gotten an answer. She thought of him alone in that palace for years and years before her arrival, without a woman. Such a beautiful and wonderful "man" alone with no woman looking after him? It was unimaginable with the way he seemed to revel in her affection and attention.
While he seemed very human in some ways, physically and emotionally, Kim came to learn some of the differences between his kind and hers. His angel soul was very different, or perhaps unjaded by a tumultuous life on Earth. She also knew that he was very old, defying his looks, and that probably affected his perspective too. He was also an incredible lover. "I can't believe he's inexperienced in bed. Maybe it just comes naturally to his kind?" She tried to return the favor, wanting more than anything to please him.
It had been several days and Eresto had left for the day Kim was set to take her daily run in the forest. By now she had gone back to her apartment for a number of belongings and brought them, including clothes for exercising. It was early afternoon and she had done the first two "r" in her routine of "read, write, run." She had changed into a jogging outfit, put a scrunchie in her hair and was ready to head outside.
Leaving her suite and walking out to the hallway, Kim stopped when she saw a familiar figure approaching: Abeldine the angel commander. She was wearing the same uniform that Kim had seen her wearing when they first met. Abeldine smiled to her and waved in greeting, and Kim felt a dread. Her presence had been intimidating at their first meeting.
"Hello, Psyche," Abeldine smiled and greeted with a smooth yet authoritative voice.
"Good afternoon, Mistress Abeldine," Kim smiled. "It's another beautiful day."
"I was wondering if you had a few minutes to discuss something?" Abeldine motioned to Kim's room.
"Of course," Kim went back inside and Abeldine followed. Kim bit her lip and felt nerves in her stomach. "What can I do for you?"
"First of all, I must apologize for this intrusion," Abeldine said as she closed the door to the suite. "When someone is new I generally do not intrude for a time. You have not been here very long by our reckoning."
"Oh, it's no problem," Kim hid her uneasiness as best she could, but wondered what sort of demand Abeldine was going to make of her.
"I'll get right to the point and let you get back to your day," the angel continued with a slightly lowered voice. "I am most pleased that you and Eresto have bonded so well. I sincerely hope you stay here in Angelhome."
"I love it here," Kim said, trying to hide her misgivings about this visit. "I wasn't planning to leave any time soon."
"The power of your life force is stronger than we had anticipated." Abeldine seemed impressed.
"Mistress," Kim swallowed hard, "if I may ask, is there something you wanted to ask of me?"
"Your partner is going to be taking on duties that will tax him more, as he has found renewed spirit and vigor since you arrived. I ask you continue to give him the love, support and strength that he needs. There are large matters happening in the Stairway and even here on the First Step. He will need you to get through this time."
"Of course," Kim was a little surprised by the request. "I'm here to be with him and give him what he wants and needs. I love him."
"Very good," Abeldine smiled and spoke with her full voice again, looking down at Kim almost through her nose as she held her head high. "I also wanted to tell you that the ten day banquet is tomorrow night. I look forward to seeing you both there." Before Kim knew how to respond Abeldine was walking back toward the door.
"I'll be there... Thank you for visiting, Mistress Abeldine," was all Kim could think to say as Abeldine opened the door and stepped out. With one more look at Kim, the angel closed the door and was gone.
"I wonder what that was about," Kim thought to herself before beginning to stretch for her run.
Once outside, Kim set out to run going east (by her reckoning) and into a part of the orchard where the tree leaves were a bright and pastel green. They bore some type of fruit that was azure in color. She didn't know what it was but Eresto had told her it was good to eat. Kim liked to run in this portion of the forest because the path was a bit longer and hilly, so she could push herself a bit.
She jogged through the forest at a moderate pace, admiring the scenery, her breathing steady. "Not bad, Kim, you'll get into shape yet." Just as this thought had gone through her mind, she noticed something ahead. Someone clad in white was sitting beside the path in the grass. As she got closer, she could tell it was Cassandra. Cassandra was reading a book, but looked up as Kim approached. Kim slowed to a walk and smiled.
"Hey, Psyche babe," Cassandra called out as Kim neared. "Beautiful day for a run or a stroll."
