branches » angelica

Subconsciously, Benjamin had somehow shifted into his animal form, a rough-scaled bush viper. His red-and-black scales were spiked and sharp, gleaming in the warm sunlight. He stretched himself out on the branch, tail hanging and head resting on the narrowest part. Ben basked in the sun, letting the warmth seep into his cold scales.

His forked tongue darted out of his mouth, detecting scents in the air. One particular scent was that of a human’s, but not quite so either. Ben assumed it was another half-blood, and his suspicions were confirmed when he scented her nearer and could feel the vibrations of her voice as she spoke. Ben’s golden eyes flickered open and he shifted back. The boy looked down at the white-haired girl just in time for her to see herself cut her finger on a berry bush.

Ben remained quiet whilst Angelica proceeded to fall to the ground next to the tree he was on. Curious, the fanged half-blood climbed down to the branch directly above her. He didn’t utter a single word, merely waiting for the girl to notice him.

Benjamin wondered how long it would take the wolf-eared female to sense his presence above her. He supposed it wouldn’t take long, considering that wolves normally had a keen sense of smell and hearing. Surprisingly enough however, the girl took quite a few minutes before she finally noticed that she was not alone.

A ghostly spark of amusement gleamed in Ben’s snake-like gold eyes. A minuscule smile tugged at the corner’s of his salmon lips, curved fangs protruding from his mouth. He blinked, a thought of concern in his head while Angelica hit her back on another tree. At her statement, Benjamin looked at her with an expression of mild apology. The teen swung both of his legs over the branch so he was sitting down facing her. Ben tilted his head in question, gaze flickering for a fraction of a moment to the woven basket the girl had brought with her.

The wariness in Angelica’s visage was completely understandable in Benjamin’s mind. After all, he did just basically scare her and indirectly injure her. In addition to that, his appearance didn’t exactly come off as friendly. He had venomous fangs, a blank expression, and unnerving snake-like eyes. Anybody in their right mind would be cautious around him.

Ben listened to Angelica’s reason for being out in the forest carrying a basket, but something in her tone told Ben that she wasn’t really telling him everything. He climbed down the dogwood tree and took a few steps toward the girl on the forest floor. He had seen her hit her back pretty hard and he was starting to suspect that it had some impact to what she was feeling right now. Benjamin’s gold-colored eyes blinked, a ghost of a worried frown marring his features.

He walked away from the girl and towards her basket. He picked it up in his hands, mentally counting the amount of berries inside. She only had twenty-three. Ben sauntered over to the bush she had been plucking the berries from and began to add more to her basket himself. When he deemed it enough to make a pie, the dark-haired boy set the basket next to the girl and stepped back. Hopefully, that would tell her that he wasn’t someone to fear. Yet.

Ben merely gave her a curt nod of his head in return for her gratitude. He mirrored the small half-smile on Angelica’s face for a few seconds before his face returned to its usual blank, sharp look. Angelica appeared to be looking just a tad bit brighter, but Benjamin knew that the troubles she was thinking about only moments ago was still there. The dark impressions under her blue eyes and the sad look on her face was enough to tell him so. Ben had never really know much about emotions, preferring to use his head than rule his life with his heart. He didn’t know exactly what he should do to cheer the wolf-girl up, but the snake-eyes boy would start somewhere eventually.

He nodded his head, confirming that he was indeed from the Academy. His golden eyes followed Angelica’s to the top of the campus buildings. It was barely visible from where they were, but Benjamin could see it. He turned back to Angelica, eyebrows slightly furrowed with curiosity and inquiry. If Angelica was smart enough and observed him closely, she would figure out that he was asking her if she was in the school, too. Of course, Benjamin already knew the answer, but he had to practice not talking yet holding up a conversation with another half-blood. This was good enough.

Benjamin was slightly dubious when Angelica stared at him, not saying anything. Perhaps he had assumed wrong about her? Was she not as keen as he had originally thought she would be? Benjamin’s head cleared all thoughts of doubt when Angelica finally got it. He listened to the wolf half-blood whilst she talked, storing the information of her name away in his head for future reference.

Benjamin pursed his lips in concentration. He really didn’t talk, and he had no idea how he would be able to inform her of his name. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. A crackle of paper greeted his ears. The spiky, dark-haired boy tugged it out of his pocket. Luckily enough, it was a receipt from a nearby café. He showed it to her and pointed to his signature. There, in elegant cursive, was his name. Benjamin A.

His pale, cold hand brushed against Angelica’s for a brief moment as he took the wrinkled piece of paper from her grasp. He folded it carefully into a small square and put it inside his left jean pocket. A thankful smile flashed briefly on Benjamin’s face, but even as his expression turned cold, the appreciative light in his eyes remained.

Ben looked up at the treetops, the urge to climb them rekindling. He gazed down at Angelica and then up to the branches. Hopefully, her climbing skills were adequate.

Benjamin once again nodded his head. He didn’t bother waiting for her, walking up to a fairly high tree. His muscles tensed and he jumped. His hands caught a branch, the rough brown bark digging against his palms. Benjamin gritted his teeth, venomous fangs probing his bottom lip. With a quiet grunt, he pulled himself onto the tree limb. Ben sat down on the branch, and he looked down at Angelica. By now, a mischievous smirk tugged at his mouth.

Benjamin surveyed Angelica’s form as she made her way on the tree. She had a slender figure and soft features, made more for running than brute strength. Her hands appeared delicate, indicating that she indeed was not at all that accustomed to rigorous activities like tree-climbing. Maybe more for picking berries and cooking and other feminine activities, but not climbing. Despite that, Benjamin knew she would still do it.

The smirk on Ben’s face widened at her remark. A silent laugh glittered in his yellow-gold eyes. The boy proceeded to stand on the branch, his balance impeccable. Benjamin had been climbing ever since he learned how to, and it was like riding a bicycle to him, only that he didn’t actually know how to ride a bike. Challenge was written clearly on Benjamin’s face along with amusement. He reached for the next branch, high above his head. He scaled it with ease, and once again waited for the white-haired wolf-girl to keep up with him.

Benjamin heard Angelica’s shaky call from below him. Ben gazed down and shrugged his shoulders to indicate that he didn’t know exactly when and where to stop. Maybe when they get to the top, or maybe they wouldn’t go that far. He thought of it for a while before discarding it from his head and just declaring to himself that he’d get there eventually.

Ben noticed that she was now nearer to him than she was earlier. He laid a firm hand on the trunk and offered his hand to the blonde.

As soon as her warm hand clasped tightly in his, Benjamin steadied himself on the trunk and pulled her up. Of course, she was heavy, but Benjamin could manage. He grabbed her other hand and helped it hold onto the bark.

Benjamin quietly snorted and crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. His serpentine optics gazed intently at Angelica. Obviously, if they went even higher, she would most likely either fall or faint in the process. Ben was a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to show her the view of the forest from the top, but he didn’t want to risk getting her killed or injured. So, he sat down and pointed his index finger to the academy.

They were high enough to see the large buildings of the school for half-bloods. A few ways away, the wide expanse of the lake lay, the clear blue liquid shimmering in the sunlight. Figures of students and animals walked about, minding their own business. It was a wonderful sight to see.

Benjamin was pleased that Angelica understood why he relished in the sport. He had always been very appreciative of landscapes and stunning views, continuously finding new sights to see and different angles in which he could gaze at them. Ben actually aspired to own his own camera one day, but never actually having the money needed to acquire one. Thus, Ben could only satisfy himself with seeing and remembering, and he was quite good at remembering.

After a good time just basking in the silence and engulfing the spectacular view, the unruly-haired teenager rose to his feet once more and offered his hand to Angelica. He knew that wolves weren’t at all tree creatures, so he suspected that Angelica had taken up a little bit on that fact. Besides, he wanted to go to another spot and find something new. The forest was a huge place, acres upon acres of nothing but wilderness and lush wildlife.

Drawing? Angelica didn't strike him as an artistically-inclined person, but then again he had never expected to encounter her at all. Benjamin was never really that inclined to that form of art. He found little patience when it came to it, so he preferred photography as his medium. His lack of patience for drawing didn't deter him from appreciating the art, though. He simply enjoyed looking at them, marveling at the sight. After a moment of pondering, Benjamin finally nodded, eager to see the girl's work. He looked at her, hoping she would prepare herself to climb down. Now a little more slowly as to not frighten the wolf half-blood, Benjamin began to descend from the tree, not letting go of her hand.

Benjamin's feet finally touched solid ground once more. He assisted Angelica in getting down from the tree, positioning both of his hands on her waist and daintily carrying her off the branch and onto the ground. He patted his scratched hands on his jeans to get rid of the dirt, his palms numbly stinging. Benjamin ignored it, having been used to the sensation ever since he was a little boy. He made his way to Angelica's basket by the berry bush, picked it up, and handed it to her.