Chapter One
Jin
I pull my scarfaround my throat, shivering at how chilly the air is today. It’s finally spring. The snow is melting, the air is slowly warming up, and I can leave my apartment without feeling like my body is going to freeze solid.
Being a Seraphim means I am an angelic being that was born of this world through fire. More specifically, I was born during an active volcano eruption. Do I understand all the details? Not really. Something about the Earth storing up energy and releasing it in the form of an eruption that somehow creates my kind. One moment, I’m a floating spirit in the Heavenly realm and the next, I’m waking up in fire as a complete and whole being.
However it works, I’m happy to be here. Being alive is so muchfun! Way better than the nebulous spirit I was before all of thishappened. I have a feeling I used to be someone, a long time ago. I sometimes have dreams of a different time, like maybe this is my second life, but I’m not too worried about figuring that all out. Why would I when I havethislife to live?
I’ve only been in this town for about four months now. I haven’t properly been able to explore it yet because of the snow, but today feels like the perfect day to finally venture out and check things out.
My wings are pulled tight against my back despite the fact that they’re currently in the ethereal plane. I wouldn’t want them bumping into people but because they’re part flame, they help keep me warm in the spring air.
A few people walk past me, going in the opposite direction of me. They must have the same idea. It’s finally time to get outside. I give them a friendly nod as I go.
I like people. They fascinate me. They’re so different yet all connected in some way. Community and families and relationships. Sometimes when I’m alone at home, I just try to picture inserting myself in things like that. It leaves my head spinning and my chest aching with something I can only describe as longing.
I have all these memories and feelings despite only beingalivefor a short time. I might be new to the world but I’m notnew.
My existence is confusing. That’s okay, I know no other way.
I’m renting an upstairs apartment that’s downtown. It’s close enough for me to walk to a bunch of locations. I have enjoyed so much takeout this winter despite my wallet crying at me. I really need to find a job as soon as possible before I run through the rest of my savings. Today, my destination is the mall.
It’s time to check everything out, including this huge mall. I’ve heard so much about it! Plus, I figured it would be a great place to see if any stores are looking for help. Two birds with one stone or however that saying goes.
As I step inside, I’m overwhelmed with new sights and sounds and smells. It hits me all at once. I take a moment to just breathe it in and experience it. I love experiencing new things. I love discovering. My heart warms in a way that makes me feel excited all over. If I was a chihuahua I think I’d be absolutely shaking right now.
I smile to myself as I slip off my gloves, tucking them into the pocket of my jacket. I shake out my bright red hair and adjust the headband I always wear, making sure it’s in place.
Entering through this door means I’ve come in through the food court. There’s stalls to both my right and my left. Everything smells so fucking good. There’s a bakery to my left that I wander over towards. A man with orange hair and a bright smile greets me. His nametag says ‘Mason’.
“Good morning,” Mason says in greeting. “What can I get you?”
I look up at the board. My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I skipped breakfast this morning. “Could I please have a cinnamon roll?”
“You got it!” Mason tells me my total and I quickly swipe my card.
“Is it always so slow?”
Mason shakes his head. “It’s still early. People have work and stuff,” he says with a smile. “Are you new to town? Sorry if that’s rude, I’ve just never seen you before and I’m pretty good at remembering faces.”
“That’s not rude at all! This is my first time here,” I say with a grin, happy to have someone to talk to. “I’m sort of new to town. I moved to Nanio about four months ago.”
I really need to force myself out of the house more often, even when it’s cold outside. The cold might be my mortal enemy but that shouldn’t hold me back! There are people to meet and experiences to be had!
“That’s awesome,” Mason says brightly. He’s good at this whole customer service thing. Or maybe he’s just got that sunshine personality. “How are you liking it here so far?”
“It’s cold,” I say right away. “But now that it’s warming up, I like it. The town is so busy all the time!”
Mason nods his head. “We always have something going on, that’s for sure.” He turns around, grabbing a bag from another worker and handing it over to me. “It was really nice meeting you. I hope you’ll stop by again!”
“Thank you,” I say, taking the bag. “I think I will.”
It’s probably dumb to try to eat this on the go but that’s exactly what I do. I take the roll out of the bag and shove half of it into my mouth in one go. The icing drips down my chin and slides down my fingers but I don’t care because oh mygods, this is delicious. Thank Christ for modern teeth health because I have an insatiable sweet tooth. The sweeter the better!
I hum happily as I walk through the mall, checking out all the different stores. None of them really interest me but that’s okay. It’s still nice to walk around, stretch my legs, while not freezing my ass off. The mall stretches out in four directions with a central square in the middle.
Near the food court area is a stand that sits in the middle of the walking area. The smell makes me draw near. I toss my trash away and do my best to clean my fingers before wandering over.
