Death and Tide

[Mirach]

At dawn, Death raised his head and listened carefully. "No pursuers..." he whispered.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide was silent for a moment before he added quietly.
" I keep trying to listen... " he whispered. " But I hear nothing. I... Have never had pursuers give up like that. I don't know what to think... "

[Mirach]

"They never before pursued their former king..." Death murmured. "We should continue towards the sea, I think."

[VisAnastasis]

" But the question is, should we continue directly to sea, or to my home?" Tide whispered." Do you think it would be safe to go directly? Perhaps... we could go to sea at first and meander between some islands, spread our scent in more confusing way.... You know, just in case. So, I'd they change their mind, it would be harder for them to find us. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, reaching the sea is a priority," Death agreed. 

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded. He glanced at the little kitten at their side wonderingly, before he asked slowly.
" Would you like... Xia to carry you, or I? It may be slower progress, but it may be better for her to stay kitten for a while. "

[Mirach]

"If we need to flee, she can transform, but otherwise you could carry us," Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded, and he seemed pleased.
" Do you prefer riding on carrying? " he asked, seeming a little bit excited for acceptance, as if, after Cernunnos first dealt with their enemy, and in did all the heavy lifting, he looked forward to taking off some of the load. " I can carry you both easily as I am, or I can take on some bigger walkable form if it would be more comfortable for you. There's a river 3 or so miles from here. We can use it to our advantage. I can just step upon it, and let it carry me as I glide upon it. It meanders but flows to the sea. I've used it here and there on my travels. It is deep, but it's very clear, and rows and rows of trees spread on both sides, and there's a small but sweet fishing town when the waters reach the foam. It's lovely at this time of year... Maybe we could get a warm meal there... "

[Mirach]

"That would actually be nice..." Death said. "And getting to water first is a better guarantee of our safety as well."

[VisAnastasis]

" I knew you'll add some practical reason we should have some good time. " Tide grinned a little bit. " Will you be a human or snake? " he bid a little more quietly. " If you'd like to be a snake, you should be safely concealed under my shirt, concealed by my essence... But I must implore you if you'd prefer to stay outside and watch around... there's a greater chance we may run into some Beings. If you wish to be human, I think it'd be wisest if you put my mask on and wrapped yourself up with my cloak. It's not hard to get used to. You'll be able to see through the mask as if it wasn't there. "

[Mirach]

"If we might meet someone, I would rather be a snake," Death said. 

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded slowly.
" It.. may be safest. I don't think I know anyone that knows you have a snake form. That is a good guarantee." He whispered, but seemed a little bit down, as he added shyly." To admit, I hoped you would have liked to remain human. I looked forward to braiding your hair, and speaking with you of how you like the sea cost... "

[Mirach]

"We can do that when we get to the sea cost," Death said. "Could we make some tea before setting out though?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course, of course. " Tide rushed to add. He seemed embarrassed, as, being a demon, and not requiring food and drinks, he had completely forgotten it. " Would you like to have breakfast before we go too? It'd be a good choice. Here. " he straightened a bit, reaching for their supplies bag that was rather diminished by now. " You can eat, while I make you the tea. "

[Mirach]

"If our supplies allow it, I would like to have some breakfast," Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide searched their bag.
" I fear we've spent almost everything of the things I packed in a capital... long way since then," he admitted regretfully. " But, let's see... Not counting the golden apples, of course, we have... Jar left of Cernunnos's honey. About two kilograms of fruit he gave us. And... it seemed he packed up a bunch of spices. I fear it's not as much as I'd have hoped... but don't worry. I still have leftovers from the money I've brought from home. We can still buy lunch when we get to that. But this is what we have for now regarding breakfast... "

[Mirach]

"I would take half of it, then," Death said. "So we have something left in case of need."

[VisAnastasis]

" Take the amount you think best. " Tide retorted, handing him the bag with food, while he took the mug and water to prepare the tea, adding. " Don't... worry about the supplies, okay? If we happen upon bad luck and humans won't sell to us out of fear of you or something, we'll head to the nearby islands - there are a lot of Beings here and there, so I'll make deals to get you food if need be. I'll steal, if need be, it's not beneath me. I won't let us... um... I mean, I won't let you starve, okay? Some things are more important that pride. "

[Mirach]

"I don't want you to steal, but I hope we will manage to make some deals. I would just prefer to have at least a bit stashed for unexpected cases, so I will leave some of the fruit until we can get more."

[VisAnastasis]

" Weight of your hunger against the weight of stealing couple slices of meat doesn't seem quite bad to be. " Demon protested, but he did not argue. " May it be, though. I doubt we'll fall to that, but I'll try to keep that the last option, for the sake of your peace," he said simply, as he, as if forgetting he can just make it float to cup, carefully poured water into Death's cup, and began warming it in his healthy hand.

[Mirach]

Death took some of the fruit with honey and spice, while Tide was making the tea. "May I also tend to your hand before we set out?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" I'm not best at initiating those things, but it'd be a good idea. " Tide whispered shyly. " Were it not for the bandages, I'd have almost forgotten... Not because it is nothing. Soul burns are pretty nasty things, you don't have to tell me. It's just that, with you so close, leaning against me, I barely felt any pain since last night... I almost forget it's still injured. " he snickered embarrassedly. " You've picked a really lousy forgetful demon to rely on, I mean... I tend to get, um, easily distracted sometimes... I was rather thinking about good places that sell food around the cost and wondering whether they are still open since the last time I went to them... "

[Mirach]

"Then you can continue thinking about that, and leave the concern for your hand to me," Death said, and got to changing the bandage.

[VisAnastasis]

" It's a deal, then... " Tide whispered shyly, timid as ever about it - but still extending his hand to Death trustfully.
When Spirit unraveled it, he sow, while not healed too much, that it had gotten much better. Some parts that were rather deep were closing up with flesh a little, and it looked otherwise healthier, some more scorched parts from before looking more blistered than charred. It seemed that on one side resting and feeling calm and happy helped a lot, and in other, the such close presence of healing force leaned against him helped that joy and his soul all the same - and demon was aware of that. His foamy eyes sparckled timidly as he watched Spirit work, almost with some embarrassment, but also, clear gratefulness and timid, aproachable warmth.

[Mirach]

Death tended to it with care. "When we get to the sea, I will try if I can heal it as Semai, okay? It wouldn't look good if you return with it looking worse then when you left..."