Death and Tide

[Mirach]

"No, the kitten can't kill anyone with one bite," the man said. "The snake can. But, let's say that I won't call the guards... for a certain sum."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded slowly, not seeming surprised.
" Please, do tell- I don't remember having hear your name? Tell me, kind sir... What can I call you? " he asked, instead of a direct reply. " And, when we are doing the small talk already - do you happen to have any pet when you take such interest in mine? What about the family? Wife, husband, children? Or elderly parents, per chance? "

[Mirach]

"My name and relatives are not relevant, sir," the man said. "I'm just helping you. If the guards find out, you will get a much bigger penalty and they will certainly take your lovely pet."

[VisAnastasis]

" You think not telling me your name is some kind of protection for you? My kind sir, I just wonder if you are having some legitimate reason to do this. I very much frown upon malice, you see. Trying to blackmail a person with loss of his beloved pet, really? Don't you know how cruel it is? " he asked quietly, with a simple, soft voice, one of no pretence. " Isn't it relevant to me to know what makes you wish to be such kind of person? Please, tell me, do you always act this cruel to good unsuspecting travellers, or did my expensive pet encourage you to be the most greedy version of yourself? "

[Mirach]

"No, it's not relevant." The man stood up. "I gave you a chance, but think I will just call the guards."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide grew a little tense with the threat, but he moved not and watched him still, and he didn't seem to grow upset just yet. Instead, he remained calm and tried to stay open.
" Did I struck a painful string...? " he just asked, tamely and simply. " I did not want to. I apologize, but the soup is getting cold, and my snake wants to eat. You invited yourself to our table, though, and came to threaten us. Don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself? That's not a very polite way to treat a guest. " he tilted head at him, suggesting rather softly. " Why don't you join us for a meal instead? Order something you like, and eat with us. Let me treat you instead of bribe you. You are a bit rude, but aren't we all sometimes? I'll gladly give you a chance to better the first impression. "

[Mirach]

"Business is business, sorry," the man shrugged and turned to leave. 

"I can promise you I won't bite anyone," Death said suddenly, quietly, so nobody else in the inn could hear him. 

The man's eyes widened and he staggered back.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide couldn't help but smile a little.
" You didn't have to reveal yourself, little one... I'd have dealt with the guards. It was about the principle. " he said with just a tinge of sorrow in his voice. He then looked up at the man anew, and asked, once again, with a touch more emphasis. " Still, as for you... Are you quite sure that you want to do this? Or are you going to sit down? "

[Mirach]

The man just ran away.

"A talking snake? They will never believe him," Death whispered into his ear. "They would have no reason to believe it's poisonous either, if you claim it's not..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I could have just claimed that I practice medicine and that I use your poison for it, and can as easily create antidote if you bit someone. You'd have taught me. " Tide replied quietly. Gently, he took one boiled egg, removed the shell, warmed it up with his powers, and let Death eat it from his hand, while he added wonderingly. " We can go with your story, it's better... but it's not about that. I just hoped to know if he really needed the money and if this act is something he's used to doing, or spur of the moment malice. " he shook his head lightly. " I can't have such people around, extorting money like this. I'll have to think about speaking with Llyr about this. He'll know what to do. "

[Mirach]

"He's used to it," Death said with certainty and bit into the egg. "Too much ease and confidence for someone who would just decide to try it once. Also an expensive cloak..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I noticed. You don't get such bright shade of yellow for nothing. Fabric is too delicate to be cheap, too. " Tide agreed quietly while gently feeding the little snake, indeed, to any observer, as one would feed a beloved pet. " But you never know, that's why I wished to speak with him more. He may as well be nobleman that fell onto bad luck and has the confidence, but still, pride enough to go against his interests once he gets offended. " he shook his head lightly. " You always need to try the gentle way first. You never know when someone really misfortunate and lost may come your way. It's the easiest thing in the world to turn the page and take the gloves off and scare the hell into their bones once you're absolutely sure you speak to a jerk. "

[Mirach]

"The cloak was new, too. Not a disgraced nobleman..." Death murmured. "I was quite sure..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You don't need to break your head around it. That's the problem for the future us. It doesn't matter too much right now. Vane people usually respond better to intimidation than kindness, anyway. I considered it, but I just didn't feel that eager to scare life out of him... I looked forward too much to feed you. " he smiled a little, and, after the snake has eaten the egg first, he took the plate of warm vegetable broth and brought it up, to snake's level so it could sip from it. " Try this one. It's the chilliest one they have, literally. I've ordered the version with strong spices and chilly peppers... "

[Mirach]

Death obeyed and sipped from it. "It's good," he agreed. He ate for a while, when two guards entered the tavern and approached them. "So, a talking poisonous snake, uh?" he asked with a hint of amusement.

The sbake raided its head and hissed quietly.

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, to be honest, I fear he can only say *hissss*, kind sir. But he's a very good listener. " Tide grinned a little at the man, not being much able to resist trying in on a joke. " It's my pet, and I am actually the one that talks to him. He likes to listen to the sound of my voice as I feed him... I imagine our little chat can get anyone confused this early in the morning. "

[Mirach]

"I see..." the guard nodded, as if having expected that. "And what about the poisonous part?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Why... " Demon smiled a little. " Would anyone sane be carrying a poisonous snake around his neck and feeding it from his palm, my dear fellow? " Tide asked - he had a big aversion to straight up lying, but concealing the truth or half-truths were something he was almost able to not hate doing. " Besides, I trained it to eat nothing except what I offer it from hand. I'd doubt it'd even think of anything other than human food is acceptable for its taste buds. I'd dare say someone has been rather judgy about those lovely creatures. Thinking immediately that every snake is poisonous and all about biting? That seems hardly a fair view of those sweet creatures, sir. My snake is the gentlest kind. I have a kitten too, right here. " he said, pointing to Xia that he had in meantime put to rest on his lap. " And they rest and play together... You'll never find such polite companions," he spoke, with some shade of fondness that was true, and with it indeed seemed as if he were an eccentric nobleman, talking about his beloved pets.

[Mirach]

"Hmmm... alright," the guard said uncertainty. "It doesn't look poisonous. But make sure it doesn't escape, people can get scared and hurt it. It does look expensive..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, don't worry, it has a bit of a sore neck, so it doesn't really move around much. It prefers to stay on me for the warmth of my body and my cloak. And yes, I suppose you could consider it expensive. You could say it's one of a kind miracle in this whole amazing universe. " he glanced at it fondly, knowing it's not an understatement, and his conviction was firm and wholesome. He turned to the guard then, and added, a little shyly. " Please, don't frown upon me - but I do feel so bad for getting you to come over for nothing. I don't wish you take it the wrong way, but can I treat you anyhow for your trouble? "

[Mirach]

"Well, I don't know. It's mostly boring here, so I don't have much to do. Where are you from?" the guard asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, I'd mostly say, primordial void of the sea sounds like just about right answer. I did a whole lot of travelling around the oceans it really grew on me. " Tide replied, is it seemed to Death that one of his pleasure was to tie in bits of truth through the playful joking tone. " But other than that, my current home is in the Third City, called so ever since emperor conquered it three centuries ago. It's not too far, you've perhaps visited? It's a very lovely city by the sea, and there are many stores with lovely goods of all kinds, and there are always many travellers passing through, and nice beaches and beautiful architecture and lot of sun! I mean, what can I say... " he smiled, as he invited them to sit with him if they'd like. " Some places, you just fall in love with, and you just know. It wasn't a capital of the old kingdom by the sea for nothing. "

[Mirach]

The man sat down after a short hesitation. "Yes, I've heard it's a rather exciting place. Haven't been there, though."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's face lit up with that, and he smiled broadly, inviting the guard with a gesture to sit down, and waving to the innkeeper to give them whatever they would like.
" Oh, but that's such a pity! I can't imagine anyone who'd not love it! I'm sure you'd like it, and it's not that far away. " he spoke up, excited to be able to offer up something to enrich someone's life, a hospitable warmth speaking through him. " There's something for everyone! Parties, festivals, seashells or shiny sprinkles in the juice! It's not as big as some other cities, but it has so much culture and history behind it, and so many little things to love. Would you perhaps like to visit me there and stay my guests for a week or two? I could pay you the trip to there and offer you rooms to stay and as much great food as you can eat. My home has a lot of personal guards and servants, so you'd be having plenty of company and good advise on fun activities. It's so lovely at this time of year, and the company's always welcome! Would you like that? "

[Mirach]

The guard looked at him suspiciously. "Do you offer such visots to any random passerby?"