Death and Tide

[Mirach]

Death continued eating while he watched Emil. "When will you need the poison?" he asked. 

[VisAnastasis]

"At the end,  when the plant part is finished. " Emil explained patiently when they got to that part. " It's almost there, but it's too thick for applying in this form. I will need to go to another floor for a moment to bring liquid oil, beeswax pellets, shea butter and some nice smell extract. We mix all that up with plant paste and with poison. It'll make it all smell nice and have that nice liquid quality easy for use. "child smiled a bit, adding shyly. "I-ll need poison when I get back and bring everything. "

[Mirach]

"Alright," Death said. "It's been a while since I did this last time..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, I see. It's okay if you're nervous, don't worry." He reassured him as he stood up." I'll now go pick up rest of things we need, and the gloves to protect my hands. When I get back we can do this at pace you are comfortable with, okay?"

[Mirach]

"Yes, okay," Death agreed.

[VisAnastasis]

Like he promised, Emil returned in couple of minutes, carrying a big bundle of everything he mentioned, so they could make a bigger dose. He laid it all in the ground and asked Death gently if he was ready.

[Mirach]

"Yesss," Death hissed, revealing hus teeth.

[VisAnastasis]

(OOC: Had to google snake milking XD It should be accurate. :)


Emil prepared the little jar with thin cloth stretched over the top and then instructed Death to bit the jar there. He was careful and gentle, and carrying gloves for protection, he massaged snake's venom glands so it could release as much venom as easily as possible, doing so confidently and without fear of being bitten or hurt by it.

[Mirach]

(OOC: yes, I saw it in some document :))

Death cooperated with him patiently, letting his poison drip into the jar.

[VisAnastasis]

Wmil worked as gently as he could, despite long time since he did so, some memories seemed to have stayed, and he used to handle snakes too long not to remember it even after such time, as it was something he loved. When he felt there's not any more left, he ended it and slowly helped the critter leave bottle and lie down comfortably again, careful to not touch its neck as he did so so he wouldn't cause it needless pain.
" Okay, we're done. Now we can mix it all up. I'll show you how it's done easiest. " he said and then offered kindly. " Would you like me to bring you some more food before we do it? Or tea as well? Your poison is very potent and very good quality, and I'm thankful for it, you've more than earned my hospitality with it. " he couldn't help but smile, and a glimmer of vulnerable joy shone on the corner of his eyes. " I grieved so much for that last snake that died of old age, for I loved her, of course, but as well as for not being able to make this medicine for father any longer. Now I can make it again, and we'll keep half, and you'll get half, fair and square... "

[Mirach]

"I would like more tea, yes," Death said. "And maybe some fruit."

[VisAnastasis]

The child took a couple minutes to make him more tea, and then he brought him a couple of tasty fruits, some that give energy, some good for health, consisting of many nutrients. Then, as critter drunk and ate, he sat on his knees anew before him, and he had shown him how to mix the remaining ingredients, all until they filled up two medium sized jars with a soft liquid that looked rather soothing, a little brownish and greenish at places because of crushed plants. It looked rather tempting and smelt exquisite thanks to various scent extracts child put into it, as if a little bit of tender breath of summer flowers was locked within it. Emil let Death smell it with excitement.
" We're all done. This one's for you, " he said proudly.

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Death said, smelling the mixture. "Do you think I could try a bit of it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" There are two more hours until sundown, and father would have informed us if the hunters entered the forest, so I think we have plenty of time still. It would help you rest better, too. " Emil agreed readily. He grew a little shy then, as he suggested. " I could apply it... but I think the little message would suit you better. Father only allowed me to do it for him, trusting me with it. I had many years of practice, while the snakes still lived among us. " he pleaded, tempting him hopefully. " I know to do it well, I could teach you how's best to do regarding your injuries, so you can, in turn, teach your friends... I hoped to keep you company if you agree anyway, and if I'd pick what to do, I'd pick nothing more eagerly but to do that. Father... he hurts still, but he has been hurting so unspeakably back then. " he said compassionately. " I know how it is, and if you hurt less and rest well, you'll have better chances against your enemies... "

[Mirach]

"When Tide comes, you could teach him directly, I can't really do it myself anyways," Death said. "If you would like that though, you could do it," he accepted, probably feeling he owes it to Emil for the hospitality without questioning.

[VisAnastasis]

Indeed, Emil's face lit up with it, as if he had received the most wonderful gift - it clearly wasn't an obligation to him, but something he desired sincerely.
" I'll make sure to give tips to your friend, of course, but we don't know when he and Xia will return, so there's no better way to spend the time than by figuring out what you like best, right? I won't make you regret it, I promise, " he said excitedly, looking around as if considering something. " First, you should be as comfortable as possible, that is, feel as warm and safe as you can, so you can relax. Snakes I knew used to like warmth, do you? Maybe I could carry the cloak you're on to the fireplace there, around the corner. I could lit a nice cosy fire to keep you comfortable... " he smiled a little bit, half longingly, half reassuringly. " Now, if... if we were friends, I'd have asked to hold you in my lap, but... You're already letting me do so much, and I wouldn't want to pass the line... "

[Mirach]

"I appreciate that," Death said, as that would indeed be too much and he felt a bit uncertain even about what he accepted.

[VisAnastasis]

" Okay, so will we just go to the fireplace then to make you comfy, or are you comfier here perhaps? " the child asked softly, marking both options as valid, so Death wouldn't feel pressed to choose the one he doesn't prefer.

[Mirach]

"Let's go to the fireplace," Death decided.

[VisAnastasis]

The child nodded, and he carefully picked up the cloak and snake both, so it wouldn't have to be moved and handled separately, not to get hurt more by accident. The part of the grand chamber he carried him to was more secluded, a little darker, as Emil must have liked the ambience of fire being the primary light source, and being in the darker corner beside it, pretending he's not inside, but camping. He places the cloak by the fireplace, on comfortable distance, and he lit the fire once more, and it shone beautifully. There was safety to its closeness and to its light shining upon them in otherwise more comfortable darkness.
 
Once he fed it with wood and it was stable, the boy first washed his hands with clear water, and then he brought the jar meant for Death, and he opened it.

[Mirach]

Death stretched in the warmth of the fire, as it indeed felt pleasant to a cold-blooded creature.

[VisAnastasis]

Emil smiled, pleased he got it right. He grew a little quieter then, and was silent for a moment, preparing himself mentally, deciding what approach is best and most respectable for his little frail guest. He let him warm up until he relaxed a bit, before he took out just a little bit from the balm for a start, and spread it through his hands, as one would with soap. He spoke up then.
" I think it would be best if I massage your lower body parts and scales, till you get used to my touch a little. It's a sensory experience, after all, " he suggested respectively. " As you grow accustomed to it, I could slowly work my way up to the neck, by pace comfortable for you. What do you say, sweet little snake? "

[Mirach]

"Won't your hands get numb from the balm?" Death asked, watching him carefully.

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, do not worry. I may not look like it, as I have zero to none powers, but I am half a demon. My body is more durable than it looks. It got me this far, after all. " he smiled a little, looking touched by the concern. " But... it's actually not durability that allows me this... Nerves in most of my body are already damaged, you see, from the attack in the city. " he smiled a little bit timidly. " I was badly wounded, not mortally, but one of the people that hurt me had poisoned blade... It infected me and burned heavily through me for many weeks to no end... My body doesn't send any signals of pain to my brain anymore. I recovered, but signals of pain are just cut off fully. " he winked a bit. " If you bit me, I wouldn't know it if wasn't bleeding, so... Please tell me if you do so by accident? I never really needed protection, since back then. Your friends will probably be more comfortable with gloves, though. I have no need for them for the burning, and I like the feeling of skin brushing against skin - I can feel better how to best touch it and where to apply pressure best. Balm relaxes soul and body, though, so despite by resistance it'll make my hands too relaxed and wobbly to work after maybe three hours if we go on for that long, but usually it doesn't last that long, so nerves part is not the problem for me. If it prolongs more than an hour, I'll take on gloves, don't worry, just in case. "

[Mirach]

"You were just a child then, during the attack..." Death muttered, more a statement than question. He sighed. "Alright... But you may as well start at the neck. It's hard to relax when it hurts."