Death and Tide

[VisAnastasis]

" Should we give them some more time then? " Child whispered. " Father can feel the forest's speech better than anyone. If the hunters arrive, he'd tell Tide there's no more time to waste. We should make sure you're as prepared for the road as possible, okay? " he looked at him little more seriously. " Are you prepared? "

[Mirach]

"I am, but I'm not sure about our things. Everything was packed by Tide," Death replied.

[VisAnastasis]

" I doubte checked everything while you were away, you should be set to go. All your supplies are alright, and all medicine we provided. But I did not ask that. Are *you* prepared? " He whispered." Are you prepared for going such a long flight, with so little chance to stop? " He asked straightforwardly." Can we do anything to make your trip easier?"

[Mirach]

"It's not too straining when I am tucked under Tide's shirt as a snake," Death said. "I think I should be fine..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Father and the pup you brought got along really well, and Tide said we could keep him... I, I just want to say, that is, we won't keep him in that little bag and have him stay little just because it's cute. He'll be able to run freely, as his most comfortable size. " The child shared shyly, and it cleared its throat before it explained. " The bag you brought him in - would it be more comfortable to travel in? You can keep it. Maybe it'd be easier when you can be packed up nicely there? It seems like a safer option that Tide having to take you out in case of a fight and leaving you exposed to the enemy. " he gulped, admitting. " I... would feel safer if you were packed in a bag that Xia could take for a strap and fly off. That for a start, at least... "

[Mirach]

"That would be an advantage, I guess... but I suppose a bit chilly for a cold-blooded form... I enjoyed the warmth under Tide's tunic," Death admitted hesitantly.

[VisAnastasis]

" But when we met, Tide said he's warming the air around you all the time to keep you from feeling cold. There's no reason why he shouldn't keep doing it when you're just in the bag beside him, wrapped up in a scarf at that. Or... " Emil dared smiled a little, as he asked with a more endearing, innocent tease. " Are you telling me you're enjoying being close to him instead? I don't blame you, by the way, I get it... He does look very soft and cuddly... "

[Mirach]

Death chuckled a little. "Maybe. But it also eases the pain, being close to him..."

[VisAnastasis]

" And you are in lot of pain, aren't you? " Child smiled a little. " May I... Give myself the freedom to be manipulative for a moment?" He said, but contrary to his words, although shy, he sounded a little freer with his thoughts with Death." I think Tide would be more sad if you were hurting any more than necessary... and I would too. I think you'd rest easier if you apply the balm I've made you. One part of me hoped you'd travel as human, so you could apply it yourself and I don't have to trouble you... But if you are traveling as snake, would you let me help get you ready?" He asked quietly. " I won't rub it in. It won't hurt like last time. I can just apply it at your neck and bandage it, so it can slowly get absorbed. It won't have as good or quick effect, but it's still better than no effect, right?" He asked hopefully." We can apply it, bandage you, wrap you in your special scarf and you can be all ready for Tide to just put you under his tunic, where you will be safe and sound. You will have have an easier flight, if at least a little... What do you say?"

[Mirach]

"Alright, that would work," Death agreed. He finished the meal and tea first though, and only then turned into snake.

[VisAnastasis]

A child couldn't help but admire the snake for a lingering moment as if he was distracted by its beauty. He blushed when he realized what he's doing, and he took out the jar with the balm then.

[Mirach]

Death unwrappeed the coils of his snake body, allowing Emil to tend to him.

[VisAnastasis]

Child smiled at that. He still looked a little nervous, as he hadn't touched the Spirit ever since he stopped the treatment last time, and he was a little anxious that he may hurt him again. He worked shyly, but gently. He placed a generous layer of balm at places where it hurt so much, spreading it with soothing moves and skill, avoiding any kind of hurting pressure. He took his bag and from it he took out long soft but thin emerald cloth similar to silk but warmer, and he cut the right size. He used it as a bandage, wrapping it carefully, not tight enough to be hurtful, but enough so the balm wouldn't stain anything by accident or get smeared before it absorbs. The cloth was soft and seemed like it was washed as recently as last night, and it had a pleasant scent of various soothing healing herbs, smelling like Emil's garden.

[Mirach]

Death tasted the air as snakes do with his tongue, finding the smell nice.

[VisAnastasis]

Emil took out Nammeless's scarf then.
" Would you like me to wrap you up in it now, little pancake?" He asked, and teased gently." Or do you rather like stealing a moment with Tide and having him do it? I don't judge... I imagine you probably know him much better, and he is your Semai now, too. " He smiled a bit." Life's too short not to indulge in little pleasures... "

[Mirach]

"I literally hope it's not..." Death smirked. "I don't mind you wrapping me."

[VisAnastasis]

" Do you not mind or are you okay with it? I know you don't have a general reputation as a liar, but you're terribly good at bending the truth. " Emil noted a little sternly, but his sternness came from a place of worry. Previously, he had just tried to be professional, without imposing anything. Now, finally, he timidly lowered his head to snake's eye level and very slowly and lightly caressed the tiny creature's head with his equally tiny finger, as he added quietly. " You're still the sweet little snake I met last eve, though, aren't you, Mister Pancake? I'm sure such a sweet snake like you would not ignore its boundaries and make its host very, very unhappy by doing so, right? I am now aware that you're terrible in saying no, but if you want to live a long and healthy life like me... " he snorted a little bit like at a self-deprecating joke. " You're going to have to practice... "

[Mirach]

"It's okay... I'd feel better with the scarf..." Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

That was the reassurance that Emil needed, if not of what person he prefers, more importantly now, that it is his current need. He nodded, and slowly and gently he wrapped him up in the soothing fabric, until he felt cozy.

[Mirach]

Death enjoyed the touch of the scarf that Nammy made for him. Ready for the journey, he paitently waited for Tide.

[VisAnastasis]

It didn't take long from then - barely ten minutes later, Xia, Cernunnos and Tide came back. Death was right - the demon seemed rather withdrawn and quiet, thinking about his family and boyfriend that were so worried for him, but that he couldn't reach.

 Still, he brought himself to smile fraily at the sight of cozy Death.
" It suits you..." He whispered.

[Mirach]

"You didn't find it..." Death whispered sadly, understanding right away..

[VisAnastasis]

Tide gulped, trying to keep a straight face.
" It... It will be okay..." He whispered hoarsely." It's important everyone is safe... C-cernunnos promised... he and his people will keep looking. They will tell Senecio and Hans that we are safe... "

[Mirach]

"And we will tell them ourselves, once we arrive," Death smiled sadly. "It's shouldn't be that long now..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I hope... " Creature whispered. He seemed freer with Death a little ,or maybe it was weakness of grief - but he leaned forth and leaned his hand on snake's back lightly, in a subconscious equivalent of laying hand of one's shoulder for support. " We... We should get to doing it sooner than later, then, shouldn't we?" He asked faintly, trying to stay positive." Cernunnos... He wishes to give you a parting gift. But then, it is due time we part indeed... "