bsumone | ❝ spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild things ❞

It wasn't winter which pulled him out the most often but it didn't have to be. For right now he was just here to look at how the world had changed. The different colors, the warmth of the smiles as people enjoyed new flavors and such. It was fascinating to say the least. A look into how the mortals around him lived and found wonder in the little things.

He looked like anyone else really. Though those that might fear death could probably feel a sense of foreboding when looking his way. Still, he didn't seem to notice, just walking the street and stopping to look into a shop now and then. It seemed like he was somehow a cross between model and businessman but with a quiet solitude to him.

Sensing he was being watched, he turned to look at who it was with a mild curiosity.

It’s a well-established fact that Gaja can have a staring problem. Usually, it’s because something shiny caught his eye. Not this time. This time it’s in recognition of something as old as he is, something as old as time itself. Something that’s almost the opposite of him.

He doesn’t know Death since, well, he never stays dead for very long. But he recognizes the entity’s aura. It’s almost comforting, in way, like meeting an old friend after a very long time apart. But it also sends a spike of cold dread through the bird. He instinctively checks his reflection in the shop window beside him to make sure it wasn’t his time… again.

No, no, his eyes are still bright and his plumage hasn’t begun to fade. Could it be that Death is simply… enjoying the weather?

Oh, right, staring. Gaja finally blinks and swallows down that lump of fear in his throat. Stepping closer, he tries to puff himself up a little more (a feat with his heavy coat and cozy scarf and warm knitted toque on his head).

“Do I know you?”

Phoenixes were rare creatures for him to care for. They rarely truly passed from the world so most often his task was to see that their souls were kept safe until they were strong enough to return to their ashes. Only once in a sad time would they have to remain with him if their ashes were tampered with. So this one he knew well even he knew that Gaja would not be aware of how he knew him.

He watched him a little more then nodded once. "It perhaps...felt like quiet dream to you," he whispered softly, the words somehow carrying to the creature despite that.

"It is not your time though. You have nothing to fear."

A quiet dream? Gaja’s thoughts seemed to pause as the realization dawned on him. Those gold-flecked eyes widened by degrees, understanding coming to his features followed by no small amount of awe. It really was like meeting an old friend he’d forgotten (strangely, not an odd experience for Gaja). This was the one who looked after him during his time of non-existence on this plane.

Blinking curiously, Gaja cocked his head to one side and moved a bit closer. “Are you… enjoying the weather?”

"It is pleasant."

He looked away from the creature to gaze up at the trees around them. The changing of colors as these leaves ended their lives to make room for the new at the start of winter. Reaching up, he caught one that was falling, observing the brilliant red that it was. So different than went it was a vibrant green not so long ago.

"At times I come to look even when no soul calls for me."

Gaja could understand his sentiments. Sort of. There were many things that lured him from the skies. Quite often, the phoenix preferred being among others. There was always something new and interesting to observe.

"Fall is my favorite season," he offered. Not because it reminded him of the cycles of life (he needed no reminder of that!). Not even because it was last fiery display before the trees went dormant for winter (much like himself every century or so). No, it was because he matched. All the reds and oranges were his favorites to see.

"Do you have a favorite?"

Fall was his favorite? He looked over at him and saw how those colors blended right in and smiled faintly before letting the leaf fall away to the ground to prepare it for the next life.

"Spring."

Because though his duty was to collect souls there were fewer tragic ones to collect in the spring. There was something beautiful about that. "The last time I returned you it was spring," he murmured, recalling it clearly.

"Was it?" The question was genuine. Gaja's memories of the time immediately before and and after rebirth were always vague. They never seemed to come into full focus and the details of those times were mostly lost to him.

"Are you always the one who looks after me?" Surely there were so many souls to collect, he couldn't be the only one protecting them, right?

"I am."

Death could happen anywhere and he would always be there. Sometimes before the mind could process that he'd gone and come back in a single conversation. But it was always just him. Only him.

"I am Death. There are no others."

Death. Something that Gaja only experienced in short, fleeting bursts. Something he has no memory of. Dying, yes, vague impressions. But being dead? That he doesn't remember at all, and probably wouldn't even if his memory wasn't full of holes after each rebirth. It's not the sort of experience he thinks one is supposed to remember.

Was he afraid when they were together, he wonders. It isn't dying that scares him, it happens regularly. It's that he's most often alone when it happens. He's alone with his hazy memories of the pain of phoenix fire burning out of his control to consume him, bones and all.

It takes a few seconds, but Gaja bravely closes the rest of the distance between them until he's standing before Death. A second or two more before he smiles. A real, warm smile. "Then, we're very good friends."

Realizing the phoenix had moved, he lowered his gaze to him. Gaja was smiling at him. Without fear. Had he reached a conclusion of some kind? It was possible certainly. Watching him a moment, he waited then offered a small and quiet smile in return.

"Friend. I am rarely called this."

It sounded...nice though.

"I don't know what else to call someone who looks after you at your weakest, if not a friend." And truly, Death has been there since the beginning, just like Gaja. Perhaps if Gaja had more awareness (but how could one be aware when one was dead?) he might go so far as to call Death a brother. Or, at least, a cousin.

"There's a park I passed earlier. Would you like to see the foliage there?"

"A park..."

He looked the direction that the bird had come from. The foliage here was pleasant but perhaps if Gaja wanted him to see the other park then it must be more so there. He gave a nod after a thought and gently gestured for him to lead the way while he fell in step with him.

Yay! Gaja may or may not have bounced on the balls of his feet when Death decided to walk with him. Reaching up to adjust his scarf, the bird happily led the way back toward that park. There was just something about the clusters of trees and the leaves drifting so softly to the ground that caught his attention, making him glad to go back to it.

"I feel like I have some catching up to do," he explained as they walked. "You meet me when my memory is worst."

The little explanation made him smile and he bowed his head. Creatures like this often felt this way when they did happen to meet him, when they figured out who he was. Those like this phoenix wished they could remember their time with him because their memories simply didn't allow for it.

There was a...sweetness to it. One he valued.

"Do you have questions to ask that can aid in filling the missing pieces? I will answer what I can."

Yes, he had questions. So many questions. But... Gaja pressed his lips together, pondering where to begin.

"I would rather get to know you since we'll be seeing each other again. My eternal caretaker."

"Know me?"

Death didn't hide his surprise. His eyes widened and he tilted his head as he observed him. He wanted to know him? "What do you wish to know of me?"

"Well..." Gaja looked at Death, and then ahead toward the trees. His expression was thoughtful. He didn't want to be crass with someone who has been taking care of him since the dawn of time itself.

"Do you have time for other things? Like hobbies? If so, what sorts of things do you enjoy doing?"

❝ spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild things ❞

Death

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