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

[medievalism]

{ an autumn mixer }

Comments

[beforetime]

"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."

[returnanew]

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."

[beforetime]

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.

[returnanew]

"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?"

[beforetime]

"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.

[returnanew]

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."

[beforetime]

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."

[returnanew]

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."

[beforetime]

"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?"

[returnanew]

"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?"