Yunan invited Death and Tasha to help him comb through the endless amounts of the information left behind by the wood witch, For some reason Death declined the invitation, while Tasha who was very interested chose to stay with the old man, something that Yunan did not care to dig into.
"Cough, cough, ahem, I would like to help out in that regard" the voice of the usually grumpy Cattolu was rather timid, that was enough to draw the attention of Yunan to his newest pet.
"Um, it's me paying for my keep, you know, helping out with the work as payment for my stay with you, it is not like I want to help out in exchange for cookies or to say thank you". The fidgeting gentlemanly cat gave Yunan a knot between his eyebrows, this was not something the cat did at all, not since he was taken in by Yunan.
"Fine, your job is to sort out the information related to the Karmic universe, guide Dreamscape there, no peeking into other stuff, otherwise effort will eat you". Yunan was not about to refuse any kind of help but was not in the mood to play around or be pranked by the cat in a hat.
"Let's do this". Effort was strangely enthusiastic about doing something other than increasing his affinity with Yunan, driving Yunan to further furrow his brow, not even dreams were this strange, of he was not sure of it, he would believe he was dreaming or in some sort of illusion.
While Yunan started working on a task that seemed nearly endless, Dreamscape followed its path without deviation, it was on the right path, it would eventually find the karmic universe, it was merely a matter of time. Meanwhile, Death and Tasha were in deep discussion over their drinks and snacks.
"It seems your choice did not backfire on you for once, how does it feel to be on the side that truly moves the hands of fate?" Death asked Tasha his eyes peering deep inside the woman, at something that was beyond what was called destiny, fate or simply soul.
"Worth it" replied Tasha with a sigh and a smile, only she knew how hard being on this side felt like. all the luck, all the good karma and all the delicious new Laws she got her hands where a product of hard work, dedication and endless suffering.
"You seem to have gotten used to it, good, this way, our task is going to proceed much more smoothly" Death shifted his gaze back to Tasha's face causing her to shudder. This was the true gaze of Death, he did not pull out this gaze much, even after his long years with the man, Yunan had never seen it once, although Mother had seen it, she was one of the few who did not reject it, just like Tasha did now.
Tasha had no power to block the true gaze of Death, her shudder was the natural rejection life had towards death, it was not much of a reaction from her part, it was just how the world worked, that gaze was not meant for living beings, to begin with.
"Good, good, you seem to have grown up, compared to your childish days in the council of stupid oldies, you seem more like a goddess now, how does it feel?" Although Death's voice was gentle and calm as always, Tasha hated it so much, her history with the old man was not very pleasant by any stretch of the imagination, but she had learned to enjoy her time with the old man, now that she had grown up as he said.
"He has this effect on those around him" she tried to remain neutral but her relaxed expression told Death more than her words could ever do. "This strange power he has, it draws you, strips you of all that made you who you were then leaves you but with your true self, it's easier to grow up when all the hindrances are out of the way".
"Spoken like a typical housewife, I find it infuriating to be beside the dimwit. To start questioning all that you thought was who you are is just cruel when you are our age, but, it is as you said, worth it". Death nodded his head at something he saw in Tasha then continued speaking. "If I stay around him long enough, taking over my master is just another step along the way, truly infuriating". Although the words conveyed discomfort his expression was the opposite, something that happened quite a lot when talking about Yunan.
"Your master does not seem to reject your overreaching thoughts, did Null get affected too?" the question remained hanging after Tasha spoke the words. The answer took a moment to formulate, an answer from Null himself, Tasha judged. "Null is the end, even to itself, it would not reject my ideas, nor would it discourage or encourage them, Death as a domain has always been like this, to end all is the way of Null, and the current Null is reaching its end".
Both Death and Tasha had no idea why they felt like Null was happy about its own end, or rather accepting of the mere idea of it. Primordials were not known for relinquishing their power and position to capitulate before anything. When a primordial was replaced, things always started with a bang and ended with an even bigger bang, the commotion was definitely the sort generated by a friendly take over.
"Let us forget what was just spoken, soon your master needs to know, otherwise, he may trample your beloved world without a care. Although my master wants him to revive your old home, I have no idea if the kid would agree, better you tell him than me doing it, you know how he gets when it comes to his wives". There was a slight smile on the old man's lips, as he spoke to Tasha, who did not seem to like being part of Yunan's harem without being told beforehand.