Phoenix:
Having her leap into my arms bathed me in the warmth I needed after my father returned to my life, her beautiful smile making everything brighter in the darkest times. Scared that it was going to go away, I held her tight in my arms. Tears welled up in my eyes, her head resting on my bare chest. Curling her tail around my waist, her adorable snores echoed in my ears. Kissing the top of her head, a tiny whimper poured from her lips. Calling out in her sleep, my nickname kept flooding from her lips in a frightened manner. Never before has anyone made me feel this way, the urge to protect someone other than my mother always raging inside. Sliding my hand down to her bump, her real smile made her look peaceful. Wishing that I could see it more, my new goal had presented itself.
"Rest easy, Ellie." I whispered sweetly into her ear, a satisfied sigh poured from her lips. "I will always be there for you." My old man knocked on the door frame, a look of shame dimming his features. Wearing a robe, he cleared his throat. Trembling in his spot, silent tears stained his cheeks. I only saw him like this once and that was when our pet dragon had died, the broken expression making him human for a moment.
"Can I talk to you?" He pleaded with wet eyes, my eyes rolling as I tugged on a pair of pants underneath my blanket. "Something is wrong with Flames. He is bloody and I don't know if he will make it." Swinging my feet over the edge of my bed, he held a black and white version of Flames. Ellie snapped awake, her arms scooping him up as she tugged on her dress. Glancing up at the corner of the room, we all saw a reaper pointing to him. Knowing that his death was imminent, a world of hurt was about to drop on her.
"He has outlived his deal. The time to collect is now." He grumbled under his breath, horror rounding her eyes as he smoothed out his hooded robe. "You know the rules. Family can't take family." Unable to accept it, she bolted from the room. Skidding down the hall, she banged on her brother's door. Salty tears crashed to the floor, her pleas growing more desperate. Watching her shatter to a million pieces, my wife looked like a small child.
"Open up! Open up! We need to help our dad." She sobbed violently, Flames raising his paw in the air. "You can't go. You can't leave me. I fucking need you." Cupping her face, he gave her one last lick. Shaking her head, it was clear she was working through the options in her mind. Nothing could change fate, the reaper floating down the hall.
"I made a deal with the reapers to stick around for one hundred more years. I have far outpaced that. I want you to listen." He choked out through a waterfall of tears, her brother sinking to his knees at the sight of his father dying. "I love you both with all of my heart. I want you fix this fucked world which I know you guys can. Besides, you can always visit me in the reaper's realm. I have been pushing you because I have been struggling to keep my physical form. Sorry for lying to you again. Do be a dear and bring this little one every once and a while. Remember that this isn't goodbye but a see you later type of situation. Phoenix, take care of my little girl. Tiger, protect her with your life. Until the next meow." Jumping into the reaper's arms, the door opened. A broken Ellie pressed her forehead into the floor, tortured scream after scream bursting from her lips. Tiger took her into a shaky embrace, the two siblings mourning the loss of their death. Standing back, they needed a private moment. Seeing how short the time I was, I turned to my father, my throat clearing.
"Let's work on what we have because I want to. Seeing that I realize that time is short." I suggested with a weak smile, his arms pulling me into a bear hug. Ellie summoned her boots, flames devouring her body. Pausing at the end of the hall, her brother wasn't far behind her. The corner of her lips twitched into a broken smile. Well, this couldn't be great. Looking seconds from destroying the house, she needed to let it all out.
"I am going to break some rocks on the beach until I get all of my unbridled rage out." She stammered dejectedly, struggling to move for a minute. "I love you with all the fire that burns in my heart, Fireboy." Smiling sadly, Tiger promised to watch her for me. Waiting awkwardly with my father, rocks were soon shooting into the ocean. Watching from the window, Flames hadn't been that bad of a father. Surprise rounded my eyes at the flurry of fire lilies floating down from the starry night. Catching one, it was a sign from her father. This was a dumb idea on his end, her rage was sure to do something that she would regret later.
"She really is something, huh?" My father commented with a long sigh, his concerned expression met mine. "Keep an eye on her. She is just like your mother. She will put the pain in a box in the back of her mind. I like who you became, Phoenix. You became a strong man that any father would be proud of. You turned out way better than I ever did. At your age I was drinking like a sailor and fucking everything that moved. Good job." Rubbing the bridge of my nose, he really had been a mess before he met my mother. Good lord, it was a miracle that I was even born.
"Really? You were a playboy. It's not like I wasn't innocent. I have had plenty of one night stands myself. It's not like I am not fond of good wine." I joked lightly, tapping my feet incessantly. "I love her but I want to kill her half the time. She has a fiery temper and is as hot as the flames coursing through her. I don't understand her." His lips parted to speak, flames torched the fire lilies. Someone was still pissed beyond belief, the grief showing in the way the ashes rained like snow in the distance.
"She won't destroy the town, right?" He inquired seriously, another batch of rocks flying into the ocean. "Maybe you should go see her. Good luck." Leaving me to throw on my shirt and boots, my footfalls echoed through the streets to the beach. A tornado couldn't have done what she had managed, her wet eyes falling on me. Running up to me, her arms curled around my waist. Tiger hid behind the biggest rock, his ears pinned back the furthest I had seen them. A small cut lined his cheek. Smaller rocks lined the sand, my eyes falling on the inky blood pouring from her nose. Fishing around my pocket, I pulled out my handkerchief. Holding it underneath her nose, an impatience grew in her eyes. A snarl twitched on her lips, her face softening at my loving expression. Enjoying that I could calm her down when the flames were hot, a sense of relief crashed over me.
"Death is a dick." She chuckled sadly, gripping my shirt. "I wish I knew because I would have made his last day amazing. That would have been my duty as my daughter and a reaper. It would have been a fucking blast. Let me pick this up." Tiger pressed his palm against the sand, a silent spell repairing her damage. Climbing onto my back, she rested her head on my shoulder. Hiding her pain with a smile, my father was correct about her. A black letter floated down to her hand, a steady stream of curse words flooding from her lips. Hopping off my back, she touched my key to the reaper's realm. Was she going to take me again? Excitement twinkled in my eyes,
"Tiger, can you keep an eye on Vera. I have to reap a soul or two." She chirped cheerfully, her bright smile giving away her true heart break. "Nothing helps an aching heart like work. I will work until I don't feel an inkling of what I feel now." Smiling at her ax resting on her hips and her boots full of her tools, she seemed ready to go. Opening up the envelope, a curious expression dawned on her face. Spinning on her heels, it was one of the residents on the island, the envelope shaking in her hands. Disappointment dimmed her eyes, the look in her eyes telling me that she wasn't happy.
"Looks like we won't have to go too far. The job is in town." She mumbled under her breath, wiping away her tears. "Time to go." Snapping her fingers, her new onyx cloak appeared on her shoulder. Downing a potion, her full powers returned. Pulling her ax from my belt, it extended to her scythe. Taking my hand, fire lily petals led the way to a dimly lit one floor home. Knocking on the door, a middle aged woman let her in. Taking her to an elderly woman's room, Ellie pulled up a chair. Taking her hand, the poor woman could barely open her eyes. Fat tears trickled down her wrinkles, her hoarse voice groaned to life.
"You must be Ellasandra, my reaper. I called for you because I heard you were the best reaper one could find." She wheezed, Ellie tucking a piece of her gray hair behind her ears. "It looks like you have been crying all night. Are you okay?" Shaking her head, Ellie donned the brightest smile she could muster.
"I could be better but tonight you are my focus. How can we make this more comfortable for you, Miss Diedon?" She inquired genuinely, pushing through the emotional agony. "Let's make your last moments the best they can be, 'kay?" Sliding her a book, Ellie's slender fingers curled around the binding. Opening up to the first page, she began to read. Sitting down in the corner, the middle aged woman hovered in the doorway. Deciding to sit down next to me, her tight teal curls glistened in the candlelight. Her wet violet eyes met mine, my hands resting on my lap. Someone needed to say something, my heart would be open for her.
"Reapers are magical beings, aren't they?" She mused in a bittersweet tone, listening to Ellie's soothing voice. "I can't read so I asked around for a reaper. Sorry about the poor timing. Do you think it is working?" Turning my attention back to Ellie, her relaxed expression melted my heart. Helping people move on was her happy place, the gentile nature of her bedside manner enough to melt anyone's heart.
"Believe it or not, she loves helping people move on to the afterlife." I promised her earnestly, my hand taking hers. "She has a way of making people feel special in their final moments. She did lose her father today, again. That is a long story. Would you like me to teach you how to read and write? Actually, how many people know how to read and write on this island?" Shame dimmed her eyes, her fingers scratched at the back of her neck.
"Almost all of us." She stuttered with embarrassment coloring her cheeks, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. "I always wanted to learn but a slave doesn't get education privileges." My heart shattered for them, a solution coming to mind. Her eager eyes watched me run my hands through my hair, my million dollar smile winning her over.
"Let everybody know that I will help them learn how to read when I have free time." I remarked with another million dollar smile, her sad smile growing a bit brighter. "Give me a bit of time to get everything together." Ellie closed the book, the woman's mother soul resting in her palm. Tucking it into her special pouch, she rose to her feet. Crouching down to our level, she cupped Miss Diedon's hands. Here came the final part of the process, the mother seeming ready to go before she got buried.
"Most of the time I have to bury them first but your mother was ready." She assured her calmly, their sad smiles meeting each other. "I am going to take her to Heaven now. I am sorry for your loss. Do say your goodbyes." The door to the reaper's realm appeared behind her, Ellie rising to her feet. Tears welled up in her eyes, her scythe spinning in her palm. Holding out the pouch, Miss Diedon whispered away. Motioning to Ellie that she was all set, we stepped onto the canoe upon entering. The door slammed shut behind us, the elderly woman sat in the front near her. Setting her scythe into place, the canoe moved forward. Leaning onto her scythe, she didn't seem in the mood to talk. Letting the woman tell endless tales of her life, she responded with genuine and warm answers. Trying her best to keep her temper in check, her tail began to flicker with annoyance. Gripping her scythe tighter, I plopped down next to her client. Taking her into a deeper conversation, my wife's numb gaze watched the foggy water. Pulling up to the descending dock, she helped the woman out. Helping her to the white glowing door, her soul faded away into the light. Sinking to her knees, violent sobs wracked her body. Shaking it off, she stepped back onto the canoe. Placing her scythe back into place, the broken smile on her face told me that she wasn't okay. Embracing her from behind, my chin rested on her head. Asking me to sit down for my safety, the look in her eyes had me sitting down in a second.
"Did I do something wrong?" She wept softly, the canoe heading back. "I feel like I take one step forward and a hundred back. Life must really hate me, damn it." Time stopped, a steady stream of curse words flooded from her lips. A black floating ball hovered in front of her, a snarl twitching on her lips. Going from not okay to worse, she began to wave her hand around.
"Did you really think that I wouldn't notice that you lack an assistant? I am seconds from taking away your license." He reprimanded her, flames devouring her body. "Why are you getting so bothered and hot! You know the rules." Flipping it off, she turned her back to it. A force knocked her to the ground, invisible hands holding her down. Struggling in vain, her hand still held her scythe in place. What the hell was going on?
"Fuck you, you rotten bastard! I lost my assistant today and had to wor-" She protested venomously, both of them watching me rise to my feet. Folding my arms across my chest, my memory flickered back to the book I read about reapers. Any immortal being could be a reaper's assistance if you give them one of your eyes, her head shaking. It was my time to be her hero, the words struggling to come out of my mouth.
"I will be her assistant." I announced with a shaky tone, not wanting the side effects of what was about to come. "Let her go." The ball floated over to me, black ribbons swirling around me. Ellie struggled to her feet, my wife needed me. A chill came over me, the ball floating into my left eye. My face paled, clammy sweat drenched my skin. The secrets of life and death played out like a nightmare while inky blood poured from my left eye, salty tears mixing with the blood. All of it sucked the joy out of life, the nightmare ending. The ball hovered in front of me, a trembling Ellie clung to her scythe. Glancing in the water, my left eye matched her reaper's eye. Not really feeling different, infinity symbols floating over them. Fishing around her pocket, she tossed me a worn leather bracelet. Tugging it on, the symbol disappeared over her head. Not really wanting to see anybody's lifespan, this was a gift sent from Heaven.
"You won't see the lifespan of anyone unless you take that off." She promised sweetly, glancing sadly at the water. "Don't take it off or you will see when people die. Trust me. The depression that comes with it is crippling at times. I love you, Phoenix. Can we go home now?" The ball faded away, my eyes falling on bruising hand marks covering her body. Time sped up to normal time, the canoe moving forward. Groaning onto the dock, I helped her out. The door appeared, the hinges creaking open. Stepping onto the beach, she leapt into my arms. Spinning her around, her lips kissed mine passionately. Staring at her with a dazed expression, her tail curled around my waist. Why did she have to do that? She knew what that did to me.
"You didn't have to do that." She sighed with a dim smile, cupping my cheek. "Did you know that you are my hero? Because of you I get to keep my favorite job." Snuggling into her palm, this moment felt so tender. A single fire lily floated from the sky, her palm catching it. Instead of setting into flames, she spun it in between her fingers. Seeing her real smile light up her face, my heart nearly fluttered out of my chest. Plucking the flower from her fingers, I tucked it behind her ear. A tender blush rose to her cheeks, her beauty stealing my breath away. The early morning rays painted her dainty features, confusion dawning on her face.
"What are you looking at?" She laughed lightly, climbing onto my back. "Can we go home now? I want to check on my brother and Vera. I need to make he is okay." Walking back with her on my back felt nice, her bump rubbing up against my back. Becoming her assistant wasn't an issue, the choice coming naturally to me. My wife needed me, a satisfied sigh leaving my lips. Her purrs echoed in my ear, the sound dissolving my anxiety. Snores told me that she was sleeping, her arms draping over my shoulders. Little did she know that I loved it when she fell asleep on me like this. Entering the manor, Tiger and Vera were snoring on the couch in the foyer. Touched by the sight, the two of them seemed like best friends. Taking her up to our bedroom, I tucked her in. Walking over to my library, my fingers traced the bindings until I pulled out the equivalent of a reaper's manual. Opening the first page, my job was to assist her now. Hours passed of me reading the book, the night was falling soon. Stirring awake, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed. Adjusting her dress, she tugged on the string to hold her swollen breasts into place.
"Time to work." She chirped cheerfully, slipping on her boots. Fixing her ribbons around her ears, a quiet smile dimmed her face as she slid her ax into the new case hanging off of her hip. Throwing me a clean outfit, she waited patiently as I got dressed. Tugging on my leather jacket, her slender fingers twisted my hair into a bun. Following her out to our bar cart, her grin grew wider as she hopped into her spot. Climbing on, her tail wagged with excitement the moment I snapped the reins. Trotting into town, her hooves clopping to a stop. Leaping into the air, the bar was glowing to life in mere minutes. Taking my place behind the counter, she placed the open sign out for all to see. Calling out that she was open, a crowd of women and men came out to relax. Taking their places at the tables, order after order would come in. Flashing her brightest smile, the tips and money poured in. Seeing her take care of the customers made my heart swell with pride, her bump beginning to show in her dress. The women fawned over her, their hands holding it with pleasant smiles. Finishing up with our night, the teal haired woman from before walked up to us with a bag in her hands.
"I am Salvana Diedon, the woman you helped not so long ago." She blurted out adorably, presenting the bag to Ellie. "I made a couple of baby clothes for you. One outfit is for a girl while the other is for a boy. I don't know what you are having but I am sure you will have plenty of children in the future." Taking the bag, ruby cotton outfits caught my eyes as she pulled them out. The simple dress would make any girl look cute while the suit would make any boy handsome. Climbing behind the counter, she poured her a white wine. Sliding it over, the woman felt around her pocket. Waving her hands around, Ellie didn't want her money.
"This drink is on the house. I love helping people move on. Nothing brings me more joy." She chimed graciously, Salvana sipping the wine. "That is a popular wine. You can pair it with fish and anything that is a light recipe. Hold on." Pulling out a roasted turkey sandwich, she slid it over.
"I roasted that turkey with a special herb blend and it is all reaper's cooking. I even made the croissant myself." She bragged with a twinkle in her eyes, the tired woman picking up the sandwich. "Feel free to tell me how it is." Knowing that it was her dinner, Ellie knew that she needed it more than her. Gulping it down, Salvy thanking her profusely. A loud growl caused embarrassment to color Ellie's cheeks, her ears pinning back. This town loved her and it was obvious with how they waved to her. The folks on the mainland treated her like she was a monster but here she was treated like how she should have been. Smile happily to herself, she felt at home here. Please lady luck, grant her what she deserves.