Heart of Ashes

Growing Closer

I had expected that Rae would be frustrated with me for giving my phone number to Ashe, even if my reasoning was fine, but I hadn't anticipated the laughter as they'd mentioned how they found out about it. Did Ashe really not know how to use a phone? Didn't have a cell phone? He had so much money, how could he not have one? I'd thought everyone who ran a company of their own had one in this day and age. The idea that he still used regular mail or went to see people in person when he needed to talk seemed old-fashioned, but at the same time, it seemed rather... cute? Awkwardly cute, but cute, especially given how he behaved around her, although that could be because she was a stranger to him. Maybe he did most of his business through letters?

Looking up at Rae, I couldn't hold back the quiet laugh at the thought of their old boss sending them letters and expecting answers in turn when Rae was more the kind of person to jaunt off at a moment's notice because they felt like being surrounded by trees instead of buildings. I couldn't picture Rae sitting still long enough to read such a letter, let alone write out a response. "So what did you do? Did you help him how to use a cell phone?" I asked softly, grinning up at them as they smirked down at me, their new blouse shifting as they lifted their hand to run their fingers between their braids.

"He has a cell phone now, but he's insistent on using it for email instead of text messaging or calls. It's more similar to his beloved paperwork, so expect to get lots of emails from him. If he makes even one phone call, I will be shocked. More likely he'll send an email telling you he's on his way over or to meet him someplace. However, you are allowed to tell him no! You don't have to see him, (y/n), just because he says he wants to," Rae said, their humor mixing with annoyance at the end as they put their hand on their hip and sighed, leaning against the wall.

Reaching up, I brushed aside the braid that was close to falling into their eye before stepping back a bit. "Don't worry. I won't.. I've got too much stuff to do while I'm alive to let someone else take the reins so easily. Otherwise, I would still be living with my parents, yeah?" I said softly, one side of my lip curled upward. I loved my parents, really I did, but I needed to live my own life. Wherever I went after I died, I wanted to go there without having at least tried to do what I could to accomplish my dreams, even if my dreams weren't much compared to some. If I could leave a mark on this world, even a small one, that would last beyond my death, then I would be happy to reach my end and watch the world move on from wherever I ended up.

With a quiet giggle, I remembered the strange talk between me and Ashe about what came after life ended. His mind worked in strange ways, how he connected his life with being Death. He seemed lonely and I'd become friends with stranger people than him.  If I could help him feel a little less cut off from the warmth of friendship, maybe I could do something to repay the kindness so many had shown me over the years.

My thoughts were cut off when a sharp knock sounded from the front door, blinking at the frown that appeared on Rae's face. "I told you he'd do this. I bet he sent an email and just came straight over expecting a yes," they growled before letting out a sigh and moving to the door, yanking it open after unlocking it to reveal Ashe looking proud of himself with his new cellphone in hand. "You need to wait for a response or call her. I told you this. Email needs to be seen and read. It's not like a phone call or text where people see the notification right away."

"Rae, it's okay. He's still learning," I said before turning to Ashe with an exasperated smile. "But Rae is right. You should just try calling next time if I haven't sent a response by the time you want to come over. I don't have the tea ready, let alone some cookies or sandwiches to eat with them. Let me go warm up some water, at least. This is good timing though! I still need to finish our measurements to get started on the slacks for your outfit. We can do that while you are here if you are up for it?" Walking into the kitchen, I turned on the burner after filling the pot with fresh water, letting it heat up as I began grabbing a set of cups for the tea. "You want the ginger tea again, Rae? Or do you want to try the raspberry this time?"

~~~~~~~~

He looked at the woman rummaging through her cupboards as he ignored the look Azrael was giving him, the warmth she radiated seeping through the air around her and slowly stretching through the room. It almost seemed like the more he was around her, the more easily he could feel that warmth flowing around her. Or perhaps it was getting stronger because he was around her? Was this part of what Nyx had done in her meddling into mortal affairs? It had been a while since he'd thought about it, but she had admitted to touching the lives leading up to this woman's birth. Who knows what else the goddess might have done?

Feeling his lip quirk up for a moment, he took a step closer to (y/n) and reached up to grab the Earl Grey he could see sitting in the cupboard above her. "I'm sure Rae wouldn't mind the raspberry today. Myself, I'll have the same as last time. The honey you used left me craving more. You used real honest honey and not the stuff some mortals call honey but has never been near a bee before going into a jar," he said, wondering why he was allowing himself to be so blunt with this human. He couldn't seem to help himself, though, a small part of his distaste for humanity spilling out. It had been so long since he'd felt a fondness for any human, he wondered if he was still capable of feeling such, even for her and the warmth she brought him.  Would he come to detest her once he learned what she was truly like, once she showed her 'humanity' to him and proved she was like so many others of her kind?

"Are you still willing to keep Death company during your afterlife?"  His sudden question hung in the air like a drop of poison floating within a cup of water, tainting the room as he felt Azrael's eyes burning into his back after a gasp from them broke the silence that followed his question to the female. Before they could speak, however, the mortal had already begun talking, her voice flowing over him like a warm and gentle rain.

"Why are you so insistent on waiting until I die? Why can't we be friends now? I'll be your friend even after I die if that is what you want, but why can't we be friends before that?" The questions she asked shocked him, a different face imposed over her own for a moment before the image faded again. The earnest look on her own face, the honesty in her voice, had him letting her questions sit in his mind for a moment and actually considering the words carefully.

"I didn't expect a mortal to wish to stay beside one such as me before they met their demise. It has been a long time since anyone wished to be close to me for any length of time beyond that which my business with them requires in the end. A very long time. If you are truly willing to do so, then I will not deny you time when I have it to spare," he said slowly, tasting the words upon his tongue before an idea came to mind. He'd planned on skipping this one, but perhaps he would go after all and see what might catch her eye that he might overlook. "There is an event I shall be attending in a few days. Come with me. If nothing else, then maybe your presence will help me, as you have a good eye for materials. You proved that at the last auction, after all. Ah, but for now, you mentioned more measurements?"