“They all got drunk and fell asleep again, didn’t they?”
Retvik had been standing in the garden on his own. The sudden voice was both unexpected but at the same time… he had expected a visitor.
“Yes they did. It is a Macromera tradition now. Come over to Gath and Retvik’s home, stuff one’s face with food, get utterly methyied then pass out anywhere but in a bed.”
“Do you enjoy the tradition?”
“I do.”
“Well that’s good…”
The voice slowly began to materialize. Out of a cloud of black dust, Arkadin, the Lord of Death, appeared. He had clearly changed though. Normally the Doombringer would appear as a small, black and yellow Skyavok but today he had taken the form of a fully armoured Rethavok. In his standard black and yellow, of course.
“You look…” Retvik hesitated. “Well. Very well. Healthy even…”
Arkadin smiled, just a little. “You want to say something?”
“I was going to say “attractive” but I am a happily partnered Rethan.”
“You can find someone attractive even when you’re married. Just because you have a partner, doesn’t mean you can’t admire beauty…” Arkadin shook his head, then snapped his fingers. A yellow box with a red ribbon appeared and he handed it to Retvik.
“What is this?”
“A gift.”
“For..?”
“All of you. All those present here at least.”
Retvik peered at the gift, looking all confused. “I know today is traditionally the day for gifts, but you never gave us gifts. For some reason you felt it was… inappropriate.”
Arkadin nodded. “You are correct. It does seem inappropriate for a death god to give out gifts. But I am tired of having to deal with everyone else’s rules while everyone else fucks around and does whatever the fuck they want. I want to do what I want as well.”
“What does that have to do with… gifts though?” Retvik asked. “What even is this gift?” He wanted to shake it, but decided not to.
“It’s complicated…” Arkadin sighed. “And frankly, it’s not worth explaining.”
Retvik leaned against the door. “I have time.”
“You don’t, actually. Which is why I made those gifts. One for each person I want to keep close. One for each person I love above all else.”
Again, Retvik was confused. Most of the things Arkadin had said had confused him. It was as if the Thantophor was as drunk and delirious as the vok sleeping in Retvik’s home. “I do not follow.”
“Like I said, it’s a confusing mess. But honestly, I just… don’t want you all to get hurt because you’re connected to me. Kayen has suffered that the most, but you’ve all suffered because of me. Those gifts, those little trinkets made from the better parts of me, they will protect you.”
“You are…”
“I am gifting you a long, safe, protected life. Safe from me. Safe from the other gods. One day, I will come and claim you, the same way I claim everything, but I am giving you the gift of happy, long lives.”
Retvik blinked, then smiled. “That is… very generous of you.”
“I should have given these gifts to you sooner. Especially to you, Retvik…” Arkadin took a deep breath. “You mentioned how you… appreciated my attractiveness. Well, I always found you attractive. Always. If you weren’t married…” Arkadin shook his head, then sighed. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have told you.”
“It is fine. I feel like you have wanted to admit that for a long time. And I thank you for your honest.” Retvik glanced back inside. It looked like Gath was waking up. Arkadin noticed as well.
“Thank you, Retvik.”
“Thank you too, Arkadin…” Retvik waved as the Thantophor faded away. “Look after yourself…”