Ranryu

"What something?"

"I mean, I'm not one for those idiot lovers who are so obsessed with each other that they both get killed. Romance is all and good, but survival should come first. Right now that means finding a way to kill Malum, for your sake if nothing else."

Wynn chuckled. "Thanks. I don't either, I think. I just spent decades without enough soul to feel this kind of thing. It's strange, being whole. Or mostly, at this point."

"I guess... being close to you makes me nervous... but in a good way. And being around you is fun. You're fun to talk to."

She frowned. "I feel it. Isn't that how it works?"

"Know what?"

At this she looked a little uncomfortable. "If you hadn't been about to die, I would've asked you first... but yes."

She gave him a look. "What do you think? I gave you the fruit, which is a big no-no among higher class beings. I wouldn't do that for most people."

"Well, I guess there's no harm in it now. I like you, Lerac. More than I've liked anyone for thousands of years."

Lol don't let Potato find out. I can't be sure she wouldn't try it just for fun.

"A few. Most of them are undead or ascended now, though. Many of them just owe me favors or trust me enough to do their hard tasks. I'm glad to have you."

"Of course I want to." She was suddenly shy. "This eternal existence gets lonely, after a while."

She blushed. "Yeah, basically. Once you guys were all safe. I'm not good at long-term connections."

"No, not now that you're immortal. Most of the stuff in this garden is forbidden to mortals. Just don't eat anything glowy or suspicious. I believe most of these plants need to be properly prepared to unlock any magical potential." Wynn bit into a fruit of her own. It tasted like a blend between strawberry and lychee, but juicier.

Wynn scratched her head. "I mean for a lifetime. It's not healthy to stay the same age... and watch all your friends age and die. I don't really have a home, per se. I'm more of a traveling type." She plucked a few smooth green fruits from a low hanging branch and offered one to Lerac. "Here, try it. Everything in this garden is good to eat."

Wynn inspected the place where the wound had been. "It's a possibility, but there are some easy ways to prevent it. Don't have leisure time. Make other immortal friends. Live somewhere without mortals. I doubt that'll happen to you, though. Humans tend to take the transition well, I believe." She stood up. "Come on. We're in a magical garden. If nothing else, the food is good. And there's probably useful items hidden around here somewhere."

"The Atlantides guard the fruit jealously. They must like you a lot. And besides, being immortal is a big responsibility. Many of us go mad after a few centuries, lose their sense of self. I broke a few dozen laws just by bringing you here. But we won't be punished, because the Atlantides accepted us."

Wynn scratched the back of her head, trying to ignore the fact that Lerac was touching her. "Um... It kind... might've made you immortal? And it might've souped up your powers too?" She smiled guiltily.

Instantly she began feeling better. "The Atlantides have granted us safe haven here. They are forbidden to interact with lesser beings like us, but their garden is at our disposal. There are things here that could help us. And then we need to go find that Stacis stuff using Snuffle."

"Lerac!" Wynn had to pull herself back. "You're alive! I'm... sorry. This is all my fault."

Tears trickled down Wynn's face, mixing with blood from her not-fully-healed wound on the forest floor. "Atlantides, please grant us asylum." She called out to the forest. A breeze blew through the trees, followed by faint musical laughter. Acceptance. Wynn didn't know what to do, so she leaned against a tree and watched Lerac. If the pear didn't work, then there was nothing she could do. Curse Death. Curse him.

"Nononono!" Wynn was frantic. "Not again!" And this time it is my fault. Completely. "Come on Lerac, stay with me. We need you!"

"Keep him from dying again. Calm down- it doesn't change our deal. He's not an Aos Si, so his soul will still go to the afterlife when he dies. You might have to wait a bit longer to get him, but that's no big deal to you, right? You are Death. You are inevitable. I only try to cheat nature to save nature. This isn't one of those times."