So Long, Butterfly [Finished]

[Spiderfly]

It had been so long. . . too long. He sat in human form, on his knees at the edge of his bed and stared up. A small tear began to pool in his eye before sliding slowly down his cheek.

"I'm. .. sorry my Queen. I just. I'm so sorry I believed them when they said you died. I didn't at first, I promise. But I began to. . "

He hung his head, his whole body shaking a bit. He reached forwards, touching those wonderfully soft slippers gently before looking back up, at Fino's face. His eyes roved every curve and angle of his Queen's face. . . He was back. . . He was really back.

The cat wiped at his tears quickly, he couldn't be weak in front of his Queen. And then, an odd sight indeed, a genuine smile lit up Pravus' face. "I missed you. . "

[The Jenn]

Death was... strange. Serafino knew very well that he was dead, remembered the knife sliding into his body and collapsing to the floor. He hadn't seen who had killed him, still facing the direction that the Rabbit and the boy had entered from, but whoever they were had picked the perfect moment. Or were in cahoots. He really didn't know enough about the White Rabbit to say either way.

One pale hand reached down to brush across the tear on Pravus's cheek. It was so strange. He could feel it, his mind told him that he could, but even as he felt the moisture on his finger the tear continued its trail down the man's face. It was touch... but it wasn't at the same time. He wasn't sure what to make of it so he ignored it.

"Actually," he said with a small, displeased quirk to his lips, "they were telling the truth. I certainly don't fault you for believing them. But I am dead. I just... didn't leave. I told you that I wouldn't." It had surprised him, this slow, gradual fight for awareness after he'd been parted from his body. It had taken several weeks before he really understood how to make himself 'work' and finally appear to Pravus. He'd never believed in ghosts... before he became one.

He knew from a small bit of experimentation that no one else could either see or hear him and he'd been trying to figure out why. Apparently the feline was the only one.

[Kari Muffin]

Peaches hummed happily to herself as she walked down the hallway with a tray of tea. Things were getting better. Yes, they were still horrible but things were getting better. Pravus wasn't as bad as he had been. She had gotten out for a little bit and things were just going a bit better.

She didn't bother to knock as she slipped open the door, blacking the tray on one gloved hand. Her sleeves were rolled up. It was Pravus after all.

The woman stopped in her tracks. Why was Pravus in his human form? Why was he kneeling in front of his bed like that? Why was he... he was talking to himself! An expression of horror crossed Peaches face as she stood there in shock. No. No! This wasn't happening! Things had been going so well.

Peaches took a deep breath and covered up her concern, "I brought your afternoon tea, Pravus!"

[Spiderfly]

Pravus shook as he watched the truth of his Queen's statements register on his face. He couldn't be. . . he couldn't be dead. Not /again/. This wasn't. . .. He trembled and more tears began to fight to the surface so he clutched at Fino's legs, holding onto his legs through his gown. Or course to Peaches this would look quite odd indeed.

"Not again. . . not again. . . " he whispered, then he heard Peaches enter. The cat turned quickly, tears flying in the wind from his movement as he still stayed attached to Fino's legs and looked towards Peaches.

"Tea. . . yes we'll have tea." He nodded fervently before looking back up at Fino. His Queen hadn't had tea in a while, perhaps it would make things better. Just like it always did, good old tea. Pravus grinned at Fino before raising to his feet to move towards Peaches and help her with the tray. He quirked an odd look and mumbled. "Will need another cup.. . "

[The Jenn]

Fino shouldn't have been surprised at Pravus's reaction and yet somehow, he still was. To see the obvious evidence of the feline's distress was... unsettling. He didn't want to be the cause of that expression. Pain and pleasure were one thing, and even hurt in an argument, but this was something else entirely. He reached down to run his fingers through the other man's hair, feeling them slide through the yellow strands even though they didn't so much as visibly twitch.

He hadn't ever thought about dying before, not in any kind of 'planning' context. He'd wondered how and when and where, what he could do to circumvent it, but not the aftermath. He figured he would be gone by then. Obviously that wasn't the case. He couldn't just go... not when he had very, very specifically promised Pravus that he would never leave him. "I won't be needing a cup," he said with a frustrated sigh. It would have been unbelievably welcome, but he supposed that he would never be able to enjoy a cup of tea again now. "Have one for me, though. I know you don't necessarily love it, but it should help with your head."

And wasn't that a nice after-death present. Here, thank you for ridding me of headaches for the month that I was able to enjoy it. Now you're stuck with the blinding pain and dull ache until you die.

[Kari Muffin]

Peaches couldn't prevent a small whimper from escaping her throat as she walked over to the table. Setting the tray down she shook her head. "No, no. There's no one else here."

The woman bit her lip. Her heart was beating faster than it should. Her hands were almost shaking as she poured the tea for Pravus and herself. She picked up his cup and handed it to him. He had been...crying. He was in his human form. He hadn't been in his human form since Serafino died.

He was doing strange things. Hugging thin air. Acting like the dead Queen was in the room. It didn't make sense. She wanted to bolt now. Leave. Run someplace where she could cry. Damn, she thought things had honestly been going better. Now? He was going off the deep end again. Her heart was breaking as she stood there holding the tea cup.

[Spiderfly]

Pravus purred just a slight bit as he felt his Queen's fingers slide through his hair. He was out of practice in this form and it lasted a second or two before it petered out. His Queen was. . was he truly dead if he could still feel him? His brain seemed unable to delve into it further and all he knew was that Fino had come back for him. He had made him promise and here he was, death or not. He mewled as he realized, what if he hadn't made Fino promise? Would he have been gone for good then?

He nodded to his Queen, now that he thought about it he could feel the headache. Odd how extreme stress and insanity of sorts could make you forget such trivial things as blinding pain. He rubbed at his forhead just a little and reached for a cup sipping at it. He didn't respond to Peaches though, besides a simple thanks. He knew his Queen was here and that was enough. A hand went out and rested on Fino's hand in a gesture that screamed of needing comfort, to know he was still there, that he wasn't leaving again.

[The Jenn]

Fino felt remarkably disassociated from everything and was trying his hardest to fight away that feeling. It was almost as if he had taken a break from existence for a little while and was trying to get back into the swing of things, remember how to react to something, interact with people - one person, he supposed, only one now and forever. He could watch others, observe what they did, but never communicate with anyone but the feline. It was a good thing he loved the man, else he would never have done anything like this. He still wasn't sure whether or not it had been a choice. He just knew that he was here, was a ghost, and would rather stay than go.

He felt the warmth of the touch against his skin and looked down, his hand slowly sliding until it cupped Pravus's. His thumb slid along the palm in smooth, meaningless little circles and he tried to wrap his head around what was actually happening. This wasn't the kind of thing he would normally think about, want to think about, try to think about... any of it. But he didn't really have a choice besides ignoring it. Perhaps he should for the time being.

And why was the Torquehelm feline in here? He glanced over at her, red eyes narrowing somewhat. Her presence didn't make this any easier and she looked to be quite stressed. He wanted time alone with Pravus to figure this out. "Make her go away," he said quietly.

[Kari Muffin]

Peaches was trying her hardest not to hyperventilate. What was going on? Was this really happening. She shook her head and pour herself some tea. She took a sip of it, and well... she just felt worse. Crap, hadn't she forgotten to slip his medicine in his tea? He didn't seem to have much of a headache.

He had other problems though. She bit her lip as watched Pravus. He was acting like he was touching someone. Oh this wasn't good at all. She leaned against the table taking a sip. She looked down at her waist. Her fan was very much on her belts. That didn't mean much though, he could easily snap her neck if he felt like it. She tried her hardest not to shudder, but it did show.

Peaches opened her mouth to say something, and closed it again. She gave her head a shake before actually finding the words. "Pravus, what's going on?"

[Spiderfly]

The warm tea sat stale in his mouth and went down his throat with a harsh swallow. It really didn't taste as good as it did a minute ago. He sat the cup down and made a small noise as Fino rubbed against his hand. He just wanted to curl up beside his Queen and fall asleep. Or. . undress him and just watch him lay there in the light. He shivered and looked towards his Queen with a look in his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow at Fino's request, but he did agree. The cat wanted time alone, just for them. Pravus stood and waved his hands at Peaches. "Later later. . . please go now?" His voice lilted up at the end. He was hasty to have his time with Fino but he didn't want to be rude to Peaches, not if he didn't have to. He made motions towards the door, trying to show the Torque the way out.