90- The Start of a Fantastic Night

Quayleigh could barely contain her enthusiasm as she entered her apartment, wanting to share everything she had discovered that day with Tau and looking forward to spending the rest of the day with him.

"Welcome home," Tau greeted her as he stood from the couch.

"Thanks," she exclaimed, kicking off her shoes. Rushing towards him, she stole a kiss before setting the bag she was carrying onto the coffee table. "Oh, freshly showered?"

"I had no choice. Rescuing Kyffin's tree was dirty work," he replied as she took off her coat. "That aside, you seem to be happy. Your day went well, I take it?"

"Hell, yeah it did," she said while hanging up her coat. "I had an amazing time at the MET, and I can't wait to tell you all about it! But first, there's something I want to show you." Sitting on the couch, she pulled the file from the bag and removed the picture from the cover, holding it up for him to see. "It's my father."

"Where did you get this?" he asked, carefully taking the picture from her, his eyes scanning the image.

"From Archivist Phaedra. It turns out, my father actually worked for the MET, as a professor. My mother basically lied about everything, and Phaedra knew him. He told me so much more than I remembered or knew, and he even told me what he knew about how my father died."

Tau sat down beside her and set the picture on to the file. "What did he tell you?"

"What he could. The thing is no one really knows exactly what happened. He was studying a book alone in a room, and then he was found dead. Something about what he read in that book killed him, but no one was ever allowed to find out what that was," she said, turning towards him, "but based on Uru's reaction, I'm betting you can tell me more."

"I will tell you whatever I can," he replied, taking a hold of her hand.

"Tell me everything you know about Sa'ha Tekal, and the people that worshipped him."

Tau turned his head, "Sa'ha Tekal… that's impossible."

"What do you mean?"

"He means that you should not know that name," Uru remarked as he appeared on the bed and coiled up.

"But it is another name for Death, right?" she asked, looking to him for confirmation.

"It is," he replied. "It is an old name from days gone by, from a civilization lost to conquest, genocide, and sacrifice."

"What I meant, is if you know that name, then someone has unearthed Caat'heidamet's codex, 'Neuv'ghei kho'," Tau remarked. "Do you know what happened to the codex?"

"The MET had it sealed and sent to be stored in the vault in Javötpur; according to Phaedra. Apparently, they deemed it too dangerous to even look at, but for some reason it's still too valuable to destroy. Beside the point though. Tell me, did my father really die because of a book?"

As Tau turned to look at her, a sad smile on his face, he strengthened the hold he had on her hands, "Yes, Quayleigh. Your father died because of that book."

"How? How could a book kill someone?"

"The codex isn't just a book. It's alive, for lack of a better term. It was written by a man, who, like you, could see reapers. He befriended Caat'heidamet, the second of Death's reapers. As his life neared its end, he sacrificed himself to give life to the codex. Afterwards, anyone who was devoted enough, was allowed to read from the text, and they now reside within Death's castle. I don't know how or why, but they are not normal souls; they are sentient. When your father read from it, he sacrificed himself into the service of Death."

"Tau, are you saying my father…" she paused and swallowed harshly, "could he be at… Death's castle?"

"Yes, that is a very real possibility," he replied.

"Is… is he suffering?"

"No! Oh, no. Absolutely not, my dear. While he may have no memories of the life he lived or where he came from, he has a good existence. Death took responsibility for Caat'heidamet's decision, and he takes good care of all who are in his service, especially the anomalies," he explained, lifting his hand and gently sweeping her hair back behind her ear. "Do not fear for him; he's safe and well. One day, when I return to that world, I will find him for you."

"But he won't remember me, will he?"

"I won't know for certain until after I find and speak with him, but I don't wish to give you false hope; chances are, he doesn't even remember his own name or that he was once a human."

She nodded and nuzzled her cheek into the palm of his hand. "Still, if he's there, then it makes me think that he wasn't completely robbed of his own life. He's just living a different one. Thank you, Tau. Having answers, and a picture, I never thought I would have either of these things."

"You still seem sad. Should I not have told you?"

"Tau, never hesitate to tell me what you know. Yes, I'm sad, but it isn't because of what you told me," she said, shifting her position to cancel the space between them.

"Oh? Then why?" he questioned as she pressed her brow against his.

"For a moment, I thought that maybe he was the reason Death saved me that day, and why I was able to meet you, but that's crazy. If he doesn't remember himself, there is no way he remembers me."

Tau kissed her softly as she set her hands to his cheeks.

"I was so excited by my news, I never even asked how your time with Kyffin went," she whispered as he lifted her onto his lap and held her tight.

"It was excellent. We saved his tree and moved it to his house. It's very peaceful there. I think you will like it. Kyffin also spoke to his wife and asked her to come home."

"Did she agree?"

"She did. It sounds like it will be a while until she gets here, but he was happy. Kyffin has changed, much for the better, and I believe Kimehiko could hear it in his voice. I'm just hoping his meeting with Anquiliria doesn't stop his… journey?"

"That's a good word for it," she replied with a content smile. "Kyffin was so uptight when we first met, it would be a shame to see him go back to that. Just this morning, it was like he was a completely different person. And I don't want that to change either. He's family now. We are family, and that is a brilliant thing."

"And who am I to you in this scenario?" he whispered as she pecked at his cheek.

"You," she kissed his cheek again, "are," and again, "my," and again, "other half." She kissed him one final time. "So, are you ready to go out?"

"I am. Did you have a place in mind?"

"I do. There's a furniture store at Dumont Plaza, and this restaurant that I've wanted to try since the day it opened, is basically across the road. That is if you don't mind eating out?"

"Where you lead, I will follow," he replied, their lips connecting once again.

Quayleigh adored these quiet moments with him, from the soft touch of his lips to the firm and steady strength of his embrace. She loved getting lost in him, drifting away in the tenderness of his manner and the safety of his warmth, but the loud creek of her old bed snapped her back to reality.

"We shouldn't yet, get carried away," she muttered into his shoulder before clearing her throat and reveling in the scent of him.

"I did not mean to disturb," Uroxuz remarked as he slithered onto the floor and stretched out the length of apartment and then some.

"It's okay. That bed is incredibly tiny for you. Even coiled, you barely fit on it," Quayleigh replied as she stood up. "Thus, we are off to get a bigger one."

"I'll be with her, so you can stay here and rest if you wish. I'll call for you if I have need."

*************

An hour later, Tau and Quayleigh arrived, via taxi, at the furniture store located at the large mall in Dumont Plaza. It was a moderately priced store, fit for the neighborhoods it serviced.

Upon entry, Quayleigh locked her arm around Tau's, and she led him to the bedroom portion of the stores showroom. Within minutes of having entered the area, they were approached by an eager saleswoman, ten years too old to be wearing her heeled shoes and skintight, burgundy leggings but fit enough to pull them off with taste. Her bouffant hairdo perfectly accentuated her drawn accent, typical of someone raised in the northern region of the south.

"Good afternoon. My names Linda. Can I help the two of you with anything in particular?" she asked, addressing them as a couple, despite her eyes being glued to Tau the entire time.

Not that Quayleigh could blame her, if she had to choose between the two of them to look at, she'd be staring at Dylan too.

"My other half, is in need of a larger bed," Tau said with a heavy air of pride. "Show her whatever she requests."

"Well, my goodness, aren't you just a gentleman," she replied with an awkward smile. "And what size bed do you currently have?"

"A twin. I'd like to see what you have in doubles. Something simple, that won't take up much room. Our apartment is limited with its space."

"Certainly, right this way," Linda replied as she did an abrupt about-face turn and guided them further back into the store.

The entire experience was as strange for Quayleigh as it was for Tau. Linda, for as knowledgeable as she was, failed when it came to customer service, finding Tau far more interesting to speak to, even as he paid her little mind. Quayleigh found it amusing, the way he patiently accepted the bubbly woman's flirtations and constant inference that a queen bed would make for more room to enjoy each other's company. However, Tau didn't quite grasp what Linda was referring to and reminded her that space was limited, following that up with, "we enjoy each other's company easily enough on the twin every night. Sadly, its size leaves no room for Uru to join us."

"Is Uru your…"

"Dog. He's our dog," Quayleigh hasty interrupted, as she draped herself against Tau's side. "A very large, incredibly intelligent dog. If you think this one's a gentleman, Uru is just to die for."

Tau smirked as he gazed down at her. "Have you found something you like?"

"I have."

With the frame now decided, they went through the process of selecting a mattress, and despite Quayleigh's protest, which was quickly silenced when he whispered something in her ear that made her blush so harshly even Linda had to turn away, Tau decided on one of the most expensive, premium quality mattresses they had in stock.

Once they had paid for everything, they arranged for it to be delivered on Monday morning, and left the store, receipt in hand.

Making their way across the road, they walked down the street a short distance and entered a small restaurant that was known for its fine dining and intimate atmosphere. The Lord Windham's Steakhouse was one of the more expensive places in Dumont Plaza and served traditional steakhouse fare. She had always wanted to eat there but could never justify spending two days' worth of wages on a single meal, even for a special occasion. However, this was more than just some ordinary special occasion to her. This was their first real date, and it was a chance for them to be alone, to not worry about anything or anyone, but to simply enjoy each other while letting someone else do all the work.

They had been sat in a small booth next to the front window and a small tealight burned in its glass holder between the salt and pepper shakers. The atmosphere was quiet and reserved and the high backs of the benches offered a cozy, secluded feeling to their table.

Their waiter, Thomas, brought them menus and told them the specials as he set out their silverware and glasses, and another came by to fill them with iced water.

"Take your time, I'll be back shortly to take your order," Thomas said before leaving them be.

"I'm glad he gave us a moment," Tau remarked, setting down the menu. "I'm entirely out of my depth here. Did you understand any of what he just said?"

Quayleigh couldn't help but giggle at his confusion, given its stark contrast to his appearance as a wealthy, intelligent young man, treating his lady to a typical evening out.

"He was just sharing the specials, and don't worry, I'm not about to leave you floundering. Everyone raves about the prime rib, so I don't see why we wouldn't try it since it is available. When he comes back, order a King cut, medium rare, with a baked potato and house salad. And when he asks what dressing you want; the answer is house."

"How do you know all of that?"

"Experience. You'll get there in time, but for now, it's all about trying everything you can. You've certainly had your fair share of sweets to this point, so it's time for you to try something a bit more hardy and savory. I don't think there's going to be anything you'll dislike, but when he asks if you want mushrooms, decline. That's more for my sake though."

"And what are you planning on ordering?"

"Easy, I'm getting their signature long-bone ribeye," she said as she pushed the menus to the edge of the table. "That way if you don't like the prime, we can trade and still have enough to take something back for Uru to try. I have a feeling he's going to enjoy gnawing on the bone. Unless you think that's a bad idea?"

"I'm not entirely certain just yet," he replied as he reached out and took a hold of her hands. "Uru has taken a liking to you. If I let you spoil him too much, I may lose his loyalty, and what good is a reaper without his weapon?"

"In that case, tell him it was your idea, when you toss our dog his bone."