SSP/EP post-epilogue starter

When Snowe helped Astra convince Erio to go visit his mother and sister again, after everything started clearing up, Snowe actually had an ulterior motive, his own reason for wanting to accompany Erio. He didn't really want to visit Soria personally- Snowe's pretty sure she doesn't care for him much anyways. But he did need an excuse to go there, to see someone else- Xiri; or, if not him, Zilia.

Xiri hadn't gone home right away, all fret and worry over Snowe, making sure he was safe and sound and comfortable and settled into his home in Aldcoast again before Xiri gave his goodbye, promising to visit soon, before he swiftly made his way home at long last. But soon was starting to become later- Snowe hadn't seen hide nor hair of Xiri since then, not even having word sent, and it left him worried. He knew Xiri wanted to go home, but... Snowe, still insecure, couldn't help but worry that maybe he'd been forgotten. And Snowe, a bit of a worrywart, also couldn't help but fret that maybe something was wrong.

So, while Erio was finally taking as much time as they could, no longer on any time constraints, to catch up with his sister, and to get to know his mother, Snowe tried to find his demon- but that red hair and those red eyes and that shark-toothed smile was nowhere to be found. So he went to Zilia instead, apologizing for taking her from Erio and Soria, but this was important to him.

"Oh, sweetheart," She'd said, in such a motherly, patient tone, gentle smile on her face, when Snowe asked her about Xiri. "Xiri needed a lot of rest after that ordeal- not just the spell, but from everything before, too. He needs a nice, extended nap in a real body, in a real bed. I promise you he will wake soon with renewed energy, and I'm sure he'll want to see you."

Snowe felt terribly relieved, even if a bit sad and guilty at how much rest Xiri apparently needed. That whole mess and more had taken so much out of his demon... But he knew Xiri wouldn't stand to hear it if Snowe tried to take responsibility. Zilia went on to explain that Xiri was currently laid in the sanctuary she had previously been sleeping in, if only because his home wasn't quite ready for him- not the land of demons itself, but his personal home. Long ago, he'd had his own house, like all the other demons, like Soria and Parin and of course Zilia. (But not Erio because he was a baby who was still being looked after before he left). In all the years Xiri had been away, his home had gone dark and forgotten, full of dust and webs with no one to care to maintain it. Zilia was planning on getting it cleaned up, so the sleeping King of Dreams could be allowed to wake in his own bed, in his own home. And, with a soft smile, she'd asked Snowe if he'd like to help- to which he of course eagerly agreed.

Snowe didn't stay long to help, though, because Erio only wanted to stay a little while before going back to Aldcoast, to his shop and his second, found family. But in what time he had, Snowe was plenty happy cleaning the dust from Xiri's old home, getting it out of the windows and furniture and nooks and crannies. Zilia didn't let him do too much or examine too many things, though- she'd said Xiri would most likely want to show Snowe all of his things himself, and for some reason that made Snowe's cheeks go a little warm.

Upon their return to Aldcoast, Snowe felt a lot better, and was able to relax again. He didn't have to worry about Xiri, and now he knew Xiri was going to wake happy and more energetic than he's been in years... probably, more than he'd ever been since before Snowe was born. Still, Snowe was a bit impatient. He made excuses to accompany Erio (and sometimes Astra) whenever the demon went to visit his mother and sister, so Snowe could tug Zilia aside and shyly ask for any update on Xiri's nap. And she was always ever so patient, each time he asked, smiling fondly and telling Snowe that she promises to send word to him the moment Xiri is awake, if Xiri isn't doing so himself immediately. But still, Snowe couldn't help but keep checking in.

On one of Snowe's visits, though, he wasn't just checking in. He'd brought something- a little gift he'd made, that he wanted to leave for Xiri almost as a get well soon present... Sure, Xiri will probably already be delighted by waking up among all his old personal affects, but Snowe thought it might be nice to wake up to something new and just for him as well. But he didn't give it to Zilia to give to Xiri- he'd tried to sneak away, to visit Xiri himself- only to be stopped by Zilia when he was approaching the curtain that covered the gentle, low glow of Xiri's doorway.

Still so patient, she'd pointed out to him that Xiri would really like to show Snowe his home, now all clean, himself, and that if Snowe had something to give, she could leave it for him. But though Snowe nearly faltered, he stayed his ground, insisting he wanted to leave it for Xiri himself. What didn't go said, but Snowe had a feeling Zilia somehow already knew, was that... Snowe maybe wanted to see Xiri himself, too. Just... see him. He knew Zilia would never lie, but Snowe just really wanted to see his demon with his own eyes. With a soft sigh, Zilia relented and stepped aside, but only after Snowe promised not to look around too much, just go in and out.

Snowe was extra careful to make sure not to let his eyes linger on anything in the house too long, which was easy enough, seeing as it was very dimly lit, probably so as not to bother Xiri's sleep. Snowe found his bedroom/sleeping nook easily enough, and... there he was. In comfortable sleeping clothes, fast asleep under warm blankets, red lashes closed against his cheeks and just as red hair strewn about in terrible bedhead, and yet framing his pale face so nicely. Snowe couldn't help but stop, and take a minute or two to just... look Xiri over, a soft smile on his face, a warmth of happiness swelling in his chest, seeing his long-suffering demon so relaxed and comfortable and at ease. Snowe left his gift, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, near Xiri's bed, where he'll hopefully see it upon waking; it's a small package with a small gift- that old bead bracelet Snowe had once been given by one of the children of Sabine, only altered, little tiny seashells from Aldcoast's beaches strung up between the wooden beads, all in soft colors, pale ivories and creams and pinks, with shimmery mother-of-pearl on their insides, little clam shells and bubble shells and scotch bonnets, tiny ark shells and cockle shells and cowrie shells and olive shells, even a moon shell and a wentletrap. Snowe had actually had to remove about half the beads to make room for all the little shells, but that was fine, because he'd made a whole new bracelet from them, with shells of his own. Astra had found the idea adorable and had been eager to help him, even if she'd teased a little about Snowe and Xiri having matching bracelets...

Snowe looked Xiri over a moment longer, before... before reaching out, to brush some of that silky red hair from his eyes, Snowe beaming and relishing in how very, very real Xiri felt, how real and silky his hair was, how real and smooth his skin was. There may have been a couple tears in his eyes when he'd finally stepped out, Zilia waiting, but she didn't say a word, not even about how long Snowe had taken, only smiled knowingly.


After that, Snowe didn't feel the need to check in so much, apparently finally satisfied simply seeing Xiri sleeping for himself. So it actually startled him when word finally came; he was helping out in Erio's store, organizing the dried herbs, with the demon off to the side mixing medicines, when the air suddenly tingled with magic and- suddenly, Soria stood in the middle of the room, hands on her hips and face just as prickly as Erio's usually was, and her sudden appearance startled them both. Erio nearly spilled the contents of his pestle, and Snowe actually spilled a container of herbs- which he promptly got to cleaning up, while Soria relayed her message- which, to his surprise, was towards him instead of her brother.

"Hey kid, my mother asked me to tell you the King of Spoiled Brats is awake, and he wants to see you." She said, and though she was teasing and rude, Snowe could see the slight quirk of her lips that indicated she was just having a joke. She's so much like Erio, her tells were getting just as obvious to him. "You'd better hop to it, before he gets annoying."

Soria, of course, didn't just leave right away- she had to greet her brother and chat with him a little! Which was perfect, because Snowe was now a little busy. The moment he finished cleaning his mess, he excused himself to run out and find Vera, and then Richard, telling the both of them that he had to leave and he was very sorry it was short notice, he promises nothing's wrong, he just needed to see someone. And despite their understandable worry, at how many times he'd left Aldcoast in a hurry with those same words and never coming back okay, they believed him- that bright smile on his face was undeniable. Snowe packed up a travel bag and changed his clothes and he was back in the apothecary shop in no time- asking Soria if it wouldn't be too much trouble to teleport him with her back to the land of demons. She rolled her eyes and sighed and made a bit of a show of it, only to tell him that was the original plan.

Soria kisses and hugs goodbye with her embarrassed baby brother, before taking hold of Snowe, asking him if he's sure he's ready, and then teleporting them both away with a lurch. When Snowe's eyes could see again, it was in the middle of the main street in the land of demons, one he's starting to get familiar with. Zilia's there, and she smiles, and repeats the message again- Xiri is awake, and he wants to see Snowe. Just like she promised. She offers to walk him there, but before she even can, Snowe is running off on his own- he thinks he knows the way this time, and Zilia can only chuckle at his enthusiasm, and chuckle even more at Soria grumbling about manners.

"Xiriii!" Snowe shouts the moment he sees his demon's house around a bend, startling demons with his raised voice and running by so quick, nearly bumbling right into a couple like the clumsy dolt he is. He's already out of breath upon his approach, but he won't slow down until he reaches that curtained doorway, and the warm, bright glow beyond it, a great big smile on his scarless face.