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Love never dies. That was something his meemaw had said a thousand years ago. Well it feels like a thousand years ago. Now, at this moment, he wonders.
It was supposed to be an easy gig. Get in get what you can and get the fuck out. Of course nothing was easy. Kremy’s fate spit in the face of good, it was uncanny. For a gambling man he has terrible luck. Well, that’s what makes gambling so fun, so satisfying. This wasn’t satisfying. This was terrifying.
“Gods damn it!” Blood spills to the floor in fat droplets. It pools, light reflecting from the lantern above. Gideon is down. His skin is sallow and nothing is making him react. Not even the beast calling him a dumb bitch is enough to rouse the genasi. The flames in his hair are gone.
This is what breaks Kremy the most. The way he knows it’s truly and totally over. The jig was up. Kremy throws his cane. He doesn’t need it now. The Baron can’t help him. Kremy wouldn’t accept the help anyway. Kremy runs like he’s never ran before; his breath catches, the pounding of blood in his ears is deafening. There’s nothing he can do. He has no allies, no tricks, no magics that will do a single thing to solve this situation. This is it. “Do it! Fucking kill me already!” the beast laughs, Kremy can’t see him, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters now. He stands in his direct line of sight, unmoving. He’s not moving until life leaves his body.
“Die? You give up that easy?”
“Without question. I’m done, it’s over. I’m not fighting it.” Kremy doesn’t fear death. The Baron promised an endless party of bourbon, rum, and jazz. Kremy isn’t completely delusional; he isn’t a good man. That didn’t matter, the void called.
The blow is quick. Slashed right through the abdomen. Blood and viscera explodes from Kremy’s body. He had always wondered if his alligator nature would do anything to protect him in moments like these, turns out it didn’t. A sharp enough sword and skilled enough swordsman, any illusionary armor his scales provided moot. How ‘bout that. Two bodies lie in front of the beast. It sniffs the air; the stench of death heavy on the wind. Pink ropes of intestine spool out in the grass. It kicks the small green body into the large red body. It seems… right. The beast wanders back into the forest. Moonlight hits the trees so nice this time of year.
First there’s laughing. Kremy thinks its from the beast, but it feels familiar. Of course everything is too damn bright to tell. After the laughter is… Nothing. Not nothing like the deep hole of the deepest depression, but a true blissful nothing.
It’s curtains for Kremy LeCroux, but that’s okay. Though he wasn’t a good man, he was never truly evil. The Good Baron provided well for a tricksy talented cook with the silver tongue; and death looked good on him. He swung an ethereal cane and tipped his hat. It had grown to a lavish purple velvet monstrosity plumed with peacock feathers and black dahlias; Kremy couldn’t be happier. Swanky jazz music boomed in the background, the sounds of laughter just visible over the swell of brass instruments. It’s the party he’d always dreamed about, all those nights sweating over a hot grill he’d imagined a life under neon lights. Far away from fluorescent lights yellowed with grease and cheap cigarettes; careless and free. A flash of fire catches Kremy’s eye, he smiles. It wouldn’t be a party without his partner in crime. Gideon is boisterous, drunk on endless amounts of bourbon. He’s flirting loudly with a human woman, her face is flushed. Kremy rolls his eyes, even in death Gideon couldn’t be stopped.
“Mind if I step in? I’d like to spend eternity with my husband.” Gideon winks at the woman, she smiles.
“Eternity is a long time, I’m sure we’ll meet again.” She turns, grabs a drink from a passing spirit and moves on to the next soul. Gideon lights a cigar, the smoke curls around his face. Kremy takes a cigarette out of a silver case and pops it in his mouth. He motions to Gideon, the genasi rolls his eyes and produces a small flame out of his thumb. Kremy lights his cigarette.
“This is heaven man, you can light a cigarette with your mind!” Kremy exhales, his own smoke mixing with the cigars.
“Yeah, but I like when you do it.” Gideon blushes, his red skin even darker than before.
“Ah geez Kremy… I don’t mind, I guess. You did let me tag along to your grand eternal reward and all.”
“You got here fair and square Gid, dealing with me for all those years finally paid off.” Kremy pulls a drink from a passing spirit, it’s delicious and sweet.
“I would’ve dealt with you if we’d gone to hell. You’re the best thing that happened in my life.” Gideon sticks the cigar between his teeth and holds out a hand. Kremy drains his drink and takes it.
They sway to the forever playing jazz.