Rhadamanthus had a new perspective.
People called him harsh, called him cold, but they didn't understand as he did. He watched her playing and laughing with her brother. The both of them knew that she would die in half a day's time, twelve hours and not a second before or after, and Rhadamanthus knew that when the time came she would come willingly, leaving her brother to cry over her dead body.
"Ricky!" the child shrilled. Rhadamanthus let his feet leave the ground and he drifted into the air, watching them. They were so happy now that he smiled, happy for them. Mortals. What foolish creatures... they formed so many attachments, but the slightest thing could sever those and leave them devastated. Still... as he watched them, he smiled.
That night they lay together on her mattress. She was trembling, cuddled close against him, and Rhadamanthus held her and rubbed her back comfortingly.
"Is it scary, Rhadam?" she asked. He was not oblivious to the fear in his eyes.
"There may be a little pain right at the moment, my darling," he murmured comfortingly, "But that will pass quickly and it will not return. It's not scary, dear child."
"Will I be able to play?"
He laughed softly. Ah, the mind of a child! Mortal she may have been, but he could not but cherish her innocence. "You will be able to play, my dear. You will be able to laugh and be happy."
"When my mommy and daddy come, will they recognize me?"
"It depends on them." At her terrified look, he went on. "Some grown-ups don't like their lives, darling. It is strange to you, but sometimes they give up their memories of life. Your parents might do that, or they might keep them." She nodded miserably and reached up to hug his neck. He let her. It was almost time.
"Will you play with me?"
Rhadamanthus chuckled softly. "I may, my dear, but perhaps you will make new friends." Her arms were already going slack, but he knew that it wasn't sleep that called her.
"Rachel?" Her brother had entered on quiet feet. He looked horrified.
"Ssh," Rhadamanthus cautioned him. But the boy could not have spoken if he tried.
"Will you tell Ricky and mommy and daddy that I love them?"
"Of course," Rhadamanthus assured her gently. The boy closed his open mouth and swallowed hard, trembling and teary-eyed.
"Thank you," she murmured at last and went completely limp. Her body fell through his arms. Rhadamanthus stood, carrying the child's soul. She lay sleeping on his shoulder.
"Rachel," the terrified boy gasped, running to the limp and lifeless body. He looked up at Rhadamanthus desperately and he, feeling no sympathy for the boy's plight, was nonetheless moved by the tears.
"I'll take care of her, Ricky." He knelt and placed his hand on the boy's cheek. "Death is not so bad. You will see when your time comes." He drew his hand away. The sobbing boy threw himself onto his sister's bed. Rhadamanthus turned away and was gone with the girl. Her brother would learn soon enough that there was nothing to be sad over; all he needed was a new perspective.
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