Dress for Distress

He should have expected it. There was no way around the annoying issue that now hugged him in a vice-like grip, even while fast asleep with its head pressed up against his chest.

He's even beneath the blankets.

Pursing his lips, Fin slowly awoke and began his task of untangling Daiya's arms and legs from around him. It didn't help that zombies tended to re-enter rigor mortis whenever they slept too  deeply. His arms and legs were locked in place like a statue's.

"Daiya, wake up." He said, using his abilities to press his words into the young zombie's mind.

It didn't work right away, which was no surprise. It was hardest to control newer undead. He did, however, sense a response deep in Daiya's mind, so he continued to speak quietly to him until he finally noticed one of his eyelids flutter.

"There you are."

When a quiet groan, which still resembled a small puppy, met his ears, Fin grinned and began gently rustling Daiya's hair.

"Wake up for me, Daiya. We have things to do today."

Fin could sense Daiya's hesitation since he was finally so warm.

"I still owe you another time together like I promised, and perhaps you can earn more today, so please release me." He said, adding the polite word to try and coax Daiya a little more.

He waited patiently for a few more moments, then was rewarded with soft brown eyes staring up at him.

"Welcome back." He said as he felt Daiya's arm slowly begin to unwrap from around his chest. Once his upper body was free, the young man's legs followed suite.

Fin hurried from the bed and was clothed and ready for the day by the time Daiya was able to get himself into a sitting position with his legs hanging over the edge.

"We will be doing something far different today, Daiya." He said as he walked over to the door and opened it, gesturing someone inside.

The woman who stepped in didn't appear to be more than a peasant. She was dressed decently, but nothing like the women Fin kept in his keep.

"We will be getting you fitted for a few garments today." Fin said, drawing a blank stare from Daiya, as well as a tiny bit of drool.

"It is not uncommon for someone of higher status to take a tame zombie as a pet... at least for a short while. I believe that it's about time that you began coming along with me on some small errands."

The seamstress walked around Daiya repeatedly after he got himself up, wrapping a line of measuring tape around him at just about every angle one could think of. Fin watched Daiya try to follow the woman with his eyes, but his head turned far too slowly to be able to manage.

"Perhaps you would do better if you were sold to a master instead of left in the wilds..." He thought out loud as he watched Daiya's delayed reactions. "Kovash was right about one thing. You definitely aren't an aggressive type."

Turning his attention to the seamstress, who was now bringing in several garments to try on Daiya, he spoke as he gestured back to the zombie. "Let's see if we can make him appear appealing to someone looking for a pet." He said, earning a nod from the seamstress as she set down one item, only to pick up a nicer one.

"This one, my lord?" She asked.

Fin nodded, then stepped forward and began tugging off Daiya's borrowed loose shirt. It took him a minute, because Daiya still wasn't able to react very quickly, but it was off as soon as his arms were mostly over his head.

The soft fabric of his borrowed pants were much easier to remove, leaving Daiya completely naked before them. The seamstress began to immediately tug the first article of clothing over his head, but Fin quickly snatched it and held it up with a frown.

"It doesn't seem to work with him. What else have you got?" He asked as his eyes scanned Daiya once more from head to toe.

The woman returned to the many garments she had brought, sifting through them for a few moments before pulling out another item.

"What about this, my lord? With these trousers?" She asked, holding the outfit up.

Fin licked his lips slowly, taking a third glance at Daiya, then the outfit.

"Try that one."

The woman nodded and took her opportunity to get the shirt on, since Daiya hadn't lowered his arms much yet. The pants were a bit harder, with Fin helping lift each of his stiff legs. The clothing was very loose, but that was what the seamstress was for. She'd fix anything Fin liked so that it fit perfectly.

The soft grey shirt with golden embroidery looked quite good against his skin tone and brought out his eyes more. The trousers, a pale blue with several light brown buttons running down one side, made the outfit look comfortable but also elegant.

"I like it." He said as he reached forward, adjusting the shirt on Daiya's shoulders, then reaching lower to tug it a little tighter around his torso.

"I definitely like this."

He was just stepping in closer to tug at the pants that were starting to slip downward on Daiya's hips when he felt strong arms lock around his chest.

Not again.

"Now is not the time for this, Daiya." He chastised, though he knew that it was partially his fault for getting so close.

Perhaps if you show him some affection he might release you. Came Devil's voice somewhere in the back of his mind.

Why would I ever do such a thing? Fin replied a little more harshly than he'd intended.

I could give you a long list of the why's that you would argue until they were twitching on the ground, stabbed to death, resurrected, then murdered again, but how about thinking about the why not's? You likely have very few of those. Devil replied, appearing to his left as his fox took a seat atop Fin's reading chair.

The hell do you mean, why not's? If I have no reason to do something, and it will not benefit me, why should I do it? He replied, frustrated.

Fin struggled for several moments trying to remove Daiya's arms from around himself, but, of course, the zombie was stubborn.

He just wants warmth and has given his life to you. Could you not simply show him a little? Perhaps he will start listening better if you prove that you can give him some willingly without him having to be so cold that he insists on taking it?

Clenching his teeth, Fin forced himself not to try any harder to remove Daiya's arms. He didn't want to risk breaking either of them.

Your words are laughable. A zombie will always seek out warmth. Have you not seen them walk into fires willingly? They come to heat like flies to flames!

"My lord, is everything alright?" The seamstress asked hesitantly, staring up at him with wide eyes.

Taking in a deep breath, Fin sighed and shook his head. "I believe that I've developed a very wicked headache. Please see that these clothes are fitted to his measurements and make another outfit similar to it but in different matching colors."

The seamstress seemed more than happy to take her leave and quickly gathered up the garments she had brought, besides the set still on Daiya, and hurried out, shutting the door behind herself.

A headache, hm? Devil asked, earning a hiss in response.

Yes, it has black fur and a frustrating attitude that never ceases to annoy me.

Devil shifted on the chair and flicked his tail once, then his right ear. Such a shame, this headache of yours. I fear it will not go away soon, and if it does... it will not be for long.

"I will prove your ridiculous ideas futile right now, then you can leave me in damn peace." Fin growled as he abruptly wrapped his arms around Daiya and hugged him tightly to his chest.

At first nothing changed. Fin figured that it wouldn't, and was soon smirking as he glanced over at Devil.

Patience is a virtue when dealing with young undead. Devil reminded him, crossing his paws over each other where he now laid upon the top of the large reading chair.

Fin hissed, but before he could speak, he began to feel Daiya's arms actually loosen from around his body. Not only that, but they soon found their way between them, tucked in tight as Daiya nuzzled his right cheek against Fin's chest and sighed silently.

Oh look, the devil actually knows something the cocky necromancer does not. How can that be? Devil said with overflowing sarcasm.

Growling Fin shoved Daiya down onto the bed, then turned toward Devil with his sword drawn.

"You are asking to die again, fox!" He yelled, only receiving a head tilt from both Devil, and Daiya as he slowly worked on getting himself back up into a sitting position.

As if you killing me will kill me. You will simply get blood on your nice chair and I will just return again and again. Devil taunted, flicking an ear with disinterest.

"For what reason! He is dead! I have fulfilled my contract with you! Even if he had agreed to another, surely you would not waste your time trying to actually help him? There are rules, last we spoke about your deals." Fin said.

I may not complete his contract for him in any way, but I may say what I wish and torment his tormentor without repercussion.

Anger rising, Fin walked over to Daiya and lifted him up, then swung him around to his back. Like expected, in moments Daiya's arms were locked around him, the warmth his body gave off too much of a temptation to fight. For once, he was glad for it.

Get up here you useless hunk of guano. He called to Kovash.

It took the creature several minutes before it appeared out of the swampland far below. The moment it was close enough Fin leaped from the window sill down onto its back.

You are a heavy bastard. Kovash snarled into his mind, earning a hit on the back of his head. "I have a dead man on my back."

A dead man that has more heart than you ever will, beating or not.

They landed hard on the saturated ground below and Kovash gave him little warning before he began sprinting toward the swamp.

"Careful with your words, bat. I can still bury you, even without my magic."

I have seen old women wield shovels far deadlier than you ever could. Kovash replied as he bounded from little moss island to moss island in order to spare Daiya from the water he clearly wasn't used to yet.

"Find something for him to eat. I forgot to have someone prepare his meals today." Fin said before Kovash sped up, turning toward a more dry forested area.

The moment they were back on mostly-solid ground Fin hopped off of Kovash's back, then watched the demon dart off into the underbrush to hunt.

"Get down, Daiya." Fin stated as he knelt in the damp grass.

When Daiya didn't respond, Fin sighed and tried again. "Please get down, Daiya. Kovash will bring you food shortly, but you cannot eat while on my back."

He wasn't sure what exactly got through to the zombie, since, technically, it could still eat while on his back. Of course, Fin wouldn't let him even think about such a thing, unless he wanted his neck to get bitten up when Daiya accidentally misses munching on his lunch. Daiya started to carefully unwrap his legs from around Fin's body first, which didn't catch his notice until it was a tiny bit too late.

Daiya flopped onto the ground, his back getting immediately damp through his new loose shirt as he lay there, staring up at the canopy of trees with a blank gaze.

Why are you throwing my master you dimwitted fake human? Kovash hissed into his mind right as the beast appeared from a copse of trees to his left.

Deciding not to grace the demon with a response, Fin simply turned and helped Daiya up into a sitting position. He would have gotten him standing, but the moment the dead animal was dropped in front of him Daiya lunged for it. The only problem... his teeth were having trouble getting through the tough hide.

Best help him, almighty necromancer. Kovash snorted, sitting down and licking his muzzle a few feet away.

"I am a simple dimwitted human, am I not? How could I assist him?" Fin snarled, though he obviously could just tear the flesh apart or cut it with his sword.

I just wanted to hear you call yourself that. Kovash said as he quickly sauntered back over and easily ripped a gash in the carcass's side. Eat up, master.

"I really should just rekill you... At least you'll be gone once I sell off your master." He said, drawing Kovash's attention abruptly.

Excuse me? He stated as he got back up and started stalking toward Fin with his hackles raising.

The rage he felt building in Kovash actually had Fin hesitant to test the creature much further. Of course, he never backed down from instigating something he disliked.

"I plan to sell him once he's stable and knows how to manage himself somewhat decently around humans. He's not aggressive, so it should work well." He said, not even finishing his sentence before Kovash had turned toward Daiya.

Without another thought to him, Kovash waited a moment for Daiya to tear off a decent chunk of the deer before abruptly shoving his head beneath him, then moving forward quickly. It was a bit awkward, and Daiya almost feel off a few times, but with a few fast adjustments and some balancing, he had the zombie lying on his back.

Thankfully Daiya's instincts kicked in and he latched onto the bits of fur around his neck.

If you think he is so useless, then I will take him. You are now free from your burden, bastard.

With that, Kovash snorted and darted off far faster than Fin could hope to catch. Even if he managed to summon up a horse to give chase, they would be far enough away to give them a worthwhile head-start.

I will find you! I always do, and when you face me again, you will not be able to walk away! You will not be able to get off of this island with what remains of your life.

There was silence for a moment before Fin received a snarled answer in his mind.

Watch me.

(I'm so tiredddddd. Went to Seaworld for most of the day lol)