The world returned to him slowly. His eyelids slowly opened due to something warm and wet brushing against his cheek. Again, and again.
His eyes snapped open, the morning light piercing through the canopy in thin golden rays. His blurred vision sharpened little by little, until he saw the small feline beast hovering close, its wide golden eyes locked onto him. Its tiny tongue darted out, licking at his face with surprising gentleness.
"…You…" Astrael muttered, his voice hoarse.
The beast gave a soft mrrp in reply, tail flicking once, and leaned closer, continuing its determined licking as if to shake him awake properly.
Astrael groaned, pushing himself weakly up onto his elbows. His muscles protested, but the steady nudge of the creature's head against his chest made him stay upright. He looked at the little feline, its earlier paleness gone, the poison purged thanks to the Heartglass Lily. Now it looked… healthy and Alive.
And oddly affectionate.
