ody seemed to notice the large burly man with South American traits sitting, enjoying the echoing music. He took the time to take off the sandals he wore, and rub his tired feet. As he did so, the colourful pearl bracelets chimed on his left arm.

To an observer, if there was any who could spot him, Tehimantini would seem like a typical man in these parts of the city. Long hair and beard, pleasant face and keen eyes. Wearing an ordinary mix of dark forest green and black. Though, his jewellery may have seem a bit excessive, with pearls, and mosaic of beads around his neck.

But there was no man or woman who could see that. Except a child.

A rose cheeked girl cried out when an inflatable animal escaped her small hands, and she ran towards Tehimantini, who paused his leisure for a moment as his eyes tracked the inflatable. The girl shied away for a moment when she reached the man.

"Excuse me, mister. My balloon flew away and got stuck in the branches."

"Ah is that so?" Tehimantini already knew that, his eyes centred on the balloon above their heads. "And what do you want me to do about it?"

"Can you... um.." The girl struggled for words for a moment. "Can you please get it down."

He flashed a humorous grin and nodded.

"Tessa!"

A woman run towards the girl in a panicked rush.

"What did i tell you? Come on sweetheart, we talked about talking to strangers!"

"But mom, that man is going to help me get my balloon back!"

Tessa stomped her little legs furiously, her small outburst of excitement didn't seem to faze her mother. The woman lifted her face to look at Tehimantini who reached his hand holding the inflatable towards her.

"I'm so sorry.. Oh, you have it! Thank you and I'm so sorry! Tessa can be very demanding sometimes."

"That's the best age, but here, hopefully she won't loose it again. Trees around here are a real balloon magnet."

The woman laughed and shook her head.

"Mister how did you do it? It was just there and now you have it!" Tessa observed keenly. But, Tehimantini only winked at her. Before the mother knew he would fade out of her memory. Nothing more as just a glimpse of something, she wont be able to recall what exactly it was later. But Tessa will remember the man for much longer. She will remember that how he leaned towards her just before they left and whispered "You are safe. Keep chasing those balloons as much as you want."

"It always amazes me how good you are with children nephew. " Death arrived softly, and whispered into his ear. " I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long? "

Tehimatini shook his head as he got up.

"It's always a pleasure waiting for you." The unseen looked up to the windows from where the last of Rachmaninov's notes were playing. " It's kind of you to let him enjoy those few last notes. "

"They deserve those few additional moments, and the child shared it with him. "

They slowly climbed the stairs together. Death and the Soul finder.

"You know, nephew... my work can be difficult enough, straining. But I have learned how important it is, to be the kind voice that guides them in and out of this world. But, I don't think I could withstand what you have to do. "

"You have been the most patient teacher to me."

"You flatter me." Death opened the door to the apartment. The rooms were airy and warm, with light filling in every space. It has been kept in an old fashioned but clean way. It felt like a home.

"With good reason. I used to only feel anger at the parents, or anyone who abused my wards."

Tehimatini walked towards a young boy who sat on the floor playing with wooden toys.

"Hello" he crouched down and greeted the child. "I love your train set!"

The boy looked up and instantly brightened the room with his joyful smile.

"This music is beautiful. I'm glad you chose it for today." Death greeted an old man who sat in a wicker swing chair. He strummed his fingers on the arm rest gazing through the windows. He looked up at Death with a kind and soft gaze. " Yes. Yes it is. Little Matthew seems to enjoy playing to it. "

Tehimatini nodded with a soft smile as he took the boys small hand. It was difficult not to notice the bruises on almost every piece of uncovered skin. "A wonderful memory isn't it. "

"I woke up today and I had a feeling you will be coming. I knew. Somehow." The old man gently took Deaths hand. She smiled with warmth in response. "

He suddenly nervously stared dusting his clothes off. He had a clean pressed shirt and dark brown clothes, almost as if he was going out for dinner.

"Do I look alright? I hope I do. My dear Margaret, she passed away last year. She said to me 'Henry, when your day comes you better be dressed for the occasion. Death is a lady of culture. You better show her some respect.' My dear Margaret was always right."

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Death looked at Tehimatini briefly trying to contain a smile.

"You look perfect Henry."

"I also bought these for the occasion... Margaret said flowers are an important part of life."

Henry pointed at a vase filled to brim with white roses and lilies.

Death picked one of the Lilly flowers and threaded it into her dark hair.

"Thank you Henry, you have made my day so much wonderful."

The old man nodded his head a few times and turned his attention to the Soul finder.

I was hoping you would come too. Think of me as a monster, but my little Matthew deserves a better life than this. I'm afraid that once I leave this world, it will only be pain and suffering for him. "

Tehimatini picked up the boy and stepped towards his grandfather.

"I know, but don't worry. Little Matthew will have a wonderful and happy new life. And perhaps if destiny provides you both will see each other again."

"Same souls, different eyes. Old friends "

"Yes like old friends." The old man shook his head approvingly.

Death gently led the grandfather and Tehimatini stepped holding his grandson towards the door. But, this time it was light shining through it. Warm, welcoming light.

"I like your pearls." Little Matthew said quietly to the Soul finder as they approached the door.

"Do you? Well, let me tell you a secret. One of those pearls is for you. I just carry them for safekeeping."

Death stopped and encouraged the old man.

"Would you like to pick a pearl for your grandson?"

The man nodded. As he reached out to Tehimatini's bracelet an ink blue pearl dropped on his palm.

"It's warm, and so beautiful."

As Rachmaninov played his prelude, the old man made a wish deep within his soul for his grandson to be loved as much as he loved him.

Tehimatini smiled in response.

"Done. Now open your hand and look at the pearl again."

The man did as he was told and the previously inky blue pearl suddenly turned into the most precious pinky white emanating a soft glow.

"Keep this safe for me will you?" Tehimatini handed the pearl to the boy.

"I promise. I'll keep it where nobody can find it."

"Pinky promise?" The man lifted his small finger to the boy and he eagerly hooked his own around it.

"Pinky promise!"

They all walked over the premise, into the soft glow. It was filled with gentle music and breeze of wind. Death would lead Henry where she led everyone else. And Tehimatini took a different path.

He stepped through a field of golden wheat, that danced around him, towards a citadel that grew in front of them. Surrounded by mountains and waterfalls which painted through the sprays of water.

"Where are we?" Matthew enquired curiously.

"This place? It's my home. Hey, do you want to piggyback."

Matthew laughed joyously and with the help of Tehimatini's settled comfortably on the man's huge shoulders.

"This is the Cradle. You see, I help all small or big boys and girls. They come here, play together and then leave to their new happy homes. "

"So... it's like Neverland from Peter Pan?"

"Just like that." The man answered as they approached.

*

Tehimatini waited with closed eyes listening to the music. Who would have thought  Rachmaninov was such a perfect soundtrack for a warm day like this. It seemed like the music made the temperatures a little bit more bearable.

"You never really answered my question." Death joined him. She wrapped her hands around his as they left the street and everything in it.

"I thought you knew anyway."

"No, not really. I mean I think I know." She mentioned as they passed a group of people that didn't seem to notice them.

"The anger doesn't matter, it never has. It was difficult at first, but they see me as a promise of a better life. Of happiness. Of change. Adults are far more afraid of change than children are. I come to them with many gifts."

Death pondered his words.

"You didn't have the pearls before."

The man raised his arm showing the colourful pearl bracelets. They seemed to change colour depending how the light hit their surface. Ink blue, grey, red, green, gold and pink or white.

"They are my second tool. It seems that they have found me by themselves as I grew in my role."

Death stopped and let his arm go. Tehimatini knew she had more work to do, so did he.

"I like them. It seems you made two souls happy today nephew."

Tehimatini pondered for a moment touching his beard.

"On the contrary my dear aunt. We did. "