#flinky cotl

Staring down at his current vessel, The One Who Waits couldn't disguise his growing disappointment. He had truly thought this one would help fulfil the prophecy. Would one day be the guiding hand for the destined Lamb that would break his chains.

"And you are quite sure of this?" He asked, voice echoing in the white void. His two new charges slept peacefully in the in-between, out of sight.

His current vessel raised his head from his bow, tears staining the fur of his right cheek. The left eye was sealed shut, fresh stitches making the wound look raw and painful. The rat twitched his nose.

"I…I am sorry…my Lord. I…I cannot-" 

"Do not bother explaining. It is your decision. I will admit, I had high expectations of you."

The words seem to sting, the rat recoiling as if struck. He drops his head once more, shoulders hunched with shame. The One Who Waits simply sighs, focusing on his beloved crown as it floats high above the rat, drifting over to its true Master.

"It is done. Go, and tell the flock whatever you need to." The rat gives a solemn nod, raising onto shaking legs and heading back towards the portal to the mortal world.

"Ratau." The One Who Waits calls. The rat stops in his tracks, looking towards his former Lord.

"You shall still serve me. To make up for this failure on your behalf, you will wait. You will wait until my true vessel, the Lamb, comes. You will guide them appropriately. Give them aid when requested."

The rat's eye widens in surprise, before he nods.

"Y-yes my Lord. Anything."

"Good. Be gone." The God commands, watching the rat disappear in a portal of red.

Nothing more to do.

But keep waiting.

"Ratau?" Flinky called as he pushed open the oak door. A flood of dust rose and hit him square in the face, causing the snake to recoil.

The shack on the hill was used solely for storage purposes, but it was the only place they hadn't checked yet. Flinky figured it was worth a shot.

"Ratau, are you here? By the One Below you better be here you sneaky bast-" The words died in his throat at the sight before him.

Ratau was indeed in the shack, buried under a pile of winter blankets they hadn't needed to pull for followers yet. The rat was whimpering, his nose twitching with sniffles as he tried to silently cry.

"Oh baby, what happened?" Flinky hissed, coming to a stop before the sad mound. He curled his tail around it, offering what little comfort he could.

"Ratau, pleasssse. No one hasss seen you in days now. We thought you were on a crusade but…you've been gone ssso long…"

Ratau doesn't respond, simply burying his wet face in the coil closest to him, inhaling the comforting scent Flinky carried.

"Klunko and Bop have been taking to the skies daily looking for you. Shrumy and I have been managing the flock but…they grow ressstlesss without you there. Pleassse, what happened?" He begged.

"I…I gave up the crown." Ratau whispered, voice so quiet Flinky honestly wasn't sure he spoke at all.

"You…you gave up-"

"I gave it up!" The rat cried, jolting up and staring intently at the snake. "I gave it back! I couldn't-I can't do it any more Flinky! I tried but…but-" The rat heaved for breath, fresh tears streaming down his cheek.

"It was fine at first! I was serving our Lord! But the sacrifices…Forneus still can't even look at me! It's been months since I took-since I took them!"

Flinky stared, wide eyed. He's never seen his ex-rival so…distraught. Ratau never talked about this stuff, he always pushed on to the next task…

"I hate that I've let everyone down. I let my Lord down…he was so disappointed, Flinky." The snake couldn't help his coils tightening, his heart aching at the sight of Ratau so…tired.

"Okay. Okay, I see now. Take some deep breaths." The rat did as instructed, breathing deeply to stop the shuddering gasps locked in his chest.

"We can figure this out Ratau. I'm here for you. Whatever needs to be done, I'll help. And I'm sure the others will too. We can come up with sssome ssstory for the flock, don't worry about it right now. Just breathe with me for a while."

His words seem to help, as Ratau's shoulders lose their tension, his small form slowly growing limp in Flinky's hold. 

Flinky presses a small kiss to his forehead, allowing the rat's eye to fall closed as the last of his tears make their way out. It won't be easy, but Flinky will help his future mate however he can.