Going down to the shore to look for seaweed and the occasional washed up trinket is nothing out of the ordinary for Demetrius, but stumbling upon a collapsed figure of flesh and bone certainly livens up the routine. It’s not just the excitement of seeing something unknown that demands his attention, of course, Demetrius isn’t callous- he’s a healer at heart, and he can tell at a glance that this being is not well. Any thoughts of seaweed are immediately cast aside as he goes to them.
Their robes are soaked through and pieces of sea debris are lodged between their exposed bones. Perhaps they had simply slipped off a wet rock in the middle of the ocean, been brought here by a well meaning sea animal to find help, or just by the tide itself- how would Demetrius know? They’re still conscious, which is great. Though also unfortunate seeing how in this state, Styx can see him coming, and they don’t seem to want the witch anywhere near them. Their glare doesn’t leave him, and their hooked arm moves; nothing but a weak tremble. It’s not what they expected, from the subtle widening of their glowing eyes.
“You stop that now,” he signs, adding in the universal finger wag of scolding in case that wasn’t clear enough. Although his expression isn’t irritated, just furrowed in gentle concern. “Something appears to be wrong with your animation. The last thing I need is you falling apart altogether.”
Satisfied that they can’t harm him for the moment, Demetrius kneels in the damp sand to get a closer look. The look they throw him is venomous, and he’s close enough to see their remaining muscles tense up at his approach, but it’s understandable when they lie defenseless before a stranger. Demetrius gives Styx what should be a comforting smile, with decades of practicing his bedside manner behind it. “Don’t be frightened- I happen to be both a healer and a wizard. You’re in safe hands.”
At least their lack of response doesn’t bother him in the slightest. Styx sets their jaw, but they must understand this is outside of their territory - Demetrius is no threat to their home. The real problem is what, exactly, Demetrius can do for them. He’s read of creatures like this over the course of his research and seen necromancy with his own eyes, but Styx isn’t just a skeleton, they appear somewhere between dead and alive. There’s no telling how his life-infused healing magic will interact with them. Nor does he want to apply more magic than necessary to examining them, until he understands their composition. He can sense the magic running all throughout Styx, not only holding their bones together but inside and out.
The magic feels cold to him, and it makes his skin prickle when he brings his hand close. The way it runs over Styx’s exposed arms, how it flickers and dims- now this, this is more like something he’s seen before. Demetrius shakes his head and makes a little ‘tsk’ sound. “Oh, now what have you been getting up to? You of all people should know how important it is not to overextend your magic- why, it’s practically all you’re made of! You’re lucky, I’m happy to lend you some. Enough to get home, then I expect you to take a good long rest. I’ll know if you don’t!” He’s bluffing. “If I find out you aren’t taking care of yourself, then I suppose I’ll just have to come do it for you again.”
The temporary fix is surprisingly easy enough, simply a magical jump start. Demetrius claps his hands together and they crackle with raw magic, unshaped and easy for Styx to make their own. “Pardon me, I need only touch your hands for a moment.” He certainly hopes they won’t decide to attack the moment they’re able… ah well, he’s willing to take the risk if it helps them.
NP, Demetrius would probably have to be knocked out or exhausted, otherwise he could heal himself.