[ He would go back to sleep, but it would be fitful at best, and not at all restful. That's been his state for more or less the majority of the last couple of days, and he has Sparkling here, besides. He wants to be awake for this.

Clotted Cream watches as Sparkling opens the drawer. Inside the drawer is a small shell on a chain, opalescent and shimmering in the light as it's moved. He makes an attempt to shift himself more upright this time, and despite a couple of hitches in his breath, he actually succeeds. It helps that he's able to pull a pillow behind his back for support. Sitting up, it's easier to see that he, too, wears a similar shell around his own neck. ]

It's a charm. I asked the Serpent for it. Enough of them to protect everyone in this house, and you.

[ Which says something. Something he won't say out loud, not yet. That's for another gift. He smiles, very slight and soft, and lifts his fingers to his own shell. At least his voice seems to be getting stronger the more he talks. ]

The Serpent says that it should protect us from what the false sun tries to throw at us.