Myth!AU - O' Death

[sword_breaker]

[There's a slight wind to give signs that colder weather was going to hit the city at some point but otherwise the chill didn't faze many much with the sun pouring down rays without any resistance from white wisps streaking across blue. Another busy work day for most people as they packed the sidewalks in order to accomplish whatever the day asked of them to do, some of them heading off towards lunch break even as the afternoon brought along ease in traffic after the rushing around or rather dead still in the morning commutes that always came like clockwork. The towering skyscrapers piercing above while scattered about were busy shops and apartment complexes ranging to the higher end of the spectrum, fortunate for several residents of them being close to where they worked usually.

However it didn't matter much to the man lying face first towards the blue in an alley, red bursts staining his shirt in an act of fatal defiance against the fabric. He wasn't caring about anything anymore. Pools of crimson have congealing into a sticky mess at his side to keep company with the broken body though it was a waste honestly. A barrier of yellow and black tape announcing the crime scene as if the body and the blood weren't enough already to do so. Officers scurrying about to comb through every little thing in order to scrounge up evidence ranging from fingerprints to shell casings while a medical examiner started jotting down notes as though it were a race.

To be fair, it was a race that was ticking away for all of them but yet he didn't exactly have to put so much effort into finding out the who, why and whatnot of this particular case. Never really showed interest in the exact details of a person's death as it wasn't under his job description nor would he if paid enough, more so content enough with the tasks that were scheduled for him to do. He sends a confirmation of his arrival with a quick text before stowing away the smart phone into his back pocket and assessing the fussing police. No doubt Matthieu was going to blow his phone up with messages after getting the answer but that could be ignored.

Passing underneath the tape, the man eased through the scene with no problems coming from the uniformed others. Though that was the point of having such a decent illusion in order to essentially make him invisible, allowing a much easier time accomplishing his tasks without the stupid questions that would be raised at his presence much less what he would do here. He had the slight frown that could've been considered appropriate for the situation but the claw marks and irrevocably damaged right eye would certainly cause a more sinister thought process to occur. Maybe even be considered as a hit man that had down the crime but to be fair he didn't hunt unless told otherwise and certainly not boring humans such as this idiot. Besides a man decked in a suit stood out in this mess with much help to his disregard of everything save for the dead man who certainly was still brimming with the confused energy of a trapped soul. Definitely need to rectify that.

James crouched down right next to the examiner and fished out a knife before making an incision right at the heart before reaching down to draw out the reluctant soul. The reaper was only doing his job and besides no one was going to see him do his work, not the police nor the surrounding crowd of onlookers.

He was looking forward to the break after this one, sneak away towards his usual haunt; a coffee shop that boasted fantastic blends that were more so a necessity at this rate rather than a mere commodity and plus the perfect spot he claimed by the window in order to watch the world keep moving. The energy from the illusion would be easily restored during that. Then it would be another one in midtown before being able to return back home for the day and unwind. That or check with the bar to make sure a friend or two didn't snoop around more than they should. The former was going to be the most probable though so he shows the other idea to the back of his mind before focusing.]

Comments

[upforanything]

He's been stuck with me for over a century. He might seem like the opposite of it but he actually enjoys company. On most occasions.

War. Usually what makes any reaper called away to some other place for their duty.

[notthatkindofkell]

Really? I suppose you'd know better than I would.

[He seems like a good guy. That could be worth investigating.]

War. In Europe, again. Is it always...mortal?

[upforanything]

It was decades ago. Mortals started it and well others got involved. It was quite the mess. Both Europe and the Pacific were a mess thanks to the conflicting sides so you can probably guess that we were rather busy back then.

[notthatkindofkell]

Others?

Did myths take advantage of the chaos, or contribute to it?

[There's so much of this world that she doesn't know.]

[upforanything]

Both really. As I said, a mess become a bigger mess and it affected a large chunk of the world. I would think that nobody really won in the end because of all the damage and destruction caused but that is my opinion.

[notthatkindofkell]

Huh.

I guess we're still human at heart after all.

[That's...more comfortable than she thought it would be. She doesn't mean to say "we," but it just slips out.]

We survived. That's the next best thing, right?

[upforanything]

Some of us are more human than others. Survival though is the main goal. That and doing the right thing.

[The server shows up finally and he places his order before asking for a coffee since water was no longer necessary.]

How long till you're cleared by the docs?

[notthatkindofkell]

[Mykelle places her order as well, including a citrus green tea.]

I should be good to go in a day or two. They're...not exactly sure. I haven't been this badly hurt before.

[She's barely been hurt at all since her awakening, and she no longer has any idea how her body heals.]

[upforanything]

Well here's to a speedy recovery as much as finding a suitable job. [He even raises his glass to her as customary.]

[notthatkindofkell]

Thank you.

[She nods in acknowledgement but has nothing to drink yet.]

Work shouldn't be too hard to find. Myths in this city seem fairly accepting and used to new faces, even if I don't have much of a resume on-record.

[upforanything]

De rien.

Val should be more than happy to help with that. [At least hopefully.] Maybe at first find something to do at the Wisp till then.

[notthatkindofkell]

Do you think she would let me work for her? She's already doing so much.

[upforanything]

She'll find something. Not exactly as a bartender but I'm sure she can think of a task. That place is always a hot spot so extra help wouldn't hurt.

[notthatkindofkell]

I'd be glad to help out. I'm not much good as a bartender, though, so it's a good thing I wouldn't be needed there.

[upforanything]

What about being a bouncer? I'm sure Val wouldn't mind having some extra muscle around the place. And you don't even have to show your injury. Glamours do the trick.

[notthatkindofkell]

Aside from still having a bullet hole in my chest?

[Well. If she had her spear, she could probably fight anyone off before they got in close.]

I can be scary, I suppose.

[upforanything]

I assume you can be a pretty good actor. Besides there hasn't been a fight in there in....six years I think? Val tends to be the one with the real bite.

[See? He can be helpful. Or convincing. Whichever works.]

[notthatkindofkell]

I'm ex-military. I don't need to act to be scary.

[The label stings, but only a little.]

Yeah, I'd be up for that.

[upforanything]

Still acting if you're not actually doing anything. Plus the whole injured bit. So yes, acting.

Whenever you can grab her time, bring it up to Val. She's the boss in that department.

[notthatkindofkell]

Thanks. I'll probably see her before she goes in tonight, or tomorrow morning, failing that.

Has she ever put you to work?

[upforanything]

Me? Non. Been a reaper since the day I died. So far that has been doing me just fine.

[notthatkindofkell]

[She doesn't ask about his death. That would probably be rude.]

And that's enough to make a living?

[Poor choice of words, that.]

[upforanything]

If you work in the right sectors and for the right amount of time, yes. Money gains interest. Plus there are stocks though that's a bit more finicky if I do say so.

[He can remember when James and him had war bonds. ...They're old yea.]

[notthatkindofkell]

I can't say I've ever really paid attention to economics. Maybe I should now.

[She probably won't have to worry about retirement, though. At least there's that to avoid.]

[upforanything]

If you want a lesson, I could find some time in my schedule. You tend to pick up some decent managing skills. I'm sure a valkyrie like yourself could fancy some of them.

[He's not calling her an idiot but a couple of centuries of being in this sort of job tends to give plenty of knowledge to refer to. Bless computers holding more info though.]

Merde I'd even say James could if he isn't busy being a pain in the ass.