sword_breaker | Myth!AU

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's...that's uh.

[He's a bit taken aback by that, because it's such an uncommon train of thought with reapers nowadays. And it touches on something very, very deep that he's not even able to quite articulate, beyond looking over at the reaper with newfound wonder.]

Haven't heard someone say something like that in a long time. ...thanks. I mean it.

[He feels a bit sheepish though, and he shoves his hands in his pockets as he slides in behind the other man.]

That's a shame really. But you're welcome.

[That earns of a flicker of a smirk that he was able to provide some form of assurance that not all reapers were assholes. Besides there was almost no trace of the earlier cocky dullahan left which was interesting.

Reaching the counter, he orders his usual and takes care of everything before glancing back at the other. Rather weird for him to follow him in a line where he wasn't going to get anything.]

[It may be strange, but he's courteous as he can be when he declines the barista's inquiries, instead rummaging around in his pocket until he can pull out his wallet and reach over the reaper's shoulder to hand her a few crumpled bills and wave off her attempts at giving him back any change. Then his attention is back on the other man, and with a wry grin and a raised brow, he looks over at the crowded shop.]

You got a favorite place to sit?

[The fact that the other man pays for his coffee comes as an unexpected surprise and he's forced to put away his own wallet to snag his drink. What exactly was this dullahan thinking?]

There's a good place over by the windows. Usually the warmest.

[He makes certain that the man is following before heading over there and taking a seat, trying to figure him out.]

Yeah, okay, sounds good.

[Alright, things are going a little better, and there was no protesting the fact that his drink had been paid for. Good, now just...now what? He wasn't used to getting very far, life on the road wasn't good for that, but he pulls together all of the charm that he thinks he can muster and nods as he quietly follows.

When he finally takes a seat, he sheds his jacket, draping it, and himself, lazily across a chair.]

[He doesn't know what else to do or say really. Usually he was on his own for a majority of what the dullahan has been around for and to top it off now his drink had been paid for. It didn't make any sense really.

He takes a pull from his drink, watching the traffic outside for a couple of moments before glancing back at the other man. The same one who was being exceptionally quiet compared to when they were coming over here. Another look away and sip of his drink.]

Look, not to be rude but what is this? People that want to simply talk don't do things like this. Let alone I don't even know your name.

Oh, uh-

[All fair points to be made, and there's a creeping sense of sheepishness that's working its way into the back of his mind. He'd assumed the invite had been understood, and now his confidence is started to.erode.]

Okay uh, well, the name's Liam. That's a good start, yeah?

[Oh...he actually didn't expect to get an actual name out of that. Though how was he supposed to answer? He could give a fake name to be safe since dullahans could full well kill people by knowing their actual ones.

However there was no danger here. At least none that he could sense. Besides things were going nice so far.]

It is. Also James. Nice to have a name to the face.

[He was taking a chance on him. Hopefully it won't wind up with him having regretted it.]

James.

[There's no small amount of trust that goes with the reaper giving him his name, and when he repeats it, it isn't out of malice or attempt to harm, but rather out of fascination.]

You're...pretty brave.

Well you gave me yours. It's the polite thing to return the favor. And I assure you it's my real one.

[That and to establish a line of trust between the two of them. The other man had been following him for the entirety of his day's work and not a single speck of malice in any of his decided actions.

It's interesting to hear his name from someone that's more curious than discontent at him. Let alone not ordering him about. He might go out on a limb and admit to himself that it was nice to hear it from him.]

Most would rather call me stupid.

Yeah, well, they're stupid.

[A bit blunt, perhaps, but he's never really been the sort to beat around the bush. Instead, he grins wryly, nodding for a moment as if acknowledging something.]

Not like we're so tasteless as to just go around naming people for no.reason. 'specially if they're uh, good.people. And uh, interesting people.

[Well that was rather childish to say in return but regardless it manages to earn another small smirk from him. The dullahan was certainly one that didn't hold back what he was thinking at the moment.]

I know, I know. Besides you need a full name and intent to do harm to someone. Tbough really that might as well be the only part to my name. It's the most important and well more comfortably said, right?

[He might be rambling sort of because what else was he supposed to say?]

Hey, relax.

[That certainly didn't go quite as planned, and he holds up a hand to try to diffuse the situation.]

Like, not gonna do anything with it, promise. Just kinda cool to know the name to the face now, yeah? James. 's got a good ring.

I never said you were going to. Sorry.

[He may or may not be looking down at his coffee and slowly turning it back and forth, showing some cracks in his confidence.]

...Liam is a nice name as well.

Hey, hey it's fine. Like...you don't seem like a dick? And I mean that in the most honest way. Cause uh...sometimes your sort are uh....colossal dicks. But not you, I swear.

[Whoops, might have lost some of his suave facade there.]

[That garners itself a glance up from his drink with a raised brow but he shrugs it off nonetheless and tries to remain confident. Though that was easier said than done right now.]

That's good to know I guess. I don't know enough people that tell me otherwise to be honest. Though I try not to judge an individual on their sort.

Nah, not a sort things. More like a 'aw shit you again really' kinda thing. Like there's a lot of reapers, but sometimes you get the same one showing up time and time again and sometimes they're just assholes

[That makes sense, right?]

Sure. I ugh guess so.

[He's back to glancing down as his cup before watching out the window because what else was he supposed to say to that? Can't really make a defense against that statement because he's been called that on more than a few occasions.]

I mean, uh.

[Oh this got awkward, that's not at all where he wanting things to go and he curses himself internally as he shifts in his seat, suddenly very interested in the window.]

Look, okay, got off on the wrong foot. Can we go back a little bit? Like back to hi I'm Liam and uh, I'm really glad you accepted the invite to come out. There, like back to that.

I'm glad you decided to join me for coffee. Despite the whole awkward bits. It's honestly fine.

[He has to turn his head in order to properly look at Liam which is about as full attention as he can ever get with anyone. Suppose that he wasn't the only nervous but why?

His coffee is lifted up in order to use it to lightly poke at the dullahan's hand to his focus.]

You did never answer as to what this is.

[Oh, that's a touch, and it draws him back into focus, but it's still a bit difficult to try to answer such a straight forward question.]

Well...I mean like...like it's coffee? Going out and getting to uh....getting to know someone? A little better. 'cause uh. 'cause they're interesting.

Well you are currently out with me so yes that makes sense. I just...want to know. Curiosity maybe I don't know.

[He was certain that it could be nothing more than possible being acquaintances from all this. After the disaster that was Ryder, he was certain most would not date him. Too stressed. Too intense. Too...broken.]

I mean...uh...

[This is a lot harder than he'd have thought it'd be.]

Well like...I like you. You're interesting. Like to maybe uh...get to know you better.

[Like him? It takes a couple of second for all of that to sink in and the nerves start to show themselves again. He takes a pull of coffee to give himself more time.]

I ugh...I wouldn't be against that.

[Oh shit, that doesn't seem like a good response. Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything at all, maybe he wouldn't have fucked things up and oh his mind is racing with a way to try to backpedal and recant what he'd said to maybe try to salvage anything he can. But then the reaper's speaking again and it completely brings that train of thought crashing to a halt.]

Wh- Like...really?

[Oh. Oh it's going to take a moment to process that.]