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.]

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[Her jaw drops. Just a little. She hadn't realized--

She shuts her jaw. Blinks.]

I didn't know.

[There's a lot she doesn't know. Maybe some of it is a bit less depressing. She doubts it, though.]

Lunch. Right. Getting me acclimated to life among myths, one step at a time?

[It's been a while since he's seen someone be that shocked over the world they live in. Definitely better than how they started.]

It's fine not knowing things. Especially at the start. Baby steps as they say.

And look where it got me.

[She thought she was better off not knowing about all of this. If only she could say she knew better now, but does she really?]

So. What's good?

Alive and with good food?

[Keep things light and no more dark and down in the dumps please.]

There's a fantastic array of sandwiches here. You can sort of build it how you see fit. Usually I do a nice cheddar and ham toasted with their lobster bisque. That's my preference though.

I suppose.

[She smiles. A little. For his sake.]

I haven't had good seafood in...

[Don't think about that. Look at the sandwiches instead. She wants something lighter than cheddar and ham. Turkey and spinach with a lemon aioli does sounds rather tempting.]

If you want seafood, I would recommend this restaurant a few blocks down off of the main street. I can maybe show you there sometime.

[See? He can be nice and friendly.]

Are you asking me out?

...not as in dating, no. More like hey let's grab food and talk more. Be friends or something like that.

As long as you don't insist on buying my food. I don't date.

Fair enough. You do as you wish.

Yes. I do.

...Thank you. [She smiles again, real and genuine this time. He gets it.

He'd better.]

De rien. So where did James decide to set you up? Or are you still looking?

[Please don't threaten him for real.]

I'm still looking. I'd like to figure out a job first. I interviewed at the hospital yesterday, so we'll see how it goes.

He showed me a place that I like, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Job would help after all. At least the idiot is being helpful rather than his usual doom and gloom routine. Sometimes too serious as well.

Where are you staying right now?I don't imagine staying with him of all people.

Idiot? I didn't think he was. ...Serious, though, yeah.

He found me someone to stay with. She's nice, but I'm more comfortable on my own.

Well he's young. At least compared to some of the people he knows. Definitely too serious.

...he set you up with Val? [Oh boy.]

[She's young. What's that supposed to mean?]

Val. That's her name.

--is that...a bad thing?

No. Didn't expect for him to choose her. Figured it would have been Shade honestly.

I think he thought I'd be more comfortable staying with another woman.

And Shade is..a taste I'm still acquiring.

How considerate of him. Shade takes time for sure. Unless you're James and hit it off like nobodies business.

Did they really? James seems like someone who'd be... a bit bothered by all the conversation.

He was the one to find him years back. I think when we were needed in Europe or so. They hit off and have been quite the odd pair since. Almost thicker than the bonds of a pack.

Really? James seems a bit like the lone wolf type.

[She can relate.]

I'm glad they're good friends, though. What were you needed for in Europe?

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.

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?