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

[No cheating this time. Despite everything, the reaper was a friend after all. She was merely poking around in order to figure out what was going on with him.]

You can get it from doing nothing and everything. The wise and foolish both have it. The more and less you have of it the better and worse you are in life. Time is the only boundary that keeps us from obtaining it. Most take this value for granted. There is NO device to measure it. It governs all and can never be tamed. You gain it by solving this riddle. What is it?

[...Liam he's only putting this much effort because it's you and well it's his job. He sighs heavily and rubs the back of his neck in thought. Can't screw up here.]

Give me a sec to think.

[He's not blurting this one out. Andrei presses his lips shut and tries to decide if he should shift to keep the answer trapped with him. Val would skin him if he gave it away.]

Take all the time you need. No warrant to rush into things or lose your head. Your friend didn't exactly think things through during his attempt.

[That and she made certain that he would lose. That's what you get for bad mouthing a fae let alone the owner of the establishment.]

[Another glare shot at her because really Val really? Regardless he bites his bottom lip before closing his eyes for a moment. He can do this. Just focus.]

...Experience.

[There. He's got it. Andrei manages a small smile.]

[Well look at that. Though to be fair, they've known each other long enough that he probably knows most of her good riddles but still he got it. Also Andrei she hasn't forgotten about you.]

Andrei. Get the bag from behind the bar please. Thank you.

[He lets out a small sigh of relief but hey it worked. Things were going to be fixed now. Dullahan please don't have destroyed his apartment while he was away. This took longer than he expected.]

Sure.

[She left it behind the bar? That doesn't sound safe. He circles around to the back, locates the bag in question, and raises it so both myths can see it.]

That's it. Go ahead and hand it over to him. I hope the rest of your day turns out better.

[Her eyes flicker down to the bandage on his arm. Fresh. Oh no.]

And that you ended whatever hurt you.

...It was an accident. Those things happen too.

[At least he doesn't have to find a way to hide the head. How convenient.]

[Accidents? Did the dullahan do this to him?

With Val's permission, he hands the head to James. Hopefully it's right-side up. Would the myth know?

Whoever you are, he's sorry.]

There. You have the head. Care for a drink or does duty call?

This will come first before anything right now. Sorry.

[He gives a nod towards Andrei before holding the head close and heading back out. No more having to deal with them. Now hopefully his apartment was intact.]

[Andrei nods back. Okay. That went a whole lot better than he'd expected.

Before resuming the mopping, he looks to Val for approval.]

So...how did he know for sure that I had it?

Lucky guess? Probably Shade. And he says he found the body in the back with our trash.

Oh it was obvious that Shade was the one to call him. I don't care if he found him in our garbage. ...you were a dog weren't you?

[Maybe.]

What does my being a dog have anything to do with it? I didn't want anyone else to come in while he was here!

Because we both know that you use that to also make yourself less likely to be or get any of the blame. I'm not stupid.

That's not why I--

[Oh.]

I wasn't a cute little dog. I was a German Shepherd.

James doesn't do cute, Andrei. We both know that. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.

...I'm worried for him.

I just didn't want to get in trouble for something I didn't do.

...

For him? What's wrong, do you think?

I can handle blacklisters and I know he can too. On the battlefield though. Not this...close.

...not after the other one. I don't trust this sort of connection. Even if friends. Too much manipulation. We nearly lost him once.

I don't want a repeat.