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

[notthatkindofkell]

Only since I got here.

[upforanything]

Are you sure about that? You were able to find a reaper that took you out of harm's way rather than letting you be discovered. Got to a city that is rich in history as well as myths. Plus still able to use a lung.

I think you've had a rather good streak if I do say so.

[notthatkindofkell]

Only after all the other messes I've been through.

[She adds a bit of cream to her tea. There. Now it's perfect.]

But...I wouldn't mind if that good luck streak stayed.

[upforanything]

Hopefully you have less bad here then. Maybe a neutral. Good luck tends to be the more elusive variety unless forced to cooperate sometimes.

[notthatkindofkell]

Forced, you say? And how do you manage that?

[She takes a bite of her sandwich and sits back for what will hopefully be a detailed answer.]

[upforanything]

Charms. Artifacts. Spells. Potions. Multiple ways with varying levels of success. SOme more dangerous if done wrong than others. Lots of variety one might say.

[notthatkindofkell]

That isn't cheating?

[upforanything]

Depends on who you ask. I don't have an opinion since I don't care for them. Fate tends to work out in some way so why mess with it artificially?

[notthatkindofkell]

It doesn't sound very wise, is all.

[Fate has a funny way of getting back at you. Or catching you. She learned that full well when she tried to avoid becoming a valkyrie.]

[upforanything]

As I said, I have no opinion. People do what people want. The other reapers and I only step in when needed.

[notthatkindofkell]

[Let's not bring the conversation back around to that initial sorry subject.]

And how often is that?

[upforanything]

Depends on the situation. Some of my colleagues are more happy for a fight than I am. They like to find issues with many things in order to get one.

I will say despite his usual disposition, James seems to be more forgiving of blacklisters than I'm willing to do sometimes. Not many in our line of work have that outlook. It's certainly... a thing.

[notthatkindofkell]

Blacklisters? And who does that include?

[She's not familiar with that part of their culture.]

[upforanything]

Any of the big, bad and possibly evil myths. Something that kills or can kill? It's on the watch list. Blacklister is just the name thrown onto them. Basilisks, vampires, manticores and sirens to name a few.

[notthatkindofkell]

You and I can kill. What makes us so different from them?

[upforanything]

We take care of the dead. They create them. Pretty simple.

[notthatkindofkell]

We don't kill blacklisters?

[upforanything]

You don't. People like me and James do. It's part of our job. To keep this balance between the death that can be created, at least the ones caused by blacklisters. There is such thing as too much.

[notthatkindofkell]

...I was taught to kill, you know.

I never liked it. But I did, because it was asked of me.

I think I'll be much happier saving lives, though.

[upforanything]

Well I'm not one to judge what valkryies can and won't do. Merely stating the facts I do know.

Besides nothing wrong with saving lives.

[notthatkindofkell]

Valkyrie or no, it's what I've trained to do. And what I've always wanted. I think I'm best off sticking with it.

[upforanything]

Seems like quite the plan and I'm not one to meddle. [At least not until he really knows a person and all.]

[notthatkindofkell]

Oh, really?

[She definitely doesn't get that impression. At least he's a conscientious meddler.]

[upforanything]

OK maybe not meddle unless I know what I'm getting into. That's probably the better way to say it.

[notthatkindofkell]

That one I believe.

[She plays with her sugar spoon for a moment.]

Thank you. For your meddling today. It's good to be out and about.