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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[The entire thing is ridiculous. Why the bartender that had done nothing to stop his assault was even at the apartment in the first place wasn't even an issue. The issue was with the bar owner, though it didn't mean that the asshole standing there was innocent.

Though the glamour keeps dripping away, it's James' words that will him to stop.and recompose himself. Right. Behave. He'll behave, but just for James' sake. After all, the worst he could do would only come aftr learning the kid's name, so it would benefit him to temporarily bide his time. The moment the name was dropped however...]

Sorry.

It's ok. Just no fights, please?

[He trusted Liam more than he would expect from how little time there had been so far for their relationship but after the retrieval and the subsequent bonding it felt right. They both knew what the consequences could be. Even if the dullahan was in the right to be angry over whatever happened in that bar.]

He's simply a kid.

[Slowly edging up the staircase, he cautiously takes up one of his balled fists and eases it open to lace his fingers with his, mindful of the appearing claws. Being supportive he can manage. Hiding his anger at the idiots barely.]

Explain. Now.

[To be fair, he was trying to pick himself up after his blunder but pissed off boss and dullahan had his full attention. Don't murder him. He is but a small banshee.]

I ugh well you see your friend there went to the Wisp one night and you know challenged boss lady who sorta might've definitely taken his head. The cat is usually the bartender, as you know, and well me and him were talking for a while until shit hit the fan. So I swear he didn't do anything bad. I distracted him till things became a shit storm.

Look sorry for crashing in but don't kill my friend please. He only works at the place. Boss lady is the one who does all the tricks and so on to get stuff.

[There. He said his piece. Now he was stumbling over to try and squeeze himself under the couch to extract a rather puffed out Andrei-cat. Poor guy.]

I'm sorry!

[Andrei peeks upstairs at the apology, but that glamour is still slipping. Nope. Definitely not coming out from under the couch.

He's stuck. Not under the couch, but because of Val's decision. He can't--you don't--

What could he have done?

What is he supposed to do now?]

[Guilty by association still, and certainly worthy of the dullahan's ire. The owner of the bar may have his full displeasure, but that didn't mean that the bartender would get off easy.

But then there's James there and a hand in his, and he sighs. There's no rush to put the glamour back up, but at least it stops fading for the time as he leans over to rest his forehead on the reaper's shoulder.]

[Hooking his free arm around the man, he steps up a bit more in order to settle in comfortably at the dullahan's side and alright with acting as a stabilizing force for the time being. Placing a gentle kiss to his temple was another good way to show that.]

I got you. Promise.

[It's said low enough that it's clear it's solely meant for Liam. Gentle circles are rubbed with the pad of his thumb into the hand he holds.]

Get out from under there. [He sees the flaw in asking that but still attempt is being made here.] Come on.

[A glance is thrown over to the stairs before he's reaching under the couch for the cat. Gently grabbing the scruff of his neck, he manages to start coaxing the frightened shapeshifter out.]

Look boss has it handled. Albeit by being...you know. Still get out from there.

[Andrei chirps in protest. How does he know it's handled? Can he promise it's safe?

Is this really the time to risk the cute act with a dullahan?]

[Backing away from the reaching hand, he emerges from the other side of the couch and looks up.]

Know you do.

[It's as truthful as he's ever been in his life, and he sighs, closing his eyes at the kiss.]

People crashing your place normal?

Not like this. I have more warning when I allow for it. Wanted to spend more time alone with you rather than them.

[This was his fault for not keeping the door closed in the first place. He was such an idiot.]

Sorry for this.

Andrei come--dammit. Why did you go for the other side, asshole? [He was too much of a cat sometimes.] This could've been easy but no of course not.

[Shuffling to his feet, he moves around the couch. Making sure that the other wouldn't simply bolt back under, he snatches up the cat with sigh.]

Gotcha.

[Noooooo don't pick him up! He wants to be somewhere safe. Well, first he wants to apologize to James, but he's too spooked to shift back to human form. Instead, he just watches the reaper rather intently from Shade's arms.

He didn't mean to cause trouble. Really.]

Not your fault.

[And really, there's a pang of guilt for ruining James' good time. While certainly he'd never apologize for taking the reaper's attention, it would have done him good to remember that there were others vying for it as well.

With a sigh he looks back over at the duo, still not entirely friendly, but the glamour begins to slowly slip back into place.]

Still feels like it.

[However he can sense the shift happening with the dullahan but gives it little regard other than a soft squeeze of his hand. There. Things were starting to settle back out even if the tension decided to stick around and for good reason arguably.]

...stay by me?

[Simple request with a hidden possibility of Liam meeting the troublemakers.]

[He makes sure to have a good hold on Andrei because the last thing he needs is to go couch diving for a cat again. They weren't going to die. At least not right now. Even though he doesn't exactly trust that look that the dullahan gives them.

...looks as though they were good for each other. Weird that boss would find that in another blacklister after last time. But the trust in each other was rater obvious.

Still hell help that dullahan if he hurt James.]

[What is James doing? He--they really care about each other. And if James can protect him from the dullahan's ire--

Andrei goes still and watches, fully aware of the cliche about curiosity killing the cat. Maybe, if he relaxes, Shade won't hold on so tight and he'll be able to sprint out of the way when the time is right.]

Edited Date: 2016-04-18 04:36 pm (UTC)

[That's a good vote of confidence, at least what he can see. He can trust James, he's sure of that; the reaper has proven that so many times over by this point. So he exhales slowly, then nods.]

Yeah. Yeah okay.

Edited Date: 2016-04-18 10:48 pm (UTC)

[The reaper leans in to steal a slow and soft kiss from him before positioning himself better at Liam's side. He was going to stand by his promises until the dullahan decided them and him were unnecessary. So he starts heading downstairs with him in tow.

Soon enough both of them are at the foot of stairs. He locks eyes with Shade as if daring him to make a comment about all of this.]

Both of you need to learn the concept of permission.

Sorry. Just didn't know that well you know. [Boss sort of had a point and the last thing he should do is blame the dullahan. Living was sort of nice after all.] Definitely ask next time.

[His grip loosens on the cat as he nods towards the food and all.] Brought drinks and stuff though.

[This is probably the wrong moment to jump onto the back of the couch and ask for love. Instead, he hops down and shifts back into his human form.]

I'm sorry we intruded, James.

[Alright, bartender he knows. Er, at least has seen. The other one? Not so much, though admittedly he can't be too bad if James hasn't thrown him out the door yet. Still, the lingering displeasure remains, but he'll do his best for the reaper's sake.

So with that, he raises a brow, sets his mouth in a firm line, and nods slightly over at the pair.]

Liam.

[And with that he looks over expectantly.]

Don't make it into a habit. I didn't like it before and I certainly do not now.

[The dullahan didn't need to be pleased with the situation because the reaper certainly wasn't by far. It had been a quiet and easy day until this mess. Why couldn't he catch a break on his off days? This was ridiculous.

He catches the look however and gives a small reassuring nod. The attempt was nice even if curt.]

[Well at least he didn't have to hold Andrei anymore. So he rubs the back of his neck and nods.]

Got it, Boss.

[Then it's onto the dullahan. Still kinda scary. However less murder-y at the very least so that was a definite improvement.] I know. [Boss did say the dude's name not too long ago. He wasn't deaf.] Shade. Kinda help boss do what he does. Good to see a non headless you and not trying to break out of my car.

I'm Andrei.

...listen, Liam, about what happened at the bar...

I'm so sorry. She had no right to do that. I'm glad James found you.

Edited (ty Drake for pointing out that Val would murder him for giving away part of her name. YOU KNOW BETTER, ANDREI) Date: 2016-04-20 06:11 am (UTC)

Yeah, no, she didn't.

[Well, it's at least some progress? Sort of. He's still so incredibly sore about everything, and while he's willing to be polite for the reaper's sake, it can only go so far.]