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

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.]

[That was rather surprising of Andrei. Granted Shade had less of a reason to hide his name but that was also a thing as well. These two idiots were making an attempt.]

Obviously you're not here because of that though. ...Are you ok with them staying for a bit?

[Liam was his more important guest what with not really having anywhere else to go. Shade and Andrei both had their own apartments.]

[This is so awkward to be here and judged by the both of them. Granted boss was usually judging him no matter what but still. However it seems that the dullahan is more concerned over Andrei than he is him.]

Do you...want us to go?

[There's no transforming into an adorable form this time. James has every right to say no.

He and Shade can go to his place and eat the one pizza. Andrei can freeze the other, or just eat it as leftovers for the next few days. This...this is a mess, but one that it's his job to work out.]

[His answer comes in the form of a stiff nod. He's not at his best, still sore and angry about what's happened, but there's also the realization that he can't monopolize the reaper's time. This whole 'relationship' thing is a lot newer to him than he'd like to admit, but he's really trying.]

's okay.

Alright then.

[That settles that then. He gives Liam's hand a squeeze before finally departing his side for a bit in order to look over the haul Shade had dumped onto his couch. Everything is scooped up and taken over to the kitchen in order to get sorted and put away.

He still wasn't thrilled over everything but they were playing nice so far. Then it's back to the living room and taking his place at the loveseat.]

[Still awkward. Like a ton of awkward all over the place. This was going great. Not.]

Ugh...so do you play video games or anything? [Look at him, Boss. Trying to be nice.]

Shade brought Halo. And Destiny. And...a few puzzle games?

[He circles the table and breaks out the beers. One each. Even one for Liam, if he likes the flavor.]

Er-

[Alright, this is definitely awkward. He's trying though, really trying, but there's no good way to answer that question.]

Haven't...really stuck in one place long enough to really try any of them.

[Huh please don't overwhelm the poor man already. He's half tempted to rub his temples at the possible addition of more problems but he was giving them the benefit of the doubt. It'd be good for to be some good terms between all of them...despite what had occurred at the Wisp.]

Maybe you should watch them for a bit. If it strikes your fancy, they'd be happy to share.

[If anything, the reaper was overseer and strategic retreat point for this time. Though he was hoping that it wouldn't come to that too often.]