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

Uhhh, I mean I guess-

[And the hand is wandering now, making it incredibly difficult to concentrate on the game.]

Practice makes perfect.

[His hand dips back down but toys with the edge of his shirt before sneaking underneath. Fingertips brushing along skin softly. He was being quite the shit right now.]

Exactly. Would you be up for a couple of rounds? Or is the challenge too daunting?

[All of his hope of getting his turn at gaming now rests on Andrei's shoulders because Liam seemed more than preoccupied now. At least they had checkpoints and auto saving.]

Try again. Don't let the elite eat your face.

[Oh, so he's soloing it. No pressure.]

Always up to the challenge.

[Oh that hand is still there, but he's going to do his best to keep focused on the game. He's not going to get killed again if he can help it.]

[He wasn't too sure if Liam actually caught what he was joking with. Besides they should all have fun and focus on the gaming so he backs off and lets his hand rest on small of the dullahan's back.]

Uh hunh I'm sure.

[So far things were going much better on attempt number two. They were doing pretty great actually.]

Almost there.

[Andrei is terribly grateful that James is now helping. The difference is pretty distinct. But then, if he had a guy putting his hands on him while he played, Andrei would probably be really distracted, too.

Not that anybody is interested in him like that.]

Hey, the harder things are, the better they get later on? More rounds means more practice.

[But really, the hand at his back is a much-needed vote of stability, and he relaxes into it.]

Well I generally prefer for things to be hard. Practice tends to make things better with time. Plus having a partner is always nice too.

[The reaper curls up into him, almost uncaring of the others in the room. They had their games after all. Besides this was his plan since the beginning save for the extras.]

[Well this was going to be quite the thing. At least Andrei was making a great effort at solving the virtual issues. Though he wasn't ungrateful that James was making sure the dullahan was comfortable.]

You guys are doing great. Seriously.

Things usually go a lot smoother with a partner. Or even a group.

Plus, it'll be easier next time.

[Wait, did the kid just say what he thinks he did?]

Yeah, but keepin' things small is usually better. Too many people and things get way too chaotic.

[He has to take a moment to let that sink in. Did Andrei really just say what he did? A part of him doesn't think that he knows exactly what they're alluding to.]

I'm usually far better with one partner. Easier to coordinate with and work to a common goal.

[The banshee has to stop himself from spitting out his drink for the second time today. Awesome. Good job, Andrei. Somehow managed to encourage things without probably knowing it.]

Good gods you three.

[Oh.]

I thought we were talking about video games!

[Andrei turns a particularly bright shade of red. It's all he can do not to switch to a cat form and slink off under the couch.]

Hey, we are I dunno what you're going on about.

[But he's grinning wolfishly, despite his claims of innocence.]

Yea come on Andrei. Relax.

[He stifles a laugh in order to let the shapeshifter calm down and not turn fifty new shades of red.]

[The banshee raises an eyebrow at the two on the loveseat.]

Uh hunh. I'm so sure it was. Maybe focus on the game we're playing right now instead of others.

Right.

[Focusing. Not on the couple who are making things awkward. He can absolutely beat this level without James's help.]

Hey, everyone is so totally focused little dude. So incredibly focused right now that it goes beyond focus.

You're doing fine, Andrei. Seriously.

[He wasn't going to get involved with what was probably going to happen. Cue Shade in three, two, one...]

Excuse me I'm not little. I'm actually average so maybe you reconsider the whole little definition and all that you have. Because I can certainly guess that something is actually little and it's yours.

Shade, not now, please!

[It's just this last wave and then they're done. Liam can tease Shade all he wants.]

Woah woah woah, no harm meant. Promise. Besides, kid over there is right, gotta focus on killing these...whatever they are, yeah? 's how you win the game?