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

Hey, I'm all of this for you okay?

[And he dares to steal a small kiss as they peruse.]

Shirts, right?

I wouldn't have it any other way. Ridiculous and sweet dork.

[He squeezes his hand with a smirk, guiding him along.]

Shirts and anything else that catches your attention.

You catch my attention.

[Forgive him, the concept of shopping is still fairly new and he's not entirely sure what he should be looking for. It's much easier to focus his attentions on the reaper beside him.]

And so do you, mister sap.

[The small jab is good natured as he decides that it always should be. The dullahan went through enough crap with the other reapers and more so he's not going to make it any more difficult.

In the end the reaper guides him for a good twenty minutes before finding a suitable store and pulling him inside.]

[Admittedly, the store is a bit overwhelming and he sticks close to the reaper as they enter. He's not a creature that's used to being inside, let alone inside with this many people and it subdues his normally vibrant personality. So much so, in fact, that he feels almost shy as he seeks out James' hand for reassurance.]

[Sure there's quite a few people in here but they're relatively minding their own business asides from stepping out of the way of the duo. The reaper leads him along to the men's section of the store which seems rather suitable of a starting point. Plenty of options here. He plops them both in front of some nice comfy looking shirts to start.]

The shirts aren't going to bite. I swear.

They might, you never know. Could be some wild, exotic shirts with teeth in all the wrong places.

[Joking around helps him mitigate how confused he is, but he's made up his mind that he's at least going to put forth an effort for his reaper. Which of course means that he's gingerly pawing through some of the shirts, trying to figure everything out without having to burden James further.]

I don't think they have those in stock here. You'll have to deal with normal shirts for now.

[Laughing softly, he turns away to look over the other clothes around them before stepping away to nab a couple sizes in jeans for the dullahan to try on. He did say more than shirts after all. Plus if he knows his shirt size, there's some rather nice leather jackets next door that would be a good surprise in the end.]

...think purple is a good color for you.

Purple?

[Oh, that's quite a few things that are being shoved into his arms and he looks down at the clothes with a bit of a helpless grin.]

Like royalty then.

Hm well Prince Liam has a good ring to it. Come on, your highness, to the trying rooms.

[Making sure that he had a suitable selection to go through, the reaper ushers the dullahan through the store until reaching the rooms in the back. It wasn't too hard to find a vacant one.]

Give everything a go and whichever ones you like I'll cover. Sound good?

Nah, I mean- I'm not that important.

[There's a rush of shy affection for the reaper that threatens to tie his tongue and close his throat. With a quick stolen kiss he takes some of the garments from the man's arms and disappears into the changing room.]

I...I mean I dunno which looks okay?

You are to me. Besides going to remember this since you look good in red too.

[A small joke at the way that the dullahan was blushing so easily at the teasings that he's been able to get out so far. He leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest as he waist in the meantime.]

Well you could always show them off to me. Get an opinion. Would that help?

Yeah, yeah okay.

[It's still certainly a thing to try to wrap his head around, but the idea of someone paying him compliments like this is kind of nice. But James makes a good point, and when he's finally changed he pokes his head out and motions for the reaper to come in.]

[He taps the toe of his boot on the tile while he waits, trying to be respectful by not dragging out his phone to sate his boredom. However there is the door opening and he's pushing off to see what the outfit is. The motion garners a raised but he slips inside nonetheless.]

What's up?

Just...need an opinion yeah? Not used to stuff like this.

[The shirts are nice though, softer than the rags that he's spent decades wearing, and he shifts a bit to try to take a better look at himself before looking back over at the reaper with a bit of a lost grin.]

Yea sure thing.

[He places a gentle hand on his back before guiding him over in front of the mirror to look over the front and the back relatively easy. A low thoughtful hum in the back of his throat as he gives him a once over.]

How do the jeans feel? Can you lift your legs up and move them without discomfort?

Different.

[He's not above admitting that, and he takes a few exploratory steps to try to come to a decision.]

Feels a lot better than rags, yeah?

You weren't exactly wearing rags in the first place but these do have less holes in them. They look good on you.

[He smiles at him with what he hopes comes across as reassurance. Turning away, the reaper pokes about the other selections that he has and makes sure to note the size of jeans that seemed to be comfortable for the dullahan. Definitely should grab a few pairs of them to start.]

I uh, used to.

[That had been many years ago, before he was worried about blending in to human society. But he offers a shy smile to the reaper, scrubbing at the bridge of his nose for a moment as he tries to find the right way to express that. In the end he simply decides to let it go.]

...thank you.

Now you don't have to ever. Promise.

[He could certainly see the feral dullahan in his head, clothes tattered and ragged with little care over the dirty scraps by the nightmarish rider. However it actually took some thought to do so rather than immediately associate back to Liam's dumb smile. He had such an effect over him yet he couldn't find any care asides from not wanting it to end.]

No problem. Want to try on the others? Do a small fashion show?

I-

[It's such a novel concept, and he's been used to keeping himself covered with glamour for so long that the sheer idea of having things, new, nice things is almost overwhelming. His throat catches for a moment, but he fights through the swell of emotion to grin shyly.]

I could. Sounds like you want a show.

[Nodding, he glances back at the door before back to the dullahan. It would be the polite thing to step out of the changing room so that way Liam had privacy. Easy enough to slip back in and out so long as no one else really drew a fuss. Though he honestly didn't care what they think.]

I mean maybe. Want me to leave so you can change things out?

Do you have to?

[There's trepidation oozing off of him, and his brows furrow ever so slightly in concern. He isn't used to these confined spaces, but he can understand if it would be easier for the reaper if he didn't have to deal with the dullahan's fumbling. Still, he's reticent to admit that he doesn't want to be parted.]

[That's not exactly what he had been hoping to see. The hesitation and general worry that comes off of Liam is ample enough to get him to step away from the door. Better to stay with him anyway rather than going in and out so much.]

No I don't. I can stay in here with you.

[With that, the reaper takes a seat on the bench though after making sure that he didn't accidentally sit on any of the clothes.]

Er, sorry. Just uh, not quite used to this kinda stuff.

[Never in his long life has he had to actually deal with shopping, after all. Generally all he owned was stolen off his victims.

Still, he wants to try for James and so he gives a small, unsure grin before shrugging out of the shirt and reaching for the next to try it on.]

Promise you'll tell me if I look dumb though.