hardknoxlife | Spillover from intro post

[ That's a lot for him to take in, honestly. But that makes him think. If this guy's legit then there's definitely something worse off happening in this world. These odd faces staring at them were a dead giveaway to start but this? This just rubs him the wrong way. ]

S'just a bit hard to believe, is all. I've heard of dragons but they're usually large-ish things with wings that breathe fire.

[ And a ruffle of his hair. ]

Best wager is you aren't from here, are you?

Edited 2015-06-15 17:44 (UTC)

[ He makes a wry face at that. After all, he's had dreams before but never dreams this vivid... or dreams this wild to begin with. ]

Who knows? Maybe I've just gone barmy and this is all some wild hallucination, eh?

[ Maybe he hit his head when he got off the ship. For all he knows, his boss is trying to shake him awake this very minute and threatening to dock his pay. But there's just something he's got to try. ]

...D'you think you could pinch me?

[ A little cliche but it might work. ]

Edited 2015-06-15 17:44 (UTC)

Pleasure to meet you, Giovanni.

[ And there's a grin back as he returns that handshake before withdrawing his own grip. Ronald pauses a bit, an evident frown coming to his brow as he thinks this over. ]

To start though, I'm fairly sure we would've been briefed before being sent off to pick up a soul. S'not every day we're sent off immediately after a huge job though.

[He slides his own hand back into the pocket of his uniform trousers, the briefest shadow of distaste passing over what's visible of his face. These are not the fine-tailored clothes he prefers]

Really, you've lost me. An explanation befitting the uninitiated would be useful, here.

[ He nods, before glancing around the room. Actually, this place is about as foreign as he can get, he thinks. ]

I do not recognize the style of this country. [ It all... seems pretty incredible. How is light coming from the ceiling without candles? ]

As for your confusion regarding dragons that is understandable. Our clan was given the blood of the original dragon. Those who are born with the manifestation of that power are considered the next Hakuryuu. But- that power and blood aside we are still human.

Neither do I... but then again, I've never really stepped out before. Furthest I've ever been was the southernmost tip of England.

[ There's a small nod there though as he tilts his head. ]

So... there was all that when you were home but here... you're hand's gone all... normal? Is that it?

[ And he'll just fold his arms behind his head with what seems to be an apologetic grin. ]

Ah, bugger... here I am mouthing off again. M'sure you've heard the fairy stories from back home? About death and all? Bloke with a black hood and a scythe?

[Giovanni smiles, and there's something ugly in it. Something sharp and knowing.]

Something along those lines, yes.

[ Aoba laughs, a wary, strained sound that dies shortly after. A wild hallucination? He's had enough of those for a while. Preferably forever. ]

Huh? Pinch you?

[ Raising his eyes, he manages a small smile at Ronald. ] Ahaha... funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing.

[ But he raises his hand, fingers going into a pinch-ready position. ]

Okay, I'll pinch you and you pinch m-- no, wait, if you wake up, that'll be bad for me. Let's pinch each other on the count of three.

[ He gives a grim nod, a dark look over his expression while staring back down to his hand. ]

I do not understand it myself. It should not work this way.

Buggering hell...

[ There's a small frown as he tilts his head before reaching up to ruffle his hair. ]

Sorry for the loss, mate... but at least it's something to look out for, eh?

Great minds think alike, then!

[ And his hand's going up too. ]

Might be a good idea, yeah. Alright, on three then.

One.

Two.

Three.

[ And if you don't mind, he's just gonna pinch your arm, Aoba. Not too hard, of course. ]

[ There's a tilt of his head though, watching the other rather closely. Somehow... that smile is nostalgic. Kind of reminds him of someone he knows. ]

Well, bob's your uncle then! 'Course, we haven't used the black hood in a while and that sort of scythe's a bit old fashioned but... the stories are true.

I will get to the bottom of things.

[ It's definitely upsetting though. ]

In the meantime... where is this place?

[ There's a shrug as he glances around. ]

Haven't the slightest, mate. Heard this is a school, though if that helps any.

I've never heard of such a place.

[ But that doesn't make it not so. ]

It must be run by nobility...

[ On three, Aoba pinches Ronald at more or less the same moment. He winces despite knowing it's coming, and holds his breath.

Three...

Two.

One.

Nothing. Aoba lets his breath go in a whoosh of air. ]

So this isn't a dream.

[ It's almost as if they exhale at the same time. There's an evident frown as Ronald straightens up, ruffling his hair after. ]

So much for thinking it'd be that easy. Can't fault us for trying.

Wager you haven't tried leaving, have you?

D'you think so? I've heard of a few nobles putting up schools and things...

[ And a small frown. ]

Bit odd thhough, don't you think? How'd theyvmanage to catch a reaper'n a dragon and decide to put them to school, eh?

[He tilts his head, just slightly, and there's something almost canine in the way he does it.]

Funny. You don't strike me as the reaping type.

[But more importantly...]

As a Reaper, would you say you possess abilities above and beyond that of the human baseline?

Leaving the classroom? [ Shaking his head, Aoba glances around the room. No one else seems to be paying attention to them. No one aside from the other, equally confused classmates of theirs. ]

Not yet... but I think I saw some people leave earlier. Unless you're talking about the whole school.

Wager leaving the room's all well'n good...

[ And if you'll excuse him, he's going to sit himself down on the nearest desk. Maybe sitting down will help him think. Maybe. There's a hum of thought as he turns his head up to the ceiling. ]

Had a butchers 'round outside yet?

You know, i get told that a lot.

[ Because really. When most people think of a reaper, they're probably expecting the black hood and scythe. This kid though? You couldn't be anywhere further from the stereotype. ]

As a reaper, yeah, sure we do. 'Fraid I haven't felt quite the same since I showed up. Why?

[He leans back against the desk, hands on hips.]

I don't feel quite right, myself.

[Understatement? Yes, indeed.]

You too, eh?

[ There's a frown as he folds his arms across his chest. ]

Can't say I feel ill so it's prolly not that...

Come on, now. Think bigger.

[He'd known it was gone almost as soon as he'd found himself here; the thrumming and the buzzing and the formless whispering, the ache in his neck that never goes away, the collar--hard not to notice when something that's so intrinsically a part of himself is suddenly absent.]

Bigger, eh?

[ there's a frown there. Something that could tip him off about what's causing that weird feeling.

Ooh, idea!

He's just going to turn his attention back to Giovanni now. ]

you wouldn't have a mirror on you, would you?

[He shakes his head softly, regards his conversation partner with a detached kind of interest.]

Unfortunately not. It seems they took all my belongings along with everything else.

[Not that he generally carries a mirror around with him, anyway.]

You too, eh? Woke up here... Wearing this uniform... All my things filched.

[ And a sigh. ]

ah well. Brothers in suffering'n all that, I suppose.

[ His yes flick up at that, glancing at the other man. ]

A reaper...?

That's right!

[ And he's saying it like it isn't a big deal, either. ]

Doubt it's to pick up anyone here, though...

You reap men and women...?

[ He-- honestly he's never thought of a true reaper before so the image in his head is difficult to imagine but he thinks he means he...offs people? ]

It's a thankless job, yeah... But someone's got to do it.

[ there's a small smile back, lightly ruffling his hair. But he can't help but turn his head with thr air of a curious puppy. ]

why?

[ What does he mean why... ]

You kill them?

[ Just to make this clear. He's really hearing this correctly, right? ]

Kill them?!

[ brb having a bit of a laugh ]

blimey, no! But I can't blame you for thinking it. It's prolly what most think when they hear of the peofession. We just pick up the record, is all. Humans die because it's their time, mind. It's actually against the rules for a reaper to kill.

[ Record... ]

So you...escort them on? A god of death?

Now you're getting it.

[ there was a nod at that. ]

i've heard about the god but but bugger if that doesn't sound too pretetious for yours truly!

[ To meet a god of death... ]

You are truly not here for anyone?

[ He no longer has his dragon claw. Generally, when a warrior loses that sort of power, their life is forfeit then if not shortly after. ]

Swear on my scythe m'not.

[ There's an earnest smile there as he presses a hand to his heart as if making some sort of vow. ]

That is relieving to hear.

[ Yet even so- he bows. ]

I have never met a heavenly being before. [ . . . . . . . . ] You are different from how I would have imagined.

Edited 2015-07-15 00:32 (UTC)

[ Sorry kiddo. That just earns you a laugh back. ]

Heavenly? Blimey, that's too high a pedestal you've placed me on, mate. M'just one of the grunts.

[ Genuinely curious ]

You answer to one higher than yourself?

Edited 2015-07-15 15:47 (UTC)

[ There's a nod at that ]

M'not the only one, of course. There's my boss, Mister Spears -- though he isn't here... And there's a whole Board of managers we've to answer to.

[ It's so strange... he's never imagined talking to someone from heaven before, let alone a god of death. There's more he would like to know about, but... for now... ]

There are individuals that I must find. But if it is all right I would like to learn more on this subject in the future.

Spillover from intro post

1-C | Hakuryuu

1-C | Aoba

1-C | Giovanni

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sorry for being so slow!!

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No worries!

<3

B/b

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