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Brodie was not expecting to hear something like that. Not that he'd been expecting most of what happened that day, but this was something he was genuinely not used to. In the past week or two, most people he would interact with-and there weren't many- were pitying or sympathetic towards him. This sudden, blunt hostility was surprising to say the least. Not to mention some rational part part of his brain had known for a while how true the man's words were.
Now, he could have acknowledged this fact apologetically or something, but instead he replied indignantly. "Excuse me? I was almost run over by a friggin' car, only to find out that I was supposed to be run over by it. Now some Grim Reaper thing's supposed to come and kill me, and you people start popping up at all odd hours of the night!" He hissed the words angrily. At this point, he was standing as well, "Sorry if I'm not grateful to you guys for making my life a thousand times more complicated than it already was." |
"Oh wah," Zaitsu scoffed. "So you nearly got hit by a car. Big deal. You should be thankful someone gave a shit to save your ungrateful life. You'd think your parents would've taught you how to thank someone for helping you."
"You know what? I don't really care that Andrew wants you alive. I'm not going to put up with your whining," Shozii growled, walking over to the desk where the larger-yet younger man was sitting. "Get up, we're leaving." "But we're not-- Ahh!" He was cut off mid-sentence as Shozii shoved him out the window, causing him to hit the ground with a rather painful thud. He knocked unconscious by the unexpected impact of his head against the ground. Shozii went to the window, placing his hand on the side of it and turning his head to look at Brodie, his eyes glowing brighter than before. "You're an ass, and need to learn to be thankful when Life gives you a break." He turned to look out the window, his shirt seeming to fade into non-existence as large black demon wings grew from his back. Foot on the window sill, he jumped from the room and flew to the tree across the yard, perching there for a moment as he searched the skies. His body seemed to vanish and he took off into the air to fly towards home. He was frustrated and didn't feel like interacting with anyone else; he just wanted to get home and sleep. Zaitsu remained motionless on the ground below Brodie's window. |
[[My Tessan is feeling rather leftout, so she's going to come and see Brodie =D and Zaitsu, but not really because he's unconcious]]
Tessan appeared from the far corner of Brodie's room, for it was filled with shadows. "So," she said, her outfit from the day just gone passed still on, though she was feeling more like a reaper's cloak by the second. "You're the one everyone is fussing about? So you didn't die, whoopdi freakin' doo. Lots of people don't die when they're supposed to, so what makes you so special?" She had moved over to Brodie and was currently staring him in the face from a few inches away. |
((@Insane Cricket: o.O We're on the second floor. Just making sure you know since I don't know whether Zaitsu would survive that or not.))
Brodie was silent as he watched the two take their leave, which was fine for him since he wouldn't have been able to come up with any response. He thought maybe he should go to the window and see if they were still there- they were, after all, around for a while when he didn't know it. Until he heard the voice from the corner of his room. 'This is- she's one of those things that're supposed to come for me.' He wished his heart wouldn't beat so quickly, it was a bit distracting when it was the only thing he could hear. He'd reasoned before that, since the man said he'd do what Andrew wanted, the Reaper wouldn't hurt him. With this Reaper, bravado could do Brodie no good, and he was suddenly very scared for his life. 'I don't actually want to die,' he thought frantically as she loomed over him. He was seriously regretting talking to the guy like that. |
[[xD It was more of a simnple I'm-looking-at-you stare, not a I'ma-kill-you stare]]
Tessan couldn't help but giggle as she heard Brodie's heart beating so quickly. "I'm not going to kill you, silly boy. I'm more interested in why they are so concerned that you aren't dieing. Did you piss off the wrong people or something?" she asked as she twirled herself around, her good mood restored. |
((Z isn't human. Yeah, he'd survive it. I already knew it was on the second floor because I paid attention when you said he went up the stairs.))
In his unconscious state, large, feathery black wings grew from his back underneath him. It sometimes happened when he was asleep, though this 'sleep' had been forced upon him unexpectedly, leaving it more likely that his wings would grow. His black hair began twisting into feathers, his face becoming slightly more angular; his fingernails growing longer and to a sharp point, almost like talons. It would be very unfortunate for him if someone were to spot him in this state. |
Hideto's father was taking a walk to clear his mind. It was ridiculously late, yes; he realized he probably wasn't going to make it in to work tomorrow if he was out this late...but he just couldn't sleep. He could hear when someone was telling a lie; Hideto had never been forced to say anything to him where the person got away with it...and this man's voice sounded honest. But he couldn't help but be rather...worried. Something felt off. A few ideas had been screaming at him in the back of his mind, but...he figured he was probably just being paranoid; it wasn't worth it...it was probably just best to take a walk.
As he turned a corner, he noticed what appeared in the dark to be a man, squirming on the ground. Both curious as to why he was there, and wanting to help, he started to approach the lying figure...when he noticed that this wasn't a man squirming in discomfort, but some...vaguely humanoid creature going through some kind of metamorphosis. He began to slowly back away, his fear returning...no, he wasn't being paranoid. Something was very definitely off tonight. He wanted to run away...yet at the same time he couldn't; he couldn't fight the fact that he wanted to find out what this "person" was. His mind kept screaming for him to run away, but his legs didn't listen. But one thing was for sure - the minute he got home, he was getting online and doing a little research on this "doctor" Hideto was staying with. Something seemed very wrong with the world right now...and with the fear that his son might be in the middle of it, he couldn't rest until he'd tried to find out as much as he could. |
A quiet groan escaped him, the throbbing of his body caused by the impact suddenly registering as consciousness slowly crept over him. A small cough came from his lungs as they struggled to retrieve the breath that had been knocked out of them. Another soft groan, and his bright red eyes slowly opened, staring unfocused up at the night sky, their color glowing slightly as he attempted to see.
Stiffly, he forced himself to sit up a little, his right arm against the ground to support his weight, his left hand reaching up to press against the side of his face in an attempt to relieve some of the pain he felt from the impact. He glanced upwards at the window he'd been pushed from, making a mental note to make Shozii regret pushing him. Running his fingers through his hair, he discovered the feathers and suddenly realized that his wings were spread out behind him. 'Shit. I can't be seen like this!' he thought, struggling to get to his feet. Almost as soon as he was standing, he learned just how disoriented he really was, and fell against the side of the house, trying to support his own weight without falling over. His ears had become slightly long and thin in his semi-transformation, twitching as he realized someone was nearby. His bright stare shot towards the man watching him, a fearful look mixed with the expression of pain on his face. 'Shit.' |
((My computer died for a day and a half! >.<))
Brodie relaxed a little, but he still watched the woman, careful not to be too close. "You're, like, a grim reaper thing, aren't you? I'm still not sure whether or not I've just gone crazy or not." 'Of course,' he reasoned, 'If I were crazy it would be better if I were to just stop talking to the people who appear out of nowhere.' "I know a lot less than you probably do..." He stepped back a bit, "But, if you aren't going to kill me, why are you here?" He at least knew that Dr. Cozu trusted the other two Reapers, but with this one he wasn't so sure if he could take her word for it. ((@Insane Cricket: Shame on me for doubting your reading abilities. XP I wasn't sure, since Zaitsu somehow seemed a little less non-human than Andrew and Shozii. @Yume_no_Yume: Well, a cloaked lady in a basically just came out of the wall. That, I think, is reason enough for Brodie to be a bit scared. :P |
((Yep. Never doubt the grammar Nazi.
Though you're right, he's a little less non-human than Andrew and Shozii. He tends to survive things he shouldn't, even though he sustains massive injuries. He's also less emotionally stable than Andrew and Shozii, because he doesn't retain memories from past lives like they do. Instead, memories come to him in doses, and through him through a loop. Especially because most of his memories aren't very pleasant ones. So... How about a bit of interaction with Zaitsu? Whether it's Brodie looking out his window, or his parents investigating the loud sound that was Zaitsu falling, it would help if I could have something to reply to. Or... You could get on your messenger and I can beg and plead for another character...<3 )) |
"Oh, I'm not entirely sure why. I'm not that big into the whole 'reaping souls' thing," she said, making quotation marks in the air with her fingers. "When I am going to reap some souls, I dress a lot less happy-like. You know, generic reaper's cloak and what-not." As she spoke, she walked over to the window, looking down at the person on the ground. "Hey, are you going to sit down there and let the whole city see you?" she called, somewhat softly, leaning her elbows on the windowsill, placing her head on her arms.
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He heard the call from above, but his head and neck hurt too much for him to look upwards. The throbbing pain in his head prevented him from having the concentration to transform back into what appeared to be a normal human being, and he was finding it hard to stand upright, even when putting his weight against the side of the house.
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Sighing, Tessan leaned halfway out the window. "Do you want some help up? I can do it with as little pain as possible," she asked, stretching her hands out in front of her, running her fingers against the brick wall.
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"Why would you help me?" he asked weakly, his voice revealing how sick and unsteady he felt. He wasn't sure if she could hear him from up there, or if anyone could hear his quiet voice under the circumstances.
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"Well, the main reason is because you seem to be pretty chummy with a senior reaper, and they already dislike me for my laziness. That and it's just who I am...or was, whichever way you want to look at it," she said with a shrug. "So do you want help or are you just going to lean there, groaning?"
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((Meanwhile...))
"Howard! Howard, wake up!" Mrs. Fisher shook her husband gently, then with more urgency, as she spoke. It was only a few seconds until he woke, "Lorraine, Hon, It's-" he stared at the clock until the numbers got clearer, "It's two fifteen for Chris'sake, what's going on?" "I thought I heard something outside," she replied quickly, "and from Brodie's room." She'd just barely fallen asleep after checking on Brodie the first time before she heard another sound. The first sound- the one that woke her- was the sound of some one yelling. She was fully awake to hear whatever it was hit the ground. A sickening thought hit her, "I'll be right back," she said as she ran out of the room with her hand over her mouth. She headed up the stairs and to his bedroom door. "What? But-" Mr. Fisher stared at the door, wondering what'd gotten into his wife. 'She said she heard something outside, maybe I'll just...' He got on his robe and walked quickly to the front of the house. When he walked out the door, the first thing he saw was the somewhat human shape leaning against the wall. ((Nyeh-ah. *must do homework, cannot form compete sentences, might be back later*)) |
"I need help...getting home," he replied, fighting his dizziness and failing miserably. His knees were threatening to fail him, his lungs burning from his aching back and ribs. Then, all at once, he lost consciousness, collapsing into a heap where he stood, his wings sticking out at odd angles. He needed to get back to Andrew.
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Hideto's father stared on, unsure of what to do now...he wanted to help this creature, though he was anything but sure as to whether or not that was safe...not to mention had no idea how to help. He thought he'd heard something about "home"...where did he live?
Before long, he was kicking himself for it, but his helpful nature had gotten the better of him. Even as the knot in his stomach tightened, he found himself approaching Zaitsu. "Does anyone know where he lives?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice from shaking. He had to admit it, at least to himself...he did feel a bit threatened by the man's wings. |
He started to move again, consciousness coming back momentarily. He managed to look up a the man approaching him, a sick, terrified look in his eyes. What if others saw him? Surely he'd be captured for one reason or another; if not, his face would still be recognized without the feathers for his hair.
He was like any normal person in many ways. He pretended to be normal, he drove a car, he worked, he had an apartment, and (conveniently) carried his wallet in his back pocket like everyone else. It was then he became aware that he'd been seen by another man. 'I'm screwed,' he thought worriedly, resting his head back down on the ground. Two human men played witness to his semi-transformed state, and he wasn't in any shape to fight should he need to. ((By the way, his ID lists Andrew's apartment as his address. He only moved out recently, and hasn't changed it yet.)) |
Brodie stood behind the Reaper, not quite sure what to do in this situation. 'Who is she talking to?' He tried to see over her shoulder, but couldn't seem to stand tall enough to see without getting closer than he cared to get to her. There was a knock at the door and, unmistakably, his mother's anxious voice, "Brodie?! Are you alright in there?"
After a few double takes between the door and the woman that was talking to whomever was out there, Brodie went to open the door, "Yeah?" he said hurriedly as he slipped out the door and closed it quickly behind him. "Oh," Lorraine Fisher said when she saw he was fine, "I just thought I heard something again. Were you awake just now?" "Ah, yeah. It's been, like, what? Ten minutes since you came up last?" he said as he tried to laugh, "The- uh- the cat probably knocked over something- I let it out, by the way. Since it wanted out, I just opened the window and, yeah." She seemed convinced, "Alright, good night." Brodie went back in his room and sighed. ((Meanwhile~))"Good God," Howard Fisher whispered when his eyes got used to the darkness. Before, the wings hadn't been quite so obvious, but when the man collapsed, Mr. Fisher could see them protruding from his back. He looked up when he heard another's voice. He couldn't tell who it was, but he seemed to be just a random passer-by at the moment. He moved toward the man on the ground, putting his hand gently on the man's shoulder- almost drawing it back when it brushed the edge of a wing- and looked to the other, he had no idea what to do. ((Hey, would Hideto and Brodie's dads have met? Considering Hideto and Terry were friend, they might have.)) |
He let out a quiet whimper when he was touched, the man's hand pressing on a place that hurt nearly as badly as his head did. This brought him back into awareness, and he was able to look up at the man, his eyes softly glowing their color.
"Please don't...hurt me..." he said weakly, desperate for the men not to report him to the authorities. He feared for his life should someone take an interest in his appearance. ((No clue. You'd have to ask Phantom, though since she vanishes a lot lately, I'm not sure if we should wait. =S )) |
((I figured they might know each other a little - Hideto and his father have a much closer relationship than most father/son pairs where the son is of high school age. They could easily have met at some point.
And just so you know, his name is Kohaku - it means amber; he got that name because he had particularly light (amber-colored) eyes when he was born, though they darkened significantly when he got older. Just a little fact. ;p)) "Don't worry, we won't hurt you...not on purpose, anyway...right?" Kohaku said, turning to the rest of the group as he said the last word. "What are you doing out here? Who are you? And...what..." He paused in mid-sentence as he realized he had no idea how to ask why this man had wings, at least not without sounding nosy and rude. He figured it was probably best to ask another question instead...just so he didn't leave that one hanging. "Ah...what happened out here? Are you all right?" |
"I...I was pushed from the window..." He cringed after these words, resisting the urge to vomit. His eyes made contact with Hideto's father's eyes, the desperation he felt in his weakness obvious.
"I'm...An-Andrew Coz-Cozu's...son..." He took as deep of a breath as he could, trying to stay conscious as the pounding in his head overwhelmed him. ((Kohaku? Makes me think of Sango's little brother in Inuyasha.)) |
((That's what a lot of people seem to think of...amusingly enough, I'd actually kinda forgotten about him when I chose the name. :sweat:))
Kohaku looked up to the window and shuddered at the thought of someone falling from that height...and from the way he was acting, it seemed like he had landed in a way he probably shouldn't have survived. This was getting more...interesting by the second. Suddenly the name registered. 'Cozu...' His eyes widened to twice their normal size. Yes, he knew he'd heard that name before...that was the name of the person his son was staying with! No wonder something seemed so off. He must have sensed something in their voices on the phone that he couldn't figure out...and it was beginning to seem quite obvious why! "Do you live with him?" he asked, struggling to hide his growing panic, though it was difficult. He was beginning to break out into a cold sweat, desperately hoping this man was lying about who he was. "Do you want me to take you to him? Where...where does he live?" |
"I-in my...w-wallet..." was all he managed to say before he fell out of consciousness again. The feathers on the back of his head were sticky with his blood, and he desperately needed medical attention; preferably from someone who understood what he was and wouldn't be freaked out by his appearance.
((Yeah. I kinda forgot about him too until you mentioned the name of Hideto's dad. ^^;; )) |
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