GOD OF DEATH AU

[enigmaster]

Comments

[agoodname]

I fail to see why.

[enigmaster]

Nearly everyone does. Even if not for their own sake, then for others. ...I took your mother, after all.

[agoodname]

[that...makes him freeze, for a moment.]

You... [his eyes are flicking over Enygma's face for a moment, wide, searching]

You took her?

[enigmaster]

[There it is.] Yes. I did. I take everyone, after all.

[agoodname]

[there's a pause, then--and then his brow furrows]

And what would have happened to her if you hadn't?

[enigmaster]

She... would have remained in this realm. Alive. ...What would have become of her, I can't say. It was a very quick matter.

[agoodname]

Alive...still, after she fell from the stairs? [his frown deepens, then] Her neck was broken.

[enigmaster]

...Yes. Alive, still. If I don't take someone, it's impossible for them to pass.

[agoodname]

So she would've just...laid there. With a broken neck? [that's...horrifying. And it shows on his face]

[enigmaster]

...Yes. [He isn't going to lie about that. What would be the point?]

[agoodname]

That would've been awful. She would have suffered so much. [Osvaldus wraps his arms around himself, then, shoulders hunching a bit] And you...you said it was quick?

[enigmaster]

...Yes. I don't believe she even felt a thing. [He took so many, then. All quick as he could, hardly able to keep up with it all.]

[agoodname]

[I don't believe she even felt a thing. His throat goes tight at that, and he's lifting his hands suddenly to press the heels of his palms into his eyes, trumbling a bit, trying to not cry] I--

[enigmaster]

[...See? That reaction... he knew something like this would come, sooner or later, and... well. Best to get that over with now, right? ...It still hurts.] ...I'm sorry. As I said, I am what I am, and-- [he shouldn't be here]

[agoodname]

[which is about the time that Osvaldus moves, throwing his arms around Enygma's neck and holding on tight, burying his face there and trembling, trying not to sob, just...clinging to him. There's a small hiccup and a tremble in his voice as he just manages to get out] Thank you.

[enigmaster]

[Enygma is completely and utterly thrown by suddenly getting clung to like that, simply staring at nothing as Osvaldus throws his arms around him. "Stunned" would not be a correct term, in the same way it would be ridiculous to call the ocean "a little wet". He feels frozen and awkward and ...other things he can't explain or even begin to comprehend right now.] I... ["Thank you"?] ... [He doesn't know... what to say to that. Or what to do. He just sits there, uselessly, as Osvaldus holds on.]

[agoodname]

Thank you--thank you--[he repeats it again, trembling, trying to quell the sobs that want to get out--clawing at his throat and squeezing in his chest. He swallows, hard, sniffling] She would've suffered so much if you hadn't been there, I--[and his throat closes again, and he just buries his face in Enygma's shoulder, trying to get himself under control]

[enigmaster]

[...This was supposed to make things clearer. Instead, he feels more confused than ever, more unsure of himself. Being thanked should make him feel... good, right? He's never thanked for doing his job. It doesn't happen. But he knows that his Olympian cousins all love it when mortals express their gratitude. More than that, they expect it. For some reason, it just makes Enygma feel vaguely ill, which shouldn't even be possible. This weak, jittery feeling in his gut. He wants it to stop. But Osvaldus is... still clinging to him. Burying his face into Enygma's shoulder. ...And he just, gently puts his own arms around Osvaldus. Carefully, as if he's afraid doing so might break the mortal. Who knows, maybe it should. He isn't meant to hold people like this. He's just... doing it anyway, for some odd reason.]

[agoodname]

[Enygma puts his arms around him, and Osvaldus trembles for it, a small hiccuping sob escaping as he presses closer. It's been...some time since anyone has held him like this. Yes, Enygma is cold, but he's not frigid, and his arms are still comforting. He's grateful for it--grateful for what he did, grateful that he's here. For a long moment, there, he just...lets himself cling while he struggles to get himself under control. Finally, the grip on his throat loosens slightly, and he pulls back a little, enough to scrub at his cheeks with his hand.] I....apologies. I can't imagine getting mortal tears all over you is proper thanks.

[enigmaster]

[Enygma doesn't say anything, at first. Not sure what he should - or even can - say right now. It just seems inadequate. Maybe another mortal would know. Understand what words would be right, would be most helpful.] ... It's not a problem.

[agoodname]

[he chuckles, a little dryly] I suppose it'll magically dry or something? [he turns his head to rest it against Enygma's shoulder again, curling close in his lap]

[enigmaster]

No, but if I stand close enough to the Phlegethon it'll probably dry anyway.

[agoodname]

[asldkhfsd he can't help but sputter out a laugh at that, snickering into his shoulder]

I can only imagine. River of fire would dry things pretty quick, I believe.

[enigmaster]

Very much so, yes. [okay laughing is good right?] Are you... doing better?

[agoodname]

["better" is a bit relative but...it is a relief to know that she didn't suffer. That Enygma was there to make sure that she didn't; that she didn't even feel any pain.] Yes, apologies again. [he sounds a bit embarrassed] And...thank you. Again. it's worth saying multiple times, I think.