θ → ( 𝗏𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗈 ) un; ghostking

[deathkid]

[ it's late, but the stars are shining and the moon is big enough to reveal that nico is once again in the graveyard, sitting atop a gravestone as he munches some fries. his legs swing back and forth. with his mouth full, he pauses and regards the feed. ]

I've been doing a lot of thinking. Mostly about the future. So we're stuck here for five years, right? How many people are planning on staying after that? If so, why?

I mean... [ another bite of fries and he swallows this time before continuing. ] What do people miss the most about their original homes and is it enough to want to go back? If there was one thing about this place that could make you stay, what would it be?

I dunno. Anyway- Loki, I need to make sure I have Wednesday night off. And Jason, I need some advice. Also, Ed, I have a few questions about your alchemy.

Comments

video; un: b.rocks

[billyrocks]

I'd stay. There's nothing left for me back home.

[Since he died... To return home, would mean ceasing to exist. But just to try and sidetrack from the questions that are sure to come--]

You look rather comfortable sitting in a graveyard at night.

[deathkid]

[ that's interesting. nico lifts his brows as he munches on more fries. ]

How can there be nothing left? Don't you have any friends?

[ and then he glances around at the setting before shrugging. ]

Death and I are good friends, you could say. Graveyards are actually pretty cool places. Interesting company, if you know what I mean.

[billyrocks]

I did, but most of them are probably dead now.

[He knows for certain that at least one is. There's a small pause before he adds:] I would have been dead too if I hadn't fallen into this place.

[He purposely makes it sound as though he was still alive at the time, not breathing his last breath.]

That company doesn't talk much I imagine?

[It's said in a friendly tone.]

[deathkid]

[ nico's first instinct is to respond with "but that doesn't mean you can't still talk to them." but then he remembers that most mortals find ghosts rather frightening. ]

So... you're dead where you're from, then? That sucks, but being dead isn't all that bad.

[ #justnecromancythings ]

On the contrary. Sometimes the company doesn't shut up. Depends on who's at rest and who isn't.

[billyrocks]

[Billy's had about four months to ponder over his death now, and though he's come to accept it, it didn't mean he was comfortable enough to casually talk about it. He purses his lips, but nods.]

I figured my chances of making it to old age were slim, but that didn't mean I was ready to go then and there.

[A small chuckle from Billy helps his face relax a little.]

You're starting to remind me of the stories my parents used to tell me so I wouldn't stay out too late. [Then there's a look of curiosity.] So, are you another one of those people with powers then? You sound like you know the dead very well.

[deathkid]

[ that prompts a slight laugh from nico. ]

Well, as someone over the age of eighty, I can tell you living for this long isn't always the greatest thing ever. But yeah, that goes hand in hand with the powers thing. I'm a demigod. Ever heard of Hades?

[billyrocks]

[He looks surprised at the mentioned age and is about to comment on how young the other man looks, only to have an explanation right after.]

Demigod, huh? No wonder you look young. Hades...

[The name sounds familiar. Billy thinks he remembers Goodnight mentioning it during his retelling of the stories about the Greek gods.]

That's the ruler of the underworld, right? In Greek legends?

[deathkid]

[ being used to people being surprised by his admission of his age, he merely shrugs. ]

Well, most demigods don't live past their teens; I'm a special case. But you've got it. Hades is my father.

[billyrocks]

I didn't know Hades had a son.

[He's only heard the popular myths about Hades.]

And why's that? From what I've heard, demigods sounded like powerful beings.

[deathkid]

Most people don't know.

[ a wry grin. ]

We are, especially those of us with the Big Three as our parents. However, we're always on deadly quests and the monsters you've probably heard of in myths... well, they're real and always after us.

[billyrocks]

Are you glad to have a break from the danger, or do you miss the adventure? Is that why you were asking those questions earlier?

[deathkid]

Sometimes I miss the adventure, but mostly I miss my friends and sister back home. That's why I was asking.

[billyrocks]

It can get boring when things are quiet.

[He nods in agreement.]

Not saying that I don't appreciate the peace since I rarely got it back home, but now that I've gotten use to this place, I'm curious as to what's outside the wall.

[deathkid]

If you're brave enough, you can always go out there. Sometimes I do to fight monsters or speak to the dead.

[billyrocks]

[Billy lifts a brow.]

How do you talk with the dead anyway? Do you see their apparitions, or do you only hear their voices?

[deathkid]

I can see them, hear them, and raise them.

[billyrocks]

You make it sound so simple.

[deathkid]

For me, it is.

[billyrocks]

You ought to hear some of the rituals I've heard of back home when passing through certain places. People go through a lot just for the hope of seeing someone again.

[His face grows slightly somber and the wry smile disappears.]

Do you ever get requests from the living to raise someone so they can talk to that person?

[deathkid]

[ upon registering the question, his gaze drops and his shoulders hunch. ]

Not really, but there was a time when I tried everything I could to talk to my mom or my sister again.

[billyrocks]

[Now that wasn't something he was expecting to hear.]

I'm sorry...

[And now he's stuck on what to say next. It wouldn't feel right if he tried to pry into something like this, especially since he's only just met this person.]

[deathkid]

[ still looking away, nico merely shrugs. ]

It's fine. I had my time to grieve, and now I'm better for it.

[billyrocks]

As painful as it is, grieving can help us get through the loss, even though the hurt never leaves completely.

[Sometimes the memory of his death (as well as that of Goodnight's) flashes into his mind when he looks at the flask with the silver fleur-de-lis sitting on his nightstand.]

As much as I miss my friends, though, I stand by what I said earlier. I'd rather stay here, at least for now. I'll have to see for myself if I change my mind in five years.

Still, it's refreshing not having to pretend being someone's manservant just to get by.

[deathkid]

[ nodding along with what billy says, nico makes a low noise of agreement. but then comes the last bit and he quirks a brow. ]

Why would you have to pretend to be someone's manservant?

[billyrocks]

In my world, most folks didn't like seeing an Asian man like me strutting about their towns like an equal. I had a friend who helped me navigate their prejudices, though. To the public, he was my "master," but behind closed doors we were partners who always split the money in equal shares.

It was 1879 in my world, though, and I understand that some people in the city come from before or after that time.