tadhg stands in all of his crooked glory; cigarette weeping smoke from betwixt bony fingers, eyes heavy set in his skull, ringed from lack of a sleep he would never truly know. he’s tried once again to mask it with makeup. said makeup is hopelessly smudged, barely worn anymore at all, somehow it works in his favour. makes him look to be deliberately falling apart… which is, honestly, a possible truth at this point.

 “ them lot don’t know shit all. ” is his blunt reply.

the gods rat has been sent running home with their tail between their legs. figuratively. the reaper squints, draws a mini bottle from his coat by its neck. his thumb works to swivel the cap open as he speaks. “ but, gotta say, i’m surprised they can tear focus off shaggin’ eachother f’r long enough t’care about what you’re doing. ” 

he doesn’t stop moving as he speaks. fidgety, uneasy — though his voice is calm, charismatic, his very presence is — anxiety inducing as ever. he takes a few tentative sips of wine. grimaces. mental note: must remember to grief sonny about cheaping out on the red … again. “ you got some s’plainin’ to do, in their eyes, but me? don’t worry ‘bout me. i don’t give a shit. sent that spy runnin’, didn’t i? you’re welcome, by the way. ”

                    there’s something to be distantly appreciated about tadhg’s vulgarity ,    smile visibly broadening in mild entertainment .      you turn back ,    face down      ⎯⎯⎯      return attention to the uninteresting hum - drum of the city block below ,    still very much tuned - in to the creature that stands behind you     [   hard not to be   ] .      you can feel your expression falter when he keeps talking ,    lip twitching inadvertently ;      something bitter rising in the back of your throat at the friendly ,    if not brief ,    reminder of why you’re being watched to begin with .

                    you don’t need to feel ling’s prodding to get over yourself .      you weren’t made to linger .

                    perched atop the parapet with crossed legs ,    soaking up sun - light as if it makes a difference .      you retreated up here after all the commotion ;      some guy     [   not some guy ,    you know better than that ;      ling knows better than that   ]     taking down a business - man     [   not a business - man ;      the gods really need better disguises   ]     in the middle of the street ,    tackling him to the ground ,    dragging the eyes of every little thing to the two of them .      there’s no real point in trying to disappear ,    but you could at least take advantage of the distraction and find some quiet ,    if only for a moment .      the air hums ,    near - undetectable ,    and you know before @putresque speaks that they’re already here .