Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle.

Toris gasped a little and felt a chill run up his spine when he felt his shoulder be tapped. Ah, so the woman must have abilities too. There’s no other way she’d be able to move like that. “My name is none of your concern. Can’t a person just take a stroll around the local cemetery?” he quipped, making sure to be on guard.

He could be a little superstitious but he wasn’t stupid. He knew she couldn’t have been a ghost because he just saw her get hurt. “Mind telling me what you’re doing grave robbing?” he questioned. Sure, it really wasn’t any of his business, but those were still people.

“Sure. Seems weird, but sure.” Only emos and goths stalk around the cemetery, and maybe this guy could be scene because of his outfit, but he’s on thin ice. Too much of a hippie aesthetic, but maybe he was doing that to blend in with society. She idly crossed her arms, and sighed before going to her neutral smile.

Ritual? The thought of a ritual certainly piqued Lukas’ interest. He’d been born with a fascination for fairy-tales, the supernatural, magic. For an embarrassingly long period of his life he’d been convinced that he could see trolls, that they were his powerful magical friends who would crush his enemies for him. Spoiler alert: they did not and Lukas got his ass handed to him by the loner kid who liked to lurk by the tombstones. He had since learnt that he should use the Freedom of the Graveyard to defend him. Y’know,  actually use the ability given to him to defend himself.

Floating through the graves towards the stranger, Lukas’ fear of others was near forgotten although he did not drop the invisibility just yet. He was curious, but not enough to drop his safeguard - not yet, at least. He wanted to know a bit more about this ritual before he didn’t anything rash.

“What ritual are you doing?” Lukas asked, standing just a few steps away from the girl. “I know everyone in this graveyard…I might be able to help you find her.”

Emphasis on might. Lukas’ curiosity may be enough to practically overpower his fear of people, but it wasn’t enough for him to willingly overlook the potential pain of a resident here. But, perhaps, if the ritual caused no harm to the grandmother involved…he could help.

Reagan realized she did not actually see anybody, as she got closer the apparent silhouette was some cleverly placed tombstones. What if there were actually ghosts here? Did her ability evolve and she did not realize it? Lots to think about. Given that she could not see anyone, maybe she could only hear ghosts? 

And whoever it was, was interested in the ritual that she made up. She supposed that she could fake a ritual, her mom had done more than enough rituals to appease some deer deity- Reagan rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand. Bad memories bringing on a bad headache. “Like a Day of the Dead thing, but for like a new year and stuff. Personal ritual, usually just involves turning over some dirt and sayin’ some nice things.” 

Toris thought it might be nice to explore the city a bit, taking the day off from work to see what Port City had in store for him. He was able to find his new favorite coffee shop, and new places to try and eat at from his look around the city.

Taking the quiet walk back to his apartment to take a break, he thought he might pay his respects and walk around near the cemetery that was close to his place. It was quiet, and a little creepy looking, but there was an occasional grave that looked a little pretty. As he took a sip from his coffee, he turned his head and thought his mind was playing tricks on him. Because he couldn’t have just seen some lady trip on her ass from carrying a not-empty body bag.

He nearly lost his grip on his coffee cup, and couldn’t stop staring, almost disgusted and feeling the tiniest bit sick.

Not all of us can be privileged with having an ability that activates based on emotion, Toris! Necromancer ability users are valid.

Reagan had thought she was alone in the cemetery, but someone must have showed up because she heard the cup hit the ground. That’s the problem with starting grave robbing too early in the night! People tend to show up more often. Turning around a few times, checking who could possibly be there. Maybe it was the other necromancer so that she could finally get them to step off her turf. 

She was maybe halfway done with her body collection. If only her author had been Mary Shelley or something so that she could make some horrible monster out of all these body parts! Currently dragging her fourth body bag from the crypt, she was growing weary. Yeah, she could activate her ability but she has to conserve! Big project coming up! 

There really was little Roderich could do other than support himself against the wall, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in his leg. He had no instrument, so he couldn’t attack as he usually would, and with an injury, there really was nothing he could do. So, with a sigh, Roderich resigned himself to just glaring at the woman.

“…Give me back my belongings, lest you wish me to follow up on this transgression.”

“Y’know... You’re really formal for a guy who just got shanked in the leg. It’d be admirable if this was the early 19th century, but my guy you’re bleeding out.” She leaned on the opposite wall and held back a giggle at his threat.

Okay, that was certainly an explanation, but Roderich really didn’t care at the moment. He was currently too busy realizing that this was an absolutely terrible idea.

Just as he was going to do… something, he hadn’t exactly though this plan out, there was a sharp pain in his thigh. Shouting out in pain, he quickly released her wrist, flinching back and gripping his leg. Oh no, he was going to faint again. “Dammit–” He trailed off into a slew of German curses, but still managed to shoot her a glare. “You– You really do not wish to make an enemy of me.”

“Oh boohoo! A rando took some of your stuff! Really, if you’re all important then I am the least of your problems.” Mega eyeroll into the next century, and rocking on her heels she dug her point in more. “And I certainly have far bigger problems than what ever you could do.”

@sovereignsmile

Wiping away the snow that had fallen upon one of his dear friend’s stone ( Andreas L. Patterson, d. 1932, Lost now but loved forever ), Lukas hummed a bittersweet tune. The air had grown thick and heavy with frosted snow, falling in clumped pillows from the sky - but Lukas wasn’t cold. Winter nights in Norway had been much worse and not even the warmest of crypts could’ve fought the shivers away. He’d spend many nights lying on a thin mattress, the din of his chattering teeth echoing against the stone walls. He stood there for a moment, watching as the long-dead children skipped through the graves in an everlasting game of tag, as he reminisced on a time when he too may have joined in. Tag was always much more fun when one could sprint through walls. Letting his guard down, Lukas slid down the stone and sat squarely on the snowy grass until the sound of a person’s shoes crunching through the snow startled him. 

There shouldn’t of been anyone there - no living person in their right mind would come to the graveyard in the middle of the night. But as their footsteps grew closer, he quickly flickered out of sight, trying to take a peek at the oncomer. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” Lukas spoke with false confidence.

Dragging a shovel behind her for classiness, and a backpack with other goodies, Reagan walked through the graveyard rather easily. No Leon to help her, which is a shame because she needed a lot of bodies for her next big stunt, and time was closing in on her. She was not gifted in seeing the dead, which was probably better in the end or she might have felt guilty or something. 

She trudged along through the snow, meaning she would probably have to hit up the crypts if she actually wanted to get somewhere. Frozen ground was not optimal conditions for digging in at the slightest. However, she apparently chose the wrong graveyard to dig in because somebody else was there. Maybe it was the other mystery grave-robber feeling brave, but it was likely some rando emo kid trying to look cool for their Instagram.

Coming closer and being called out, she was more apt to believe it was a random social media freak. She stopped and put on a big grin “I could be asking you the same thing! Emphasize on could because I have to find grandmother’s grave and complete a ritual before New Years!” 

sovereignsmile:

“Crab apples. Angry like crabs, short like apples. At least in temper, but he sounds short in person too.”  That was her reasoning and she was sticking with it. Reagan watched him dust himself off and then announce his plans to take back his gun. She was going to teleport away, but he had grabbed her wrist rather quickly.

As fast as he had done that, she reached into her jacket pocket and moved closer to him. Drawing the knife, and gave him a good stab to the thigh. She hoped that would be enough to get him to stop so she yanked herself back as well. “You sounded like a Disney villain there, mayhaps don’t announce your plans next time and just come at me.”

Okay, that was certainly an explanation, but Roderich really didn’t care at the moment. He was currently too busy realizing that this was an absolutely terrible idea.

Just as he was going to do… something, he hadn’t exactly though this plan out, there was a sharp pain in his thigh. Shouting out in pain, he quickly released her wrist, flinching back and gripping his leg. Oh no, he was going to faint again. “Dammit–” He trailed off into a slew of German curses, but still managed to shoot her a glare. “You– You really do not wish to make an enemy of me.”

“YoU- YoU ReaLLy dO NoT wIsh To MakE aN ENeMy Of Me.”

Just as Roderich had put Samiri on hold, he glanced to the stranger with a frown. “Crab apple… what?” Well that statement made absolutely no sense. But Roderich had no time to question it further, he had a gun to get back for absolutely no reason.

“…For the moment,” was his reply, as he took her offered hand of help. Standing up carefully, he paused a moment to straighten his coat and gather himself. He was still a bit dizzy and certainly still feverish, but that wasn’t going to stop him from trying to salvage his dignity. Once he was settled, he gave the woman a cold glance. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking my gun back now.” Quite swiftly, for speed was really his only strong point, Roderich stepped forward to grab for her wrist.

“Crab apples. Angry like crabs, short like apples. At least in temper, but he sounds short in person too.”  That was her reasoning and she was sticking with it. Reagan watched him dust himself off and then announce his plans to take back his gun. She was going to teleport away, but he had grabbed her wrist rather quickly.

To say Roderich was confused was an understatement. He pushed his glasses out of the way, rubbing his eyes. “I… fainted?” He looked about him again. Well, that wasn’t surprising, given his current state. He was in no hurry to move, so he simply stayed where he was sitting against the wall.

“Ah… there should be someone I can call, yes.” He sleepily took his phone from his pocket, flipping through his contacts. He could call Ludwig, but he wasn’t sure if his cousin was back from his trip yet. So that left a certain vice leader of his…

And that’s how Samiri ended up getting a call from Roderich.

Reagan idly waited by, playing on her phone again and half listening. She got rather bored of her game so she put that away and just tapped her feet together as she paid closer attention to what ever this guy was talking about. Giggling occasionally at some of the things they said, especially about the hostage part.

For Roderich, it didn’t seem like much time had passed at all between when he fainted and when he woke up. But of course, in reality, it was more like forty five minutes to an hour. And when he did finally woke up, he wished immediately to go back to sleep. His head was pounding, he felt even worse than before, and now he was sore from falling. With a groan, he tried to sit up a little, gripping his head in one hand.

“What on earth…” he mumbled, trying to regain an awareness of his surroundings. From what he could tell, he was… somewhere. Where, he had no idea, but he could tell he was still outside. Glancing around, it took him a moment to notice the same woman who’d tried to rob him from before, just sitting there. 

“Why– Why are you here…?” His brow was knitted in a frown as he tried to ignore his growing headache. “What happened? Where am I…?”

“Good morning starshine. The earth says hello.” Reagan continued to play on her phone while the other continued to wake up. Vigorously she tapped at her phone, and after losing the game she dropped her arms and sighed. She put her phone into her bag, and stretched out her arms and back.

He’s the leader of the Guild, shut up. He’s got enough money to ruin your life.

As much as Roderich wanted to give his lady a piece of his mind, with a gun pointed at him, he was less enthralled about doing so. He might be quite strong when he’s in his element, but this wasn’t his element at all. And she had his gun, so there went that defense. More frustrating though was her comment.

“I– I beg your pardon–?! You are the one who is trying to rob me! Return my pistol to me at once! This is ridiculous–” Oh he shouldn’t have been shouting, he could feel himself getting dizzy just from doing that. The last thing he needed was stress, and this was beyond stressful. In fact, it was so stressful, and Roderich was so out of it from his sickness, that his sense of judgement was completely off.

So, without thinking much, he stepped forward much too quickly in an attempt to grab the gun. Immediately, it was a bad choice. The sudden movement, combined with the stress and exhaustion Roderich felt, was apparently too much for him to handle. Hit with a major dizzy spell, his vision blurred. He stumbled, then fell. 

Arlo already did that try again, Roderich.

“You’re clearly the one trying to assault- oh my god.” She dropped her pistol arm and just stared at the new development. Giving a few gentle nudges with her foot and then a small kick to the shoulder, she saw no signs of life. “Hey- hey buddy. You dead or what?” 

After there was no reply, she looked at the sky and blew a kiss at it. “Praise the lord, money and supplies.” 

She put the gun in her purse, no idea if its safety was on or not, and she dragged Roderich over to the alleyway by his arms. Reagan set up her bag next to the body and dug around for a knife. With knife in one hand and his wrist in the other she was about to give a good slice at it to begin the process, alas she felt a pulse coming from him. 

“Darn it, me and my good morals.” She dropped the wrist and put her knife back in the bag. Digging for his wallet in the other coat, she did not hesitate to grab the money in said wallet. Not knowing how long it would be until the other woke up, she swiftly put the empty wallet back into his coat pocket. Dumping the money into her own coin purse ... And holding onto the gun for now. 

...

...

...

Or maybe he would have grabbed the gun back, who knows! He’s only twenty seven okay!

Roderich was growing increasingly frustrated. “You did not find it on the ground, I dropped it,” he huffed, being careful to not yell or raise his voice. Coughing in the middle of a sentence wasn’t very intimidating. “I will not be making any deals with the likes of a bratty pickpocket. Return it to me or suffer the consequences.

That would be a lot more intimidating if he didn’t look like he’d pass out at any moment.

Suffer the consequences. Yeah, me too. 

She clutched at her imaginary pearls and gasped semi-sarcastically. Pulling on her best Cajun accent she exclaimed “Are you threatening a lone lady? Stranger danger!”

 Reagan pursed her lips for a moment and to play up the act, she showed fear. This rich rando was not doing a great job of intimidating her, but really very few people could. So she pointed the gun at him in a threatening manner.

Listen, if Roderich were in better health, he’d be much more quick to react and would have noticed her taking the gun from his pocket, and then where would she be? Probably not in this position!

As he stooped down to pick up the gun, to his annoyance, the woman picked it up first. So he stood up again as she held it out… and she took it away again. Now both tired and thoroughly annoyed, he frowned, watching her with a confused expression. “I beg your pardon?” he huffed. “Please return that to me, I simply dropped it.”

His words trailed off into a small coughing fit. Perhaps he’d raised his voice too much.

She would probably have the gun in her hand or neither of them would have the gun in their hand. She’s not losing to an old man any time soon!

“Nah, I found it on the ground.” Despite the fact she had just called him over, maybe she could gaslight him. “I can just go pawn it off, gotta pay the bills somehow, ya’know? But I mean, if this random gun means something to you, I’m sure we can make a deal.”