#askanecromancer

@formerly-the-mechs

Val hadn't ever been a deep sleeper. So with the insistent rapping on their front door, it wasn't long until they were rudely awoken from slumber.

Xe hoped that whoever it was - well. They could guess who it was. They just hoped it wasn't her. Again. Val just hoped that they went away. But no such luck.

Val sighed, dragging themself out of bed. Xe picked up their cane and put on xyr housecoat before making the short trek to the door to their apartment. Val sighed again, unlocking and opening the door.

He rang their doorbell, hoping to all hope that Val had not died or moved in the last few years since he’d talked to xem. He’d moved out to the country a few months after his dad’s death, where he’d had practically had no contact with anyone, so… it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Still, he had to hope they were here, or else… well, or else Oliver had no idea what he was supposed to do.

@coral-and-bones

It took a little bit for Val to open the door. They took one look at Oliver before shutting it again. And then reopening it. Val didn't seem relieved or frightened.

"Oliver?" Val asked, blinking at the man. "Oliver, what the hell- Where have you been?!" Xe initially smacked him in the chest lightly with their cane. The man looked- Well, he looked horrible. Worse than the last time they'd seen him, and that was saying something.

Val's expression shifted moment to moment. Disbelief. Frustration, almost anger. And then concern. Confusion. Back to concern. Then neutrality, not wanting to seem affected. They were worried. They wanted to make sure Oliver was okay, but- Damn this. Damn him.

It was hard not to feel guilty. He’d seen it coming, of course. He’d tried to stop it, too, in whatever ways he could that didn’t involve him getting put away for sounding insane. He’d checked so many times, tried to prevent it the best he could, had all of his dad’s medical records on hand-

But it still wasn’t enough. He’d seen the veins, and he’d seen the doctor’s face when he’d asked if his father was going to make it. “We don’t know yet,” She’d said. “Though heart attacks are often fatal.”

There was only pity in her expression. Not sorrow. He supposed, once you’d seen enough deaths, it was hard to scrounge up sadness for them all.

He’d known plenty of deaths, though. Maybe it was different when it was someone you knew. Maybe that could explain the hollowness in his chest.

He let out a breath, pulling out his phone. He needed a distraction, just- something. Anything to keep him from just- stewing in his thoughts.

He opened up the contacts on his phone, scrolling for a second, before he landed on a familiar contact. He hesitated for the briefest second, before clicking call. Maybe xe could help- at the very least, it would be nice to talk with them.

“Hey,” Oliver said when Val picked up, his voice beyond hoarse and breaking at the end.

@coroners-log

"Hey yourself." Val answers, a grin audible in their tone. It gave way to concern soon after. Oliver hadn't called xem in a little while, and he sounded... Well, he sounded horrible.

What made Oliver notice them, though, were the death vines crawling all along their body like veins. Not particularly special, either, but what really stood out was the fact that the vines looked almost… dead, in a way. This person should’ve been dead, but they weren’t.

It was just barely a second too late that Oliver realized he was staring, and quickly turned away, back to his task managing the crystals, praying desperately that the person hadn’t noticed him.

@coroners-log

Val was used to being stared at for various reasons. There was a reason they wore the gloves and the long sleeves, even in summer. Mostly little kids thinking they were a princess. The parasol didn't hurt, either. So, initially Oliver's less-than-fleeting glances weren't unseen.

However, after Val had found what xe was looking for, they decided to ask a question. A serious of questions, if needed. Val picked up a random vein of quartz and walked up to Oliver.

I've seen you're a necromancer, quite an interesting power of sorts to have. I've met one once, oh a hundred years ago. Nice woman she was.

Though it seems you're a double ended sword, you see the dead and you can bring them back? Interesting that is.

My name is Vivienne. I've lived since Sparta and I will live past your lifespan, as I have lived past the lifespan of everyone else.

I simply wished to say hello, to offer any assistance I can. I have had a few children who can see ghosts, other children with powers that people shunned.

I have a ghost who follows me, though I see her not. Her name is Kassandra. She's stubborn, she's followed me since her death, determined to see my life in it's entirety, to never leave my side.

Kindly and curiously,

Vivienne Athanisou

( @alive-immortal )

TO: [email protected] FROM: [email protected]

Hello, It's very nice to meet you, Vivienne. Yes, I am a necromancer, and a medium.

If you are asking for my help to banish Kassandra onto the next life, I am willing to help. If you wish to speak with her through me, I'm willing to do that, too.

If I am to bring Kassandra back to life in a new body, then we must discuss vessels.

And, on top of this, I am curious how you managed to live such a long life? To satisfy my own curiosity.

Thank you kindly,

You have received a randomly generated snack.

Please enjoy this: Lemon Magic Cake