of future plans that won't go well...

[hardknoxlife]

D'you remember what I said four years ago about keeping my hands and fingers? So much for that, eh? Bloody liar... ended up losing a whole arm. Didn't I say this'd be a bad idea!? Though it's been four years since I first darkened your door. Not against you to forget.

[ And there's a huff. ]

And I know what you're planning. You can't make me fight him! I won't! You can't ruddy well make me!

[ Ron, you're acting like a kid. It'll have to happen eventually. ]

No!

[ But he deflates, exhaling. ]

...Knowing you though, you'll prolly put it off as long as possible, won't you?

Comments

[jocularly]

Ye have my sympathies, Ronald.

[diehardreaper]

You're a good man, Joker.

[ Clapping a hand on his shoulder. ]

[jocularly]

I try, but I hate that happened to ye. [He sighs and tilts his head.] Are ye thinkin' bout a prosthetic?

[diehardreaper]

He didn't see it coming, I didn't see it coming. Led to interesting circumstances, nontheless.

[ And a grin back. ]

Ah, prolly not. I dunno. Just when I'd gotten used to it! You though! You're doing fine, ent you?

Half asleep tag ftw.

[jocularly]

I'm glad yer takin' it so well. [His eyes widen and he flushes.] I can't complain. Got meself a new arm, but Shun's vultures keep tryin' to take it from me.

XD no worries m8!

[diehardreaper]

Bloody hell mate... it's a wonder they haven't made off with it yet!

[ Good job you got him to chuckle. ]

We've asked about getting my arm back. Doesn't look likely but no skin off my nose. It's become a bit of a charm point, methinks.

<3

[jocularly]

I've been vigilant! There's a little one I've been feedin' by hand and she's the one I worry bout most.

[She's cute for a vulture too, which almost disarms him. ALL THE PUNS INTENDED.]

I think it makes ye very charming!

<33

[diehardreaper]

Bully for you then. They're a feisty sort of bird.

[ Arm puns. The only puns that come in handy when dealing with the dismembered. But back to business. We don't have to shoulder these bad jokes on our own. ]

M'glad you think so! Takes a while to do certain things but there's always asking for small favors on the side. And I've managed to find someone more'n willing to help. He's... fairly sweet that way.

[starlightforesight]

My my... It seems like the stars don't even need to align against you, your Mun is taking your destiny into their own hands!

[diehardreaper]

Then I'm taking me own destiny back, thanks. It's complicated enough without him nosing about.

[starlightforesight]

You sound confident in your ability to do that. For your sake I hope it's as easy as that~ [A laugh.]

[diehardreaper]

Course it isn't. But I'm at that age, after all. M'sure he wouldn't mind a bit of rebellion.

[ Grinning right back. He refuses to stay miserable for long. ]

Besides. He's on my side. We'll defy destiny together -- or summat. But tell me though, friend, what d'you think of the inevitable?

[starlightforesight]

Well given my profession, belief in destiny to a certain extent comes with the territory, you know? The celestial bodies map out a lot for us all, you just have to know how to listen to them.

Ah... Maybe not for you, of course. But for normal people.

[diehardreaper]

Yeah, we're a bit of a special case, the lads and myself. Wouldn't blame you if you'd deem any of our lot as the unreadable sort.

So that's just humans then? The only kind the stars can see and things?

[starlightforesight]

Oh, don't get the wrong idea! I can still see things about you. The stars just do not offer you or... Those like you any protection. Even their light cannot pierce to where you've passed.

[He pokes Ronald lightly in the chest, smiling.]

[diehardreaper]

S'not surprising, if you ask me. We're a bit out of reach, the lads and I. But bugger me backwards, I wasn't expecting you'd actually see something.

[ And a grin back. ]

Anything I should be on the lookout for then?

[redcinemareel]

..what exactly is going on?!

[Losing an arm?! HOW??]

[diehardreaper]

If you mean the bit about losing me arm, that happened a while back. S'just reminded of the fact I'd warned him about having to lose it the first time I ever darkened his doorway!

[ There's a small sheepish grin as he scratches his cheek. ]

If you mean the bit about getting into a row with someone who I refuse to row with, that's a whole other story, Miz Sutcliffe.

[redcinemareel]

[She still looks uneasy at hearing that. Not much can harm reapers like them. Just what sort of setting is he in?

But instead of asking about it, another question comes up.]

Did it grow back? [...that's not how arms work, Grell.]

[diehardreaper]

[ !! What even is that question?! ]

It ruddy well did not grow back! M'not a bloody starfish!

[ And deflating. ]

I've gotten used to not having it, anyroad. Gone from major problem to minor inconvenience during the course of a few months.

[redcinemareel]

[EVERY PLACE IS DIFFERENT OKAY? She had to make sure!]

Yes, that is clear. [Way to make her feel small, Ronnie!]

You haven't received a prosthetic?

[diehardreaper]

Let's just say I haven't asked for one.

[ Sheepish little grin here. Really, senpai he didn't mean to get defensive... ]

Leads to a bit of attention I've come to appreciate. Can't fault a lad if he's started to enjoy a cute thing opening his tea bottles every now and then without being asked.

[redcinemareel]

[Grell is both appalled and amused and proud of this.

So she settles for hitting him on the arm he has. Hard.]

What a cad! Playing with emotions to get what you want?!

[Finally, a grin appears on her face.]

I couldn't have taught you better!

[diehardreaper]

Hardly playing with emotions, mind! Poor lad's just got a bleeding heart, is all. And he just did it without me prompting. The other one was a doctor, the one what's taken care of the thing while it was still on the mend. Didn't have much of a choice there either.

[ As much as he'd been loathe to admit it, that sweet little gesture did make his heart skip a beat or four - figuratively, of course. ]

Always did say I was a quick study, didn't I?