pets
Thatcher’s gaze shifted to the cut Zephyr’s skin. He wondered what that was from. But he couldn’t be curious about someone else at the moment, he had to think of himself and his own well-being at the moment. “It’s possible, but it requires a whole different spell and such. I wouldn’t trust that book of yours, either,” he explained in a low tone, brows furrowed.
The book in question was leaning against the roots of a nearby oak tree. Zephyr frowned and went to go pick it up, flicking through the pages. "Y'know, I'm not exactly sure where I got this book. All o know was that I was on the rooftop patio of my apartment and when I was coming down, I had it." He murmured, more to himself than the reaper. "I can try to send you back if you would like to go, I can find another way to solve my problems." He said, a crooked smile on his face as he turned around to face the reaper.
pets
Thatcher’s eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed to be confused in a way. “Why would you do such a thing? And what are these problems that you speak of?” he asked. There was a deep howl heard in the distance and he looked in the direction of where the sound came from. The corners of his lips quirked up in the slightest. “There she is…” he mumbled quietly to himself. He was impressed with her intelligence and how quickly she picked up on his scent.
Zephyr followed his gaze but couldn't see anything, he heard howling but passed it off as a wolf. "You can probably tell I am not a native of those country. I am a transfer student who cane here under the premise of getting a good education so I can bring my sister here to get a good education. But in a city such as this, you will be judged and bullied for everything you do." He said, smiling sadly. "Any work I do in class is mysteriously taken away and the instructors are not able to do anything. At work, I don't get enough customers or tips so I have to work at a second job. Basic struggles but it's unfair. My home is not in a nice place and so it is common that I recieve a bruising or four a couple times a week." Zephyr brushed the cover of the book and put it in his bag, moving around his assignments to fit it.
"I hate being forced to do things for people especially if I do not want to do it one bit. I would never force anyone to do anything for me." He chuckled softly, "especially not anyone of you power." Zephyr slung the bag over his shoulder and dug his hands in his pockets. "How can I send you away? The quicker I do this, the quicker I can get to solving this issue." He looked at him curiously, pushing his glasses up.
pets
Thatcher’s head tilted as he listened to Zephyr’s story about his life. Zephyr seemed so pure… Reapers were practically made to protect people like that from persecutors. All to make the world a better place.
“All of that and you would still prefer to send me back to where I came from and try to figure out your impossible issues… How kind of you,” he drawled, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’ll cut you a deal, hm? Because you seem so helpless to me, I’ll lend you a hand. Only because you obviously need it and because of the moral compass is Reapers are supposed to follow. But you need to let me out of this thing,” he said, motioning down at the sigil that needs to be broken in some way.
(I feel I may have made Zephyr a little too pure. Is that a problem? I can change him up a bit because he is still a new character and doesnt have that much of a bio)
"Hmm? What kind of deal?" He asked, blinking curiously. "Would it harm you in any way? I dont want you to do anything if you feel pressured to do so." He rambled, running a hand through his messy hair.
pets
(That’s not a problem at all! but if you want to switch it up you can)
Thatcher clicked his tongue softly. “I’ll help you. But you’ll listen to me. Those people who have wronged you? By bringing me here, you understand that they are going to die by my hand. Are you prepared to accept that, Zephyr?” he asked. His head tilted to the side slightly. “After my help, you must release me immediately. Use the spell and break the bond. The only reason I have offered to comply by my will is because your soul is good.”
"Is there a way to solve this that doesn't involve them dying?" Zephyr asked, a little tentative about agreeing to a horrid deal such as this
pets
Thatcher shook his head. “No. I would say mortally wound or scare them, but that would be exposing the Reapers and that is unlawful. You should have known the consequences and terms of binding me to you before you did so. You’re lucky that I am even willing to offer my help. Accept that rare deal or cut me free from this,” he stated. His arms crossed over his chest as his brows raised, impatient for a decision.
"Well, it's better than nothing." He remarked, bringing out the book and flipping through the pages once more. "I accept your offer." He said, not looking up from the book
pets
Thatcher nodded his head with a soft huff. “Very well. You need to break this sigil for me to even begin to start helping you,” he stated in a level tone, motioning to the markings around him on the ground. His eyes narrowed at Zephyr when he seemed to be lying little attention. How did he appear to be so calm at the moment? Didn’t the mortal know what he was getting himself into?
(I just realized something XD, Zephyr is the type of person you scream at in horror movies 😂😂)
Zephyr looked up and fixed his glasses once more. "Hmm? Oh, sorry." He muttered and erased part of the markings to let the reaper out. "I was just reading up on Reapers but there isnt much info." He frowned
pets
(omgg lmaoo i love that sm)
“Of course there isn’t much info,” Thatcher stated as he stepped out of the sigil. “Reapers have been around since the beginning of the world, but we are a secretive and introverted species. Most of us prefer to live in solitude and do our jobs, myself included.”
"Interesting, so does that mean there are other magical creatures such as fairies and witches?" He asked. Zephyr closed his book and pointed. "I live that way if you will be staying with me." He stated and out the book back in his bag.
pets
“Of course there are. They are in all of your urban legends and stories,” Thatcher started. “So are us Reapers, but most things in those stories are made up and purely imaginative.” He looked over at Zephyr. “That would be how it goes, yes. I have to stay by you. Though we should have some more company..”
There was another howl, though it was closer this time. It didn’t sound quite like a normal wolf or dog. It was much more deafening and doom-like. Almost like a bad omen.
"What is that? It was far away but it seems to be far more closer now." Zephyr said, looking around in a panic.
pets
Thatcher chuckled in a deep tone as he looked in the direction it came from. “My hound. She’s almost here,” he started. “You’ve heard of hellhounds, haven’t you? Those three headed, dog-like beasts that protect the gates of Hades’ Underworld. Well, in my younger years I found what would be a runt of a new litter. That’s her, my young Nike.”
"Your young Nike? Is she like your child or something?" He asked, pushing his ever-falling glasses up the bridge of his nose once again. "I have heard of hell hounds but I didn't know they all had three heads, I assumed Cerberus were special." He geinned
pets
Thatcher shrugged his shoulders. “Something like that. Sometimes I see her as a daughter, other times a little sister. Either way, I’m her caretaker,” he stated. He looked over at Zephyr at the Cerberus comment. “Oh no, it’s deeper than that. Most hellhounds have three heads. Cerberus is just the most well known and first noted hound.”
"The more you know…" Zephyr trailed off. He looked in the directions of some.bushes and felt there was someone, or something, watching him from there. "Hello?" He called out, unconsciously shifting closer to the reaper.
pets
Thatcher’s brows furrowed at the noise. He didn’t think it was Nike. She was quick, but not that quick. He brandished his scythe, the ribbon like shadow coming from his tattoo, wrapping up his arm and hand and forming into the tall weapon. He stood straight, keeping his body relaxed in case of a combative situation.
A figure slowly emerged from the bushes and Zephyr realized that it was a dog. It was limping and whined when it came to Zephyr. "Hey there pup." He called. The dog came over and lifted its foot, a thorn stuck in it. Few minutes later, the thorn was out and it was jumping around.
pets
Thatcher lowered his tensed shoulders a tad when he saw the dog bound out of the bushes. He put his scythe away and looked down at the dog. He gave a deep him before crouching down to give the dog’s head a gentle pat.
"I'm assuming this isn't Nike." He grinned, looking at the dog who was now studying them with its head tilted. "Considering this one only has one head." Zephyr stood up and leaned against a tree. He was ready to leave but guessed that the reaper wouldn't leave without his assumed daughter.
pets
Thatcher nodded and stood up straight. “Of course it’s not her,” he hummed deeply, clicking his tongue softly. Maybe she was having some trouble. He made a sharp, loud whistle before going quiet again. After a moment, there was rustling in the brush nearby and a girl with dark skin, curly, thick black hair, and chocolate brown eyes can bursting out into the clearing, running to Thatcher immediately. She couldn’t have been more than 13 years old, so she was quite young seeming.
“Thatcher!” Nike cried, hugging onto his legs tightly when she reached him, sobbing softly as she clung to him. “You just disappeared, I didn’t know what happened!”
Thatcher tilted his head a tad before crouching down to her level. His lips brushed her forehead gently and he wiped her tears off of her cheeks with his fingers. “I know, I’m sorry about that. I couldn’t control what happened.”
“I just want to go back home, we’re outside the Sector,” Nike sniffed, wiping at her runny nose.
“We will soon. We just have to do a couple things very quickly and then we can,” he reassured her, tucking strands of her long hair behind her ears.
Zephyr stood there awkwardly, rubbing his arm. He ran a hand through his hair and took a step back before waving. "Um, hello?" He called, a half smile making it's way on his face.
pets
Thatcher wiped Nike’s cheeks free of tears and she sniffles softly until they stopped. When Zephyr spoke up, Thatcher stood, a hand on Nike’s shoulder as she looked at him suspiciously. “Who’s that?” she asked.
“That is Zephyr. We’re going to be staying with him for a little bit,” he told her, and her eyes seemed to light up as she smiled.
“Do you have an actual house?!” she exclaimed.
"Yeah, all the campus dorms were full when I got accepted so they put me in a small but cozy house. There is an extra bedroom in there so you can have your own room." Zephyr smiled at Nike and gestured. "Its not too far from here. Just a short 10-15 minute walk."
pets
Nike grinned happily at that. “So no more of that stupid, disgusting motel,” she confirmed to herself.
“Thank the gods for that,” Thatcher breathed. He looked away from Nike and back to Zephyr with raised brows. “Go on ahead and lead the way, then. We’ll follow behind.”
After speaking, he bent over and reached down, lifting Nike into his arms and shifting her so she could be on his back with her arms around his neck. She seemed to cling to him happily, and he was thankful that she was still light. It was better than trying to carry her enormous body of pure muscle when in her hound form.
True to his word, the house was a short distance away. Zephyr quickly unlocked the door and opened the lights before taking off his shoes and gesturing. "The empty room is there. I only have sleeping bags though so if you want the bed, you can take mine. Welcome to my home." He shrugged, walking into the kitchen to make a sandwich. "Do you eat? I'm making a ham sandwich. Want one?"
