"Pretty? Sure. Did I like them? Not really." He replied sheepishly. "I can find people physically attractive but not attractive, if that makes any sense to you. They had pretty faces but I couldn't ever like them. I'm… not exactly into the whole partying and sex and alcohol thing and they wanted a friend with benefit type of deal" He flushed even from the mentioning of it.
"I'm a lot more reserved. Not their type of guy, anyways. I'm not one to hookup or randomly kiss just anyone, like I said before." Jamie looked a little more sheepish than usual, like he was slightly ashamed of that fact.
"Probably why I'm still single, if I'm being honest." He chuckled lightly, glancing at her. "Anyways, what was it like when you were alive? I'm sure you got all the gentlemen."
"You've got standards, thats a good thing." Ember shrugged. She felt some relief at that, but the feeling was quickly replaced by disgust. She wanted him to have someone in his life. It would just make leaving easier.
"Me?" The Reaper actually laughed at that. "Most of my memories are still foggy, so I don't remember. But I can assure you that I didn't."
“Modest as always.” He teased, gently nudging her with his elbow. For a moment Jamie seemed to drift off.
“Do people date and stuff in the afterlife? Do reapers? Or just souls?” He asked suddenly, turning to look at her. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t thinking about what it’d be like with her.
Ember rolled her eyes. Modest, or just not being able to remember. She'd leave that decision up to Jamie.
"Dating?" If she recalled correctly, "yeah, Sometimes. But I've really only ever seen reapers date each other. Same goes for souls. Guess the whole being separated by the after life keeps them from mixing much." She shrugged again. "We get a few hundred years of serving. So unless we're close to finishing, I don't see why souls would date reapers. It would be as the living put it long distance." But probably more stressful.
Crawlers where slowly coming to rule to land of the dead. Getting to live in paradise while the one you loved lived in constant danger wouldn't be the most fun to think about.
“So those of us who die early have a chance? I think it’d be a lonely thing not to, wouldn’t it? I’d rather spend eternity with someone than be alone. Though I guess if you don’t want someone then that would be fine. Maybe some people like that idea of eternity to themselves?” At this point he was talking to no one in particular, lost in his own thought.
It was interrupted by the bus pulling up. He grinned and gently pulled her with him onto it. He payed for them both before finding a seat to sit down in.
“Either way, it’s an interesting thing to think about isn’t it? The land of the dead… I feel like I’ve cheated the system. How am I going to forget about it now?” He laughed gently, tapping on his leg with an anxious air.
Eternity alone would seem like a blessing. But for the past hundred or so years Ember had been stuck around souls that needed guidance. She didn't mind some, and had even come to call a few her friends. But most where annoying and had made her wish for a crawler to drag its self out of the shadows and rip her apart.
Jamie on the other hand? She enjoyed him. First impressions aside, he was a nice guy. Not the boring stick in the mud she'd originally written him off as.
Ember nugged his leg with hers once on the bus. "Maybe it's not best to talk about what happened around other living." She quietly whispered. There weren't many others on the bus, but one could never be to careful. "Besides, I'm sure you'll find some way to distract yourself. Or maybe forget again."
Jamie offered her a sheepish smile, nodding gently along to her words. “Ah… you’re right that wouldn’t be good for someone to overhear. I mean we probably could write it off as a book?” He replied, his voice just as quiet. He shrugged gently and crossed his hands in his lap.
“A distraction would be nice. At least for now… for the more recent happenings. It’s been a little too much for my brain to figure out.”
( I love constantly losing this 💀)
Ember nodded her head along to his words, quietly humming. She already felt safer as the bus began moveing along. Being in Jamie's apartment, she'd felt venerable. Almost like Audric could show up at any minute and just kill them both. Permanently this time. She shuddered.
"Leaving the figuring out to me." Surely the library would have something. And hopefully that something would be writen off as fictional that no one would really pay attention to. Heck even some old religion. Actually thinking about it, Ember was pretty sure there was a religion that worshiped death.
(😂 honestly mood. I’ve lost a few of my other rps glad to hear from ya, how are you?)
Jamie nodded, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. “We need to get off right before we hit Main Street. Don’t let me miss it.” He mused quietly, tilting his head slightly to peek at Ember’s face.
She looked tired.
“Sometime today I want you to get some sleep.” He added, his eyes closing once again. “You didn’t sleep at all last night and I don’t like that. You’re with me for now, which means you have to take care of yourself or I’ll aggressively care for you instead. As long as you’re living with me you’re going to have to look after yourself. It’s my turn to help you through this side of life.”
(I'm doing good! I've been making mushrooms outta hot glue for a wall in my room. I'll send a pic to the group chat when i finish. :) I've also managed to completely destroy my sleep schedule and make everyone around me question how I'm even alive rn 💀 how are you? :))
"Yeah i know i know," Ember grumbled.
In her defense she hadn't felt safe in Jamie's apartment, and she hadn't been completely trusting of Jamie's ability to fight Audric if he'd come for them. But then again, this was his side of the realm.
She'd have to put her faith in him at some point. Granted She'd probably have to be at the point of passing out, but still.
She kept her eyes peeled, looking out the grimey bus window. She still didn't feel entirely safe. But unless Audric was watching them, there would be no way of knowing where they were heading.
Audric surprisingly hadn't been watching. He'd waited hundreds of years, a few more days didn't mater to him. Why would it? He was immortal. Atleast in a sense.
Immortality was caused by death, death was caused by life. And to Audric it was all just one big loop. That was untill he'd found a way to brake that loop and get past a reapers ability to heal quickly. Simply kill them again, and again. Sure it'd taken a few test runs, and he'd gotten blood on his hands, but it was worth it.
It was worth it because he'd get to destroy Ember once and for all. Not to mention the pesky Soul. Audric still couldn't believe Jamie had refused his deal, and by running away too. Extremely rude.
Why would one even dare put their life on the line for a reaper they bearly knew? Unless…Audric didn't want to even believe such things. He was the only one who could love her. Even if it ment destroying anyone who challenged him.
((Also i have no idea what im doing anymore and am just throwing stuff out there. 💀))
(:00 YES SEND IT. I WANNA SEE MUSHROOM WALL. That’s so fuuuunnn. Honestly mood with the sleep schedule. And as for me, I’m doing alright. But I’m so pale that my aunt asked if I was sick or needed allergy meds. Nah, it’s just my eye bags XD)
Jamie smiled again, turning to watch out the window for the time being. The passing buildings seemed so much more vivid and real to him after dying and basically being traumatized into resurrection.
Maybe he had been a little too ignorant of his world when he was alive before. Maybe he should have paid more attention to the vivid colors and the large buildings and the curious people. Maybe he should have stayed home for college and helped his little brother learn and grow. Maybe he should have dated more.
None of it mattered much anymore as Jamie was certain he’d return to the land of the dead after they cleared it all up. He wouldn’t mind it much. Death wasn’t as bad as he had thought it would be. At least it had led him to Ember…
Ember.
He’d have to let her go eventually. She was from an entirely different life than him. She was a reaper and he was a soul. Regardless if his feelings he was sure she’d find her another reaper. It was like she said, they tended to stay in their group for any romantic relationships. Souls dated souls and reapers dated reapers. It was a sad thought.
Though he didn’t get long to ponder before the bus was rolling once again to a stop that he knew all too well.
“Here’s where we get off, let’s get going.” He hummed, smiling weakly at her.
(Letsss goooo THATS the best way to plot 😂 its the only way I know T^T I think as long as we stick towards the ideas of the reaper council/leader people finding Ember and Jamie and accusing them of treason or something and of Audric and the final battle with him and then the whole bittersweet ‘time to either live or go to the afterlife’ as well as the idea of ‘WAIT A MINUTE IM IN LOVE WITH THEM’ We should be good 😂)
(Uuugh, felt that. Whenever i take off my glasses people say i look dead. Thick rims for hiding eye bags lol. And yessss, i will keep all that in mind. I do plan on Ember realizing soon :))))
Ember jumped when Jamie announced they where at their stop. She had already been nodding off. She shot to her feet, trying to seem like she'd been completely aware this whole time.
Ember made her way off the bus. "Where to from here?" She'd honestly be lost with out Jamie.
When she'd gone looking for answers she'd been able to remember all the twists and turns, but she was to tired to remember that kinda stuff at the moment.
(Now I gotta go get glasses to hide my eye bags 😂 jk jk I usually just wear a variety of colors that make me look less pale or use filters when doing videos or self portraits. It does wonders. And as for the storyline: you can add or do whatever you’d like as well! Feel free to throw ideas out!)
Jamie watched her for a moment with curious eyes, slightly amused by the sudden way she had gotten up.
“Take a left. The library is right off this road, you’ll see it the second you turn.” He hummed, leading the way despite telling her the directions.
“It’s a nice place. I used to go there every other evening. The other evenings I’d spend my time in a cafe on campus. I hated going home unless I absolutely had to. I really should have settled for a roommate.” He laughed softly at himself, leading her across the street after they turned. A large, modern building with the label ‘LIBRARY’ sat between two office-type buildings. It looked as if the builders had tried to make the library look like a modern building before giving up halfway and adding random ancient architecture to the outside. It was square in shape, but the stone pillars that surrounded the building gave it a more interesting texture to look at. The doors were small, automatic ones that lead to larger, push doors. The inside was just like any other library; rows upon rows upon rows of shelves with the occasional group of desks and lines of computers.
Jamie led them to one of those computers, setting his stuff down and sighing softly as he took a seat in the office chair in front of the computer desk.
“You’re welcome to sit with me and look online or you can browse the shelves. I’ll be right here. I have to email my professors.”
(Dont be afraid to add your own stuff to the plot too! Also, On the note of glasses, I broke mine today 😭)
Ember didn't feel like admitting she had no idea how to work a computer. Let alone any other electronic. "I'll just browse the shelves for now." Besides sitting down would only let her relax, and she didn't feel like falling asleep in such a public place. Though maybe that could be a good thing.
Ember waved as she disappeared into the rows of shelves. She had one very specific topic she was searching for, and that was the oldest history she could find on religion.
It took the Reaper a good twenty minutes to find something that was loosely based around death. There was a whole chapter on the grim reaper, but it all seemed so far fetch.
They weren't cloaked in darkness, nor where they a walking skeleton. They where simply the first tragic death to have happened. Pale, yes. But it was just a thing that came with dying.
Ember continued skimming the pages, her attention catching on a footnote.
(Oh nooooo!!! How did you do thattt?? Also, seeing the Cool Kids Club totally reminded me that I haven’t been on Notebook in like two days XD XD glad I checked before the 2 hours turns into 2 weeks and also thannksss!!! There might be a few points here and there I might add for sweet little Jamie)
He waved goodbye to her with the soft parting words of ‘be safe, tell me if you find anything.’
Now Jamie was face to face with a computer screen, a deep internal dread making him sick to his stomach. He didn’t want to do school. He hated it really. And now he had to make up some excuse of why he wasn’t in class and why he wouldn’t be coming in for the next few days.
With a soft sigh and a muttered curse, Jamie opened the computer up and logged into his email and university page, writing up a generic email with the lame excuse that he was deathly sick and didn’t notify them sooner because he was delirious with fever. That would hopefully sate enough professors and maybe give them a reason to let him off the hook. Hopefully.
He hadn’t missed much thankfully, just a few small assignments that were easy to makeup and easier to submit.
He twirled in the chair for a moment as he read over a few assigned articles, puffing out his cheeks.
(Ahhh same thing lol. I saw the chat going and was like craaaaap.
I took them off bc the mask I was wearing didn't have a wire and they kept fogging up, and then I forgot they where in my pocket 😭 I can't get new one's until January either.)
There wasn't much to go off of, just a title to another book. Language of the dead.
Ember placed a finger in between the pages as to not lose the page and began looking for for it. She found it rather quickly and plucked the book from the shelves.
The book was old looking, but she assumed it was made to look that way. She flipped threw the pages, referencing the footnote from the first book. Sure enough it was close to what she was looking for.
A few things here and there that where right ir wrong. On one page they called the reapers realm limbo. On another they called it what it was, a realm between the living and dead.
Some of the details where terrifying correct, accompanied by illustrations that seemed just a bit to real.
"Nice to have a clue isn't it?"
Ember jumped, dropping the first book.
"Tell me, is your little soul here too," A wicked smile crossed Audric's face.
"Come any closer and I'll scream," Ember took a step back. The part of the library they where in was to secluded.
"Oh please, I just asked a question Ember. No need to get so defensive." He picked up the book she'd dropped and held it out to her.
"Well excuse me, but I think I have the right after everything you've done." Ember didn't take the bait. She needed to stay as far away from Audric as possible. Better yet, she needed to get away and get Jamie without making a scene.
"I'm not here to try and capture you two. Your beloved counsel will do that for me." Audric rolled his eyes as if she should have known that. "I'm just here to say, you should be keeping close to your friend."
Ember tensed. Run, her mind screamed it. But this was a chance to get answers. Find Jamie, but she had to many questions. Besides, what if in this moment she could ensure he got to live the rest of his life?
(Nooooooo! That’s a long time :( though I feel like I’d probably do the same thing tbh. I’m ditzy as heccckkk)
Poor Jamie was ignorant to the appearance of Audric. He was so lost in work and school he hardly noticed anything around him. But he did feel the dread pooling in his stomach.
He lifted his head to look around, wondering where Ember had gone. He was very familiar with the layout of the library but he wasn’t as familiar with Ember. He had no idea where she would end up.
He really regretted not going immediately to buy at least a cheap flip phone for them both. It probably wasn’t the best idea to be separated…
But he knew Ember was capable of handling situations. She was strong, smart. He admired that about her. So instead of getting up to immediately look for her, he decided to send an email to his boss and request time off. If he still felt the dread after, he’d go find Ember right away.
"Say, you wouldn't happen to know where a certain red head is now would you?" A woman slid into the seat next to jamie, a wide smile matching a scar on her throat, spread across her face. The reaper council had sent exactly 3 reapers after the two. Amelia, Austin, And Troy.
And it appeared that trailing Audric had led Amelia straight to the two traitors. She really did hope Austin and Troy where still on a wild goose chase. The one brain cell energy those two had…
"Or did she ditch ya? Embers always been a loner, wouldn't put it past her." She rested her head in her hand, eyes unblinking. "Also I wouldn't even try running if I where ya, wouldn't want to make a scene now would we?"
"What do you mean keep close?" Ember narrowed her eyes. Maybe if she threw Language of the dead at Audrics heads she could get away.
"I know that face Ember, you're planning something. Or did you forget i know you better than you know yourself?" Audric couldn't help the small hint of pride as doubt crossed Embers features.
"Just answer the question," her words where a growl.
"Fine fine. If you really must know." He took a step closer, she didn't scream like she'd threatened. Good. "I've grown tired of our little game. So i decided to invite some new friends to play with us. I led my good friend Amelia here, she's not as clever as she thinks she is. But she's dangerous nonetheless. The two idiots are elsewhere chasing their tails, but they'll prove useful too at some point. Not to mention the snall group of crawlers I dragged here, don't you remember them?" The growing horror on Embers face only delighted him further. She stunned.
"Leave Jamie alone, don't you dare hurt him." As much as she wanted to sound strong and unafraid…it was impossible.
"Oh I wont be the one hurting him."
Jaime jumped at the voice, turning to look at the woman sitting next to him. Everything about her felt wrong, and it wasn’t even the scar that was off putting. It was the way her cold eyes seemed to hold some sort of triumph.
“E-Ember’s not around.” He lied, narrowing his eyes at the woman as he closed out of the computer completely to give her his full attention. “Who are you…? What do you want?” He asked softly, sneaking a glance around. Hopefully Ember wouldn’t come back anytime soon.
"Shame." Amelias eyes flicked around. She didn't like that answer. "Well i guess the two bone heads can deal with her. Either way I get a reward." She ignored his questions completely. It would appear that was a typical reaper thing to do.
"Now will you be coming quietly or will i have to force you back to the land of the dead?" There was a hint of murdous intent in her gaze.
Jamie’s eyes lit up a little with some hope. Maybe she was here to fix what had happened. But that small murderous intent behind her eyes made him weary.
“I was going to go back willingly, but I’m not sure I want to go with you… you don’t happen to know an Audric do you?” He murmured wearily, glaring back at her.
“I won’t go if you’re with Audric. Anything that has to do with that murderer I don’t want.”
Amelia scoffed, "anything to cheet death huh?" She didn't believe Jamie at all. No one would go back to the land of the dead so willingly. Especially if they'd left in the first place.
"Audric is the reason we know about Embers little scam. She'll ruin the after life if we dont take care of her. Not to mention you who she dragged into this whole mess." Amelia moved quickly, placing her palm on Jamie's forehead where his mark of death had once been. The ground seemed to drop out from underneath them and in seconds the two where back in the reapers realm. But this time they where inside, and Amelia was on the other side of a glass wall grinning.
“I don’t want to cheat death. I have no idea what the hell even happened!” He growled defensively, his eyes flashing dangerously at the mention of Audric.
“He’s a liar! He’s the one who sent us back! He killed Ember when she was alive! He wants her dead!” His words fell on deaf ears, however, and he flinched when she moved.
The second he found himself behind the glass wall he panicked. This wasn’t right. Audric was the one who… what had he done!? He was just caught up in it all!
“Wait!! I’m telling the truth! I don’t understand what’s going on! I don’t know how we even got back to the land of the living! Ember doesn’t either! Neither of us know what’s going on!” He yelled, throwing all of his weight against the glass. Jamie knew it was pointless to try but he needed to find a way out.
"Oh so you do know where she is?" Amelias smile finally fell. "Make this easier on yourself, tell me where she is, and maybe I'll get to her before Audric. I mean, if he really is that bad you'd prefer me over him, right? My colleagues arent to nice either, we where given permission to do whatever it took." Amelia had no idea what Audric was up to. None of the reapers did. Not to mention she had no idea there was a way to permanently destry a soul.
“I’d rather die completely or have my soul damned to all eternity before letting Ember get hurt… I can’t do that to her.” He snapped back, growling.
“Ember had nothing to do with this. Audric and those creatures who listen to him are trying to destroy her soul. Permantly! Don’t waste your time on me, I’m willing to come back, hell I’m willing to be thrown into endless torment for whatever the hell happened that sent us back, but first I need to make sure Ember won’t be harmed or punished! It’s Audric who’s doing It all!”
