forum "One does not simply love a death god." "Really? But you make it so easy." (Reboot) (O/O) (MATURE)

Started October 28, 2020 by @Vuclan-is-tired

tune

He smiles sadly. "Yes… seeing the many children die so soon…" He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. It was always distressing to see people die so young. He glances up and smiles slowly. "Sure. If you'd like me to." He wasn't really used to people asking him to call them by a nickname. Preferred name, sure. He smiles a little and stretches a little bit. "Alright… Cai…" He tried the name on his tongue before converting it to memory. "It's what you prefer, so I don't see it as unprofessional." He stacks a few more papers for the other to do. "I'm surprised that you're finished this quickly. But here you are." He smiles gently and places them on the desk. He gets back to work and sighs quietly as he does so. He makes sure to go through each paper with care.

Cai really didn't like paper work at all, although at the centre he was always the one who was stuck doing it. So he had decided that if he did it as quickly as possible while doing things correctly, he would soon be done with it. He smiled a bit when the god used his nickname, or what the boy sort of considered to be his actual name. "Thank you, Mr. Kuro." He said with a happy smile, before lowering his head down to his work, now focusing on the paper work once more. I wonder how much more of this there this? And what happens if we finish with this? Will I be given a new assignment or will I continue working under him? Meh, I can figure that kind of stuff out later, like when it actually happens, I guess. He thought as he thumbed through another file.

Paperwork was a chore, but it needed to be done. Kuro was always so careful and gentle with the files, reading over cause of death before writing things down. Kuro seemed like such a gentle god. So soft and kind. He smiled at the other, "Of course, Cai. Please let me know if there's anything else you need." His eyes soften slightly before he gets back to work. He worked quietly, his pen scratching away at paper, his onyx eyes focused on the paper. Even when a cat came in and settled on his lap, he kept working. Finally, when it was in the later afternoon, the paperwork stopped and he stood. "Alright. Cai, care to come with me?" He chuckles softly and grabs a jacket that was next to his desk. He waves his hand and a jacket appears beside Cai. He didn't necessarily wait, but moved along in the halls at a pace where Cai could keep up. After a few minutes of walking through halls they come to the outside. The mansion loomed behind them, and they gazed out to a field of glowing blue lillies. "Souls. Each and every one of them. Come with me." He says gently.

Cai was glad for the break and pulled the jacket on as he followed the god out of the mansion. Wow… so this was the field that he was taking about. It was beautiful, in an odd sort of way, and in his opinion rather unsettling to think that the flowers were souls. So, I guess that's what happens when you die? He thought with a wry smile, following the god. As they walked, he kept his gaze on the flowers, trying to enjoy them a little bit, after all, it was a gorgeous sight to behold, like those pink salt lakes he had seen once as a child, but as far as he knew, there weren't any souls in the lake, just salt. But he tried to just keep his mind off that, as he hurried to keep up with the god. As he walked, he began to study the god a little bit, and he was just well, sort of confused.How could anyone really fear this man? He had heard some of the other servants talking about him, saying that he was a monster hiding behind a calm exterior, but Cai really couldn't believe that, the god seemed so sweet and nice, that the boy just wondered where any of those rumors came from. Of course the idea of death is scary, it is death, but not the god himself, he shouldn't be scary to anyone…

The field and the garden are two very different things. So Kuro made sure to call this place the fields, since he was technically harvesting souls. "When a soul dies, they are sent here." He murmured quietly as he walked. "Their files are handled while they bloom. This is a resting stage for a soul. Strengthen them for the underworld, or their chosen realm." He smiles sadly. "Then, when their flower is fully bloomed, I harvest their souls and send them off to Justice, where she determines if you go down, up, or stay in the middle." He smiles softly, gently touching a flower. It curled into his grip, as if eager to be taken. "Not yet…" He murmured gently. "But soon. Rest." The flower slowly let go of his hand. He smiled and moved on. It was a peaceful place, albeit a little chilly. They stop at a small shed that held a few baskets, as well as gardening tools. "Here we are." He offers a basket to the other. "You can help if you want or just watch." He explains kindly. He takes a basket for himself before wandering to the back fields. "Flowers are moved based on how far into bloom they are." He explains gently. "These are the souls that are ready to harvest."

"Oh, so that's what this is?" He said glancing at the flowers, they really were beautiful, but he wasn't sure if wanted to help just yet. The boy wasn't sure if he was comfortable yet, to handle these souls, he just didn't to mess anything up and put the wrong soul into one of the harvest baskets. But after a little bit, he moved into the shed and picked up a small basket, walking towards the fields. He had watched the man collect the flowers for a little bit, then moved, copying the man's actions, picking the flowers that were in full bloom, or ones that were in bloom. "Is this right?" He said with a slight smile, hoping that he was doing it as the god wanted it to be done. Once he was sure he was doing it right though, he began to just sort of well, enjoy the work he was doing, if that makes sense. It was sort of peaceful job, other than the fact that these souls, although eager or not to be harvested would soon be facing justice, one of the more powerful goddesses, and she would be deciding their fates. What if someone gets sent down, does that mean that they come back here? Or is there like a lower more bad place for those people? Or in reality, are any of these places relatively good or bad. Like is a "bad person" goes up to one of the "good places" would they even be able to enjoy the fact that they made it up there, since they're just in shock of…Okay, you need to stop asking yourself so many questions and just back to work, the faster you finish this up you can go back to the manor where it's nice and warm.

He nods at the question. "Yes. Each of these flowers are souls. Usually I handle this part since most of the others don't enjoy being out here. Especially when handling the more… violent deaths." He sighed quietly. Murder, rape, suicide, accidents, those were the ones that usually hurt people the most. He worked quietly and carefully, at some points when a flower was picked, images would flash, or a soul would appear. Kuro would spend a moment to gently console the ones that were crying, or calm the ones that were angered. He was so gentle as he worked, humming a soft tune as he does so. He smiled when the other joined him. The job had a rhythmic feel to it, slow, peaceful, calm. Each of these souls would be sent to be tried and then sent to their afterworld. It was a slow and steady thing, but it was comforting. When the temperature began to drop once again, Kuro slowly stands. "Let's get these to the chambers and then you can rest for the evening." He smiled kindly. "You worked hard today. I'm grateful. If you have any questions regarding this, you're more than welcome to ask." He smiles softly and offers the other his hand. Today had been a good day. It was nice having someone working with him. He had been doing this for centuries, alone, in the cold, harvesting souls and preparing them for their journey.

"I can understand that, it is sort of hard handling death in the mortal realm, or the alive realm, I'm not sure what you call it, but I guess to think that well death is just you know, well. I guess that I figured that once you died, you'd be at peace. Even if your death was horrific, you'd still be at peace in the end, because well, it was over, and you'd finally be able to just relax and be at peace with the world. But-" He jumped as one of the flowers he picked let out a soul that was sobbing. Oh gods, what do I do? He gently just took the soul into a hug or at least tried to, as he began to murmur calming words to them. After a few moments, the soul seemed to be calmed and faded away, as Cai placed the flower into the basket. Once the god said that they'd be able to go in, Cai let out a grin. He didn't mind the work, in fact, he enjoyed it, but it was oh so cold. He took the god's hand as they walked back towards the chambers. "it's no problem, really, I actually enjoy it a little." He said looking up at the taller being. The boy was looking forward to just warm up once they got back to the manor, maybe taking a nice warm bath or something.

"We call it the Mortal realm." He smiled a little bit, "Or 'The Living' if we don't feel like calling it the mortal realm." He smiled a little bit and sighed softly. "Usually, people are at peace when they first die. That is what these flowers are. They rest until they are harvested so that they have strength for judgement. They know nothing but peace until their time has come to be harvested." He hummed quietly and smiled softly. "And after trail, they may know peace or face their consequences." he shrugs slowly. He was pleased to see that Cai got a handle on his job rather quickly, smiling to himself as he worked. "There are many death gods. We all work together to keep this place going. Each of us have our own different ways, different realms, and different pantheons. However… I usually get the ones that do not believe in an underworld, or have died in some horrific way. That is why they are sent to Justice when I am done harvesting them." He hums as he stands, stretching a little before walking beside Cai back into the mansion. "I'm glad that you enjoyed it." He murmured quietly. It was odd for someone to enjoy the garden work. "Please go and rest. I need to deliver these." He smiled and takes both baskets gently before walking down the hallways and towards where the garden was.

Cai nodded, handing the other man the basket, walking towards his own room. When he got to his room, he saw that his meal had been placed outside out of his door, picking it up and taking it into his bedroom. Throughout the first few days of his day, he had begun to somewhat decorate the room to his tastes. Although he really liked the simple style that it had been made to fit before, he had added to move some things around and had taken out some pictures of his family. He placed the food onto one of his smaller tables and sat down slowly eating a little as he opened one of his books. But as he ate, he looked towards one of the pictures, and just let out a sad sigh. It was the picture of him and Chry after she had just been proposed too. She was just so happy, but well, he could only hope that he would be there to see her be married, to see her on that one special day. Nope, you're not going to cry, maybe Kuro will let you have those days off so you can see her, so you can be there for her. And besides, it's a year away, I'm sure that things will be all worked out by that point. After he finished eating, he picked up his plate and tray and placed it outside his door as he had seen some of the other servants do the nights before. As he started closing the door he saw the cat from before, "Nyx, what are you doing down here? So far away from Mr. Kuro?" He said, gently scratching the black cat's head. "Did you come to pay me a visit?" The cat meowed as if to say yes, "Well, that's rather sweet of you, come on in." He said as he closed the door behind them. As the dryad played with the cat a bit, it felt like he had gone home, and was spending time with his own kitten Tonto, and the feelings of hopelessness from before seemed to wash away.

He took the basket quietly, nodding in thanks as he walked away. He wandered down the halls, humming quietly to himself as he passed many halls and doorways. He came to the garden door, slowly opening it. The garden was his place of peace. Of comfort. Justice sat there quietly, as she always does. Her blindfold over her eyes, the silent tears running down her cheeks. She glances up silently as he entered. He sighed and walked to her side, setting a silent hand on her shoulder. She kept quiet, like she always was unless she was in the process of judging ones soul. He walks toward the back of the garden and places the baskets in a box like thing that quickly disappeared. He tends to the gardens slowly, taking his time. This was his safe place. Justice's safe place. This was all he really had that he could hold close to himself. Plants… plants were gentle things, if you tended to them right. Deadly, sure. But many were beautiful, and calming and it just… made him feel better. Gardening always managed to calm his mind.
The cat mewed softly, sensing his grief, curling closer to him. She licked at his hands, winding around him and playing with him. She was pleased, her eyes shutting as she curled closer to the dryad, trying her hardest to comfort him and distract him temporarily from his stress and sadness.

Cai just smiled, or tried to as the cat curled up against him. "You seem to know how I feel, don't you Nyx?" He said with a sigh, sitting down on the floor. "You know, you remind me so much of my own cat Tonto." He said with a sigh, rubbing the cat's head. "It's just weird, I don't understand all of this. I mean, I like it here, but it's not my home, I don't want to stay here, I mean, not because of anyone here, but well, I miss my home, I want to go back to my home, to be with my family." He sighed, shaking his head. "It's just upsetting, my sister's going to be getting married soon, and there's my centre, and well that's my life, that was my job." Cai looked down at the cat, a sad smile on his face. "That meant the world to me, but I have to give it up for ten years, to live here. It could always be worse I guess, I mean Kuro could always be that evil death god he's portrayed to be, but he isn't, he's actually nice, but that doesn't mean anything, it just, well, it's just not my home and I can't even go home without always having to come back." He just grumbled a little shaking his head, "Well, I don't even think I'm making sense, am I? I just, well, nothing makes sense anymore. But I'm sure that I'm not the only person to feel this way, but I just feel terrible, and sort of alone.."

Nyx meowed softly, nuzzling into his hands and rolling over. She purred quietly, her tail flickering as she received the attention. She tilts her head in understanding and leans into his hands. If she had the ability to speak, she would have.
Amity made it to Cai's room to drop off his washed and folded clothes. "You can ask him." She says simply as she knocks on his door, opening it as she sets his things on his bed. She usually did this, entering without much of a warning. She was an interesting girl. She hummed and smiled at him. "Kuro is an understanding god. He's not at merciless as his servants as many of them say. " She glances down at Nyx, who mewled softly and curled closer to Cai. She sighed. "Technically speaking, most of the cats aren't allowed into the rooms since they get attached to the servants… But seeing as you're going through some stuff, I'll let it pass for now." She waved her hand before leaving.

"Gee thanks for knocking," he mumbled before standing up and putting the clothes away, "He's said, but the thing is, I'm sort of scared to go back, to see if my family is still the same or how things have changed. I mean I really do want to see Chryseis get married, but well I wouldn't want to leave, and knowing that I'd have to would make things harder for me." He moved back to the floor, gently petting Nyx once more, "Thank you Amity." He said as he watched her leave, "I guess you can't come around too often Nyx, I mean, if you'd want too, then sure, but well, I don't want to get in trouble for breaking the rules, and I don't think you'd want to either."

(Sorry about that. Friend came over.)

Amity laughs quietly and smiles gently. Her eyes soften and she sighs, shaking her head. "Cai, please understand something. I had the same fears as you do… But I regret not choosing to go and see my family." She murmured sadly. "But it will give you a sense of peace." She smiled, patting his shoulder. "I would… I would recommend you talking to Kuro about it. He's a good man… God? He's understanding." She smiles. "Of course." She shut the door quietly behind her.
Nyx watched her leave as well, her tail flicking back and forth in a pleased manner before mewling quietly and leaning into his hands. She didn't seem intent on leaving, rather just stay in his room, beside him and relax.

(It's fine, you don't have to apologize))

"Oh, well…" He said with a sigh, shaking his head a little bit. "I-I, alright… I guess that you're right, I just, it's sort of hard to handle this sort of thing?" Cai sighed as he watched her walk away, looking back down at Nyx once more. "Hhm, I guess you just don't care for the rules?" He said with a chuckle, petting the cat a little bit as he leaned against his bed, "Won't Kuro miss you?"

The small cat simply leaned into Cai, purring softly as she was pet. She seemed content, curling up in his lap and shutting her eyes as she let him pet her. She seemed content at the attention, her tail flicking back and forth.
Kuro, as usual, wandered the halls when the servants went to bed. It almost seemed like a habit now. A glass of wine in his hands, his night robes flowing and whispering against the floor, a tired and defeated look on his face. The eerie light shone through the windows, highlighting his skin. his dark obsidian eyes scanned the empty hallways and at that moment. He could not feel more alone. The manor was always filled with people, but they were resting now. Besides, most if not all of the servants were scared of him in some way or another.

After a little bit longer, Cayenne stood up, picking up the cat. "Nyx, we can't break the rules so soon. You know can always visit me whenever you'd like, but not right now." He said with a sigh, as he walked out of the room. "Let's give you back to Kuro, and then if you ever want to see me again, you can come and visit me whenever you'd like." He said with a sigh, gently stroking the cat. As he walked down the halls, looking for the god, he could hear him walking down the halls. Then after a few moments, he nearly ran into him. "Oh, uhm, hello, I was just-uhm, I thought that maybe you'd like to well." He stammered a little bit, looking up at him, scanning this man. "Are you alright sir?"

Nyx meowed in protest before letting Cai carry her. Her tail flicked back and forth as she was carried her eyes scanning the hallways. She purred quietly the closer they got to Kuro. Kuro jumps and waves his wine away before turning his attention to Cai. "Goodness, I didn't expect you out here." He clutched his chest and laughed a little bit before smiling a little bit. "I'm… I'm alright. Why are you- oh. Nyx are you bothering Cai?" The cat mewed slowly before leaping out of Cai's arms and wandering to Kuro's side. He picks her up and she settles in his arms. He laughs softly and smiled gently. "I'm guessing she wandered to you room?" He laughed quietly. "She gets attached rather easily."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you at all, n-no, she's not bothering me at all, she was actually being such a sweetheart, but I didn't want to break the rules or get her in trouble, so I just decided to find her and give her back to you." He studied the god once more, just trying to figure out why, well why he just got this slightly odd aura from him, almost a somewhat lonely, sad one,. "And well, you just seem sort of sad, and well you're all alone? Would you like someone to join you?" He knew that the god scared the other servants, but why? Who could be scared of such a sweet person?

Kuro gazed at Nyx for a moment and sighed quietly, a small smile on his lips. "I'm actually rather glad she's bonding with someone. She's not usually one to wander far from the others.' He hummed and glanced over at Cai, his eyes gentle. "As long as you're okay with her visiting, I see no issue with her being in your room." He explains kindly. "Thank you, however, for bringing her back to me. I was starting to get worried." He laughs gently into his hand. He noticed that Cai seemed to be analyzing him and he gave a soft sigh, his eyes shutting for a moment before he fully relaxed. "Hm… Having someone accompany me would be nice, but I'm sure you're exhausted from you day of work." Kuro gently pets Nyx and she mewls in agreement. He didn't deny being sad, simply because it was true. Who wouldn't be sad when they were constantly surrounded by death and people that feared him.

Cai smiled, trying to hide his slight shock, "O-oh really? That'd be nice, but I was under the impression that she wouldn't be allowed to come by since she would get attached, at least I think that's what Amity said." He said trying to make it seem as though he hadn't been staring. "Oh, I wouldn't mind, I'm rather used to staying late." He said with a shrug, "I mean, if you'd like me to join you though, I'll be alright."

Kuro shook his head. "I'm actually glad she's exploring." He chuckles softly. "It's the other cats that I'm worried about." He shrugged a little bit and smiled. "They tend to mess up rooms. Nyx is rather relaxed." He hummed and rubbed his fingers through her fur. It was always calming to him. He glances at the other curiously before smiling gently. "I suppose you could join me. I'm not opposed to company."

"Oh, that must be rough, I'm sure that you've probably gotten complaints on that before, but I don't really mind, back at home my kitten Tonto was almost just like Nyx, just a little bit more interested in exploring." The dryad sighed thinking about him, "Well anyways, why are you up so late? I know god's don't do a lot of stuff we mortals do, but I always thought that you guys would at least sleep." He tried to laugh a little bit about that, but it sort of just died out. "Are you alright though, I mean, it's not good to be alone, I think, I mean you'd probably know more about that though."

He chuckles. "Yes. My cats are very interested in exploring and making messes. Except for Nyx of course. Such a tender little thing. I found her dying on the roadside in the living realm." He sighed sadly and she mewled leaning into him, nudging his cheek gently. He leans into it for a moment before smiling. "Tonto, hm? Such a sweet little rascal." He hums in fondness. Cats were his sacred animal, as well as snakes. So he was aware of most of them. He hummed quietly, "Sleep has never been a strength of mine." he sighed sadly. "You would think a death god would sleep like someone who was well… dead. But sleep never comes easily. So I spend my nights wandering the halls. Sometimes I can get little cat naps in." He glanced at the other and smiled gently. "You're more than welcome to join me."

Cai chuckled a little bit, smiling as the two walked along. "I just miss Tonto a lot, I wish I could've brought him, but well, I was told that we weren't allowed to bring pets, which is fair, but I miss him. I think you would've- wait, you know him?" He said quietly, sort of confused, "Wait, of course you'd know him, aren't cats your animal? Like you protect them or something?" Cayenne chuckled a little bit, "And I'd love to join you, it'd be nice. I guess if you can't sleep, and I mean, I know I can't either, so I wouldn't mind joining you at all." He said with a slight shrug.

Kuro listened intently as they walked, a small smile on his lips before nodding at Cai's question. "The cat and the snake are my two sacred animals." He hummed happily, petting Nyx as they walked. "Tonoto is very sweet." He laughs quietly and glances at the other. "Well… thank you for joining me. It's rather nice to have company." He murmured quietly. He hummed as they walked, glancing around. "This place often feels so empty… quiet. Even with the bustle of people throughout the mansion… When night falls it's quiet… the only thing heard is soft breathing. It's rather unsettling to hear it… but after so many years I'm used to it."

Cayenne nodded a little bit as they walked along. "Ah, I remember that, I just didn't know that you could like, see them or get to know them. That's really cool." He said smiling up at him, "Oh, no it's no problem, I really don't mind this, in fact I really enjoy this. I mean, I haven't even seen this much of the mansion, all I've really seen is my room, your office, the halls, and the fields, so this is sort of like an actual tour." But as he heard the last bit of the sentence, he shuddered a little bit, "O-oh, that, that must be awful…" He said quietly, now beginning to hear the sound, "Y-you're right, but well, how come you walk these halls rather than the ones upstairs?"

He smiles softly, "Yes, it's rather nice." He hummed quietly as he gazed at the other, before returning his gaze to Nyx. He chuckles, "Yes… not many get to explore. Usually they're busy working, eating, enjoying free time, or sleeping." He shrugs. He hummed quietly and sighed, "Actually… I tend to walk the whole mansion every night. When I first became god of the underworld, it was so uneasy. I was alone… So I walked… and walked… To even when the mansion was filled with people, all it was habit…" He hummed and shook his head. "Now I'm so used to walking the halls, it feels like I stand and then I'm suddenly back to my room and the process repeats all over again."