4. Graveyard
Who came back from the grave and told the story? - Tunisian Proverb
Black Star finds the grim reaper in the graveyard, head lifted to the sneering moon with an unreadable expression. The assassin is very careful in his approach, using a level of stealth that would be quite beneficial on actual missions, but this time is different. He isn't the star of the show and has no need to make a bold entrance, for he is simply an extra in this moment of time. The true point of interest sits beneath a crooked network of alabaster limbs, home to the silver hooks that dangle precariously from limber branches.
Moving soundlessly, the curious Black Star reaches his friend's side and looks down at him. Mildly curious, he asks what he's doing.
Lids part to reveal serene, gold eyes that turn to face bewildered green, blinking calmly at the soul standing before him. Slowly, Death the Kid's attention turns back to the darkened void above and he responds, "Whenever Halloween comes around, the graveyard becomes a little louder."
There is confusion on the other teen's face which draws a brief smile from the seated reaper. Raising a hand, Kid extends his fingers towards the nearest tombstone, murmuring, "Right over there, only a few paces from us, a soul is quietly singing. I can't make them out, but I believe it's a young girl. She's singing about what is beyond this life."
The assassin shifts his focus on the cracked stone, but that is all he can see. It is only a dull rock carved with delicate precision with an angel crouched on top. Even the engraving, once written in intricate loops, is chipped and weathered. He doesn't see nor hear a young girl.
"It's a reaper thing," Black Star mumbles, returning his attention to his friend. "I just see rocks and dirt."
The shinigami's eyes drift across the graveyard, following invisible specters and listening to the many voices, whether joyous or sorrowful. Softly, he says, "I see the past of Death City. I see a few ancestors of the students now. Meisters and weapons from the past, souls that lived proudly, others who died with too many regrets, and a few who scarcely lived at all."
Black Star frowns at that, folding his arms and leaning against the cold bark of the tree. "What about the little girl? Who was she?"
The grim reaper's sights fall upon the grave a few feet away, and his expression descends into one of melancholy. Listening to the soft tune the girl spins through the air, he responds quietly, "She is Lena Berenice." He looks up at Black Star. "Kim Diehl's aunt who passed away while quite young. If I were to look closer, I could determine what happened to her but..."
"It's fine." Black Star keeps his attention on the tombstone. "Why are you sitting out here? Everyone's just about ready for the party back at the Academy."
"They don't leave the graveyard."
The student stretches his legs out, releasing a sigh that creates a momentary cloud before it quickly disperses in the cool, night air. "The souls don't go beyond the fence, but rather stay here and mingle. They rotate around the cemetery, over and over, some conversing, some keeping a silent vigil. Come morning, they'll return to the peace and quiet of whatever lies beyond and few will ever know they were here at all." His lips form a soft smile. "That's why I'm here. If I'm to see them and hear them, then I shall stay here to acknowledge them and listen to their stories."
Black Star nods very slowly, squinting one last time at the various graves and the wonders his eyes won't allow him to see. After a moment, he asks, "Do you talk to them?"
"Not usually," the shinigami responds with a quick shrug of his shoulders. "Most of them ignore me, but I do get the occasional soul who doesn't mind a conversation."
"I'm gonna talk your ear off, so get ready for that."
From where he sits, Kid cracks a smile but it quickly vanishes when the words register. Silently, he turns his blank countenance to the assassin.
"What?" Black Star manages to smirk. "Being the big star that I am, you have to prepare for my passing, right? Don't stare at me with that dead face. I'm not saying I'm going to kiss the grave tomorrow, but rather in a couple hundred years or so."
The grim reaper releases an incredulous laugh before he can stop himself, and Black Star's maniacal grin makes the humorous statement all the more absurd.
"A couple hundred years?" the young man echoes once he's stifled his quiet chuckles. "Do you honestly expect to live that long?"
Black Star's expression twists into one of devious glee, as though he's just been presented to the depths of Hell and has the outrageous notion to use a fire extinguisher on everything.
"Do you honestly expect me to live and die like the mundane?" he responds.
Unable to disagree, the shinigami leans his head back against the pale tree and its groaning limbs, murmuring softly, "No, I suppose not."
-/-\-|-/-\-
A/N: Happy Halloween!