GigiandMad- Venison is deer meat ^^" Never had it, but thought it would fit during the current time setting
Confetti108- XD They're both pretty funny
VioletDawn00- ^^ Yeahh it was kinda cute haha
Mewtwo3642- I concur =D
FilthyTricksyHobbitses- XD Lol I didn't even realize the pun until you pointed it out
Imaginefun- Glad you're honored ^^ And thank you kindly =D
Woo, sorry it took so long, I was too lazy ^^" Oh, did any of you read the latest chapter (108) of Soul Eater? HOLY CRAP! I'm not going to spoil it, but...yeah. Holy crap. Anyway, onto the story!
Death sighed as he resisted the urge to massage his temples. This insufferable priest just wasn't getting it. He was going to try to explain it one more time before he would bash the holy man's skull in.
"I understand about marriage being a religious sanctity, however, I refuse to remove my mask during the ceremony. People will go mad if they see my face." He grated out through clenched teeth and barely concealed impatience.
The day after he proposed to her, the two made their announcement to the city. Their union had been met with approval and support from most of the residents, especially the former and current students of DWMA. All that was left was planning the wedding, which was certainly a taxing thing to Death. He was dragged throughout the city by Ophelia, speaking to potential guests and a priest.
The priest narrowed his eyes at the god. "Son, do you want to burn in hell for all eternity? It is a sin to where a mask in the church!"
Death twitched. He didn't recall anything like that being part of the bible. The old man just didn't like him. Feeling's mutual, you wrinkly old bastard.
Ophelia decided to intervene, saying rather hastily, "Father, why not have the ceremony outside? I'm sure God wouldn't mind if the wedding was not in His holy walls."
Death looked at her appreciatively while the priest considered her suggestion. "...I suppose it can be done, but he's still going to burn in hell."
"REAPER-" Ophelia countered his rising hand with her own, slapping her palm against his. He looked at her in bewilderment while she shot him a warning glare. The priest remained oblivious.
"When would you like to get married?" He asked.
"In June; the flowers are absolutely beautiful during then." She smiled wistfully, already imagining all the flowers in bloom.
The priest nodded. "Very well. I'll plan it for the second week in June. God be with you."
He walked up the steps of the chapel shakily, clutching the rail. Death watched him and couldn't help but wish for the man to fall down the steps. He cackled evilly at the thought. Yes, old man, fall...fall to your doom! Ophelia rose an eyebrow.
"You alright, Death?" She inquired. He stopped mid-cackle and smiled sheepishly.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Good. Now, we just need to find you a Best Man." It was his turn to raise an eyebrow.
"You've already found a Maid of Honor?" Ophelia hummed in affirmation.
"Yeah; Rowan."
He blinked. She didn't mean his Rowan, did he? Was there another Rowan in the city? He didn't think so. He still asked dumbly, "Who?"
"Your partner, of course! I haven't gotten around to asking her yet, but I'm sure she'll say yes!"
"What? Rowan isn't a girl."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes she is! It's a shame; everyone calls her 'him' and she doesn't bother correcting them-"
"Ophelia. Rowan is a boy. I'm sure of it." Lie, but he didn't want to admit aloud he himself had no clue what his partner's gender was.
"Oh, really? Then, why does 'he' have a feminine body?"
"He doesn't. I don't see breasts." He replied flatly, already growing weary of the conversation.
Her face flushed a little and she planted her hands on her hips, glowering up at him. He folded his arms across his chest and stared right back at her. "So she's a little flat-chested, that doesn't mean she's not a girl!"
"No girl in her right mind would speak as crudely as Rowan does. Only a man would speak like that." He pointed out.
"She holds her silverware delicately like a girl." Ophelia rebutted.
"He spits like a man."
"She has a feminine walk!"
"His voice is too low to be a girl's!"
"She's a girl!"
"He's a boy!"
"Oi, whatcha talkin' bout?" The two nearly jumped out of their skins as the subject of their argument walked over to them.
Rowan tilted his head to the side curiously. Death recovered first, straightening up. "Nothing important."
Rowan snorted. "Seemed pretty important ta me; ya two were nearly jumpin' at each other's throats!"
"Just a lover's quarrel, Rowan; nothing to be worried about." Ophelia smiled reassuringly at him. "I was wondering if you'd like-"
Death covered her mouth before she finished the sentence. "...to be part of our wedding."
"I'd be honored, sir. What would I be doin'?"
He withheld a groan. Rowan just couldn't make it simple, could he? "We haven't thought about it yet, but it will be an important part."
"Like Best Man?"
"Or Maid of Honor." Ophelia quickly added, pushing Death's hand away. Rowan shrugged.
"Sounds good ta me. Lemme know more 'bout it when ya got it 'sitiated.' Have a nice day, you two." Rowan waved as he turned around and walked down the street.
The two waved before turning back on each other. "Why did you cover my mouth?!"
"You would have offended him by asking him to be your Maid of Honor! Did you notice he instantly assumed I'd ask him to be my Best Man?" Death answered snidely, certain he had won this argument.
She huffed. "That doesn't prove anything! You're a meister; shouldn't you be able to tell what Rowan's gender is by reading her soul wavelengths?"
"Soul wavelengths are androgynous." He said automatically.
"Should...should we just ask Rowan?"
Death shook his head swiftly. "We'd offend him if we asked! We're going to have to be sneaky about this!"
"Your idea of 'sneaky' is sending your students after her?!" Ophelia cried disapprovingly.
"I didn't hear you coming up with any better ideas. Besides, this helps their reconnaissance skills. Rowan can't pick up on soul wavelengths without me, so he won't be able to detect them unless he physically sees them."
She sighed and shook her head at him. "Sometimes, I question your methods. Isn't that abusing your power?"
He waved an uncaring hand at her. "Like I said, they're brushing up on their reconnaissance skills."
She sat beside him. "They didn't even ask why you want them to spy on Rowan?"
"Nope. Kids are so obedient nowadays." He chirped cheerily, taking a sip of his tea.
They were sitting in the Death Room, watching the clouds on the walls float by. It was quiet without Rowan, something Death did not wholly dislike, and the atmosphere just felt warm to him. Ophelia had seated herself directly beside him, her arm brushing against his. He looked down at her hand, seeing the ring on her finger. He liked looking at her ring to remind him this was real. His own ring was hanging around his neck on a silver chain.
Two souls brushed over him and he looked up as he permitted them to enter his domain.
"Someone coming?" Ophelia asked when he stood up.
"Yup. My two little spies." The sounds of running footsteps reached their ears.
Ophelia stood as well, folding her hands in front of her. When the two red faced children appeared, she smiled warmly at them while Death gave them a little wave.
"Hi, how are ya? How did it go?" He asked, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.
The meister hung her head in shame. "We're sorry, Lord Death, but we don't know. We followed Rowan to his home, but weren't able to look inside or anything; he had all the blinds down."
He and Ophelia both sulked and she glared at him. "Got any more bright ideas?"
He let his shoulders sag to show his disappointment before straightening up. He clapped his hands together. "That's alright, girls~! I know you tried your best and that's all that matters! You are dismissed now!"
The two girls looked relieved, bowed to him, and ran out of the Death Room. Ophelia looked at him, puzzled. "That's it?"
"We're going to take matters into our own hands. Come on." He held his arm out to her.
She looped her arm in his, still looking confused, and the two exited the Death Room. He tugged her out of the school and headed in the direction of Rowan's home.
"What is it you're planning? You aren't just going to confront Rowan about this, are you?" She asked.
"Not outright confront him, no. Unless I get impatient. In that case, I'm just going to ask; if he gets offended then I'll just apologize." He responded, quickening his pace when Rowan's home came into sight.
"What? Are you sure that's a good idea?" She sounded apprehensive.
"Who knows~?" He sang, lifting his free arm to knock on the door.
It was quiet on the other side of the door for a few heartbeats. Ophelia leaned against him to whisper, "Maybe she isn't home?"
The door swung open and there stood Rowan. "Ah, sorry 'bout tha'. Took me some ta find me goggles. C'min."
He stood to the side and Death whisked into the house confidently while Ophelia hung back, still looking rather uncomfortable. Death looked around the room.
The house was clean enough, but not overly so, nor was it very well furnished. The walls were painted a neutral gray and a large elk head was hung over the fireplace. Death felt a twinge of annoyance; even Rowan's house gave no real hint to his gender.
"Make yerselves at home. Was there somethin' ya needed?" Rowan queried after settling in a wooden chair.
Death sat across from him and Ophelia followed suit, twiddling her fingers. "It's about what part we want you for in our wedding. Do you have a preference?"
"Preference? Hmm..." Rowan scratched his cheek in thought. "Nah, can't think of any. Wha'ever part ya want me ta be, I guess."
"You're sure you don't have a preference as to what your part would be?" Death pressed. Ophelia looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Nope! Just bein' part of it makes me happy!" Rowan chirped happily.
Why can't he just make it easy for us?! Damn, I bet he's doing it on purpose! Ophelia, seeming to sense Death's waning patience, cut in, "It's just we don't want to assign you a part you would be unhappy with, or unfit for." She muttered the last part just loud enough for Death to hear it.
"Thanks for the consideration, but like I said, I'll be happy with wha'ever part."
He is doing it on purpose! Death decided to just say it. "Rowan, what is your gender?"
It was silent in the house. Ophelia looked up at Death with a look mixed with mortification and fury. Rowan, his face still covered, said nothing, though Death wasn't sure if it was out of shock. Ophelia brought her fist crashing down on Death's head.
"Moron! I told you not to ask so bluntly! You might have hurt her feelings!" She seethed.
He rubbed his aching head and shielded the next punch aimed for his skull. She paused mid-swing, though, when Rowan threw his head back, laughing raucously. Death looked at his partner, his mask conveying his slight worry.
"I-is tha' whatcha been wonderin' 'bout? Why didn't ya just ask?!" Rowan gasped out between sniggers, hands clutching his sides.
"W-well, yes; we didn't want to hurt your feelings, though!" Ophelia quickly said, eyes wide.
"I woulda been more than happy ta tell ya, ya know. I know the whole city's been wonderin' 'bout it since I was a kid, but no one ever had the nerve ta ask. I'm not hurt or nothin'. It's honest curiosity. If ya must know..." Rowan reached up for his goggles.
Death and Ophelia subconsciously leaned forward anxiously, holding their breaths. He removed his goggles and lowered his turtleneck, revealing a full mouth. His eyes were doe-like and dark brown. He grinned cheekily at them, revealing a chipped front tooth. Death blinked and was ashamed he still could not tell what gender Rowan was. Ophelia squealed. "Oh, you're so cute! Will you be my Maid of Honor?!"
Rowan laughed again and ran a hand through his short hair. "Sorry, Missy Ophelia, but I'd rather be Best Man."
Internally, Death did a little victory cheer and dance. On the outside, he remained composed. "Then Best Man it is."
Rowan's grin widened and Ophelia's face flushed with embarrassment at her mistake. "Thanks, Lord Death. But, ya still don't know my gender."
Ophelia's flush went away and Death furrowed his brow. "Huh?"
"Long hair's such a pain, so I keep my hair cut short. I like dressing like a guy, but I'm a girl. It was fun keepin' everyone guessin' though!"
Ophelia came out of the stupor faster. She giggled. "I was right!"
Death closed his jaw, which had dropped the news. He sighed and stood up.
"I need Skullcap tea."