((CREDIT TO OVERTHELOVEOFYOU, JESSE, RAZZEBERRY.))
It was one of those days, a snoring Lydia, a very annoyed Elliot in the inn, waiting for when it was time to reap the unfortunate human.
"Shut up! You're snoring is so annoying!" Bitched a very tired Elliot. A drowzy Lydia opened her eyes. Her mouth had been drooling into her pillow. "Oopsies." She mumbled comically. Her untidy hair covering her reaper eyes.
Elliot growled, and smacked her with his pillow, earning a muffled squeak. If not for their looks, people would had asked if they were brother and sister. Lydia fussed. "You're sooo meeeeean." She giggled. Elliot glared. Why did she always laugh at the stupidest things? She was so weird.
"Shut up. It's only a few days until we have to reap this human." He grumbled, turning in his bed and covering his head with another pillow.
"Oh yeah, whats this guys name?" Mumbled Lydia, who sat up. She seemed oblivious Elliot was trying to sleep. Elliot was getting such an angry vein on his face. "James Crawford. It says he owns a sweet shop. He will die in two days." He said, covering himself in a blanket.
Lydia tilted her head. She seemed to be in deep thought. She then stood up, running her fingers through her untidy hair, untangling it and flinging it. She then put on her glasses, before stretching. "I'm going to go for a walk." She announced, before leaving the room. Elliot twitched his eye. Finally, some time to himself.
.../\/\/\...
Lydia's eyes scanned the outside world. This world was very different from her own. There wasn't technology...No music...She felt strange being there. But she liked the idea of being retro.
She soon paused outside a sweet shop, seeing all the signs. It felt so strange, being there. In the eighteen eightys. So...odd...
She made her way inside, the smell of chocolate overpowering her nose. She looked to her right seeing displays of chocolate behind a glass. This was fancy. Very cute. She couldn't help it. She loved sweets. She wanted some chocolates, or perhaps a creampuff.
"Oh don't mind me lovies. I'm just here for my usual eh?" Giggled a male voice. Lydia was too distracted with looking at a chocolate cake to notice a man with silver hair brushing past her. He extended a long Black fingernail to the cake she was looking at ironically. "I'll have a good slice of that dearies." Grinned the man.
Lydia turned her head to look at the man. Her green eyes blinking at him. He was oddly dressed. All black, silver hair with a long braid. A strange top hat with a tail...The man briefly looked at her, or seemed to. It was hard to tell with his eyes being covered like that...
"Undertaker! Do you want a cookie?!" Squeaked a little girl who looked no older then five years old, holding out a chocolate cookie. The male grinned, rather flattered with the gesture. "Well of course, little one!" He said, carefully plucking the cookie from her. She smiled and giggled, not seeming to be afraid of his appearance.
The man soon unlocked the glass case, pulling out a slice of the cake. Lydia quickly interrupted. "I'll have a slice as well." She said, earning a nod from the man behind the counter. Lydia paused, staring at the man. Her eyes narrowed. Was this?...
The man soon pulled a second slice as well, putting it on a plate. Lydia smile, handing him the change as she went over to a table and took a seat, eating away at her treat. Her advanced eyes catching sight of the stranger again. This time, he was right by her. His head tilted. "Come here ofte', luv?" He asked her. His posture was odd. His arms were to his chest. Almost like he was pretending to creep.
Lydia raised a purple eyebrow. "Is that your pick up line?" She asked with a cheeky grin. The stranger smiled right back. "Quite." He answered. Lydia's smile was wide, almost mirroring his own.
"You can take a seat next to me if you want. I don't mind." Lydia said. The man shook his head. His silver hair swaying. "Unfortunately for me, work duties calls me. Being an Undertaker an' all..." He seemed to hint, a grin appearing.
"Is that someone who works with the dead?" She asked, not really sure. It wasn't her fault she lived in the reaper realm for the entirety of her life.
Fortunately the male did not seem to judge her for not knowing. He just simply smiled a Cheshire smile. "Righ' you are, and what wonderful fun it iiiiiis! Hehihihi..." His shoulders shuddered with his laughs. Lydia slowly smiled. This male was certainly amusing. She took another bite of her cake, her eyes traveling to the window of the shop. She was getting a slight headache. She couldn't already be having her relapses could she?
Suddenly, a frown came over the males face. For some blood was dripping from Lydia's nose. Lydia raised a finger and wiped her nose, before looking at her finger to look at the substance. She swallowed. "I apologies...The weather...I have constant nosebleeds..." She pulled out a handkerchief from her coat, quickly wiping her nose. "Very unseemly..." She mumbled to herself, swallowing nervously again.
"...No harm done..." The male said in a rather low tone, a frown still on his features. She couldn't tell if he was concerned or appalled. She rather not find out. She grew tired of those faces people gave her, like she was a freak of nature, Which she technically was. She took one last bite of her cake before disposing of the remains out of courtesy.
She then folded up her handkerchief carefully and placed it back into the pockets of her coat. "Well, I should be going. I have a job as well." She said rather quickly. The man nodded, the frown quickly leaving and being replaced with a soft smile. Lydia adjusted her collar on her shirt, feeling a little warm. She then began to walk out. But a rather bony hand grabbed her shoulder. Lydia tensed up, feeling herself starting to sweat. "I forgot to ask. What is your name dearie?" Asked the same male from before.
Lydia felt a little sense of relief. "Lydia Dosset." She said with a small smile, turning her head briefly to look at him. He seemed to be thinking her name over in his head. "Well, Miss Dosset, it was a pleasure meetin' you." He said in a strange tone. His hand didn't release her still. Lydia wasn't one for fearing strange people. For she was strange herself. "And it was nice to meet you as well." She said with a cute smile.
"On you go, then." He said, soon releasing her shoulder. He was rather...strong for a human. Lydia looked thoughtful before leaving back to the inn. The male stared after her, before pulling a biscuit from his sleeve and munching on it. He seemed rather interested in this woman. He then turned around, a skip to his walk as he left the shop. "Tanoshi...Tanoshi...Heehiihiii..." He sang.
.../\/\/\...
Lydia breathed heavily as she reached her and Elliot's room. Elliot growled softly. Lydia ignored his frustration. "I found him. I found James." She said breathlessly. Elliot blinked and sat up. "You did? Wow...So you're not completely helpless..." He spoke, earning a glare from Lydia. When was this idiot going to put aside his stupid comments?
"Well...might as well rest before going anywhere. If you're sure it's him." He said, sounding like he didn't believe her. Of course.
Lydia felt like she was only two steps away from pounding his face in. Her patience was being tested greatly...Lydia sighed, taking a pillow and laying down on the floor. She'd rather not disturb her partner.
Elliot went quiet, his eyes showing some confusion. For once Lydia was giving him space? Where did this come from? He noticed she looked a little pale compared to yesterday. Like she was actually sick. Which was unheard of. Reapers did not get sick...But Lydia was a different case. She had the Reapers relapse. Which only the rogue Shinigami had. He questioned Lydia's history. He thought them all defects. Not equal to him.
Lydia closed her eyes, thinking. She was imagining soft music in her head, taking her headache away. If only she was allowed her music...Music was wonderful. She had quite a lovely voice. At least thats what everyone told her...
"Come on Lydia. We have to get to class!" Squeaked a young Shinigami. Lydia put a finger to her mouth. "Quiet. I want to see this." She said, watching several shingami in the music room play the instruments, creating a beautiful melody. Something about music relaxed her. It was beautiful.
But soon, the reapers were packing up and leaving, soon the room was empty and quiet. Lydia then climbed through the window, earning a squeak from her classmate. "What are you doing?!"
"I just want to see the Piano. I've never seen one up close." She said, looking around the room and stepping closer to the piano. She eyed the keys, smiling at it. It was a beautiful instrument.
Lydia placed her finger on a key, slowly pressing. The room was filled with the note. It sent chills down Her back.
Suddenly, Lydia felt her hands being taken over. And she began pressing the keys, creating the most beautiful sound.
[[The lonely Instrumental.]]
Lydia couldn't stop. The music was so beautiful. How did she know how to play the piano? She was never taught. But she seemed to know every note... She found herself singing then, unable to stop. It filled her with such happiness that she couldn't explain. Why did she love music so much? Why did her heart beat so fast? What was this feeling in her stomach?
She didn't care to notice that reapers were piling into the room, staring in disbelief at her ability to play such beautiful music. The music was bouncing off the walls, creating the effect of a home theater...
"I'm a ghost of a girl that I want to be most..." She continued on, not having a care in the world. It was like the words had struck her heart...It was so beautiful...
And like that, Lydia was asleep, feeling at peace with herself. She would never know her true identity it seemed. But she was content. As long as she was needed, she was happy...
"Lydia, why do you insist on playing that damned piano? If you don't go to bed, I'll expire!"
Lydia awoke with a start, her eyes frantically looking around the room. Who said that? But quickly, Lydia realized she had been dreaming. She swallowed nervously. Who's voice was that? She didn't recognize it...
She soon checked her watch, finding it was nearly time...She sighed and stood up, her eyes looking troubled.
"Elliot, it's time to go." She said with a sigh. Elliot growled and sat up. "What did I say about the..." He saw Lydia pointing to her watch. "Oh..."
.../\/\/\...
"You sure this is it?" Asked a rather tired Elliot. Lydia nodded. "Same sweet shop, same man...same child..." She said, her voice sounding less then cheery. This was unlike her. She couldn't explain what she was feeling. Why did she feel a sense of dread?Lydia leaned over the roof next door to the sweet shop, waiting.
"Elliot...I have...a rather odd question to ask you." She started, earning a curious look from him. Elliot's eyes were scanning her. Something was on her mind. He could sense this had nothing to do with her being a female.
"...Is it normal to feel...Sympathy for humans?" She asked, her eyes watching the human life below, people coming and going, holding infants, or just talking. Seemingly, unaware of the supernatural presence up above. Their race was fragile...Easily broken...but their lives dragged on for such a long time.
"...Yes, but Mister Spears said to never let it get in the way of work...This is what we are made to do. We are called Reapers for a reason...No ifs...ands...or buts..." He finished, his open mindedness shutting.
"..." Her eyes stared at him, as if wanting to say something. Why couldn't they question anything? Why couldn't they question their jobs? Their meaning for being there?
Elliot narrowed his eyes at her. "...Don't tell me you're second guessing this. You've brought yourself here in the first place. You cant complain on what you got. You won this job, so don't bitch about it." He glared.
Lydia narrowed her brows. Indeed she worked hard to be there. But she never expected the work to be so cruel...So close minded...The reapers couldn't even speak soothing words to the humans in their last moment of their life...Just business...Nothing personal, they said.
Her eyes then caught a male entering the shop with a gun poking out of his pocket. Her advanced eyes could perfectly see. Elliot was squinting a bit. Soon, a struggle and a bit of yelling was heard in the shop.
"JENNA! GO HIDE! NOW!" She heard the father yelling out. Lydia swallowed loudly. Some sweat dripped down her face. Is this what reapers saw every day? No wonder William was a stiff...
BANG
Lydia's eyes went wide at the sound of a gun going off. It was done...This sealed his fate...The killer soon ran out of the shop, carrying a bag of money. But to her surprise, James came running out as well, a obvious wound on his abdomen. "THIEF! MURDERER!" He screamed out. But no one seemed to hear, there were no more bystanders at this time of day...
James clutched his stomach, before falling back against the wall of his shop. He was dying. He suddenly coughed, blood exiting his mouth. His stomach was filling with blood. This would be slow and painful...
Lydia swallowed again, pulling out her bow and arrow. She would end it. They would do it from a safe distance. It would be quick and painless...
"Lydia! what are you doing? Your future husband would not approve!"
Lydia snapped her eyes at Elliot, wondering who said that. She was hallucinating again...Not now...She grit her teeth, pulling back on the arrow. She aimed carefully. She would end it now. Just a little further...
"DADDY! DAAAAAAADDY!" Screamed a tiny child running out of the shop. Lydia grunted, eyes wide. This was his daughter...
"NO! DADDY! DADDY GET UP!" Screamed the child, tears streaming down her chubby cheeks. Lydia could feel her heart sinking. She was supposed to reap while the child watched?
"Come on! Fire already!" Whispered a hasty Elliot. He didn't see her face from behind, but some tears were going down her face. What kind of sick creature was she? So this was what reapers did? Become so overly sensitized? No emotions what so ever?
The father was trying to comfort her crying daughter, even though he was dying. Lydia suddenly stood up, more tears going down her face. This is what humanity was. She wasn't going to sit here and do nothing.
"What are you doing?!" Screeched Elliot. His eyes widened as Lydia jumped down the building with grace. She quickly came to the mans aid. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she sure as hell was going to help.
"Keep breathing alright?" She told the man, who nodded, looking like he was struggling to breathe. It seemed pointless. But she would still try. She would try.
Suddenly, someone grabbed the scruff of her collar. She snapped around, seeing an angry face of Elliot. "What are you doing?! You're breaking the rules of-"
WHAM
Elliot didn't know what happened, but next thing he saw was his face going through a wall and coming out the other side. Lydia sighed, shaking her wrist in pain. The two stared in disbelief at her powers.
Lydia then returned to his side, pressing on the wound to keep it from bleeding more. But what else could she do? There was no good doctor in this time that could save him. He was going to die and there was nothing she could do about it. She felt so helpless. Tears went down her face. "J-just keep breathing."
"I'm t-trying." Said the weakening man. Lydia bit her lip. It was her fault for not stopping the man earlier. It was completely her fault. And she had to live with it. Screw being a reaper. She didn't want this life. She would rather be human then be a mindless reaper.
The daughter continued to cry. "Is daddy gonna die?" She asked, earning a heart broken look from Lydia. Her mouth seemed to tremble. She then sniffed and bit her mouth. "I'm s-sorry." She whimpered, taking James hand. There was so much blood...
"Please find someone to take care of my daughter...P-please...Ugh..." The man pleaded in a choked gasp. Lydia nodded, more tears spilling from her face. She was a horrible person. She wished that this man would be saved. This little girl was going to be so alone. Something to shine a ray of hope...Anything...
"Move."
Lydia didn't have time to react as a hand pushed her away from the man, she was about to fight back when she was stunned. It wasn't a reaper. And it wasn't a human. "Wha..."
A woman with long flowing red hair was kneeling next to the man, placing a hand on his stomach. "Do as she said and keep breathing..." Spoke the female. The woman seemed to be in her thirties. But those eyes said she was much older. For they were a dark red. A bloody red.
Her hand seemed to be glowing a bright yellow. What was she? a healer? No...something old...something new...Who...was she?
.../\/\/\...
"Doctor. We ran Lydia Dosset's DNA through the machine several times and it's all come out with the same results. I think you should look at this." Said the female nurse. The doctor narrowed his eyebrows, looking curious.
He lifted up the paper, reading the results. His eyes went wide slightly. "...The disease...This is unheard of. This has never happened to females...We'll need to inform her, and her tutors. We'll need to treat her ASAP." He explained to the nurse. She nodded, swallowing nervously. She began typing at her computer, sending emails after emails to the head of reaper dispatch. She felt great pity for Lydia.
The paper on the desk read quite clear, in bold letters,
The Thorns Of Death...