007 | -1 reaper

[diehardreaper]

Right then. I'll make this quick.

[ He's not even going to pretend that he isn't upset. Sure, it's been some time coming maybe or something he's been dreading for a while. ]

Mister William T. Spears has gone home. If any of you lot had business with the old chap, then... I could prolly take care of that.

[ And a sigh as he slumps in his seat, muttering. ]

Bugger. Just when I was starting to fancy him a tiny bit.

[ There's a pause though as he realizes his duskull is probably still filming and a moment of panic as he reaches out to cover the camera. ]

Oh for heaven's sake, Grim! You didn't have to get that last part too!

Comments

[audio]

[stonebones]

["Just when I was starting to fancy him"...? Emil's interested, but luckily he has enough tact to not bring that up right now.]

...I'm sorry to hear about your friend. It feels like it's been happening a lot lately, huh?

[audio]

[hardknoxlife]

[ Give him a second, he's still trying to bat away that duskull. It's a fair attempt at trying to cheer his trainer up though. But Ronald does finally get to this one as soon as he can. ]

Has it? That's odd... seems to be on a bit of an upswing, this returning home business...

[audio]

[stonebones]

I haven't been here long enough to really know, but I wonder if it'll continue. It'd be weird for everyone to suddenly go home, with how long I've heard some people have been here.

[He makes a soft thoughtful noise, hand that isn't holding the 'gear to reach out and pat his Sableye's head.]

I don't know how I'd feel about that...

[audio]

[diehardreaper]

It's a bit odd, yeah... I've heard it happen a bit but to have it happen to someone you knew personally?

[ There's a sigh and what seems to be a creak in his seat. ]

Sort of like when you hear something happen to a friend of a friend and it takes a while to sink in when it finally happens to you.

[audio]

[stonebones]

Yeah... I think that's a good way to put it.

[He hadn't been able to put his finger on why having Henry disappear had bothered him, aside from having another magic user -- one who said he'd teach him about control -- leave this world.]

Did you two meet here? Or was he someone from your world?

Video

[a_sin_for_him]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Video

[diehardreaper]

[ And that does manage to get him smile just the tiniest bit. Thanks, Lust. ]

Blimey... you make it sound like he's died again. Thanks for the thought, love. Highly appreciated.

Video

[a_sin_for_him]

From where your heart stands, is there really that much difference? A loss is a loss, they're all miserable.

Video

[hardknoxlife]

[ The smile does remain... albeit a little smaller than it should be. ]

Dunno... when dying's your line of work, it isn't so bad. Besides, I'll see him again. Not quite sure when but I'll see him again. M'sure of it.

Video

[a_sin_for_him]

That's the mind's opinion. The mind has the advantage of understanding all those particulars.

The heart just knows something's gone. No matter when you'll be reunited.

God, I'm maudlin today, aren't I? I'm sorry.

[Audio]

[ratherbelocky]

[That's two bulletins on this topic in a row. York thinks maybe he ought to be concerned.]

Sorry, I'm new here. This something that happens a lot? I mean, people just up and vanishing out of nowhere.

[Audio]

[diehardreaper]

No worries, mate! And welcome to Johto... or Kanto, depending on where you are.

[ There's a sigh though as he thinks it over. ]

Doesn't happen this often, no... least not this frequently. Could just be a fluke. It does happen. Here one minute, gone the next.

[Audio]

[ratherbelocky]

Johto. I think, anyway. We're sure they go back to their homeworlds and aren't just...at the bottom of a lake or something?

[Audio]

[hardknoxlife]

Here's the odd bit: if they've ended up at the bottom of the lake, they'd still show up on your Gear and it's prolly up to you to find them.

When they've gone home though... they just disappear. Like they were never there in the first place. Give it a go. Look for a William T. Spears on the contact list.

[ Spoilers: you won't find it. ]

[Audio]

[ratherbelocky]

[There's a pause as York apparently does just that.]

Interesting. So they've got to have a tracker planted on our bodies or something...

[He murmurs it more to himself than anything.]

Well, I oughta introduce myself, sorry about that. It's York. [It's going to be weird getting used to that codename again, but Carolina and North are doing it...] Sorry about your friend.

(Video)

[stonebird]

I am sorry for your loss. (She smiles sadly at the last bit.) Will you see him again when you return?

I think you should tell him that he was missed when you do. (If he can.)

(Video)

[diehardreaper]

No worries, miss. Just a momentary unease but thanks all the same.

[ There's a small smile to that though. ]

M'sure I'll see him again when I go home... whenever that is. But I'll be sure to tell him. Knew Mister Spears, did you?

(Video)

[stonebird]

You needn't put on a brave face if you would rather mourn.

(There's enough of that and it doesn't end well.)

No, I don't think we spoke, but I saw him on the network, I think. He seemed very organized and efficient.

(Video)

[diehardreaper]

S'alright, sweetheart. M'not going to lie about being a bit sad but... what can you do, eh? If he was here, he'd prolly chew my ear off about moping and not doing anything useful.

[ And that actually gets him to laugh. ]

But yeah, that's Mister Spears alright. Organized, efficient... a reaper's reaper.

(Video)

[stonebird]

It is out of your hands and your friend would not wish for you to be sad. (William sounds like the type of person who is strict to hide the kindness underneath.)

Are Reapers meant to be like him? Or can they be personable too?

[video]

[styxiedust]

Oh.

[Great, that's what she needed--more friends leaving.]

I'm sorry, Ronald. Well...I still have his Duskull, I was taking care of him to...train out his behavioral issues.

[Though as she's learned, the Duskull simply wasn't a fan of how uptight William was and wanted some fun.]

...What shall we do now?

[video]; that's a timely slip that is

[diehardreaper]

Ah yeah, you've got Red, don't you?

[ He'd been wondering where the poor thing was. ]

Your choice though! Wouldn't mind taking him off your hands. Got along with Grim, after all! Not as much of a handful with me than with Mister Spears.

[video]

[styxiedust]

Red, I like that. I think he likes it, too. I tried the name William was going to give him and he said he didn't like it.

[Botan grabs at a chunk of her hair and twirls it around her finger in consideration for a moment.]

Well...I can't take on anymore Pokemon, I don't think. I've received so many lately with my friends leaving...and considering you and William were closer, I think it'd make more sense if you took Red. He can still come visit the shop to play with everyone, of course. He seems to be looking forward to October in particular.

[video]

[diehardreaper]

Didn't know just what Mister Spears had in mind to call him soo... I went ahead and called him Red anyway!

[ Real creative, Ron. ]

No worries, no worries! He might actually fancy the trip rather than staying in town. Change of pace and all. Think I should bring him back for Halloween then?

[video]

[styxiedust]

If you'd like, you're certainly not obligated to come over but...I'm always happy to see you. And I've grown attached to Red, even if he's a cheeky one sometimes.

[Botan's trying not to let her feelings about losing friends bleed into this sentiment, she really isn't. Ron needs support too.]

Listen, if you want to talk about anything, know that my door's always open--or, rather, my message box in this case.