+/|+you wear your skin like it's too tight+|/+OPEN

[reaping]

Bleary eyes looked upon the cemetery, their gaze n1t really seeing, but looking nonetheless. The icy wind bit at unexposed skin, causing the pale colouring to turn a bright red, weak blood vessels breaking from such cold. A whisper of a sigh slipped from Ciro's chapped lips, the sound of chattering teeth echoing in his ears as he pulled his coat closer to his shivering form. It was too damned cold to venture outside-and to the cemetery no less-and a string of curses shot through his mind, aimed at himself for being so foolish. "Why did I ever think this cold would be relaxing..?" Ciro grumbled under his shaking breath, forcing his stiff limbs to gain just a slight amount of heat as he began to walk-though quite aimlessly at that.

He offered glances at the headstones he passed, eyes tracing over names and dates, but not caring even the slightest bit. Those who were long dead and gone held no importance to him. Then, why did he pay a visit to the cemetery? [It all tied into how Ciro has a habit of contradicting himself as the worse of times. Also a, 'I had nothing better to do.' would come from him much later on.] Another gale of wind sped past him, and Ciro found himself shivering more than before, fingers curling into his palm as he shoved them into his pockets. "Shit..It seems as if I'll catch my death staying out here..lovely." Cue a roll of green eyes and a deep frown pressed into cracked-and on the verge of bleeding-lips.

Shivering and shaking legs eventually came to stop at a less then inviting bench, the cracked stone and cobwebs lining the corners causing Ciro's upper lip to curl into a sneer, but he sat his pretty little butt upon it anyways. The hard stone was uncomfortable against his bottom, and he shifted his body this way and that, searching for a proper and comfortable position. No such luck came to him.

Hands still jammed into his pockets, body slouched over with elbows on his knees and butt now numb quicker than he thought was imaginable, Ciro huffed a short breath, the cloud of oxygen swirling around his face before floating sluggishly up and into the sky. Now he was forced to wait for some other unfortunate soul to stumble upon him and offer their company. A deep sigh exhaled from him then-he'd be waiting for quite awhile-well, might as well take advantage of the scenery. Ciro scoffed, what scenery? Trees were boring to look at, and the grass was more than dead. It was pointless.

[Felix D. Friedhold]

Felix had once again found himself in the streets of London on another reaper job of which that had become more and more of lately. Though the spring was just around the corner the weather was colder than ever, and the elderly reaper clearly felt how it carved through his otherwise very practical trenchcoat and all the way into his old bones. He half felt the illusionary pain his frozen joints gave him as he worked his way through the snow. He had become a shinigami very late in his life and somehow felt that this marked his body, even though his proclaimed shinigami blood should have taken away all these sorts of feelings. The shinigami were strong indeed. Otherwise they would not have been able to fend against the demons as well as they did. But they were not invincible and this coldness seemed to bring with it the kind of pain that only mortals would normally feel. Felix opened and closed his hands a couple of times trying to get some life back in his fingers and their rusty joints. He was probably just imagining things.

Actually the aforementioned reaping job was already over. The target this time had been just a small child that had died in an alley surrounded by trash bins and snow, only with an old worn cat to keep his company. He had died from the cold and he was just one among many who had suffered from the same fate in this particularly cold winter. Winters were always like that and would probably remain so for many years to come, just like how the amount of work seemed to increase during the winter as well for the exact same reason. These kinds of jobs had always affected Felix deeply, as his love for children knew no bounds. Had he found the child earlier and had he not been on his reaping list, he would had brought him with him to the orphanage and given him a decent meal and a good meal. Unfortunately this was not the case this time and as much as he pitied the child he would not just stop doing his job. He had been in these kinds of situations before and had learned to cope with it – something his past had helped him with a great deal as well. He had hoped that maybe this child would finally give him the chance to see a saint being born but he had been disappointed.

Felix stopped at the gate to the graveyard, deep wrinkles carving their way into his forehead. This was odd. He was sure that there should not be a graveyard on his way to the orphanage. With misgivings starting to form within his doubtful mind he stuck a hand into his pocket a searched for his map between all the candies that he had stuffed in there. “Ahh, there you are!” Withdrawing his hand from the pocket a few strawberry flavoured sweets fell out of his pocket and into the snow without him noticing it. He opened the map and starred at with narrowing eyes as he tried to spot any graveyards near the orphanage. He found it though the term ‘near’ was not exactly accurate. How had he managed to wander so far away from his destination? Felix’s left hand scratched through his silver-grey mane. According to the map it should be pretty easy to get to the orphanage if he first walked through the graveyard. Or well easier than if he had to walk all the way around it instead.

Making up his mind Felix folded the map once again and put it back in his pocket as he started heading into the graveyard, the gate creaking as he passed through it. He did not walk for long, however, before he spotted a dark haired youth sitting quite alone on a bench as the only living soul in this sombre scenery. It immediately lead Felix to wonder what in the world he was doing in a place such as this on his own and his curiosity as well as his compassion in the end caused his feet to find their way to the bench.

“Hello there,” he started, looking at the youngster through a pair of round glasses and with a warm smile filling his face. “Quite the place you have chosen to rest. I don’t suppose anything is wrong?” The shinigami had been careful not to start speaking German in the middle of his sentence, a habit that he had found strangely hard to shake off. Taking a closer look at the youngster something slowly started to become apparent to him Another shinigami? What is he doing in a cemetery? When people end up here it’s normally after they have had their souls reaped.

[reaping]

Minding your own business isn't as easy as it may seem when harsh gales of wind are rushing past you, and you're left shivering in an utterly pathetic way, your own thoughts escaping you when you just want to focus on warmth. Ah, Ciro was only filled with luck when these lovely actions happened to him. Just overjoyed, the poor boy was. Huffing out a lethargic sigh, Ciro dug his elbows more into his knees, eyes flashing this way and that as they attempted to sought out the company they so desperately needed. And of course, luck just isn't on my side today. Ciro sighed out mentally, making a rather lovely face at the whole idea of 'luck'.

Mind mulling over whatever he could possibly do in a cemetery, bleak and dull as it was, and he straightened up his posture, lips curling into a wide smile as a few ideas came to mind. "Aha, now that would be too funny..Or wait, that other would be good too..Hm," A pause, as Ciro had to scratch as his cheek. "I sure do have a well amount of planning to do.." He stretched out his short legs, wiggling his toes in his shoes before bringing them back to their original position, and laughed at the sudden rush of ideas that flew through his head.

Oh oh oh, just as the young Shinigami was on a roll with his spankin' brand new ideas, he heard naught of the footsteps that approached closer to him, so when he heard a deep voice sound out behind him, he was in for a complete surprise. Jumping a few, good, feet from the bench, and mouth opening to let out a horrified, high- pitched scream, Ciro lost his balance, stumbling as he attempted to regain his lost balance only to fall roughly on his poor little bum. The ground was quite unforgiving, and Ciro was made well aware of that as rocks and sharp blades of grass dug into his bottom, not to mention the rapier at his side managed to press a bruise upon the skin of his thigh when he took his tumble.

A wince passed through his body, eyes clenching shut as Ciro took time to answer the question he barely heard. "P-pardon, sir, I was just bored an-" Upon opening his eyes, rounded green became all the more rounded as Ciro stared openly at the man before him. He was his elder-both literally and in rank-and he acted like a complete fool in front of him, Ciro's cheeks began to redden in utter embarrassment, and he quickly made to get up, having no such luck as he fell once more with a 'thump'. "S-sir, I apologize greatly, I didn't know it was you and I just was so scared that I reacted like an utter fool." He rushed out, words stumbling over his tongue as they tired to successful part from it, and he bowed his head down. "Please do forgive me, sir." He mumbled, voice as meek as a mouse's-something that was quite uncommon for the boy.

[Felix D. Friedhold]

Felix starred in utter surprise, his eyes widening as the younger shinigami literally flew off the bench and made what seemed to be a very hard landing the snow in front of him, his terrible scream echoing between the weatherworn gravestones. The situation could have been funny had it not been because Ciro obviously seemed hurt from his spectacular jump and Felix very well knew that it was his supposedly innocent approach that had caused it. Now he started to feel really bad about himself for causing such inconvenience for the other shinigami and guilt clearly became visible in his old facial wrinkles.

“I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you like that,” the elderly shinigami apologized as he with his big hands grabbed the younger and helped him get back on his feet and afterwards tried to brush the worst snow of the other’s clothes. Had the shinigami been a child, Felix would have offered him one of the candies in his pockets but he was afraid that such an act would only make the youngster even more embarrassed.

“There is no need to apologize for anything. I’m the one at fault here.” Felix noted how the younger was strangely honest about what had happened. Most young shinigami like that – and just younger men in general – always tried to cover up for what happened with bad excuses and lies as they tried to regain some of their lost pried. This shinigami’s honesty, however, managed to gain Felix’s respect and he once again felt guilty for what happened. He also took notice of how the youngster addressed him as a senior and for a moment he thought that his identity as the ex-director of München had been found out – which was odd considering how only a selected few knew about this. When Felix had gotten his transfer to London it was with the intention of getting a somewhat new beginning in this business and he did not want his previous position to scare the other dispatch members away. Thinking about it for a moment it became clear to him that there was no way the youngster could have known this. If he still thought of Felix as his superior it could only mean one thing: this shinigami was still an apprentice.

“No need to be so formal. My name is Felix D. Friedhold, though Felix will do just fine. Nice to meet you…?” He really had to start learning the names and ranks of the other shinigami in the London dispatch division. The other had at least realized his rank but he could not even do that! How pathetic, really. Maybe it was because of his old age that made him learn so slowly? Felix did not want to think about it like that. It was more likely because he was spending too much time on taken care of children on the streets of London, though it was not something he was willing to give up so easily.

Looking at the smaller shinigami in front of him, Felix eyes suddenly looked worried once again. “You are not hurt anywhere, are you?”

[reaping]

Long lashed, green hues shifting up to glance at the older man, Ciro blinked curiously at his words. From what he experience many times before, actions such like his were frowned upon and he usually got a stern warning after acting in such a way, not hearing the slightest apology part from their lips. But this man was different, he actually gave a kind-hearted apology, and Ciro had to admit, he was flattered. Eyes widening as he was heaved up, Ciro still had to tilt his head to look at the other male, mentally throwing curses around for being cursed with such a short height. He still rather resented the fact he became a Shinigami just after he reached his thirteen year. The boy shifted his eyes downwards, watching as large, but gentle hands brushed away snow from his being and a smile pulled his lips upwards, cheeks flushing from being handled like he was.

“Well..if you insist, sir, but I just felt an apology would be right.” Ciro replied with a careful smile, bright green irises were alit with pure politeness, making it new goal to be as polite as he could to the man. It’d be a terrible first impression if Ciro showed to be a rude brat of an apprentice, and by far, he didn’t want that, oh no. Whilst he was a complete uncaring fool around those he considered his friends, Ciro was quite the respectful and utterly polite boy when it came to his elders. And he only hoped at this moment that that showed through to the man before him. Another smile began it's way to his face and his confidence began to bump up as he shifted his eyes back to Felix's.

"Aha, I'm sorry Mr. Friedhold," A nervous laugh spilled from his lips, and a slight blush sprawled over his cheeks. "I suppose that comes naturally. I'm Ciro Velox, it's nice to meet you." He held out a hand to shake, his once plainly there nervousness gone as a wide grin overtok his face and his eyes danced with their usual mischievousness. As Felix brought up his question, Ciro was suddenly more aware of the throbbing in his thigh and he gave a weary nod, eyes shifting down to said thigh. He brought up his fingers to press into his thigh and winced when the bruise proved to be more senstive than he thought. "It seem I am, my rapier was pushed into my skin when I fell." Looking up at Felix once more, Ciro gave a nervous smile, hand still upon his thigh even if that only brought on more pain.

[Felix D. Friedhold]

Felix’s warm smile reached his hazel eyes and for a moment managed to replace his worry as Ciro offered to shake hands. Not only was the younger shinigami honest he also gave of the impression of being well-mannered, which was another quality that Felix found himself valuing in his colleagues. Ciro was perhaps a tad too nervous but this older shinigami believed that it would be cured in due time when he was no longer intimidated by Felix’s giant corpus and higher rank. At least Felix thought that was the reason why Ciro was nervous, having come to this conclusion knowing that this was how his former colleagues had seen him.

Felix grabbed Ciro’s hand with his own firm and strong hand and shook it gently, careful not to squeeze the other’s fingers too much in the process. “Then Ciro it is, unless you prefer being called Mr. Velox? And as I said, Felix will suffice. I might be your elder but I’m not your superior in that sense, so a first name basis should be fine,” he said in a merry voice, winking down at the younger with his smile still lingering to his lips. As he finished speaking his eyes narrowed slightly as they inspected Ciro’s body to see if there was any obvious injuries. Considering the fact that his clothes did not appear to be torn and his limbs were not… well, twisted in any awkward ways – hardly something that would happen not even from a jump like that – there were no noteworthy injuries to speak of. Ciro’s next words, however, managed to bring back his worry and protectiveness.

Watching the pain in Ciro’s eyes as he touched his own thigh immediately caused Felix’s worry to be visible in the wrinkles in his forehead once again. “Let me take a look at it,” he said and got down on one knee, his hands finding their way to Ciro’s thigh as they softly pressed against where his bruise appeared to be. Judging from the feeling he got through Ciro’s clothes, his thigh seemed to be a bit swollen. “Well, you are clearly able to stand, and I suppose you are able to walk as well? Your thigh is a bit swollen, however, and you might want to put some ice on it just in case. But I can tell you that you won’t be in any danger of dying anytime soon.” Felix had ended the sentence jokingly in an attempt to lighten up the mood a bit.

Once again rising from his lower position, the elder shinigami reached his hand out and ruffled Ciro’s dark hair, a habit he had gained after spending a huge amount of time with children. “So you were out here because you had nothing better to do? Youngsters these days sure have it easy,” Felix continued still clearly joking as he send Ciro a wink, a laugh escaping his beardy mouth. In reality he was still a bit worried and if it turned out that the apprentice shinigami would have troubles walking, he would not mind to carry him in his bear-like arms. Something that would clearly be an embarrassment to the younger.

[reaping]

Catching the man’s smile, Ciro’s own lips couldn’t help but upturn in a smile of its own. Why was it he was so comfortable around this man? Was it the fact that Felix had the built of a bear, protective and almost fatherly and plus the fact his disposition just oozed out a comforting aura? Ciro had to admit that both of these reasons made up why he was so comfortable around the man, these two and possibly more. He couldn’t help but let his smile widen at that. Felix was turning more into the father figure he never really knew, but lost so long ago. He assumed Felix could take the empty spot, and he made a mentally note to ask him if that was alright.

Though he could tell his handshake was soften just for his sake, Ciro still couldn’t help but wince, the man’s strength still noticeable even when softened. He was naturally sensitive to physical actions such as these, and he knew that showed through, but he still managed to smile and return the man’s handshake. “Ciro is just fine,” He pulled a face, a deep frown pressing into his mouth. “Mr. Velox makes me feel old. Oh, then I suppose I shall call you Felix from now on.” Ciro couldn’t help the laugh that escaped when Felix gave him a wink, feeling utterly comfortable and happy with the man. Blinking his eyes curiously, Ciro watched as Felix gave a concerned look over his body, tilting his head to the side just slightly. He wasn’t used to such concern, oh no not all, and he had to admit that it surprised him greatly.

"Er, Felix, I'm fine for the most part." He gave in reply to the man's request, wincing once more as the man's fingers grazed his swelling with pain bruise. Ciro paid a good ear to the man's words, making sure to remember what he said but didn't laugh when made a joke. He merely stared blankly up at the man, green eyes blinking once or twice. "I'm sorry, sir, but that was kind of..dry." He didn't want to offend the man, but he still wanted to push his opinion out and that's just he did.

When his hair was ruffled, Ciro blinked in confusion not used to that as well. It seemed Felix was pushing upon him a lot of things he wasn't used to, not that he complaining or anything. ..He honestly embraced the new things that happened to him. The man's next words caused him to let out a nervous laugh, and reach a hand up to rub at the back of his neck. "Uh, that is true.." He managed, giving yet another laugh. "Plus there was nothing to do in the buildings so I cam here." He finished with a shrug, offering the man a nervous smile. "I'm an apprentice anyways, so really, there isn't much for me to do." Ciro frowned at that, though his frown took an image of an angry pout.

With that said, the boy began to walk, if only to see if his legs were alright. At the first step he took, his leg wobbled horribly and couldn't see to keep him up as he fell to his knees, a hiss slipping from his clenched teeth. "Damnint.." He growled out, a searing pain spreading throughout his thigh and across his lower body. He make an attempt, to which only ended in failure as he fell back onto his already sore and skinned knees.

[Felix D. Friedhold]

Felix was genuinely happy to see the youngster getting more and more comfortable in his presence. It seemed like his previous nervousness had almost disappeared and he even managed to laugh at Felix’ wink, which only made the elderly shinigami’s smile all that wider. He had truly started to like the boy and unconsciously started to compare him to the other children that he was currently helping with taking care of in the orphanage. He appeared very young for a shinigami but Felix knew better than anyone how looks could deceive. Just taking one look at himself and most other races would assume that he was a very old shinigami, though according to this species standard he was still very much in his prime. Age did not really seem to matter much to the shinigami in general. What really mattered were results and efficiency, something that happened to sadden this shinigami quite a bit. Not, that he did not like his work but there was also so many other things that were important in life and Felix honestly doubted that many of the shinigami even took their time to think about that. Maybe it was because he used to be human and had not been born a shinigami in the first place that he acted differently from the standard black-suit shinigami.

Felix not only looked like it, he also felt like he was older than most of the shinigami. He wondered if this was yet another thing caused by his human origins. Humans grow up fast and considering the fact that Felix was already an old fox when he became a shinigami, he had already settled down and come to peace in his mind. He had seen a lot of things in his life and experienced more than most people, and though he still had a few goals left in life now as a shinigami he found himself able to just sit down and enjoy his life like the way it was at the moment. That was probably also the reason why he felt that he had so much energy at the moment despite how the cold air shook his old bones. Felix smiled at Ciro. It was still not too late for this shinigami. He could still learn that there was more to life than work and genuinely enjoy his own existence. He had his whole life ahead of him – a life in which he had to make his own decisions and shape his own future like a piece of clay in the hands on an artist, who still had to start making the first shapes.

The elderly shinigami nearly laughed at this way of thinking. What is this, Dietrich? Getting philosophic on your old days? He could almost imagine his late father lecturing him and a chuckle escaped his lips. He had not thought of him for such a long time. Had his own fatherly feelings brought such thoughts to him now? Felix shrugged it off, once again focusing on the younger shinigami in front of him. “Hmm, I suppose that was a bit dry. Seems like old habits are tough to get rid of, especially for someone at my age,” Felix said his voice still being warm as he recalled how they had always been joking like that in München – a thing that had made his previous secretary rather annoyed at some points and he could almost imagine her scolding him ”You Moron! A Director is not supposed to have humor! He is supposed to get his sorry little ass back in his office and start working so that I can get rid of this headache! Those papers don’t read themselves you know?!” The days had been so cheerful back then, but he also liked the way his life was going at the moment.

“Hmm maybe I should have a talk with your mentor then to make sure you’re not bored?” he asked, giving yet another one of his winks. If his mentor had a lot to do then Felix would not mind taking Ciro with him to London now and then. He would probably be able to help this old man finding his way around, which would be most appreciated. He secretly cursed the map in his pocket. Why did it have to be so complicated?

Felix merely watched as Ciro took his first trying step, obviously trying to figure out if he could still walk. It ended in utter failure and though Felix managed to grab his arm, Ciro had still fallen to his knees, cursing because of his own misfortune. Felix saw no other way than to pick Ciro up from the ground and carry him over to the bench for then to carefully sit him down on it, trying his best not to cause him anymore pain in the process. “Sit still for a moment.” Felix had more wrinkles on his forehead than natural, as he tried to concentrate on the task before him. Did he have a bag with him? He highly doubted it. Why would he be walking around with a bag to begin with? Ohh, there is that!

He grabbed Ciro’s hands and had the shinigami hold them out in front of him. “Hold them like this a try to make a bowl with your hands.” Then he picked forth a bag with candy from his pocket, opened it with a snap and poured the contents out in Ciro’s hands for then to study the bag for a moment. Hmm, it’s not very big but I guess it will have to do. He held the bag in one hand and started to pour snow into with the other until it was full. Then he once again kneeled down in front of Ciro and pressed the bag to the sore spot on his thigh, hoping the cold snow would help getting rid of some of the pain and reduce the swelling. Afterwards he looked Ciro directly in the eyes.

“Okay, here is what I’m planning to do. I intend to carry you to an orphanage nearby that I happen to be acquainted with. There you will be able to rest a bit so that the swelling will have a chance to go down and you should be able to walk again afterwards. If you find it uncomfortable to be carried by me, I’ll think of something else.” Felix was obviously still worried about Ciro and was mad at himself for not having caught him sooner and prevented him from falling like that.

[reaping]

A shaky sigh parted ways from his lips, one filled with an obvious undertone of pain and a slight feel of self anger. Ciro swallowed hard, feeling tears burn at the back of his eyes then squeaked in surprise when Felix picked him up. He was sat carefully down, and Ciro made certain to shift his body so he didn't somehow sit upon his ever growing bruise. He stared up at the man, tears clinging to his eyes before he hurriedly blinked them away, looking down with shame. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble.." His voice came out shy and weak, so unlike his natural tone but still a prime example that he was still a child, after all. He sniffled as Felix began to speak, reaching a hand up to rub at his eyes before cupping it against his other hand, making a bowl like Felix requested of him. His hands twitched when the candy was poured upon them, and Ciro scrunched up his nose at the sweet treats. He was certainly not a fan of sweets, not now or never. Shifting his eyes away from the repulsive candy, Ciro watched as Felix filled the bag with snow, brows knotting together in a sharp furrow. He opened his mouth to speak, but all words were lost as a sharp gasp overtook them, the cold from the bag seeping through the cloth of his pants, surprisingly so, and came into contact with his bruised skin. Though the contact was cold, so very cold, and uncomfortable, Ciro still found the icy feel soothing and it seemed to numb the pain that took to dashing up his thigh every chance it got. A mumbled 'thank you' was pushed from his lips, not trusting his voice to not wobble if he spoke in any louder tone.

As he listened to the older male speak, Ciro’s head began to unconsciously tilt to the side, eyes drooping with what appeared to be drowsiness. He barely nodded along with the man’s words, eyes fully becoming covered by sleepy lids and his chin flopping against his chest, short wisps of breath slipping from his barely parted lips as sleep began to claim him. It wasn't that he was sleepy with the lack of sleep, it was just..the earlier that sprung upon him took a toll on his body and thus, made him drowsier than he would have liked. But hey, what choice did he have now as he was peacefully whisked away to the land of dreams and wishes that can't come true.

His breath came out in even, short paces, fingers slipping away from their position upon the bag against his thigh and dropping down to his side. His body began to lean forward, as if it couldn't handle the weight of his possibly-dead-to-the-world-heavy-sleep, and he fell into the older man, nonsense mumbles dashing out when the fall was done with. Though the landing was made soft, a wince still passed over the boy's body as his thigh came in contact with Felix's knee-somehow-and Ciro's face creased with the pain he felt, body shifting this way and that like some sort of fidgeting animal, but still he didn't wake. That, by far, was probably for the best.

[Felix D. Friedhold]

Seeing tears in the corner of the boy’s eyes was enough to break Felix’ heart and he just knew that from now on he would be unable to leave the boy alone. Ciro’s pain was obviously greater than Felix had first imagined and he felt genuinely sorry for the boy and what he had to go through just because this old shinigami had been a little careless. “Don’t worry about it. I like taking care of people, even those who don’t think they need it,” Felix replied to the apology, honestly not wanting the boy to worry about anything other than getting better. It seemed like the bag of snow did its magic much to Felix’ relief. Ciro looked as if he was calming down, his entire body becoming heavy as sleep took its tool over it. Felix foresaw the fall and was this time prepared when Ciro suddenly leaned forward and fell into his open arms, making sure to soften the fall so that the boy would not get anymore hurt than he already was. The candy fell out of Ciro’s hands and landed on the snow below, colouring it with their many bright hues though the old man did not even notice that as his full attention was focused on Ciro. He felt the wince that ran through the boy’s body and looked down to see the sore spot on Ciro’s thigh lean against his knee. Felix made a silent curse. Not even this time had he prevented the boy from feeling pain and it annoyed the crap out of him. Fortunately, Ciro had not awoken which Felix took as a good sign. Rest would help the bruise heal quicker just like the snow in his bag would.

With one hand wrapping around the boy’s body and the other holding his head still against his shoulder much like how a mother would carry her baby, Felix lifted Ciro’s limb body and sat down on the bench for a moment with the boy on his lap. He lifted a gloved hand to wipe the tears away from his eyes and then carefully moved to find his map in his pocket, wanting to check the route once again in an attempt to prevent himself from getting lost while walking around with Ciro in his arms. He honestly did not want to keep the boy out in the cold but give him a nice warm bed at the orphanage to sleep in. When he was sure that he had memorized the route, Felix put the map back in his pocket still moving very slowly and careful. He took the bag with snow in his right hand and held his right arm under the boy’s knees, while lightly pressing the cold bag against his swollen bruise. Then with his left arm around the boy’s waist, Felix lifted him up as he rose from the bench, once again making sure that Ciro’s head rested soundly against the elderly man’s shoulder so that it would not get hurt by moving around too much.

He walked through the graveyard and out on the street on the other side, holding the boy tightly in his big comforting arms as he continued down the street not minding the looks they both got from the other pedestrians. The wind was blowing cold but gently and Felix hoped that his own body heat as well as his arms would be enough to shelter the boy from the winter weather. Nevertheless they would soon reach the orphanage and then everything would sort itself out. Felix turned another corner and just as he expected the church with the orphanage appeared before him not too far away. As he neared the place children’s laughter could be heard seeping out through the gates, bringing yet another smile on the old man’s cold lips. It sounded like everyone was doing fine.

“Father Felix!” The sound of a dozen children’s excited voices reached his ears as he stepped through the front gate, while Felix had been focused on where he placed his feet so that he would not end up slipping or dropping Ciro by an accident. Now he looked up to see the children in the orphanage come running towards him with big smiles on their red cheeked faces. He smiled overbearingly and stopped for a moment while he waited for the children up reach him, an unlimited amount of questions flowing from their lips as they tried to find out what he had been doing and who the person was he was holding in his arms.

“Shhh children. You’ll wake him up. This is Father’s friend, Ciro, and he’s going to stay here for tonight. He’s had a really rough day so he needs to rest, understand? I’d like for you all to take really good care of him while he’s here, can you promise Father that?” Felix spoke in a soft voice, loud enough to cut through the voices of the children but hopefully not enough to wake Ciro up. On the other hand if the boy had not awoken from the pain in his thigh whenthe bruise brushed against Felix’ knee earlier, he doubted that he would wake up just because of this. “YES FATHER!” Felix shushed them again though still smiling as he was unable to hold any grudges against the children for their obvious excitement. Children were children after all and could not be blamed for behaving as such.

Felix started to make his way through the group of children, which soon after dissipated as they kept their promise to him and resumed their games. He walked up to the church and somehow managed to open the door with his foot, and stepped inside to find the priest, Father Gilbert, waiting inside. They had a short whispered conversation before Felix was finally shown to a room with a bed where Ciro would be able to rest. Felix laid the boy down on the bed, careful not to wake him up in the process as he with gentle hands undressed him so that he only laid in his shirt and undergarments. Father Gilbert came back with a much better bag with ice which was placed at Ciro’s bruise with a towel in between his bare skin and the bag, so that he would not get any frostbite in the process. Felix then pulled a bed blanket over the boy and brushed the hair away from his forehead, before he finally lit the candle at the bedside table and turned off all other lights in the room, found a book from the shelf and sat down on a chair beside the bed, intending to watch over Ciro in his sleep. He did not want for the boy to wake up alone without knowing where he was and so Felix leaned back in the chair, trying to make himself comfortable as he prepared for a long night mostly spend on reading and keeping an eye on the boy beside him. Pondering for a moment he drew forth his pipe and lit it, hoping that the smoke would not disturb Ciro in his sleep.

[reaping]

He was running, oh was he running, quicker than he ever had before. His body whined with cramps, and a heat greater than any other doused his body with sharp licks. Ciro was scared, oh yes, was he scared, his heart raced like that of a frightened rabbit's and he couldn't slow it down, no matter what he did. The horrid scent of smoke filled his nostrils, making his eyes water from both the exposer and the fear that encased his heart. He continued on, but it seemed as if his legs turned to jelly and he tripped, falling flat upon his torso with his face smudged into the dirt. He made an attempt to get up, but each time he tried, his arms gave out from under him and he couldn't more in any which direction. He was reliving the event in which ended his young life, oh he was certain of it, and as flames licked across his body, covering him with a morbid blanket of heat, he was given the most proof of that. Screams bubbled up in his throat, only a few managing to escape before his entire being was the property of the flame completely..

Ciro did in fact wake with a scream, body shifting to a sitting position and eyes darting open wide in fear. Sweat encased his body, and his breath came out in large, quick exhales. The scent of smoke entered his nostrils once more, and a frightened whimper parted from his lips, eyes shifting this way and that in an attempt to locate the source. His eyes saw smoke curling out from the pipe in Felix's grip, and he stared at it, his mind telling him there was nothing to fear, but his being refused to accept that. He clenched his eyes shut once more, as to stop the tears burning the backs of his eyes from spilling out. Mumbled nonsenses was the only noise that came from him, minus the constant whimpers that followed shortly after. He was just..so scared, the nightmare he previously had still plaguing his mind, and all and all, that was the only reason for his fear.

Once he managed to calm down a bit, Ciro once his eyes once more, a few tears still escaping. "I-I-.." He just couldn't get the words out, and his brows furrowed together as he mentally cursed himself for that, at how..silly that was, not being able to speak as fear still took control of every function your body attempted. Laying down once more, Ciro scooted over to the edge of the bed, a small hand reaching out for Felix's own in a search for comfort, as he stared up at the man. "I..had a nightmare." That was all the could manage, properly that is, as he adverted his eyes in what seemed like shame. It was true..he was ashamed of acting in such a way in front of another, as he was so used to waking alone and having to deal with his nightmares all by his lonesome.

__
[Ack. I'm sorry for the wait. ;=;]

[Felix D. Friedhold]

Felix sat in the chair with on leg resting on the other and the pipe hanging from the corner of his mouth producing a fine grey smoke that carried with it a sweet tea-like tobacco smell. Now and then he lifted his right hand to hold it as he took a draw from it before he continued reading in the old rather worn book that he still held in his hands. It had turned out that he had picked a book containing old folklores and fairy tales, stories that he had frequently been telling the children here at the church before they all went to bed. Though most of them were children’s stories Felix found them interesting and reading the book also served as a way to help him remember the stories better in the future so that he did not always have to make up things for the parts that he lacked the memory on. Not that he minded doing it, actually he found it entertaining in its own way but on the other hand he wanted to honor the work of the writers who wrote these kind of stories. Though many did not see them as proper artists Felix found them very important as their stories added fuel to the children’s fantasies as well as helped bringing a smile upon their faces when they felt down or had had a scary dream.

Speaking of scary dreams Felix literally jumped in the chair and almost dropped the fragile book in his hands at the sound of Ciro’s scream as the boy came dangerously close to giving the old shinigami a heart attack. Felix had been so engrossed in reading the small stories with a smile on his lips that the sudden extreme reaction from the boy caught him by surprise. With his glasses dangling on the tip of his nose and almost falling off he darted a look at the boy who sat straight up in the bed with a terrified look in his eyes - a look that clearly told Felix that it was some of a nightmare that he had had. Seeing the boy slump back in the bed and hold out a hand towards him, Felix immediately put the book down on the bedside table and grabbed Ciro’s hand with his own big and warm. Ciro’s teary eyes as well as his words and the following shame constricted the reaper’s old heart and he stood up from the chair, kind hazel hues falling on Ciro as he lifted the light boy up from the bed and draped the bed blanket around him tightly so that he was sure that he boy wouldn’t freeze when he placed him on his lap.

“It’s alright, Ciro, Felix is here” he said, out of old habit speaking in third person like he always did when he comforted the children like this. He wiped away the tears that still lingered at the corners of the boy’s eyes and gave him a huge bear-like hug as he sat rocking him back and forth, stroking his wet cheeks. “And there is no reason to be ashamed of wanting comfort after having such a nightmare. It is only the natural reaction and I’m more than willing to be your comfort.” Still rocking him lightly back and forth Felix gave him a warm smile to show him that he meant it and that there was absolutely nothing to worry about. “Say why don’t you tell me what the dream was about? If you say it out loudly then it won’t happen~”

[reaping]

Ciro released a choked breath, body shuddering with suppressed sobs as the boy made a vain attempt to stay brave in front of the older man, his pride was still a constant worry in the back of his head, no matter the fact that he just awoke from a horrid nightmare. He snuggled more into the comforting warmth Felix's body gave off, and he could feel the sensation of tears becoming less and less. "..I-I guess you're right, Felix.." He mumbled, voice hidden away against the fabric of Felix's clothing. Moving his head upwards, he returned the man's smile with a shaky one of his own, and sighed softly, brows trembling as they furrowed together. "..I-I..was reliving the time of my death.." He began, eyes shifting up towards Felix to see the man's reaction. "..T-the fire ate me alive..like crisped meat.." He paused, as his eyes glazed over, the faraway look of one seeing but not looking all the same. "..The pain was horrible, if you can imagine..And I can't ever remember screaming that much..I-I knew I was doomed from the start.." A small sob broke his voice then, preventing him from continuing with his words.

Even with Felix's reassuring words of that speaking of his nightmare would help with the pain..Ciro couldn't help but begin to doubt those words. Speaking of it only made the pain worsen, and a long, pregnant pause overtook the room not even shortly after Ciro stopped speaking. His small frame racked with quiet sobs, and he clung to Felix, the fatherly comfort something he needed so desperately now. Once his sobs came to a slow halt, and his breath came out in even tones was he able to speak once more. "I-I hate my death..I don't even know how I became a Death God in the first place.." He breathed out, voice quiet and hushed, filled with dried up tears. He shook his head roughly, fingers curling into his palms as his hands made tiny fists. His puffy green irises became hidden by clenched lids, and a grimace over took his face. "I hate it..I really do." He stated clearly, with no hint of sorrow only resentment and bitterness. His expression changed to one of curiosity, and his fists broke away, palms sprawling against his lap as he started up at Felix with a sudden innocent expression. "..That reminds me..how did you die, Felix?" Ciro titled his head in an act of cute innocence, eyes blinking cutely as well. He deiced acting cute wouldn't get him in any sort of trouble for asking such a rude question, it was bound to work, he knew Felix was a softie~

[Felix D. Friedhold]

As the boy in his arms started to tell his tale, Felix’ eyes darkened in line with each new spoken horrifying word. His arms around Ciro’s body tightened, drawing the boy closer to his chest as if trying to shield him from all the dangers in the world though unfortunately he could not undo what had happened in the past no matter how he was currently longing to do so this very moment. For a short moment he wondered as it was possible to view somebody’s past through the use of a death scythe if it might be possible to change it as well, but he discarded the idea as soon as it had managed to slip to his mind. Even if it was possible Felix would never be able to hurt the boy in order to perform such an otherwise good intended act. He knew that some people went on and on about the past shaping you into how you were today and therefore should not be changed, though Felix found himself unable to agree with such a thing. He wouldn’t want for anyone to burn alive not in the past, the present or the future – how his own past self would have felt about it, however, was an entirely different thing.

To be honest Felix had tried burning women and men, children and adults on the bonfire during the inquisition in the twelfth century though it all seemed – and was – so long ago right now. He would never be able to do such a thing today… no, that was not entirely true. If the certain individual was a demon then it deserve no mercy, no pity only pain. Felix shook his head trying to get rid of this stream of negative thoughts. Why they had suddenly started to sneak into his mind was beyond him as it was clearly not something that would help Ciro’s current situation. It was all in the past. It did not matter anymore. Felix was genuinely impressed and surprised at how Ciro had managed to recover from such a terrible death despite it probably being more than a century ago, his psyche not having taken any serious damage, according to what Felix had seen so far though of course he did not really have any way of knowing it. He had not known the apprentice for long, yet he felt close to him his fatherly feelings growing the more time they spent together.

And just the words Ciro was using to describe his own death – ‘crisped meat’. Felix was horrified about how Ciro could just use words like that about an obviously sensitive topic and did not know how exactly he should interpret it. “It’s alright, Ciro. That was then and this is now. I won’t allow such a thing to happen to you again~” In fact he did not even intend to make it a possibility. Felix own bitterness seemed alive in the boy’s eyes, and though Felix did not give Ciro anything but kindness and warmth and by the way he was clinging to him at the moment it also seemed to be the only thing he needed. Looking down at the younger Felix smiled at his question, the curiosity being a nice change from the boy’s previous frustration and sorrow. He whipped the last remaining tears away from the apprentice’s cheeks, his smile not showing any sign of vanishing as he spoke, hazel eyes warm as they found the younger’s.

“I lost my life the best way I could think of losing it – protecting what I held dear and succeeding at it~” As the words had formed on his lips he lifted his gaze that for a moment became distant as he recalled the last moments of his human life. Ciro’s question had actually been somewhat rude though Felix neither saw it that way nor appeared to be bothered by it at all. He was never one to speak about his past on his own but if he was asked he did not really mind answering. It was nothing more than the past after all. What was truly important was what was going on now in the present, something that Felix had always felt even now in his life as a shinigami.

[reaping]

Ciro listened well to the older man's words, head tilting, brows furrowing together and eyes presenting his confusion quite well. "Protecting what you held dear..?" The boy was till puzzled by the man's response, the knots in his mind still trying their best to piece together the puzzle. "And who was that..or them?" He continued, green eyes blinking once, twice as they stared up at Felix with great curiosity. He shifted his body to a more comfortable position, sniffling and using his knuckles to wipe away already dried tears. While he waited for an answer, his mind drifted over the possibilities of who or what Felix died trying to protect. Was it a lover? Or his family perhaps? Or was he merely playing a saint, and saved a whole group of strangers he knew nothing about? The suspense was proving to great for Ciro to handle, and he released a huff, face scrunching up into an annoyed though cute expression. Whoever they were, they must have been pretty damn important for Felix to give up his life for them.

Honestly..the boy wouldn't have known such a thing, as while he was living, he never had many people he could latch onto and care for as they cared for him in turn, let alone even think of giving up his life for them. His mother and father..were difficult people to get to know and love true and true, and he had no siblings to speak of, so no loyalties could be made family wise. He was given a bad reputation among the people, as his mother was a whore, taking different men to bed each night whilst his father was a chronic alcoholic and suffered from mental issues, never staying home for more than a few hours, at the least. So making friends to care for was out of the question, as well. Ciro made the best of life by staying out of his house when necessary, but never had the opportunity each and every time, as some the men his mother brought him thought it to be fun to beat upon the defenseless child, and sometimes take their anger out on him if his mother didn't provide them with enough pleasure.

It was one of those incidents that eventually led to his life being cut too short. Ciro found he could never become bitter at how is life ended, or how quickly it came, as it allowed him to finally break away from all the previous pain and suffering he was forced to endure whilst alive, and he felt relieved because of that. Never again would he have to be put through the same treatment as he did when he was alive, never again would he have to deal with the same people, and never again would he have to turn to his being to offer comfort and the security he craved. So far, his life as a shinigami, was more than fulling.