(no subject)

[hardknoxlife]

Characters: Ronald Knox and anyone else.
Setting: Starting off in the wrecks of the farm to the cathedral
Time: Floor 33 in the morning, Floor 13 in the afternoon
Format: Starting in action, will follow you.
Summary: Ronald retrieves a rather familiar looking pigeon and finally realizes the thing he'd been dreading
Warnings: For... reaper angst and pigeon shenanigans?

Floor 33:
[ Things had quieted down, to say the least. Truth be told, he was grateful for that. The whole fiasco with the tower nearly coming down and the whale was too much excitement for him to handle. Sure, it broke the monotony but that wasn't exactly the kind of excitement he was looking for. So Ronald had taken to wandering about the tower just to check for stragglers and the hopes that he could find his missing books.

The 33rd floor was a welcome break. He had to admit, seeing the light and the grass was good after all that despite the fact the place was an absolute wreck. With one step, he was off his mower and walking along when suddenly he heard the smallest sound that caught his attention. It was the coo of a pigeon. He'd know that sound anywhere. It caused him to look up, near frantically searching for the source of that coo when he found it right on the roof of the shed. That pigeon... he was sure he knew that pigeon but he had to make sure.

So if anyone would catch sight of him, they would walk in to him trying to reach up and coax the poor terrified bird from the roof of the shed... and failing miserably. ]

---

Floor 13:

[ Much later after than pigeon fiasco would find Ronald curled up in one of the back pews. His legs are pulled up to his chest and that one particular pigeon has found himself nestled in his arms. But he's a changed Ronald, evident from the way he seemed to be devoid of his usual sunshine as his fingers lazily stroked the pigeon's head. This was where it began and strangely, it was fitting that this was where it ended. The first time he'd seen William's presence at the tower was here, when he was mulling over that nightmare he'd gotten from his death in the Labyrinth. Said pigeon, Julius as William had called him, seemed perfectly content hunched on the young reaper's chest and basking in the attention. ]

That's it then, eh, Jules? He's gone? Just like that?

[ There was a soft coo and Ronald ducked his head further, stifling the softest sniffle. ]

Didn't even get to fix anythin'. Now he's gone. Stupid bloody tower. Stupid bloody whale.

[ And he's gone and scrunched himself up into a ball with his knees to his chest and his head ducked down on them. Julius, unperturbed hops onto his shoulder like he belongs there, cooing ever so softly. Perhaps it would be too good for him to think that if he waited here long enough, he'd come back. He'd show up by the entrance the way he did that day and everything would be alright again. And around him, the mass continued in the same mumblings as it always did despite the condition of the cathedral itself. ]

Comments

Floor 13

[doctor_dismemberment]

[He hadn't been intending to stop off at the cathedral. The place made him uncomfortable; too much muttering everywhere, and he was never sure if it was coming from the pews or from inside his head. Today, however, one of the murmured voices he hears as he passes by sounds louder than usual, if only by a little bit. It's familiar, but he can't place it, so he turns sharply to look into the room.]

What is-

[A head of bright yellow hair catches his attention. It's been a while since he's seen Ronald, but he remembers him nonetheless (always has to remember the people he meets, the people he talks to, just in case they give him trouble later on).]

Oh, it's you.

[He hooks his thumbs through his belt and takes a few steps into the room. The way the sound of his voice gets muffled makes him wince. Augh, he hates this floor.]

Floor 13

[hardknoxlife]

[ Julius is the first to catch sight of the doctor. Almost as if to call Ronald's attention, he coos a bit louder and hops onto the backrest of the pew. The voice, however, reaches Ronald in turn. He wasn't expecting company. Some found the cathedral unsettling but there was something calming about the invisible mass and all to him. ]

Hi, doc.

[ It's what he finally managed to say, raising a hand in greeting. ]

Everything alright down there?

Re: Floor 13

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Richtofen nods in greeting, and regards the pigeon with an unsure look before looking back to Rondald.]

As alright as it can be, I suppose. [He rolls his shoulders in a shrug.] Everybody is so solemn.

[He might be more concerned about everyone else's state if he was friendlier with more people. As it stands, he's mainly concerned with himself. But, because Ronald is one of the few people he's actually on... somewhat good terms with, he figures it wouldn't hurt to figure out why he looks so upset.]

...Including you, apparently.

[That's Richtofen's way of asking why Ronald isn't acting like his usual chipper self.

A smile tugs at the corners of his lips.] Did the bird insult you or something? [He is not very good at this "being concerned for an acquaintance" thing.]

[hardknoxlife]

Yeah, I was up here looking for any stragglers... just in case we missed someone. Looks like everything's gonna go back to normal. Prolly.

[ He scoots over as if to offer Richtofen a seat even though he's the only one occupying that pew. ]

This here's Julius. He... he was my boss' pigeon. Mister Spears did have a thing for raising these buggers. Came in handy too...

[ But there's always hope. ]

Don't suppose you've seen him have you? Tall bloke, wears a suit like mine, dark hair always slicked back?

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Richtofen hesitates for a moment, ever wary, before taking a seat. He crosses his arms and looks up toward the arched ceiling of the cathedral, trying to remember if he's seen anybody matching Ronald's description.]

Hm...

[He vaguely recalls seeing somebody like that around here and there, but they've never spoken. And the last time he saw him was a while ago, not anytime soon enough to make note of.]

No, I haven't.

[hardknoxlife]

[ He sighs a bit and his shoulders slump down. ]

There it is then. Guess he really is gone.

[ His head rolls back slightly though as he glances over. ]

Does that happen? Bunch of people go missing all at once?

Floor 33

[technologic]

[April blinks as she watches him try to coax the bird from the roof for a moment, before slowly approaching.]

... Um, hey, do you need any help?

[hardknoxlife]

Blimey, c'mon... it's not like I'm gonna hurt you, Jules. I know Mister Spears and I didn't really see eye--

[ And he pauses from his little one sided argument to glance over back at April. ]

Well... unless that isn't the pigeon I'm looking for... seen any around here apart from him?

[technologic]

Umm... [She looks around for a few moments, before turning back towards him with a shake of her head.]

Nope, can't see any other pigeons around here besides him.

[hardknoxlife]

Then that's gotta be him! Besides, look.

[ And with that, he's going to turn his attention back to the bird who was doing his little strut on the roof. ]

Hey! Julius!

[ The minute he calls out that name though, the bird cranes his head over. ]

...Now how the hell am I gonna get him down...?

[technologic]

[She blinks at him, and then glances up at the pigeon.]

... If you want, I can climb up and get him.

[tempus_scorpius]

[Here's Rolo just watching him from the shadows.]

[hardknoxlife]

[ His argument hasn't stopped, though. ]

Bloody hell... Jules, I thought you were Mister Spears' favorite! You're supposed to be obedient. Get down here!

[ And as if understanding what he was saying, the bird tosses his head and struts away. ]

Oi! Jules!

[tempus_scorpius]

[he speaks up after a while]

Are you sure that's your pigeon?

[hardknoxlife]

[ Glancing over, rubbing his eyes just to get them to focus better. ]

He's my boss' pigeon. I'd know him anywhere. Unfortunately, seems just as stubborn as his owner.

[tempus_scorpius]

So they... bring animals here too?

[looks at the pigeon then back at the Ronald] Do you need help?

Floor 33

[myblueskies]

I can get him sir! [Romeo had been watching him for a few moments and could see what he was trying to reach. He jogged closer to Ronald with a grin.]

I'm a real good climber and I think I'm not too heavy!

[hardknoxlife]

Well yeah... but you better be careful up there. Not sure how that's gonna hold.

[ And he's trying to catch sight of Julius again. ]

That's my boss' bird up there, I'd wager.

[myblueskies]

Mister William T Spears bird sir? [He began climbing carefully, pulling himself up onto the shed trying to keep his weight spread.]

[hardknoxlife]

Yeah, that's his.

[ Looking up, scooting over closer just so he can support Romeo should the boy fall. ]

I'd be up there myself but... no guessing if that's gonna support my weight.

[ And calling to the bird who still doesn't seem to want to budge. ]

Hang in there, Jules. We'll have you down yet and back with Will in no time.

[myblueskies]

It's called Jules? [Romeo edged across the damaged shed carefully] Jules? I wont hurt you, I'm your friend!

Floor 33

[complementing]

Ron? What are you doing?

[Minako is staring from the staircase, a little perplexed. She'd been on her way to do a little reconnaissance of the floors higher up when she'd noticed him.]

[hardknoxlife]

[ Have a hand raised in greeting. ]

Just trying to get Jules down. Not sure if he's hurt or anything... and it's kind of weird he's out here on his own.

[complementing]

He doesn't look hurt on the outside at least-- no broken wing or leg, I mean. [She peeks up at the roof of the shed, reaching up to try and coax him down too.] Here Jules, here boy!

[hardknoxlife]

Just kind of looks a little spooked if you ask me.

[ There's a sigh though. ]

...Now I'm worried. Mister Spears'd never let him go off on his own without a reason and I'm sure this isn't where he let him roost...