towerofanimus | (no subject)

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

[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.

[ 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?

As far as I can tell, it is. [He laughs.] After all, I haven't seen Dempsey in months!

[In Richtofen's experience, this "people you know randomly disappearing" issue can be a good thing. He's either oblivious to how upset Ronald is, or he just doesn't care.]

Guess some people others would be kinda happy not to see again.

[ A pause though, tilting his head and frowning ever so slightly. ]

Any idea where they went?

[Richtofen wrinkles his nose.] Ugh, tell me about it.

[Then he shrugs.]

And no, I didn't bother to ask.

[ There's a sigh though as he pulls his legs to his chest. ]

Makes me wonder if they're okay. All of 'em up and went without even a g'bye.

This tower makes me sick.

I doubt they'll be back unscathed, knowing this place. [Richtofen's not going to dance around the issue. There's no point in trying to comfort Ronald when they both know what the tower is like. He waves his hand dismissively, and turns to flash Ronald a grin.]

...And if you're sick, I'd be glad to give you a check-up!

[It is always an appropriate time for doctor jokes.]

We're the kind that heal fast, doc... but I'll take you up on that offer if I ever find the chance, eh?

[ He manages a grin from that back, absently petting Julius with one finger. ]

That... kind of makes sense though... if they come back at all. Mister Sutcliffe and Ciel've been missing for a bit now and... Mister Spears would never leave poor Jules all alone.

[Richtofen simply smiles at Ronald's first remark, but it fades before too long.]

I wouldn't put it past the... [He pauses, trying to find the right word, and sneers when he can't think of anything properly viscious.] ...people who run this place to pluck away your loved ones just for a few laughs.

[Richtofen would be a hypocrite if he were mad at the tower's administartors for that, but his opinion of them has soured in the past few months. He doesn't have any loved ones of his own, but the little brats who run the place have done enough to him to dampen his view on them exponentially.]

No kidding. They're the sort who don't seem to have any problems with doing experiments on a poor kid, right? Wouldn't really put it past them.

[ A small exhale here, the act of him blowing his hair off his face coupled with exasperation. ]

...Think they'll ever bring them back?

...It's not impossible.

[That sounds uncomfortably optimistic. Richtofen shifts in his seat and wonders how he got suckered into being this kid's sounding board. Oh well - at least he hasn't gotten to the "crying on shoulders" point yet.]

At least, I don't think it is. But don't hold your breath.

[ Oh, he'll sulk a bit but he never cries on shoulders. And just like that, he's perked up again almost as if he wasn't gloomy just a moment ago. ]

Well bob's your uncle then! No use sitting about feeling sorry for myself. If he'll be back, he'll be back...

...And maybe I can make it up to him then.

Make it up to him? [Richtofen turns to look at Ronald more fully. He raises an eyebrow and smiles, appearing amused.] What did you do?

[ And have a groan from that. ]

We had a bit of a row, him and me. Happened when they were doing that thing with the pods. Jason messed with him and he ended up thinking I killed him.

[ Then slumping back against the pew. ]

Then before I we could fix things, he's gone and disappeared on me.

[Richtofen whistles.]

Yes, things always get tricky when people think you might have harmed them. [He adds, under his breath:] Even if you really did, and they decide to be so rude and plot behind your back, honestly...

[He claps his hands together.] But less about me and more about you, ja? I never did hear firsthand what happened in those pods.

[He didn't even know Ronald had a friend in there until now. Oops.]

[ His ears prick at that but he considers now isn't a time to be nosy. So he doesn't pry, instead setting his head back on his knees as he stares on. ]

Better you weren't there, really. They split us in three groups and you know the three blokes who run the tower? Riki, Dax and Jason? They took charge of a group each and... blimey, the things they did with the lot lumped in with Jason...

[ Shaking his head, burying in in his arms. ]

Mister Spears was one of them. He cut him open, did all sorts of things... messed with his memory...

[Cut him open? Messed with his memory? Richtofen feels a wave of deja-vu hit him as he thinks back on similar things he's done to people back in his world. He covers his mouth to hide his smile, pretending he's more concerned than he is intrigued.]

Really? [He shifts his fingers around enough to make sure his voice isn't muffled, but keeps the bottom half of his face mostly obscured.] How terrible. He must have been very traumatized after that.