☠ eighteen; voice

[cadaverdaddy]

[Scraping wood on wood and the sigh of the man responsible for the weight greet the port as Undertaker address the island. It's the first time in a long while. You see, he's been busy. Yes, very busy indeed.]It never ceases to amuse me how finicky Lady Death is in this world~ She serenades us all so sweetly as she always has, and she plays her

Comments

[voice]

[sealbait]

[In all honestly all he heard until Undertaker said his name was 'blah blah blah, death. Blah blah blah, being cryptic. Blah blah blah, I'm a creeper.']

Uh, sure? What exactly are you doing down there?

[voice]

[cadaverdaddy]

[Starting to tune him out might be for the best anyway.]

I need assistance getting this casket open. I don't want to break the lid, you see.

[voice]

[sealbait]

[It is the only answer sometimes.]

Alright, gimme a minute to get downstairs. [Veser switches off his NV, only to turn it on again halfway down the stairs to the ground floor.]

Wait.

Why do you need to get it open? Aren't they supposed to, you know, stay closed after dead people are in them?

[voice]

[cadaverdaddy]

[He sighs:] Thank you, Veser.

[And when the feed comes back it takes everything in Undertaker not to burst out with laughter. Such a smart boy. But it would be a shame if he treaded where he ought not. But he can't just lie to the child.]

I am experimenting with something. Something that may be beneficial to dear Lee.

[voice]

[sealbait]

[Something beneficial to Lee. Veser is quiet for a moment as he finishes his trek down the stairs and heads toward the basement.]

...These experiments are only going to involve dead bodies, right?

[voice]

[cadaverdaddy]

Of course. [He sighs sweetly, a bouncing laugh in his exhale.] Such a silly concern that is, Veser. There's no reason to spare a worried thought, my dear boy.

[Over the course of time, he really has become fond of the young man. Something of a father figure.] I only wish to hear laughter from you and Lee.

[voice]

[sealbait]

[Still so much unsure...but when has Undertaker ever given him a reason to distrust him? And it was to help Lee.]

Okay, Taker.

[voice] -> action?

[cadaverdaddy]

[Undertaker can hear the uncertainty and comes to the foot of the stairs to meet the boy. Looking up at the door, he'll smile with that strange sweetness he gets from time to time at the young man, welcoming him down with curling fingers and open palms. He speaks into the NV in the meantime.]

Why are you doubtful, Veser?

[action]

[sealbait]

[Veser opens the basement door and closes his NV when he sees Undertaker. The smile is weirdly reassuring but it doesn't completely erase his uncertainty.]

Sorry I'm not completely comfortable with helping you crack open coffins. [He shoves his NV and his hands into his sweatshirt pockets, starting down the stairs with heavy steps.] How long has whoever is in there been dead anyway? Should I get a can of air freshener?

[action]

[cadaverdaddy]

[A crack of laughter and his fingers outstretch, stroking Veser's face as he comes into range. Such a wonderful, dear boy. His cheek rests on the crown of the boy's head.] There is very little to be uncomfortable about, my boy.

[It's strange how he's become such a thing, he's become Taker's boy.] It's only been a few days, I'm certain you can endure it. Though if you need to vomit, do warn me. [His long fingers stroke the boy's sideburns.] It's a natural response, and what we're doing is for Lee's benefit.

[action]

[sealbait]

[He's remarkably okay with being Taker's boy. He can't remember a single time when his father call him that to his face.]

I'll find a bucket. [It's for Lee. It's just a dead body and I'm only prying open the lid of the coffin. Don't be a wuss, Ves.] You want me help getting out whoever is in it too? If it's been more than a few days it'll be out of rigor and harder to carry.

[Six months ago he didn't even know what rigor mortis was now he knows and is using it in a sentence. The things you pick up from living in a mortuary for eight months.]

[action]

[cadaverdaddy]

Always planning ahead~ [Bursting into laughter, he spins on his heels and swaggers toward the casket resting on the floor. His all but singing.] How about we open this lid and then see how you feel about touching it~?

If you feel like you can, I have gloves for you~ I bought a box just for you, actually, in the chance that you might take an interest in what I do.