Swordhunting [Locked to kronos_endtime]

[on_holy_ground]

After leaving Loki, Darius spent several hours simply wandering the streets of New York. He had very vague memories of the city, or at least as much of the city as the priest had ever seen, but it was almost like he was looking through the eyes of someone else. He knew how things worked in this age, and how the world had changed, but it was still odd to him because it was something he didn't really recall doing himself. It was a phenomenon he wasn't sure he would ever really be able to explain fully if someone were to ask.

However, it was enough really that he understood, and he knew that he could spend more time exploring it when he had obtained his current objectives. He felt around in the damned robes he currently had on, and discovered a wallet that contained an identification card, and another card that he knew worked the same as currency. It was for the church funds, but he cared not at all for that, and proceeded first to find a place that sold clothing.

Once inside, he proceeded to obtain several changes of clothing that were more suited to what he had seen others wearing in the streets. He then changed into a pair of jeans, a simple shirt, and a pair of boots to protect his feet before leaving the store. This would allow him to blend in a bit better than his previous apparel, which was important at the moment if he wanted to learn still more about his surroundings and the people who swarmed here.

He then left the store and went about finding someplace that sold descent weaponry, which frankly was a bit harder than it looked in this age. It would seem that most everyone had given up the sword, which did have it's advantages, but made it hard to find a suitable weapon that was correctly balanced for him.

Growling to himself in irritation, he continued searching, but paused suddenly when he felt the presence of another of his kind.

Perfect.

Comments

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

He'd been in the city for a few days visiting with contacts and an old friend. Now, after a hard few hours of work he'd decided it was time for something to eat. New York was a place for food! He loved coming here if only to eat well. He had a passion for hearty food and the abundance of delicatessens and family owned restaurants suited him well.

Making his way down the street was always amusing to Kronos. People, as they had always done, stepped out of his way at times stumbling over each other in the process. It seemed to him as if there was some hidden power moving them swiftly aside. He liked it, always had. At least that deep instinct for survival in mankind had not slipped completely away in their hurry to become civilized.

He was nearing one of his favorite spots to get a good deli sandwich when his attention was drawn across the street. There, trying to look inconspicuous and at the same time seek out his presence was … Darius! Hadn't he just seen the man at Aidan's wedding? The world was certainly getting smaller. Yes, Darius had been there but in his customary role. Now, in this place… Where were his robes? He'd know about his arrival in the city and also that he was taken to having visitors. But to see him on the street in civilian clothes was a bit of a surprise even for Kronos.

He caught the other man's eye and abruptly turned course stepping briskly into the busy traffic with reckless abandonment. Cars slammed on their brakes, horns rang out, and verbal slurs permeated the street. It was nothing out of the ordinary for New York. He slowed upon reaching the curb, allowing the other man some space. But as he'd neared Kronos' expression softened into an intriguing smile. "Bit different from the Ural Mountains."

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius looked around after feeling the presence, trying to find the source. When he heard the screeching of tires and the blaring of horns, he turned in that direction and took note of the man crossing the street. He tensed slightly as he recognized Kronos, and cursed the lack of a sword yet again. He didn't neccesarily expect trouble, but he had been out of circulation for a very long time, and knew that it was best to be careful around any Immortal.

He noted the expression on Kronos' face, and relaxed slightly, although he kept himself ready for any eventuallity. He then nodded slightly at the question. "A great deal of things are different from what they once were, it would seem."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

"It would seem so, but you know things are not always as they seem." As he spoke the curl of his lips shifted the smile into one slyer. "But in this case it is a long way from our past encounters." He opened his coat, slightly exposing a handgun. "No headhunting." It was a declaration of fact. He cloaked the gun under his jacket and with a raised eyebrow asked, "What you doing outside your sanctuary?"

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius nodded slightly at the sight of the dun, not really surprised to see Kronos with such a weapon. The man had always struck him as the kind to take every advantage when it came to things like weaponry, as Darius had always been himself.

He took a moment to consider whether he should inform Kronos of his mission, since it did make it obvious that he was weaponless. However, he then realized that everyone basically expected him to be that way anyway, and that he had obviously survived all these years despite that fact. "I am in need of a weapon."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

Raising an eyebrow his head shook. "And I'm in need of food." He spotted a vendor just down the sidewalk. "Come on, I'll buy you lunch." He took a few steps then turned to Darius. "You can talk and walk at the same time?" His smile was teasing but the gesture was certain; Kronos was listening. This was always a good sign.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius watched the other man for a moment, then followed him, catching up after a moment. "It would seem that sometime in the last several years, I managed to misplace my sword. I need a replacement, and apparently people in this day and age have no real grasp of what a real sword should be."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

His next question already answered, Kronos strolled with Darius for a time in silence. Just as they reached the cart he chuckled and spoke almost as an afterthought. "You misplaced it."

There was a woman in front of them just gathering her order and Kronos deliberately bumped her. She looked over her shoulder with a sarcastic glance. He matched the look and she quickly walked away without a word.

"This is one of the best carts for dogs." He nodded at Darius then ordered, "Two dogs with everything, a root beer and… What do you want to drink?"

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius was amused by the exchange with the woman, but he had no idea what a 'root beer' might be. However, he figured that if it was good enough for Kronos, then it would likely do for himself as well. "The same."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

He nodded to the vendor, confirming the order and then while pulling out his wallet asked, "What about your sword?"

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius frowned slightly, tracing back a memory in his mind that was his own, and yet seemed to belong to someone else entirely. "I do believe I had it melted down at one point or another, although I can't recall exactly when." He growled slightly, irritated by the entire thing.

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

He watched Darius' expression while he gave the slightly plausible explanation. "So the demise of your sword was your doing." His head shook ever so slightly and he chuckled softly.

The vendor interrupted them with their lunch. After paying and tipping, Kronos handed Darius his dog and root beer then he gathered his. He indicated towards one of the sidewalk tables set within an alcove of a building. It was against a wall and had a nice vantage point for the noontime, sidewalk parade. "Let's go over there."

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

"Not entirely my doing, but close enough." Darius saw no reason to hide the fact that he was no longer the same man that many had come to know over the last millenia. It might give him a certain advantage in some situations, but he didn't feel that it would really benefit him in any way with Kronos.

Glancing in the direction Kronos had indicated, Darius nodded and started walking towards the tables. He liked the fact that it allowed him to have his back to the wall and not open and vulnerable.

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

He let the other man sit then took the seat next to him so his back was also against the wall. It was an old habit that just wouldn't die.

"This guy makes the best dogs," he said with vigor before taking a big bite out of it." He chewed and made an almost inaudible moan of pleasure. Then he sipped from the root beer. Another bite of food and he set the dog down and watched Darius with an inquisitive look. "So, what do you think?" he asked while wiping his hands with one of the numerous napkins he'd taken from the stand.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius watched Kronos for a moment, before he took a bite of his own and somehow managed to spill relish onto the front of his shirt. However, that didn't bother him much, considering that in his youth it was a rather common occurance to get all manner of grease and food on clothing while eating. After taking a moment to savor the dog, he swallowed and then nodded his head in agreement. "I admit that I don't recall having one quite this good before."

Of course, he wasn't exactly a hot dog connosseiur or anything, but it was still good.

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

He shoved the pile of napkins at the other man. "You'll have to have that dry-cleaned now. It's not like your robes." He sipped again from the can and peered around. "Why now?" he asked without further explanation and then set his gaze on Darius.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius looked down at the spill on his shirt and wiped at it rather ineffectually with the napkin for a moment before looking at the other immortal. He simply lifted an eyebrow slightly, even though he had a good idea of what it was Kronos was asking about.

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

Kronos leaned back in the chair waiting for his friend to explain.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius chuckled, thinking to himself that it was nice that some things hadn't changed while he'd been gone. "I had a visit from one of the old ones, Loki to be exact, who apparently thought that some changes were in order."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

He scoffed, "You left the safety of your beloved church and need a sword because of that." He chuckled and shrugged. "It's only the sword part that interests me, you know that." His eyes twinkled with a devilish gleam but it was for Darius, not directed at him.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius chuckled low in his throat. "The god is the reason I feel the need for the sword. Otherwise, I'd still be in that church with rosary beads and hymnals instead of out in the real world, catching up with the time that I've lost."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

"They're very real, look what they've done to this world. Religion." He sneered but then let it slip into a soft smile. "It did alright by you when you needed it. Things change though, times change. Change is good! There's nothing wrong with churches, they're kind of nice when you think about it." He smiled then downed the rest of his root beer.

"If you're gonna be out here, you know the score. And it's luck that you ran into me and not some unreasonable immortal," he said it very sincerely. "Luck for that, and luck that I know one of the best sword makers in the world." He leaned closer to Darius and grinned broadly. "And they're only a couple of blocks from here." He pushed the chair back and rose.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius snorted slightly. "I didn't need it, I was forced into taking it up, although in the end I suppose that hardly matters. And they do have their advantages, although I prefer the occasional use to the more permenant residence that seems to be my alter ego's choice."

He got to his feet as well then, and then glanced over at Kronos. "How fortuitous indeed then, that we should meet again now. Would you be so inclined to take me to this sword maker of yours?"

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

"No one forces you into anything." He gave the other man an inscrutable expression. He was thinking about the times he'd spent in places of worship and especially those times he'd visited with Darius and a smile pushed aside the unreadable features. "That's the point. Can't have a friend of mine walking around with no sword. Although there are lots of other weapons, just say the word." He grinned at Darius. "But there's plenty of immortals around. Some I know, some I'm not so sure aren’t hunting." He peered at his watch. "Now's probably as good a time as any."

They started walking and Kronos pulled out his cell phone to place a call. "Hey, I'm coming by… with a friend." And just like that the conversation was over. He turned to Darius. "Now this person doesn't like strangers so take it easy."

They reached one of the numerous office buildings, which lined almost every street of the CBD of Midtown Manhattan, and strolled through the revolving door. Kronos casually approached the front desk and smiled at one of the security guards. "Frank, how’s the family?" He leaned over the large curved desk and patted the man on his shoulder.

The guard returned the smile and nodded. "All's good. Shelly just got that scholarship. We don't know how to repay you for all the help."

He smiled brightly and nodded. "She'll be a great scientist one day, make history even. That's all the thanks I need. Hey, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine, Nigel from…" He recalled where Frank's wife was from and went with that not worried about Darius being put on the spot. "Downunder. He's here for a conference on migratory habits of butterflies. I need to check with the archives for something for his presentation." He pulled out some sort of badge and flashed it under a scanner.

The guard smiled at Darius. "My wife's Australian."

Kronos added, "She's one of the indigenous peoples. Very pretty as well." He flashed Frank an easy smile and the other man returned it.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Darius was as impressed as always by Kronos' abilities to get the things that he wanted, and thought that many people gave him far to little credit for his genius. It was something that Darius himself tried to never do, as that often led to problems later on. Kronos was not someone to be trifled with, and therefore Darius made sure to give him the respect that he was do.

When Kronos introduced him as being from Australia, Darius found himself rather amused, as that was one of the places he'd never actually gotten to on his worldy travels. However, he'd never let something like that trouble him before. Not bothering to worry about his less than down under accent, Darius smiled at the guard. "You hold one of the very best in your heart then, my friend."

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

"That's right kind, right kind," the guard said sincerely. "I hope you're stay here is a good one." He panned around the lobby then looked at Kronos. "You'll be needing to leave any weapons here with me." The two other security guards looked away as if purposely not wanting to take notice as Frank unlocked the bottom draw of his desk, pulled out a metal box, and waited for the inevitable weaponry Kronos usually carried.

He slipped the gun discreetly into the box and then removed a dagger from under his trouser cuff. Then he eyed Darius figuring he was most likely not entirely unarmed. "It's okay, you got to leave them here." He made a subtle gesture towards a metal detector at the other end of the lobby. And then he shrugged. "Terrorists make it difficult for everyone these days," he said it with a touch of distain but then grinned mischievously.