thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ It's happening once again - her life, flashing before her eyes.

The shock that gripped her chest, as the demon grasped her face, muttering against her lips that it would erase the pain of her pathetic existence. Meeting William's gaze with excitement as they threw themselves into the throes of battle. Launching herself at him when he'd announced that they would be investigating a case together. Waking up that morning in a cold bed, before pulling herself out of it to piece herself together.

Hundreds of other beginnings like it, contrasting the liveliness she threw into her days, the unusual occurrences that came with her occupation, and the way her heart twists around that one special man. A time of fiery passion, bloodshed, lust - so brief, less than a thousand days of bliss, before reality tore the blanket from her eyes. Thirty-six-thousand like the ones that proceeded them. Love. Meeting William. Rage. Being "reborn," they said. Throwing herself into the ocean from cliffs high above.....

Her body relaxes as it all fades away. It's nearly bliss-- until the beast tears her scythe from her hands to plunge through her chest. Its laugh is wretched, gravely, as it steps on her shoulder to remove the blade and brandish against William.

It slowly walks back, giving the man the unspoken option to pursue it for battle, or approach his colleague. ]

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[ He catches the perplexed look on her face, and makes a mental note to explain that to her, as well. ]

No. Mortals are scheduled to die up to a month before. When their time arrives, we use our death scythes to release their cinematic record. It is a literal cinematic film reel that plays their entire life for us. We use that to determine whether or not they should be spared. Which is a very rare occurrence. After that, the fate of their soul is out of our hands.

[ With a knit in her brow, she frowns. ]

I fail to see how that's exciting. Sorry.

It is when other supernatural beings interrupt our work that you get excitable. You like the fight, the challenge. Which, as you can see, can have quite dire consequences.

[ He gestures to her and the machine she's hooked to. ]

[ Gaze following his movement, she's reminded of what the nurses had said to her. ]

That's right. Those women had said that a demon got the best of me, as though it were another Tuesday.

[ Humming, she sets aside her tea for the time being. She's already full enough. ]

I suppose that all adds up, then.

[ Checking his watch once more, he huffs. ]

I need to return to work if I'm to get out of here on time today.

[ Looking her over again, his brow furrows. ]

I doubt they'll allow you to go home tonight. Will you be alright here alone?

[ It's odd to be asking in such a caring manner, but it feels nice, in a way. ]

[ Her upturned brows turn up just a bit more! ]

Oh. Well, yes, I imagine so.

[ A gentle clearing of the throat, then. ]

Thank you. For everything. I hope you'll-- be coming back soon?

We'll see how late I end up working. For now, rest.

[ With a nod, he excuses himself. Eventually, the rest of their team returns from their day in the field. They eagerly await William's update on how Grell's doing, and even pay her short visits before they head home for the evening. William's unfortunately forced to stay late, the majority of his earlier shift being occupied with the formalities regarding the demon run-in. But eventually Grell will find him entering her room, again, already complaining about his long day. ]

Honestly, you would think I'd be given a moments reprieve after all of this.

[ Upon his arrival, Grell startles somewhat, for she'd been reading so intently! Book left open on her lap, she presses a hand over her chest. ]

William!

[ Smiling in spite of herself, she shifts in place a bit, to find her bookmark to set her place and leave it at the bedside table. ]

I didn't think you'd make it back tonight.

[ But she sounds quite glad that he has!

As for herself, she looks as though she's better rested. At the very least, her hair's neater - uncharacteristically sleek, in fact! And someone has brought her pretty red flowers. ]

[ It isn't until she greets him that he suddenly realizes her words haven't had the same flamboyant flare to them. How he didn't notice sooner, he's not certain. The next thing that catches his attention is the vase of flowers set on her bedside table. ]

Nor did I. I can only assume Humphries must have brought you those.

[ Following his line of vision, she visibly perks upon seeing the flowers again. ]

Ah, those, yes! Aren't they lovely? [ An amused little shrug. ] You were right about the department visits, after all.

Knox and Slingby came as well, then?

[ They'd said they would, at least. William reclaims his seat from earlier, but not before removing his coat and draping it over the back of the chair. He then removes his gloves, setting them beside the vase. Seems he's making himself comfortable. ]

[ With a hum of affirmation, Grell reaches over to tap the book. Works of Shakespeare. ]

Ronald brought me this from my desk, and Eric was kind enough to tame my hair for me - though it was your comb that came in handy.

[ While on the topic, she opens the bedside drawer to fetch it, and offer back with a smile. ]

[ William frowns skeptically as he reaches out to take his comb back. ]

I can't see Slingby doing such a thing.

[ With a tilt of the head, she blinks. ]

Really? Why is that?

He simply can't be bothered with most things when he has his own agenda planned out.

[ He shrugs slightly. ]

Seems I am wrong.

[ Intrigued, her brows raise with a breathy hum. ]

Well, I'll certainly keep that in mind.

[ Likewise, she shrugs! ]

For now, I won't complain. It feels much better. [ Look, she can run her fingers through it now! ]

[ He nods as she fluffs up her hair. ]

Tamer than usual.

[ That doesn't sounds like it's a bad thing, though. As she plays with it, he retrieves the rest of the sandwich from earlier, having never gotten a second break to finish it. ]

[ Though she's amused by the comment, her mind goes completely blank once he pulls that sandwich from nowhere! Drawing breath, she points at it with a shake of the wrist. ]

Okay, I know I'm not seeing things now. Please, ex-plain.

[ William looks down to his food, unsure what she means, at first. But it clicks once he thinks back to her initial flinch when he brought the food in. ]

It is a bit difficult to explain. Essentially, we have access to a small pocket dimension. It is where most of us house our scythes when they are not in use.

[ Somehow, she understands that terminology, so she's just going to roll with it. With a blink, that takes a moment to process in itself. ]

So, I have one, as well?

Yes. You really only need to think on retrieving they item you want and it will come to you.

[ Perhaps a bit more complicated than that, but he's been doing it for so long he can't quite remember how he did it the first time. ]

However, I have your scythe, so that won't appear for you. And I don't know what else you have tucked away.

[ Finally, he partakes of his food again. Thankfully those pocket dimensions seem to have a refrigeration option for food. ]

[ A pouty frown comes with that. ]

Oh. Well, I don't know what I've left in mine, so that won't do me much good.

[ With a sigh, she tucks an arm beneath her head while looking to him. ]

Well, anyway, tell me about your day.

[ Setting the sandwich down for the moment, William stands and seamlessly produces a large, red chainsaw from nowhere. ]

You're free to take your scythe back, if you'd like. Though I would wait until you can stand to try summoning it.

[ Eyes widening with this large, shiny, red hunk of metal in front of her, Grell looks at him unsurely before reaching out with both hands to take it. Carefully! ]

That's--oh! It looks much heavier than it is.

No. You are simply stronger than your mortal self ever was.

[ It's oddly nice seeing her scythe in her hands again. Even if it'd only been two days, William didn't know how long he'd have her scythe in his possession. ]