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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[ 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. ]

[ With the softest croon of realisation, she reshifts her hands to hold the handles more comfortably, turning it to admire. ]

It's a very nice feeling, I have to admit.

[ William reclaims his seat, and his sandwich. ]

Do not get overly cocky about it. That's how you get yourself into trouble.

[ Laying the scythe across her lap, she shoots him a glance with a lopsided little smirk. ]

Is it how I got myself here, by chance?

[ A finger gingerly traces down a blade of its chain. ]

No. That demon had no intention of letting us go unscathed.

[ He heaves a heavy sigh, the image of Grell being pierced though still fresh in his mind. ]

[ Features easing into a sympathetic little smile, she heaves a little sigh, too. ]

Sorry, you've probably been forced to talk about this all day.

[ Which, she's hoping, will lead them back to the topic, so he'll vent a bit more! ]

Yes. I hardly got anything else done.

[ Gonna take a frustrated bite of his dinner. Why didn't he go get some coffee? Or gin. ]

Hm. I doubt we're given much leniency around here, either. Doesn't seem like an especially forgiving environment. Poor Will.

[ Uh-oh. Seems like someone had dropped the nickname! ]

[ The only response she gets is a glare over the sandwich. ]

[ Her lips part with an amused scoff! ]

What?

My name is William, not Will.

[ He already knows it's pointless to argue, though. ]

[ She frowns, then! ]

Why don't you like it?

It's unprofessional.

[ Now, A LOOK. ]

I thought we were friends.

We are. But you are also my subordinate. You don't get a pass simply because we have a relationship outside of the office.

[ Maybe that's the wrong phrasing. ]

[ Taking a breath, she then pauses to close her mouth, and the more she thinks on it, she raises a brow! ]

[ Shit. ]

That isn't what I meant.

[ A very sceptical HUM. ]

You know, it seems you've had quite the day, so I wasn't going to bring it up, but-- well, to hell with that, I suppose.

[ She folds her hands on top of the body of the chainsaw. ]

Every time you've been brought up in conversation, I've heard some very interesting things.

[ A deep frown spans his forehead. ]

Who has been speaking of me? And about what?

[ A roll of the eyes, now that she's thinking about it. ]

Perhaps every person I've spoken to. I have a feeling you know what they've been teasing about.

[ Slowly, she's starting to act like her old self. This doesn't bode well. ]

If it's about me being outwardly concerned about your well being, then yes, that isn't something many, if any, of them have seen.

[ A slow hum of affirmation. ]

And...?