(no subject)

[dead_serious]

[ Graduating from the reaper academy was nothing to brag about. Sure you gained some skills and were granted permission to customize your glasses and scythe, but beyond that, all that was in the newly trained reapers' future was tedious, unavoidable work encased within long nights of depression and regret. Unlike mortal graduations that were followed by celebration, reapers were informed of how they came to be, what was expected of them, should they wish to redeem themselves, and then shown their personal cinematic records. Forced to relive the pain of their mortal lives. To say it's a traumatic experience is a vast understatement.

William stands alone in his newly assigned, permanent flat. It's barely furnished, with just the essentials, no life or personality to be seen. All that's playing through his mind is his record. A horrific thing to rewatch, certainly, but somehow it was made more painful by a fear that had been newly established. He's suddenly feeling sick from the thoughts and has to exit the apartment to collect himself. Glancing up, he sees a brief flicker of bright red at the end of the hall, and before he can stop himself he's following after it. ]

Grell Sutcliffe?

Comments

[untodeath]

[ Being addressed, the redhead immediately collects herself to stand taller, flipping some fringe behind her ear as she turns to the source.

It's to her surprise that William is readily approaching her! Her senses are betraying her, as of late - her mind, elsewhere. Really, she's disappointed in herself.

Even so, she grins just a bit brighter, now that he's here. ]

Will, what a delight.

[ Shifting her weight, she rests a hand on her hip, head lulled with a flirtatious bat of the lashes. ]

[dead_serious]

[ William briefly opens his mouth to respond but quickly closes it, a frown settling into his features as he absently looks past her. He knows why he walked over here, but it'd been such an impulsive move that he isn't sure what he'd intended to say once he got her attention. ]

Ah. Is it, though?

[untodeath]

[ With a tick of the brows, her smile quirks off-center! ]

Well, if you'd like for me to put it into perspective--

[ Righting herself, she steps in closer - too close! - to peer over her frames and meet his gaze. ]

Of all the miserable fools in this afterlife who might call my name, I find it most fortunate that it was you.

[dead_serious]

[ William instinctively pulls back, righting his glasses almost as if it's a nervous habit. ]

I was referring to the day, itself. It's hardly a day to be delighted over anything.

[untodeath]

[ Ah, she can't help it - being able to stir him in such a way makes her awfully hungry for more! For now, she'll stall, merely resting one foot forward and leaning into his space just so. ]

Ah, so that's it, is it? Hm.

[ Briefly, Grell's line of vision drifts away, as she seemingly considers his perspective. Just as soon, though, she snaps back to. Vaguely, she shrugs with a shake of the head. ]

Mn, no, I'm delighted, all the same.

[dead_serious]

Stop it.

[ He takes a step back. ]

Honestly? How can you think straight after all we've seen today?

[untodeath]

[ After one long, stubborn moment, her shoulders rise and fall with a sigh. ]

You want honesty, then. Fine.

[ With a flutter of her lashes, she partly rolls her eyes, gaze fleeting once more. ]

I've been quite unsettled since I'd arrived. My chest was tight with turbulent emotions that I could not pin. Now? Everything has clicked into place, but the stagnancy feels like ice in my veins, and I'm keen to start fires just to feel something true and tangible right now.

[dead_serious]

[ Must she speak in such poetic form? With his own mind so misplaced he has to take a minute to think back over her response. ]

I almost feel the opposite. I much preferred feeling nothing to this.

[untodeath]

[ A hum, as she curiously looks back to William, searching his features. ]

Between the two of us, there might be some potential for balance, then. Imagine that.

[ With a humoured little smirk, her brows raise imploringly. ]

What is it, then? Would you prefer to share your burden, or are you seeking some distraction?

[dead_serious]

[ He looks unsure for a brief moment. ]

Distraction, I suppose.

[untodeath]

[ A nod. ]

I've yet to have dinner, and I'm assuming you haven't eaten, either?

[dead_serious]

No, I haven't.

[ His frown deepens. ]

I'm not certain I can stomach anything, at the moment. Though, I would be willing to join you, regardless.

[untodeath]

[ Her look is scolding! ]

You need to eat something, so pick whatever it is that might incite you.

[ Grell offers her hand. ]

Fair enough?

[dead_serious]

Fine.

[ If he didn't know they had the ability to teleport one another to places simply by touching, he would completely ignore her hand. But he's willing to let her choose where they dine so he stiffly takes her hand. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell had assumed that he understood; she meant for him to choose the place! And so, they stand there in the center of the hall, staring at one another and holding hands.

After a long moment, she cracks into a smile, snickering! ]

What, you can't choose?

[dead_serious]

I thought you were choosing.

[ He's set to take his hand back but she's got a firm grip, and he'll end up having to take it again anyway. ]

[untodeath]

I told you to pick, silly man.

[ As it stands, her cheeks are warming, but she's far too amused and endeared to stop grinning like a fool! ]

So, take us to your favourite place!

[dead_serious]

I thought you meant from the menu. You are the one who's hungry.

[ Now its just a matter of winning this stubborn argument. ]

[untodeath]

[ Really, it's almost as though he doesn't mind holding hands! Hm!

No, of course, he's just being stubborn... but, unfortunately for him, she's just as much so - and keen to keep his hand for as long as is possible! ]

What if I pick the place, and you don't find anything you like?

[dead_serious]

And how is that any different from me picking the place and you not finding anything you would like?

[ In his frustration, he's gripping her hand tighter (and also has the urge to use the leverage to fling her across the hall). ]

A moment more of this and I'm changing my mind.

[untodeath]

[ With a tick of the tongue, she rolls her eyes. ]

Fine.

[ At that, she teleports them to her favourite place, instead! It's a cute French-inspired cafe with outside seating, rich with flora and illuminated with strung lanterns. There's a pianist, even! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Somehow the mood of the places gives him an immediate sense of calming. Maybe its the lighting, or merely being away from the apartment complex. Either way, he hasn't thought to let go of her hand, yet. Instead he gives a brief sigh of relief. ]

[untodeath]

[ Seeing William relax, even if slight, brings some softness to her smile. It has her turning her face away, as though to look for herself, though she very well remembers what it all looks like. ]

Lovely, isn't it?

[dead_serious]

It is.

[ It's only when he makes to walk towards the place that he realises their hands are still clasped. He quickly lets go, using the hand to adjust his glasses instead. ]

This place isn't too expensive, is it? I don't much to my name, at the moment.

[ That should change once they start their employment in the next few days to come. ]

[untodeath]

[ Anticipating that reaction, she'd been watching with a wickedly amused little grin. ]

Mn, no, not terribly. But, if you find yourself concerned, that are ways around that.

[ Once she's caught up, she gives him a wink! ]