(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]

[ 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! ]

[dead_serious]

[ With a sigh, he shakes his head. ]

Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised.

[untodeath]

No, I don't think you should.

[ After breathing a chuckle, her attention turns to the host. ]

A table for two, outside, if you would.

[ Her tone is terribly dismissive, and she doesn't bother to conceal it with a smile. Quite the contrast, her entire demeanor seems to change once they're shown to their table and she's addressing William again.

Opening her menu, she crosses her legs, canting her brows at Will, with some excitement. ]

I do hope you enjoy the food.

[dead_serious]

Hm.

[ Barely an acknowledgement as he holds the menu up. The dishes sound good but he can't seem to find one that he thinks he can stomach. ]

Perhaps I will just get something from their baked goods assortment.

[untodeath]

I did say, whatever it is that gets you to eat.

[ Doesn't mean that she won't giggle about it, though! ]

I'll do the same, then.

[dead_serious]

Perhaps some coffee, as well.

[ The waiter returns to take their simple orders. It's only a few minutes more before their sweets are placed in front of them. William looks down at his chocolate filled croissant with surprisingly low enthusiasm. ]

[untodeath]

Your-- wine of the day for me, please.

[ Grell was hoping for more of a response from the other, but this is William, after all. She merely hums with interest, before picking up her fork. ]

What, regretting your decision? Would you like some of my opera cake, instead?

[dead_serious]

No. I will eat it.

[ There's a heavy sigh. ]

I don't see why they felt it necessary to show us our records. I would think we'd all be more productive without the memories there.

[untodeath]

[ He's bringing it up! Good, because she's not certain that she would have been able to get around to it. Healthy conversations aren't exactly her Forte.]

To punish us, I suppose. As is this entire bloody process.

[ Having taken her first bite, Grell's brows knit with a delectable hum! ]

At least there's still cake.

[dead_serious]

We're punished for our actions, yet they need our kind to do such an important job. There is obviously nothing being done to help those in our position keep ourselves from ending our lives. They need mortals be to suicidal. It's just as selfish a system as our decision itself.

[ He finally picks up his pastry, taking a bite with a bitter look
on his face. ]

Bloody hypocrisy.

[untodeath]

[ Hearing it that way, Grell's jaw slows while she chews. Thankfully, they've been brought their beverages; she's going to swallow it down with a big gulp of wine! ]

So, you-- [ Leaning back, holding her glass to her chest, her brows furrow with a huff of a sigh! ] Do you think they made us defective, in hope that it would turn out this way?

[dead_serious]

Quite possibly. Whatever the case, they hardly care if we are forgiven or not. I can't imagine very many of our kind are granted that privledge.

[ He adds quite a bit of sugar to his coffee, making sure it's thoroughly mixed in before taking a sip. It doesn't seem to aid his mood, at all. ]

[untodeath]

[ Watching him pour sugar into his coffee takes the edge off of her anger, at least - as does another helping of wine. Her lips briefly flicker into that crooked smile of hers. ]

I got the same impression. [ She shakes her head with a shrug. ] Surely, you've noticed that there is a distinct lack of us, even so.

[dead_serious]

[ He huffs. He's not even on the job yet and he's already stressed over the amount of work there will be. For eternity. ]

So why were we dealt this hand, then?

[untodeath]

[ Stares into her glass, Grell searches her old memories for answers. Despite her permanently pressed brows, the redhead never came across as melancholy before, but now, there's the briefest wash of sadness over her features.

She heaves a sigh. ]

I've given up trying to make sense of it. Life - and thereafter, I suppose-- it's unreasonably cruel, and if you're to survive it, you have to be meaner.

[dead_serious]

[ Meaner? He's not quite sure he understands that logic. ]

Is that why you attacked me during our assignment?

[untodeath]

[ She snerks with a press of her brows. ]

Well, I suppose! [ She tilts her head. ] Perhaps I'd just become a bit spoiled. I'd had such an easy time of intimidating everyone else.

[dead_serious]

I don't see why you needed to intimidate anyone, to begin with.

[ It's said in more of a scolding manner than a perplexed one. ]

[untodeath]

[ Ah, now one of those brows quirk high. ]

Truly. You couldn't imagine a single reason.