(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

[dead_serious]

So what will it help anything if you do the exact same yourself? Honestly, you can't expect any change from it.

[untodeath]

Oh, but it's changed everything. Most importantly, my outlook.

[ Leaning forward, she's meeting William's eyes once again. ]

You have the power to control how you are seen, and treated - how much you exhaust yourself over caring. Once I realised that, I felt free. I can actually give this living thing a second chance.

[dead_serious]

You mean to say you were timid before.

[ They've only know each other a short while but he still has a hard time imagining it. She really must have done a major turn around. ]

I suppose I understand more. Do you feel knowing that as a mortal would have kept you from arriving in this realm?

[untodeath]

[ Ah, he nailed it. She takes a breath to speak, but stalls a moment longer to think before she does! ]

No. But, there's no changing it, now.

[ Smiling, she reaches out to tap a knuckle under his chin. ]

I've met you, besides.

[dead_serious]

[ William immediately stiffens and bats her hand away. ]

Stop that.

[untodeath]

[ Grinning wider, she chuckles! ]

So, what were you like, in your past life?

[dead_serious]

The same, for the most part. Especially now, what with my depression quickly returning.

[ A sigh and shake of his head and he's taking a bite of his pastry as if it may be able to cure his foul mood. It's helping a tiny bit. ]

[untodeath]

[ Ah, right. How could she forget about her cake? Perhaps she'll up her fork to eat some more, as well... ]

Mn. For what it's worth, I-- made a mistake, when I dismissed you, Will. You do a good job of hiding it, but you're actually quite fascinating.

[ She's just going to pop a piece of cake in her mouth! ]

[dead_serious]

I'm not sure I can agree with you on that.

[ Her cake actually looks pretty good, now that he's focused on it. Perhaps he should have ordered that instead. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a knit of her brow, she points the prongs of her fork at him. ]

So, are you saying that I should continue to beat you up, then?

[dead_serious]

No. I meant as far as me being fascinating.

[ He'll brandish his own fork against hers. It may come across as playful, but he most likely doesn't realise that! ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's brows raise just so, and she laughs. ]

Hm! Strange, that's precisely what I'm hearing.

[ She clanks her fork against his like a tiny sword!

[dead_serious]

Well, I'm not fascinating. Not in the least.

[ He uses his wrist to push her hand aside and decides to take a forkful of that cake, as if it's a reward for winning that argument. ]

[untodeath]

[ Okay, now, it most definitely feels like flirting! Mouth agape, a scoffing sort of laugh escapes her this time. ]

I think you misunderstand, I wasn't agreeing with you. I was threatening to get your head on straight, and now, you've gone and stolen my cake. Just wait until I get you home!

[dead_serious]

It was one bite. And we aren't going home together.

[ Goodness it was a good bite tho. It's doing a far better job at calming his mind than his own choice. ]

[untodeath]

[ Sometimes, William is entirely oblivious - and others, he's much too sharp! She snerks, scooping up another piece of cake to hold out for him. ]

Hm, what a shame! We both could use the distraction.

[dead_serious]

[ William focuses on the cake offering with a suspicious frown. He's starting to piece it together. ]

I am not letting you feed me. And if by distraction you mean something sexual, that isn't happening either.

[untodeath]

[ With a sigh, she shrugs - and eats the cake, herself! Let her just wash it down with a gulp of wine. ]

Suit yourself.

[dead_serious]

[ Damn, no cake. Well, he'll just have to order it next time. ]

Why are you interested in my that way anyway? We hardly know one another.

[untodeath]

[ With a vaguely annoyed look, she idly taps her fork against her plate. ]

Hardly know one another? So glad to know that you've valued our time together on assignment.

[dead_serious]

It was a month. In which you insulted me upon our meeting, attacked me, and then hardly spoke to me until the deadline to reap him neared. That's hardly any time, at all.

[ He gives her an annoyed look right back. ]

[untodeath]

[ Now, she's trying not to smile, but a corner of her lips may be twinging! ]

What did I just say about that? I made a mistake-- which I won't admit to again, so you'd do well to get it through your head this time!

[dead_serious]

As if you don't need things constantly reiterated to you.

[ Frustrated, he fixes his glasses before snatching up his coffee mug. ]

Then, I suppose we are making up for lost time now.

[untodeath]

[ an amused little croon escapes her, as she takes another bite of that delicious cake. She isn't taunting him if he refused it, right? ]

You know, I didn't think you would care, to be quite honest.

[dead_serious]

Yes, well.

[ Somehow her comment makes him feel the slightest bit embarrassed. He clears his throat to regain his train of thought. ]

I suppose even someone like myself needs a companion.