(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]

Oh, you thought that was bad? [ Pff! ] I haven't been that bad, as of late, though!

[ As she's taking another gulp from her cup, that reminds her-- ]

Oh, that's right. We were going to move about your things! [ She exclaims whilst opening up some cupboard door aimlessly! ]

[dead_serious]

Considering it's all I've seen of you, that is the only reference I have.

[ Pausing mid-sip he watches her fuss with a cabinet. ]

We aren't moving cabinetry, I hope.

[untodeath]

No, you silly man.

[ She shoots him a sly little look. Was that a joke? From William??? ]

Just what's in it... which... isn't much... [ The redhead mutters into the bare spaces, grabbing the few pieces they've been supplied and gathering them onto the counters. ] That simply makes it an easy place to start!

[ Now, she steps back, hands on her hips. ]

Now, you decide, what works best for you? Where do you want to make your tea, store your silverware? Etcetera!

[dead_serious]

[ rearranging silverware doesn't sound like it will make this place feel like home but he gives in, glancing around the small kitchen to decide what might work best. ]

Perhaps the island counter could serve as a good place to fix tea.

[untodeath]

[ Nodding with great enthusiasm, she clasps her hands and looks about her. Between the oven and the refrigerator is a small counter space, a cabinet above and drawer beneath. She gestures to these accordingly! ]

In that case, perhaps you can store your tea and sugar in here, cups just above... the silver is perfectly stored in here... and your kettle beneath! All easily accessible from the island! You see?

[dead_serious]

Hm.

[ setting his glass down, he moves towards her to shuffle the few pieces about. And once their in place as she suggested, he mocks going through the routine. ]

That seems a good layout.

[untodeath]

[ Likewise, Grell picks her glass up while she observes! ]

Very good. The rest should be easy to sort out, given that was the majority if it.

[ She chuckles into her glass whilst waving William on to sort it out. ]

[dead_serious]

[ It hardly takes five minutes before William's arranged everything, even pausing to clean off the dish from his breakfast. Finally, he returns to his wine. ]

That's something, I suppose.

[untodeath]

[ Grell shakes her head with a chuckle, taking the opportunity to top off their wine. ]

Already looking better than mine. Where to, next?

[dead_serious]

The furniture could be rearranged.

[ He takes his glass into the living area. There's not much there, either. A couch, a few separate chairs, a table and gramophone. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell follows close behind, eying the area. ]

It entertains me how seemingly optimistic they are that we'll be keeping such company.

[ Leaning over, she drapes her arms along the backrest of a chair. ]

[dead_serious]

We're doing so now.

[ There's not much he can see being done to the room to make it feel any different. So instead, he decides to take a seat to finish his wine. ]

[untodeath]

[ She shoots him a look - albeit clearly endeared. ]

Well, yes, but-- three chairs?

[ When he sits, she laughs! ]

Oh, come on, now! Giving up already?!

[dead_serious]

I don't see how it can be arranged in a better layout.

[ Crossing one leg over the other he takes a decent sip of wine. ]

It feels better having another here.

[untodeath]

[ Standing to plant a hand on her hip, she's about to give her opinion on that-- but hearing him say that, she can't help but ease.

It doesn't really matter, she'd suppose. After all, it was just an excuse to get to know him better. ]

Hm. It does help, doesn't it?

[ Instead of take her own chair, as any reasonable person might, she sits on his arm rest, instead. ]

I admit, I was surprised when you approached me this evening, but I'm quite glad that you did.

[dead_serious]

[ He inches away from her enough that he can rest his glass in his lap and not have to use the arm rest. ]

I couldn't sit here alone. Not after the day we've all had.

[untodeath]

So, it could have been anyone, then?

[ Siiip. ]

[dead_serious]

[ He frowns up at her. ]

Apparently you failed to notice all the other new reapers who were being shown to their new flats, at the same time. I was depressed and I saw you at the end of the hall, and decided that would possibly help me. I could have just as easily went to my neighbour, but I went to you.

[untodeath]

[ Grell can't help but grin, for she certainly DID notice, and that's why she'd brought it up at all! ]

You certainly did, but my question is, why me? You disliked the way that I treated you, and seemed to believe that I disliked you, in turn.

[dead_serious]

You did dislike me. But you seemed to have quite the turnaround towards the end of our assignment.

[ He's completely oblivious to why tho. ]

Regardless, I haven't spoken to many others we trained with. At least I had some time along side you.

[untodeath]

[ Ah, is he serious? She snerks! ]

Well, I'm glad you realise that now, in any case. [ Arm resting about his shoulders, she leans over to settle her temple atop his head with a croon. With more giggles! ] For I do adore you so.

[dead_serious]

[ He noticeably tenses at the direct, intimate contact. Where as his future self would just shove her off the couch without a second thought, his current self hesitates. She isn't attacking his as before so he has no reason to defend himself. Still, this kind of contact is not something he's used to. ]

You've made that clear, now can you stop.

[untodeath]

Hm? Why does it bother you?

[ While she does pick her head up to look at William curiously, she still keeps her arm on his - now, while her fingers idly dash through the ends of his hair! It certainly doesn't help, now that she's becoming a bit tipsy. ]

[dead_serious]

I'm not used to contact like this.

[ His shoulders rise at the touch of his hair and he shifts further away. ]

[untodeath]

[ At that, her brows furrow. With a sigh, she runs her fingers through his hair to affectionately smooth it down, before pulling away. ]

Sorry to hear that, Will. For some time, it had been the same for me.