the woman.

[untodeath]

[ She had always said that she was going to do it, but it took Grelle Sutcliffe just about two-hundred and fifty years to make good upon that oath.

The process was as complicated as they come, but everything simply had to be perfect. Genuine as one could get, with some cosmetic enhancements to round everything out— more literally than one might think.

It was said that scientific advancements in the spiritual realm preceded those in the physical by roughly seventy-five years, and despite how little she claims to know of it, the reaper followed it all quite closely. Genetic engineering had advanced so much that one could have organs - or entire limbs - lab-grown for replacement. It then became possible to alter the cellular makeup or such appendages, for aesthetic purposes, or even, their sex. Finally, sexual organ transplants were possible.

Equipped, as it were, Grelle also wished to soften her facial features and give her body the proper curves to rebalance her naturally masculine frame. Having it all done at once was the most excruciating thing she’s had to endure this far, but it was necessary, with how stingy management is at granting leave!

That said, she’s returned to office, though it won’t be until the end of the week that her medical release approves her return to field work.

But, first thing’s first; she must report to her supervisor. ]

How I’ve missed you❣️

[ Despite being out for nearly a month with very little contact, and an entirely new physique, the redheaded reaper has burst into his office as though nothing were out of the ordinary! ]

Comments

[dead_serious]

[ And yet, she'll be walking into an empty office! Though, it's obvious by the amount of files on his desk that William is on the clock today, he's not currently at his desk. And with the only other staple of the room, his coffee mug, missing as well, it's a safe bet on where he might be.

Was taking this precise moment to refill his mug, his attempt to further prolong the reunion with Grelle? Perhaps. But he hasn't admitted that to himself, nor will he ever, if his stubbornness has anything to say about it. This entire ordeal has put him in a sour mood since Grelle first turned in her request for leave. The matter was beyond that of a simple day off, so he had no say in its approval. And something about that seemed to bother him, though, for the death of him, he couldn't seem to figure out just what it was. Which just seemed to prolong the bad mood through the entirety of her absence.

Today, though, is the first day in a month that there's been a scheduled shift printed under her name. Seeing it there has had William subconsciously tapping his foot beneath his desk for the past few hours. And now that motion has transferred to the rhythmic drumming of his thumb against the rim of his mug while the coffee percolator softly hums. This may be the first time he's ever found himself feeling nervous. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell, too, has much to be nervous about. After all, it has been her hope, however deluded she knows it must be, that William might be able to accept her as a woman. Become comfortable in the idea that there’s something between them—

But, to hell with being nervous. She’s finally, FINALLY, what she was always meant to be. ]

I imagine you must have heard me the first time, so I won’t bother repeating myself.

[ Wait, no, she’s definitely nervous. It doesn’t help that she isn’t confident with her more feminine voice just yet. It isn’t as feminine as she’d care for, either - but perhaps she can pull off the more sultry cantor... but she’s grown so accustomed to the theatricality that it just seems so odd to drop it now—...

Okay, no, she must focus. She’s allowing her mind to run away from what’s before her.

Healing be damned, she still is wearing her heels, and they clack atop the cheap vinyl floor, until she’s stood beside him. And she, too, takes a good, hard look at that percolator. ]

Typically, you don’t take your second coffee until three-o’clock.

[ Crossing her arms over her waist, she finally cants her head to look his way. ]

Long night?

[dead_serious]

A seemingly unending one, what with one less agent on duty.

[ It feels oddly good to be able to scold her again with cold, dry comments. But nope, he's still got a nervous tension in his chest, and now that she's turned to look at him, the worry that it's showing on his face has him focusing all his attention at pouring his second cup. ]

[untodeath]

So, you’re saying that you missed me, too.

[ And the smile she has is just delighted - in that wicked sort of way. That much about her didn’t change, jagged teeth and all. ]

[dead_serious]

Not in the way you are implying. I have hardly had any time to myself this past month.

[ Not nearly as focused as he intended, William accidentally starts spooning powdered creamer into his coffee instead of sugar! Cursing to himself, he's quick to turn away from her to empty the cup into the sink. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grelle’s reaction is delayed by his own, curiously watching him fumble over the sink and all! But she hums, then - not only to acknowledge his statement, but also, curious if he’s actually afraid to look at her! ]

Had they neglected to send any sort of support? A transfer?

[dead_serious]

[ There's a frustrated sigh as he rinses his mug out and grabs some paper towles to dry it. ]

At first they had. Unfortunately, there was an abundance of additional reapings added to the pile that seemingly "got lost" durring initial distribution.

[ Well, time to turn back. He sighs again, pivoting on his foot to finally look her in the eye. ]

The stand in reaper was hardly able to keep up in the field, unlike yourself.

[ And with that round-about compliment he gives her new form a good look up and down. ]

[untodeath]

[ The smile she gives him is warm, as she reaches out to rest a hand upon his chest. ]

Yes, well, you won’t find another like me. Like us.

[dead_serious]

[ William's gaze shifts from where he'd been frowning at the length of her skirt to where her hand now rests at his chest. Looking back to her face, he tilts his head slightly, appearing, for the moment, more perplexed than irritated. ]

Your voice is different.

[ After hearing his own words and realising how absurd they sounded, given that nearly everything about Grelle's physical make up has changed, he elaborates. ]

Honestly, I was not aware such a thing could be altered.

[untodeath]

[ When he looks at her like that - truly considering what he’s looking at - she can’t help it; she tucks some hair behind an ear and lowers her chin to smile up at him like a flustered schoolgirl. ]

Strange, isn’t it? I can barely recognize myself, to my own ears...

[ A pause, as she becomes stuck on his eyes. All she wants is to ask what he thinks, but she just can’t bring herself to do it. ]

I’ve had to practice at it. Take medication three times a day, and— there’s this little device in me that delivers micro doses to my system throughout the day to offset the rapid cellular overturn that our systems—

[ After that sharp pause, she draws a breath to laugh, shaking her head! ]

I don’t know why I’m explaining all of this, it’s far from becoming! Instead, I’ll just leave it at, it’s worth it. [ A sound nod. ]

[dead_serious]

You are beginning to sound like Othello.

[ A light tease, perhaps, as he knows she's not a fan of the nerdy scientist. ]

That is good to hear, though. Having to go though it all and finding it wasn't what you wanted after all would be unfortunate.

[untodeath]

[ Grelle GASPS at that, red-tipped fingers to her ample bosom!! ]

You’re fortunate that I’m in such a good mood; that even such a catastrophic collision couldn’t knock me off this high!

[ Her lips quirk into that familiar crooked grin, at least! ]

Anyway. Even actresses do their research. [ Wink! ]

[dead_serious]

[ The movement of her hand away from his chest and to her own has his eyes settling on that new 'improvement' of hers. Not subtle in the least, might I add. ]

You researched quite a bit, it seems.

[untodeath]

[ That is not the reaction she would have expected from the man! It has her brows tick high, but her grin widens viciously, for she intends to take full advantage of William’s attention while she has it. ]

Oh, yes.

[ So she says, whilst turning and smoothing her hand along her - yes, full hips and ass. ]

Fully.

[ Glancing back over her shoulder at him, she quirks a single brow very coquettishly! ]

[dead_serious]

[ And he watches every bit of it! Though once their eyes reconnect, he clears his throat and pushes up on the side of his glasses. Suddenly he's remembered just what he was so on edge about earlier. ]

We need to discuss a few things regarding all of this.

[untodeath]

[ Grelle is visibly pleased to see that she’s jarred him so— until he ruins it by saying something so daunting!

Blinking, the smile falls, and she’s turned back to face him. ]

What’s that, then?

[dead_serious]

[ William sets his coffee mug back atop the counter, mixing up a new cup. Thankfully, he grabs the sugar this time! ]

This dynamic we've had, all these years past. How will things change, now?

[untodeath]

[ The redhead’s shoulders visibly relax. Here she was thinking that management would be making a fuss about her position! ]

I admit, I’ve been thinking about that, too - and I was hoping that you might ask me on a date.

[dead_serious]

[ About to raise the cup to his lips, he pauses, eyebrows immediately furrowing. ]

That is not what I was referring to.

[ William's free hand twitches slightly. Had she still been in her old body, that would have gotten her a hard smack atop her head, but now... William's caught in a dilemma. ]

I meant in regards to keeping you in line.

[untodeath]

[ Seeing that hand shift, she reflexively flinches... and he faulters?

Again, Grelle eases - but this time, her brows furrow sternly, as well. ]

Why would it be any different? Don’t tell me that the William T. Spears suddenly finds himself fearful of judgement.

[dead_serious]

Judgement?

[ He huffs as though that was an absurd thing to suggest. ]

No. I simply don't feel it right to be physically violent towards a lady.

[untodeath]

[ Lips pursing just so, she averts her eyes, her sigh almost defeated. ]

I look the part now, but I’ve always been a lady, Will.

[ Her eyes flicker back to his, however fleeting. ]

Though I admit, it gives me a bit of a stir to hear you refer to me as such. [ She twirls some of her hair between her fingers— until she abruptly stops herself with a bigger sigh!! ]

Even so, would you consider me too weak to endure you?

[ There’s a dangerous sort of edge to those words! ]

[dead_serious]

What you have always shown me was a flamboyant male who never once corrected me on how I addressed him.

[ William's eyes narrow, his mouth drawing into a thin line. It's a look that challenges Grelle's final question. ]

Yet, now that I'm correcting myself and showing you the respect I've lacked to give you since we met, you are going to act this way? Honestly, if I thought you were weak, I would have said as much. You know that better than anyone.

[untodeath]

My, my, you’d gotten me all wrong.

[ A feral little grin slinks across her lips, while she steps closer, fingers tracing down the knot of his tie. ]

But it it’s respect you wish to show, then you should have no trouble with a little rough play.

[ So she says, hand shifting down to grasp the length of said tie - to draw him closer. ]

Man or woman, you know what I can take.

[dead_serious]

[ Sudden reminder of their first day in the field, where she yanked him closer in just the same manner. That was the start of this turbulent relationship, and it's stood the test of time for centuries now. Despite his hesitance at her new form, suddenly stopping just doesn't seem right.

With a firm yank, he slips his tie from her grip, then delicately smooths it down his shirt and re-pins it. ]

I was offering you the courtesy. However, if you would prefer things to continue as they always have, then I will make you an exception to this moral rule of mine.