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]

[ There's a long huff through his nose. ]

Fine. On the condition that you assist me in getting these files in order before our shifts end. And get them done correctly. If you cannot return to the field yet, you are going to have to do your job in the office properly.

[untodeath]

[ With a little bounce and a happy squeak, Grelle clasps her hands! And then, the reality of an entire week of paperwork sets in, and her gleeful smile slacks into something of a despaired grimace.

Her shoulders slump with a sigh. ]

Does that mean I’ll be working out of your office? [ There’s hope in her voice still!! ]

[dead_serious]

[ William hums, actually thinking that over. ]

That depends on which will distract you less. Not being in the room to keep you in line, or being there to attract your attention.

[ There's no winning with her. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grelle must resist the urge to smile, crossing her arms under her bosom, as though to seriously consider that. ]

Oh, being present to keep me in line. Certainly.

[dead_serious]

[ Perhaps to make up for his hesitation earlier, William grips her by the shoulder, spinning her around and shoving her towards the office with a heavy push to her back. ]

Go collect your laptop and other necessities and bring them to my office.

[untodeath]

Oh!

[ A surprised sound escapes her as she stumbles forward! Thankfully, she’s able to grasp the door frame to recover with some grace left in tact! Heaving a sigh of accomplishment, she tosses back her hair and glances back over her shoulder, giving William a good look-over. It’s been an entire month that she’s been without him, after all! ]

Mmn, yes, alright. I’ll be but a moment. [ A with a wink, she teleports out! ]

[dead_serious]

[ She will most likely beat William to his office, as he's still intending to take his full company issued break. But eventually he walks in, mug in hand. And in front of Grelle he places her own bright red mug, coffee filled to the brim. ]

[untodeath]

[ Ah, Grelle is fine with that. As she sees it, it gave her just enough time to set up - directly in front of him, of course - along with tidying her hair and reapplying her lipstick!

Her laptop has just powered up when she hears him come in. Before her focus can shift to coo his way, there’s a cup of coffee set in front of her!

Gasping with delight, she’s already reaching for it. ]

Oh, William, you are the love of my life...!

[ Siiiip! ]

[dead_serious]

Yes, I'd gathered that, over the years.

[ Taking a seat, he sips at his own coffee, before leaning forward in his chair to grab a stapled packet of forms from his desk. ]

Management gave me some forms to fill out regarding your return. Mainly it is a simple questionnaire. Equal opportunity rubbish and all that. Absurd really, when you consider none of us knowingly applied for this job.

[ Reading over the first few questions, he pulls a fancy pen from the pocket of his shirt to begin filling in her answers. ]

"Has your name been changed?"

[untodeath]

Oh~? Well, that saves me some time.

[ Regarding a profession, that is. She’s less entertained by the idea of a questionnaire, however; her eyes roll as she sets her coffee aside. ]

You’ve said it. Ah, sure, let’s put Grelle— now, remember, that G-r-e-l-l-E— Sutcliffe, dash, Spears!

[dead_serious]

[ His pen had begun writing out the new spelling when it pauses, William looking up to her with a very unamused expression on his face. ]

Stop it. We are not married.

[ And he is NOT putting that bit down! With a huff he looks to the next question. ]

I'm assuming pronouns will be female. [ It's merely a comment to himself as he's automatically checking off that box. The answer to the next is obvious too, but he'll ask just out of curiosity. ]

"Do you wish to be transferred to a new department?"

[untodeath]

[ Grelle’s only response to that is a chuckle into her mug while she takes another sip! It certainly isn’t the first time that she’s teased him over this, or even the tenth, yet he must adamantly remind her each time!

With an affirming hum to his assumption, there’s just a touch of warmth to her smile. He seems to be supportive enough with this transition of hers. It’s nice. ]

As though you could afford to lose me. No.

[dead_serious]

With all the updates to company policies, I am grateful I won't have to argue to keep a woman in Collections.

[ It's obvious now, that William's more accepting of others and their differences than one might think, upon meeting him. His sternness is focused on efficiency. ]

"What changes, if any, will need to be made to accommodate you." A rather vague question.

[untodeath]

Quite so. [ Leaning back into her chair, she swings one leg to cross over the other. ] That’s one argument they would not want to make with me.

[ The next question is one she considers with a hum, fingers drumming against her mug. ]

When the opportunity comes about, I shall require time off for family leave. Child bonding time for both my partner and myself.

[dead_serious]

[ For a second time now, he's looking up to her with a frown. ]

Child bonding?

[untodeath]

[ That gets her to chuckle. Silly William. ]

Yes, child bonding. As in, time to bond with my newborn child. Again, when that time comes.

[dead_serious]

A time which will never come, you realise.

[ He's not going to bother writing it and continues his pen down the sheet, checking off answers to other questions without bothering to ask. ]

[untodeath]

[ The smile fades from her features, as her eyes search his. ]

And why is that, pray tell?

[ Frowning with frustration as he continues on without her, she reaches out to plant her hand atop the stack. ]

[dead_serious]

Because you are not alive. You won't be able to bear a mortal child. Reapers are not born, they are assigned. Our entire realm is based around that fact.

[ He knows she doesn't want to hear that but she needs to understand it, regardless. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grelle’s brow furrows with frustration, as she huffs through her nostrils. ]

So, my child won’t be mortal, then.

[dead_serious]

[ He shakes his head, not wanting to get into an argument over this. ]

If that time ever comes, it can be discussed with upper management then. That is hardly an issue at this point in time.

[untodeath]

[ In contrast, she’s already becoming emotional! ]

William, I’m serious. This is something I want. Something I want desperately.

[dead_serious]

And it is not possible, now. These forms are looking for requests needing immediate implementation.

[ Though he's over it, he can hear Grelle's voice wavering slightly and it's...more than odd for her. He sets aside the pamphlet, thinking perhaps it's best to finish it up later. ]

Perhaps, for now, you should focus on what you've just achieved.

[untodeath]

[ Attempting to swallow down whatever in the hell is going on with her voice, she just about spills over — until William immediately follows up with reason.

Embarrassed, she presses her fingers to her forehead with a roll of her eyes. ]

You’re right. It’s— I suppose I just... feel a piece of me is still missing.

[dead_serious]

[ Interesting, this may be the first tune he's seen her legitimately embarrassed. ]

I believe we all feel that way about something.