All Work & No Play

[amongthethorns]

[Honestly, they're all exhausted - not tired but just worn out physically - after getting called all the way over here to help deal with a sudden rapid spike of missing souls which had been caused, unsurprisingly by an influx of demons. It was an odd thing and they still needed to pinpoint the origin of this matter, after all. Neither they nor the Paris Reapers could figure out what can caused an entire legion of Hells most foul to ascend on the city of lights.

Thankfully, with the five of them working pulled through just fine even if Alan was just a junior and Ronald was a rookie still. 

At least the hotel was nice even if they had to bunk up; two beds to each room. At least they had adjoining rooms so if they wanted they could throw the door between the two rooms open and interact.

Alan closed the field kit he'd been using to tend even their most minor of injuries; huffing out a tired but relieved breath. His chest ached just slightly and his shoulders slumped a little bit.] 

Well, that was certainly interesting if I don't say so myself. I know we've still got a few more days here in the city just to make sure things are well in hand an find answers, but what do we do for now? I mean - what do you even do in Paris?   

[He turned toward his bed where a rather large suitcase was tucking the field kit away. He'd brought a few things with him. They'd put all their belongings into this singular suitcase - fresh suits, documentations they needed when they went to Paris's dispatch branch for briefings and reports, a few other odds and ends.]

Comments

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric glances over at Alan when their hands separate. He sighs and shifts the bag of bottles he'd been holding on his hip to in front. He spots Grell on the floor and laughs openly.]

Well hello.

We got lost. Paris streets are all over the place. Here, I got some wine and gin and a few other things...

[dead_serious]

[ Ah, gin. The magic word. William rises from the bed to see what they found, making sure to give Grell a reprimanding glare as he passes, not even bothering to offer a hand up. ]

Hm.

[ From what Grell had explained to him about the two, William's got a feeling it's more than just 'getting lost'. But, for now he's reaching for that bottle, looking over the label. ]

What else, then?

[untodeath]

[ Grell pointedly quirks a brow in William’s direction, tongue hooking over a pointed tooth. Foot rubs, cuddles, bloody movies AND some rough handling? Is he purposefully riling her up?!

Picking up her now empty glass, she climbs onto her feet to inspect her cute sleeping outfit for wine. Miraculously, the cami, shorts, and robe kimono managed to remain stain-free! Or, at least, undetectable amongst all the red. ]

Hm! Well, aptly timed, I suppose. We’ve just run out of mine.

[ Her wine, that is, as she indicates by gesturing her empty glass toward the stain on the floor.

Rather than inspecting the bag that Eric holds, she saunters over to lean against the doorway separating the two rooms, idly ruffling her dampened hair at the roots as she eyes Alan and his suspicious behavior! ]

Yes, what else~?

[amongthethorns]

[Don't look at him like that nope nope. No guilt trip tonight thank you.]

Hopefully that's an acceptable gin. The label looks similar to the one you like back in London. I let Senior Slingby pick the rest you know I don't traffic in drinking much.

[A pause.]

We didn't grab another red. Next time.

[As long as his focus is elsewhere he's doing just fine. Night clothing in hand he's moving into the bathroom to get changed. Just let him get comfortable and away from Grell's inquiring gaze and Eric's entire proximity so he can get back to zero. Please let him somehow get back to an even blank slate before they climb in bed together.

And he might shut the door with just a tiny bit more force than needed at that thought.]

[ochitashinigami]

[Unless someone is going to call them on it, he's not going to address that they were late.]

We've got gin and rum and wine... I think there's a schnapps there too...

[dead_serious]

Quite a lot.

[ More of an observation than complaint, as he's already fishing the appropriate glasses for each of them. He pours his own, taking a small sip to judge its quality before following with a larger one. It's safe to assume they did a good job picking one out. ]

Whatever you choose to drink next, keep it off the floor.

[ He gives Grell a warning before stepping back to allow the others access to the drinks. ]

[untodeath]

[ Hearing Alan, she hums with feigned sincerity - but when she’s told that there’s no more red wine, she certainly isn’t faking the groan of disappointment. Or the brief bout of laughter that follows the slam of the door! ]

That’s not what I meant, Eric, darling, but duly noted!

[ Ticking her tongue at William’s warning, she follows right behind him, plopping a chin on his shoulder. ]

What’s that you have, then?

[amongthethorns]

[See the thing with that is Alan had understood perfectly well what Grell had meant. He knew exactly what she'd meant and it's going to take him a couple minutes to just school his expression into something nice and neutral. So he's just carefully working at his uniform, changing into his pajamas - taking his time.

There's the running of the tap as he washes his hands and face. Once he's gotten himself calmed and his face is cooler, Alan turns off the tap putting his glasses back on as he comes out of the bathroom with his dirty clothes that he discards.]

All I need is some wine.

[He moves to get one of those glasses Will had gotten out so that he can pour his own drink. The less trouble he can get into now the better, right? A little wine isn't as likely to get him as tipsy as any of the other drinks they'd brought. At least here's hoping.]

[ochitashinigami]

You'll have it then! [Eric smiles widely at Alan.]

Just white though [He side-eyes Grell] We already had red.

[dead_serious]

[ William rolls his shoulder, forcing Grell's chin off with surprisingly less force than usual. But, he would prefer not to spill his gin, after all. He can always make up for it later!

Allowing the rest to collect their own drinks, William moves to the only provided chair in the room, sitting and crossing his leg over. ]

What are we to do then? There's not much on the telly we can watch together.

[untodeath]

[ Well, it’s no surprise that he ignores her inquiry, but he spares her the violence? With a huff, she turns her attention on Eric and his bag of liquor. ]

Had.

[ Interesting assortment. She plucks up the rum and schnapps, opting to mix them. Something close to half of each, with a dash of optimism that it’ll taste palatable. ]

You know, party games exist for a reason. We could, for example, play spin-the-bottle.

[ Pivoting to show off their table of booze with a flourish, she gasps as though to marvel at it! ]

Oh, and we’ve got a selection to choose from, indeed!

[amongthethorns]

Party games?

[He's watching Grell looking rather dumbfounded as he reaches for a glass and the wine bottle. It takes him a moment of fussing to get it open but he's got it open and pouring himself a drink.]

I don't think spin-the-bottle is appropriate. Especially if you mean the type where you just kiss on the lips. Perhaps something a bit less intimate might be better.

[Grell he knows you fancy William but please don't make him risk the awkwardness of having to possibly kiss him. Unless that kiss can be anywhere but the lips he'd rather not kiss his boss.]

[ochitashinigami]

Eric laughs. "Who says it's not. I'll play spin the bottle."

[dead_serious]

[ Both Eric and Grell with get the typical glare from William. Did they honestly think he'd be willing to play spin-the-bottle? They're both way too obvious in their intentions. ]

If you two wish to play, then have at it. Humphries and I will leave you to it.

[ Perhaps he'll just go sit on the balcony and view the city. It must be beautiful lit up at night. ]

[untodeath]

[ What an easy crowd. Grell chuckles into her glass, pausing to sip before responding. ]

Oh, you two are sour when you’re jealous. That wouldn’t be fun for any of us.

[ Licking over her licks, she regards her drink with an impressed hum. A beverage that she hasn’t rendered undrinkable? Remarkable. ]

Truth or dare, then!

[amongthethorns]

Jealous?

[The way he says the word is incredulous. What in the world does Grell think he's jealous of? What does he even have to be jealous of? What on earth is she on about?]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[He rolled his eyes before shrugging his shoulders. He can't see anything wrong with that.]

I suppose that would be okay.

[ochitashinigami]

[Spin the Bottle is just kissing. Truth or Dare feels like there's a chance to be truly vulnerable and nope.]

What's wrong with spin the bottle?

[dead_serious]

[ William looks to Eric as if the answer should be obvious and he shouldn't have to explain. ]

The issues are:

[He counts them off on his fingers. ]

1. I will not be kissing any of you.
2. I doubt either of you would want to deal with that thing [ He points to Grell with his other hand. ] if your spin landed on me.
And 3. No.

[untodeath]

[ Grell finds herself looking to Eric with a wry grin, a shoulder raising as she chuckles! Surely, she’s about to offer a crude solution, but William speaks first.

And when he gestures to her, she props a hand beneath her chin prettily whilst batting her lashes! ]

Aw, Will, you know me so well.

[ That hand then gestures into a shrug. ]

It’s alright, Eric. If you really wish to kiss me, you could always dare it out of me. Since no one else would mind and all.

[amongthethorns]

[His lips parted before William started to speak, bless the man. He kept Alan from saying something foolish. Instead he closed his mouth and gestured to William.]

Exactly. Thank you, Sir.

[There was a scrunch of his nose at Grell's words but he's wisely saying nothing, instead he's bringing his glass up to his mouth taking a healthy sip before moving to drag the chair from the other room into this one to sit in.]

Fine. What are the rules and who goes first?

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric laughs]

It's harder than that to kiss me, Sutcliff. I don't have to use dares.

[He sits down on the floor next to Alan, his head next to Alan's knee.]

So, what are we playing?

[dead_serious]

[ Reclaiming the other chair, William reluctantly joins the other two. It's ridiculous, playing these so called 'party games' when they're centuries old and there's hardly a party going on. But, truth or dare sounds far more tolerable than spin the bottle. ]

Truth or dare, was it? Or is there a third suggestion. I don't know of any, honestly.

[untodeath]

[ Grell rolls her eyes at Eric, snerking! ]

And yet, you’ll have a bottle determine the fate of your affairs?

[ With both chairs occupied, there’s few options - and she’s certainly not sitting in the ground - so, she sits on the balustrade itself, back resting against the wall and legs outstretched. ]

Yes, truth or dare. As the title suggests, one would choose another player, and challenge them to pick either truth, or dare. Neither should render them incapable of continuing the game. If they should forfeit, they must default to the other option. Once they’ve completed the challenge, they go on to challenge another player. Easy enough?

[amongthethorns]

[So that's interesting. There's an Eric sitting just right there like he just has to be by Alan's side. All right then, he's going to back that away for reflecting on later - mush later.

Instead, he's focusing on Grell, tilting his head.]

And if we don't want to do the other option either? Who knows what kind of odd dares you two could think up. Besides, I thought the point of the game was to drink or am I wrong?

[ochitashinigami]

"A forfeit is something we're doing anyway?" He shrugs and takes another drink and pats Alan's knee.