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

[untodeath]

Yes, combing your fingers through a man’s hair clearly isn’t intimate.

[ Grell snorts into her glass, and with another drink in her, hums with amusement. ]

You’re not my type, stud. Pick a target.

[ochitashinigami]

[He huffs]

Fine, you.

[amongthethorns]

Maybe but when you say fantasy that's certainly not what the average person would think of. Obviously, they'd think of things involving less clothing for a start.

[Dutifully, he's focused on those braids; carefully undoing one and then the next starting with the lowest one then up so as to keep the freed hair from making him have to fuss to much to continue the task.

[dead_serious]

It's not the fact that your hair is being played with. That is undoubtedly appealing. It is the setting, and the other involved, that can potentially make it an intimate fantasy.

[ Wait, is William giving relationship input? And did he just admit he likes his hair mussed? He's had more to drink so far than the rest. Yeah, he'll blame it on that. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell is opening her mouth to retort— but, to her surprise, William takes care of it for her! Quirking one of those upturned brows of her, she grins wickedly. ]

Says the one most protective of his hair.

[ She's going to reach out and dash her fingers through his loosened locks. Daring, considering she’s seated on the ledge of the balcony.

Meanwhile, her glance dashes back to Eric. ]

Dare.

[amongthethorns]

I hardly think in a room with two other men is how anyone would imagine such a thing. Unless you were interested in everyone in the room.

[He pointed out rather matter-of-factly as he was talking about the weather and the late hour and not the potential of a foursome. Then he huffs out a laugh.]

Not that would happen anyway - especially not with this group.

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric just gives William a frown. He lets Alan touch his hair and even leans his head against his knee.] Humm? Ah...

Sing a serenade to the person in the room you're most attracted to and then give them a kiss.

[Will isn't the only one who can be a relationship bro, have fun Grell. Besides, he's grateful to Will but Will also annoyed him.]

[dead_serious]

[ Immediately protesting! ]

Why am I being dragged into his dare?

[ Because, obviously, she's gonna pick him, right? ]

https://youtu.be/l7p2M-D-P9Q

[untodeath]

[ Before William’s got all his words out, Grell has risen up onto her feet - right there, bare feet on the railing, drink in hand. She clears her throat, but then, raises a finger in pause, because she’s obviously got a drink to help!

And then, she’s bursting into song! As one might expect, she dances across said railing, twirls around in pure confidence. Sweeps her arm across the open night air!

Naturally, she regards the others as the audience of the gay cafe. William— well, he’s just so beautifully cruel, isn’t he? She can’t help but turn to glance over her shoulder at him, charged with desire. And she, SHE is the heartbroken fool, a heart clenched at her breast!

Finally, she steps down with surprising ease for a drunk, voice ripe with emotion as she tosses her heart into the city behind her! She touches Alan’s cheek, warning that it could happen to him - or already has! And to Eric, too!

The last one left is William, and she saunters ever so slowly toward him as she delays the final lyrics of the song. Even leans in to plant a hand beside his head.

But there’s the glass of the door behind him, and there, she kisses her reflection, instead! Take that, Mr. So-Sure! ]

Re: https://youtu.be/l7p2M-D-P9Q

[amongthethorns]

[It doesn't surprise Alan that Eric says a dare like that. It's supposed to be a fun if not embarrassing game after all. An ice-breaker and bounding kind of thing, right? That's why you play it with friends - people you want to get to know who want to get to know you.]

If William isn't comfortable with a kiss -

[He started only to go quiet as Grell began. The song is good but - but there was a shift in his expression; his fingers stilling in Eric's hair. Oh no. He feels like air has been punched from his lungs. Thank you, Grell - he does not need this whole night summed up to music but here it is.

At that touch he jumps slightly, startled. Had he stopped breathing for a second there? Yes, yes he had. He puffed out a breath he'd been holding before inhaling again.]

That was very impressive.

Re: https://youtu.be/l7p2M-D-P9Q

[ochitashinigami]

Oh William, Did I even mention your name?

[He smiles, but when Grell goes for Alan he frowns.]

Hey, back off Sutcliff!

[dead_serious]

Quiet.

[ The command is firmly stated with an intimidating glance to Eric. It may be interpreted as William wanting to watch Grell's performance, but in truth, he's waiting the opportune moment to stop her from what he knows she's going to do. By the time she's sauntering towards him, William's summoned his scythe, ready to smack her away with it if she goes for the kiss. But that time never comes, and William is left with a confused frown on his face. He looks back to where she's grinning at her reflection on the door. ]

Honestly? I can't imagine that door gets cleaned often.

[untodeath]

[ Grell hums dismissively, wiping her mouth on the back of a wrist. ]

Well, how fortunate that I have an antiseptic on hand.

[ As in, the cup IN hand. She pointedly takes a drink! She’s then using the arm rest of William’s chair to hoist herself up and reclaim her sitting space. ]

You know, Eric, I don’t believe you give your beau enough credit. He can fend for himself. Isn’t that right, Alan?

[ And attention turning on Alan with lopsided smile, she points his way! ]

Truth or dare.

[amongthethorns]

[Okay that was unexpected. He's patting Eric gently on the head.] You need to calm down. Grell wasn't going to kiss me anyone who knows her knows that. I'm very much not her type. [A blessing truly he doesn't know how he'd handle having her kind of affection and attention on him all the time. He would feel smothered surely.]

I'm not his beau, I've no idea where you came to that conclusion but I am perfectly capable, yes.

[They kissed it wasn't anything more than a moment.]

Truth works.

[ochitashinigami]

[At the completion of the performance, when Grell kisses the mirror and at the appearance of William's scythe, Eric just chuckles. But, he stiffens again when Alan touches his hand and frowns a bit when Alan makes the deceleration.]

Yeah I just... didn't want anyone uncomfortable.

[But he still has his fingers against the palm of Alan's hand.]

[dead_serious]

[ William's positive Grell pulled that stunt just to fuck with him, so he quickly rights himself after whisking his scythe back to it's pocket dimension. Eric's comments seem to be proving what Grell surmised about the two earlier, and he's wondering how he never noticed it before. With a swig of his gin, he resettles himself in his chair, waiting on Grell's question to Alan. ]

[untodeath]

[ William is right; she absolutely wanted to fuck with him. Moreso, to simply fuck him. But, anyway, she’s got to keep him on his toes, every now and then.

As for Alan, she briefly falters - her lips parted to speak, but her thoughts collide and delay the words that should follow.

Did the boy just refer to her with female pronouns, not once, but twice? That’s odd. Almost makes her feel a bit bad for entrapping him in his latest decision; ]

Well, then, truth it is! Tell me, what were you and Eric truly doing that took you so long to return? Hmmm ~❤️

[amongthethorns]

I think this game is suppose to be a little uncomfortable though.

[Alan blinked at her tilting his head.] Oh, is that all? We took a tiny detour. We stopped at a café for crepes. Since it's the first any likely only time I'll get to come to France it seemed worth the minor inconvenience of making you wait longer.

[ochitashinigami]

Alan's telling the truth. [He is.] Now, if you're finished...

[dead_serious]

You seem eager to move past the question.

[ Yes, Eric, he's talking to you. Seems even William has grown curious as to what this secret relationship the two might be having is all about. Also, Alan, why didn't you bring back some crepes for him!? ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell hums, eyes narrowing as she attempts to gauge the truth to his response. Really, Alan doesn’t seem to be a particularly good liar, so it must check out.

She’s just about ready to dismiss it - with some disappointment, mind you - but Eric’s response makes her brows tick upward with renewed interest! Why, even William clocks it, to which she chuckles with delight. ]

Well, well~! You’ve answered the question sufficiently, but that’s not all there was to it, now, was it?

[ Her eyes turn to Eric, with a coquettish quirk of the brow and lowering of her lids as she regards him. ]

I’m not finished with you yet— [ A sigh, as she glances back to Alan! ] — but it is your turn to choose, then.

[amongthethorns]

[Eric, why. Just why? Alan had managed to answer without telling more than he intended. It ha been perfect and then Eric went and threw the wrench of doubt into it. Mercy.]

You asked what took us so long and what we did.

[Alan motioned to William. He knew better than to truth or dare Eric there was no dare too over the top. And the only truth he might want he won't get from him like this - it seemed wrong somehow.]

Truth or Dare, Mister Spears?

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric knows he messed up. He huffs and backs off, sitting back down.]

[dead_serious]

Dare.

[ He chooses after a moment of consideration. If there's anyone in the group to trust with a dare, it would be Alan, of course. Perhaps now he can avoid any complaints that he only chose 'truth' all night. ]

[untodeath]

[ The look that Grell gives Alan is one of being totally unconvinced. Now that William has chosen to be issued a dare, however, she’s currently more interested in seeing how that pans out. Glancing between the two, she takes a long sip from her glass, an entertained smirk behind it! ]