thedispatch | All Work & No Play

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All Work & No Play

[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.]

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[ The tablet is taken from Alan, and William is just about to read what's highlighted to himself before saying it aloud, when Ronald returns. It distracts him well enough, because he obviously has to scold the boy for being late - as if he'd imposed a curfew upon them all. ]

I see you've finally decided to join us.

[ His tone is far more reprimanding than joyous, if William was ever capable of that emotion. to begin with! But once Ron's settled himself, William turns back to the tablet, the idea of pre-reading the text forgotten. The fact that he's drunk a fair bit more than the others, at this point, helps too. He clears his throat slightly before starting. ]

"With his broad shoulders and slim waist, he was a yield sign — yet she could NOT!"

[ He attempts to emphasise the last word, as the all caps had indicated, but it comes out more commanding than the sassy way it was intended. The odd phrasing has his brow creasing before he shakes his head, not understanding the pun. Or perhaps simply thinking it was absurd.

His index finger drags upwards on the tablet, showing the next quote. ]

“The fact that she made this beeline for me both warmed my soul and made me want to turn around, walk out the door, and find a cliff to fling myself off of.” [ He hums, thoughtfully. ] Accurate, at least in part.

[ Almost immediately, William's eyes glance over to Grell, the last part of the quote seeming to be relevant to his own feelings about the redhead. ]

“I look down and suddenly realise that, I too, am hard... [ A pause, as he rereads the full quote, then huffs and continues. ] "After all of this effort, nothing was more arousing than losing my own sexual inhibitions.” Honestly Humphries, I feel as though you're mocking me with these.

[ Thankfully there's only one more, and he's done a fair job of keeping his usual monotone voice steady, despite the ridiculous quotes. Things should be fine. ]

And lastly, “'Oh my god.' I say, overwhelmed by the forest of..." [ William pauses again, lips drawing into a thin line as he closes his eyes and shakes his head. Is he really going to say this? ] "overwhelmed by the forest of...dicks that surrounds me. [ He pauses to sigh, not at all excited to see the reaction from them all. ] 'I can’t believe how gay I really am...”

What is this bollocks you've been reading? Honestly.

[ He tosses the tablet back to Alan, assuming he'll catch it just fine. Even if he did do the dare, he is taking a shot just to clear his mind of this memory. Maybe two. ]

Edited 2021-04-14 04:50 (UTC)

[ William saves Ronald from a sordid fate, being the subject of Grell’s teasing, as he begins reading Alan’s selections aloud.

To the first quote, she merely snerks into her drink - but the second already has her sitting a bit straighter, a hand already posed beneath her chin, in expectation on his acknowledgment.

And then, she’s giggling with pure delight! Oh, Alan is a meticulous little man, and his intentions aren’t always pure. Not vicious, but surely with a bite!

Just when she thinks it’s safe to take a sip of her drink, she couldn’t be more wrong; immediately, she must lean over the edge of the balcony, so as not to spray alcohol all over her cute jammies! It’s absurd, but that just makes her laugh all the more.

Not a practiced chuckle, but an outright, actual laugh. It feels strange and foreign to her ears, but it only gets worse when William concludes with such grievance! ]

Ronnie. You're late were you chasing after some pretty Parisian girl?

[There's just this look scolding yet fond look that he's giving the youngest reaper, rolling his eyes.]

That you did.

[Alan is wisely letting Eric keep hold of his drink rather than risking taking a sip while watching William with an expectant look of absolute amusement. Soon he's pressing a hand against his mouth hiding the absolutely smug smirk that is on his face once he got to the second one.

By the third he's laughing from behind his hand.]

Mocking you? Never. I wouldn't dare. [Besides how could he mock William for anything he knows very little of the man's sex lie and he'll keep it that way - but this is too much fun.

At the end he's wheezing with his laughter, patting how own chest when that wheeze turned into a little cough. He caught his tablet still laughing.]

Splendidly done, Sir.

[Alan shrugged reaching for his drink.] I have to entertain myself when I'm working after hours waiting for files from the Infirmary and research department.

Ronald! It's good to see you! Found a party, right? [He smirks, lifting his drink to toast his friend.

William's reading makes him laugh and he does snort alcohol into his nose and keeps laughing at himself.]

Well done, both of you.

[He pats Alan's knee.]

Hardly!

[ He got up to take one of those bottles of rum coke, cracking it open on the side of the table before making his way back to his seat. ]

Lost track of time after a bit of a turn around the local breweries. Thought I'd take a quick trip round the hot spots, night turned to day and Bob's your uncle I was out like a bloody lamp what run its gas.

[ Never change, Ron... never change. ]

I'll take a dare to make up for it! Or skip straight to the penalty for my tardiness!

[ There's a grin toward William though. ]

Anything but overtime though, sir. Hope someone's remembered to keep work out of the game's rules, eh?

[ William's not at all surprised by Ronald's tardiness, but given that they're all off duty until late tomorrow evening, he's willing to give the boy a pass. He will, however, give him a disapproving look for damaging the hotel's furniture with that bottle. The place better not bill them extra for that, or it's coming out of your paycheck, Ronnie! ]

Work's not come up, nor will it again.

[ Said in a commanding tone to everyone, as if it were a new rule instated by upper management. Even if that last dare from Alan was absurd, he's oddly enjoying himself. Perhaps it's the alcohol, or perhaps he's simply never gotten to relax with any of his coworkers and just allow himself a bit of fun. That being said, it doesn't mean he's any good at coming up with interesting dares. ]

And your dare will be to take Sutcliff as your bunk mate for the remainder of our time in Paris.

[ Apparently he's only good at handing out dares that benefit himself! ]

What?!

[ Legs swinging over to hop down from her perch in a flash, she marches over to Ronald, shoving her glass at him! ]

Drink this! You’re forfeiting!

What are we going to do with you, Ronnie?

[Just take this long suffering sigh with a shake of his head. His hand pats Eric lightly on the head; fingers idly running through his hair; he peers at him with concern.] Are you going to be alright? That couldn't have been pleasant. [He could have warned him not to drink but that would have ruined everything.]

I thought we'd already decided sleeping arrangements? And you really can't forfeit someone else's turn.

[Eric throws his head back and laughs]

You don't get to decide for him, Sutcliffe!

Wh-- hang on! That's not even a bloody dare!

[ He blinks, unable to help but take the drink but doesn't down it. ]

Probably counts as a punishment so I'll take that, then.

[ A laugh... and he does take a long swig of that drink. ]

Dunno if it'll work as a forfeit though.

[ His brow creases at her interruption. He knew Grell would react, but he certainly didn't expect everyone else to back up his dare.]

Knox is fit to forfeit on his own, should he wish. After all your romanticising on Humphries and Slingby having their time alone in Paris, I should think you would want to allow them a room to themselves for the night.

[ Seems even the boss is aware something may be going on between the two! ]

[ And it’s because of that romanticising that he knows! At first, William had little idea what she was going on about, as per usual, so she really had to spell it out for him!

With a sigh of relief, Grell stands to plant a hand on her hip while regarding Will. ]

At the expense of our Alone Time? You mustn’t know me at all.

[ Now that she’s back in her feet, the redhead is starting to feel the buzz! That must mean it’s time for more liquor. She passes Ronald - giving him a pat of the head, as she goes - to explore the bottles he’s brought back with him. ]

Your turn to pick a mark, darling.

[This really was not happening - Right?

He does not need to know that his boss and his boss's partner-yet-somehow-not-partner have been discussing his love life but apparently that is a topic of conversation. And if even William is in on this - that means it's glaringly obvious.

Why is his life like this? Alan just rubs his hand against his face.]

I don't know what you two were discussing or your idea of 'alone time' is and since Grell is involved I'm frankly a little scared to ask, but whatever you're thinking -

[He shrugged.] But nothing is happening with my boss, a senior co-worker, and my trainee just one thin wall away.

[Eric flinches. Well, the crapes weren't nothing, were they? And the kiss? He smiles to cover the pang.]

Um, yeah. Alan is right.

Wager I've missed more'n just a simple game by the looks of things!

[ He tapped his drink on the back of his seat as he was patted. Yeah, nothing compared the company Dispatch provided. This was a different sort of party, but enjoyable nontheless... especially when the boss was willing to get involved. ]

Right... if it's my turn then...

[ A grin. ]

Ser Alan! Truth or dare.

[ Despite Grell having re-entered the hotel room, William's already calling after her. ]

We have already had quite enough alone time tonight.

[ He rises from his seat to hover in the doorway to the balcony and make certain she can hear him properly. ]

Incase you have already forgotten, I allowed you to lay beside me in bed. As well as gave you permission to cuddle up to me, and I spent company money on a film for us to watch.

[ Sorry kids, Mommy and Daddy are arguing. ]

Edited 2021-04-25 17:41 (UTC)

[ Well, she certainly didn’t expect William to announce their previous activities so openly. She pauses her rummaging to glance over her shoulder at him, looming in the doorway - and he looks rather good, so he’ll get a once-over while she’s at it! ]

You’ve forgotten to mention the massages.

[ Having decided on a wine cooler for herself, anyway, she rejoins him at the door, with no room to spare between them. ]

What can I say, Will? I’m greedy for your love. [ Cue that one Ariana Grande song. ] You aren’t just sore that I didn’t kiss you earlier, are you? [ She's begun to fiddle with the collar of his shirt! ]

[He reached running his fingers through Eric's hair. He didn't like the way that that sounded. Maybe he'd taken offense to the way Alan had shut down the notion of them doing things? It might have to be something they talk about later but that' a private conversation to have.]

Uh - Truth.

[He answered absently but he's distracted. Will and Grell are not helping with that either. Is everyone just acting a bit out sorts tonight? Is it the alcohol? Is it the simple fact that they've left London and the strict structure of the norm behind?]

[Eric presses Alan's hand.] We don't have to play this game... [Shit, this has the potential to embarrass them both.]

S'just an innocent question, Mister Slingby!

[ he folded his arms over the back of the chair. ]

Truth then... well...

[ He tilted his head. ]

Is there anything I've missed out regarding you two? Looks like there's been quite a bit going on while I was out!

[ Seems like Mommy and Daddy's arguing has minimised for the moment, as William is stepping back out onto the balcony, his bottle of gin in hand. If Grell is still clinging to the hem of his shirt, he'll bat it away before reclaiming his seat. Ah so they're still being harped on for their secret romance. ]

Yes, if you are planning on forming an official romantic relationship, we will need get the proper paperwork submitted.

[ He's serious. ]

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Will and Grell argument!

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