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]

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.]

[likeits1889]

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?

[dead_serious]

[ 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! ]

[untodeath]

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!

[amongthethorns]

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.

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric throws his head back and laughs]

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

[likeits1889]

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.

[dead_serious]

[ 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! ]

[untodeath]

[ 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.

[amongthethorns]

[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.

[ochitashinigami]

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

Um, yeah. Alan is right.

[likeits1889]

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.

[dead_serious]

[ 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ 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! ]

[amongthethorns]

[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?]

[ochitashinigami]

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

[likeits1889]

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!

[dead_serious]

[ 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell ticks her tongue at being batted away, but she’s still entertained by it, if her crooked grin is any indication. ]

Or you could simply dodge any responsibility by maintaining a constant sense of denial.

[ Having hopped back up to sit atop the railing, she crosses her legs with a pointed look at SOMEONE. And then, dismisses it with a sip at her tasty wine cooler. ]

[amongthethorns]

[Ah, well it's Ronald and he can't lie to that face. That'd be just terrible! What kind of example would he be setting? Sure he could let Ronald give him a drink to chug as forfeit but then that's as good as admitting it anyway, right?]

We kissed. [Why yes his face is darkened by a blush before he motioned with his drink.] There is no need for an official anything. It was only a kiss. [His gaze is fixing on William and Grell.] Unlike you two, we're not bickering like an old married couple.

Grell - Truth or Dare?

Will and Grell argument!

[dead_serious]

[ Ah right, the foot massages. His beyond tipsy mind forgot about those. ]

Add in the massage and youve gotten more than enough of my attention for the night.

[ Yet he's still paying plenty of attention to her! He looks down to where she's playing with his shirt. Without her signature heels on, William's quite a bit taller than her. ]

Any kissing will be initiated by me, on my own terms.

[untodeath]

[ Grell has noticed as much, that he has singled her out, to give his full attention.

And, rather than shoot down the idea of kissing, he’s apparently establishing some ground rules?

With a tilt of the head, she bites at an edge of her bottom lip, batting her (GASP makeup-free!) lashes up at him. Her breath carries an overly pleased little croon, almost a giggle. ]

Why, it almost seems that you might be teasing me~❤️ After all, you must know how I’d feel about that.

[dead_serious]

Honestly, you feel the same towards me regardless of how I treat you.

[ He takes her by the wrists, forcing her to move back into the room so he can get past her. It's his turn to rummage through what Ronald has returned with. The rum coke Knox had chosen seems enticing, so he takes up one of those. ]

This is apparently the fate I've been condemned to.

[ Not intending to damage any tables by opening his bottle the way Ronald did, he merely pops the cap off with his fingers. Who needs bottle openers when you're a reaper, anyway. ]

[untodeath]

Oh~❤️ What’s this, you’re manhandling me, now?

[ Giggling as he physically moves her— she stops short, once he walks past. ]

Oh.

[ A huffy sigh, as she plops back to lean against the table, one leg promptly swinging up and over the other, to cross. And she takes a good swig of the cooler. Her facial expression reads as mildly impressed. ]

Well, I’m pleased that you’ve finally allowed yourself some enjoyment, at least.

[dead_serious]

It isn't as though you lot would allow me to sleep early.

[ He's enjoying himself, for the most part, but he'll keep that to himself for as long as the liquor will allow him. If he's ever drinking, it's usually by himself at home, or a quick drink at the local pub before heading home. This is a fairly new experience, especially the game bit. He might actually be open to this more often, if time ever permits it again.

William takes a drink from his bottle as he moves back towards her. It's good, but not nearly as strong as he's used to. He may have to knock it back and grab something with a bit more kick. ]

But your complaints over the way I'm playing this suggested game of yours is doing well to make things less enjoyable.