The next afterlife

[dead_serious]

[ In hindsight, it was obvious. Reapers worked tirelessly, for centuries, trying to reach that one final goal - to be forgiven. For most, the feat of learning the value of life was impossible. The depression that lingered with them after they took their own lives was only compounded by their roles as death gods. So many joyous lives cut short, the lucky mortal's record almost mocking the unfortunate reapers as they watched the panels flip past their eyes. Most would forget they even had a chance to be forgiven, drowning in the enteral job set before them.

But, on rare occurrences, a reaper would find themselves before a jury, summoned away from their desks overflowing with paperwork on scheduled deaths. That is where William stands now. And perhaps even more surprising, is the other who stands beside him - Grell Sutcliffe. William had hardly believed himself capable of forgiveness, but the redhead...she'd looked at the mortal realm and laughed, hardly caring (and often finding it amusing) if she was the listed cause of death for some of those unfortunate people. How she is here, as well, is beyond him.

The committee has decided the both of you have come to an understanding on how valuable life truly is.

The woman at the centre of the row of judges addresses them both. William's brow creases, but he refrains from asking the obvious question of why, lest he ruin their chances at eternal peace.

Now that that matter is dealt with, we will move on to assessing your sins as a mortal.

William's expression quickly shifts to honest surprise, his eyes widening and blinking in confusion. The term 'forgiven' had been a misnomer since the beginning. How had he been so naive to think all their wrong doings while they'd been alive would be waved off as if they'd meant nothing? Swallowing heavily, he gives a brief side glance to Grell. For the first time, in this afterlife, he is scared. ]

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[untodeath]

[ All the while, the council had been announcing her transgressions against the Lord's teachings, as they played out on screen - but Grell hasn't heard any of them. Her paled face merely lowers as the film whirrs to an end, swallowing down the emotion that's knotted up in her throat.

Before this, has Grell ever truly been speechless? ]

[dead_serious]

[ William tries to do Grell the courtesy of adverting her eyes while her record plays. But, before long, he finds his gaze drifting back. Perhaps out of habit, perhaps out of curiosity.

What he witnesses is nothing like the Grell he ever knew. There are scenes which make him realize he knew nothing of the hardships of growing up in the lower classes, and other scenes which make him feel oddly empathetic towards her - something he's never felt, despite standing along side her for centuries.

The film ends, and where William expects her sentence will be announced, instead a new reel is thread through the projector. William takes a steadying breath. He hardly needs to watch as he's tortured himself with viewing his own record countless times through the years. He's nearly numb to it. Perhaps that's how he won this so called "freedom" to begin with.

As with Grell, the woman announces his information.

William Thomas Spears (later renamed: William Thomas Camden, Jr.): Born to William Camden, Sr. and Felicity Spears. Greater London, of London, England. January 15, 1775. Deceased: May 9, 1779. Greater London, of London, England. Death by suicide, footnote reads: instantaneous via gunshot wound to head.

As before, the woman indicates the screen as William's record begins to roll. ]

[dead_serious]

[ In a proper upper class, Catholic household, two young blonde girls watch excitedly as their mother births a new baby bother into their world. Unlike any others in the family, he's raven haired, and his mother suffers dearly for her adulterous acts by her husband's firm hand and demeaning words. William's spared no less, but the apathy of the young boy towards his "father's" disgust in him quickly tires the man. Besides, the family needs an heir to the prosperous business he'd built from the ground up, and with only daughters to his name, the bastard child is renamed and raised to be the future face of the company.

A marriage is arranged between William and the daughter of a competing company's owner, with the intent to merge into a larger company with a firmer grip on the London economy. But, William hardly cares for the woman, refusing any intimacy.

However, one day when William sat in a local park, deciding to take his lunch in a more peaceful setting, away from the demands of his "father". A woman approaches, meekly asking if he wouldn't mind sharing the table with someone of lower class, as all the others in the park were occupied. He allows it, hardly interested or caring of her status. The woman finds his acceptance relieving, if not a bit endearing, and chances polite conversation with him. The next day is much the same, and before he knows it, William's listening with intrigue about the woman's likes and dislikes, her job as a seamstress, her dreams of singing at the grand theaters of London. One day, when she fails to show her face at the park, William even goes so far as to fetch the woman some lunch and visit the tailor's shop where she works. It was the first time he'd ever felt something other than apathy towards another.

He manages the affair for a time, sneaking the woman into his bed when his wife visits with family for extended weekends. As expected of such acts, history repeats itself. The Camden household has another bastard child on the way and William makes plans to move his lover and their unborn child away from the wrath of his "father", should he ever find out.

It doesn't take long. His wife returns early from her trip, finding her husband's lover laying where she vowed to be. In honesty, she hardly cares of the meaning behind it, as she'd never loved him, either. It's out of spite that she retaliates, attacks the woman and leaves her bleeding on the floor for William to walk in upon. She's miscarried and on the verge of death, herself, having been struck on the head with a heavy iron hammer. It's the most emotion William's ever felt in his entire life. Rage, sorrow, but not an ounce of remorse as he uses his wife's own weapon against her, bludgeoning her to death with the end of the tool.

His lover doesn't last much longer, and with little thought behind it, William retrieves a pistol he had stored in the lower drawer of his armoire. The final frame shows William taking her hand as the gun's barrel is placed between his lips. ]

[dead_serious]

[ I wouldn't have expected any tally marks against you for the sin of Lust, Mr. Spears. The judge mocks him dryly, but she gets no response from the reaper. William's been staring off into the distance, face expressionless. Even he's unsure of what he's been thinking on. Perhaps what the fires of Hell might feel like? ]

[untodeath]

[ With a scowl, Grell loudly ticks her tongue at the wry remark of the judge. But, instead of waste her words on the woman, she turns her focus to William - and slips her hand into his. ]

I’ve always loved you, you know— no, I know you know. Whatever awaits us, with what power I have, I’ll find you.

[dead_serious]

[ William's focus doesn't shift to Grell when she speaks. But, he gives an exhausted sigh and an unexpected squeeze of her hand. ]

Of course you will. I've no doubt of that. Even Hell could never rid me of you.

[ Of which he sounds grateful, for once. ]

[untodeath]

[ Hand wrapped securely in his, now, she closes her eyes to take a steadying breath. The crooked little smile that returns to her lips seems to annoy the judge the most, as she slams shut William’s file.

A touching sentiment, but you won’t need to look far. Grell Sutcliffe, William T. Spears, you’ve both been condemned to spending the remainder of your afterlives in Hell.

Passing the files off to her associates, to which they stamp, she takes up her gavel to strike at the podium. Immediately, a glowing seal manifests below their feet, and erupts into flame, consuming them.

Their flesh burns away, as bone snaps and muscles warp. It’s excruciating, but they won’t have the luxury of losing consciousness. Rather, when the flames fade from their vision, they won’t recognize themselves, aside from the stench of demon. It isn’t just in them, though - it’s everywhere. ]

[dead_serious]

[ The excruciating pain, it's over so suddenly that William stumbles forward upon arriving. He catches himself on the edge of a counter, behind which, a receptionist sits. Slouched in his chair with his chin rested in a palm, he flicks through a rather inappropriate looking magazine. He doesn't even bother to look up to the new arrivals as he gives his greeting with a dry, exasperated tone. It's obvious he's said this countless times.

Welcome to Hell. Congrats on fucking yourself over.

The scent that surrounds them has William crinkling up his nose. But as he opens his mouth to address the receptionist, the man holds up a hand to pause him as if he knows what he's going to say.

Yes, you really are in hell. No, there's nothing I can do about it. No, you can't speak with my manager. As I already said, you're fucked. Now fill these out.

He tosses some forms at them, then immediately gets up to "use the restroom", taking that magazine with him. William momentarily forgets the stench in the air as he scowls down at the paperwork that's been forced on him. ]

Of cooourse this would follow me here...

[ William pauses, blinking at the cooing sound that came out of him. It's only then that he notices the coloured feathers adorning his chest and the short talons on his hands that threaten to pierce the forms. ]

[untodeath]

[ While William’s fallen forward, Grell has crouched down to clutch at her shoulders— except, there’s unexpected padding squished against her knees, and claws digging into skin. Also, there’s fur brushing her nipples, and— ]

Shit. I’m naked.

[dead_serious]

What?

[ Seems William can no longer stay focused on one thing for too long. He's already forgotten the sheet in his hand and turns to look at Grell, brow furrowing even further. ]

You're far more than simply naked.

[untodeath]

[ Shifting to stand, Grell gets the most curious look on her face, as she abruptly stops. Reaching between her legs, she discovers that everything seems to be normal - until it occurs to her to observe further back. ]

So you’re right…

[ Struggling to process this, she slowly raises on her feet, lifting her arms and turning her hands over to get a good look at herself. To peer further downwards, at her leg situation, she absentmindedly grasps her breasts to squish them down. And then, squishes them a few more times, while she’s at it. ]

I’m— oh. These are lovely.

[ Finally, she blinks to adjust her eyes, upon taking the sight of William in. Her lips pluck upward to reveal her newly exaggerated canines, and she snerks! ]

Why, William, you’ve become the very thing you love! Though— [ She curiously pats at the symbol on his back, and when her hand goes through it, she paws again! ] —that’s a bit… unusual?

[dead_serious]

[ With zero shame about it, William's looking over all of Grell's new "enhancements". ]

Not that any of this makes any bleeding sense, but why were you given breasts? That's hardly a punishment for you. Honestly.

[ As he can't see what Grell's referring to, he shifts his gaze to the wings extending from his upper arms. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell watches his gaze shift, her grin growing wider. ]

Oh, it isn’t just breasts.

[ But now she’s looking over the rest of him, idly petting through the feathers along his arm, with teeth dragging across her lip. ]

[dead_serious]

[ William tugs his arm away, petting over the feathers as if he was recombing his hair. With another look down he frowns then turns towards the exit. For once he's ignoring his paperwork, letting the sheet flutter to the floor. ]

Let's find you some trousers, at the very least.

[untodeath]

[ Hand hovering in place, it’s clear that she wants to keep touching him, but his blasted hand is in the way! Wait, yes, there was something about paperwork, wasn’t ther— ]

Oh~, now that you’re not the boss, you’re a rebel, mn❤️?

[ Grell moves to follow after him, and promptly stumbles over her own feet, face smacking into the door frame. ]

Godfuckingdamnit— [ A hand clamped over the bridge of her nose, a low and rumbling yowl carries on her breath. But she’s (clumsily) walking after him, now, as though nothing happened! ]

[dead_serious]

[ At Grell's comment, William halts. That's right, he's not a boss anymore! A sense of relief washes over him. But, the blissful realisation is cut short by Grell's cursing. He turns back to her, a scowl on his face. ]

Watch your fucking mouth and get your arse moving. Honestly, five minutes here and you're already trying my bleeding patience.

[ Once she catches up, he gives her a firm shove ahead. ]

[untodeath]

[ Despite covering half her face in pain, she still manages a shit-eating grin. ]

Why, does it get you o—oOAaff—!

[ Funny, because once he shoves her, she positively eats shit. Even skids across the floor a bit! ]

Why won’t these blasted legs work?!

[ Hey, at least William will have a visual understanding of her more intimate anatomy, now! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Yup, that tail of hers is certainly up and giving him quite the view. ]

They gave you a cunt, as well? Seems you should have been condemned centuries ago.

[ He sounds rather petty about it with the huff he adds at the end. But now that she's in front of him, he's able to see the symbol on her back that she must have been speaking of before. ]

Did you get tattooed at some point?

[ Said as if that's the most absurd way to spend their salary ever. ]

[untodeath]

[ Pushing herself up, Grell doesn’t seem to notice the blood trickling from her nose, with how astounded she is at hearing William be so crass. Sure, he’s always lacked tact in being so utterly direct, but— ]

What? Absolutely not. What, was all this not enough, they marked me up, too?! Where is it!

[ Looking herself over, she can’t seem to spot anything. ]

Unless… [ Her Gaze drifts downward with dread. ]

[dead_serious]

It's on your back.

[ He crouches beside her, sharply yanking her tail down in some attempt to cover her. Meanwhile, he scrutunizes the tattoo and how it shows through solid material. ]

Perhaps a branding of some kind. Or a seal to keep us in this rhelm.

[untodeath]

[ Grell peeks just in time to see her own tail yanked - and her yelp drawls into a deeper, sweeter note. ]

Mn❤️, do it again~ [ Now he’s gone and distracted her! ]

[dead_serious]

No.

[ And he's true to his word! Instead of yanking down again, this time he uses her tail as leverage to hoist her up when he stands. Seems he maintained some of his supernatural strength. Steady on his own, thankfully unchanged, feet, he drops her ungracefully onto her cat-like ones. ]

Honestly, I didn't think it possible for you to be more lewd.

[untodeath]

[ Drawing a breath through her teeth, Grell finds herself forced up onto her feet less than gracefully! The end of her poor, abused tail flicks, as she takes hold of William’s shoulder for balance. And yet, she’s… purring? ]

How cruel of you to underestimate me so~

[ When the glowing symbol on his back catches the edge of her vision, she’s reminded— ]

Oh, right. You’ve got one, too. It’s a bit cute, actually. Crude little skull, with marked-out eyes.

[dead_serious]

Whatever its purpose, I'm certain there is nothing good about it.

[ He glances about, hoping to notice a clothing shop of some kind. The only one that catches his eye is a shop that sells rather risque looking outfits. He avoids pointing it out. ]

[untodeath]

[ While William scopes out the area, she’s busy looking him over! ]

I suppose we will just have to stick together, then. [ Grell mutters, whilst tracing a finger along the curve of his horn.

At the least, her tail has curled around her thigh and to her front, to cover her more intimate areas! ]