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. ]

Comments

[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! ]

[dead_serious]

[ It's odd, he can feel that she's touching something, but just barely. He bats her hand away only to have his knuckles graze against one of the horns. ]

What...is on my head?

[untodeath]

[ Grell grimaces a bit, thinking he might hurt himself! ]

You've got horns on your head, darling.

[ Now, she's fiddling with her hair, pulling it over her shoulder, to drape over her breast. Doesn't stop her from looking at him hungrily, though. In fact, her body language is even more flirty than usual. ]

They're not so bad! Rather sexy, actually.

[dead_serious]

As in demon horns?

[ He does not sound pleased with that, nor does he appreciate the hungry look she's giving him. The feathers on his chest, and the ones threaded around the horns ruffle in his irritation. ]

[untodeath]

[ Briefly, her lips purse. She can't imagine that revelation will aid his temper at all. Which actually works out well for her. ]

Well, I don't know what else you'd call it. Or-- any of this, really. [ To demonstrate, she gestures generally toward their bodies. ]

[dead_serious]

[ As William scowls, the horns seem to grow a bit longer. Does this mean he's meant to consume souls now? He doesn't want to think on it. ]

Yes, why are you a cat, anyway?

[untodeath]

[ Watching this, her lips part in a lopsided grin. ]

Hell if I know. [ Her brows tick upward. See what she did there? ] But, that is bloody remarkable! They've changed now! Can I touch them again?

[ She doesn't know what she even asked, because she's doing it anyway. ]

[dead_serious]

[ As she strokes them, they begin to elongate and turn at sharp angles. ]

No, you may not. Keep those claws of yours to yourself.

[ This time, instead of batting her away, he grips her wrist, his own clawed nails pressing into the skin. ]

[untodeath]

[ Speaking of claws, she's hooked one between her teeth, their points pressing into her flesh dangerously! ]

You don't need to resist any longer, Will, my love. This is already as bad as it gets. [ If she's able, she'll pluck her arm out of his grasp, to take a few steps away and gauge their surroundings. Her tail, however, rubs up along his thigh, in her wake! ]

Not that-- this is all that I expected...

[dead_serious]

[ And he'll just take his own stem away, out of the reach of her paws and tail! ]

Aside from the agony getting here, things seem rather tolerable.

[ Though he's wary that that will remain the case. Though, something occurs to him. ]

Where are we meant to be housed?

[untodeath]

[ Oh, boo. Her tail flicks in annoyance, before coiling back around herself. ]

Do you think they'd even bother, though?

[ They're getting quite a few stares, as they are, emotion wildly varying from one to the next. Grell's so used to it that she doesn't seem to notice. ]

Or-- perhaps that's what the papers were all about?

[dead_serious]

[ William hardly cares what the others think, perhaps even less than he had as a mortal or reaper! The thought of going back and doing that paperwork though...that does little to help his horns retract. ]

Honestly, I never wish to fill out a form again. Nor watch a film.