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

[untodeath]

[ Grell turns just enough to peek back over her shoulder at him. Something about what he's said makes her smile a bit more genuine than usual. ]

Well, then, I suppose we're on our own! [ And, guess what, she's caught sight of that risque little boutique. She hardly looks for oncoming automobiles before bouncing her way through traffic. ] Come on!

[dead_serious]

[ Yup and she's about to eat shit again cause there's a truck headed for her, the driver doing nothing to stop the inevitable collision but yell profanities out the window. Seems this is the time for William to learn he can fly! A second before she's about to be struck, she's plucked from the ground, William then fluttering back to the ground outside the boutique. He sets her down beside him. ]

Honestly, you'd be dead a thousand times over by now if I didn't have the reflexes I do.

[ He smooths a few ruffled feathers down again. ]

[untodeath]

[ The surprise of his grasp makes her fur bristle, and the mighty whoosh of the diesel passing behind them has her squeaking! ]

What in the bloody--

[ Her hair hasn't settled, a hand pressing over her heart as the stumbles to stand by herself.

It's right then that one of the demons passing by whistle a catcall at them. Grell's expression cycles through surprise, utter confusion, and then-- fury. She turns to hiss at the lost soul, her teeth bared.

As for the other demon, he skitters out of the way, before throwing up their arms aggressively... while hurrying off.

Shit, lady! Take a compliment! ]

... Lady? [ Well, that works in calming her down, of all things. ] Well, yes, I suppose I am.

[dead_serious]

[ Whenever she bothers to refocus, she'll find William has disappeared.
Frustrated and certain she'll force him to check out this shop, he gone in on his own. Coming from a time period where intimate undergarments involved nearly the entire body being covered, William's surprised by what he walks in on. He doubts they'll find anything that will cover her up here! ]

[untodeath]

[ Despite how she HUFFS, upon realising she's alone, she still trails behind him. Thankfully, he's easy enough to spot. The door dings as she walks in, and she has to squint while her eyes readjust to the artificial lighting. ]

Ugh, it smells of cheap perfume.

[ The woman at the counter, heels up and crossed at the ankles on the counter, responds without a beat,

That's rich, considerin' youse two still REEK o' Purgatory. Fucking' disgustan'. She pauses to loudly pop the gum she's been chewing. Keep ya dicks off the displays.

[ Quirking one brow high, she looks at William, as though to question if this bitch could actually HAVE THE NERVE. ]

[dead_serious]

[ At least now he knows there's no use asking the woman for assistance. He walks further into the store, ignoring her last comment as he'd rather not know why that had to be specified.

But her comment about purgatory keeps his brow furrowed. What did that mean? ]

Just choose something. [ And after they're out of earshot he adds ] What do you think she meant about how we smelt? Do they know we were once reapers?

[untodeath]

[ Grell’s already on the prowl for anything resembling a decent outfit— except, she catches a glimpse of herself in a fitting mirror, and becomes distracted. The anthropomorphic qualities and too much - she considers while touching her elongated ears with their fluffy tips, and leans in close to observer her eyes - but, more importantly, did she get curvier? Hot. ]

Hm? Oh. I suppose so… Remember how abhorrent angels smelt, and never seemed to realise it? Perhaps it’s something like that.

[dead_serious]

[ William gets quite the unpleasant look about himself. But it might be less about the whole stench issue, and more that he's seen himself in the mirror as well. ]

I look ridiculous. Was this necessary? Honestly.

[untodeath]

I suppose this is what we deserve~. [ She says, resting an arm atop William’s shoulder, which regarding him with a tilt of the head. ]

Actually, no, that’s a crock of shit. They made us think we were redeeming ourselves, and then they forward us on to Hell? I’m not entirely convinced that Heaven is full of the good guys, rather than entitled pricks.

[ She offers him a brief little smile.

You’re still handsome.

[ Okay, now, back to exploring the racks! ]

[dead_serious]

If all angels are like the one's we've encountered, then I can't imagine it's a place we'd enjoy being. Not to mention you'd be forced to wear white all the time.

[ A bit of dry teasing, maybe? While she flicks through the racks, William tries to fuss with his hair a bit. But it's hard to part it perfectly with these damn horns! ]

https://bit.ly/2WdN6FT << “something”

[untodeath]

[ Grell pulls a face at that, nose all wrinkled up. ]

Absolutely not.

[ It’s right then that She spots some very long red boots, with a delighted croon - and she’s just about to grab them when she realises… ]

Though, I’ll never be able to wear cute shoes again, shall I?!

[ Shoulders drooping, she’ll just mutter, at least it’s not white, under her breath once or twice.

Oh, but then, something catches her eye, to which her ears perk up! ]

Oh, now, this I might be able to work with~

pretty!

[dead_serious]

[ William eyes flick over to Grell's reflection, where she's holding up a sheer dress with elaborate flowers place over just the right spots. One last rake of his fingers through his hair, and a few grumbles, and he's turning back to her. ]

I would say it barely covers anything, but considering you're naked, I may just agree with you.

https://bit.ly/3lZ6Bef << let’s pretend it’s the right color

[untodeath]

[ With a hum of agreement, her eyes scan around, finding a cropped red blazer nearby. The fabric has absolutely no weight to it, but somehow, she thinks that may be the point. ]

Perhaps you should grab something, too? Might as well.

[ Grell backtracks to some nude mesh panties, which she had previously wondered what the point would be, until now! ]

[dead_serious]

[ His reaction to the blazer is far more approving, as it's much closer to things he's seen her in before. But for himself...he haphazardly pushes some items on a rack around. ]

As in what? Honestly, I am not about to wear women's lingerie, which seems to be the majority of what this shop sells.

[untodeath]

[ A chuckle, as she briefly looks over her shoulder. As might be expected, they’re being ignored, allowing her to step into the panties and pull them up, right there. ]

I don’t believe those masculine shoulders of your would allow for it. There must be a role play costume, or some such, around.

[dead_serious]

Role play?

[ What is this foreign concept? ]

[untodeath]

[ Now, that earns a side-eye! ]

You poor, repressed soul. It’s when one acts out the role of a person, or position. In this instance, it would be to spice up things in the bedroom.

[ Now, to pull on that dress! ]

[dead_serious]

Ah. I'm surprised this is the first time you've mentioned it, then.

[ Giving up on the current rack, the glances around until he spots what might be more of a men's attire section. He'll humour her and look. Thankfully he had arrived with clothes on, but he can't say the tank top and shorts look really suits him. ]

Though, before anything of that sort can happen, we will need to find a place to stay.

[untodeath]

[ Pulling her hair free, she flings it over her shoulder, so she can button up the neck. ]

I may be an actress, but when it comes to you and I, I’m just fine being us.

[ She will just watch him walk away, and those shorts do no justice to his tight little bottom. It makes her chuckle. ]

Don’t think I won’t be holding you to that, by the way~

[dead_serious]

[ That first but was actually a bit sweet. William smiles subtly to himself while he knows Grell can't see. ]

I know quite well you will be.

[ Theres plenty of tshirts with crude sayings on them, and tacky blazers in absurd colors and patterns. None of which William will wear. But then another thing occurs to him. ]

How am I meant to dress myself with these wings?

[untodeath]

[ To his question, Grell is already on her way over to assist- but when she actually takes a look at his arms, and how the wings attach to his body, she’s equally stumped. Her lips part, but she can only close them again, a hand pressed over them with the most perplexed look! ]

There’s got to be something you can wear. [ Forgoing the conventional tops and blazers, she begins to shift through the miscellaneous uniforms and accessories. ] You can’t be the only one with such troubles here, right?

[dead_serious]

[ William hums, unconvinced. Especially once he sees that Grell's newly acquired tail isn't helping that dress cover her rear. ]

Well have to cut a hole in that dress for your tail, too.

[Be thankful he doesn't have his scythe anymore or it would already be done! ]

[untodeath]

[ Glancing back over her shoulder at him, Grell raises her tail to give her bum a suggestive little waggle. ]

Better off than I was.

[ As for the task at hand, she sighs! ]

Perhaps we could get you in a tuxedo vest… You’re able to control those feathers on your arms, yes? I could’ve sworn they weren’t so massive before— though, of course, there’s been plenty to have distracted me… Hm!!

[dead_serious]

[ William raises one arm to inspect it, unsure how he would do such a thing, if it's even possible. Suddenly, the feathers retreat into his arms, leaving only short, fluffy tufts behind. ]

Seems so. [But then seeing that butt wiggle ] Will you stop that. No one needs to see you flashing your ass around but me.

[untodeath]

[ Grell perks up with a declarative sort of croon - but his possessiveness has her ears lowering with a nibble at her lip, as she slinks over to him. ]

Is that right~? Why, you almost sound as though you care, Will❤️.