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]

[ Their luck continues, for Charlie declares that their stay would be free! But, there was a catch - they would reform themselves for a chance to enter heaven.

Grell’s shoulder slump, as she shoots her counterpart a look of disgruntled disbelief. ]

Yes, well, we’ve already tried that. Look where it got us.

[dead_serious]

Which is surprisingly the best of the lot.

[ Though the entire deal Charlie is trying to sell them on has William giving her a sceptical look. ]

And what evidence can you show us that such a thing is possible? Honestly, I've grown tired of having every bloody aspect of each of my god-awful lives scrutinised and judged against someone else's ideals.

[ Alastor looks rather pleased as he rounds the pair once more. Before William can side step him, the man is sliding between them to hook an arm around each of their shoulders. He's noticed their markings, of course. His static-laced voice proceeds to inform the rest of how tragic the life of a reaper is, before his grin splits even wider, darker. Everything remains silent for a moment that seems far longer than it should. Suddenly, he lets them free, continuing on a jovial spiel about how much he's going to enjoy watching this play out, and that it's certain to be entertaining! ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell watches the entire thing play out, with a hand propped beneath her chin, and tail idly swaying from side to side. Watching Alastor, she has a sudden and uncharacteristic moment of self realization— is this what it feels like to be around her? Though, well, perhaps she is more intrigued, and less threatened, than should be expected, so she’ll never know for sure. ]

Well. For the free board, I suppose we’ll give it a go. Something tells me that it’s the best of our options, at present.

[ She’s leaning in to get a good look at Alastor’s staff, in the meanwhile. It seemed like a gimmick, at first, but it’s eye is definitely following her! ]

[dead_serious]

[ If William could hear Grell's thoughts on Alastor, then he'd agree. The only attribute missing is the constant lewd innuendos, but it seems that white..spider?...guy? over in the corner has that covered. With a heavy sigh, William agrees with Grell's statement. ]

Fine.

[ He'll move away from her to walk with Charlie towards the front desk and get a room key. Despite her enthusiasm not seeming to have any effect on him, she still continues to talk on about her dreams for the place and how she wants to help everyone. He's barely listening. ]

[untodeath]

[ Speaking of white-spider-guy, Grell is going to wander on over and make friends. He seems to have good girlfriend potential, and if all else fails, she might hear some new material! William seems to have the responsibility portion covered, anyway. Plus, Charlie is just too cheery to handle, at present.

By the time William has returned, key in hand, she's already made friends! Surprise, surprise.

Even so, it's been an emotional day, so she's eager to spring up and reattach herself to his arm. ]

Will, darling, this is Angel Dust. I've already told him all about you~♥. Lovely as it's been to chat, I think we're equally eager to settle in. Big day, you know.

[dead_serious]

[ William eyes this Angel Dust fellow with the same stern gaze as he's given everyone else in the building. He can already foresee this as being a dangerous friendship. ]

Quite an understatement, really.

[ He pulls Grell along to the elevator, bringing it to one of the upper floors. The decor of the room is outlandish, eerie and overly pink, especially for someone who barely customized his flat of the course of a couple centuries. But the bed seems rather lush with plenty of pillows. It's already drawing him in to rest upon. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell doesn't mind being dragged behind, not one bit. It makes her feel as though he might actually desire her company - and seeing as how he's allowed her to room with him, rather than insist on separate living situations, gives her more confidence in that!

She'd given the group an energetic farewell, but in the elevator, had slumped to nuzzle at his shoulder with a hefty sigh. Arriving at the room, she croons once the door opens!

The decor immediately stops her short, however. ]

Good God-- Ah. Hm. Sweet Satan...?

[ With a contemplative quirk of the lips, she shrugs, satisfied. ]

Either way, this is an affront to the senses. [ Though, some of those eerie additions earn a so-so hum, before she dismisses them. ] Looks as though we'll need to steal some home decor, next.

[ While William beelines for the bed. she shrugs off her coat, to hang in the closet. ]

[dead_serious]

[ There's been far too much stress placed on them today, and he'd prefer the company of someone he knows he can trust in this new world. They've got to stick together and all that.

Sitting, William goes to remove his shoes and sock, only to finally notice he'd been without them all along. Instead his feet and lower legs are a deep blue color. And though he's, thankfully, not sporting long talons on his toes as his fingers are, they seem to be far more suited to walking around barefoot. Thick skin with a somewhat unpleasant texture. He pulls a face, putting his foot back down. ]

I don't believe I've ever felt innsecure in my appearance until now.

[untodeath]

[ With a blink, Grell turns to address him. She knows a thing or two about feeling a disconnect between herself and her body, so she feels an unusual pang of empathy.

Shoulders rising and falling with a sigh, a smile settles on her features. ]

While I still consider them a perk… [ She’s crawling over the bed, to join him at its opposite end. ] I didn’t fall for your good looks .

[dead_serious]

Seems there truly is no way to rid myself of you.

[ Which he knew, of course. And for once, he appears pleased with the notion.

He pulls his legs up onto the bed, shifting back to nestle himself into the mound of pillows. Grell's already on the prowl (quite literally!) so William can easily pull her in to lay beside him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Following a delightedly excited exclamation, Grell nestles nearer. ]

Considering that Hell couldn’t think to part us, you truly are stuck with me now❤️. [ And now that she’s gotten cozy, she’s purring quite loudly! ]

[dead_serious]

[ One brow quirks up as her purring grows louder. Despite it and it's absurdity, he slinks an arm around her shoulder. ]

Honestly, if I start cooing in my sleep, keep that information to yourself. I'd rather not know.

[untodeath]

[ That actually makes her laugh! ]

Ah, I’ll harbor all of your darkest secrets, then. What did I tell you? We might as well have gotten married.

[dead_serious]

We're not getting married.

[ Still stubborn, even in Hell. ]

I believe you know the rest of my dark secrets now, anyway.

[untodeath]

That’s exactly what I was saying. [ She taps the tip of his nose! ] Just as you know mine. Speaking of which…

[ There’s a brief pause of clear hesitation. Speaking about her past is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to address. What could she possibly say, with any worth, about what she saw on William’s record, either? She sighs. ]

Before all else, I want you to know that I don’t think any less of you, for what happened, William.

[dead_serious]

[ William blinks a few times before batting her hand away. That's the one move she always catches him off guard with and he hates that! ]

I don't regret any of it. Nor do I judge you for your own choices.

[untodeath]

[ With a chuckle, she pushes herself up on an elbow, so that she may lean over to give him a kiss. ]

Thank you.

[dead_serious]

[ He takes the kiss, responding with one of his own. ]

Interesting to note that we were both bastard children.

[untodeath]

[ Grell melts into the kiss a bit, ears drooping as she hums with pleasure. She still looks smitten, even when he pulls away. ]

Our families did well to make us feel as though we weren’t meant for their world, didn’t they?

[dead_serious]

I was fortunate enough not to care much what they thought of me. Exceptionally indifferent in regards to most things, really. I suppose that's changed a bit.

[ To think he'd been even more emotionless! ]

[untodeath]

[ With a vague hum of agreement, she props a hand under her chin. ]

I imagine that it must have been a defense mechanism, really. Your father was a dreadful to you.

[dead_serious]

Perhaps. I imagine he must be somewhere in this rhelm, as well.

[ He thinks back on her own reel. ]

There is no excuse with how yours was, either. Our poor mothers.

[untodeath]

They deserved so much better.

[ A wistful sigh! ]

Some years after we passed our exams, I had sought out my father’s file. He suffered for weeks in the hospital, and died from infection. I suppose I’m satisfied enough with that, I don’t know that I would bother trying to find him here. I might enjoy roughing up yours, though.

[dead_serious]

If we should happen upon him, I suppose I could turn a blind eye.

[ William's free hand has found it's way to Grell's waist. Those new curves of hers are certainly appealing. ]

[untodeath]

[ She chuckles against his lips, while stealing another brief kiss. ]

You do know how to spoil me❤️.