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]

Well, you have appreciated that little personality flaw plenty of times now. So stop doing that.

[ He grips at her wrists so she can't sneak in another boop! ]

[untodeath]

[ That brings a knit to her brow, while she’s leaning into his hold, to bring their lips close. ]

I did not say it was a flaw.

[dead_serious]

No. I did. To still be caught off guard by that is certainly a flaw. Plus, I believe I should have stopped being cute centuries ago. That is a thing for children.

[ He tightens his grip as if that will lessen the cute factor moreso. ]

[untodeath]

[ That only makes her grin widen, a quiet but hearty purr lulls past her lips. ]

Darling, you’ve proven what a man you are. But, you’ve said that you love me… and, if that’s true, you must be brave enough to show me some vulnerability. You’re the one person I’d die for.

[dead_serious]

I believe I showed quite a bit of vulnerability in my record.

[ He heaves a sigh, though. ]

But, I suppose you're right. If you will show me your vulnerable side, as well. And I do not mean that in a sexual sense.

[untodeath]

[ Grell hums in agreement! She is right! Aaand, also, a hypocrite. After all, she’s just as guilty, hiding her insecurities with outlandish behavior. ]

We didn’t have much of a choice, viewing one another’s records and all— but, I can choose to share myself with you, openly… [ Her Smile turns a bit wry, as her head lulls off-kilter. ] That is, if I can even remember how.

[dead_serious]

I could use the same excuse, if that is how you are going to play this.

[ That smile of hers gets an challenging glare. ]

[untodeath]

[ Why is he glaring at her— oh. Well, she’ll pout, instead! The tiniest huff accompanies it, as she twists her wrist free, only to slips her hands into his. ]

That won’t be necessary, because I didn’t mean it like that.

[dead_serious]

Good.

[ But he will release her other hand now, too, and even go so far as to lace their fingers together. That's something to start! ]

[untodeath]

[ That softens her features, while she gives his hand a squeeze. ]

I love you. [ Leaning forward, she nuzzles under his chin! ] So much.

[dead_serious]

[ He may have returned the sentiment, for the second time that evening, but something tickles at his neck as she nuzzles him and he instinctively raises his shoulders to get her to stop. ]

What...did you grow whiskers somehow, too?

[untodeath]

[ Once she processes what he’s said, she gasps, standing upright to reach for her face! Her fingertips tap above her lip, and over her cheeks! Discovering none, she reaches out to heap his chest! ]

That was mean, you know!

[ Flipping her wet fringe out of her eyes, it also may draw attention to her elongated, fuzzy ears— the culprit!! ]

[dead_serious]

[ He does notice! And he gives a fairly hard tug at the fluffy end of one, as if Grell was a bad kid that was being sent to their room for misbehaving. ]

Trim these blasted things.

[untodeath]

[ With a yelp - or is it a yowl? - she leans into the pull! ]

Nnh— Keep that up, a-and you’ll need to entertain me when we make it back to bed.

[dead_serious]

I believe I've entertained you quite enough tonight.

[ To keep her hormones under control, at least a bit, he refrains from anymore physical abuse. It probably won't help too much, but he can try. ]

[untodeath]

[ That comes with a sigh of relief - at least, for her poor ear - as she gingerly rubs it. ]

You certainly did— but you know I can never get enough of you❤️

[dead_serious]

Then the remainder of your entertainment for the evening will be sleep, because that is what I intend to do the moment we finish here.

[ And with that, he flips off the water. ]

[untodeath]

[ Well, that gets a huffy pout out of her, and those fuzzy ears of hers droop to match that frowny face! ]

Well. I suppose sleep would be welcome, following all that-- emotional turmoil and whatnot.

[dead_serious]

Perhaps a lazy snog, as well.

[ A side comment as he steps past her and out of the tub to grab a towel. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell’s teeth press into her bottom lip with a little grin, ears perking right back up. She’s stayed back to wring out her hair, and as an afterthought, her tail. The fur on her feet gets a sigh of annoyance from her, though, before she’s bending over to do the same for each leg. ]

A bloody pain in my arse, these things…

[ She mutters to herself, but once she’s up and out of the shower, she catches sight of her reflection, and that keeps her in good spirits! Her new curves are pretty great, after all. Definitely distracting! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Ah, yes. William hadn't even considered the maintenance Grell's new fur would require, especially after a bath. And now he's wiping the steam from the bathroom mirror to see what state his newly acquired feathers are in. Thankfully, bird's feathers are waterproof, for the most part, so that seems to be a plus.

Having been bumped away from the mirror so Grell could admire herself, William huffs and grabs the only towel the room provided and begins drying his hair. ]

Honestly, you are going to take forever to dry completely.

[untodeath]

[ That comes with a heavy sigh from the redhead. ]

Baths just aren’t going to be the same.

[ Oh, but when William grabs for the towel, she notices a hairdryer nestled in its wall inset, with a declarative croon! The entire unit looks to be made of plastic, which grants a good look-over, while she taps a claw against the material - but it isn’t interesting enough to hold her attention. She flips it on and gets to drying her legs. ]

Perhaps I should just have you fly me around again, it’s bound to be more efficient than this!

[dead_serious]

Absolutely not.

[ Looking to the mirror again, he fusses with the strands, trying to fugure out how he'll part his hair properly with those blasted horns in the way. Also noting that they've gone back to their initial smaller size. Ridiculous. But suddenly something else occurs to him. ]

We should have taken some sort of sleepwear, as well.

[untodeath]

[ Grell ticks her tongue at his immediate disapproval, but she isn’t acting bothered by it. In fact, she’s got that typical lopsided smile on. ]

I don’t mind sleeping nude so much, but we don’t have anything, really. Not so much as a toothbrush between us! [ A shrug, before she gesturing generally about. ] We’re fortunate to even have board, hideous as this place may be - but it’s something, so… thank you for that.

[dead_serious]

[ As she points it out, William's stomach growls loudly. ]

We'll need to find something to eat, as well.

[ Ugh, he's feeling the stress coming on and it's not pleasing. ]