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 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ While her stomach isn’t growling yet, she had a feeling that would become a problem soon. Not requiring nourishment be too simple! Heaving another sigh, she plops down atop the toilet lid, to work on drying her calves. ]

Could see if they offer food service? Charge it to the room.

[dead_serious]

[ Wrapping the towel around himself, William moves back to the main room to find the phone. It's a few minutes before he returns with a rather displeased look about him. ]

Seems all they have right now is liquor and popsicles. Two words of which your new friend promptly made a lewd joke about.

[ Grell will get a judging glare as if she'd been the one to make the joke. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell breaks into an open-mouthed grin, tongue pressed against a pointy tooth as a chuckle lulls from her lips. ]

Lick-your popsicle, I take it? [ But wait, she switches the hair dryer off, raising a finger in pause. ] I don't know if I'm okay with that. We may need to establish a boundary.

[ And it's back on, as she goes back to fluffing the fur along her ankles. ]

I suppose we'll need to reschedule that nap. Can't have you going to bed hungry.

[dead_serious]

For once, I will approve of you staking claim over me. He seems a bit much. And considering what I put up with with you, that is saying quite a lot.

[ Still, how are they gonna eat? Dine out and skip before the bill's brought out? Might be their only option. ]

Honestly, I hope the food in Hell is decent enough.

[untodeath]

Oooh~? [ That has her shutting off the device to discard immediately, in favor of slinking over to William and wrapping herself around him. ] I’ll take it.

[ Although, his question leaves her thinking, resting her chin atop his shoulder with a frowning hum. ]

Goodness, I don’t know… I was under the impression that we would no longer require food or sleep. What a pain…

[dead_serious]

[ All that squirming behind him causes his towel to slink down. He catches it with a huff, then rolls his shoulders in a silent command to let go. Certainly the nicest way he's ever approached that issue! ]

That wasn't the case while we were reapers. But I certainly had a different idea of what Hell would consist of, so yes, I suppose it is a bit odd. It also seems we'll need to find jobs.

[ That last bit has him sounding more exasperated than angry. He truly can't escape it. ]

[untodeath]

[ That is unusually nice of him, which makes the resistance to her affections more disappointing! With a huff, she rounds him - flipping her hair as she goes - to go find her clothes. ]

I suppose it’s a fate preferable to Dante’s theory, but— yes, it’s tiresome.

[dead_serious]

[ William shakes his head with a frustrated sigh. Apparently, he'll never understand when Grell would prefer him to be violent or nice with her. He's trying okay. ]

Certainly. Although, at judgement, the woman make quite a rude remark about my sins filed under Lust. That concept must still be in use in some fashion.

[untodeath]

[ Her panties are a bit difficult to find, by their sheer material! Her tail flicks angrily, as she kneels to shuffle under the bed. And there they are. ]

Absurd, truly. Our hostess will be quite disappointed when she realizes that I want nothing to do with redemption. Those damn hypocrites can keep to themselves up in Heaven.

[dead_serious]

[ William raises an eyebrow at the...interesting position Grell's gotten into. HIs response is to tug sharply at that tail as he walks past to grab his own clothing from the side of the bed. ]

I don't know that I could keep up a feigned interest in doing so, either.

[untodeath]

[ That yank has her body jerking in response, head smacking on the bottom side of the bed frame! Following her comical yelp, she deflates against the floor, cupping her affliction with a groan whilst rolling onto her side. ]

Wh-what? Ah. Right…

[ Crawling free back some, she pulls herself up to sit with a shake of the head. ]

I suppose we’ll need to ensure that we find well paying jobs, as I imagine that they will want to kick us out eventually.

[dead_serious]

[ Once Grell pulls herself up from the floor, she'll have just missed the last sight of William's rear as he pulls those exceptionally tight pants on. He quickly moves on to the vest, still frowning at having to dress so ridiculously. ]

We will need to do a bit of exploring. Find out exactly how things function down here.

[untodeath]

[ Yep, she missed it. But his ass is now hugged by those pants that accentuate everything, so it still gets a dopey grin out of her.

Resting back against the bed, she wiggles her panties up her legs. ]

Well. At the very least, we’ll be doing that together.

[dead_serious]

[ Finished dressing, he'll pick up her dress, turning right-side out before offering it to her. ]

I suppose, if I must.

[ Look, he's capable of dry humor! ]

[untodeath]

[ That bit of help gets an— ALMOST bashful smile out of her. She reaches up to accept it with a bat of her lashes. ]

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[ Rolling up onto her feet, she pulls the dress on, slides an arm behind her neck to tug her hair free. Walking over to the mirror, she adjusts the fabric over her breasts - which look fantastic, thank god, because the rest of her gets a wrinkle of the nose. Sans makeup, hair still damp - and then, of course, the bizarre feline qualities. Well, perhaps those could be worse. ]

[dead_serious]

Of course you wouldn't.

[ William's got quite the same look on his face as he views her from behind. That tail is doing quite a good job of leaving most of Grell's ass fully visible. Making an executive decision, William comes up behind her, first pulling at the fabric of her panties. There's a tearing sound. Then another as he tugs at her dress. Her tail is threaded through them with little regard for any discomfort to her. Be grateful it was all done with a talon and not his scythe! ]

That will at least make you a bit more decent.

[untodeath]

[ At first, she thinks it’s an odd way to get handsy with her - so, the pop of fabric gets a gasp out of her! Hands pressing to the mirror, she looks over her shoulder with absolute shock— until she sees what he’s doing. Still, an eye squints shut with a displeased little growl, and she seats at the air around his hands once he’s through, to adjust the fabric more comfortably and smooth down her fur. ]

Well. I’m glad that look wasn’t for me, specifically.

[dead_serious]

[ Making sure to pocket the key to their room, William's already on his way out the door, assuming she'll run to keep up. Though, stepping outside the hotel's main doors has him pausing.

That cheerful girl had clung to them the entire walk through the lobby. Most of what she'd said went through one ear and out the other, but the reminder that they were on the Pride Ring so they wouldn't get lost, stuck with him. ]

Perhaps we should figure out how to get to these other rings, as she put it. Levels of Hell, I can only assume.

[untodeath]

[ Grell follows along without fuss, though she does make disgruntled commentary about her hair, while catching sight of it in the lobby elevator. Still, she manages to put on an air of confidence on their way out, to bid fairwell to the staff and advise them that they would be stepping out for a time. Perhaps I could be the distraction.

When William stops, she bumps into his back. It seems that she needs to readjust to her new proportions still. ]

Oh! [ Hands on his shoulders, she sidesteps to stand beside him. ] Yes, I suppose that’s a good place to start. Would allow us to get a feel for where to search for our resources. [ Shrug! ] I suppose we’ll have to swipe food of the way.

[dead_serious]

[ William does a brief glance around the street. It'd be impossible for them to find anything, not knowing where to even begin. And considering this is Hell, he's doubtful anyone would give them any assistance. For a moment he considers returning to the hotel to ask Charlie, but somehow she's become more irritating than Grell had ever been!

It's then that an idea comes to him and those conveniently tucked away wings of his spread out, most certainly giving Grell a startle! ]

It may be easier to locate something of importance from the air.

[untodeath]

[ It’s true; Grell’s tail bristles, and her hair somehow floofs right along with it! But the shock passes quickly - instead, she’s bouncing with glee! ]

So, you’re taking me flying, after all!

[ Reaching out to wrap her arms about his neck, she tosses some fringe back with a flick of the head, and bats her lashes. ]

I’m ready.

[dead_serious]

Only out of necessity.

[ But once more, he's scooping her up bridal style. The amount of deep pink the entire realm takes on is rather unsettling. It permeates near every item, making Grell's vibrant red hair stand out all the more. It's really quite beautiful on her, he absently muses, but fails to say aloud. Brushing the thought aside, for now, his wings carry them both upwards, surveying the landscape for anything of potential importance. ]

[untodeath]

[ Crooning with delight as she’s scooped up in his arms, she watches with anticipation while he extends his wings and launches them into the sky. Exclaiming with wonder, she pushes back some of that massive hair to get a proper look at the realm below, entirely oblivious to his observations. ]

Ugh. It smells of smoke stacks, rubbish, and shame - but, somehow worse than that, the entire terrain is an eyesore. They’ve really outdone themselves here.

[ Give her a minute, she’s become distracted by a neon blimp! ]