thedispatch | The next afterlife

The next afterlife

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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.

Edited 2021-12-03 02:49 (UTC)

[ 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.

[ 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.

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. ]

[ 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! ]

[ William didn't notice it at first, as he'd been glancing up and down the streets below. But when a rapid succession of bullets, followed by a burst of flame destroys half of the block he was observing, it catches his attention and halts them to hover in the air. ]

What in Death's name is that?

[ That don't look like any blimp he's seen before! ]

[ Grell's lashes flutter with surprise at the onslaught, a hand idly patting William's chest. ]

I-- don't think we're in the position to find out.

[ Looking over his shoulder, notably in the opposite direction, she spots an area with sizeable foot traffic. ]

There's a crowd, over that way. There's bound to be something of interest.

[ William attempts to spin them around in place, something that's not easily achievable with wings! Thus, he falters, nearly dropping Grell in the process. At least he catches her around the waist with one arm, her feet dangling freely below. And in true William fashion, he's less focused on her predicament than the area she'd been indicating moments before. ]

There's a rather large building there. Perhaps someone will take a bit of pity on us and give us some information.

[ Grell shrieks, tail straight out and bristled to about twice it’s size! Thankfully, FOR HIM, she somehow resists the urge to hook her claws into him and climb her way back up!

Still, she reaches up to grab at his shoulders - those nails just barely avoiding the worst - and pulls herself up enough to wrap her arms around his waist and hold on for fear life.

With the mightiest huff, she attempts to shake off that panic! ]

Sure! Whatever you please! Just get us down from here!

[ Of course all her flailing and near clawing at him has him frowning down at her. He huffs but hoists her up further so she can at least reach for his shoulders more easily. ]

Honestly, aren't felines meant to land on their feet, whatever the case?

[ Others may have meant that as a joke, but William would be the one to purposefully drop her and just assume she'd land gracefully. But, now having a place to head towards, she won't be placed back on solid ground until they're before the grand building. ]

[ Arms snug over his shoulders, she rests her chin atop one, but not without a grumpy tick of the tongue! ]

I only appear to be partly so— and with that in mind, I don’t hope to chance it!

[ She hums. ]

Although, I certainly hope we maintained the resilience we had as reapers… After so long, I don’t know that I’m mentally equipped to properly avoid danger.

Edited 2022-01-03 03:20 (UTC)

Considering you actively seek it out, I'm convinced you are incapable. If we aren't as we were as reapers, I won't be able to jump in and save you each time you act so carelessly. I would advise you to keep that in mind.

[ Finally landing, the hustle and bustle around the building seems to indicate a hub of some sort. And as they enter, it's more obvious what these rings Charlie had vaguely mentioned are. Literal levels of Hell, accessed by an actual elevator. It'd be a strange take on the flourish and drama mortals believe the afterlife consists of, if William wasn't already exhaustingly used to purgatory being a desk job.

Though, one thing does seem a bit odd. They seem to be the only demons here, the entirety of the crowd consisting of tiny horned imps. ]

[ William has been adept at playing the role of her savior in the past, but hearing it now, she realizes that putting herself in danger might put him at risk, as well! It’s an odd feeling— she’s not good at this responsibility thing, so it’s pretty intimidating, actually. She doesn’t want to fail him. All this time, he’s been the one rock she’s had to cling to.

As such, she reaches to take his hand, while they navigate through the crowd. ]

Well, you’ve taken us right to it. What luck!

[ And though there were a variety of creatures outside, it would be incredibly difficult to miss that the building’s occupants were below waist level, and all red! It has her crooning in wonder and confusion! ]

What are they? [ Leaning forward, she tilts her head whilst getting a better look at some passing by. ] Almost cute, wouldn’t you say?

[ The few that overhear her shoot looks of distaste, though one in particular decides to flip her off - making sure it’s above head, so it might be more at eye level, with a hearty, “Fuck off!”

With a hard blink, she stands upright to look at William with shock - and amusement, thankfully. ]

Sod off, yourself.

[ Why William felt the need to retort when he usually couldn't care less what other's opinions were has him frowning at himself. Was it because it was directed towards Grell? Is he suddenly feeling overly protective?? He shakes it off, surveying the rest of the room instead. ]

I can only imagine they were born of this realm.

[ A large colorful screen hangs in the center of the station. It lists the various sins mortals were always warned against, along side, what William can only assume is, times of arrival. ]

What could be different for each? I wouldn't call what we've seen on this level to consist of anything prideful.

[ With another blink, Grell’s lips part with the most delighted surprise! Was William defending her honor?

Lucky for him, he distracts her before she can comment on it - but, nonetheless, she has stepped over to slink up against him with a purr of satisfaction. ]

Well, that, I cannot say. We appear to have gone off script from Dante’s reiteration.

[ With her head tilted back to read the sign in full, she idly draws a finger beneath her chin. ]

Purgatory, would have been considered the first ring, to start - and Pride, well, I don’t believe that was one of them at all! I can’t imagine the rest of it would hold any weight, considering.

[ Digging a hand into her fringe to push it back momentarily, she sighs! ]

Well, I suppose we could just opt for the soonest departure, whiiich— just so happens to be ✨lu-uuust✨.

[ Tugging at his arm, there’s a gleeful bounce to her step! ]

Doesn’t that sound fun?

[ He follows, albeit with a huff. Of them all, this one could be the most predictable as to what it holds. And considering they just had quite a nice shag at the hotel, he wouldn't be able to argue that he's not interested in lewd sexual activities.

With all of the tiny creatures around them being too short to see the marks on the ex-reapers' backs, they're quick to assume the two must be newly damned and too stupid to know they can't leave the Pride Ring. Many of the imps around them start to snicker as they step onto the elevator. Others curse them saying they're gonna be late if the stupid demons don't get off. But when the doors close anyway, the realization that the two were reapers comes over all of them and there's wave of laughter through the crowd. "Man, you two really got fucked over!" "Bet they worked their asses off too!" "Oh yeah, I saw these two on last night's episode of Purgatory: Surprise Damnation!"

William glances to Grell, wondering how long it will take her to start punting the rude little imps. ]

[ Grell is so accustomed to negative attention, she hardly pays it any attention, at first - but once the little devils start their heckling, her fur begins to bristle, her ears gradually burn red! She’s unable to contain herself, then; snatching one up by it horns, she lifts the fiend to eye-level, snarling with her maw of ragged teeth. In fact, have they grown even more? ]

It would appear that our documentary neglected to inform you that I might be the most bloodthirsty bitch of our age!

[ Without further warning, she tosses the imp up just enough that she could readjust her hold, and swing him like a baseball bat, right into another smartassed bystander. The crowd topples back a few feet, and their reactions are mixed; some relocate toward the back of the floor, and others are ready to jump at her!

Now that she’s riled up, Grell is more ready than ever to take them on! It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t have her scythe - she’ll just as well take them in hand-to-hand combat! Extending her newly-acquired claws, her features twist in a grin that would put the Cheshire Cat to shame!

But wait— the raised fur at her forearms warps into enlarged blades! Even more concerning, they begin to move! It’s a slow roll, at first, building speed until they’re whirring to life, much like the belt on her once-beloved chainsaw.

It catches her a bit off-guard, and briefly raises her arms to witness it with question - MANY questions, in fact - but, never mind the impossible, she’s ready to roll with it!! ]

Edited 2022-01-08 10:49 (UTC)

[ Obviously used to Grell's tantrums, William barely pays it any mind. The largest reaction will be the raise of an eyebrow at the odd ability her fur takes on.

Hm. Interesting interpretation.

[ And highly appropriate for her, he muses aloud, sidestepping a swipe of her arm that comes just a hair too close to his face for his liking. It isn't until the elevator has arrived, and the doors open that he makes further commentary. ]

We are here. Let's go.

[ Fearlessly, he yanks at Grell's tail to gain her attention and urge her on. ]

[ By the time the elevator arrives at their destination, the crowd rushes out around them, eager to escape the mess they had been caged into. And it’s quite the mess, indeed. One of the seating installations has been splintered to bits, there’s imp blood everywhere, and one of them is howling about losing half a horn - and yet, there are no fatalities. This is, in part, part due to the little creatures being dodgy and ferocious, but clearly, she was more interested in leaving an impression than killing them. Mostly because she might like them!

Still, once she feels the yank of her tail, she’s ready to pounce the culprit… though, upon seeing William, pauses mid-swipe. ]

Already? Well! Impressive.

[ Punting an imp that’s latched himself onto her leg with its teeth, she huffs with a flip of the hair. ]

I hope you all remember the mercy I’ve shown you today. [ Scooping up William’s arm, she’s ready to exit! ]

I am simply thankful I no longer have to clean up your messes.

[ Cause that elevator definitely needs tending to now!

Allowing her to cling to his arm, they exit the terminal. The garishly pink overtone of the Pride Ring has been replaced with cool blue tones. Rather pleasing to the eye, really, until you note all the flashing neon signs advertising XXX theaters and stores. ]

Ah. I suppose this one was a bit predictable.

—oh.

[ Blue simply wasn’t what she had expected. It doesn’t evoke the sensation of lust at all!

However, when her eyes take in the sight of those wholly foreign neon lights, seemingly sizzling in the cold night air, it makes much more sense to her. She hums, as thought it might be acceptable after all. ]

My, some of these establishments are busy. [ She eyes the line outside of “Ozzie’s”, extending around the corner of the block. ] While that somehow makes it more— tantalizing, I couldn’t possibly suffer through my impatience. [ A sigh! ] Well, since I picked the ring, why don’t you select our next destination, my love? Keep in mind, we still need to find you some food!

[ Yeah, there's no way he's waiting on a line that long. Plus he's doubtful they'd be able to swipe some free food at such a high class looking place. So William chooses a random direction to head in, strolling quietly beside Grell and frowning disapprovingly at the lewd window displays nearly every store has.

Eventually he pauses outside a rather elegant looking place. The shop's name, Le Voyeur, is spelt out on the store front in delicate calligraphy. And while the title of the restaurant has William raising a brow in suspicion, the promise that "Playful couples dine free!" on their placard seems promising. ]

Free? There must be some stipulation.

[ He examines the board for fine print, but no further information is given. ]

Le Voyeur~

[ Reading the sign aloud seems to be the only response to his query, because she believes it to be a pretty good hint. With a smirk, she tugs at his arm whilst heading for the entrance! ]

Can’t be too picky, given the circumstances, don’t you think?

[ A contemplative hum. ]

I mean, I’ve never been much for sharing, but perhaps a compromise can be made in some way.

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