Notes: I am terrible when it comes to grammar structure, if (when) you find errors you are more then welcome to inform me but please tell me what the correct structure is and i will do my best to get to it! oh and yes GrellxFinnian, i regret nothing.
The streets of London where sparsely occupied this late evening, a couple of carriages stood parked outside public administration buildings, its intended passager, hurried through great oak doors, down broad stone stairs. Most shops had already closed making the office-workers the few who had yet to come home to a warm meal and a loving spouse.
It was late January and grey snow slush, earlier scattered across the cobblestone where now being covered in a fine white powder as the night drew closer. On the side of the main road figures could be seen sitting, some huddled together while others silently still. The cold and wind reaped many victims this time a year among-st the destitute and downtrodden, covering its victims in soft layer of crystals as a final signature of there deed.
Not coincidentally, it made this a season for the reapers, high season in all its frosted glory.
On one particular roof-top an especially disgruntled reaper stood, watching the small crystals of frozen water descend between the narrowly placed houses. The reaper was a young man with brown hair, matted in a fashion unseen at the time in english fashion-circles, the locks had only been partly matted, and on several places appeared to be breaking up and loosening. For all purposes it looked like a hairstyle demanding a lot of effort, effort that the moody reaper had given up on, now leaving his chaotic mass of hair doing as it saw fit.
The reaper had a young face, featuring a poor amount of facial hair, dotted over the lower half of the cheeks and down the slope of his throat. His jaws where broad and well-defined yet most of his bony had a slender albeit unkept shape. For an outlooker he would look as a young man struggling to 'fill his shoes' so to speak.
A reason for bad mood might very well have been his poor choice of attire for the wintery evening, he wore a short, dark-green summer coat, missing several buttons, save two in a green-yellow hue. The collar was unevenly folded revealing a thin yellow fodder, lining the inside.
What irked him the most was that he should not even be here! any fellow reaper would be able to tell, the young man with the unkept hair thought to himself as muttered: I have not even received my glasses yet..
The boy-man had at first been thrilled that he where allowed to take part in a ''distinguishing work'' out in the real world, outside of reaper-academy, his student counsellor telling him how this was his chance to make himself seen by the big shoots. It had been nothing of the short, appearantly the reaper-squad always ended up short-handed this time a year with all the homeless drifters and poorfolks falling to pneumonia.
And so they sent out the academy students do wade through stone, to watch cinematic records without being snowblinded while they where probably off watching royalties take bayonet to their backs!
-It is so unfair- the almost-reaper stated to the cold air. This century, had revolution, uprisings, people wanting to elect their rulers and what not. It was the perfect chance to do some historical reapings yet here he was, trying find some kid. Some damm kid who where going to sleepwalk out of her house and freeze to death.. in fourty five minutes! it was the only one he had today, like really, fourty-five freaking minutes he had to suffer for that nightmare to kick in, leading to the trumbled sleepers demise.
The poor almost-reaper flipped up his small death-book as he waited.
There was however another young man out and about this evening, amongst the narrow streets, a young boy ran . He had strawberry lond hair, big blue eyes and a straw-hat strapped to his back and his hands full of what looked like a large sack of seeds.
Finnian had not planned to stave off his visit to town so long. It was the birds really, the thought of all the poor birds outside phantomhive mansion, picking at the hard ice hungrily with their small frail beaks had almost brought the blond boy to tears. He had rushed straight to the city, leaving behind broken trees and displaced rock in his wake to get as much bird-seed as he possible could hold, and then he had gotten some more.
Finnian did not mind the cold so much, the joy of being outdoors generally overshadowed any of the downsides. - All my friends, i can not wait to see your faces when i show you what i brought! oh they will be so happy!- The blond boy beamed out into the empty and the heart warming thought.
As he traveled along the now closed shops he began to think about his human friends, wondering if they perhaps where left wanting for something- I could buy Bard those Indian cigarette, bleaugh..they smelled awful though- after giving it closer thought he decided that all tobacco no matter the brand smelled awful and that it Bard probably would not notice any difference.
returned to the last moments in the seed-store, the part where he spent the greater part of his pay, the reminiscence made him gulp as he smiled awkwardly for himself - Maybe withhold any gift-buying..until it is more proper''
Finnian walked for the longest of time whistling a tune he had heard one of the street muscians play earlier that day, carrying the huge sacks of bird-seed like they where nothing. It was just as he passed an especially shadowed alley he suddenly heard the sound of a girl crying! the blond boy not one to shy away from helping others suddenly halted, dropping the bags he where carrying with a heavy thud, as he quickly ran towards the source of the cry.
Among the dark buildings, just in the middle of frozen house-hold waste she stood. The girl could not be older then six, with dark hair, kept short for convenience. Her lips where pale, as where her breathing. She was dressed in nothing but a small nightgown. Finnians eyes where set on the poor thing, so worried was he that he did not notice the shadow standing close to her, not until it began to speak. The voice spoke in a laid back, and slightly whiny manner.
- ''Jessica mcollin five year, daughter of poor working-class family will meet her end in the winter night at 21.36, after meeting a stranger'' The reaper had been reading from his small death-book as he muttered -meeting a stranger, that would be me then- His gaze upon the trembling little girl was filled to the brink with judge - Could not go out and die a little earlier? or perhaps not another season,..august maybe? no no,..of course not- The almost reaper picked up something that looked like a pair of green pruning shears.
As Finnian saw the shadow bring forth a weapon that in the shadows looked vaguely like a gardening tool he ran down the alley, placing himself heroically between the girl and the madman set to kill an innocent child.
-Stop! stop! you are not hurting anyone!- Finnian glared at the boy, now closer he noticed that the man was not much then perhaps five, six year older then himself.
The almost reaper stood frozen, dumbfounded, not knowing what to believe, still holding his gardening shears in a loose grip. After a twenty seconds just staring at the blond boy he man answered in a way benefiting his stature as a supernatural being - What, the, fuck- The reaper spoke in a foreign albeit clearly European accent, staring at the girls savior.
- Is this fuck with Joel-day or what? no really, did the student counselor set you up to this?-
Finnian did not understand what the stranger was hinting at, however madmen rarely spoke sense the blond boy reasoned, raising his fist towards the stranger.- I am not letting you bent ONE hair on this girls head! you hear me! well?!-
The almost reaper Joel looked beyond the weird boy with a look that said my-winning-lottery-ticket-just-got-feet-and-is-making-the-run-for-it, he quickly took two steps forward. - No no dont fall over yet brat, i need to see your records first, no matter how small!-
It was then Finnian noticed how the young girl was becoming unsteady on her feet, with her breath growing shallower. Without giving it further thought he removed his coat- graciously gifted by mr Sebastian to all the workers- and proceeded to wrap it around the small girl. Finnian had almost forgotten all about the stranger as he embraced her - Come now! dont fall alseep, you are going to be alright! see i got you all warm!'' Finnian's voice became strained with worry.
- There, c'mon dont die now, i-i have you-
The blond boy thought back the tears, he would not cry now! he had to focus all his effort, rubbing his coat across the frozen petite body.
The almost reaper did not know what to say, this was his first out-doors mission and he had no idea how to deal with this situation, but as he glanced at his pocket watch, the time for the girls death had to be dealt with now or he would fail his first mission!
- Hey! hey! give up, she is dead, like really dead, let me deal with i-
From the small bunch of coat with a tuft of hair a sudden shift came, in response to Finnian's warming rubbs, a small groan was heard from it. Finnian's eyes shined from unshed tears as she dared a hopeful smile - There! there just like that, you are doing great!-
The onlooker was not of the same mind - Oh no, no, no dont even think about it brat! c'mon dont wake up! dont you have a nice grandma you want to see or something!- Joel, the almost reaper's voice now tinged with stress, gods he hated stress, it always came for him, with his weak nerves, that was why he had been out in such a good time, tormenting himself out in the cold, he now yelled out at the stranger, furiously
-Hey! hey you asshole, what is the matter with you! i do not go around messing with your life!- He now raised his pruning shears above his head And Finnian suddenly afforded himself time to put down the wiggling coat turning to the stranger.
- I reaaaally do not want to hurt you, but i will do it if i must!- Finnian's blue orb glared unto the stranger as he raised his fists ones more.
The almost reaper suddenly gave out a shrill laugh, it was short but held all the pieces of 'nervous break-down' mixed with anger.
- You stupid little shit, do you even know what i am? i am an alm- err i am a reaper, i could break your pretty girl-face without breaking a sweat, and you know what,i feel FUCKING inclined to do so! do you have ANY IDEA HOW FUCKING BUSY I AM?!- Joel shook before before yelling ones more -Out of the way!- as he rushed forward with his pruning shears opened, ready to snap it down over the small figure in the coat!
Finnian reacting faster then Joel had assumed any human would as he took grip over the tool stopping the almost reaper in his tracks.
- I told you to stop- His angry eyes flashed hurt and worry for the little one behind him, utilizing his superhuman strength he thought at first to break the tool but found it made of something harder then normal steel, he was however holding the reaper in place, to the bewilderment of his assailer.
- You,..you stopped me? impossible i am a rea-
Joel could not finish the sentence before the blond boy holding the shears suddenly swung it and its owner with a fraction of his strength into the wall, making bricks fall down. As snow and brick dust mixed Finnian sent a cocky albeit angry smile towards the center of the small dust-cloud -Well then you are a pretty puny reaper, seen from my way-
As the dust cleared the green-clad almost reapers gave Finnean a wide-eyed look, there was no way a human could have done this to him!
- You,..how?-
Finnian's angry glare became slightly softer as he responded -This is what a servant of the Phantomhive mansion is expected to do!-
The almost reaper moaned, why did this have to be happening to him right now, his ass would be on Will's table before he saw the end of this, still laying among the broken bricks he brought forth his pocket-watch, it had stopped moving, one minute after the ESTABLISHED deadline for death.
Joel leaned forward, placing his hands over his head, wagging forward as if suffering from a heavy dose of negative over thinking.
Finnian's kindhearted nature was beginning to work against him as he got closer, his angry blue orbs turning more worried.
-Hey i hope you where not seriously hu- Finnian suddenly experienced the worst pain he had ever felt, it was as if his chest had exploded, he tried to scream but the lungs would not relinquish its air, just his blue eyes staring towards the broken brick wall. The world had slowed down as Finnian slowly looked down to see the tip of the pruning shears sticking out of his chest.
Darkness began to envelop his eye-sight as he felt the presence behind him, the almost reaper stood transfixed , frozen in time with his tool of reaping deeply lodged into the back of Finnian.
Light suddenly began to appear from the entry wound of the reaping-tool as the cinematic record began to unfold, but as stressed out reaper looked up, just to see what kind of life spawned this major pain in his ass he records froze, ceasing their movement.
The almost reaper did not know what to think as the frozen record refused to unfold, this was not how it was suppose to look dammit! worried about what this meant, Joel swiftly pulled out his pair of shears, as he watched the limp body fall to the ground.
The night had grown rapidly colder as the dusty almost reaper looked at the mess he had done, hearing a gasp, he glanced to where the small girl now stood, wrapped in a far to big winter-coat watching her dead savior, her eyes filled to the brink with fear and sadness.
The almost reaper rubbed his forehead as he mumbled - just get out -
But the young girl was not moving an inch, and untop of that he had an unathorized kill, and a failed deadline, this could not possible become any worse!
Suddenly an all to familiar voice announced itself. - Joel. , you are guilty of missing deadline for target death, un-athorized reaping and attempt to watch said cinematic record-
The young man with the poorly matted hair did not need to see the person behind his back, nor hear the sound of glasses being pushed up the nose-bridge to realise things had become a lot worse.
-Well shit-
The first thing Finnian noticed was the wooden ceiling fan making a quite buzzing sound. As he slowly opened his eyes the image of a reception and a waiting room all decorated in polished wood with a few stuffed chairs and to what Finnian thought a rather tasteless yellow sofa with large brown spots. The windows in the reception had their windows sun-blinds pulled all the way down but bright light filtered between them, in front of him stod a small table holding a small plate with candy and a sign saying '' Please help yourself while waiting'' Finnian noticed however several small yellow paper squares attached to the friendly message promising death and dismemberment to someone called ''Sutcliffe'' if this person would attempt to make away with the offered sweets.
Finnian still had some troubles reading long sentences and after recognising the various death-threats he decided that he did not feel like testing fate.
Turning his head to the reception he noticed a woman standing behind the disk, she had a serious-looking, adorning her face with a pair of horn-shaped glasses, behind them a pair of green eyes with a center of dark green surrounding the pupil with a second layer of light green making up the rest of the iris. She seemed to be busy flipping through several pages and Finnean thought that perhaps he should get up and look around, Oh thats right he was sitting in a chair, he was in fact sitting up. instinctively he moved his hand towards his chest only to find it in spotless condition. Finnean made a small -hmm- as he just made the motion to move out of the chair.
- Finnian S-012- the women said, holding a strange mechanical rod of some sort. Her voice where somehow amplified and Finnian suddenly jumped up at the mention of his name AND his number. He moved a worried hand to his back only to find his trusty straw hat in place.
He briefly wondered if he had been kidnapped, if the scientists had found him again, NO that could not be it, he would not let him take him this time, just as he had found a home and real friends! the blond boy got up with a determined look as his senses where suddenly overwhelmed with the same crackling voice now amplified - FINNIAN S-012!- Finnian jumped of looking towards the women behind the disk with the same look as a scared deer.
The women who appeared to be in her sixties coughed gently, pressing some sort of button on the strange metal rod as she said in a normal voice - Finnean s-012 your William is ready to see you now, it is the door down the hall to the right, with the gold text.- she said the words slowly and with an overly friendly tone as if she where instructing a child.
Finnian was not at all sure what this was all about, but the earlier thoughts about it being another ploy from the Scientists quickly faded, the scientists never offered candy, i would probably have been strapped to a bed already, he reasoned as he slowly nodded towards the reception lady and made his way down the hall. The place reminded him a little bit about being at the dentist, having been taken there by force by Sebastian once. Finnean did not particularly like that memory, apparently it was free dental-care in the phantomhive employers contract.
Though when he had been in a bad need of having a sweet-tooth removed he had refused and well, the young master did not appreciate having a gardener with superhuman strength and severe tooth-ache so after a short struggle Sebastian had knocked him out and as he awoke his tooth had been removed and he had received a small lollipop in his pocket.
The blonde turned his gaze to the walls of the narrow corridor he was walking, and the imagery where certainly not encouraging, several paintings of skeletons wearing black robes with scythes mixed with small black and white photographs of people he did not know accompanied by small name-signs.
Finnian swallowed, as he reached the end of the corridor and as he turned to the right a large mahogany door appeared before him, with a door-knob in the shape of a skull - Okay- Finny was rather sure now that this was a place for weirdos.
He was just about to turn around and walk back the way he came as the door opened by itself.
- There you are, Come in Finnian-
The blonde was taken a back by the calm but strict voice, it was the voice of a doctor, or someone who through their very voice and stature gave of an aura of knowing what was best for you.
Finnian turned back again, his curiosity winning over his instinct to flee, he slowly made his way into the office. The room was sparely furnished, with two armchairs in an emerald hue, a large desk covered in neatly piled stacks of paper and the walls holding several diplomas. The desk also held a small family picture and what looked like a fruit-basket, the kind you where gave out en masse.
Behind the desk sat an older male, possible in his thirties, he was combed, had short black hair, a pair of rectangle-shaped glasses and what looked like a pruner resting against the wall behind him. The man had an emotionless, business-like appearance and for the confused little blonde it was not exactly re-assuring.
- Come now Finnian, sit- the older male gestured towards the opposing armchair, his voice carried no emotion whatsoever.
Finnian hesitated looking up at the man and then at the chair as if trying to figure out whether it would eat him if trusted its comfy exterior. At last he decided to try his luck as he sat down in the green armchair.
Finnian still felt very unsure about everything, part of him panting to scream out ''WHERE THE FUCK AM I?!'' but he decided against it, thinking it to be rude, instead the scared boy moved up his knees into the armchair, hugging them tightly at he looked at the man in front of him.
The older male raised an eyebrow, not commenting on boys choice of seating, inside he coughed gently before starting what sounded like something he had re-hearsed before.
Divison that we are terribly sorry for having accidently reaped- William nodded towards the fruitbasket.
- This pleasant fruitbasket is a small way from us here on the management to say that we are sorry for having had you killed, and i assure you that it will not happen again!-
Finnian just stared at the man as if he had gone mad, as the blonde boy visible paled he whispered. - I am dead?-
William bore the face of boss having to excuse on behalf of his employees.
-Yes, and for that we are very sorry, you where not be reaped and luckily i personally managed to stop the viewing of your cinematic records-
Finnian did not know what to say, all these words he did not understand and what about him being dead, where the hell was he?!
William took his silence as a cue for him to continue.
- Your current condition is of course my fault, during high season we often have to resort to bring in unlicensed death-gods to deal with the high number of accidental deaths and then this happens.-
The older male let out a sigh as he gave Finnian an apologetic look.
-Academist Mathias is known for having a low tolerance for stress and little to no competence in dealing with reapings not being 'textbook' so to speak- William made exclamation marks in the air looking at Finnian.
Finnian suddenly felt more hopeless then he had done in years, it was almost as if he where detained by those horrible men again! his big blue eyes began to tear as he whispered '' I-i see''
William nodded, looking at the boy so close to nears he tapped his chin uncharacteristically from his side as he said. - You really gave him a thrashing, a death-god no less, albeit an unlicensed one-
Finnian was not susceptible to compliments as his mind wandered to that of his friends of Bard, of Mey-rin, of his young master and even Mr Sebastian who while scary had done a lot of nice things for him. Only because of his extremely good nature he felt the need to respond with a teary eyed, choked - t-thankes-
William waved his hand in a 'dont think about it' way towards the blonde. - So, while this is all water under the bridge now- William nodded towards the fruit basket and then looked at the quietly sobbing boy - All that remains is how we should proceed, do you want me to get you an appointment for someone to judge your record or would you consider saving us the paperwork? in such case we could have your ascension to the next plane done with right away.-
Finnian now looked up at William, his cheeks had turned red and swollen from his silent sobbing, he slowly parted his pale lips as he asked -n-next plane?-
William nodded - Yes you know whenever it will be heaven or hell, and let me say before you worry, the parts of your record we have had access to makes you a very likely candidate for heaven, so you can breath out if that was troubling you-
When the boy did not appear any calmer William added - I am sure you have some parent or dog or something up there you would be glad to see again-
Finnian stopped the sobbing for a moment, thinking about it, all of his friends he just et ever since busting out from the institute holding him, his parents well he could not remember any of them.
-I never knew my parents, and all my friends are alive, b-but i used to have a bird-friend, h-he might be there?-
William frowned slightly, he was non an unemotional person, he simply choose to not involve emotions when he worked, but this, hm this young man with his big crying orbs and soft, tear-swollen features, it made the reaper wonder.
-Ah, i see, no a bird would certainly not be much companionship but maybe..-
The crying blonde latched on to that maybe - Maybe what?- he blinked his cerulean orbs at the older male, not much hope residing their but perhaps a dying flicker of curiosity.-
William shifted in his arm-chair before he opened his mouth again. - We could i suppose have you sent back to earth, but that will be even more paperwork.-
Finnian could not contain himself now, his emotions varying from sadness, to happiness, to surprise, to anger! ''WHAAAT?! can i be sent back right away? to my friends, my birds, and my young master! and mey-rin and-
William raised his palm in the air - Ok hold it now, i said it would be more paperwork, and i did not just mean forms being filled and filed, no we can have you back but not as you where.-
He had lost Finnian already whose hope hang on a small thread -n-not but you said?-
William sighed and nodded - We can sent you back, but we are not angels, we are death-gods and you are not nearly important enough for the angels to approve of a miraculous resurrection form, your body is stabbed, your organs punctured by Matthias reaper-schyte, your human husk is sadly beyond use.-
Finnians eyes began to tear up again as this cruel death-god toyed with his hope -b-but then it is hopeless-
William sighed, this season was bad enough without these things happening, and he had a lot of incompetence to punish as it where.
-You can return, but only if we transform your soul into an higher existence-
-STOP IT- Finnian looked up, hurt, sad, angry but mostly hurt. - Why must everyone always use these words and say these complicated things to be, you know i do not understand!- Finnian clenched his fist as angry tears trailed his soft features.
-I am not smart ok! i do not know these things, i am a gardener and a bad one too! why are you doing this to me i do not get it, is it some sick joke or-
William interrupted him with a clear voice, reminding very much of a teacher.
- Finnian, if you become like us, you can see your friends again-
The blonde was just about to hold a presentation of all the injustices he has had to endure during his relatively short life when William's word goes through his head, he stops in his tracks.
- L-like you? w-what do you mean?-
William was really not good with kids, he did not hate them per se, but his job did not make him accustomed to the illiterate or the intellectually stunted...well that was a lie considering the ones he worked with.
-If you enlist in the Dispatch Management division, er.. if you want to go back, we can have you transformed into a death-god, you will look the same, save your eye-colour and you will be able to see and live with your friends but you will have to find time to work for the division-
William did not wish to add it but felt that he probably should - and that takes priority over your gardening duties.-
Finnian did still not understand fully but by now he had to cling on to whatever good new he could get, and possible worry about the rest later.
-S-so i w-will become death-god? how does that work?- his voice slowly growing steadier.
William gave a relieved sigh as he brought forth the correct document and a pen for Finnian to sign. -Oh we will get to that, while you would normally go through the academy i feel somewhat responsible for your wish to join so you will be given to the highest ranking Death-god we have available to serve under until you are fully examed.-
Finnian tilted his head as he listened to William while trying to read the document, it was difficult as it was writting in cursive and he only grasped simple meanings as of yet. -Does that mean i-i cant go home until i am fully examed?-
-No you may visit or stay on earth wherever you choose as long as it is with your superior, in clearer language you have to uphold yourself to wherever he or she goes, it is to have someone experienced closely the first time after receiving your reaper-powers, you understand-
Finnian listened as he slowly dried of his tears, it was better then being dead that was for sure, he then pointed towards the document.
-I..-
William looked at him not understanding - is something unclear?-
Finnian did not want to spell it out, he shifted uncomfortably, still holding his knees to his face - i- i can not read so well-
William looked at him for a long time before nodding - how is your writing?-
- I can write my name-
-Alright-
William poured himself a glass of water from a beaker standing on his desk.
-Ok the document is for human-reaper conversion, most are born death-gods not necessarily all but most, this document relinquishes your claim on eternal peace, heaven, hell , places humans go as your soul is forever more converted to that of a death-god, seems reasonable?-
This was all huge decisions but as of now he had only one thought in his head, to get back to the mansion, and to feed his bird-friends,..in that order.
-I..alright-
The blonde quickly wrote his name on the line, as William glanced over the desk he frowned inwards, that child had a terrible handwriting.
William slowy took the document, looking into it, he nodded - Everything is in order, welcome aboard, now i will just have to see what Reaper could be spared for such a..-
The older male looked down his list, nearly all of them had been assigned cadets from the academy already, the only one open was Mathias counselor, now that the almost reaper had been sent back to academy grounds. William nodded, moving his finger from Matthias photography to that of his superior and...
- Oh God no.- as he saw the name his forehead wrinkled several times over.
His eyes double-checked it, no make that five times checked before he gave up, his sympathetic side had wished to find a 'proper' reaper for this most unfortunate young man, this was not happening.
Finally William reached for his glass of water, downing it in one go. - On the opposite side of this corridor, can you please sit there and wait, i am going to speak with your assigned reaper, making..him aware of the situation.-
Finnian got up from his armchair, he nodded quietly, not knowing quite what to believe, he turned to walk out of the door before he heard Williams voice ones more.
-Oh and Finnian, do not forget your fruit basket- he looked at him dead-serious and the blonde who really did not want to start anything yet, to much had already happened, nodded as he reached out and took the fruit basket with him, as he closed the door William said to himself.
-Hm..Nice kid.-
The waiting room looked more like a roomy closet, white two armchairs and an arm less one put together to create a makeshift sofa, a decrepit coffee-table had been cramped in as well with an ugly floor-lamp in the corner, its cone yellow with black skulls dotted across.
Finnian called on every strength left in him to not think, not think about what he had heard, what was to come and had happened. Looking at his calloused hands he could not understand how all of this could not be real, how he was infact being scraped of the ground on some forsaken backalley in London!
Feeling the surge of sadness returning he leaned forward in the sofá, hulking silently, William had told him he could return, but that he would not be the same, what did that even mean?
-I wonder if the birds will recognize me. or the petunias, can flowers detect friend from foe even? Finnian wondered, maybe they would view this new him as something wrong and vile and maybe..maybe they would even refuse to bloom! just because he was near, that was a horrible thought! The blonde was not far from letting his hulking escalate into a full blown end of the world cry when he suddenly heard the sound of someone coming down the corridor before entering William's office.
The blonde wondered who it was, he had been told to wait in here for William to have a world with the reaper that would help him but he had not been told how long he would be waiting, here in a furnished closet, packed like a sardin he felt! Looking around he noticed something rather odd, it was a rather large stuffed animal thrown into the corner om de room and left there. Finnian leaned forward to pick the creature up as to get a better look at it. He noticed something strange, the cloth did not tear, no seams became torn.
-Huh..- he said to himself, he guessed that perhaps if he really was a spirit his superhuman strength did not follow. Then again really what was he? some sort of spirit but not spirit?
Finnian reminded himself of his previous promise to his brain and did his best not to think about it, instead he gave a disapproving glance to the stuffed animal.
It was an Elephant, with a heart on its belly with the text ''it is OK to be sad''...Ok seriously, this thing was not hear before he got here, he was sure of it, where these death-gods messing with him, gaaah!
He raised the stuffed Elephant to throw it away, then mid throw he hesitated, slowly almost painfully he brought it back to his body before embracing it, hard.
The blonde crybaby directed one hateful glance at the big Elephant -If you can keep it a secret i wont rip you in half..-
From the other room voices began to heard, Finnian looked up, not to eavesdrop because from the soundlevel adding the distance they where close to screaming over there, at least one.
- YOU ARE BEHAVING THIS TIME AND I MEAN IT!? I DONT LIKE GIVING ANY RESPONSIBLITY TO YOU AT ALL, -
Finnian recognized that as Williams voice yet it was loud and not the slightest cool or level-headed, the blonde wondered who could possible make him act l-
- THE MATHIAS BOY WAS JUMPY EVEN BEFORE I GOT HIM, I THOUGHT HE WOULD LIKE IT!.
Finnian did not recognize that voice, it sounded, well Finnian did not really know how explain it.
- YOU MADE HIM EVEN MORE OF LIABILITY YOU STUPID ARRGHH, BECAUSE OF YOUR ''REVERSE-PSYCHOLOGY-JUMP-SCARE'' I HAVE TO SIT AND EXPLAIN TO A BOY WHY HE IS DEAD AND WHY HE MUST SUFFER YOUR PRESENCE!
That was definitely William again.
- Did you atleast give him the fruit basket i suggested on our last afterwork? the voice sounded innocent enough but whoever this was, it was clear that he got a rise out of William.
- OFCOURSE I DID, IT WAS A FUCKING TERRIBLE IDEA TO GIVE FRUIT BASKETS TO FORLORN SOULS, GREEELL WHEN WILL YOU REALIZE IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE MOCKING THEIR EXTREMELY VULNERABLE POSITION.
Finian gulped, to protect his fragile mind he decided to tune out, focusing on the stupid elephant. But not before snatching a red shiny apple from the fruit basket, taking a small bite he suddenly felt slightly more grounded then before, eating well anything made him feel alive and not at all as a 'forlorn soul'.
He remained alone for another twenty minutes he thought, slowly William's upset voice lowered until it reached his normal, and by then Finnian could no longer hear them, at long last the door to he meeting room slowly opened. Through the door enters the strangest guy the blonde has ever see, wearing a vest and a bow-tie, with long red hair and..and teeth, sharp teeth like that of some sort of nightmare monster! his face breaks up in a sinister smile.
- Oh who are the lucky man to aid me in drawing this world in the colors of our greatest passion! -Grell thought it best to break the ice right away as his eyes locked into the sofa and its lone inhabitant.
Sitting before him was a young blonde boy with huge saphires for eyes, still gleaming of un-shed tears, his face slightly swollen from the previous tears, he wore a white shirt with a straw-hat strapped on his back, covering his neck, and he was, hugging a stuffed Elephant while he made a face reminding Grell of a cornered mouse.
- Oh-, Grell turned around in the door walking straight back into William's office, Finny could hear the high-pitched squeal that followed.
- HE IS SO FREAKING ADORABLE, WILLY-DARLING IT IS ALMOST PAINFUL, DID YOU SEE THOSE RED, TEARY CHEEKS AND THE STUFFED ANIMAL! OH YOU WONDERFUL DEVIL YOU LEFT IT THERE DIDEN'T YOU, KNOWING HE WOULD BE ALL SAD AND CUTE LIKE..LIKE DEATH!.
William who had previously blown of all his frustration on Grell just sighed.
-Grell, goddammit, just..just get back in there and give him the details, this day has given me an awful migraine.
Will leaned his head backwards covering his forehead with his index-finger and thumb as he sighed.
Grell laid two gloved fingers across his lips, only letting a faint giggle escape.
- Oh Will-darling, do not give me that troubled brow! . . . -
He spelt it out, putting pronunciation on each word.
When Grell returned to the cramped meeting room, the blonde already stod up, all to willing to leave it.
The redhead gave the blonde one of his trade-mark toothy grins.
-My, my someone is eager-
The blonde looked visibly upset as he glared at his,..well whatever it was, teacher he supposed.
-Of course i am eager- he said biting down on every word, trying to not get emotional.
Finnian was too good-natured for his own good.
- I am sorry,..s-sir, i have had a truly dreadful day so far.
The blonde was upright scared for his new 'superior', dreading that it would be this weird person his new life depended on he thought it best not to anger him lest the redheads jagged teeth my find themselves lodged in his neck!
Grell stood silently smiling his demented smile before closes lips over his teeth. The redhead gave the blonde an apologetic sigh.
-Well it can not be helped, come with me-
He reached out with his long arm towards Finnian, waiting expectingly.
Finnian did not at first understand why he would have to take the reapers hand, he had already gotten up from the sofá so the courtesy was really not necessary.
When the Reapers open hand remained Finnian inquired with a small, weary voice.
-W-why must i take your hand?-
Grell rolled his eyes, reaper-trainees these day he thought, thought he was willing to give a tad more leeway to such a handsome boy as this one, especially when he made that pout, acting all weak and vulnerable.
-Because.- The reaper began as he lowered his glasses to send him a telling glance.
-You look like a lost and scared child, and i do not want to lose you in the office while we are making our way out, this place is A LOT bigger then what you might expect.-
The blonde flushed in a bright red, much to Grell's delight as he took the outstretched hand.
As they walked through the office, who Finnian must admit started to look a lot more like some malicious labyrinth designed as lawfirm with comfy armchairs, small coffee tables and oil paintings of important people.
Grell kept a frisk pace, only speaking when acknowledging colleagues in the hall way, most of the ones they met however did not speak casting curious glances on the strawberry blonde who did this best to keep the pace without tripping over his own feet. Finnian's thoughts wandered, thinking about the mansion he wondered if the young master was sad over his gardeners death.
Maybe he had not yet noticed, or maybe he does not care, maybe is already having out looking for a replacement.
-Hey! brat we are here- The line of negative thought was broken as Finnian looked up, they where standing outside a door, it looked pretty much like every other one they had passed save that it was covered with small red paper hearts, appearing to have been glued at random on different parts of the door, it also had a small brass-sign on the front, it was just one name -Grell Sutcliffe- He read, not nothing what to expect when the redhead opened the door and shoved him inside!
The blonde almost lost his balance as he was shoved inside, hearing the door closing behind him he took a look at the 'office'. Everything was red, the wallpaper, the silk hanging from the roof and-
As Finnian looked down he noticed that the entirety of the floor was covered in dolls, most red but some appearing in other colours, the desk was shoved into the corner and the room was lit up by a damp red light.
- Just sit wherever you fancy.- Finnian looked around, when he saw no chairs he simple ,choose to sit down on the heap of dolls in the center of the room. Grell tilted a stack of of paper over, making them fall down on the floor revealing a stool he then gracefully slid down unto locking eyes on the blonde.
-Now, lets get down to all these boring formalities.- Grell said, shooting Finnian a short but sweet smile, from a pocket on his black vest he withdrew a document, eyeing it quickly before looking back up.
- I am Grell , i am not sure if William told you about me- The redhead added.
-Did he?-
Finnian just shook his head.
Grell shrugged. - Heres the deal, you and i will be working -very- close during your internship, you will follow me on all my..endeavors, do exactly as i say and always keep close to me, like a loyal dog.-
The sharp toothed male gave the boy another of his full grins.
- .understand?-
Finnian did not care very much for being referred to as a dog, neither the way the older male spoke, like he was stupid or something.
- I,.. - the blonde hesitated not knowing what kind of devilish demands this fiend in red would make on him, he contemplating spending an eternity in this boring office-place and the decision was made.
- I understand, ..Master- He added hoping that it would please his strange benefactor.
Grell made a snorting sound followed by a small giggle.
-..Ok you are seriously too freaking cute- the redhead then asked casually.
-Are you even legal?-
Finnian had a vague idea of what Grell was getting at and it was not something he deigned and answer, simple looking down making an awkward yelp.
Grell did not bother to pursue and instead conjured a pen from thin air, red of course.
-Now i will just write my name on this document, signing me on as your superior, forcing me to behave according to what Will made me promise and..- He finished writing his name in red ink before he turned the paper over to Finnian.
-Oh and yes, you need to write your signature aswell, as soon as you done we can be off to Oz, so to speak.-
Finnian, took the document and looked at it, he sighed, as always it was just a bunch of difficult words he could not understand but in the end meant someone else had power over him and he had to accept it. Taking the pen from Grell, he slowly wrote his name on the signature with large, spiky letters. As he handed it back to Grell he could notice how the the strange man made a slight face when looking at his signature.
- Ravishingly Red! Will was not kidding you really have a terrible hand-writing.
Seeing the mopey face on the subject of her charge he shook his head.
-This wont do, when we are back on Earth and when no other matters are more pressing i will help you with those dreadful scribbles!
Finnian thought that for one who had only been writing for less then a year he did rather well but he would not push it, nodding in defeat he awaited the next decree of his master.
Grell held up her index finger towards Finnian, as the reaper looked to their side, On the floor stood a small icebox, the kind they had in the mansions kitchen to store foodstuffs needing to be cold, wrapping his slender fingers across the handle, he gave Finnian a wry smile as he withdrew what looked like a red ceramic mug.
Stretching his neck Finnian noticed that the mug was in fact filled with a pink liquid, smelling faintly of cherry.
Grell brought the mug of to her nostrils, taking in the scent. - mm ..Wonderful, now you drink it-
Finnian did not think the 'beverage' looked so strange, except that it was all fizzy, sizzling with bubles, it did smell quite nice even from here but his past had made him weary of accepting things from strangers.
-You want me to drink ..drink it?-
Really Grell thought,what is it with this boy and asking obvious things all the time, hm maybe he got hit in the head with Joel's Deathschyte, he mused as he locked eyes with Finnian.
-Of course i want you to drink it, how else will you become a reaper and follow me down to earth?- The redhead rolled his eyes at the blonde, such a silly boy he thought.
Finnian grasped the mug containing the fizzy drink, looking at with doubt written all over his eyes.
- M-master how can this make me into a reaper?-
- It contains a little bit of me, you, since you where not born a death-god we have to get the juices somewhere sweetheart.-
Finnian raised an eyebrow -''Juices''-
- Do not over-think it-
Grell sent him a sly wink, accompanied with a tiny smirk.
Giving Grell a lasting look Finnian took a big breath. Ok here goes nothing.
Finnian raised the mug to his pale lips as he began to chug down on the beverage, it did taste like cherry but the consistency was not all smooth, being a little lumpy or gelatin-like at times.
As he drank Grell watched him with his green-yellow eyes beneath the glasses, the reaper placed a comforting hand on his back.
-There you go, swallow it all, you are such a good boy..-
Grell probably thought that his words where comforting, Finnian thought them quite unsettling as he emptied the mug.
The redhead now sat next to him, picking up a strand of his hair between his fingers he looked expectantly at Finnian.
-Well,..how was it?-
Finnian did not feel any direct difference, he smacked with his lips before answering. -The taste was nice, but the consistency where partly a little chalky...-
The blondes voice trailed off as he suddenly fell forward! Grell quickly catches the petite form in his arms, not that the plushie-covered floor would have harmed him anyways..
Looking over the younger mans condition it was clear that he had entered deep-sleep, the deduction Grell used was mostly,..ok it was only the closed eyes and snoring.
-Sleep well, we have an eventful day tomorrow- Grell purred in the sleeping boys ear.
These two days, atleast Finnian thought it had been two days, had nothing of what he personally viewed as the litte bits of gold that make life pleasurable. He had not been visiting the great outdoors, and he had certainly not been feeding his poor bird friends, nor had he been talking or making schemes with either Mey-rin or Bard. But he did for a second time experience everything go black, virtually dying with no idea what to come next only to awake in a different place then he had started from.
The first of his senses to return to him was touch, a soft wind caressing his cheek, blades of grass tickling his bare kneecaps and last but not least the weight of ones body you might experience when laying down on the belly.
Then came the smell of course, proving his earlier assumption when scent of grass filled his nostrils. For some reason his eyes felt like someone had nudged the cornea with their nails for twelve hours straight, beneath his eyelid, colours danced in the red-tinted darkness.
Ok so it is still day, Finnian thought as he sighed, slowly spreading his arms around him in a half circle as he tried to explore as much area as possible without moving his legs.
Hearing announced its return with an all too familiar voice.
- We are on a grass field outside London, brat.-
Finnian turned his head to his right, from where he had detected the voice.
as he began to speak he felt relieved that his voice was still intact.
- Why does my eyes hurt so much?- the blonde grimaced as salt tears began to form around his eyes, only serving to increase the pain.
- Why do you think reapers wear glasses? it comes with the territory brat, we are severly near-sighted,..stupid- despite the insult, the reapers voice held no hostility, if anything it sounded mildly humored.
Finnian had tears streaming down his cheeks as he fought against whatever trauma the transformation had forced upon his poor eyes, and to top it all off his supposed master seemed to delight in his pain.
- Y-you think this is terrible funny,..don't you?-
Grell was not a particularly sympathetic person, and while the blonde could not see, the redhead shrugged nonetheless.
- You are a sweet, innocent, bland little boy, with no passion whatsoever, nothing about you is entertaining.-
The blonde steeled himself through the pain as he pulled himself into a sitting position, now looking straight ahead without opening his eyes.
- So why do you bother? is it just because your master told you to?-
Grell blinked several times - Master?..- quite for a moment he suddenly chuckled.
-Oh you mean Will? no, and yes, while i am sure i could have had you dumped somewhere else, i knew who you where the moment i laid eyes on you, ..little gardener.-
That forced Finnian to at long last open his eyes, in the middle of a field, he found it possible to focus clearly one meter in front of him after which the world fell out of shape, but at least he thought he was alive to experience it, next to him, sitting on a small rock was Grell, pleading with his eyes to be asked the hows and why's.
-Gardener, h-how did you know? i did not tell your boss about that-
Grell graced the boy in one of his toothy grins, his voice tinted with ill-concealed mirth as he slid down from the rock, positioning himself right in front of the young man.
- I have seen you at the mansion, slaving for that brat who is showered in Sebba-darlings attention.- The grin became even wider, much to Finnian's surprise as it soon ran the risk of parting the reapers head.
- You have, the mansion? sebba...MR SEBASTIAN!, you know..-
The blonde winced in a new pain as the red reaper had caught a fistful of his hair in his grip, pulling harshly.
- . brat- Grell interjected, still not with a trace of hostility in his voice.
Finnian could not nod although it seemed that the reaper felt assured his message had gone through smoothly enough as he soon continued.
- As i was saying, you are going to return to that dull mansion, with objectives handed out by me, fail to complete them and i will just have to tell Will that you got drunk on your new-found powers and decided to go rogue..- Grell smirked as she noticed the worried face of his charge -Oh what horrors they would subject you to.-
Finnian could almost not believe it, once more in the hands of villains, once again made powerless and left to be used at an-others whims.
- W-what objectives would that be?- he hated himself already for asking, betraying his friends, was this really him? did he miss them so much he was willing to betray the young masters faith in him?.
Grell looked almost ready to burst from joy as he answered.
- You are going to spy on Sebastian Michalis-
At that very moment Finnian wanted to run back to the office asking William if the application for heavenly bliss was still open.
- No, no, no way! i can not do that! you do not know mr Sebastian he is really creepy! he would squash me like a bug if he found me rummaging through his stuff or following him!-
Finnian steeled himself for another physical abuse, instead he gazed in teary surprise as Grell merely pushed his fingers against his own cheeks, shaking his head and giving of a yelp of pleasure.
- I know, i know! Sebastian is such a cold man, isn't he? so cruel, so..forceful, every strike from his strong hands you endured would steeped in the passion,..the passion for ...DEATH!-
Grell looked for the longest of times at the startled boy before shifting something into his view.
-You should eat before we go any further.-
Finnian making a loud gulp his masters last proclamation looked towards the space between them.
- The fruit basket-
Grell nodded sagely.
- eat one of the red apples, it will make you feel better.-
The blonde just sighed, so far from his usual carefree self.
- i doubt anything can make me feel better right now-
Grell tighten his grip on the younger males hair.
Finnian groaned as his already tortured scalp received another pull, submissively he picked up one of the apples and began to eat.
Grell released the boys hair, giving it its long overdue freedom as he waited patiently.
It was a really strange thing but as Finnian ate he slowly began to feel better, after he finished the first apple he freely reached for another fruit.
-Carrots are good for your eyes- Grell casually interjected.
The blonde looked through the basket to find a large, tasty looking carrot, not risking his poor hair once more he took Grells suggestion as a disguised order and began to munch on it.
Only after the first bite at the tip of the carrot the blonde noticed a lessening of the pounding hurt in his cornea. Now more eagerly then before he took the carrot deeper into his mouth, as to bite of a rather large chunk.
In a silent thank you he sent a soft glance at Grell whose eyes had targeted the carrot and more specifically Finnians parted lips. It was a look of mild interest mixed with,..something else.
Finnian gave him a questioning look as he crunched of at the carrot, this seemed to break the redhead from his self-induced trance, making him wince oddly enough.
-Well are you done brat?- Grell suddenly asked, gracing the boy with an impatient look.
The blonde was just swallowing the final pieces of the carrot as he on careful legs stood up.
- I- i am done, where are we going?-
Grell rolled his eyes.
- Where do you think brat? to the undertaker of course, we need to get your close back from your old body-
The redhead said it as if it where the most common errand in the world.
- Wait wait, my clothes, no wait, i wore my clothes back at that office, i already got the-
As the younger male looked down he noticed to his horror how he was sitting completely naked!
-What! w-where did my clothes go?!- his face erupted in an intense crimson which spread down his neck.
Grell bit down slightly on his lower lip at the sight of the red, this boy was such a tease!
-You where a spirit back there, the clothes you wore where merely a mental projection of what you knew, it was of course only you who perceived yourself as clothed.
Finnian could not believe what he was hearing, he opened his mouth several times to speak but no words came out, at long last Grell most have come to the conclusion that the adorable little gardener was feeling vulnerable.
-Here, put this one on, then we are off-
The redhead reached for his coat laying on the rocks where he had previously been sitting.
- It will do great with that blush of yours- he added, totally unnecessary but the teasing was nearly all the fun-potential residing in her newest intern.
in a panicked rush Finnian made short work of putting on the red coat, buttoning it all the way up to his throat.
Grell did not see what the fuss was all about, on the other hand Grell was completely shameless.
-Now after you have grabbed that fruit basket of yours- he looked straight into the blushing boys eyes.
-As you might have figured out by now, the freshly picked fruits is still filled with the energy of life, it helps to anchor you into the physical world after having just recently returned, Will does not get it but that is because he is so disconnected from everything- Grell sighed but added a tiny smirk.
-Typical Will, anyway as i was saying, after grabbing that fruitbasket of yours we are off, and just so that i wont have to say it during the journey, you are a reaper now, if tell you to jump over a cliff or the roof of a tall building you do so, if i tell you to run you run, your endurance have increased tenfold if not more since you where human,..your strength, probably not so much, i heard you where already a special case in that department before the trip to the office.-
Finnian just stood there breathing, pulling the coat ever closer as he fought a mental battle to reclaim whatever integrity he had left.
-No questions then? perfect,..lets go!-
The young gardener pulled the read coat closer his naked skin as they walked through London, winter was still very much here and being so lightly dressed, Finnian wondered if he would survive the trip back to Phantomhive mansion.
- It is just a sensation, you can not really go sick anymore.-
Grell had decided to break silence after a good hour of silent running,walking and roof jumping.
Finnian turned his pale, features upon his master.
- You know what i was thinking?- his voice held little of its usual surprise, it was almost as if he was waiting to be told that his thoughts where transmitted through the air into the home of every hardworking England-er in a mile radius.
Grell shrugged and sent a smirk his way.
- It was not that difficult to guess brat, not like you have been moaning and whining ever since we set out.-
Finnian groaned, he was not sure why, but he felt shame and embarrassment, thinking about having been a chore to his master. Thinking about it further he found it really weird, why should he feel like this when it was everyone else who had been making his life so damn strange and unpleasant lately?
The young gardener had to say it, he hated himself for it, but it was as if his mountain sized conscience would not be sated before he did.
- I.. am.. sorry, master.-
He quickly added a bow and to his relief, he felt the little angel on his shoulder quieting.
Grell just waved it off - Don't say sorry all the time, it is freaky and unnerving, besides we are here now.- The reaper gestured towards a small parlor in front of them.
The exterior of the building was not very remarkable, it had no windows and above the door sat a large rectangular purple sign with the text 'Undertaker' written in black letters. Above the letter 'r' the owner had decorated the sign with a skull resting on two feathers.
Finnian just stood still, watching the sign, a strong urge not to enter the parlor had struck, and when it did, it struck hard.
Grell turned to watch her intern with a raised eyebrow and folded arms.
- What now? you are so slow..-
Finnian just shook his head, as he began to felt nauseous.
- I don't want to go.-
Grell blinked a couple of times.
- I thought you said you where cold.. do you want your ugly clothes back or not?-
The blonde hesitated, he was cold, really really cold, it was actually worse in this immortal state, because this body did not numb after awhile as it ran no risk to die from the temperature, it just got colder and colder.
-M-my body is in there.-
Grell nodded.
- Your old body, yes, laying in there all peaceful and empty, waiting for you to collect your stuff.-
Finnian just shook his head, the idea of him laying in there, dead, it was to surreal for the young gardener. He was not sure how he would react if he had to see it.
- I, w-why dont you go in, i can stay outside!-
It was Grell's time to shake his head.
-Can't do, it is imperative that you follow me, while you might understand it now, i have other reasons for visiting the undertaker, some of them involve you being there.-
Finnian was not -that- easily swayed, he took a couple of steps backwards in protest.
- I need to go because i need to go, but i do not get to know why? n-no, i..wont, you cant force me to look at -it-.. you cant!-
Tears had begun to form in the corners of his eyes, as he looked at the reaper like a child who had been told there would be no christmas.
Now Grell was not stupid, true he often let this burning hot passion for DEATH, and a certain ravenhaired agent of it cloud his mind, but right here and now, the redhead understood that a new approach was in order. He could just force him through the doors under blackmail
and threat, but that would be counter-productive to his overarching goals, and that of his job, laid before him by Will.
- Say, br- Finny,.. why do you not want to go inside?- Ok this would be easy, he just had to talk like his stuffy collegues and he might have this.
Finnian hesitated, this was not the kind of response he had prepared for from the reaper, it was enough of a surprise to halt his crying.
- I, i do not want to see..-
Grell tilted his head as he offered a sympathic smile, with a lot less teeth.
- What is it that you do not want to see Finny?-
Finnian was a little suprised over his nickname, or the lack of hair pulling from the reapers side, but right now it appeared as if his master was not going to force him into anything, and Finnian thought at least that merited a more elaborate response from his side.
- I am afraid, that when i see myself laying there, i will realize something.-
Grell almost found it, not a complete bore, pretending to care, listening, playing pretend almost, taking a few steps towards the younger male he asked. - What is it you will realise Finny?-
Finnian heard the reaper coming closer, but he was to occupied with thinking about his question, what exactly would he realise?
- That,..that i am dead, and that things can never go back to how they used to be.- he finally said.
Grell closed in on the boy, listening to him, seeing him, such a troubled boy this was, troubled with unnecessary thoughts, it would certainly take a lot of work to make the child part with the nasty habit of over thinking. - You are not dead Finny.- Grell said as he cupped his hands around Finnian's face.
Finnian was about to answer as he felt the reapers slender fingers cup his face, a red flare spread steadily across his face , his eyes held a mix of freight and surprise.- I,.i am.-
Grell slapped himself mentally for not having done this earlier. It was a young teen he was dealing with after all, and if his severe blush was to be taken as a cue, Grell figured that the younger male was unaccustomed to be touched.
- You are alive, Finny, you have been insanely lucky.-
Finnian did not know how to react, it was all so strange, his mind, flushed with the sensations of Grell's palm along his chin, his steaming breath caressing his face. And his master had a point, he did not feel very dead now.
- I,..i am-
Grell held the young gardener's head in place as he spoke, locking eyes with him.
- You are..?- The reaper stroke his fingers across the soft, spotless skin.
Finnian had lost this argument, without even knowing how it had happened, he swallowed looking into Grell's chartreuse eyes.
- A-alive, i am alive.-
Grell leaning forward, ghosting his breath over the boy, unconsciously, Finnian parted his lips in response. It was to easy!
- Yes, you are,..-
With that said the reaper choose to let go of the boy, turning on his heels as he began to walk towards the door of the funeral parlor.
Finnian blinked several times as the spell broke, he looked forward, seeing Grell's hip sway as he walked. He could not pinpoint exactly when he had decided to agree with his master.
- I am coming!- he almost shouted as he began to go after Grell in a brisk pace.
Grell nodded.
- Of course you are.-
Once inside Finnian began to re-evalute his decision, the air was damp and it smelt of death and embalming fluid. It reminded him of that clinical smell of the institue where had had been kept a prisoner for so long. The room was cramped with bookshelves, on shelves books competed over the space several differently coloured vials, in the corner, Finnian could see the blurred shapes of caskets. In the middle of the room was a large table with a sole casket placed in the center.
- So, are we suppose to meet someone here?- Finnian had barely asked before one of the corner casket's had their lid slid of with a terrible thud, revealing a figure.
Finnian made a scared yelp as he jumped backwards, bumping into his master.
If Grell had minded the bump, the reaper did not let him now, merely staring at the figure.
-Hehehehehe where you looking for little me?-
Grell tilted her head in a short nod.
- You know why we are here undertaker.-
The blurry figure slowly became more defined as it moved closer to the two guests. The undertaker was a man with long grey hair, reaching well down to his waist. His eyes where covered by two large bangs of hair, a strange scar ran across his face. He wore a black coat with a grey scarf and a tall top hat.
- Of course, hehehe, nothing so blatantly shown could remain a secret for long, BUT, you know my price, a JOKE and a laugh, and we might conclude business!-
Grell shook his head.
- Typical you undertaker, well, to honor ones seniors, as Will is really big on i will comply.-
the reaper glanced at Finnian before he began to talk again.
- Did you know what i told young Finny here when he first appeared in the office?-
- I do not Ms Sutcliffe, please continue, i am intrigued- the undertaker looked at Finnian giving him a smile that could rival Grell's in creepy.
- I told him that the clothes he was wearing was only a mental projection imposed upon his spirit-form.-
The undertaker nodded, his voice full with delight.
-Oh, but Ms Sutcliffe, that would be true, his visual clothing was indeed his own projection..-
Grell flashed a devilish grin as he looked at the undertaker.
-Indeed it is, but i told little Finny-boy here that it was only for his own eyes, that everyone else saw him without anything but what the good lord had graced him with!-
Finnian was about to voice his hurt feelings, while he was glad that the whole office had not in fact seen him naked he had been marinated in fear and shame when Grell had told him, it had been a cruel joke, his line of thought was interrupted with the most ear-piercing cackle he ever heard.
-Hohohohohhohohoho hahhahahaahahahah heeheheheheheeheheheehhehehe!- the shelves of the shop began to shake as some of the books and flasks tilted over the edge, meeting the ground with a thud or a glass-shattering sound.
The undertaker chuckled a few times before nodding. - A good laugh, well lets have a look at my guest.-
He moved over to the casket in the center, with ease, he so slid the lid off. Finnian, felt like his heart jump as he looked upon the figure inside the casket. Grell must have sensed that the boy would most likely be unsettled as the reaper quickly covered the boys mouth with a soft but firm hand, the other arm he hung over Finnian's shoulder, as he leaned forward.
The casket contained a young boy with strawberry blonde hair, five red clippers held his hair in place, revealing the palid face. The boy wore a white top with red lining along the collar and a pair of plaid pants. On his feet where a pair of black knee-high boots. The straw hat had been removed and placed upon his chest.
Finnian's eyes almost bulged out of his eyes as he looked at himself, laying there so still, almost as if he was asleep.
It was something soothing about being held in place by Grell, aswell as something utterly frightening about not being able to flee, feeling the reapers chest towards his back.
Undertaker did not seem to notice the boys discomfort, he looked towards the body- Well it is perhaps time for me to consummate our business, you want the cloths, unfortunately rigor mortis has already set in, so there might be a couple of..disheartening noises as the body parts with its earthly belongings, hehehehehe- The undertaker had barely managed to place a black nailed finger on the collar of the shirt belonging to the corpse before Finnian had pushed Grell's hand out of place and screamed.
- Don't touch me!-
Grell barely had the chance to notice before the younger male was over at the casket slapping away the undertakers hand.
- How dare you! you wont take of the clothes.-
Grell moved forward, attempting to stop Finnian, looking clearly worried at the utter disrespect he had shown the undertaker.
-Stop it Finnian, did i not tell you that is not..!-
-It is quite alright!- It was the undertakers voice, he looked towards the two, snickering lightly.
- But Undertaker, the boy..-
Grell tried but Undertaker merely waved it off.
- It is all fine Ms Sutcliffe.- He turned to Finnian.
- You want to remove the clothes, do you want us to look away?-
Finnian was surprised at the sincerity of the undertakers voice, he merely nodded.
- Can i get something to cover..him with? i do not want him to lie naked, in front of everyone..-
Undertaker threw a glance to Grell.
-Quite the candidate you found, Ms Sutcliffe.-
-You do not know the half of it Undertaker.-
The undertaker snickered as he picked up a grey quilt. he moved back to Finnian and placed it on the table, next to the casket.
- You can pull this over our guest once your done, and before you lift Strawhat, know that there is quite the hole there, you might want to have Ms Sutcliffe look at it once you have time.-
Finnian did not get why he kept referring to Master Grell as ''Ms'', he however had more pressing matters on his mind. - Turn around,..please.-
Grell and Undertaker looked at him and then on each other before they slowly turned their backs to Finnian.
The first thing he did was to pick up the straw-hat, it had a rather large hole in its brim, Finnian imagined that it was through it he had been stabbed, luckily the band was still intact.
Removing the hat showed the front wound of the Death-scythe, placing a hand unconsciously on his chest he gulped. It had frayed quite the hole in his top and then soaked the surrounding fabric in now dried blood.
Attempting to remove the top proved more difficult then he had imagined as his old body had, much like Undertaker had stated entered rigor mortis.
-If i may, try pressing the arms above the head, it might prove easier to remove the top that way.- It was Undertaker who spoke, Finnian looked at him but to his surprise he had not turned around. Finnian did not respond but did follow the suggestion, pressing the stale arms upwards, despite the disgusting, sounds of dead muscle being forced to move, it finally gave in and he managed to get the top off.
During the coming half hour, Finnian continued to fight his corpse in relinquishing its clothes, every time it proved to challenging, the undertakers voice could be heard, giving friendly advices.
When he had at long last undressed every piece of clothing from his corpse he proceeded to cover it in the grey quilt provided by the undertaker.
The two had just turned to Finnian as he spoke.
- Thank you,..- he mumbled. - I know death is just a joke to reapers,..but i am glad i got to do it myself.-
The two did neither confirm or deny what he had said, instead Undertaker was the first to say.
- He really changed a lot, Grell, how much of you did you pour into the conversion brew?-
Grell smirked as he scratched his head.
-I might have overdone it, but you can not deny that he looks absolutely dashing.-
-And- Grell added - better to much then too little.-
Undertaker nodded.-All to true my dear, ms, you always where my favorite you know..-
-Wait, what do you mean 'i changed a lot'? i am just like always!- Finnian was growing very unsettled by the conversation between the two.
Undertaker looked at Grell, a little surprised -Did he not notice?-
-Notice what?- Finnian tried to force himself into the twosided conversion with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
- We where out traveling all day, i must have forgot to give him a mirror.- Grell shrugged.
Finnian looked at them as if he was about to combust in worry - What, what, Mirror? where is a mirror!?-
Undertaker grinned as he pointed a long-nailed finger towards the back of the room where a person-sized mirror next to a couple of lit candles stood, leaning against the corner.
The blonde made his way to the mirror, staring into it rendering him mute. The 'blonde' was nothing near blonde any longer, in fact his ones strawberry blonde hair had gone full out strawberry, his turquoise eyes, now green-yellow like that of Grell and William. He opened his mouth to scream as he saw them, his white teeth, warped into something sharp, and feral looking,..in fact they looked just like..
-GREEEEEEELLL!-
The younger redhead turned towards his master who merely raised and i brow.
-What?-
Finnian made his way over to him and then grabbed the death-gods collar.
- Why am i looking,..why am i looking like you?!-
Grell scoffed, placing two hands on the boys shoulders.
-Please, no amount of elixir would make you look this good- Grell gestured to himself.
- But yes, you got some of my lovely features, it is a side-affect of the conversion brew you drank, it will give you similarities to whatever death-god added to it.-
Finnian shook his head forcefully. - This is NOT me, i cant look like this, this is wrong, i-i cant..i-
- Finnian!- It was the first time Grell had called out his full name and suddenly the Strawberry head thought ge got hit by a jolt of electricity, like a strong force compelled him to be quite and listen to Grell.
- Our bond is more then a couple of shared features, if i did not care about you the slightest i could act upon that bond and compel you, now, let it sink in that i have not done that before you start cursing me. Secondly, you are a reaper now, while this is your true form, you can change to whatever appearance you like, including your previous incarnation as a human.-
Finnian remained quite as the reaper spoke, but inwards he was raging, so Grell had so much power over him, once again he was left powerless and unable to stop being used, not even his looks remained.
Grell sighed as he looked upon the boy, why did he have to fight himself so much, his inner conflict was as visible as the night sky outside the city.
- For the first time, i want you to look upon your old body and focus on it, focus on every little piece of it, save the wound of course. If that is still how you perceive yourself you should quite easily be able to change between appearances-
Finnian glanced over to the now covered corpse, he wondered if this was true, that he could be himself, of course not he mused, it would just be another lie, but he truly needed that lie right now. Slowly he made his way over to the casket, removing the quilt from his face, moving it down to stop at the neck, he moved his fingers out over the cold face, reaching the eyelids, he pulled them open with his thumb and index-finger. He was met with the familiar turquoise, his eyes.
Grell leaned against the wall and momentarily interrupted his discussion with Undertaker as he looked at Finnian. - Now focus, focus on making that into you, mold your perception of yourself to be that of the corpse over there, any time you want to switch back you merely have to focus on remembering what you truly are.-
Finnian looked back at his master with ill-concealed contempt. - This is what i am- as he spoke his body began to change, his green-yellow eye's exploded into a blue flash that spread across the iris, leaving behind turquoise, his red unruly hair began to lose color as if it had been a painting put out into the rain, leaving behind only a vague reddish tone to his blonde hair. The razor-sharp teeth withdrew as they flattened becoming normal while keeping their white luster.
- Undertaker will let you use his sink to wash your clothes, i will help you repair the damage once its dry.-
Grell stated, he did not feel like egging on the boy, it was only one man's passions he wished to fan and he was not in present company.
Finnian felt slightly better having regained his own face, picking up his clothes from the table he withdrew to the back of the room to wash the smell of death off them.
It was Undertaker who was the first to break the silence.- I wonder what other traits he got from you,.-
- Let us hope all the good ones- Grell smirked looking at the back of the boy standing out of ear-shot.
- He will certainly be a great source of entertainment for the longest of times.- Undertaker snickered.
- Yes, he will certainly play a pivotal role in me getting closer to Sebba-darling, this little accident was certainly a godsend.-
- And until you get your butler, a feisty young boy bound to your every command wont become a bore anytime soon- Undertaker added, shooting Grell a mischievous look.
Grell actually blushed slightly, quickly scoffing at the deserters words.
- You are out on deep water undertaker, i hold no interest whatsoever for such unrefined pleasure.-