Authors: DemonCatWithASpork and DeathByCelloCase
Canon Characters: Grell Sutcliff, Ronald Knox, William T. Spears
Welcome to the Shinigami Dispatch Association Graduation party of 2011! This 4 part story is AU in the present day. We have personally RP-ed this story and have tweaked it for your reading pleasure. Outside of our personal insertion we try to keep things as realistic as possible. The entirety of this RP lasted several months and we had a blast with it. Single quote marks surround William's thoughts.
William T. Spears poked through the wreckage with the end of his death scythe, knocking minor obstructions out of his path as he made his way through the room. Empty beer bottles and clusters of discarded plastic cups littered the floor. A number of bodies lay strewn in various positions amidst the ruins. The scene of the human party gone wrong filled the dark-haired reaper with utmost revulsion. He never understood why people took part in such frivolities. He merely wished to collect the souls on his list and move on as quickly as possible. On any other evening, he knew he could do so with no difficulty. If he had the luxury of working alone, that is. 'However, with these two as partners—'
William's thoughts were interrupted by the obnoxious revving of a chainsaw wielded by an even more obnoxious reaper. 'Imbecile Number One.' William sighed, using the clipper blade of his scythe to push his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and waited. With a deranged, shark-toothed grin, Grell Sutcliff made a show of kicking in the door, his illegally-modified death scythe held high above his head.
"Will you ever learn to simply open the door?" William asked without bothering to turn around to face the red abomination. He looked down, closing his eyes and once more adjusting his glasses with his scythe. "Though I suppose I should be thankful you didn't use that thing to saw through the door."
"Oh, Will, that's preposterous!" Grell giggled and placed his death scythe on a nearby coffee table. He sauntered up behind William, pausing for only a brief moment (William guessed it was to check his reflection in his makeup compact, or something equally obscene) before walking around and presenting himself to William's expressionless face. Grell used a hand to daintily toss a lock of his crimson hair over his shoulder, flashing a toothy grin. William merely gave an icy stare and continued waiting for Sutcliff to get the inevitable out of his system.
"You know that I would never dream of behaving in such a manner," Grell went on. "That would be un-ladylike. Of course…" Grell gingerly placed his left hand upon William's suited chest and leaned forward until he was just inches away from his superior's lips. William's left eyebrow twitched, but he held his ground. "If I was ever kidnapped and, say, locked away in a tower, I'd love a big, strong knight" – as he emphasized each word, he let his hand slide seductively up the front of William's suit jacket – "such as yourself to saw his way through the door and come bursting into my bedchamber." Grell's hand was just beginning to grip William's tie and pull as William smacked it away with his death scythe. Grell yelped in surprise.
"Cut the nonsense, Sutcliff," the dark-haired reaper snapped, utterly disgusted.
"Besides, Sutcliff-senpai, you'd definitely be the one trying to break into William-senpai's bedroom, which I'm sure he's kept dead bolted since you two met," Ronald Knox leaned coolly against the handle of his death mower with that cocky half-smirk plastered on his face. 'Imbecile Number Two.'
"Ronald! You are so rude!" Grell stamped his foot. "Mark my words," The redhead placed a hand on his hip and used the other to point at the blonde-haired youth. "One day, when you're older, you'll understand what it's like to be in love." He shivered slightly as he fondly gazed upon William.
"Maybe so, but right now, growin' up isn't at the top of my list of things to do," Ronald winked.
"Ugh! Talking to you is absolutely hopeless. I just can't get fired up at aaaall!" Grell crossed his arms, pouting.
"Fine by me," William heard the younger reaper mutter toward the wall, but whether Sutcliff heard the comment or not, he seemed to be choosing to ignore it.
William let out another sigh, "Overtime will be unavoidable once again."
William removed the large book of death records from under his right arm and promptly flipped to a bookmarked page. His perpetual scowl deepened as he ran a gloved finger down the long list of names.
"So, what happened in this place, anyway?" Grell asked, surveying the room. Ronald crouched down to the floor, picking up an empty beer bottle and examining its label.
"If you had read over the details in your death ledger, you would know," William adjusted his glasses and propped open his own ledger book. "On the eve of March eighth, several college students – headed by one Andrew Calloway – held a party in this building. The victims partook of alcohol and various illegal substances. Nine students fell victim to either alcohol poisoning or drug overdose." He glanced up from his book and scanned the room briefly before using one hand to snap the bulky "To Die" list closed. "A waste of human life, indeed."
"Pff, more like a waste of good booze! This stuff's Carling Premier!" Ronald turned the drained bottle over in his hand once more before shaking his head in disappointment and tossing it into a pile with some others. He strode over to a lounge chair. The body of a young male lay slumped lifelessly over the chair's arm. "Guess these rookies couldn't handle it, huh?"
"How trashy," the red reaper remarked.
William thought that Sutcliff ought to take another look into that mirror of his.
"I dunno, though," Ronald mused. "If I were a human and had to die, partying till the death would be pretty awesome. Like goin' out with a bang, y'know?"
"Do not say such loathsome things, Ronald Knox. Humans are utterly careless and have no respect for their own lives or the lives of others. You are a working death god. 'Partying till the death' is not in your job description."
"Aww, boss, you know I was only kidding. Besides, I don't think you of all people would know much about parties…"
"And I intend to keep it that way. I have no desire to involve myself in such senseless affairs." 'Honestly.'
"Ya' always get this real sick look on your face whenever someone attempts to invite you to an office cocktail party or somethin'. What's your deal?" A mischievous smile spread across Knox's face. He tauntingly cocked one eyebrow. "Afraid you can't handle your alc—?"
"That's quite enough out of you, Knox," William interjected sternly. "Seeing as how much you complain about your hatred of overtime, I suggest you get to work if you want to be out of this rotten establishment before dawn."
"Aw, boss! Chill! You're always on the offensive. You should really learn to take a joke, y'know?" Ronald's expression clouded over a little, but William was satisfied to see that he complied. Ronald took out his own ledger book and rode his death scythe into the next room to begin his nightly collections.
William couldn't help but notice Grell Sutcliff's silence. It was highly unusual. William really was not sure if the reaper had the ability to go more than five seconds without interjecting some sort of daft comment. In fact, he couldn't recall the last time Grell had had absolutely nothing to say. The redhead now stood leaning against the far wall, seemingly weighing his thoughts. He was now staring contemplatively at his superior. William was about to tell him to cease lazing around when Grell's expression suddenly changed from one of deliberation to a slow, horrible grin, exposing his full set of abnormally-pointed teeth. A hellish Cheshire cat…with an idea…
'Oh no.' William just stood there, bracing himself for whatever was about to be emitted from that thing's red lipstick-stained mouth. The devilish imp's emerald green eyes twinkled, an irritating complement to his catlike smile.
"I'd have to agree with the Knox boy, dear Will," Grell began, his voice echoing ominously throughout the room. "You're simply not the partying type. You're a bit too…soft on the inside. I suppose that's the best way of putting it." A moment passed before William again raised an eyebrow. 'Just where is he going with this one?'
"We do not have time for your rubbish, Sutcli—"
"Now, I don't really like my men soft, you see," Grell continued, unfazed. He paused a moment, seeming to drift off in thought. "But given your already firm exterior, I'm suuuure you wouldn't have the slightest problem getting har—GAH!"
William's death scythe extended across the room toward the offending reaper. The blade penetrated the wall, leaving a gaping hole where his subordinate's head had been resting a fraction of a second before. Grell now sat crouched down on the floor with his arms over his head, having ducked under the incoming blow.
"All right! I'll get on with it! I promise!"
The scythe remained where it was. William silently glowered down at Grell. After no words of protest were uttered, Grell took the man's glare as permission to continue. William wished Sutcliff would hurry up and get it over with, whatever "it" was. They had already wasted a good seventeen minutes of his precious time.
"I've seen the way your demeanor changes around New Year's and other such celebratory times of the year. You become downright standoffish." He gave the dark-haired reaper a brief once-over before chuckling. "Well, more than usual, I mean. Your own coworkers are practically afraid to invite you to an office party within your own department. I can only imagine what types of torture your trainees must endure…" He hugged himself, shivering a little.
"Honestly," William retracted his death scythe to allow himself a glasses adjustment.
"I really just cannot make myself get excited about those young'uns, but I do feel sorry for them, in a way," Grell's tone suddenly became serious and he looked at his superior genuinely. "They really do work hard to earn your approval, William."
The stoic reaper shifted uncomfortably.
"Now, don't you think it'd be kind of you to show your appreciation to them for all of their hard work?"
A raised eyebrow.
"This year's class is about to graduate to become full shinigami. What if you threw them a little…party? A graduation party, to be exa—"
"No." William interrupted coldly. "That is ridiculous, Sutcliff. If this is about proving that I am capable of 'handling' a party, I refuse. I do not have to prove myself to you or to anyone else."
"You don't need to prove yourself to me, Will. I have the utmost confidence that you can succeed in whatever you choose to pursue." Grell's words became rushed, almost urgent, "But why not do it for the kids? You're the one teaching them, after all. They are simply terrified of you, and yet they still try their best. Would it kill you to do this one little thing for them? They've been working so hard, and I know that you at least have respect for an honest effort. Surely your pride can withstand one evening."
At Grell's words, William unintentionally flashed back to his own graduation. Their instructors had not bothered with organizing anything. It had been left to the graduates, and so Grell and a few others had taken charge. William inwardly shuddered as he remembered that night. It occurred to him that he certainly did not want any other possible…"Grell-like" characters left to their own devices for the event. At least if he organized this himself, the graduation would be orderly and under his control. He could be assured that nothing would get out of hand…
William sighed heavily. There was a prolonged silence, and then: "I suppose…that may be…possible." Foreseeing the incoming onslaught of Grell's exclamation, William quickly raised his index finger before the redhead could speak. "But only because I am confident I shall be able to keep the event under control."
Grell squealed and gave a little clap. "So, you'll definitely do it, then? Promise?"
William looked down, taking a sudden interest in the systematic arrangement of the floor tiles, and nodded once. He looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of that Cheshire smirk.
"Will, do you promise to organize this graduation party?"
William winced a bit before saying flatly, "Yes, Grell."
"Oh, I'm so happy you've agreed! Now, by the way…" Grell paused dramatically. William waited for the bombshell.
"You are not allowed to have help from anyone at work."
The hellish smile consumed his face.
William did not speak.
"Hmm, what's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Grell stuck out his own tongue and laughed. "Now, Will, I thought you liked working alone." Grell's face contorted into a sickeningly sweet, innocent expression.
William once again felt nauseated.
"We don't even have to tell anyone else yet. Although I'm dead certain the Knox boy would simply love to know."
"S…Sutcliff…"
There was a dizzying blaze of red and the other reaper was on top of him.
"OH, WILL! I'M SO EXCITED! THIS IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FU~UN!" Convulsing and contorting his lean body in various odd positions, Grell's arms wrapped tightly around the waist of his boss, who had just been effectively tackled to the floor.
"SUTCLIFF! GET OFF OF ME THIS INSTANT!"
Taking advantage of the moment, the madcap reaper was actually in the process of biting and pulling on William's shirt collar when William finally managed to maneuver his arms free just long enough to retrieve his scythe. Even in the awkward entanglement on the ground, William was able to accurately aim and stab the blade directly between Grell's eyes. He did not miss his target this time.
Grell shrieked in pain, rolling off of William and clutching his forehead. William quickly regained his footing and stood facing Grell, gripping his death scythe in case the thing attempted any more unsightly actions.
"Wiiiiilll!" Grell whined, sitting up. "You've messed up my makeup!"
William glared. He would've bashed Grell over the head for good measure if he hadn't already been bleeding profusely from the forehead. No matter. The wound would heal in a matter of minutes. 'It is a shame, however, that no amount of healing time can reconfigure the inner workings of his mind.'William grimaced, knowing that such a thing could never be. Shoving these thoughts aside, he returned to the task at hand. He had much more urgent issues to deal with.
"SENPAI! What's going on?" Ronald Knox's voice came from the adjacent room. When the young reaper reached the door frame, he stopped dead in his tracks, taking in the scene: The head of the Management Division and his boss – shirt half-unbuttoned and glasses askew – glaring down at the redhead, who was even redder due to the blood pouring out of his head. Grell's glasses had fallen and were now hanging around his neck by their chain. Despite all this, Grell was somehow still trembling in sheer ecstasy.
"Umm," Ronald began, trying to make sense of what was in front of his eyes. He awkwardly placed his right hand on the back of head. "I-I heard Sutcliff-senpai say something about 'this going to be fun'…a-and…then William-senpai yelled 'Get off of me!' an' stuff…"
William, in his stupor, mentally gave his best attempt at becoming invisible, while Grell simply shook and erupted into a fit of girlish giggles.
Ronald went pale. Looking down at Grell, his eyes widened in horror. "Holy SHIT! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?"
William did not offer any explanation. He lowered his death scythe, letting his strong arms fall limp at his sides. He looked away from Ronald's concerned and questioning eyes. At the moment, William T. Spears' only concern was what he had just gotten himself into.
Grell stopped laughing and picked himself up from the floor. He walked over to the table and picked up his chainsaw. He sauntered over to Ronald Knox, letting his hips sway sultrily as if he were an exotic dancer about to treat one of her male guests to a little something special. Grell smirked and placed his arm around Ronald's shoulder. He squeezed. The younger reaper flinched, shrinking back from the effeminate man's sudden closeness. Grell gave Ronald's shoulder a push, spinning the two around and guiding him to the nearby door. William slowly reached up with his right hand and readjusted his glasses, watching the two.
"Why don't we take a little walk outside, Ronnie, and I'll tell you about it. And don't worry," He glanced back over his shoulder at William and grinned. "I most certainly will not spare you any of the dirty details."
~ DemonCatWithASpork ~
And so here we are. We don't usually turn our RPs into fanfics. Actually, we've never done it before but the Shinigami Library's "A Party to Die For" contest was too good of an opportunity to pass up. We started this RP back before March (we aren't joking, promise). Our RPs work on real-time so these 4 parts really do encompass 4 or 5 months. A mere 3 days passed between our ending this RP and the contest being posted in the group. Too perfect and we both got to work. Through many sighs, late nights, and banging our heads against computers and/or walls, we managed to pull the story together.
Our difficultly in part 1 was coming up with a decent reason William would accept the challenge in the first place. We both ran into such difficulties when we began gathering all our texted or IM'd convos from the past months: legitimacy. DeathByCelloCase was stuck at this point and it took me a good half hour to come up with William's flashback.
Kudos to DeathByCelloCase for the research on the alcohol!
Other thoughts/sayings that occurred during read-throughs: Oh Grell, how we love your innuendos. Gotta love Ronald taking things the wrong way…
DeathByCelloCase: -Have you ever typed anything interesting when you've face-comped?
DemonCatWithASpork: -No, I comp right here. *points to spot on her laptop*
DeathByCelloCase:-You really gotta watch William's contractions…wait…
~DeathByCelloCase ~
Hey, guys and girls! Guess this is my little portion of chapter commentary. DemonCatWithASpork has already graciously typed the majority of the author's notes (thanks for putting up with me, by the way!). But yes! Here is our RP in all of its cracky glory. As I realize, it is surely not "common" fanfiction. Not at all, heh heh. ^^;
After gathering up all of our old conversations (kudos to my phone for having epic memory and being able to store all my sh*t), we decided to split up the parts. I wrote the majority of this part, with numerous instances of help from DemonCatWithASpork. Oh, and I should add that this is my first "official" fanfiction writing. Not sure you'd call this official, but still. I had fun interrupting Grell's innuendos at the opportune times. And having Ronald being all "LOLWUT?" And many thanks to DemonCatWithASpork for helping me keep William in character.
Interested in what happened in our actual RP? Post a question!