Despite his well known aversion to performing job related tasks after his shift had ended, the head of Britain's Grim Reaper Dispatch busied himself with a task that was just as loathsome as it was important.
He understood that he would probably receive little recognition from his superiors for performing this bothersome task, but as a Grim Reaper, especially one belonging to the management division, personal feelings were expected to be left out of the equation when it came to the business of reaping souls.
That being said, William couldn't help but feel a tiny bit of satisfaction as he filled the previously blank piece of paper with the information that would hopefully allow him to be rid of one of the more blatant nuisances in his life.
Of course he was certain that if his former exam partner ever learned what he was doing, than he would have to endure a tedious increase in Sutcliff's femine wailing, which he supposed was preferable to dodging his recently approved death scythe, but it was a worthy sacrifice if it meant maintaing the current status quo.
While he had no say in the final terms of the agreement that had been reached with the forces of Hell, for at the time he had yet to ascend to a position that would allow him to use his above average managerial qualities, the Grim Reaper had to admit that it was a vast improvement over the previous way of doings things.
While Demons would continue to offer their wares in exchange for the valuable commodity that was the human soul, as well as the usual butchery that usually occurred when the denizens of hell wished to alleviate their boredom, the manner in which they did so was more regulated, and thus reduced the amount of paper work that usually occurred with demonic interference.
For while those under contract earned a one way ticket to Hell, they also ensured that Grim Reapers did not have to waste much time viewing their cinematic records in order to discover if their continued existence would benefit man kind.
And since he was a great believer in avoiding overtime, which had previously occurred every time a demon decided to consume a soul without making a deal, he had readily approved of this new state of affairs.
Which was why he was currently using up his rather valuable free time drafting a note about a violation of the rules in which Hell had agreed to abide by.
For it was one thing to offer up one's service in exchange for dragging a soul into the pit.
It was quite another to devour it entirely.
And since he probably wasn't the only one who hated having to deal with was a rouge demon enhanced by the power of a freshly obtained soul, he ensured that his letter included his recommendation of what should be done.
…
Watching the departing carriage through the curtains of his current master's study, the demon butler decided to comment on the young earl's decision with his usual charming, if slightly false, smile.
"I must say that your interactions with your fiancé continue to fascinate me my lord. Most humans that I have come across would either take advantage of the interest that is being shown to them by their significant others. And yet despite your repeated desire to remain at arms length, you haven't exactly done anything noteworthy to rob Miss Elizabeth of her visions of a bright future together".
His words causing his youthful contractor to act in his usual way, a glare quickly followed by a scoff, the being currently known as Sebastian Michaelis was largely unsurprised by the nature of his young master's reply.
"While she is somewhat of an annoyance at times, outright rejecting her would cause too many problems. The most significant one being that we would have to deal with the terrifying rampage of a woman who manages to frighten even a demon like you".
Conceding that his master was right to fear the wrath of his more frightening blood relative, though he was confident that he could take her if he was allowed to use the full scope of his abilities, Sebastian gave voice to his agreement.
"I believe you are correct in your assumptions my lord. The Marchioness Midford always struck me as a woman who could not let an insult to her family go unanswered. And since you have ordered me not to reveal my true nature to the diminished numbers of your family, I can safely say that the task of defending you from her wrath would prove difficult for even a devil of a butler".
Earning a rather fierce glare from the child who believed himself a man, the demon butler fought the urge to smirk as his future dinner proceeded to season himself with the delightful spices of anger and grief.
"Shut up. I've already told you I have no interest in talking about those who are gone. And I'll be damned if I have to remind again".
Smiling as he allowed his eyes to briefly reflect his true nature, Sebastian bowed his head in false apology at the eyepatch wearing earl.
"An amusing, if slightly inaccurate turn of phrase my lord. For per the contents of our contract, your soul will never be able to experience the rather intense sensations of damnation, nor will it enjoy the soothing balm of salvation. However I do apologize for broaching a topic that is upsetting to you. I ensure you that it will never happen again unless you wish me too".
Earning the barest of nods from his contractor, who had acted as he usually did when reminded of what he would experience once he had upheld his side of their deal, Sebastian's eyes turned back into their normal brownish red as Ciel sought to move past this little episode in his usual demanding manner.
"Very well. Now, since you're not doing anything useful, go to the kitchen and bring me a snack".
Bowing his head in compliance, Sebastian smiled as he responded with the 3 words that had become almost second nature after having spent the last 3 years catering to the brat who had amusingly adopted the role of the true heir to the Phantomhive name.
"Yes my lord".
…
Though he knew his boss was one of the more…reasonable personalities that ran the most popular destination for dead souls, the red eyed demon knew that if sufficiently annoyed, Crowley could be as cruelly creative with his punishments as any of the demons who apprenticed under Alastair.
For while the King of the Crossroads lacked immediate access to the many tools that broke down a human soul into a demonic cloud of ash, he had proven countless times that he didn't need them due to the fact that he was the demon one went to when one needed the services of a hell hound.
That was how his predecessor lost his position.
For after 1 too many failures, the number being 2 since Crowley recognized that the perfect salesman requires 1 failure in order to learn from, the unfortunate demon had been tossed into the kennel of the mother of the canine race. Needless to say, Ramsey was rather brutal with her new chew toy, whose all too brief screams ensured that the rest of the red eyed demons did their best to stay on their king's good side.
Only problem was, the information the demonic secretary held in his hand meant could very well result in his demise as well.
On principle, Demons and Repears hated each other due to the nature of their jobs. For one was responsible for ensuring the damnation of the human soul, whether through force or by coercion while the other was responsible for ensuring that they got sent to the afterlife that they deserved.
Things were slightly better between the two sides thanks to a series of agreements, but that didn't exactly mean that both sides willingly interacted with each other.
Which meant that the letter in his hand was probably containing information that would be less than pleasant to the King of the Crossroads.
For while he might have been a more reasonable member of the pit, at least when compared to the prince and head torturer, Crowley had little difficulty in shooting the bearer of bad news.
….
Think that's enough for now. Yay for getting a second chapter up XD
Anyway, just to (re)clarify, the timeline of this story is just after the Book of Circus, but just before the Book of Murder.
Hopefully you all like the direction I have going so far.
Reviews welcome. Flamers/Grammar Nazis are not (point out if you don't like it, more than willing to accept beta readers to help out)
Until next time...whenever that is XD