A/N:

Thank you all for the favs and follows!


Chapter VII

Alraune (Unholy Love)


The next day, after the usual work in the outside world, I came back to my office to fill out the forgotten paperwork. Being a Senior Reaper had its advantages, such as having some private space - namely my own cosy office, just like Will. Though mine was much more vibrant and better furnished. Much better. No offence William, but you can't furnish for your life. Your style is too Spartan for my taste. The style I prefer and try to achieve is Victorian.

The red walls of the office welcomed me again. It was a late afternoon and I could see that the sun was slipping closer to the ground between the two buildings outside my window. The red orb was now closer and closer to disappearing completely. They say that during the last moments of sunset the sun, for a split second, flashes green. Though I've never seen it because it's kind of difficult to find the right conditions. Just like now, when the view of the star isn't clear enough to observe.

Passing by the showcase, my eyes lingered on the few books waiting to be read, but I took a seat behind the elegant writing table instead and began my work. There were so many papers for me to sign that I thought I might make a mistake writing my own name while signing them. However, the time went rather fast, as always when you're busy.

At some point I rubbed the corners of my eyes behind the glasses, carefully- so as not to ruin the make-up I tediously put on them everyday. At times I just go with a light version of it, having no strength, nor time or will, to put every cosmetic on my face every day. That also means free days from shaving. As for the face, it's harder to avoid since when I start to see dark dots poking out from my skin then I have to decide if it's the time to shave. But it's a totally different matter when it comes to legs, arms and armpits. Almost every morning it's too late and my tired mind says one thing: tomorrow. Who's going to see anyway? I wear long sleeve shirt and pants. You can't do everything with a full time job, not to mention the overtime. And all is fine until I find myself in a situation, or with a person, that would be worth shaving for. Oh God! Then my mind starts to panic, and as the alarm sets off in my skull, the one thought bounces back and forth: I haven't shaved today! How I hate those moments.

I rummaged through various papers on the dark table trying to get back to the reality. Ah, there it is. Pulling out a bright red folder, I took a pen in my right hand and started scribbling inside.

"Maybe it isn't as complicated as it seems," I whispered to myself, and after writing a few more lines, made a pause. "Then why did nobody write about the demon activity and put ad acta?" I began to write again. "Suspecting in the next week approximately 15 more deaths from regular causes in section...," I muttered in a sluggish voice, trying to focus. Darn, why must it be so boring? Stupid reports. Fieldwork was my preference of choice. However, even that was sometimes dull.

Remembering how eager I was to work when I was young made me feel melancholic again. Heck, it's not like I'm old, it's just... that was before. I thought differently about the world, everything was fresh and new, I had an idea about how life should look and oh dear... the idea was a bit different from how the life actually was.

I hid my face in my hands. Now, William added this nonsense case. Maybe writing about demons should be enough. Though, I hadn't sensed any while being there.

But did I have the time? "Were they so incompetent they've decided to give me a try?" I said out loud and ran a hand through my hair, then took a few strands between my fingers and looked for the split ends. "Or they're trying to pin it on someone, since it's unsolvable." Probably the latter. It wasn't a secret that I wasn't popular in the Dispatch. Controversial lifestyle, eccentric clothing and that reputation. But to me all of the other Reapers were the same, wearing similar suits, the short hair. No sense of style, seriously.

Then I heard the footsteps. Someone was going through the corridor in a steady rhythm. And oh boy~, my heart skipped a beat, I knew who it was. Soon there was a soft knocking on my door.

"Come in. Especially if you're a handsome brunet..."

"Very funny, Sutcliff," replied William, entering the room as always with a stern look on his face.

"I just kneeew it was you~," was my sheepish answer.

"How so?"

Shrugging my arms I replied, "No one else bothers to come here."

"And you're probably wondering why?"

"Not exactly."

"You still haven't repainted the room," he added with contempt, looking around.

"Oh, but I've considered it, really!" I got up and spread my arms. "I wanted to repaint it with the blood of my enemies~!" The brightest smile followed my animated response. Though I had to drop that idea. Once the blood dries it just looks bad. It would be various shades of brown. Some blood comes with oxygen and is light red, and some comes without and then it's dark, but all of it turns to brown unfortunately. I've also contemplated adding the skulls of the demons I slashed over the years on the walls. When you go to some mortal's mansion what do you see? Trophies! Deers, wolves, moose, multitudes of these. I still consider the idea. If I had a house and Sebastian's head on the mantle...

"Have you finished at least part of your job?" William crossed his hands over his chest.

Blinking, I replied trying not to blush, "Almost."

"You know you could do better if you'd paid attention to your work," he huffed.

"Ah, Will. I can't concentrate on something that has no interest for me."

"What about the other thing I asked you to do?" He inquired, after correcting his glasses.

"I think it was a demon," was my nonchalant response.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, it must be. Isn't it?" Gosh, why do you bother me with this? Disappearing souls, what else could it be?

"And it didn't cross your mind to do something about it?"

"Do what? He wasn't there."

William slammed his Death Scythe on the table making me jump. "I asked you to solve this! How dense you can be?"

"But Will, you haven't told me to find that demon." I sat back anxiously, not daring to take my eyes off of his Scythe. You don't know when the cobra attacks.

"I told you to solve it! That also means get rid of it."

"But how am I going to do that? I bet he won't show up if I am standing there?" I risked to look at his face for a moment. His hand was venturing to the glasses again. Oh, Will you're too nervous for your own sake... and for my own too.

"It's your problem. You do seem to attract the vermins however, use it to your advantage."

"Uh-huh, I wish they would find me attractive too."

"What did you say?"

"...Nothing."

"Finish what you're doing, we have to go."

"Go? Where? Did you accept my offer about supper?" I couldn't help but wink at him.

William rolled his eyes. "No, Sutcliff. Have you forgotten about the apprenticeship program?"

"-Oh... But I'm tired~"

"Do not make me yell at you again. The lecture starts in 15 minutes. Be there." With that he left.

Just now I realized that I've finally let out the air subconsciously held in my lungs. Gosh! Why does that man is make me so tense! Positioning my head on the palm of my left hand I allowed a tired sigh to leave my lips. Yeah, I forgot about the classes. We had them twice a week since last month, today was going to be the last one. Finally.

They were organized in the evenings after working hours. Overtime and evening classes, how fun life. The higher ups in Dispatch Management decided that as a Senior Reaper with years of experience I, and the others, should be assigned a subordinate. Precisely one that freshly finished the Academy. Our responsibility was to train the rookie and make sure he did the job properly. Also, it included another stream of reports to fill. I was going to be a mentor for some kiddo that had no idea what the real life of a Reaper looks like.

"Finally." Yawning I put the pen on the table. The weekly summary and previous reports were finished. Stretching up I took a glance at the clock on the wall. Of course it wasn't working. Its pendulum was hanging still and the pointers stopped at twenty till ten. Nice. When will I go to the watchmaker to repair it? In that case, I reached out for my small pocket one and saw that the 15 minutes had already passed. Shit. Grabbing the red notepad with white skull on it and the red folder with documents inside, I made my way, in a hurry, to the first floor of the Academy building.

Softly knocking on the door I entered the classroom. After quietly muttering, "Sorry", I spotted an empty seat next to William in the last row and slid into it.

"You are late," William whispered.

"I'm fashionably late," I whispered back, smiling.

He fixed his glasses, sighing and trying to focus on what was being said in the room.

After a few seconds I felt like I couldn't sit so quiet next to him. "Will," I whispered.

To no avail.

So I tried again. "Willu~"

Still he chose to ignore me, though I saw his nose wrinkle a bit. It looked quite funny.

"William T. Spears." Now I pinched him on the arm lightly. His suit was as rough as his character.

William's head turned towards me and an exasperated, "What?" left his thin lips.

Good, he reacted before I tried calling him a cookie, pancake or biscuit or thousands other random words that would come to my mind just to get his attention. "I have your reports."

"Fine, just give me it."

Picking up the red folder with said papers inside, I put it in front of my face just below the eyes and said, "Aaand I have the summary!" For a better effect, I batted my lashes flirtatiously.

William just took the folder from my hands and placed it on his side of the desk without opening it. Then noted out some things in his open notebook, focusing on the lecture again.

That's all? Well, that was short... Feeling not satisfied I grumbled, "Why must I be here, I know everything necessary."

Touching his glasses he replied, "Because it's written in "The Rules & Regulations of a Shinigami Society". You're bound to obligate it. Should I recite you what paragraphs you'd break?"

If not for the tone of his voice I would have thought that it was an automated reply from a machine. The theme and monotony of the syllables would fit it perfectly. I shook my head, saying 'no'. If he started to recite every codex and law I would just jump out the window.

Someone in the front cleared their throat and said, "Am I interrupting you?"

I looked up, eyeing me directly was a petite brunette showing her displeasure. Currently playing the teacher.

"No, honey. Do go on," I answered, showing a shark grin.

Snickers went through the classroom, but the woman just rolled her eyes. "As I was saying, tomorrow you will meet your subordinate..."

"What a shame it can't be a lover," I muttered.

"Sutcliff!" William whispered admonitory. "Be quiet."

The instructive talk was boring to death so I decided to let my eyes wander around the room. The Academy was one of the new buildings. It'd had a complete renovation. White walls covered with optic posters. Everything was so plain. That girl from General Affairs on the front was playing a teacher for us and now was going on about finding mutual respect. Good thing we sat in the last row. I pulled out a folded newspaper from my notebook and a little candy from the pocket of my red coat. She won't be able to see it immediately.

"What are you doing?" William looked at me with disdain.

"M' hungry." I mumbled swallowing the candy. "But if you want I can do something more naughty than this." You can count on various offers.

"Honestly though..." William shook his head, then he again scribbled something on paper.

Shrugging my arms I ate another candy, there was nothing interesting in the newspaper though. As for why we sat in the last row, my supervisor wanted to have a good look at the others to make sure they paid attention. Though it didn't stop me from ignoring the teacher. Also he would note out some things that should be discussed with someone from General Affairs. Namely, effectiveness and substantiveness of the whole qualifications course. Meaning, William wasn't always there, but when he was it was more fun.

Though, if he wasn't there I would've organized my entertainment differently. Otherwise I would not survive the dreadful classes. You don't have to listen to everything to pass the tests. There's no point in torturing yourself. Usually I would doodle or draw seriously, also doodle on the desk - for future generations!, read books and newspapers, eat, chat or at least tried to, and finally rolling up my red coat under my head I was plainly napping. Still I quite often got A's and this time wasn't going to be any different.

"Please pass along these forms. I want you to write something about yourselves. It will help with assigning your partners," the girl announced.

Well, me being me, I wrote how extraordinary I was.

At last the class ended and I was alone in my small flat again because of my failure to persuade William to eat late supper with me. So after grabbing something to eat, I went to bed. Feeling tired, I put my favorite red, frilly nightgown on and slipped under the covers. The bedclothes, for now, were in various shades of violet and pink stripes. On one side of the pillow laid a little ragdoll, it lacked clothing and was sewn by me. Its black eyes were made from buttons which stared emptily at the ceiling. Though more than often I saw a silent understanding in them.

"Goodnight Sebastian," I said, kissing the doll and patting its woolen hair. "Goodnight Will," I said to the other similar doll, kissing it too and putting it on the other side of my pillow. They wouldn't like laying next to each other now, would they? Then I fell asleep. To drift in vivid dreams full of adventures.


A/N:

Ad acta (Latin) - to put something to the files or, figuratively, to close the matter on a topic.