TFS psl master post /o/

[death_glare]

Set within the world of thefarshore, William's daughter from his mortal life, Abigail, has suddenly arrived. Assigned as Grell's new shinki, the 4 year old girl has no recollection of her former life, her passing, or her father.

This will serve as the master post for all threads related to this plot.

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[death_glare]

[ Relieved at Abigail's compliance, William places her into Grell's lap, making sure the redhead is holding her the way she should be, as it's fairly obvious Grell has no experience with this. ]

I'm going to use the restroom. I will be back shortly, so don't worry.

[ As he stands to leave, he gives the girl a reassuring pat on the head. The small, disappointed whimper she responds with breaks that stoic demeanor of his for the slightest moment and he adjusts his glasses to distract himself.

Although Grell's bedroom has that elaborate bathroom attached to it, William instead moves to exit the room entirely, making sure to close the door behind him. And it's only a moment before he has to remove his frames to avoid getting them smudged and wet with the stream of tears that run down his face. ]

[untodeath]

[ Although she will allow William to guide her in proper holding, Grell nearly immediately wraps her arms around the girl to settle a cheek atop her head. It leaves Abigail looking up to her father with some amount of dread in her eyes. ]

--Oh? Yes, surely.

[ But when she catches sight of the other going the opposite direction, she'll watch after him as it goes, her elevated mood giving way to concern.

Shoulders slumping with a quiet sigh, her gaze returns to Abigail. Forcing a softer smile, she affectionately brushes her fingertips along the child's fringe to right it. ]

Alright, beautiful, why don't we talk about things that make you happy? If I'm to give you a proper name, it should be something you like, hm?

[death_glare]

Noooo!

[ Just as Grell spends a great deal of time on her own hair, Abigail apparently likes hers a certain way, too. Because right after Grell shifts her brunette bangs, she's pressing both of her tiny hands to her forehead to muss it up again.

Though, the sudden questions, and maybe being called beautiful, gets her to look back up at Grell with wider and more comfortable eyes than before. ]

But my name's Abigail! [ Why would she need a new name when she likes hers just fine! ] And I like birdies cause they can fly! And they eat gross things like bread. And then I don't have to eat it.

[ She sticks her tongue out, because obviously Grell needs to fully understand just how gross bread crust is. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell must draw a breath because GOOD LORD THIS CHILD IS CUTE.

Grinning with utter delight and amusement altogether, she breathes a soft laugh at Abigail's antics. ]

That is a very good reason to like birds, I think! They're adorable, besides - just like you.

[ She taps a finger to the tiny girl's nose. ]

And don't worry, my darling, Abigail is a fine name, and you shan't lose it! What I'm speaking of is a secret nickname that only you and I will use. That sounds fun, doesn't it?

[death_glare]

[ There's a short giggle at being booped on the nose. Maybe that other guy was right and this person really isn't that scary at all. ]

Kinda...

[ Which, along with the shy smile she's giving, actually translates to 'Yes!' ]

Do you get a secret one too?

[untodeath]

[ Receiving a smile has Grell sitting up just a bit taller! She's certainly proud of herself for it. ]

You can give me one, too, if you'd like. Certainly.

[death_glare]

What about...um...

[ She has to think a moment cause they only really introduced themselves to her once. ]

...the other person? Is it secret from him too?

[untodeath]

Only if you want it to be.

[ There's certainly endearment in Grell's eyes, at that. It seems obvious to her that Abigail has taken to "the other person" quite well already! Good taste, she thinks. ]

William is a good man, though. I trust him, and you can, too.

[death_glare]

He's nice.

[ She suddenly gets a mischevious look in her eyes and hushes her voice just in case William could hear them. ]

Can we give him one and not tell him?

[untodeath]

Oh.

[ Grell pulls her in a little more securely, having leaned in to listen to her whispers - and now, she snickers! With a devious streak like that, perhaps they'll get along! ]

Now, that's a fantastic idea. What would you like to call him? [ Because all the names she has in mind aren't appropriate for a little girl to repeat. ]

[death_glare]

Um...

[ She hums to herself. Not knowing too much about either of them yet has her a bit stumped. Doesn't help that all she's seen of William so far is that uncharacteristically gentle side. And obviously, this has to be a really good name that they can giggle about together. ]

I dunno yet.

[ Which she sounds a bit disappointed at. But she'll definitely come up with something good for both of them! ]

You tell me mine first.

[untodeath]

[ With an airy chuckle, Grell reassuring rubs at the girl's back. Softly, she shushes her. ]

It's alright, little one. I'll gladly think of yours.

[ With a tilt of the head, she hums. Abigail adores birds - and so does William, which she also seems to like. If memory serves her right, the man particularly has a fondness for one breed, in particular. One she'd recently heard a Japanese lullaby about! That had reminded her of him, at the time, but certainly would suit this darling little angel, even more... ]

I think I know. Hatoki.

[death_glare]

[ Despite suddenly being able to understand Japanese, being so young still has the little four year old unsure of many words. She looks up to Grell with wide and curious eyes. ]

Ha-to-ki? [ She attempts to repeat it as best she can. ] What's that mean?

[untodeath]

Hato means pigeon! Ki, because you're my little spirit!

[ Leaning forward to rest her forehead atop the little girl's, Grell peers over her glasses and into the girl's eyes. There's an undeniable familiarity to them-- is it because they've been drawn to one another? ]

If you like it, I'll make it yours.

[death_glare]

[ Though obviously not the classic reaper yellow-green color, her blue eyes share a similarity to her fathers. But, perhaps her excitement over the mention of pigeons makes it a bit hard to tell. She giggles, clapping her hands together before suddenly latching them around Grell's neck and hugging her tightly. ]

I wanna be a pigeon!

[untodeath]

[ Eyes softening, Grell's upturned brows knit together. Abigail's cuteness would be the second death of her, she's sure of it; and yet, she's unable to resist wrapping her arms about that tiny frame and holding her dearly. ]

It's settled then. I name you, Hatoki.

[ And thus, the process begins-- shining characters emblazoning into the shinki's skin and all; Grell, however, won't be seeing any of it, while her consciousness is consumed by memories that are not her own.

She's no stranger to this, now, but things are very different this time. When she comes to, it's to the sensation of a wet trickle over her wrists. Her face is hot, her chest aches - and she's crying, she realizes.

Trying her hardest not to sniffle, Grell's face writhes in empathetic agony as she curls in her embrace around little Abigail. ]

[death_glare]

[ Meanwhile, as Grell tries her best not to frighten the small child with her unexpected tears, William is still elsewhere in the temple. He would have liked to return by now and not waste a moment that he's able to see his child again. But the last thing he wants is to worry the girl by becoming upset in front of her. He wouldn't be able to explain himself, after all.

With a shaky hand, William carefully lifts his glasses to attempt to blot away any lingering dampness around his reddened eyes. The large, decorative mirror in the bathroom practically mocking him for thinking he's anywhere close to looking 'normal' right now. Even if he was, he knows he's going to break upon seeing Abigail again. ]

[untodeath]

[ It's unexpectedly difficult to fight back tears, when she hasn't had recent experience with it. No matter how miserable she's been in this afterlife, her expressions have manifested in other ways; perhaps on the worst occasions, her eyes would well over in anger, but this-- this feels truly terrible.

Raising a shaky hand to wipe away the moisture at her cheeks, Grell wills herself to take a deep and steadying breath. If it would take every ounce of her acting skill to make it possible, her voice will become steady. ]

Now, my darling, why don't I settle you in for a nap, mm? It's been an emotional day for you, so far, I'm certain that you must need it... And afterward, I can take you out for dinner! Whatever you'd like.

[ Biting at her lip, she's not ready to pull back to have her shinki see her just yet, so she's soothingly rubbing at her back, instead. ]

[death_glare]

[ Abigail makes a muffled 'nuh-uh' against Grell's chest, protesting the idea of a nap so early in the day. But he body quickly betrays her and she unwillingly lets out a long yawn. ]

I'm not sleepy.

[ Maybe if she shakes her head no enough, Miss Grell will forget she just saw that yawn and let her stay up! ]

[untodeath]

[ GOODNESS, that muffled little voice against Grell's chest isn't making it any easier to let Abigail go! With a strained pout, she gives the girl's frame a soft squeeze with a wiggle of her shoulders. ]

Now, now, that yawn say otherwise, my darling!

[ Placing a kiss atop her dark curls, the death god closes her eyes, finding calm in these intimate little interactions with her, despite it all. ]

How does this sound; if I tuck you into bed, and you can't sleep in fifteen minutes, you can give me a shout and we'll forget the entire thing!

[death_glare]

[ She pouts, obviously not keen on the idea, but at the same time, she's positive that she can win this little bet! Especially if they start timing right now while she's still awake!

Taking the challenge, Abigail crawls back to the center of the bed, where the two reapers had found her originally, and buries herself beneath the bedding again. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell will let Abigail go, to see what she's up to - and the result leaves her chuckling with a shake of the head.

Reaching over, she'll ruffle up the blankets over the child a bit, before she stands! ]

Alright, bitty bedbug! I won't be far.

[ Making her way for the door, she'll quietly peek over her shoulder to the bed as she slips out, very carefully leaving it open just a crack behind her. Just in case. It isn't until she gets down the corridor a way, before she dares to make any noise - leaning into doorways, as she searches for the man on her mind. ]

Will? William, where've you gone off to...?

[death_glare]

[ Grell's calls will be answered with the shutting of a door a little ways down the hall. Seems William still hasn't quite collected himself, yet. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell has guessed why William is running from her, yes - but that is precisely why she'll pursue after him. Privacy be damned; she'll merely teleport to the other side of said door!

Opening her mouth to address him, she cuts herself short - instead, reaching out to place a hand over his chest. Her own eyes are emotional, damp and reddened, as sympathy seeps through her every feature. If he won't resist it, she'll throw her arms around him, to pull him in close for an embrace. ]

[death_glare]

[ There's no effort given towards rejecting Grell's embrace. Instead, William allows her to cling onto him, while his own arms remain at his sides. He really doesn't need to ask, as he can tell just by the brief look he got at Grell's face, that she must have seen everything. Still, the words come out anyway. ]

You named her, then?