[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UL6nAXN.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/aQywf5g.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Bcqf1Os.png[/img][/center][hr][center][h3]~???? | DECIBITUS | LUCEMA REGINI[/h3][/center][hr]
[color=7AFF95]"I'm glad to know we're in agreement. The issue, though, was not the particular location, but the city."[/color] Amelia's grin only widened, as she adopted one of her more common strategies and completely ignored Elliot's obvious sarcasm, taking it as the sort of compliment she was obviously due more of. [color=7AFF95]"Such is life, I suppose."[/color]

It wasn't ideal to know Miss Death was gone, mind you. Amelia's expression became slightly perturbed, as she thought it over. [color=7AFF95]"Are there any special occasions coming up? I was trying to introduce her to the concept of surprise parties, it now occurs to me that I may not have thought my descriptions through."[/color]

Amelia caught herself before she elaborated too heavily. She had the strangest sense that Elliot would actually be deeply upset at certain choices she'd made in that conversation. [color=7AFF95]"I don't [i]think[/i] involving Uchi is the natural next step, but I suppose I could follow the logic..."[/color]

Surprise parties? With... Miss Death?

Elliot felt the burgeoning headache start to take root at the thought. As much as he respected the pink-headed immortal, some things simply weren't gong to mix well with her mentality. Surprise parties sounded like one of those things.

[color=ba855b]"I..."[/color] The brunette sighed, removing his glasses with one hand so he could pinch the bridge of his nose with the other. Amelia was probably the last person that should explain the concept of a surprise party, especially to someone like Miss Death. [color=ba855b]"And what exactly do you think would have been the 'next natural step' based on what you told her?"[/color]

Amelia cleared her throat. [color=7AFF95]"I believe my advice to her was 'the more surprising the better'. I may not have said what would constitute [i]unacceptable[/i] means of achieving surprise. She didn't ask."[/color] She thought on it. [color=7AFF95]"I'm sure it would take at least a little time to procure fireworks..."[/color]

Perhaps that pyrotechnics were Amelia's first instinct for 'surprise' was a problem in itself. Probably not, though.

That Elliot wasn't surprised spoke more to his experience in dealing with Amelia than anything else. Once again, the corner of his lips twitched up, an exasperated reaction that was becoming a reflex more than anything else. 

[color=ba855b]"Not to rain on your parade, but Miss Death's concept of 'surprise' probably doesn't include fireworks."[/color] Because fireworks were predictable, even if their appearance was not. The faintest traces of strain appeared in Elliot's expression as a realization dawned upon him, the barely-there smile turning into something more akin to a grimace. [color=ba855b]"Right. I'm going to be borrowing a few reapers to look for her then."[/color]

A voice from the reception desk. [color=f26522]"Sure, Mochi, but after I get this paperwork done, oka-- hey, h-hey!"[/color]

The great beast continued forward with its quarry, poor Aron left to clumsily hop wherever his abductor decided. A desperate prayer came unbidden to his mind when he saw [i]who[/i] he was being led towards, as well as an outpouring bargain of, [color=f26522]"youcanhaveeverythinginthebagjustplease-- oh, Elliot! Hi."[/color]

Aron crammed the bag back into his shorts, no doubt crushing the contents even further. Perhaps if he turned slow enough he'd make it back to reception with no further embarrassment.

[color=f26522]"I am... I will walk that way now."[/color]

Amelia, halfway through putting together a justification, leapt on the opportunity to distract. Abruptly grabbing the nervous reaper (Aron, wasn't it?) by the back of his shirt before he could leave, she decided she probably had the power to conscript people.

[color=7AFF95]"It would seem that the mayor has heard your plea."[/color] She smiled at Elliot in a manner that was less friendly and more akin to a cat showing him something she'd caught. [color=7AFF95]"Assuming that you won't let me take care of Mochi while we--"[/color] she didn't bother continuing the request based on his expression, [color=7AFF95]"yes, thought so. We'll have to discuss that later; for now, I'll help you! And so will... this one."[/color]

She shook Aron a little. Helpfully.

[color=f26522]"Oh, I was actually gonna..."[/color]

He looked back to the receptionist, hoping for assistance, but could only watch her diligently attending to someone from HR. [i]Traitor.[/i]

Elliot couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the poor reaper Mochi dragged into the ordeal. That was an unfortunately familiar situation. Still...

[color=ba855b]"Well, two or three bodies searching is better than one,"[/color] Elliot admitted with a small nod of her head. [color=ba855b]"Hmm... I'd like to ask one of you to ask Uchi if he has any ideas, but asking someone to head to Mulch alone is a little..."[/color] The brunette gave a slight grimace. No, probably not great. [color=ba855b]"But I guess taking shots in the dark won't get us far either."[/color]

[color=7AFF95]"Shooting in the dark's fun! It adds an element of unpredictability. But if we must do our research,"[/color] Amelia's smile widened, [color=7AFF95]"then what about asking [i]two[/i] someones to head to Mulch?"[/color] Her grip on Aron wasn't loosening. 

[color=f26522]"M-Mulch?"[/color]

Despite his best efforts, Elliot couldn't find a real reason to deny Amelia's suggestion.

[color=ba855b]"I... it would be safer if you both went."[/color] It occurred to the man that he wasn't sure whether it was safer for the reapers or the surroundings, given the parties involved. [color=ba855b]"And it's just to Uchi's workshop. You two know the way, right?"[/color]

[color=7AFF95]"Of course!"[/color] At least, she thought so. Pretty sure. She could ball park it. [color=7AFF95]"We will get right to that. And then,"[/color] she finally released her grip on Aron, squatting down to scratch the mayor behind the ears, [color=7AFF95]"I can come back and walk Mochi!"[/color]

He was such a good boy. So clever, finding her a minion - sorry, coworker - to get through this task with. Once satisfied with that, she stood up, looking at her bewildered fellow reaper and holding out a hand for him to shake.

[color=7AFF95]"So, it's you and I to Mulch. What's your name again?"[/color]

What just happened? [color=f26522]"Um. Aron?"[/color] he said, tentatively taking her hand.

[color=7AFF95]"Amelia! A pleasure to work with you."[/color] She shook his hand a little too fast, before dropping it and looking to Elliot. [color=7AFF95]"We can go now, right?"[/color]

Were they going to be okay? Elliot didn't dare think on that too long, lest he give himself the obvious answer.

[color=ba855b]"Yeah, go ahead. I'll try and see if anyone else has seen Miss Death around in the meanwhile."[/color]