Planeocracy App

[sararishinigami]

Player Name: Beren
Character Name: William T. Spears
Canon: Kuroshitsuji Manga (with backstory from the "The Tale of William the Reaper" OVA)

Background: Wiki Link

Setting Information: Victorian England is the Human World of Kuroshitsuji. The Reaper World suspiciously resembles 1980's Japan!

World Name Earth, Victorian England.
Canon Name Kuroshitsuji anime. Although Kuroshitsuji manga is disturbed, the anime takes things to a whole new level of wrong. So, naturally, that's the world I'm going to describe.

Ability Changes: Shape-shifting is a go; the demons' real forms are amorphous, feathery, stiletto-heeled blobs. So is memory modification and other forms of mind control. Soul eaters can feast away. Body mods are fine: switch your gender, your eye and hair color, even your species! You can even bring puppets to life and control them, if that's what floats your boat. Flying, teleportation, and summoning objects is also permitted.

If you want to do damage, however, you'll need some sort of a weapon. The demons seem to prefer to fight with silverware; the reapers use their scythes; and there's a dog that breathes fire. So no (air quote) "laser" beams shooting out of your eyes, or what not; and no wand-waving magic.

Ability Limitations: The most powerful creatures in Kuroshit are the angels, and the worst they seem to be able to do is burn London to the ground, sew bits of people together, switch gender at will, and get busy with demon dogs. World-breaking powers in excess of this will be damped down.
Form Restrictions: Human, demon, grim reaper, angel, or animal. Note that animals will need to behave like ordinary animals; sentient animals must become human(ish).
Social Restrictions: Those found in Victorian England.
Notes: Strong romantic emotions will cause flowers and hearts and little cupids to appear spontaneously, so be warned!

Portal Location: A London rooftop.

Personality: William T. Spears is an average student and unremarkable person, at least at first glance. He is a B student overall; and intimidated by his talented, unstable, and flamboyant exam partner, Grell Sutcliff - who sharply criticizes him for his mediocrity. He responds to Grell's insults with polite speech; and a bow.

Little subtleties, however, begin to emerge. He is able to assert himself, despite Grell's aggressive, over-the-top personality. Even after Grell throws him into a brick wall (for daring to disagree with him!), William is neither broken nor completely cowed. He quietly and persistently states his opinions, finally managing to secure Grell's grudging cooperation, despite having lost their fight. Progressively he gains confidence, to the point that Grell's threats don't seem to affect him at all.

Although William initially comes across as a straightforward, concrete thinker, his approach to problem-solving is unique. He is able to "think out of the box." For instance, during their final exam, William goes to the unusual lengths of approaching their target and revealing his role as a Grim Reaper. On another occasion, when Grell is about to be killed by the demon Sebastian, William manages to save his life not by directly fighting the demon; but by introducing himself, presenting his business card (rudely), apologizing (very rudely!), and dragging Grell off by his hair. William is thus able to successfully distract Sebastian long enough to save Grell and escape without further bloodshed - even though Sebastian was, at that time, under direct orders to kill Grell!

William is often described as being emotionless. This is not so. He is clearly intimidated by Grell when they first meet; and frightened by him after their first fight. He is moved by a young novelist's story about him. He even weeps when he directly experiences that novelist's dying thoughts and memories, in the form of cinematic records. They invade him - and in that moment, he understands the importance of life and what it means to be alive. However, his core personality trait is the ability to set aside his emotions and approach a problem analytically - and coldly. This allows him to think clearly, even in difficult situations - when he's personally involved, for instance, when he's being directly criticized and threatened, or when the life of one of his subordinates is at stake.

William recognizes that his job as a Grim Reaper is momentously important - it is, quite literally, a matter of life and death. He wants to ensure that he makes no mistakes, performing his duties with discretion and subtlety. He instructs his students and subordinates that emotions are unnecessary and interfere with the job of soul-reaping. In his work, he is cold - but he feels he has to be. In his estimation, emotional detachment is an absolute necessity.

William is a model of efficiency. He was a "B" student by design, as that was the minimum requirement for entering the Grim Reaper Dispatch, and he saw no reason to expend further effort. He despises working overtime, as this represents a failing in efficiency and organization. His Death List is always carefully bookmarked and tabbed. His appearance is always professional, his hair neatly combed back and his tie precisely knotted - even when he was working undercover as a circus performer!

The flip side to William's dedication to work is that he is rigid and socially awkward. He has difficulty relating to anyone on any level beyond the professional. In the Circus Arc, he has to work undercover as a performer; however, when Ciel and Sebastian appear on the scene, he nearly blows his cover, calling Sebastian out as a demon. For this, Ciel mocks him as being worse than Grell. Later, William and Sebastian are forced to share a room, he draws a line on the ground, forbidding Sebastian from crossing it. He refuses to so much as touch Sebastian, nearly ruining a circus act (and their cover) in the process.

As William grows older, his forced emotional detachment takes its toll: he's miserable. He has been promoted to management, but his department suffers from chronic understaffing (one presumes because no one wants to work under him!). He can't seem to control his subordinates. Grell Sutcliff flouts every rule on a regular basis, and behaves in an outrageous and openly disrespectful fashion to him. Ronald is carelessly dressed and often late. William finds their behavior supremely irritating. He also complains frequently about his superiors, questioning their competence and judgement.

Abilities and Powers: Student William has a little scythe at his belt, suitable for window gardening and basic soul-reaping. The scythe can neutralize and absorb the cinematic records (thoughts and memories) of the deceased. In addition, he can teleport between the human and reaper world, and from point to point instantly in the human world. He is much stronger than an ordinary human; and can leap large distances and fly through the air.

Reason for Joining: After his initial sojourn at Confuto Ordinatio, William dutifully submits a report. His superiors feel that souls are at risk, and instruct him and his subordinate to return and assist. Note however, that because the Grim Reapers have a bureaucracy that rivals Confuto Ordinatio's, it takes a full century for William's initial report to be read and processed! Thus William and Grell will enter Confuto Ordinatio initially as teenagers; and then subsequently as adults.

Position Desired: Agent

Point in Canon: The "Tale of William the Reaper" OVA - at the moment William and Grell finish reaping the soul of their target. At the point William enters Confuto Ordinatio, his confidence is shaken. Even though he was able to successfully stand up to Grell, nearly getting killed on his first assignment has affected him, though he'll do his best to conceal this. During this first stay in Confuto Ordinatio, he will become more confident in his problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and improve on his technical skills. AND try to figure out how to deal with Grell's raging teenage hormones!

Notes: I've been toying with the idea of William winding up with a wonky gate key, that mistakenly returns him variously to the manga or anime Kuroshitsuji continuity.

INTERVIEW

Name: William T. Spears
Gender: Male
Age: 117
Home Plane Identification Number: 37MGMDU-DS100
Visitor Identification Number: 117DG

Reason for requisitioning a Gate Key: Under orders from my superiors.

Intended use of the Gate Key: Subject to the discretion of my superiors.

Favorite Color: Not applicable.

Measurements (Female applicants only): Not applicable.

Relevant World-Shattering Abilities: Not applicable.

Relevant Non-World-Shattering Abilities:

1. Management
• Motivation and performance optimization of under-performing employees
• Disposition of Death Lists
• Maintenance of employee rosters
• Reconciliation of sundry expenses at the end of the month
2. Grim Reaping
• Completion of cinematic records
• Acquisition of souls
• Investigation of discrepancies in soul accounts
• Identification and liquidation of threats to souls (c.f. demons)

A complete curriculum vitae, cross-referenced and indexed, detailing specific accomplishments over the last century is submitted in conjunction with this application.

Psychiatric Evaluation Code: 001-S

Hobbies: Not applicable.

Education Background: Grim Reaper Academy: B average

Work Experience: Field operative, Grim Reaper Dispatch Unit. Management, Grim Reaper Dispatch Unit. Kindly refer to my curriculum vitae for further details.

Favorite Plant and/or Animal: Not applicable.

Interview:

What brings you to Confuto Ordinatio?:

The orders of my superiors.

[ A pause ]

You will pardon me for asking; however - is it possible that you have failed to review my application prior to conducting this interview?

What family members do you think were most influential into making you who you are today?:

[ Stiffly ]

Personal relationships interfere with one's ability to perform one's duties in a discreet and efficient manner. I endeavour not to think about them.

So how 'bout them Tenbraks eh? Eh? Catch the game? 52-7, I told Janice in Accounting, I said "those Balthims, they're just not up to snuff this year," but no, she said "I'll bet you 20 plat they're gonna take the banner." Take that bet I did, she still insists they'll turn it around though. Ain't that a riot?:

[ A blank stare. ]

…Quite.

What inspired you to apply for an Agent Position?:

Honestly.

As I have already mentioned, just now and on my application, I do so on the orders of my superiors.

[ A tight frown ]

What led them to believe that this posting would be, in any way, an appropriate use of my talents, I cannot speculate.

What would you say are your greatest strengths?:

[ He draws himself up, rigid and proud. ]

My ability to carry out the orders of my superiors capably, efficiently and discreetly, thus avoiding overtime.

[ And then his frown returns ]

Even if those orders are completely nonsensical, such as partnering a management-level employee with a certain trash officer.

What would you say are your greatest weaknesses?:

[ A longish pause, as he appears to consider the question. ]

I have no weaknesses, that I am aware of.

What skills do you think you'll bring to this agency?:

Truly.

[ A short, sharp huff of impatience ]

I have already covered my skills in detail, both on my application and in my attached curriculum vitae. It is inefficient to require an applicant to complete an application that will never be read.

Tell me about some of your prior work experience.:

[ He glances at his clearly unread application sitting on his interviewer's desk. And then replies, coldly: ]

No.

How would you say your prior work experiences shaped you as a person?: I--

[ He's about to retort sarcastically. Instead, his gaze flickers. He's thinking back to that time so long ago, in his student days, when he had gone after a soul and been invaded by it. The agony of that experience haunts him still. ]

My experience in the business of reaping souls has taught me the importance of efficiency, subtlety, discretion--

[ He breaks off, as if unhappy with his answer. When he speaks again, his voice is quiet, more subdued. ]

It has taught me - the importance of life.

You sound like you'll be a wonderful match, but you know, rules and procedures and all that so I've got a few more questions for you.:

I--

[ He's still a little wrong-footed by the previous question, and so he pushes his glasses up his nose, awkwardly. ]

Very well.

Do you have a history of meddling in affairs you shouldn't be meddling in?:

[ Firmly ]

No.

Do you consider yourself a hero of justice?: I dispense justice. The term "hero" is subjective.

Have you ever wanted to work for something bigger than yourself?: I work in such a capacity at present.

Looks like I was right. You're a great fit here, glad to have you on board!:

You--

[ He sighs, irritably. ]

My superiors will be pleased.