thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

William dropped down from his horse. It had been a long ride - from London straight down to the southern coast of England. But he'd barely stopped, only doing so when his horse refused to go further without rest and water. But each time, William did little more than tap his foot anxiously, trying to focus on anything but his thoughts of what happened the day before.

But now that he'd arrived, there was nothing else to distract him. The horse was forgotten as he walked towards where the English Channel extended out to what seemed like eternity. With the thick fog of the early morning, there was no telling just what was out there. William's breath was shaky as his gaze then drifted down. Beachy Head, a beautiful site for some, with the tall cliff towering over the shore line below. But for him, this day, it was his enemy - or perhaps his closes friend. Whichever the case, he was terrified.

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[ Okay, now she's smiling a bit more normally! ]

May I redeem that offer now?

[ William pushes his chair back from the table and stands. ]

Very well, then.

[ His arms part enough for her to wiggle her way in there. ]

[ Lips pressing as her smile pulls wider, she's quick to slip from her seat and wrap herself around him - blanket included!

Nestled against his neck, she breathes a happy sigh! ]

[ He gently wraps his arms around her, keeping her close. There's even a brief squeeze! ]

I was nervous I'd undone all the progress I'd helped you make.

Oh, Will. I don't know that I'll ever stop being a mess.

[ She responds airily, clearly unbothered by it, at present. ]

I am still going to try, regardless.

[ He allows her to hold on to him as long as she desires. Well, unless it impedes on their schedule! ]

[ The redhead hums, a sound of understanding and happiness. With her eyes closed, warm against his skin, she finds herself so comfortable that her body is reminded of the due rest it never received the night prior! And so, with a sleepy sigh of protest, she pulls herself away. There's no time for that! ]

[ With her seemingly satisfied, William makes to tidy up the table. ]

Go and ready yourself, I will clean up here.

[ Rubbing her fingers beneath one side of her glasses, she nods. Before he can get to it, she grabs what remains of her coffee to take with her, though - along with the last piece of her bacon. ]

You're wonderful, thank you. [ She says before sticking the morsel in her mouth on the way out. ]

By the way...

[ He calls after her, all the while collecting dishes from the table. ]

Your hair looks nice.

[ Grell stops to look back at him, cheeks half-stuffed and eyes wide with question.

And then, she immediately covers her lower face with her free hand, though it isn't difficult to tell that she's smiling behind it. Albeit awkwardly, bacon and all.

Since talking is out of the question, she'll give something of a squeaky cheer, then breaking into a snicker at herself as she scurries away. ]

[ Okay, even William has to admit to himself that that was adorable. And since she isn't there to see, he smiles to himself over it.

Once he's tidied everything up, he peeks his head into her room to check up on her. ]

How are things going?

[ Upon entering, he'll find Grell leaned in incredibly close to the mirror, merely inches from it - but, hearing him, she pulls back to glimpse over her shoulder to offer little smile of greeting. ]

I'm putting the final touches on my eye makeup. It isn't too much, is it?

[ It's certainly more effort than most ladies put into their makeup, but she's done a tasteful job of sculpting the crease of her lid and the lower lashline with a natural brown paint, and added a pop of red rouge on their outer corners. Paired with her soft liner and lash paint, it really opens her eyes! ]

[ William approaches, observing her in the mirror before looking straight at her. He's really going over every detail of it, too. ]

No. Red really does suit you, even on your eyes.

[ Hearing so, she looks truly giddy! ]

Ah, thank you♥~

[ And then, her features, and she shifts around in her seat to face him. ]

I don't know if I've ever said so, but I find it so charming that you take genuine interest in what others do, and offer your honest opinion. Most don't bother either way, and just aim to appease... but you care.

Honestly, I don't see any reason to lie or feign interest. It can only lead to complications later. Though...

[ His eyes trail down her front. ]

I will keep your little secret to myself. I feel the complications of others knowing would be far more difficult to deal with.

[ When he looks at her like that, she finds herself swallowing, gaze darting away in some effort to keep herself from flushing. ]

An understatement, truly.

Don't fret over it. The night will go just fine.

[ He moves towards the closet, fetching the dress out, once more. It's laid out on the bed and separated into it's various components. ]

Finish up and we'll get dressed.

I do hope you're right...

[ Grell watches intently, clearly admiring the gown all over again. ]

Hmn? Would you prefer to eat lunch out, then?

[ He pauses, looking at the piece still in his hands. ]

I suppose it is a bit much to dine in. Plus, we wouldn't want anything to ruin the fabric before the gala's even started.

[ With an amused breath, she turns herself back to face the mirror, continuing with her makeup, anyway. ]

Perhaps we can eat light snacks while we're out to get your mother's flowers? Might be best to save our appetite, in any case.

That may be the best option.

[ A corset is retrieve from the dresser, as well as some other undergarments. Whether or not he's fetched what she'd prefer to wear is another matter. ]

[ Hand stilling, she watches him in the mirror. Did he retrieve her undergarments, too? Biting her lip, she snickers. ]

Did you just randomly choose any old thing, or is there a method to your madness here?

[ Looking down to what he's chosen, he frowns. ]

Did I not get what you'd need?

[ She turns to look at him over her shoulder, brows pressed with a little laugh. ]

I believe so, but there's more to choose from. Different designs and colours to complement the gown, you know.