thedispatch | (no subject)

[ Grell quietly mulls over that while she finishes dressing herself - gratefully using his shoulder to support herself, when need be. ]

My father's company owns a number of warehouses - a few I know of, in particular, are reserved for private orders, and only very rarely used...

That may have to do.

[ Once she's dressed, he looks back towards the house. ]

Go and pack necessities. I will take care of the body and clean up.

[ With a sigh, she cups his face. ]

I'm not going to leave you with that burden. It's too much.

We just cleaned you up.

[ Though, at that he notes the few speckles of blood that had splattered across her face. And handkerchief is fetched from his pocket. He wets it from the water pump then takes his time removing all he can find. ]

I have yet to change, so it will be more productive for me to do so.

[ Face softening, she cranes into his touch. ]

Will... [ Swallowing down the emotion that quells in her voice, she steals herself with another breath. ]

My old chest should fit him. We can load him into the cart and drop him from the docks. [ She says with surprising ease! ]

Empty it, then.

[ The same ease surrounds his own words. ]

Then collect our clothing and some blankets for tonight.

[ He'll focus on shifting the body away from the large pool of blood it's created. The puddle is covered in towels as William tries to sop up as much of it as he can. ]

[ Leaning in to kiss his cheek, she parts to do as he's suggested. Emptying out the chest, she tosses what she doesn't need onto the floor without care. It's much lighter now, and she's able to pull it into the sitting room easily on her own. ]

Can you think of anything that you must bring with you?

[ William takes a smaller hand towel and attempts to wipe off any blood that's collected on his hands. Still, they remain rather stained. ]

As far as trivial mementos, no.

[ He lifts the lid to the crate and looks back and forth between it and the body to decide what angle would be best to place it in. ]

[ Grell hums in acknowledgement, watching William. It's almost funny, in a way. ]

Shall I grab his legs?

If you would.

[ William hooks his hand under the body's armpits, lifting the body to nestle into the chest. He shifts the arms around to tuck in neatly, but pauses at the knife, still protruding from the man's skull. ]

I suppose it makes little difference if this is left.

Removing it might leave us with a bigger mess. Best to leave it.

[ While William might be neat about it, Grell uses her weight to fold the legs down on top of the body, really squeezing it in there! ]

Yes, I would like to avoid any further mess.

[ Once she seems satisfied with how she's tucked the legs in, William tosses the bloodied towels on top and shuts the lid, locking the latch. Hopefully the solid box will avoid leaking out any blood while they are in transit. ]

I am going to clean up.

Alright, darling. I'll be packing.

[ After a quick rise of her hands, she gets back to it. Packing enough to hold them over for a few days, she takes their bags into the kitchen to fill whatever space she can with non perishable goods. A separate pack holds their water. Lastly, she'll fetch the bedding. Going through everything that they'll be leaving behind, she can't help but feel a bit sad - but the only things that she can't bring herself to leave are her mother's jewels and William's violin. ]

[ Fully cleaned and clothed, William pauses to watch her packing the last of their things. At the sight of his violin, William gives a soft hum. He'd thought of bringing it, but decided it would merely take up needed space. Seeing her view it as important enough has him silently agreeing. ]

Anything else you wish to add? If not, I will load this into the cart.

I think that will do it.

[ Cupping his cheek, she manages a smile. ]

If I dwell any longer, I fear I'll get too sentimental.

[ He was going to mention the dress he'd had made for her, but he doesn't wish to upset her any more than she's been, today. ]

Best not to, then.

[ He gives her a brief kiss before hoisting the bags up in his arms. The carriage is loaded, leaving space at the rear for the chest. Then, William unties the man's horse from their fence, allowing it to hurry off wherever it pleases. Their own are hitched to the cart, then he returns to help Grell lug the chest outside. ]

[ Leaning into the kiss allows her reprieve, even if for that fleeting moment. Once they've both made it to the cart, she's quick to nestle against him-- and then falters. She won't be able to do that in public, she must remember... With a huff, she scoots to put some space between them. ]

[ There's a brief look around to make certain no one is there to see them. Then he takes Grell's hand in his, giving it a short but reassuring squeeze. Without even a glance back towards his home, William gives order to the horses to start them on their way.

The night sky is out by the time they reach the docks, which gives them perfect cover to dispose of the man's body. Unfortunately, the chest is not salvageable with the blood that's stained it, so they don't even bother opening it before pushing it off the end of the dock. With no one around to see them, William takes a few minutes to stare out across the Thames. ]

Rot in hell, bastard.

[ Grell mutters, crouching as she watches the water settle. It's an enormous relief, this moment of quiet in the still night air. ]

So... Where have you always dreamt of going?

[ Had he ever really thought on it? Seems not. ]

France would be the shortest trip.

[ Looking up at him, she breathes a snerk. ]

Well, we're not to be scrutinized there, if what I've heard is true. Aside from being English.

Perhaps that is the best choice, then. As far as your first point goes. Do you know the language, at all?

I could navigate a cosmetics shop, but I don't believe that's what you were hoping to hear.

[ A hum. ]

[ That gets her a side eye and a frown. ]

No. I am limited on my own knowledge of it, as well.

[ A frustrated huff indicates that maybe another country will be equally as hard to settle down and make a new life in. ]

[ A content little smile is all she gives, in return, as she reaches up to take his hand. ]

Thankfully, you are a very talented violinist. Your music will speak for you.