thedispatch | (no subject)

[ Just as Grell had done, William gives a glance around, making sure no one is paying them any mind. Normally he wouldn't think twice in directly stating something to someone, but there are certain circumstances in his story that would not do him well should the wrong people know. ]

My wife attempted to poison me, presumably for any inheritance she would collect upon my death. When I discovered this, I was both heartbroken and furious. [ He takes a breath. ] I hit her and she toppled over the stair railing. Essentially, I murdered her in an outburst of rage.

[ Grell's lips part, just short of gaping. ]

What a wretched woman...

[ Because that's precisely what one should pull from this. ]

[ Still, her reaction pulls his face into a confused frown. ]

Yet I cannot help but feel guilt for harming her and foolishness for falling in love.

[ He shifts his spectacles from his nose to rub across his eyes. ]

[ Looking down, she shifts in her seat to sit proper, so that she may lean in closer. She extends her hand out to lay over William's - though it hovers in hesitation. ]

From what I understand, you experienced a tragic outcome to an honest reaction, but it was an accident. She took advantage of, and intended to kill you, William.

[ Her hand curls in on itself, instead pressing to her lips. ]

While I cannot speak on what it is to be in love, I--... I know that it takes not foolishness, but a great deal of courage to instil that sort of trust in another.

[ William rights his frames just in time to see her hand pull away from his.
He follows it's motion, until his eyes make contact with hers. ]

I suppose she would have done so whether I opened myself up to her or not.

[ The tone of his voice hasn't swayed much, but there's a saddened undertone to it which Grell should have zero issue picking up on. ]

[ Blushing, her eyes dart away - although they return upon hearing the state of his voice. There's empathy in her gaze. ]

Your love isn't insignificant, if that's what you mean. It's certainly changed my life. [ There's a wry tinge to those last words - an attempt at a joke! ]

You don't seem to think it's for the better.

[ Apparently, William's not good at picking up on hints of jokes. ]

[ Pressing her parted lips, she's awkwardly sitting back into her chair. So, her inappropriate joke didn't land; this is probably why she doesn't have friends! ]

N--no... But, ah, as you've said to me, the future is indiscernible... [ She runs her hands together for warmth, to fidget. ] I can say that it's been interesting..

It certainly has.

[ Should he apologise? It's not like him to, but the guilt he's felt this past month seems to be making him do a lot of things he normally wouldn't have.

I suppose I shouldn't have interjected. You seem to have made your decision, whereas I am hung up on mine.

...Oh?

[ Stilling, she's back to folding her arms around her, while watching him somewhat wearily. ]

If I've decided that I want to go back, what would you do?

I...

[ He makes an irritated sound, regretting even stating as much. ]

Fine. Then I will have to keep my eyes on you.

[ It's difficult to tell if that's an indignant sniff that she gives, or an amused one! Either way, she looks away with a flutter of the lashes- and sees their food incoming.

Sitting herself upright with anticipation, she picks up her tea mug just as the woman sets it down before them. For a moment, she just wishes to relish the sensation of the heat in her hands, and inhale its aroma as its steam wafts over her face. ]

[ Attempting to ignore the response she had, William takes up his tea, as well. Rather than savouring it's warmth or scent, he moves right in to sipping it. It isn't the best tea, in fact, it's rather unpleasing compared to what he's used to, but he has to admit he's used to better quality of products than the people of this village. At least he has the respect to wait until the woman has left them be to let it show on his face. If this is their tea, he has little hope for the food she's brought. ]

[ When that is what Grell looks up to see, she has to press a hand over her mouth. There, she stifles the quietest little snicker, but the amusement still shows in her eyes. ]

You've the best ideas.

[ His eyes narrow at her as he places his cup off to the side. ]

I will remind you that you shared one of my ideas not too long ago.

Mm, did we, though?

[ After all, she can recall one of them changing their minds!

Finally taking a sip at her own tea, she immediately leans forward, letting it fall back into her cup with a choked back sputter. ]

[ If William was one to laugh, he would have done so just then. Instead, he shakes his head with a sigh. ]

Before I dragged you away, yes.

[ Pressing her fingertips to her wetted lips, she takes up her handkerchief from her pocket, to press over her mouth. Meanwhile. The tea is hastily set aside, by William's. ]

Which would lead me to believe you weren't sold on it. [ She finally mumbles, refolding the cloth. ]

[ Unable to win that argument, he focuses on the food before him. Toast shouldn't be horrid, nor the jam. But it's the meat he's more wary of. He avoids it for now, picking up a slice of toast, instead. ]

Is there anything that would have you change your mind?

[ Grell looks at her food blankly as she thinks. Her stomach feels empty, her body aches, but she just can't feel the motivation.

It's warm, though, so perhaps she should try... At the least, she'll pick up her fork. ]

None that I can think of. My heart is too easily swayed by hope, but it's only found me misery. Not unlike sinking into a madness that has but one escape.

[ Listening to her words, he can't help but think that he was fairly pathetic falling to suicide as an escape. Her life seems much worse than his had ever felt. ]

What would you consider this path to be, then? Hope or misery?

[ She prods at the eggs a bit. ]

It's out of my hands, presently.

[ Well, not entirely. She could've fought back more, but she is a coward. ]

Not entirely. If I'm going to provide you any hope, you have to be open to it.

[ He watches her carefully before glancing down at her plate. ]

The jam and toast are decent. Eat.

[ That doesn't seen appetising, but with a sigh, she picks up a piece of toast to nibble at tentatively. Indeed, it tastes like normal bread. ]

I've no idea what your expectations are, to be frank. Do you plan to house me with supervision through the day? Buy me things, as you would a woman?

We most likely wouldn't have any issue returning to London. I doubt any of my family or acquaintances have noticed my absence. Though staying in my home has become difficult since she passed, perhaps it would feel more comfortable with another there.

[ The second part of her questioning remains unanswered. This whole ordeal is an odd scenario, to be sure. ]