thedispatch | (no subject)

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. ]

[ Grell breathes a quiet sigh, staring at the strawberry preserves for a good moment before taking a bite. It's prettier than it is tasty. ]

I'm-- not certain you realise, moving me into your private home could cause some commotion.

What I do is no one's business apart from my own.

[ Looking her in the eyes, the seriousness of that statement is undeniable. ]

[ The redhead can feel her cheeks warm, as that sort of unwavering confidence may actually provide her reassurance-- and just the slightest bit of attraction. ]

The law would have different opinions. [ In case he has had trouble noticing, she removes her glasses to set aside on the table. Her black eye is maybe a few days old. ]

Most would.

[ He'd noticed, certainly, and it unfortunately hadn't surprised him. ]

Have you attempted to blend in, so to speak?

[ Obviously that's not what she wants but it may be necessary. But then, that's part of the problem isn't it? ]

[ Brow furrowing, she slumps. ]

This is my attempt.

[ Ah. She hasn't entirely failed, though. Their host didn't seem to bat any eye at them. And if he'd pieced her situation together merely from her looks and mannerisms, he wouldn't of had to ask why she was on the cliff's edge. ]

You will need to cut your hair shorter.

[ By the look he receives, one might assume he'd asked her to lose a leg! She sets her toast back onto her plate, what appetite she had gone. ]

Eat.

[ He indicates the toast with his own fork. Appetite or not, she needs something for energy. Oh and that look doesn't phase him. ]

Long hair isn't entirely uncommon, but paired with other attributes, it will be a gateway towards other's suspecting something.

[ Sitting back, she shakes her head with a swallow. ]

I already feel as though I'm looking at someone else entirely, when I chance a gaze in the mirror. It's the only part of myself that I can appreciate, when I've done so much else to conform. Which was never enough.

[ He can't relate, obviously, nor does he entirely understand the concept of not feeling right in your own body. But for some reason, he still sympathises. ]

Perhaps we're better off building your self confidence.