thedispatch | (no subject)

[ Sitting upright, she extends her arms to encircle his neck! She definitely more awake now, though she still sounds a bit airy. ]

Oh, that's wonderful news!

[ Well, he certainly wasn't expecting to be hugged at that news. He freezes momentarily before loosely hugging her back with one arm. ]

If you get dressed again, we can collect your things.

[ Arms slipping away, she eases back with a nod. Setting the book aside, she gets herself up with a sleepy sound of protest. ]

I'll be quick about it.

[ And so she is! Having hung her shirt by the window, it's even dried completely. The one thing she's missing is her red ribbon. Instead, she's tucked her hair back into her collar - which she doesn't seem too confident about, but she says nothing on it. ]

I don't suppose your horse is trained for a cart?

[ William immediately takes note of the hair change, and of course has to comment on it. ]

You decided to take my advice on the ribbon.

[ Her other question gets answered when William leads her to the side stable where his horse is kept. There's a cart there, as well as a second horse, presumably his wife's. ]

I did, yes... I'm looking a bit more like a normal pedestrian, aren't I?

[ Though it doesn't sound as though she entirely approves of the look. Still, she accompanies him out without hesitation - and seeing the equipment stocked in the stables with his horses, she smiles. ]

Ah, well! To think, I'd be worried.

Not something you're used to, I take it?

[ The horses are led from the stable and William hitches the cart to his. He then puts a saddle on both horses so Grell may ride on her own. ]

You will need to lead the way. I assume you can ride on your own.

[ Grell attempts to help him as she can, though she certainly struggles with pulling her side of the cart! After, she wearily introduces herself to the horse she'll be riding, placing a hand on its snout. ]

I've experience with horse, yes... Though, I'm not entirely the best with them, I can manage. I hope.

She's a well behaved horse. Quite calm and easy to direct.

[ He joins Grell in giving her a pat. The horse is rather calm and doesn't seem put off by Grell, at all. She will behave, William's certain of that.

Mounting his own horse, William carefully leads them from the yard, allowing Grell to ride ahead of him. ]

[ Though she nods, by her silence, it seems that Grell is still apprehensive. It isn't until she's on the horse and out the gate that she seems to ease somewhat.

The redhead leads them halfway across the city, into the arts district. The opera house, the theatre, museums and the like can be found here; however, her flat is nearest to the library, tucked just around the corner. ]

I took advantage of my father's connections to curate classic works for the library's archives. I enjoyed it, but - ah - I can't say if I'm still employed after a week of absence...

[ Dismounted before her home, William takes in the sights. It's not often he visits this part of the city, and he now wonders why. ]

You should inquire. Otherwise you will need to find something else.

That would be something, wouldn't it? Living a double life, working as a man, living as--

[ Turning to slide down from her horse, one foot makes contact with the ground - and the other gets caught in the saddle. Grell topples straight over with a squeak! ]

[ Thankfully for her, William is quite good at intercepting at the last possible moment! A quick step forward and he's caught her mid fall. This seems to be a trend between them, now. ]

Honestly, you need to pay attention to where you're stepping.

[ Arms tucking tightly to her chest, she blinks up at him wide-eyed. What happened? Did he really just catch her, as a hero might do to a damsel in some epic? Her cheeks colour brightly. ]

S-sorry... [ Her boot is still stuck in the stirrup, leg awkwardly extended. He seems so dashing and dreamy right now, while she... SIGH. ]

Edited 2019-12-06 08:16 (UTC)

[ Managing to unhook her foot, while cradling her with the other arm, William finally sets her upright. ]

You are fortunate we've had uncommonly good weather, or you'd be covered in mud.

[ Still, he's brushing the front of her shirt as if there must have been some dirt kicked up. ]

[ By then, she's turned so red that she must cup her hands over her face, if just for a moment! She's uncertain if she should feel ashamed that she must be cared for like a child, or positively in love with someone that could dote on her is such a way. ]

I--...

[ She can do it! She can say it! "No, I'm fortunate to have you."

After a long pause, her shoulders rise as she musters a breath! ]

I-- Tha-thank you.... [ Nope. ] Um. Thank you for that.

[ It's at her awkward thank you and flushed face that William lets out a shaky breath he didn't realise he'd been holding. It may have just been a fall from a horse, but he feels so relieved that he'd caught her. ]

You're certain you're alright, then?

Edited 2019-12-07 07:12 (UTC)

[ Grell looks down to his lips at his shuddered exhale, and then up to his eyes. With a tilt of her head, her brows furrow with worry just so - and she reaches up to hold his face. ]

Yes... Very much so. [ And looking away with a gentle clearing of her throat, her hands curl to return to her chest. ]

Good.

[ His expression has gone soft and there's no apparent anger against her for reaching out to touch his face. Instead, he's taking one of her hands in his to squeeze. ]

I don't want you getting hurt if I have the chance to prevent it.

[ Touched, her brow twinges as she folds her hand in his. ]

You've been quite apt at it so far.

[ Glancing around, she reaches into her coat to pull a key from its inside pocket. She's swift to turn the lock and nudge the door open so that she can pull him - and their affections - inside. Thankfully, the daylight illuminates the front entrance fairly well. ]

I will continue to be. I promise you that.

[ He continues to clasp her hand as she pulls him along inside. Though he's a bit perplexed by her sudden nervousness. ]

[ Clearly seeing the confusion in his features, she breathes a quiet huff. ]

I'm sorry. The neighbours are quite nosy.

[ He mimic's her huff quite accurately. ]

Then you should pay them no mind.

[ She gives him something of a confused leer, but with a frown, her gaze falls. ]

I wish it were so easy.

[ Pulling his hand up, she rests her forehead against his knuckles, forcing herself to relax with a sigh. ]

It's all irrelevant, however; this will be my last time here.

It will. And my neighbours would do well to mind their own business.

[ When she seems calm, once more, William finally withdraws his hand and looks about her flat, surveying all it contains. ]

You had only mentioned books. Are you certain that's all?

[ Though she regrets to let him go, she stands herself up a bit taller and finds the candles to light. It's a fairly generous size for a studio, so one could assume that she had decent money. What's more notable, however, is that while there's certainly a case of organised chaos within her books and papers, its decor still pertains a woman's touch. There's even a makeshift vanity with her grooming things. ]

Well, now that we're here with a proper cart...