thedispatch | (no subject)

[ 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...

[ Having walked further into the large room to snoop a bit, he slowly turns to look at her again. ]

You realise, I only have so much space.

[ With a pout, she sits herself down upon her stool so that she can go through her hair with a proper brush! ]

Oh, fine... My trunk, then. Anything else that you might like.

I was referring to the furniture. Though, if you'd like to bring your bed, we may have to enlist some extra help. The cart is far too small for that.

[ But, noting the trunk, he moves to see how heavy it may be, then decides he'll wait until she's ready to help him lift it. ]

[ Humming in thought, she busies herself with tying her hair back - this time, her ribbon is black. It's a nice contrast against her hair, at least. ]

That might not be a bad idea, seeing as we'll have to get one, in any case. Have you got a spare room, though?

There is another.

[ He pauses. ]

I had planned for it being the baby's room, should we have one. Obviously, that won't be the case, so you're welcome to it.

[ Lowering her hands to her lap, she looks genuinely saddened by his words. ]

I'm sorry, Will...

[ Pulling herself up, she moves to approach him. ]

Foolish as it may sound, all things considered, I've always wanted a child, too.

[ As she approaches, William sighs quietly. The thought of adopting some poor orphan child flashes through his head, but he pushes the thought away before saying anything. They've just met, what a silly thought. ]

I suppose it's best not to dwell on the idea.

[ Mouth working in place a bit, she nods. Of course, now she's standing before him, so she still must offer him some sort of reassuring gesture - and so, she gently rests a hand over his chest. ]

Mn. [ A hum of agreement. ] ... Do you read much?

[ He can tell she's attempting to change the subject, but apparently a hand upon his chest isn't quite enough. With that, he slowly pulls her into an embrace. It's still odd for him, but they've done so enough now that he's certain she'll allow and appreciate it. ]

When I can.