thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

William dropped down from his horse. It had been a long ride - from London straight down to the southern coast of England. But he'd barely stopped, only doing so when his horse refused to go further without rest and water. But each time, William did little more than tap his foot anxiously, trying to focus on anything but his thoughts of what happened the day before.

But now that he'd arrived, there was nothing else to distract him. The horse was forgotten as he walked towards where the English Channel extended out to what seemed like eternity. With the thick fog of the early morning, there was no telling just what was out there. William's breath was shaky as his gaze then drifted down. Beachy Head, a beautiful site for some, with the tall cliff towering over the shore line below. But for him, this day, it was his enemy - or perhaps his closes friend. Whichever the case, he was terrified.

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[ Looking up at him, a corner of her mouth flickers into a smile, very briefly, before she reaches up to take his arm. ]

That will take much practice.

[ She hasn't let go yet, instead running her fingertips along the folds in his shirt. ]

I so greatly admired him.

Attention he certainly didn't deserve.

[ He watches her fingers as they move, when a thought occurs to him. ]

Was that it, then? The bit that drove you to the cliff that night?

[ The redhead takes a breath to speak, though she stalls in doing so, if just for a moment. ]

That was part of it, I suppose.

[ Her brows press with a frown, and then she's gently tugging at his arm, leading him back to the room, where she might have access to a mirror. ]

[ He follows along, carrying the box. It's placed on the vanity's counter, along side some of his wife's own care items. An ivory handled brush and a delicate hand mirror donning beautifully carved roses on its back. Also some decorative hair pins and powder brushes sit in their own boxes to the side. It's apparent that they've not been touched since her death. ]

Hm. [ A nod and he pulls a second ottoman closer to the counter for him to sit. ] I won't press any further.

[ Grell carefully looks over all that's set there, tracing over the detail of the hand mirror with great interest. Once she sits, she pulls the box nearer to open, revealing some compact powders and creme jars. ]

I'm sorry, Will, I don't mean to be so evasive... I don't wish to push you away, it's just-- well, it's-- it's quite a lot for someone to hear, I'm sure. Distasteful.

You gave me the respect of speaking when I am ready. I can only do the same for you.

[ He really has little knowledge of the makeup process, and normally wouldn't find much interest in it. But somehow with Grell he's finding himself curious on more things. Perhaps it's the desire to learn more about her, or just that she's able to draw something from him that no one's succeeded at before. ]

[ Grell turns to look at him, really taking in his features, and cups a hand along his cheek. She would tell him everything, but she's sure he'll find it disgusting. Disturbed.

Silently, she returns to the mirror, taking in a good look at herself - and she can see what he means. That's only the half of it, isn't it? With a sigh, she opens the containers, sets aside her glasses, and picks up the hand mirror.

And then, she begins to apply her makeup. ]

[ The process is more involved than he would have thought. But seeing as he hasn't lost interest yet, it makes him question some things. Why had he never watched as his wife dolled herself up for him? Or, why had he never taken such interest in her hobbies and passions? But this insecure and broken person has drawn him, seemingly out of nowhere.

There's a crease in his brow as the questions float through his mind. ]

[ Powder to even out the skin, a dust of rouge on the apples of her cheeks, red creme applied to the center of her lips, and a touch of color to reshape the brows.

When she attempts to catch William's opinion of her, she only sees that folded brow! Her shoulders slump. ]

I feared that would be the case. I'm sorry, Will.

[ Her comment and reaction takes him off guard, and a reply lingers as he tries to work out what she's apologising for. ]

That wasn't directed towards you. My mind wandered off for a moment.

[ His brow relaxes and he takes in all she's done while he was distracted. He quite disappointed that he'd missed the process. ]

Honestly, I think you look quite beautiful.

[ Without her glasses, it's difficult to read his expression properly, but still, she finds herself trying to find the sarcasm in it.

Fingers hooking into her collar, she swallows. ]

You mean that...?

I wouldn't say so otherwise.

[ He takes her hands down from her collar and rests them in her lap. ]

The red lip near matches your hair.

[ It's obvious by his calm tone that he quite likes that. ]

[ She's quite content to have her hands in his, instead, even if it makes her flush again. Thank goodness she's wearing makeup so that is less obvious - though she doesn't realise that she reddens along the chest, as well! ]

I wasn't certain if I should draw any more attention to its colour in that way...[ She's got a shy little smile on, though. After all, she does like red! ]

If you think it looks good, then you should keep it that way. I think it suits you.

[ Though the redness to her chest has him concerned. Seems he can't yet figure out that it's her blushing, not running a fevor. ]

Perhaps I should have let you dress up after the nap. You're flushed again.

[ Bowing her head with embarrassment, she's sure that she must be flushed all the more now! ]

I-- [ She can't keep doing this; she's got to just tell him! ] I'm flustered, that's all...

Over what?

[ Gosh William, she's confessed to fancying you. Are you honestly that dense? ]

[ She tilts her head with some disbelief. Really, she was right to call him oblivious at times! ]

Y..ou...?

Ah.

[ He let's her hands go, sitting straight in his seat again. ]

I apologise. It must seem as though I'm leading you on.

[ When he does, there's a touch of sadness to her eyes. ]

P-please don't feel that way, Will. I won't
ever expect anything of you... and it's been quite nice to feel genuine kindness...

[ A nod as he meets her eyes. ]

Tell me if I'm ever making you feel uncomfortable, then.

[ Letting out a breath, she nods. ]

Though, I doubt you could.

Hopefully so.

[ That matter out of the way, for now at least, William looks her face over again. Her hair is beautiful down, but paired with the makeup and dress, it seems like it needs something. ]

Perhaps we should style your hair in some manner, next.

[ It's quite fortunate that she didnt make William uncomfortable, most of all, she thinks! Reaching for her glasses, she puts them on to take a proper look at her hair. The broken frames do no justice to her look, but she certainly needs them to see. ]

I'm not certain that I'll be any good at a women"s updo...

[ And yet, she's using her fingers to rake one side of her hair up into a twist, just to see. ]

I certainly have no experience doing so.

[ Too bad the internet won't be around for another 200+ years. William reaches out with the intention of brushing the strands away from the opposite side of her face but pauses, realising he's doing yet another thing that may fluster her. ]

Is there some means of giving it a curl?

[ Grell blinks curiously at the reflection of his suspended hand. ]

Ah, yes!

[ While exclaiming so, her eyes wander about the vanity - and, by fortune, it seems his wife owned an iron.

She shifts to get up, so that she might grab the nearest candle, but forgets her limited mobility. Unable to bend her waist and swing her weight upward, her bottom plops right back down into the seat.

A hand hovering in front of her face in shame, she uses her other to gesture toward the candle and matches. ]

Will, could you please...