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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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...

[ If William was one to laugh, he may have giving a short amused one at that. Instead he'll keep that thought of it being rather cute to himself. Instead his paused hand reaches to the items she's requesting. Assuming what she wants, he does her the favour of lighting the candle. ]

[ Expecting some form of teasing, Grell is quite relieved for the silence. He's even caught on to what she was asking for! She could just embrace him.

Glancing up at him with the briefest little smile, as she accepts the candle. Though, when she picks up the wand, she isn't absolutley certain what to do. Leaning over, she looks at the base, humming - and then, tilting the candle, she uses it to light the two wells that will ignite and heat the iron.

Looking to William, she's quite excited to have it working! ]

[ So far, she's figuring out more than he could. He's honestly proud of her, and glad to see her feeling the same. ]

Is there something I can assist with, then?

[ Not entirely sure where to start, herself, she isn't certain what to ask for- be he desires to be included, it seems, and she can't deny him of that... She must think of something! ]

Um, could you help me with the back, perhaps...?

I can try.

[ Standing, he moves behind her. He briefly runs his fingers through her hair before realising they will most likely need something to pin her hair up with. A decorative box sits atop the vanity and upon opening it, an array of hairpins are revealed. However, he may know where the pins are, but how to use them is another story.

A lock of hair is taken in hand and he holds it up, unsure of where he's meant to pin it. ]

I would assume we should raise it up before curling at all?

[ Lashes fluttering, she resists the shudder that threatens to run along her spine! His fingers feel so wonderful on her scalp. ]

Ah-- yes, I've often seen it started from the bottom...

[ Peeking into the box, she grabs one of the hinged clips. ]

You can use something like this!

[ Deciding that he's going to need a bit more hair to start, he gathers some up and attempts to pin the middle of the strands up towards the crown of her head. Already, however, he's shaking his head and taking it down. ]

Honestly, I should have payed more attention when Penelope was readying herself to go out.

[ Ah, Grell suddenly realises that she'd never even asked for his late wife's name - and now, she's uncertain of how to feel about it. Penelope, wife of Odysseus, a symbol of marital fidelity... She hates how ironic that is. ]

--Mm? [ She frowns. ] Don't fret, Will. We'll be learning this together.

[ Will is frowning quite a bit as well, because he really wants to know what he's doing and Grell's hair just doesn't want anything to do with helping him in reaching that goal. With a short huff, he's quickly losing patience. ]

[ Grell watches this with fingertips hovering over her lips. She feels a bit guilty for finding the situation endearing, as he's having such a hard time of it.

If he'll allow it, she'll take one of his struggling hands, and gently move it to rest along her cheek against her lips. A quiet sign of appreciation and consoling. ]

[ Though it's another tender, and arguably intimate, touch, he's reluctant to pull his hand away. He makes eye contact with her by way of their reflection and near immediately feels more at ease. The free hand takes hold of the hairpin and returns it to the box it'd been taken from. ]

I rather like it down. Perhaps just a simple curl is all it needs.

[ Relenting but also speaking quite honestly. ]