thedispatch | (no subject)

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[ What began as a heated conversation seemed to earn the curiosity of the lobby's dawdlers and passer-bys-- until it became downright explosive. The boisterous tone of voice was all too recognisable, for everyone there had found themselves subjected to Grell's charades at least once, and for most, that was one time too many. The smartest of them would turn on heel and leave the direction they came.

Unfortunately, those that were in the immediate vicinity wouldn't have such privilege. A foolish, albeit good-hearted young woman had just stepped between Grell and the target of her aggression, in hopes of diffusing the situation. Instead, the enraged redhead snatched the new receptionist by the hair. ]

Oh, is this what it's all about, then! This wagtail bitch?!

[ Immediately, several reapers jump in to take Grell's arms and detach her. While they are successful, it only earns a face-splitting grin from her - for, now, she has a better distraction. Flipping one man over her shoulder, she gives him a splitting kick before turning on the rest of them. It's nothing short of a brawl. ]

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[ Not only is Grell endlessly amused by his temper, any sort of emotion that she can get out of him right now is a good thing. She's positively grinning as she goes about prepping the cigar; all that's left is to light it, so she hands it over to Will. ]

You can thank my dear friend Pinot Noir for that.

[ Speaking of--! With a gasp, she's up to her feet! ]

Oh, damn it all, I forgot the wine.

[ Excuse her while she goes to retrieve it! In the meanwhile, she'll raise her voice talk to him over her shoulder. ]

I would say that I'm surprised you remember, but I suppose that a scene like that would be difficult to forget.

[ He's quiet until she returns with the wine, not finding it necessary to shout back. ]

Honestly, most things involving you are difficult to forget.

[ The cigar is taken up and he lights it before taking a long puff. The flavour and aroma are pleasing enough to have him close his eyes in a brief moment of relaxation. ]

[ Settling down with their two glasses (and bottles), Grell finds herself peering at him from the corner of her eye. ]

You flatter me.

[ The smile she wears isn't just that, however; she's relieved to see that her plan may just be working.

Once he seems to return to the present, she hands him his glass with a chuckle. ]

[ Ah, only she would be flattered by his comment, considering the actions it was referring to. But, if she hadn't been, he would have worried something more was wrong. ]

So, you intended to spend the whole night, drinking yourself into a stupor. Perhaps it's better I arrived here.

[ Grell's taken a drink of her own wine, before setting her glass down by her feet. In the spirit of things, she's going to prepare a cigar for herself, as well! While she does so, she crosses her ankles up on the balcony's railing. ]

Mn, you've figured be out. [ Shooting him a smirk, she shrugs. ] I'd have to agree, however; I'd much rather drag you down with me.

A wonderful thing to bring upon your friend.

[ Yet, he's pausing from his cigar to drink some wine, anyway. Though, after that one sip, he finds himself staring across the neatly maintained courtyard that poses as a decorative center to their otherwise drab apartment complex. ]

I shouldn't have opened myself up, again.

To her, perhaps.

[ Yes, Grell doesn't seem to enjoy that particular thought of his at all, judging by the frown on her lips. It's quite good that he's expressing it, though, so she's not about to shut it down.

Though, she will pause to ignite a match and light her own cigar. The first puff issues a raise of the brows, features a bit strained as she exhales, the smallest sputter coming from pressed lips. ]

Yes, certainly not my thing. [ The second drag is much smoother, though. She takes her time exhaling and watch the smoke stream skyward. ] Though, it can be relaxing.

[ If he wasn't in such a mood, and if he was one to laugh, at all, he would have done so at her little sputter. Also doesn't help that he's caught up on other thoughts. ]

How was I to know? It may very well happen each time. At some point, you have to wonder if you are the cause.

[ Grell parts her lips to reply, but catches herself stopping short, brows pressing together as her eyes drift in thought. It seems that could certainly apply to her situation, at the very least.

Her teeth catch the corner of her lip, while she reaches for her glass. ]

Well-- so what if it is. [ A swig, and she's licking over her lips, pointedly gesturing toward him to assure that she's going to further that point! ] You're you, and what's there to do about that?

I suppose part of me must include being utterly oblivious to what others around me feel.

[ He's not certain what bothers him more, the fact that he made her unhappy or that he had no idea she was. William occupies himself with his wine and cigar, not saying much else for the moment. It just may be worse hearing it said aloud. ]

[ The redhead ticks her tongue loudly. ]

Perhaps you require communication-- but you're very good at giving it, yourself. [ A chuckle. ] Perhaps too good-- but I rather like that about you, truly.

Too good?

[ As he waits for her response, the ashes are flicked from his cigar. Then he realised she doesn't have an ashtray and stands to do so over the railing of the balcony. ]

You're very honest, and will say whatever is on your mind.

[ Watching him, she takes another puff of hers. ]

People are terribly artificial, William. But you, you're a gem.

I see no benefits to being dishonest. Though, do you believe I am too forward in some situations?

[ This wavering in his confidence certainly can't be good. ]

[ That earns the faintest sigh! ]

I would be terribly disappointed if you weren't.

[ She shifts to her feet, joining him at the railing. ]

At the risk of sounding cliche... [ Folding her arms along its metal, she leans forward some, so that she may meet his eyes. ] Don't hold yourself back for anything, Will. Especially not for love. There's someone out there who will admire you for all that you are.

[ He heaves a heavy sigh. ]

That's assuming I recognize their affections towards me. I'm well aware of how stubborn I can be.

[ The gets her to chuckle. ]

There is that.

[ With a mildly thoughtful hum, she turns to rest her back into the balcony. ]

I suppose I'll have to tell you when it's glaringly obvious, then. What friends are for, and all that.

Just don't go setting me up with every woman in HR. I would like to take a bit of time to recover from this.

[ Ah, but that reminds him of another reason he came by to see Grell. ]

Speaking of, I have no plan of returning home, tonight. It's better for both of us.

[ Puffing up with a pout, Grell whips her head away dramatically! There he goes, taking away all her fun, after all!!

Though, she will peek back, and after looking him over for a moment, a smile plucks at her lips. ]

Of course. There's always room.

Thank you.

[ Thankfully, he keeps some spare necessities in that convenient hammerspace of his. Clothing, comb, toothbrush, that sort of thing. Though, at this rate, he's mentally exhausted, and quite a bit tipsy, that he'd probably have no issue falling asleep on the couch in his dress clothes. ]

It should only be for the night.

[ Oh, he's already prepared to go to bed, then! Brows pressing, she chuckles. ]

As long as you need, darling.

[ She's up, gesturing inside, while a hand settles at his back. ]

I have to warn you, cute as my couch may be, it is terrible to sleep on. If you promise to be a good boy♥, you can share my bed, instead~.

[ William gives her a look. ]

What are you expecting I would do? Honestly.

[ Well, either William isn't so tight-laced as she would have imagined, or she just managed to fool him out of any resistance he may have had to the idea! With a bat of the eyes, she shakes her head. ]

Perhaps it's about what I would do. In theory, of course.

[ He cocks his head, slightly. That's a bit more flirtatious than she usually is with him. Or it seems to have more serious intent behind it. But perhaps he's reading it wrong. ]

If it would make things uncomfortable, then perhaps the couch is the best option.

Uncomfortable? Please!

[ That reaction causes her to still for just the slightest moment, tongue hooked over a pointy tooth. Really, she's just teasing-- though, she is just a hair short of inebriated or lonely, so she might have been laying it on too thick. ]

It's a joke, darling. I won't be adding any physical pain to your blights this night.

[ Geez, what was she even doing! It isn't as though he's even her type, and it isn't as though she has many friendships to base the theory on, but she's fairly certain that's a good way to ruin one. ]

Edited 2020-06-21 08:04 (UTC)