thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ It's happening once again - her life, flashing before her eyes.

The shock that gripped her chest, as the demon grasped her face, muttering against her lips that it would erase the pain of her pathetic existence. Meeting William's gaze with excitement as they threw themselves into the throes of battle. Launching herself at him when he'd announced that they would be investigating a case together. Waking up that morning in a cold bed, before pulling herself out of it to piece herself together.

Hundreds of other beginnings like it, contrasting the liveliness she threw into her days, the unusual occurrences that came with her occupation, and the way her heart twists around that one special man. A time of fiery passion, bloodshed, lust - so brief, less than a thousand days of bliss, before reality tore the blanket from her eyes. Thirty-six-thousand like the ones that proceeded them. Love. Meeting William. Rage. Being "reborn," they said. Throwing herself into the ocean from cliffs high above.....

Her body relaxes as it all fades away. It's nearly bliss-- until the beast tears her scythe from her hands to plunge through her chest. Its laugh is wretched, gravely, as it steps on her shoulder to remove the blade and brandish against William.

It slowly walks back, giving the man the unspoken option to pursue it for battle, or approach his colleague. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He hums, not surprised by her first question. ]

You never explicitly told me. However, I have noticed the scarring on your wrists. And I could fancy a guess as to what drove you to it.

[ With a blink, she turns her wrists to take a look for herself, running a finger over one. It isn't a very brave way to die, she thinks. And then, wonders if that's an unusual conclusion to make. ]

Oh? What, then?

[ He takes a moment to answer, formulating his response, as every way he thinks to describe Grell contradicts another aspect of her personality and interests. ]

I will put it as your flamboyancy.

[ Grell's eyes raise, a knit in her brow, while she attempts to make sense of that. ]

--What? How do you figure that?

People of your type were, and still are, looked down upon. That's why.

[ How do you lecture someone on who they are when you don't really understand it yourself! ]

[ It takes a tick before her eyes brighten with realization. ]

Oh. You must mean homosexual, then?

[ Though, once she says it, she frowns skeptically. Why doesn't that seem quite right? ]

[ He mimics her expression, not sure of it either. ]

Not entirely. I know you've been intimate with at least one woman. There's also the matter of you believing you're actually female.

[ He shakes his head, obviously unable to understand any of it fully. ]

Honestly, I don't know where that leaves your sexuality.

[ One of her brows tick upward. ]

Believing I'm actually female...

[ She can't help but glance down at herself - before clearing her throat. ]

Could you, ah, elaborate on that... I have an idea, I think, but making assumptions may not be the best course... all considered...

[ Why has he done this to himself? ]

I understand it just as little as you do, at the moment. I can only imagine that you want a female body. Why that is, I cannot begin to comprehend.

[ Her brows furrow. ]

Is that how I explained it to you?

You have never explained it to me.

[ Granted, he never asked either. ]

[ A huff. ]

You said we were friends, didn't you?

[ He huffs right back. ]

Our relationship is a complicated one.

[ She's right back to crossing her arms. ]

And why do you think that is?

Because we are complete opposites.

[ It's obvious he's frustrated, as well. ]

[ A long hum. ]

You don't think it's, perhaps, the fact that I-- believe I'm a woman, but you haven't made any effort to understand that?

[ Huff. ]

Fine. Once you remember it yourself then you can explain it to me.

[ A single corner of her mouth may have just twitched up into a smirk, just briefly! ]

Was that sarcasm, or are you serious?

I would not have said so, otherwise. However, unless you start to remember yourself, I don't see how you are going to explain it to me.

[ A sniff of a laugh. ]

I can't decide whether it's disappointing, or funnier that you didn't mean it as an insult.

[ Looking off, she sighs. ]

Seems that we didn't communicate much, did we?

As perplexing as it is to me, I see no reason to mock you for it.

[ He shakes his head. ]

No. Our jobs barely allow for personal time.

[ Quiet for a long moment, she simply looks at him. Perhaps he is something of a shitty friend for not taking interest sooner - but at least he affords her that much respect. At least. ]

And yet, you're here. I suppose that's something.

Yes, well.

[ Apparently he'd been so silently worried about whether Grell would pull through that he didn't realise he was mainly here to check on her and quell his nerves. He did leave all that paperwork on his desk unfinished the moment he was invited to the hospital ward.

At a loss as to how to defend that choice now that he's been outed, he simply adjusts his frames again. ]

[ Feeling that she understands him a bit more, she hums, a hand resting over her chest. The pain still has her feeling on edge, but... perhaps not as much. ]

The only one, as well.

The other Dispatch agents are out in the field today. I'm certain they will check in when their shifts are over.

[ He watches her hand as it settles against her chest. ]

I can ask the nurse to increase your pain medication, if it is that bad.