thedispatch | (no subject)

[ Stares into her glass, Grell searches her old memories for answers. Despite her permanently pressed brows, the redhead never came across as melancholy before, but now, there's the briefest wash of sadness over her features.

She heaves a sigh. ]

I've given up trying to make sense of it. Life - and thereafter, I suppose-- it's unreasonably cruel, and if you're to survive it, you have to be meaner.

[ Meaner? He's not quite sure he understands that logic. ]

Is that why you attacked me during our assignment?

[ She snerks with a press of her brows. ]

Well, I suppose! [ She tilts her head. ] Perhaps I'd just become a bit spoiled. I'd had such an easy time of intimidating everyone else.

I don't see why you needed to intimidate anyone, to begin with.

[ It's said in more of a scolding manner than a perplexed one. ]

[ Ah, now one of those brows quirk high. ]

Truly. You couldn't imagine a single reason.

If I did, I wouldn't have claimed otherwise.

[ Disbelief, annoyance, and even a dash of affection shows in her expression, before she all too quickly shakes it off. ]

So you've never encountered a conversation regarding mollies, then, I take it? Surely never witnessed the treatment of one.

I have.

[ He sighs. Grell had been referring to him as her man by the end of their assignment, but he didn't think much on it past wanting to keep them focused on the task at hand. ]

But, I haven't noticed anyone in this realm pay any mind towards it. We're all too wrapped up in our own misery to bother fussing about other's beliefs or behaviours.

[ A short, sceptical hum leaves her, as she looks away. ]

Perhaps that much is true, but instinctively, we take advantage of the weakness in others, and single out what is different. That is simply the way of things. If you haven't experienced that, consider it a privilege.

So what will it help anything if you do the exact same yourself? Honestly, you can't expect any change from it.

Oh, but it's changed everything. Most importantly, my outlook.

[ Leaning forward, she's meeting William's eyes once again. ]

You have the power to control how you are seen, and treated - how much you exhaust yourself over caring. Once I realised that, I felt free. I can actually give this living thing a second chance.

You mean to say you were timid before.

[ They've only know each other a short while but he still has a hard time imagining it. She really must have done a major turn around. ]

I suppose I understand more. Do you feel knowing that as a mortal would have kept you from arriving in this realm?

[ Ah, he nailed it. She takes a breath to speak, but stalls a moment longer to think before she does! ]

No. But, there's no changing it, now.

[ Smiling, she reaches out to tap a knuckle under his chin. ]

I've met you, besides.

[ William immediately stiffens and bats her hand away. ]

Stop that.

[ Grinning wider, she chuckles! ]

So, what were you like, in your past life?

The same, for the most part. Especially now, what with my depression quickly returning.

[ A sigh and shake of his head and he's taking a bite of his pastry as if it may be able to cure his foul mood. It's helping a tiny bit. ]

[ Ah, right. How could she forget about her cake? Perhaps she'll up her fork to eat some more, as well... ]

Mn. For what it's worth, I-- made a mistake, when I dismissed you, Will. You do a good job of hiding it, but you're actually quite fascinating.

[ She's just going to pop a piece of cake in her mouth! ]

I'm not sure I can agree with you on that.

[ Her cake actually looks pretty good, now that he's focused on it. Perhaps he should have ordered that instead. ]

[ With a knit of her brow, she points the prongs of her fork at him. ]

So, are you saying that I should continue to beat you up, then?

No. I meant as far as me being fascinating.

[ He'll brandish his own fork against hers. It may come across as playful, but he most likely doesn't realise that! ]

[ Grell's brows raise just so, and she laughs. ]

Hm! Strange, that's precisely what I'm hearing.

[ She clanks her fork against his like a tiny sword!

Well, I'm not fascinating. Not in the least.

[ He uses his wrist to push her hand aside and decides to take a forkful of that cake, as if it's a reward for winning that argument. ]

[ Okay, now, it most definitely feels like flirting! Mouth agape, a scoffing sort of laugh escapes her this time. ]

I think you misunderstand, I wasn't agreeing with you. I was threatening to get your head on straight, and now, you've gone and stolen my cake. Just wait until I get you home!

It was one bite. And we aren't going home together.

[ Goodness it was a good bite tho. It's doing a far better job at calming his mind than his own choice. ]

[ Sometimes, William is entirely oblivious - and others, he's much too sharp! She snerks, scooping up another piece of cake to hold out for him. ]

Hm, what a shame! We both could use the distraction.