thedispatch | (no subject)

The furniture could be rearranged.

[ He takes his glass into the living area. There's not much there, either. A couch, a few separate chairs, a table and gramophone. ]

[ Grell follows close behind, eying the area. ]

It entertains me how seemingly optimistic they are that we'll be keeping such company.

[ Leaning over, she drapes her arms along the backrest of a chair. ]

We're doing so now.

[ There's not much he can see being done to the room to make it feel any different. So instead, he decides to take a seat to finish his wine. ]

[ She shoots him a look - albeit clearly endeared. ]

Well, yes, but-- three chairs?

[ When he sits, she laughs! ]

Oh, come on, now! Giving up already?!

I don't see how it can be arranged in a better layout.

[ Crossing one leg over the other he takes a decent sip of wine. ]

It feels better having another here.

[ Standing to plant a hand on her hip, she's about to give her opinion on that-- but hearing him say that, she can't help but ease.

It doesn't really matter, she'd suppose. After all, it was just an excuse to get to know him better. ]

Hm. It does help, doesn't it?

[ Instead of take her own chair, as any reasonable person might, she sits on his arm rest, instead. ]

I admit, I was surprised when you approached me this evening, but I'm quite glad that you did.

[ He inches away from her enough that he can rest his glass in his lap and not have to use the arm rest. ]

I couldn't sit here alone. Not after the day we've all had.

So, it could have been anyone, then?

[ Siiip. ]

[ He frowns up at her. ]

Apparently you failed to notice all the other new reapers who were being shown to their new flats, at the same time. I was depressed and I saw you at the end of the hall, and decided that would possibly help me. I could have just as easily went to my neighbour, but I went to you.

[ Grell can't help but grin, for she certainly DID notice, and that's why she'd brought it up at all! ]

You certainly did, but my question is, why me? You disliked the way that I treated you, and seemed to believe that I disliked you, in turn.

You did dislike me. But you seemed to have quite the turnaround towards the end of our assignment.

[ He's completely oblivious to why tho. ]

Regardless, I haven't spoken to many others we trained with. At least I had some time along side you.

[ Ah, is he serious? She snerks! ]

Well, I'm glad you realise that now, in any case. [ Arm resting about his shoulders, she leans over to settle her temple atop his head with a croon. With more giggles! ] For I do adore you so.

[ He noticeably tenses at the direct, intimate contact. Where as his future self would just shove her off the couch without a second thought, his current self hesitates. She isn't attacking his as before so he has no reason to defend himself. Still, this kind of contact is not something he's used to. ]

You've made that clear, now can you stop.

Hm? Why does it bother you?

[ While she does pick her head up to look at William curiously, she still keeps her arm on his - now, while her fingers idly dash through the ends of his hair! It certainly doesn't help, now that she's becoming a bit tipsy. ]

I'm not used to contact like this.

[ His shoulders rise at the touch of his hair and he shifts further away. ]

[ At that, her brows furrow. With a sigh, she runs her fingers through his hair to affectionately smooth it down, before pulling away. ]

Sorry to hear that, Will. For some time, it had been the same for me.

[ Visibly relaxing, he shifts on the couch once more to allow her to take a proper seat beside him. It may not be much different but at least he can see her better. ]

I wouldn't think that the case. You're a far more dramatic and intimate person than I am.

[ Sighing with some amusement, she relents and moves from the arm rest to the cushion beside him. ]

Well, I have changed, quite tremendously, and I don't find myself wanting to look back.

[ Turning to face him, she rests an leg before her, ankle on her knee. ]

That's the on good thing about all of this, isn't it? We have the chance to do things differently.

[ He looks rather unsure. ]

I suppose, though if I knew how to go about that, I don't believe I'd be here at all.

[ With a crooked smile, she laughs into her drink. ]

Fair. I must say, though, I hardly know how to go about it, myself. I simply think to myself, why am I hesitating, for it surely can't kill me, now, can it? And so, I no longer hold back! If it should make me a mad woman, so be it. Hm? [ Sip! ]

[ To him, it seems so easy for her. Without any comment, he returns to his drink, quickly catching up to what Grell's drunk so far. ]

[ The redhead watches him while he does so, and doesn't make any effort to hide it. None at all. She quirks a brow, humming aloud. ]

You're bothered by something I said. [ She slides a foot forward to nudge his! ] Come, now, out with it.

[ With a frown, he'll nudge back, but not in a flirtatious manner! ]

Honestly, I don't know what you went through. But, it seems all you needed was the freedom to be yourself.

[ Grell's lips part, as though she's thorough offended by this! She moves her foot back, but at the cost of swinging her legs up to lay across his lap. ]

And what is it that you need, William?

[ Somehow, not expecting that, the movement splashes a decent amount of wine on to his shirt. And as he hastily leans forward to set his glass down, a fair amount of that drips across Grell's pants. ]

Certainly not this.