closed psl.

[untodeath]

[ Word travels fast around the office. By the time Grell had returned from her shift to submit the appropriate paperwork, a secretary had already asked her if she'd been by to check on Mister Spears.

Now, she had known that he had been sent on an investigative mission with Ronald earlier that day, so she immediately assumed the worst. Demanding to know where to find them sent her bolting off to the lower levels. The new recruits were smart enough to dash out of the way - and some of them even directed her to the appropriate department; the optometrist's office, where she found William sulking in the lobby.

The poor man was without his glasses, but aside from a scuffed cheek and some healing bruises, appeared to be in one piece. It was his pride that seemed wounded, as the very air about him seemed heavy. ]

Oh, Will.

[ Heaving a sigh of relief, she sinks down into the chair beside him. Though knowing fully well that he won't like it, she won't be kept from fussing over him; reaching out to gingerly dash back some of his hair left mussed by his scuffle, while taking a good look at his wounds. ]

What did I tell you about taking care of your glasses, mm?

Comments

[untodeath]

[ Grell is positively grinning over her shoulder, at that. It's probably the most endearing answer she can imagine. ]

You? Never.

[ Now that the water is ready, she takes some of the dried leaves from the tin to empty into the teapot she's found. Giving them a good rinse with the boiled water, she pours it out into the sink before refilling. At least she knows how to do that much! Unfortunately, she's used far too many leaves, so they're going to end up with some terribly strong tea. ]

How much sugar do you take, darling?

[death_glare]

[ He won't add that the cafe usually gives him some day old bread to feed to the birds. ]

Two should be enough. [ Though he pauses, knowing that something is going to be wrong with it. ] Actually, make it three.

[ Better to have overly sweet tea, in his opinion. ]

So, what is it you do on your days off?

[untodeath]

[ Well, that certainly has Grell gawking! Thank goodness William's currently blind. ]

Me? Let's see...

[ Wow, he's actually taking an interest in her? Or, at least, being polite enough to pretend that he is, which is still an improvement! ]

I like to go to the theatre, or the opera when I can! Ronnie and I will occasionally go shopping together, as well. And, of course, there's-- [ Giggle. ] -- sleep.

[ Time to pour the tea, she thinks! Hopefully, she's right. ]

I fancy a bit of reading before bed.

[death_glare]

[ There's a vague interest, but he's also just making idle conversation since they will be sitting here drinking tea for a bit. ]

I have not been to the opera in quite a long time.

[ In over a century, to be exact. He hums, as if attending the opera hadn't even occurred to him until just now. He just might be interested! ]

[untodeath]

[ At that, Grell becomes just a bit too excited and drops one of the cubes meant for one mug into the other, bringing it up to four sugars... Looks like that one is going to be hers. ]

Oh, but you must go, Will! Art keeps the soul young, you know!

[ Alright, she finally has the tea prepared for the both of them, and it's time to present! Carefully setting the mugs onto the table, she'll take her seat with a satisfied sigh. ]

We should go together.

[death_glare]

[ William sees the red blur in front of him and hears the mug settle against the table. He careful pats it, making certain the handle is fully grasped before lifting the mug to his lips. The tea smells alright, but it's time to find out if that's truly the case.

But he pauses just as he's about to sip. His eyes drift up, attempting to meet hers. ]

Perhaps we could.

[ I surprising response! It's almost as though his bad mood has subsided and he's allowed himself to try and relax. ]

[untodeath]

[ It's surely a good thing that she hasn't tried the tea yet, herself. She's nearly just choked on her spit alone! ]

--Really?!

[ Biting back a squeal, she clamps a hand over her mouth! ]

[death_glare]

I said perhaps. That is not a yes.

[ As if he didn't know she'd start squealing. Still he shakes his head in irritation, bringing the cup back up to his lips. Unfortunately, he's momentarily forgotten that the tea he's about to ingest just may be the second death of him. So when three sugars can't even cut through the intensity of the tea, he has to catch himself not to choke on it. He immediately pushes the cup away from him. ]

How many leaves did you use? Did you even leave a single one?

[untodeath]

[ Somehow, despite knowing very well that her tea stinks, she's caught off guard! It's with a huff through her nostrils that Grell moves to pick up her own cup, so she can try some for herself. ]

Oh, come now, it can't be that bad--

[ A sip - and a suppressed gag. Because of course it is.

A hand pressed her her lips, she immediately returns the mug to the table. ]

[death_glare]

[ A heavy sigh and William attempts to get up from the table to pour his tea out. He pretty much makes it without issue! Only hitting the mug on the side of the counter top once. Without turning to look at her, he gives her instruction. ]

Get over here and fill the kettle back up, with four cups.

[ He's gonna attempt to teach her how to make proper tea. ]

[untodeath]

[ Scooting to the edge of her seat, Grell is prepared to hop up and divert him from disaster, if need be-- but, surprisingly, he doesn't need the assistance!

Unlike her, with the tea... ]

Ah-- alright...

[ Although she sounds a bit unsure, she does need to learn. Might as well try again, right? So, she's up on her feet to do just that.

Staring into the kettle, she realizes that she has little to NO idea what would constitute as four cups. ]

Uhm. Do you have a measuring cup, by chance?

[death_glare]

You didn't use...[ Just another shake of his head. ] You should have seen it when you found the mugs. It is on the top shelf.

[ He moves slowly back towards the table, patting around for Grell's mug and making his way back to dump hers, as well. ]

[untodeath]

[ Settling the kettle down, she immediately goes back to the cabinet that she found the--... Okay, perhaps it was the one next to it.

Anyway, once she has the measuring cup, she's on to filling it with water! Quietly, she counts beneath her breath, with every one she pours into the kettle. Just in case she were to get distracted. ]

Alright, then! Onto the stove you go, kettle.

[death_glare]

[ William squints at her as she works, as if it will somehow help him see if she's actually doing it correctly this time. It sounds about right, so he's backs away, letting her re-ignite the stove. ]

How do you get along on your own without being able to cook properly?

[ As far as he's aware, she doesn't have a partner or flatmate. ]

[untodeath]

[ Seeing as William won't be able to see her, Grell doesn't bother concealing the fact that she's quite nervous about igniting the burner while he's available to judge her. Teeth grit, she hunches down to intensely focus as she waits for the initial spark.

It still takes her perhaps a moment longer than is necessary, but it works! Hands blaeed, she gives a hop of silent joy! ]

Mm? I just, you know, buy my food. We're so rarely at our flats, as it is...

[death_glare]

I suppose that is true enough. Unfortunately.

[ Just thinking of all the overtime they put up with makes him sound exhausted. Maybe it's a small blessing that this whole glasses thing was able to get him some well deserved time off. Though he's certain he'll take back that thought when he returns to a desk load of paperwork that needs filing and correcting. ]

Perhaps now, you will at least be able to make a tolerable cup of tea.

[untodeath]

[ See, the proper question would have been to ask why it is that she never learned! Grell isn't about to dive into that when unnecessary, though. Phew. ]

It isn't as though I hadn't tried. I'd even read a book on it! It used to drive M-- [ Uh. ] Me up the wall. Although, I gave up, eventually.

[ Nice save? Eesh. ]

[death_glare]

[ William raises an eyebrow at Grell stumbling over her words. The usage of 'eventually' is a bit odd, as well. He holds back on asking, for now, at least. ]

Perhaps if you put a bit more enthusiasm into learning, you would retain the information better. Unless you would rather me not spend the time to teach you.

[untodeath]

[ Well, somehow, Grell doesn't think that William would tolerate hearing much about her efforts during that time with 'Madam'. She's quite glad that he didn't press her further on it! ]

Oh! No, I want you to show me! Truly. [ Darn it, he won't be able to see the big, pleading eyes and clasped hands that she's giving him. Dropping them, she sighs. ]

[death_glare]

Then get the tea tin back out. We are going to use the correct amount, this time.

[ He may not be able to see her, but he's known her long enough to perfectly envision how she must be acting as she speaks. He just hopes she's actually retaining the information and not just swooning at him the entire time. ]

[untodeath]

[ Humming an enthusiastic affirmative, the redhead bounces over to retrieve the tin. Once popped open, she finds herself inhaling the tea's arouma. ]

Right! How much, then?

[death_glare]

[ Here is where he would show her precisely...if he could see. Though not able to see how much he's taking out, or if she's measuring out what he instructs is a bit difficult. ]

Ah. [ A pause. ] I believe you used double the amount you should have, the first time. Use half of what you measured out previously. I can show you more accurately when my vision isn't completely impaired.

[untodeath]

[ Grell's gaze lowers to the dried leaves with some dread. Those are very vague instructions for someone so hopeless as her...

But, she'll gather her confidence with a deep breath! Hopefully, she's right in remembering how much she'd used, last time. ]

Let's see... [ Setting the tin down to allow herself an unnecessary level of focus, she carefully picks out a small amount of the leaves, before sprinkling them into the rinsed pot. ]

I hope that's it.

[death_glare]

[ William picks up the pot, lifting it close to his face and squinting. He can at least see the color difference between the dark leaves and the clear glass. He promptly hands it back once he's made his assessment. ]

A few more and it should be good.

[untodeath]

[ Fingertips to her lips, she watches William with the most endeared little grin.

And, hey, she even got it pretty close! Such earns a sigh of relief. ]

Easy enough.

[ Accepting the teapot, she places it back on the counter to do just that. ]

Thank you, by the way. [ She sounds a bit shy about saying so. ] I haven't had anyone offer to walk me through it before.