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]

[ 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.

[death_glare]

You can't be expected to live the next eternity without knowing how to make a proper cup of tea. Honestly.

[ Checking the pot's contents once more, he gives an approving nod. ]

Why you can't follow my instructions this well while one the job is beyond me.

[untodeath]

[ With an excited declaration beneath her breath, Grell clasps her hands at her chest! It's then that she can't resist giggling a bit at the other. ]

I might enjoy making you a bit mad, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't fancy taking care of you, as well~♥ [ Teasingly, she leans in closer to bump his shoulder fondly. ]

[death_glare]

[ Even though he's used to Grell getting into his personal space, it still startles him slightly when she suddenly bumps him. Perhaps a bit embarrassed that he jumped slightly, his hand subconsciously moves to adjust his frames...only to be reminded they aren't there. The mistake leaves him even more out of place. ]

I am only allowing this because my glasses are being repaired.

[untodeath]

Oh dear.

[ Grell nearly laughs, but pity wins out, as she reaches out to rub that very shoulder. It's some effort of comfort, at least - though he surely isn't looking for that.

Thankfully, the kettle builds up to a whistle not more than a moment later. The redhead's attention breaks in favor of fetching it off the stove! ]

[death_glare]

[ Relieved that the kettle interjected, William steps away from the stove to let Grell continue. Plus he'd rather there not be the potential of scalding water being dumped on him. He clears his throat, making to move the conversation back to tea making. ]

Since you have measured the tea leaves correctly, you should be good from here on.

[untodeath]

--Really?

[ A wise move, really. The move additionally leaves Grell with less room for distraction!

With the kettle in one hand, she takes up the teapot on her way to the sink - and hesitates a moment, before pouring. ]

I am meant to rinse the leaves, aren't I?

[death_glare]

Of course you are.

[ The good teacher that he is, William's tone sounds as though it should be obvious. ]

And discard that portion immediately. I don't want you accidentally serving that, instead.

[untodeath]

Oh, please, William.

[ Such is why Grell just pours it directly into the sink. Well, in truth, it's laziness. She doesn't see the need for an additional step, when this seems so much easier.

Once that's done, she sets the teapot back on the counter to fill properly this time. ]

How long would you let it set?