private PSL

[death_glare]

[ If Grell had expected William to be oblivious to her activities, she was sorely mistaken. He'd come from his office multiple times that day, looking to have a word with her about proper office behaviour, timely submission of forms, and the coffee carafe from the break room, that she'd happily emptied but failed to refill. Each time, he'd been met with an empty desk, even though he'd seen her minutes before. And when questioned, Knox just brushed him off like it was no big deal - he'd finished his own work for the day and wasn't staying overtime, big plans for the evening and all that.

So, the next time William caught a glance of bright red slinking past the frosted windows of his office, he made an executive decision - quickly teleporting himself in the doorway of the office, appearing just before she attempted to leave... ]

And where are you sneaking off to this time?

Comments

[death_glare]

I would be willing to try that.

[ Even for William, the black suit began to become just another part of the monotony. ]

Not particularly. Yourself?

[ Though he can wager a guess. ]

[untodeath]

You already know it's the rose.

[ She scrunches up her nose adoringly, as she reaches out to bop their child's with a fingertip. ]

[death_glare]

I assumed as much. Honestly, is there anything you like that isn't red?

[untodeath]

[ The redhead's gaze ventures wayward in thought. ]

Corduroy. It's unforgivable, no matter what color it is.

[death_glare]

[ If William was one to laugh, he may have gotten a chuckle there. ]

I cannot see you wearing corduroy, anyway.

[untodeath]

Well, thank God.

[ That gets a lopsided smile out of her, though! ]

I think I know your animal of choice, at least. Pigeons, right?

[death_glare]

Yes. Though I doubt you know the reasoning behind it.

[ He reaches out, letting Rosalind grip his finger. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a knit of the brow, Grell cants her head. ]

But I'd like to.

[ She mutters, resting a hand on the other's shoulder. ]

[death_glare]

[ He allows Grell to lean on him, his finger gently shaking Rosalind's hand about. ]

My daughter liked to go to the park and feed them.

[untodeath]

[ That has her falling silent. Lips working into something of a frown, she shifts about, resting her temple atop that hand. ]

You lost her, you'd said. What happened, Will?

[death_glare]

[ He shakes his head, leaning over to scoop their baby up and place her in his lap. ]

Another time. I want to focus on her, now.

[untodeath]

[ When he moves, it forces Grell to sit herself upright. ]

Of course.

[ Breathing a quiet sigh, she pets a hand over the girl's soft head, leaning in to place a kiss atop her head.

She's moving to get up, then. Go about putting away their belongings, once more. ]

[death_glare]

[ There's silence for awhile, save from the cooing and gurgling Rosalind is doing. William eventually looks up to see Grell hanging up clothes in the wardrobe. He frowns. ]

Did you bring any dresses?

[untodeath]

[ Grell stops for a good moment before she looks back at William, question written all over her face. ]

For one that refuses intimacy, you certainly are letting on to your preferences rather early.

[death_glare]

[ That frown remains! ]

I am asking because you will need to pose as my wife. Which means acting and dressing as such.

[untodeath]

... Oh.

[ Back to cupping her cheeks, Grell is blushing rather brightly this time! ]

You're-- you're really fine with doing such a thing? I don't know, I--. I do have one.

[ Hvving left it behind in one of the suitcases - as she'd just brought it for sentimental value, not to actually wear it - she goes to retrieve it. It's a beautiful gown, one that had been given to her from Madam Red's closet. As such, it had to be a strapless one to accommodate her shoulders - and paired with a corset, of course. ]

I'll need to cover the decollete, but I do have a stole.

[death_glare]

No one is going to accept two men caring for a child together. And we do not look similar enough to claim we're family. I see no other alternative.

[ He assesses the gown, nodding. ]

That will have to suffice.

[untodeath]

[ Teeth pressing into her lower lip, Grell delays-- but she nods. ]

Well, then. We'll need to come up with a convincing story for the two of us and rehearse it. Talking won't be an option for me, and you are awful at lying.

[death_glare]

Only because I saw no reason to lie before.

[ Huff. ]

Fine. How do you propose we explain your lack of speech? I highly doubt you can act shy enough for me to blame it on that.

[untodeath]

[ Grell gives him a skeptical look, but catching a glimpse of herself with the dress in their mirror, holds it against her torso for a better look. ]

Mm... Perhaps an accident? Reaped a man once who'd been in a carriage crash and never spoke proper since. I imagine a lady would be too embarrassed to do so in public.

[ Seemingly pleased with the image, she idly sways side to side. ]

Nasty scarring could also explain why I'll need to hide-- [ She taps her adam's apple. ] --this.

[death_glare]

Hm. That sounds fairly convincing. Plus it will be nice to have some peace and quiet from you.

[ They'll have to go out on the town regularly!

Rosalind, apparently disinterested in their boring conversation has slumped over in William's lap, asleep. He carefully stands and places her gently into the center of the bed so as not to wake her. ]

Your given name is fairly unique, though I'm not certain how it would be taken as a female name.

[untodeath]

[ A huff! ]

Careful, or I might go waving my fan at some other handsome blokes.

[ So she says, but she'll never be wooed by another while she's on William's arm, even if he never comes to love her!

Hanging her dress up, for now, she gives something of a sigh. ]

You're right, though. It would be too easy to find us that way, also. We'll need to change our names...

[death_glare]

[ Wouldn't those other men have a fun time discovering who Grell truly is under all that acting! Still, though he knows she's teasing, it still gets a huff back. ]

Honestly, at this rate it would be simpler to just use our ability to go unnoticed.

[untodeath]

That would be preferable, and we certainly can-- but we'll certainly need to interact on Rosalind's behalf, from time to time.

[ Ah, she's so tempted to scoop the little dear up, but she's fast asleep. Looks like William will be stuck with her attention instead.

Turning to him, she reaches out to fiddle with his tie. ]

What name did you use for the ticket roster, darling?

[death_glare]

[ Frowning, William shoos her hand away and adjusts his time, himself. ]

Thomas Weston, for myself. Gwendolyn for you. And, of course, Rosalind.