death_glare | private PSL

private PSL

[ 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?

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Neither has this one.

[ Grell murmurs discreetly as she may, while settling Rosalind on her hip so that she can take William's arm. ]

It's a shame that she won't remember it. [ Fondly, she presses a kiss to the baby's temple. Unfortunately, she isn't able to speak so freely as they make their way to the deck, as they've many other passengers and staff to cross paths with -- but once they've arrived and are met with the cool sea breeze, she can't help but pause to close her eyes, taking in just how refreshing it is. ]

[ As they reach the deck, William looks out over the calm water. ]

Ah, I suppose that wasn't entirely true. I have seen it once.

[ A slight bitterness to that statement. He had shown up to rescue her and Knox on their mission that one time. But he was hardly paying attention to the sights, then. Now, not only is it daylight out, but he has no assignments weighing him down. ]

We will have to show her again, when we get the chance.

[ Grell shoots him a sidelong glance, amusement clear in her features. No matter how aggravated he is by the memory, she'd been thrilled to see him, at the time. ]

Yes, I want our child to see everything beautiful in this world. We can't allow her to live in one miserable city all her life-- [ She smiles brilliantly, as she walks Rosalind over to see the water. The little girl just squints against the air blowing in her face, confused about the sight before her. ] Although, from what I've heard, I think New York is a city of promise. Even so!

I believe it is a good starting point. Expensive, but promising, yes.

[ William stays back, letting Grell take Rosalind closer to the ship's edge. It's such an odd sight, yet somehow he feels at peace - more relaxed and with a clearer mind than he can remember having in such a long time. He spots a grouping of unoccupied chairs, set up for passengers to relax in, and takes a seat, still watching the two. ]

[ Grell sends him off with a fond smile, taking note of where he's gone off to. She won't be too long, as she doesn't want Rosalind to become cold - but she makes sure that she has a chance to see the water lapping at the sides of the boat, and the birds gliding over the ocean's surface. It's the latter that the baby really enjoys, reaching out in wonder.

To avert Rosalind's attention, so that she isn't too upset at being taken away from her new friends, Grell scoops her up at arm's length, before swinging her back in against her hip with a twirls dancing her back toward her father sits, waiting. She swings the little girl out to plop onto William's lap, then. Rosalind giggles with glee, flopping back against the man's chest, little hands flapping against her lap. ]

[ If Grell takes care to notice, there's the slightest fond look on William's face, the corners of his mouth threatening to lift upwards. ]

Seems she's amused by birds, as well.

[ William loosely holds her in place and her tiny hands quickly find his fingers, bringing one of them to her mouth. Her nibbling brings his frown back, rather quickly. ]

I believe she has a tooth coming through.

[ Grell winces, though silent - that is, until she's able to settle herself down in the seat beside them. ]

Oh dear... Sounds as though we might have a cranky girl on our hands soon.

Unfortunately.

[ Even with just one word, he seems to express perfectly just how exhausting it will probably be. ]

I hope you're willing to lose the majority of that beauty rest.

[ A lightly defeated sigh heaves the redhead's shoulders. ]

I've begun to adjust.

But reaching out to boop the baby's nose, it's clear that she can't hold resentment for it! ]

[ Rosalind smiles around William's finger as Grell's pokes at her nose. ]

We'll have to find something that calms her.

[ Grell's brows press with incredible endearment, a hand cupping her cheek as she then tickles under the baby's chin. ]

Ah? Such as?

[ She scrunches her shoulders up in defense from Grell's fingers, yet her giggling seems to imply that she's enjoying herself. ]

I'm not terribly fond on the idea of giving her medicine at such a young age. But perhaps something she can chew on to soothe the aching. Something that isn't my finger.

[ He winces slightly as she bites down. ]

Thank goodness she doesn't have your absurd teeth.

Would her binky work? For now, anyway.

[ Seemingly, from inside her stole, the redhead pulls the child's pacifier? Who needs a baby bag when you've got hammer space? ]

It might do.

[ Gently, he pulls his finger free from her mouth. She makes as though she's about to start crying but is quickly hushed by the pacifier. ]

[ Grell tenses, wincing, as she anticipates the baby's wails-- and slumps with great relief. Once they escape that fate! ]

I wonder if they have a shop on this thing...

It's possible. Depending on what you're hoping to find.

[ He bounces Rosalind on his knee as a distraction from any thoughts she had to start fussing again. ]

Oh, well, I was just hoping to get a new pair of shoes in for all that walking we'll be doing in the city.

[ She gives him a playful quirk of her brow. ]

I'm hoping that we may find something for our dear Rosalind to teethe on, silly. As for what, I'm fairly confident you'd have a better sense for that.

[ He just gives her a look, because he knows quite well that if they sold shoes on the ship, she'd be shopping for hours. Something he'll have to deal with once they get to the city. ]

Something soft, but not too pliable, or rubbery, I should say. Hopefully they'll have something specifically marketed as a teether.

[ Every opportunity for shoes is a good one-- although, perhaps her perspective is beginning to shift just slightly, it would be best not to tempt her.

With a chuckle, she bats her eyes prettily. ]

Something to look into, then. For our neighbors' sake, let's hope the ship staff thought to cover all their bases.

If not, it is something they will have to deal with. We will only be at sea for a week.

[ Said as if it was their choice to room next to a baby. ]

Yes, dealing. Let us hope that is precisely what they do.

[ Really, it isn't as though Grell cares for the needs of their neighbors all that much, beyond the potential complaining, anyway. Perhaps that's why she must turn her head and feign at pushing her curls into place, just so she might turn away that pointy-toothed grin. ]

It means you'll have to keep quiet in the cabin, as well. Should we meet them, I believe they'd find it quite odd to hear two voices when they know there should only be one coming from our room.

[ St that, her grin immediately slacks to a pout! ]

The things I'm willing to do for motherhood...

[ Leaning into the armrest, Grell plops her chin into her hand. Hardly as expressive as it could have been, though - her corset is keeping her rather stiff! ]

[ A good reason to keep her in that corset! Alongside other reasons which he hasn't quite expressed yet. ]

I suppose I should thank you, Rosalind.

[ He shakes her little hand, which is still gripping his finger firmly. ]

[ She rolls her eyes - but Grell is soon reaching out to tap the little girl's arm. ]

I'll thank you to remember these sacrifices your mother has made when you're prepared to enter your rebellious teen phase.

[ --And in the end, she's still smiling. William made something of a joke! ]

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