(no subject)

[untodeath]

Who: Grell and William
What: Answering prayers!
When: Bckdated to June 20.
Where: The Near Shore
Warnings: Will update as necessary.

[ With some tea and breakfast set out before them now, Grell heaves a happy sigh. She may be well presentable, hair done and a full face of makeup, but she never feels fully with the world before a solid serving of carbs and caffeine. ]

Now that we've got some proper fuel for the mind, let's discuss business!

[ They've found pleasant outdoor seating at a downtown cafe, in view of the hospital. When pausing to take a healthy sip of tea, her eyes pointedly raise to meet the towering building. It will be another moment, as she savors the taste with a hum, and sets down her cup. ]

A follower has expressed their need for reassurance. With their mother repeatedly landing in the hospital , the responsibility of expenses has fallen on their shoulders, and they've been struggling. [ There's a brief sigh, as she tilts her head to rest on her knuckles. ] A bit dull, but it could lead to something, all considered.

Comments

[deference]

Ah, business.

[ He closes his eyes as he takes a moment to feel proud of his god. His chin bobs once as he feels like she is coming along -- thinking of her duties and how they can fully actualize them for the people that pray to her. Everything going according to a plan that he has set in his mind.

But he pauses. The tea cup that he has lifted to take his own sip pauses just by his lips. He sets it down with a soft click and gives her a wary look. ]

Reassurance? What exactly are we reassuring them about? Hard work need be all that they do, and just learning to remember to breathe each day should be enough, yes?

[untodeath]

[ That answer pulls a chuckle from the redhead. ]

Perhaps that is what they need to be reminded of! Their mind might be on their sickly mother, maybe they're losing rest in favor of hospital visits... [ With a roll of the wrist, she suggests that there could be more to it. ] Not to mention, it must be frustrating to work so hard and still struggle to make ends meet. We all enjoy our little luxuries.

[ With a shrug then, Grell picks up her fork to stab into a piece of freshly sliced fruit. She's been eyeing it, but running her mouth hasn't done any favors for her stomach. ]

They'll be there to visit her soon, actually! I figure we can give something of a pep talk, and deliver flowers to the mother.

[deference]

Do we?

[ He raises a thin eyebrow. Well, he supposes that's a fair comment. There is a white suit that he saw in a window that called to him. If there is anything left to him, perhaps, he'll acquire it. After all, it would not do to look shabby when coming to answer prayers. Humans have an idea of how gods and shinki look, don't they? ]

We're seeing the mother, as well? I suppose that it cannot be helped. A pep talk, hm? A pep talk. [ He takes a breath in before another sip of tea follows it. ] "Work harder and your goals will be realized."

[untodeath]

Mm-hm. [ There's confidence to that response, head nodding as she savors that delicious bit of strawberry with closed eyes. When hearing William's rehearsal, she has to peek up at him through one eye, giving a bit of a snerk. ]

That's the general idea, but. [ How to put it! Tapping the prongs of her fork to the plate, Grell hums. ] What would you like to hear, in her situation?

[deference]

[ Straightening his back, he sits a little straighter in the chair. His lips press together into a thin line as he attempts to think of what he would like to hear in that sort of situation. ]

Being sympathized with by a god doesn't sound appealing to me. [ A small shrug. ] I would rather know that they know my work will achieve something. [ Like he practiced. ] Whether it is a high-class coffin for my loved one or a chance for her to live, I would like to know something will come from what I have done.

To think that everything goes to nothing, that one's determination goes nowhere... that's insulting. Yes, it's much rather to say that there is something going to be given rather than any sort of embrace or pity.

[untodeath]

[ To listen, she'll plant her chin into an open palm - fingers partially concealing the intrigued little smile that her mouth settles into. ]

Now, that.... That is what she might need to hear!

[ Likewise, she'll sit upright, a certain glint of pride to her eyes. Now, she's much more confident that they'll successfully complete this mission. (Indeed, there was some concern before - because, let's face it, neither of them are terribly empathetic.)

Additionally, there is more depth to William than he shows, and seeing it is always a treat! ]

Oh, and it will sound especially sweet coming from a handsome man, I'm sure! How fortunate.

[deference]

A handsome man.

[ His head gives a small turn like he would look over his shoulder. Oh. Him? He adjusts his glasses -- pushing his index finger against the bridge. ]

Should we locate someone else to deliver the message? [ A beat. ] Or perhaps, I should leave it to you. I can be ... moral support as you deliver the message. [ Reaching his hand out, he rested it on top of Grell's. Lifting his hand up, he lightly patted the top of hers. ] There, there.

[untodeath]

Me?

[ Did he-- just call her a handsome man? This leaves her very conflicted, brow pressed as she looks down at that hand over hers.

Grell is truly, VERY torn between stabbing said hand, or holding it. THIS IS-- HARD?

With an intake of air, she finds herself halting, and then shaking her head! ]

I meant you, William. You. Quite handsome. [ Thankfully, her fork is pointedly and forcibly placed on the table, rather than its prongs into flesh. ] Though, if you'd like to support me, regardless, I won't oppose.

[deference]

Me. Hm.

[ He frowns a little at that assessment on his looks. ]

And, yes. I meant that it may be better to hear the news from a sympathetic ear of a woman. One woman to another. [ His tone remains calm as he cannot understand her annoyance. ]

Is that not better? [ His eyebrows come together, mildly confused. ] Support is the point of a shinki, not overshadow our god. Or so I believe that is my role.

[untodeath]

[ Gods, it isn't as though she hasn't said it before. Closing her eyes, she nods in confirmation as he takes that in.

But. Oh. It seems that she may have read that wrong. Peeking up at him, she visually eases, lips pursing with a hum. ]

Ah. Well, when you put it that way, I do suppose...

[ Head tilting back, her gaze ventures wayward as she rethinks that one. Not only does William make a good point, she apparently just became cross over nothing, so... ]

Alright, Will. [ With a decided breath, she shoots him a crooked little smile. ] I suppose you've persuaded me this time!

[deference]

Yes.

[ He has a mildly bemused expression over her reaction. A soft hum in turn before he picks up his cup to give another sip. While he has no memory of if he liked coffee or not, he decides that he likes this coffee.

And Grell is taking her duties quite seriously.

Regret is a voice screaming in the back of his mind. ]

We should come here again for breakfast. This was reasonably enjoyable with minor headaches. An acceptable start to fulfilling someone's prayers.

[untodeath]

Oh, Will. You have a way with words.

[ It's with a chuckle that she takes up another bite of her meal - and nods, reasonably in agreement. The food is enjoyable - the company, moreso! ]

Mn. [ Briefly pressing a finger to her lips while swallowing that down, she then grins. ] I wouldn't mind making a habit of it, certainly.


[ It isn't long before they've arrived at the hospital, where they've taken to waiting in the lobby, seated in view of the main desk. Grell has left William in charge of holding onto the flower vase, while she idly twirls her hair around a finger.

Fortunately for him, the woman of interest enters the front entrance just as Grell decides she's about to lean against her shinki's shoulder - effectively perking her up to attention, instead. ]

Oh! There she is! [ Pulling herself out of the drab little seat, she glances to Will with a grin. ] Come, we're going to share an elevator up!

[deference]

Yes, it's called sentence structure and stating a clear statement.

[ He allows a slightly bemused expression to cross over his face yet again. There's nothing particularly great about what he said, if anyone were to ask him. It is all just fact and really, his god is the one that should be answering the prayer rather than him, too. ]

Well, it seems like we're agreed.

[ He looks down at the vase that is in his hands as he adjusts how he is standing -- about four or five times. The vase, he feels, should be pure white but he's fine with the designs on it, too. It allows it to look more "friendly" -- he squints as he thinks the word in his head.

And he rolls his shoulder so that Grell can't continue to rest on it. ]

Yes, there she is. [ His head gives a small tilt that says "must we?" because while he has vague memories of elevators, he must say that being in a small space with someone that is stressed out for an untold amount of minutes does not sound appealing to him. ] So we shall. Do you want me to hand her the flowers right away or--?

[ And he cuts himself off as their client comes to stand before them. ] Hello, I am William T. Spears, a shinki. And this is [ Small jerk of his head toward his god. ] Grell Sutcliffe, a god. We are here for your benefit.