04. upon thyself thy beauty's legacy

[keepscalm]

Characters: England and all of the cultured people. Open!
Setting: Floor 25.
Format: Starting action, but will match!
Summary: England is having a teatime picnic. It's long overdue. Threadjacking is okay and welcomed! Join an existing thread and make it a tea party or make a new thread.
Warnings: Probably language since it's England. Also possibly threadjacking, so just say in the subject if you don't want that!

[So there is no fancy garden table and chairs or quaint little sitting room, but the innocuous spring floor is almost as nice. He's laid out a length of cloth snatched from the workshop floor to act as a makeshift blanket, and has a teaset out, with a full pot of tea, multiple cups, and sugar. No milk or honey, due to the restrictions of the Tower's kitchen, but he can deal.

And he's actually smiling a little. Do you dare risk disrupting him in this almost fugue-like state?

Of course you do, he's just a silly grump with pretty plates and big eyebrows. Come join him for tea.]

Comments

[guiltapalooza]

Oh, good. And yeah, I have been!

[She accepts the tea when he passes it over to her, and busies herself locating the sugar.] I might be... um, seeing someone now. Well, no, I'm definitely seeing someone now, I'm just still getting used to it. [Nooope not blushing at all, no blushing. Okay, just a little. Drat.]

[keepscalm]

[...well, okay, he already knew that thanks to Eridan's post on the network, but he acts politely surprised anyways.]

Really now? [Admittedly, the romance things take him a little off-guard, considering their environment. But love is a persistent little bugger no matter where you are, he supposes.

His first reflex is to make a joke about going to America for a shotgun, and then he remembers that Willow doesn't know about the nation thing, so the joke would be lost. Oh well.] And who is the lucky chap, if I may be so bold?

[guiltapalooza]

[Just gonna keep being oblivious to that network post.]

His name's Eridan, and he's... actually, he's a troll. [She seems faintly conflicted, or is that thoughtful? Regardless, she's staring down into her tea as she stirs the sugar in.] I've never done the dating inhumans thing, and I haven't done the dating a guy thing in years, either.

Not that I have reservations or anything, but it is an adjustment. [And she's really been aching to talk to someone that wasn't a troll about it, if that wasn't obvious.]

[keepscalm]

[A... oh wait, he knows what she's talking about. He's never really spoken to many of them, but he has one as a roommate.

Well, he's never done anything that drastic, but he has dated humans before. He understands the concept of a divide. He sips his tea while she talks, giving her time to get the words out.]

Being with someone new is an adjustment regardless. Especially if it's been a reasonable length of time since you were last romantically involved. [...try decades. Centuries, if we're talking love. He can relate, seriously.] To make an educated guess, I'd say he's probably having similar concerns. [...a very educated guess.] So, I wouldn't worry about taking your time to settle into it. He'll be making a similar transition, I'd wager, so I seriously doubt he'll hold it against you or pressure you.

[guiltapalooza]

He hasn't been pressuring me at all, [she says urgently, glancing up as if this is an important point to her.] He's been amazingly sweet, and patient with me, and okay, sometimes he comes on a little strong but I know how that goes. It can be hard to hold your feelings back.

[Willow pauses, and bites her lip, but ultimately decides it's probably better if she doesn't make this too depressing.] Honestly, I know what the problem is-- but I don't want to make tea time all morose. I'm sorry. I guess it came spilling out.

[keepscalm]

[He's always amazed at people who can actually be open with their feelings. He's squashed his into such oblivion he can barely identify which is which anymore sometimes.

England looks at Willow with concern following her declaration.] Come now, my dear, you may elaborate if you feel the urge to do so. If you have a problem, feel free to say it -- I can't guarantee I'll be able to help, but I can provide an ear for listening, at any rate. It's no trouble.

[Tea time is a bonding experience, ok ok.]

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow can't contain her feelings. She has the exact opposite problem.

Like right now, it's pretty clear how much she wants to talk about this, but she still hesitates, wrapping her hands tightly around her untouched tea cup.] Are you sure? I don't want to be Debby Downer. It's not really a happy topic. And... there isn't really anything to fix, either.

[keepscalm]

If you need to talk about it, then you need to talk about it, regardless of if it's a problem that can be "fixed" or not.

[And honestly, he'll be fine as long as he remembers to distance himself from his own issues while she talks. Which shouldn't be a problem, since that's reflex for him anyways.]

I'm quite sure. Go on.

[guiltapalooza]

... Alright. [She gives him a lop-sided smile.] Thanks, in advance.

[It takes her a moment longer to form the words, to get them out and verbalize them, but Willow has learned to live with this by now.] Before all this, I had a girlfriend named Tara. And she was the-- the most amazing, beautiful thing I've ever seen. She held me to my faults, but she always forgave me them, anyway, and she was so strong. Me and her were going to be forever. We both... knew that. [She gains a slight, sad smile to herself as she talks, and she keeps it even as she goes on.]

About a year ago she was shot in front of me, and I watched her die. Sometimes I feel like she'd still around, and I just haven't looked for her hard enough. She'd want me to be happy-- I know that-- but I don't know how I'm supposed to move on.

[keepscalm]

[He's very patient as Willow composes herself and then begins to explain, giving her his full attention through the story. He...okay, his heart aches for her a little, which wasn't supposed to happen, but he can only make the leash on his romanticism so short.

Worse, he can't give advice on moving on -- not good advice. He's pretty much one of the worst possible people to seek counsel with regarding that; he dwells on things forever.

England is respectfully quiet for a moment following that, and then eventually he offers a soft:] I'm sorry. You have my sincerest condolences. [...which sounds like a bunch of bullshit, but that's how he legitimately talks.]

You're showing romantic interest in someone else, and that's a very large step. Otherwise, though... [He trails a little, and though he's looking at Willow, he doesn't seem to be looking entirely at her, like he's simultaneously staring into the present and somewhere far, far into the past.] ...you can't force it, I'm afraid. As long as you're trying, I think that's really all you can do.

[There's a beat before he seems to come back to reality a little.] ...I do apologize if that was presumptuous of me to say, but it seemed inadequate to leave it at such a short expression of my sympathies.

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow's spent enough time with Giles that she doesn't doubt he's sincere despite the formality of his words. She doesn't blink at it, actually, just seems to slump tiredly.]

It's not presumptuous. And it's nice to know that I'm not being, I don't know... something. Not alone, I guess.

It is getting better with time, it's just slow. I can even picture her telling me I'm being silly about it. [She gives a short laugh, and her smile turns more nostalgic instead of melancholy.] Tara was selfless like that.

[keepscalm]

You're not alone, I assure you. [...Um. He meant to word that in a way that didn't make it sound like he was included in that group. Damn it, England, think before you speak.]

Every person is different. Some people need more time to move on than others do. You shouldn't feel bad for the amount of time it's taking you, especially considering how close the two of you were. [Though it gets ridiculous after the second century. Don't become him, Willow.

At some point, he'd started to thoughtfully stroke the handle of his teacup with his thumb, but the action was distant. He didn't seem to realize he was doing it.]

[guiltapalooza]

[She gives him a knowing look at the comment, but isn't about to pry. Willow knows when sensitive topics are on the horizon.]

I know... you're right. I can't expect my feelings to run on a schedule. [And man does she know that better than anyone. Willow takes a sip of her tea, and cradles the cup close, appreciating the warmth. She feels more settled now that she's gotten it out of her system.]

I just feel like I can't say any of this to him or he'll feel like I'm comparing them, and I'm not. So it got all bottled up.

[keepscalm]

[He doesn't even seem to notice the look, busy staring pensively down into his tea for the time being. She takes his attention back again when she speaks though.]

That's very considerate of you, and a valid concern. Perhaps down the line when you have moved further from the issue, you can bring it up to him -- it seems fair that he should know at some point -- but I think it may be best to hold off on it for the time being.

[He's a bit puzzled as to how she's had trouble bottling, though. He sometimes forgets that not everyone is as deep in denial as he is.]

If you ever have anything else you need to talk about in the meantime, I will gladly be your listening ear. [Again: talk about your feelings, Willow. Don't become him.]

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow is in absolutely no danger of turning into him and repressing things, don't worry.]

You really think I'm being considerate? [she blurts out, as if she'd been worried about that topic exactly.] I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm-- I'm just trying to do the right thing. This is all so complicated.

But I really appreciate you listening, Arthur, [she goes on, more urgently and with wide eyes. Her sincerity is palpable.] I keep running into all these trolls, and they're great and all, but it's nice not to have to explain how human things work while I'm trying to vent about my irrational feelings.

[keepscalm]

[Thank goodness.

He seems a little surprised by her urgency, if his somewhat widened eyes are any indication.] Ah-- I do, yes. It's important to let your feelings be known, [wow can you say "hypocrite"] but it's also important to take the feelings of others into consideration, as well. Insecurities especially can be damaging to relationships, [h y p o c r i t e] so it's very kind of you to take prevention measures against inspiring them in Eridan.

[He raises his teacup to take a sip.] It's no trouble at all, my dear. I would be frustrated too if I happened to be in your position.

[guiltapalooza]

[Of course, Willow has no idea that it's hypocritical of him to say that, so she just listens attentively and with the utmost sympathy.] You're right. You're so right. How did you get to be so right?

You really are a lot like Giles. Maybe he'll show up sometime, and you guys can have very restrained tea and chat about what it's like being English and secretly kick-ass. [Does she miss Giles like the burning? Ohhhh yes.]

[keepscalm]

[Oh. He colors visibly at all that -- damn the pale English complexion -- and moves to hide his face behind his cup.] I-I-- years of experience, I suppose. Though I'm unsure as to, ah-- how right and..."kick-ass" I am. [He kind of half-tries for the American accent, but it doesn't work too well. And then he gets even more embarrassed. He'd really like to stop making an idiot of himself now thanks.]

[guiltapalooza]

[Is he blushing?? And failing at an American accent? Oh my gosh it's too cute. Willow starts giggling and tries to cut herself off and hide it behind her own tea cup, but fails miserably.]

Trust me, you are definitely right and definitely kick-ass. I saw those moves when the tower got invaded; you can't pretend with me any longer.

[keepscalm]

[Oh god now she's laughing at him. His face burns briefly, and he regrets being even the slightest bit open with her for a moment, but then she reiterates her statement and he just gets flustered again.]

It's-- i-it wasn't anything special, or-- admirable or anything of the sort, really, I was just--

[wow can he just go crawl into a hole for about a century]

[guiltapalooza]

I'll stop with the compliments if they really embarrass you that much, but really, you don't have anything to be embarrassed about.

You're a nice guy and don't you forget it. [She may have met him relatively recently, but Willow feels pretty confident on this point already.]

[keepscalm]

[It takes him a moment to calm his tits and come out from behind his teacup, though he's still noticeably colored when he does.] They're not-- embarrassing, exactly, [He's more embarrassed of his reactions than the compliments...] I'm just, ah, not...

[He clears his throat and shifts.] Really accustomed to positive attention of that nature, is all. It's an adjustment. Um, thank you, at any rate. [Fact: he fails at words when they really count.]

[guiltapalooza]

[She gives him an amused, tolerant look at the continued blushing and discomfort.] Well, you should get used to it. Whatever was stopping people at home isn't going to stop anyone here-- myself included!

Unless you're secretly some murderer manipulating me for kicks, which, I can't really see. Somehow I don't think many of those do needlepoint. [Yeah, she had actually noticed the stuff on his bed the other day.]

[keepscalm]

[Guilt. And more embarrassment because oh my god she saw his embroidery but mostly intense guilt. Manipulating her, no, but a murderer...

Maybe he should tell her about the nation thing, if she's going to trust him so openly.] Bad history is most of what stops my acquaintances at home. I can't blame some of them. It's--

[How to phrase it?] ...a rather long and bloody history, at some points.

[Hopefully she'll ask, so he has an excuse to tell the truth.]

[guiltapalooza]

[Hey, she's not judging the embroidery. Whatever makes him happy. And she really hadn't meant to make him feel guilty, oops.

But she wouldn't be Willow if she passed up a chance to get to hear about a potential friend's past.] You don't have to tell me, obviously, but... what about it was so long and bloody?

[She seems a little hesitant to pry, despite her willingness to get to know him. Giles and Angel and all of those other people with major grievances in their past were reluctant and defensive about talking about it. Not that she could blame them. But it was somewhat odd to her that he'd be willing to talk about it if it was really that bad.]