Waiting For Gray

[Margrett]

Margrett stood outside Gray's treehouse, waiting for him to come back. She didn't have anything important to say, but figured he should know anyways. He wasn't anywhere in town, so she figured she'd wait here for a bit for him. She yawned and shook her head, leaning against a tree and pulling her hat over her eyes.

[Grayell]

Grayell sauntered through the woods soon enough, an open cloth slung over his shoulder and tied off, now carrying his day's harvest of herbs. He spotted Marg as he came through the trees... and smiled. A little.

Get lost on patrol hm?

[Margrett]

She nodded, tipping up her hat.

Took a wrong turn and ended up here in the middle of nowhere. And here you are. Fancy that.

She stood and put a hand on her hip.

I did want to talk to you about something. While you were gone, Serenity came back, and...well, we borrowed your boat. Nothing happened, it's fine, we just took it around the lake once. Left you a crate of rum as payment.

[Grayell]

Grayell's eyes narrowed and he walked past her. He bundled the herbs and then tossed them up onto his porch. Dusting his hands off, he walked in front of her, looking at her sideways.

Hmph. I don't know which I don't believe more. You borrowing my boat and bothering to tell me about it, or nothing happening.

[Margrett]

Seriously. It was a friendly outing on the water. We swam, chatted a bit, drank a little.

She looked at him in mock surprise.

I didn't have sex with a random stranger for once. You should be proud of me.

[Grayell]

Hang on.

He grinned and leaned on the tree now, beside her. It wasn't a large tree, it meant they were shoulder to shoulder at about ninety degrees.

You had her in your bed, she's not a complete stranger. So with that in mind, that's likely why you didn't have sex with her.

He laughed then and nudged her with his elbow.

Now I finally figured out where I went wrong huh? Should never have introduced myself.

Ah well. I suppose that's not so bad, if anyone is going to be playing THAT game on my boat it's me. And you meanwhile can stay off my damn net.

Still chuckling. Seems he's in a good mood.

[Margrett]

Yeah, maybe if you hadn't come on so strong. I might have considered it then.

She examined her nails nonchalantly.

You wish you had been there. Two women on your boat without you? Oh, poor Gray.

She smiled honestly.

Though I'm glad you're being nice about it. You seem like you're in a good mood.

[Grayell]

Huh.

He shrugged.

I'd say you've considered it often Blueberry. But then, I'm assuming you might have actually missed me.

He chuckled and pressed away from the tree. He yanked a line and his ladder dropped.

Oh well, we shall never know one way or the other. Now get your ass in the tree, we're going to have some tea miss.

[Margrett]

She looked surprised.

Tea, Grayell? My, how posh.

She climbed up the ladder, smirking.

Here I thought your blood was mostly rum.

[Grayell]

Yes and well, I thought you were an ice queen.

He followed her up with a quick heave then two before collecting his herbs and heading inside. He got busy with preparing the tea and looked over his shoulder, nodded at a chair.

Take a seat Marg, will be a while.

So. Your 'dallying' in my absence upon my boat, what else is new hm?

[Margrett]

She did take a seat, cracking her neck nonchalantly.

Not a lot. I gave you the official report when you first got back. I'm not sure there's a whole lot else...

She trailed off, thinking.

Maybe you want to tell me how the trip went? I mean seriously tell me. What happened?

[Grayell]

He closed the lid on the pot and produced two cups which he placed on the table between them. He then took a seat as well, leaning on the table toward her.

Hm. Well since the quip about you looking radiant and a day on the water agreeing with you is entirely irrelevant now...

You know, I don't think you want to hear about it. It wasn't pleasant. Well mostly. It ended well I suppose but it was....

Grayell sighed, his face soured.

Yeah. Don't go getting infected again alright?

The thoughts weren't pleasant, it was hell. But he thought of Kiko and regained his composure.

But I met someone. You'll meet her soon enough I'm sure.

Still. The ahhh.... ritual and what not was complete hell so I'd rather discuss something else. You've already seen me beat up, no doubt you don't want to hear about me damn near dying eh?

He managed a slight laugh but it was obviously his attempt at lightening the mood.

[Margrett]

No, nearly dying seems to be a habit with you.

Margrett took the cup and took an experimental sip. She tasted it, raised her eyebrows, obviously trying it for the first time and liking it enough to finish.

I've learned to stop questioning it. Though I am a little sad to hear you've found someone. Now I'll have to stop flirting with you.

The end of that last sentence was a little playful, sing-song. Then she smiled honestly.

But really, I'm glad. I'll have to meet her soon. Make sure she lives up to my standards.

[Grayell]

Grayell reached across the table and put a hand on hers with a rather serious expression.

Margrett. My dear, sweet Blueberry.

He studied her for a moment, an intense look that wasn't pervasive but instead could bring on an awkward silence like no one's business.

If you had any standards, we would have been married by now.

His hand slipped away and his lip cracked into a wide grin, him then drinking from his cup again.

[Margrett]

Margrett blinked and leaned back a bit from his seeming sudden seriousness, then was silent when he finished. Then she laughed, holding her forehead in a pained gesture.

Grayell...

She looked at the ceiling, taking in a breath. Then she finally looked down, nodding.

Fair enough. You have a point. Though I'm not sure you want to be married to me. If you think I'm an ice queen now...

She shook her head, taking a drink.