Grayell was in his office and had made some leeway with inventory. He'd called for Margrett Mikael, captain of the guard to meet him when she could manage.
Not the most joyous occasion, but guard did not run it's own.
I know we've had a few disagreements over the past few days. I will admit it was wrong of me to assume you would know anything about the werewolf, and perhaps it was insensitive of me to just...shrug off that heart-baring, if entirely disgusting story on the roof the other day. She was silent a moment.
Grayell looked up, slowly. He looked back down, finished his entry and then closed the ledger. He leaned back in his chair, hands folded on the table.
That is very big of you. You know that... was not exactly the reaction I had expected. It is still my fault of course, my social... skills are often lacking. I am not good with people. Least of all you it seems.
As for your assumption, I don't want to go into the matter in depth. I do want to speak to this person attacked as soon as they are available however and will let you know that I personally intend to take care of it. I am also taking the liberty of patrolling the surrounding woods and farmlands each night. I don't always sleep well and could use the exercise. Wistvale will still benefit from a more structured guard, it is my conviction that the curfew and extra policing is a good thing.
But yes. It is a disgusting story. It's hard to tell in a better light and I can only assure you that I'll be keeping my mouth closed in the future Captain.
I appreciate the apology. You're a damn fine officer.
The words were sincere but his attitude was hardly warm. He wasn't the light-hearted man she knew.
He stifled a sigh and exhaled slowly though his nose. He stared out the window, to whatever kept his interest if anything.
When you joined the guard I expressed to you that I wished to have a friendly guard, a kinship without too much structure. I operate better in that capacity and was under the impression that being friendly with our rank would make things somewhat easier.
I realize that I have been wrong. Being a commander is not an easy task and not something I am necessarily cut out for, but I have come to realize a couple of my short comings. Or at least I hope that I have.
I understand that you thrive on law and order Margrett and I appreciate it very much. It has been my folly alone that I have attempted to jest, tease and at times flirt with you. You have been, for the most part; entirely unresponsive and it has occurred to me that my.... attitude has been somewhat misleading. I aim to correct that.
He looked at her, again not so much as a smile but instead quite a serious face. His eyes lowered though before then going back to the window.
Margrett Mikael, you are a strong willed, big hearted, good natured, attractive woman. You're quite fascinating in that regard.
You are also a cold faced, almost conceited, calculated bitch at times. Less fascinating... and entirely frustrating.
Now, I am sure you heard of my less than stellar outburst in the tavern and as you've been quick to mention a couple of times, I have found myself in quite the uncomfortable position with a particular lady friend of mine. That particular issue has left me some time to think and of course, I pondered the relationship between you and I.
I apologize whole heartedly if I have offended you Captain. Yes, I have on occasion mentioned certain aspects of your feminine nature and now realize that was entirely inappropriate. Unprofessional. I am quite comfortable with you having no interest in or attraction to me Captain and please, don't mistake this for self pity - but I wanted to state for the record that my words and gestures were only meant in jest, in fun. A friendly manner. I should not have assumed you would be acquiescent to such gestures.
I am sure you have many friends Captain and will come to make many more here in Wistvale, but in order to better facilitate our working relationship and keep things entirely civil, I will remain strictly professional in your presence. I know that you will indeed remain as strictly professional as you have already been.
If at any time you do need to discuss the guard or perhaps a personal matter that is impacting your work, my office door is always open.
Margrett listened with a dispassionate gaze. It was a moment before she spoke.
When have I ever honestly complained about you flirting with me? That's who you are, I understand that. You can't stop it any more than I can stop being a conceited bitch. She leaned back in the chair.
The only thing I took actual issue with is your story. And if that was flirting, then yes, please, by all means stop. As far as I'm concerned you're displacing the guilt, fear, and emotional trauma from that experience onto me, thinking that I'm not stable enough to take some harmless flirting whilst simultaneously thinking your story, while traumatic, is a perfectly normal thing to tell over drinks to a co-worker. She smirked.
I won't ever live it down I am certain. I will accept that it was selfish. I thought you would find humor in it... which I realize only paints me as a man or poor character. I will also admit that whilst I don't intend to pry your story from you Captain, that I thought perhaps we could relate on some level. That story was of course, a terrible choice to attempt such a thing. Perhaps I thought you would pity me and we would in turn bond but it is utterly important that I express that I really have stopped hurting over such things. I have lived a long time, longer than many may think and whilst many of my days have been visited upon with such horror...
He breathes deep.
Well it just doesn't hurt anymore. I have bigger troubles. My thinking of it so casually must seem quite contrived... unstable I am certain. I am thankful in one regard that someone of such strong character as yourself were the person to correct me in this matter. I am pained in another, to have fractured what little friendship we might have had. A terrible end to an otherwise enchanting day. I ask that you don't think poorly of me and don't let this mar your judgement of me as your Commander.
He spun back to the table with a frown and a displeased look and slapped the table lightly. he leaned forward and was again looking at her.
Regardless, we have jobs to do and I don't intend to be interfering in your capacity to perform your duties Captain. That is not my right and entirely unfair.
You are damaged, sir. And I mean that in the most loving way I can manage. There isn't anything you could do short of murder that would change my opinion of you one way or the other. She smiled bemusedly.
And you're not interfering with my duties. Just lighten up, for god's sakes.
He shrugged and turned back to the window, eyes narrow and on the sky.
Upon opening the package, she would discover it's contents. It was a purple silk shirt of a somewhat pretty design but more functional than not. The sleeves were royal blue. The shirt has some golden accents, stripes that were rather formal but lent it an official touch.
On the chest, in the center was a delicately embroidered pattern with some words. The top carried the name Mikael. Below it read Williamsburg. At the bottom, in a foreign dialect was a motto. It was, whether she recognized it or not and according to all evidence, her family crest.