•Will Cipher• @chained-caeruleum - Tumblr Blog

"I'll regret this, but..."

"Greetings, Will." Prestin looks worse for wear, though not as agressive as usual

@gleeful-northwest-fam

..".Preston-! Preston, hi..!"

Will stops cleaning around for a moment to welcome him, as a servant must do with any guest

He's rather chipper today, you've seemed to catch him at a good time

"This is... the happiest I've ever seen you, I think." Despite himself, he gives him a weak smile "Are they treating you well?"

"Quite well, yes..!"

He smiles, half heartedly despite the obvious elevation in mood

"Are...are you perchance looking for someone?'

He shook his head, "Only for you"

"Maybe... for once, we did something right"

Will's face morphs into slight confusion

"I...I am afraid I don't quite understand-? Why would you...look for me?"

"Because against my better judgement, I've... I've taken a liking to you. At the very least, I'vestarted to care for you."

He slowly walks up to Will, his tone soft

"I, uh, I got in some truble with Stanley. I wanted to check in with you, as you've done for me'

A dark blue stain covers Will's otherwise ashen gray complexion. He's flattered - that he's earned a place among the ranks to put it into words

"...Is there...anything I can do? I am a-alright myself, just doing my duties around here."

"... I need you to be honest with me with something"

From the inside of his blazer, he pulls out... what looks like the handle of what was once a gun of some sort, though the canon has been destroyed

"Do you know what this is? What it did?"

A flash of recollection shows on Will's face before he covers it with a confised smile. It looked...the same. He wasn't sure if it was the same one Preston had pulled on him back when they first met but...better to be safe than sorry.

"I'm.. I a-admit I'm unsure.."

"... then that works for me"

He puts it back in place. "I'm really sorry to bother you. Do you mind if I stay a little longer? I see you're busy..."

Will shakes his head adamantly

"It's.. its not a worry really I can continue this l-later"

He clicks once, the cleaning supplies dissipating in a puff of blue smoke

"May I.. take your coat?"

He hesistated for a moment, but he takes off the coat, revealing the fittered turtleneck underneath

"You don't need to act as a servant around me, you know?"

He bites back an apology, a haze of blue enveloping the coat. It then appears on the coat rack, tidily hung up with a hanger

"That is...all I am used to b-being. Its rather.. difficult to break those habits I'm afraid-"

Will's smile never once drops from his face. This is the happiest he's been in a while - and now Preston's kindness elevated his mood significantly

"I get that. I've been working on doing usome habits... I hope I can help. Starting with getting you out of that nasty deal"

He smiles a bit more sincerely now, leaning on the wall. "A smile looks good on you, Will. Cute, even"

The dark blue stain comes back slightly, a bashful smaller smile coming along with it

"...Thank you..Preston..y-you don't need to be so nice to me heh.."

His ears perk up at the mention of the deal

"The deal?"

Does he know?

"Eh, I kind of owe it to you after being an asshole to you. Again, sorry about that. I'm also- I dunno. I'm going on a tangent, aren't I?"

He tilted his head, "Well, yes. Or whatever is the reason you're still serving these people"

Oh he doesn't. Good

Will hovers slightly closer to Preston, sitting cross legged in the air next to him

"There's..no need to a-apologise. I can udnerstand why you were so...suspicious of me."

He hesitates, looking back toward the main entryway of the mansion

"Well if I don't serve here...I don't r-really...have a purpose."

He frowns, "I know what is like, losing your purpose, and being willing to destroy yoruself for it. But... since I came back, I've come to find you can always find a new one. New quests, or... or people. You don't need to stick to something that hurts you"

He leaned in close, "let me help you. Please"

Will is quiet for a moment, just looking at Preston. For a dream demon, to be serving one was already an entrapment, but to be free and to just...live. As much as a demon like himself was able to anyway

The mansion around him was beautiful, but a gilded cage was still a cage

"...h-how would I even be..helped. Once a dream demon enters servitude its n-not exactly...easy. to break."

He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to leave. At least here he had security...some place to call home at least temporarily

"I'm... not quite sure myself!" He chukled awkwardly, picking at the back of his neck, "but it's something that concerns me too, so I might as well get you out of that mess too, right?"

"If you want to. I guess I can't force you out of anything, and I don't know the details. I just think... you should get a shot at living'

Will sighs, plastered smile dropping ever so slightly

"I...appreciate what you're trying to d-do and I'd like more than anything to be...free for once"

His eye flickers a cyan blue behind the eyepatch

"As long as I don't go..back to where I was before. T-that's no longer home to me"

"Of couse not. I wouldn't do that just to send you back to where you're unhappy. I guess we'd have to burn that bridge when we get there"

He nervously starts playing wuth his dog tags, struggling to keep eye contact with him (to be fair, he didn't keep it often, unless he was being intimidating)

"I'd help you with that. With... whatever you need"

Will hovers closer to Preston, awkwardly patting his shoulder with his gloved hand, trying to be comforting

He doesn't say much else, but remains there - fiddling with the cuff circles on his wrists every once in a while.

After a solid five minutes of silence he pipes up again

"Do you...c-can I get you a coffee or something....? I have s-some cookies from my last batch...?"

It's obvious he wants to accomodate his...not quite aquaintance anymore. Acquaintances don't promise to help escape from a soul-binding contract

He doesn't seem quite all there for most of those minutes. Still, how he tilts his head at Will's touch instead of jumping, leaning closer to him, it made it clear he appreciated the action .

The question snaps him back to reality "Oh, you don't..." he realizes that this is Will's attempts at being a Host, rather than a servant, and clears his throat, "Both sound lovely. If you don't mind"

Will nods, floating over to the kitchen in the next room. He selects medium roast, preparing a mini-milk jug alongside it. He hums while the water boils, cookies decorated with blue swirls of icing placing themselves on a fine china plate that Stan never used - the coffee pouring itself into a matching set of ceramic mugs.

He comes back to Preston, all objects presenting themselves on a coffee table in front of a fireplace

"Apple...a-and cinnamon, raspberry , white chocolate and...cherry", Will gestures toward the plate of cookies, balancing his own teacup of tea on his knee

He's... a little overwhelmed as he filly enters the room. He's never felt comfortable in these big, fancy places. It made him feel small. Eventualky, he sits on the cushioned chair (that Stan would kill him for even touching if he knew), making mental notes of anything that caught his eye (or ears)

He visibly lights up once the cookies and coffee show up, "thank you," he takes a cookie and the second he bites into it, a wide smile spreads across his face. He quickly covers it the back of his hand, but his bouncing knee betrays his emotions, it's quite unlike his usual serious demeanor. Looks like he has a sweet tooth.

"You made these yourself?"

Will let's out a breath of relief - clearly nervous - and smiles.

"Yes..! From my own...recipes..I'm glad you like them.."

Preston liked sweet things. William added that to his mental guest checklist

He takes a sip of his tea, pleased with himself at this victory

"It's not everyday someone..comes around here. So I t-take the opportunity where I can."

"Of course! You musy have so many recepies from different times, I wonder what else you could craft if you weren't bound to a single space or people whenever you get a physical form. So many different-" he suddenly stops himself, a light blush adorning his cheecks. "I'm rambling, aren't I? They're good, I'm saying they're good"

He sips on the coffee, reminding himself not to gulp it all down as he'd do at home. "I guess they don't take many guests. I can't imagine they're too pleasant to be around for long, even when they're nice... you'll get in trouble if I mess something up here, right?"

He can't help but bow his head in thanks, grinning at the conoliment despite the slight tremor in his voice

"I...back at my "home".. I wanted to open a b-bakery before the twins..."

He sighs, sipping his tea again to stop the flow of words that wanted to rush forth despite years of suppression

"I see why they thought...it was stupid."

"Oh! No no I'll.. clean up and make sure everything is...how it w-was. Before Stan comes back - b-but please do not worry about that..."

He blinks a few times, then mutters, "I don't think it was stupid"

Preston shook his head, grinning, and took another sip of his coffee. "Not what I meant. I just want to piss them off without you being the fall guy"

He chuckles slightly, wishing that would work.

"Unfortunately all of them k-know...that they themselves wouldn't do...that."

He frowns, looking down at his gloved right hand, a small smirk building

"I could...create s-some sort of distraction. Or...false accusation. I h-haven't been able to use the full extent...of my abilities without fear of.."

He raises an eyebrow, matching his smirk, "are you sure? I really want to avoid causing you more troubles'

He wasn't sure if he should say this...but screw it.

"I...have a deal with Stan. Dream m-manipulation in turn for a favour...I could use that t-to my advantage"

Will glances at Preston

"You h-have given me hope... I am opening that bakery...if they like it or not."

At the mention of a contract, he sours a bit. He knows he shouldn't, this is probably the very contract keeping him to the Pines, but it set up the alarms in his mind nonetheless.

"You're proposing to use that favor on me?"

He softned at the declaration, "that's the spirit! You'll do wonderful"

Will flushes a light blue at the praise, rubbing the back of his neck with some difficulty

"Y-yes...either on you or on getting me...out."

He gestures around him, at all the fancy decoration that filled the air with a musty sort of smell. Must and ozone from all the magic he supposed.

"Oh! If... if you think that'll work, go ahead!"

He gingerly grabs another bite, appanrelty oblivious to his flusterness

"And if you need help... I got your back"

"I've...made Stanley aware of my...wishes."

He's finished his tea, setting the cup down shakily on the table, careful to not let it shatter

"I...am not s-sure how to thank you for your kindness..."

reverse-falls-stan

...I'm out.

Wills voice is quiet, dangerous

@chained-caeruleum

"Come again?"

...I'm...d-done... being here

He's tense, ready to do something if need be

"I'll regret this, but..."

"Greetings, Will." Prestin looks worse for wear, though not as agressive as usual

@gleeful-northwest-fam

..".Preston-! Preston, hi..!"

Will stops cleaning around for a moment to welcome him, as a servant must do with any guest

He's rather chipper today, you've seemed to catch him at a good time

"This is... the happiest I've ever seen you, I think." Despite himself, he gives him a weak smile "Are they treating you well?"

"Quite well, yes..!"

He smiles, half heartedly despite the obvious elevation in mood

"Are...are you perchance looking for someone?'

He shook his head, "Only for you"

"Maybe... for once, we did something right"

Will's face morphs into slight confusion

"I...I am afraid I don't quite understand-? Why would you...look for me?"

"Because against my better judgement, I've... I've taken a liking to you. At the very least, I'vestarted to care for you."

He slowly walks up to Will, his tone soft

"I, uh, I got in some truble with Stanley. I wanted to check in with you, as you've done for me'

A dark blue stain covers Will's otherwise ashen gray complexion. He's flattered - that he's earned a place among the ranks to put it into words

"...Is there...anything I can do? I am a-alright myself, just doing my duties around here."

"... I need you to be honest with me with something"

From the inside of his blazer, he pulls out... what looks like the handle of what was once a gun of some sort, though the canon has been destroyed

"Do you know what this is? What it did?"

"I'm.. I a-admit I'm unsure.."

"... then that works for me"

He puts it back in place. "I'm really sorry to bother you. Do you mind if I stay a little longer? I see you're busy..."

Will shakes his head adamantly

"It's.. its not a worry really I can continue this l-later"

He clicks once, the cleaning supplies dissipating in a puff of blue smoke

"May I.. take your coat?"

He hesistated for a moment, but he takes off the coat, revealing the fittered turtleneck underneath

"You don't need to act as a servant around me, you know?"

He bites back an apology, a haze of blue enveloping the coat. It then appears on the coat rack, tidily hung up with a hanger

"That is...all I am used to b-being. Its rather.. difficult to break those habits I'm afraid-"

Will's smile never once drops from his face. This is the happiest he's been in a while - and now Preston's kindness elevated his mood significantly

"I get that. I've been working on doing usome habits... I hope I can help. Starting with getting you out of that nasty deal"

He smiles a bit more sincerely now, leaning on the wall. "A smile looks good on you, Will. Cute, even"

The dark blue stain comes back slightly, a bashful smaller smile coming along with it

"...Thank you..Preston..y-you don't need to be so nice to me heh.."

His ears perk up at the mention of the deal

"The deal?"

Does he know?

"Eh, I kind of owe it to you after being an asshole to you. Again, sorry about that. I'm also- I dunno. I'm going on a tangent, aren't I?"

He tilted his head, "Well, yes. Or whatever is the reason you're still serving these people"

Oh he doesn't. Good

Will hovers slightly closer to Preston, sitting cross legged in the air next to him

"There's..no need to a-apologise. I can udnerstand why you were so...suspicious of me."

He hesitates, looking back toward the main entryway of the mansion

"Well if I don't serve here...I don't r-really...have a purpose."

He leaned in close, "let me help you. Please"

The mansion around him was beautiful, but a gilded cage was still a cage

"...h-how would I even be..helped. Once a dream demon enters servitude its n-not exactly...easy. to break."

He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to leave. At least here he had security...some place to call home at least temporarily

"I'm... not quite sure myself!" He chukled awkwardly, picking at the back of his neck, "but it's something that concerns me too, so I might as well get you out of that mess too, right?"

"If you want to. I guess I can't force you out of anything, and I don't know the details. I just think... you should get a shot at living'

Will sighs, plastered smile dropping ever so slightly

"I...appreciate what you're trying to d-do and I'd like more than anything to be...free for once"

His eye flickers a cyan blue behind the eyepatch

"As long as I don't go..back to where I was before. T-that's no longer home to me"

"Of couse not. I wouldn't do that just to send you back to where you're unhappy. I guess we'd have to burn that bridge when we get there"

He nervously starts playing wuth his dog tags, struggling to keep eye contact with him (to be fair, he didn't keep it often, unless he was being intimidating)

"I'd help you with that. With... whatever you need"

Will hovers closer to Preston, awkwardly patting his shoulder with his gloved hand, trying to be comforting

He doesn't say much else, but remains there - fiddling with the cuff circles on his wrists every once in a while.

After a solid five minutes of silence he pipes up again

"Do you...c-can I get you a coffee or something....? I have s-some cookies from my last batch...?"

It's obvious he wants to accomodate his...not quite aquaintance anymore. Acquaintances don't promise to help escape from a soul-binding contract

He doesn't seem quite all there for most of those minutes. Still, how he tilts his head at Will's touch instead of jumping, leaning closer to him, it made it clear he appreciated the action .

He comes back to Preston, all objects presenting themselves on a coffee table in front of a fireplace

"Apple...a-and cinnamon, raspberry , white chocolate and...cherry", Will gestures toward the plate of cookies, balancing his own teacup of tea on his knee

"You made these yourself?"

Will let's out a breath of relief - clearly nervous - and smiles.

"Yes..! From my own...recipes..I'm glad you like them.."

Preston liked sweet things. William added that to his mental guest checklist

He takes a sip of his tea, pleased with himself at this victory

"It's not everyday someone..comes around here. So I t-take the opportunity where I can."

He can't help but bow his head in thanks, grinning at the conoliment despite the slight tremor in his voice

"I...back at my "home".. I wanted to open a b-bakery before the twins..."

He sighs, sipping his tea again to stop the flow of words that wanted to rush forth despite years of suppression

"I see why they thought...it was stupid."

"Oh! No no I'll.. clean up and make sure everything is...how it w-was. Before Stan comes back - b-but please do not worry about that..."

He blinks a few times, then mutters, "I don't think it was stupid"

Preston shook his head, grinning, and took another sip of his coffee. "Not what I meant. I just want to piss them off without you being the fall guy"

He chuckles slightly, wishing that would work.

"Unfortunately all of them k-know...that they themselves wouldn't do...that."

He frowns, looking down at his gloved right hand, a small smirk building

"I could...create s-some sort of distraction. Or...false accusation. I h-haven't been able to use the full extent...of my abilities without fear of.."

He raises an eyebrow, matching his smirk, "are you sure? I really want to avoid causing you more troubles'

He wasn't sure if he should say this...but screw it.

"I...have a deal with Stan. Dream m-manipulation in turn for a favour...I could use that t-to my advantage"

Will glances at Preston

"You h-have given me hope... I am opening that bakery...if they like it or not."

At the mention of a contract, he sours a bit. He knows he shouldn't, this is probably the very contract keeping him to the Pines, but it set up the alarms in his mind nonetheless.

"You're proposing to use that favor on me?"

He softned at the declaration, "that's the spirit! You'll do wonderful"

Will flushes a light blue at the praise, rubbing the back of his neck with some difficulty

"Y-yes...either on you or on getting me...out."

He gestures around him, at all the fancy decoration that filled the air with a musty sort of smell. Must and ozone from all the magic he supposed.

"I'll regret this, but..."

"Greetings, Will." Prestin looks worse for wear, though not as agressive as usual

@gleeful-northwest-fam

..".Preston-! Preston, hi..!"

Will stops cleaning around for a moment to welcome him, as a servant must do with any guest

He's rather chipper today, you've seemed to catch him at a good time

"This is... the happiest I've ever seen you, I think." Despite himself, he gives him a weak smile "Are they treating you well?"

"Quite well, yes..!"

He smiles, half heartedly despite the obvious elevation in mood

"Are...are you perchance looking for someone?'

He shook his head, "Only for you"

"Maybe... for once, we did something right"

Will's face morphs into slight confusion

"I...I am afraid I don't quite understand-? Why would you...look for me?"

"Because against my better judgement, I've... I've taken a liking to you. At the very least, I'vestarted to care for you."

He slowly walks up to Will, his tone soft

"I, uh, I got in some truble with Stanley. I wanted to check in with you, as you've done for me'

A dark blue stain covers Will's otherwise ashen gray complexion. He's flattered - that he's earned a place among the ranks to put it into words

"...Is there...anything I can do? I am a-alright myself, just doing my duties around here."

"... I need you to be honest with me with something"

From the inside of his blazer, he pulls out... what looks like the handle of what was once a gun of some sort, though the canon has been destroyed

"Do you know what this is? What it did?"

"I'm.. I a-admit I'm unsure.."

"... then that works for me"

He puts it back in place. "I'm really sorry to bother you. Do you mind if I stay a little longer? I see you're busy..."

Will shakes his head adamantly

"It's.. its not a worry really I can continue this l-later"

He clicks once, the cleaning supplies dissipating in a puff of blue smoke

"May I.. take your coat?"

He hesistated for a moment, but he takes off the coat, revealing the fittered turtleneck underneath

"You don't need to act as a servant around me, you know?"

He bites back an apology, a haze of blue enveloping the coat. It then appears on the coat rack, tidily hung up with a hanger

"That is...all I am used to b-being. Its rather.. difficult to break those habits I'm afraid-"

Will's smile never once drops from his face. This is the happiest he's been in a while - and now Preston's kindness elevated his mood significantly

"I get that. I've been working on doing usome habits... I hope I can help. Starting with getting you out of that nasty deal"

He smiles a bit more sincerely now, leaning on the wall. "A smile looks good on you, Will. Cute, even"

The dark blue stain comes back slightly, a bashful smaller smile coming along with it

"...Thank you..Preston..y-you don't need to be so nice to me heh.."

His ears perk up at the mention of the deal

"The deal?"

Does he know?

"Eh, I kind of owe it to you after being an asshole to you. Again, sorry about that. I'm also- I dunno. I'm going on a tangent, aren't I?"

He tilted his head, "Well, yes. Or whatever is the reason you're still serving these people"

Oh he doesn't. Good

Will hovers slightly closer to Preston, sitting cross legged in the air next to him

"There's..no need to a-apologise. I can udnerstand why you were so...suspicious of me."

He hesitates, looking back toward the main entryway of the mansion

"Well if I don't serve here...I don't r-really...have a purpose."

He leaned in close, "let me help you. Please"

The mansion around him was beautiful, but a gilded cage was still a cage

"...h-how would I even be..helped. Once a dream demon enters servitude its n-not exactly...easy. to break."

He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to leave. At least here he had security...some place to call home at least temporarily

"I'm... not quite sure myself!" He chukled awkwardly, picking at the back of his neck, "but it's something that concerns me too, so I might as well get you out of that mess too, right?"

"If you want to. I guess I can't force you out of anything, and I don't know the details. I just think... you should get a shot at living'

Will sighs, plastered smile dropping ever so slightly

"I...appreciate what you're trying to d-do and I'd like more than anything to be...free for once"

His eye flickers a cyan blue behind the eyepatch

"As long as I don't go..back to where I was before. T-that's no longer home to me"

"Of couse not. I wouldn't do that just to send you back to where you're unhappy. I guess we'd have to burn that bridge when we get there"

He nervously starts playing wuth his dog tags, struggling to keep eye contact with him (to be fair, he didn't keep it often, unless he was being intimidating)

"I'd help you with that. With... whatever you need"

Will hovers closer to Preston, awkwardly patting his shoulder with his gloved hand, trying to be comforting

He doesn't say much else, but remains there - fiddling with the cuff circles on his wrists every once in a while.

After a solid five minutes of silence he pipes up again

"Do you...c-can I get you a coffee or something....? I have s-some cookies from my last batch...?"

It's obvious he wants to accomodate his...not quite aquaintance anymore. Acquaintances don't promise to help escape from a soul-binding contract

He doesn't seem quite all there for most of those minutes. Still, how he tilts his head at Will's touch instead of jumping, leaning closer to him, it made it clear he appreciated the action .

He comes back to Preston, all objects presenting themselves on a coffee table in front of a fireplace

"Apple...a-and cinnamon, raspberry , white chocolate and...cherry", Will gestures toward the plate of cookies, balancing his own teacup of tea on his knee

"You made these yourself?"

Will let's out a breath of relief - clearly nervous - and smiles.

"Yes..! From my own...recipes..I'm glad you like them.."

Preston liked sweet things. William added that to his mental guest checklist

He takes a sip of his tea, pleased with himself at this victory

"It's not everyday someone..comes around here. So I t-take the opportunity where I can."

He can't help but bow his head in thanks, grinning at the conoliment despite the slight tremor in his voice

"I...back at my "home".. I wanted to open a b-bakery before the twins..."

He sighs, sipping his tea again to stop the flow of words that wanted to rush forth despite years of suppression

"I see why they thought...it was stupid."

"Oh! No no I'll.. clean up and make sure everything is...how it w-was. Before Stan comes back - b-but please do not worry about that..."

He blinks a few times, then mutters, "I don't think it was stupid"

Preston shook his head, grinning, and took another sip of his coffee. "Not what I meant. I just want to piss them off without you being the fall guy"

He chuckles slightly, wishing that would work.

"Unfortunately all of them k-know...that they themselves wouldn't do...that."

He frowns, looking down at his gloved right hand, a small smirk building

"I could...create s-some sort of distraction. Or...false accusation. I h-haven't been able to use the full extent...of my abilities without fear of.."

He raises an eyebrow, matching his smirk, "are you sure? I really want to avoid causing you more troubles'

He wasn't sure if he should say this...but screw it.

"I...have a deal with Stan. Dream m-manipulation in turn for a favour...I could use that t-to my advantage"

Will glances at Preston

"You h-have given me hope... I am opening that bakery...if they like it or not."

"I'll regret this, but..."

"Greetings, Will." Prestin looks worse for wear, though not as agressive as usual

@gleeful-northwest-fam

..".Preston-! Preston, hi..!"

Will stops cleaning around for a moment to welcome him, as a servant must do with any guest

He's rather chipper today, you've seemed to catch him at a good time

"This is... the happiest I've ever seen you, I think." Despite himself, he gives him a weak smile "Are they treating you well?"

"Quite well, yes..!"

He smiles, half heartedly despite the obvious elevation in mood

"Are...are you perchance looking for someone?'

He shook his head, "Only for you"

"Maybe... for once, we did something right"

Will's face morphs into slight confusion

"I...I am afraid I don't quite understand-? Why would you...look for me?"

"Because against my better judgement, I've... I've taken a liking to you. At the very least, I'vestarted to care for you."

He slowly walks up to Will, his tone soft

"I, uh, I got in some truble with Stanley. I wanted to check in with you, as you've done for me'

A dark blue stain covers Will's otherwise ashen gray complexion. He's flattered - that he's earned a place among the ranks to put it into words

"...Is there...anything I can do? I am a-alright myself, just doing my duties around here."

"... I need you to be honest with me with something"

From the inside of his blazer, he pulls out... what looks like the handle of what was once a gun of some sort, though the canon has been destroyed

"Do you know what this is? What it did?"

"I'm.. I a-admit I'm unsure.."

"... then that works for me"

He puts it back in place. "I'm really sorry to bother you. Do you mind if I stay a little longer? I see you're busy..."

Will shakes his head adamantly

"It's.. its not a worry really I can continue this l-later"

He clicks once, the cleaning supplies dissipating in a puff of blue smoke

"May I.. take your coat?"

He hesistated for a moment, but he takes off the coat, revealing the fittered turtleneck underneath

"You don't need to act as a servant around me, you know?"

He bites back an apology, a haze of blue enveloping the coat. It then appears on the coat rack, tidily hung up with a hanger

"That is...all I am used to b-being. Its rather.. difficult to break those habits I'm afraid-"

Will's smile never once drops from his face. This is the happiest he's been in a while - and now Preston's kindness elevated his mood significantly

"I get that. I've been working on doing usome habits... I hope I can help. Starting with getting you out of that nasty deal"

He smiles a bit more sincerely now, leaning on the wall. "A smile looks good on you, Will. Cute, even"

The dark blue stain comes back slightly, a bashful smaller smile coming along with it

"...Thank you..Preston..y-you don't need to be so nice to me heh.."

His ears perk up at the mention of the deal

"The deal?"

Does he know?

"Eh, I kind of owe it to you after being an asshole to you. Again, sorry about that. I'm also- I dunno. I'm going on a tangent, aren't I?"

He tilted his head, "Well, yes. Or whatever is the reason you're still serving these people"

Oh he doesn't. Good

Will hovers slightly closer to Preston, sitting cross legged in the air next to him

"There's..no need to a-apologise. I can udnerstand why you were so...suspicious of me."

He hesitates, looking back toward the main entryway of the mansion

"Well if I don't serve here...I don't r-really...have a purpose."

He leaned in close, "let me help you. Please"

The mansion around him was beautiful, but a gilded cage was still a cage

"...h-how would I even be..helped. Once a dream demon enters servitude its n-not exactly...easy. to break."

He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to leave. At least here he had security...some place to call home at least temporarily

"I'm... not quite sure myself!" He chukled awkwardly, picking at the back of his neck, "but it's something that concerns me too, so I might as well get you out of that mess too, right?"

"If you want to. I guess I can't force you out of anything, and I don't know the details. I just think... you should get a shot at living'

Will sighs, plastered smile dropping ever so slightly

"I...appreciate what you're trying to d-do and I'd like more than anything to be...free for once"

His eye flickers a cyan blue behind the eyepatch

"As long as I don't go..back to where I was before. T-that's no longer home to me"

"Of couse not. I wouldn't do that just to send you back to where you're unhappy. I guess we'd have to burn that bridge when we get there"

He nervously starts playing wuth his dog tags, struggling to keep eye contact with him (to be fair, he didn't keep it often, unless he was being intimidating)

"I'd help you with that. With... whatever you need"

Will hovers closer to Preston, awkwardly patting his shoulder with his gloved hand, trying to be comforting

He doesn't say much else, but remains there - fiddling with the cuff circles on his wrists every once in a while.

After a solid five minutes of silence he pipes up again

"Do you...c-can I get you a coffee or something....? I have s-some cookies from my last batch...?"

It's obvious he wants to accomodate his...not quite aquaintance anymore. Acquaintances don't promise to help escape from a soul-binding contract

He doesn't seem quite all there for most of those minutes. Still, how he tilts his head at Will's touch instead of jumping, leaning closer to him, it made it clear he appreciated the action .

He comes back to Preston, all objects presenting themselves on a coffee table in front of a fireplace

"Apple...a-and cinnamon, raspberry , white chocolate and...cherry", Will gestures toward the plate of cookies, balancing his own teacup of tea on his knee

"You made these yourself?"

Will let's out a breath of relief - clearly nervous - and smiles.

"Yes..! From my own...recipes..I'm glad you like them.."

Preston liked sweet things. William added that to his mental guest checklist

He takes a sip of his tea, pleased with himself at this victory

"It's not everyday someone..comes around here. So I t-take the opportunity where I can."

He can't help but bow his head in thanks, grinning at the conoliment despite the slight tremor in his voice

"I...back at my "home".. I wanted to open a b-bakery before the twins..."

He sighs, sipping his tea again to stop the flow of words that wanted to rush forth despite years of suppression

"I see why they thought...it was stupid."

"Oh! No no I'll.. clean up and make sure everything is...how it w-was. Before Stan comes back - b-but please do not worry about that..."

He blinks a few times, then mutters, "I don't think it was stupid"

Preston shook his head, grinning, and took another sip of his coffee. "Not what I meant. I just want to piss them off without you being the fall guy"

He chuckles slightly, wishing that would work.

"Unfortunately all of them k-know...that they themselves wouldn't do...that."

He frowns, looking down at his gloved right hand, a small smirk building

"I could...create s-some sort of distraction. Or...false accusation. I h-haven't been able to use the full extent...of my abilities without fear of.."

“William. Come here… please”

@ask-rin-gleeful

Y-yes Mis rin..?

She’s quiet for a long moment

“Pack my bags.”

Now he's concerned

"Yes but...where are you going..?"

“How long can you keep quiet about it? I don’t want father finding out.”

"I will...be quiet. For as l-long as...needed.."

“I’m going to stay with Pacifica for a bit..”

"...c-can I visit..?"

She looks a little surprised but then nods

“Of course.. I’d..I’d like that..”

She’s silent for a minute before she speaks

“I.. I know I don’t say it a lot. And that I can be- kinda spoiled. But.. thank you. For taking care of me when father didn’t..”

Will lugs some bags out of Rin's room, placing them delicately on the floor against the wall. He peers at Rin for a moment, an ancient sadness in his eyes before wrapping both his arms around her middle in a hug

"I've...packed some cookies if you get...hungry."

Pacifica would be a good host, but he can't help himself

"I'll regret this, but..."

"Greetings, Will." Prestin looks worse for wear, though not as agressive as usual

@gleeful-northwest-fam

..".Preston-! Preston, hi..!"

Will stops cleaning around for a moment to welcome him, as a servant must do with any guest

He's rather chipper today, you've seemed to catch him at a good time

"This is... the happiest I've ever seen you, I think." Despite himself, he gives him a weak smile "Are they treating you well?"

"Quite well, yes..!"

He smiles, half heartedly despite the obvious elevation in mood

"Are...are you perchance looking for someone?'

He shook his head, "Only for you"

"Maybe... for once, we did something right"

Will's face morphs into slight confusion

"I...I am afraid I don't quite understand-? Why would you...look for me?"

"Because against my better judgement, I've... I've taken a liking to you. At the very least, I'vestarted to care for you."

He slowly walks up to Will, his tone soft

"I, uh, I got in some truble with Stanley. I wanted to check in with you, as you've done for me'

A dark blue stain covers Will's otherwise ashen gray complexion. He's flattered - that he's earned a place among the ranks to put it into words

"...Is there...anything I can do? I am a-alright myself, just doing my duties around here."

"... I need you to be honest with me with something"

From the inside of his blazer, he pulls out... what looks like the handle of what was once a gun of some sort, though the canon has been destroyed

"Do you know what this is? What it did?"

"I'm.. I a-admit I'm unsure.."

"... then that works for me"

He puts it back in place. "I'm really sorry to bother you. Do you mind if I stay a little longer? I see you're busy..."

Will shakes his head adamantly

"It's.. its not a worry really I can continue this l-later"

He clicks once, the cleaning supplies dissipating in a puff of blue smoke

"May I.. take your coat?"

He hesistated for a moment, but he takes off the coat, revealing the fittered turtleneck underneath

"You don't need to act as a servant around me, you know?"

He bites back an apology, a haze of blue enveloping the coat. It then appears on the coat rack, tidily hung up with a hanger

"That is...all I am used to b-being. Its rather.. difficult to break those habits I'm afraid-"

Will's smile never once drops from his face. This is the happiest he's been in a while - and now Preston's kindness elevated his mood significantly

"I get that. I've been working on doing usome habits... I hope I can help. Starting with getting you out of that nasty deal"

He smiles a bit more sincerely now, leaning on the wall. "A smile looks good on you, Will. Cute, even"

The dark blue stain comes back slightly, a bashful smaller smile coming along with it

"...Thank you..Preston..y-you don't need to be so nice to me heh.."

His ears perk up at the mention of the deal

"The deal?"

Does he know?

"Eh, I kind of owe it to you after being an asshole to you. Again, sorry about that. I'm also- I dunno. I'm going on a tangent, aren't I?"

He tilted his head, "Well, yes. Or whatever is the reason you're still serving these people"

Oh he doesn't. Good

Will hovers slightly closer to Preston, sitting cross legged in the air next to him

"There's..no need to a-apologise. I can udnerstand why you were so...suspicious of me."

He hesitates, looking back toward the main entryway of the mansion

"Well if I don't serve here...I don't r-really...have a purpose."

He leaned in close, "let me help you. Please"

The mansion around him was beautiful, but a gilded cage was still a cage

"...h-how would I even be..helped. Once a dream demon enters servitude its n-not exactly...easy. to break."

He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to leave. At least here he had security...some place to call home at least temporarily

"I'm... not quite sure myself!" He chukled awkwardly, picking at the back of his neck, "but it's something that concerns me too, so I might as well get you out of that mess too, right?"

"If you want to. I guess I can't force you out of anything, and I don't know the details. I just think... you should get a shot at living'

Will sighs, plastered smile dropping ever so slightly

"I...appreciate what you're trying to d-do and I'd like more than anything to be...free for once"

His eye flickers a cyan blue behind the eyepatch

"As long as I don't go..back to where I was before. T-that's no longer home to me"

"Of couse not. I wouldn't do that just to send you back to where you're unhappy. I guess we'd have to burn that bridge when we get there"

He nervously starts playing wuth his dog tags, struggling to keep eye contact with him (to be fair, he didn't keep it often, unless he was being intimidating)

"I'd help you with that. With... whatever you need"

Will hovers closer to Preston, awkwardly patting his shoulder with his gloved hand, trying to be comforting

He doesn't say much else, but remains there - fiddling with the cuff circles on his wrists every once in a while.

After a solid five minutes of silence he pipes up again

"Do you...c-can I get you a coffee or something....? I have s-some cookies from my last batch...?"

It's obvious he wants to accomodate his...not quite aquaintance anymore. Acquaintances don't promise to help escape from a soul-binding contract

He doesn't seem quite all there for most of those minutes. Still, how he tilts his head at Will's touch instead of jumping, leaning closer to him, it made it clear he appreciated the action .

He comes back to Preston, all objects presenting themselves on a coffee table in front of a fireplace

"Apple...a-and cinnamon, raspberry , white chocolate and...cherry", Will gestures toward the plate of cookies, balancing his own teacup of tea on his knee

"You made these yourself?"

Will let's out a breath of relief - clearly nervous - and smiles.

"Yes..! From my own...recipes..I'm glad you like them.."

Preston liked sweet things. William added that to his mental guest checklist

He takes a sip of his tea, pleased with himself at this victory

"It's not everyday someone..comes around here. So I t-take the opportunity where I can."