Gray Gisbourne

~ Gray Gisbourne, assistant at Vaisey Realtors. I have things to do, people to see, so speak fast, time is money. ~Gray is a member of When the Smoke Clears RPG. I track the tags graygisbourne and wtscgraygisbourne.

[graygisbourne]

Frosted Flakes || Piper and Gray

It was the perfect arrangement for him. Gray didn't want another relationship, not a romantic, emotional one, after Penelope left. Piper didn't want commitment, just some fun. So the booty call situation they'd had going on over the past months left them both satisfied. It had started with drunken hook ups, perfectly fine, though Gray couldn't remember the majority of them. But now he was trying to sober up, so he didn't become his father, so hooking up with her at the club, after her shift, wasn't an option. Phone calls or texts worked just as well, though it meant that they'd switched from back rooms to houses. Breakfast included, sometimes. But it didn't matter. Neither was looking for anything more than the strange friendship they had.

Their current relationship was the reason that Gray had woken up on a Sunday morning, to find Piper still asleep on the other half of his bed. Their legs were slightly tangled, but it wasn't as though there was any strange cuddling, or anything of the sort. Nothing that made Gray think twice about anything as he slipped out of bed, heading into his adjoining bathroom for a shower. If she woke up, she knew the way to the guest bedroom, which also had an en suite bathroom, or could leave, for all he cared. She was welcome to stay as long or as little as she'd like.

He didn't check his bed to see if Piper was still there, instead going down to the kitchen in a rush to crank up the thermostat. It was freezing in the house, despite his having left it on all night. He suffered terribly from the cold. Then he went to find some sort of breakfast, greeting Sheldon, who followed at his master's feet as he went about preparing food. The dog wasn't whining, so it didn't occur to Gray to take him outside. If he had been, maybe the man would have noticed that there were two feet, give or take, of snow piled up outside, and none of the road plowed. Maybe he would have noticed that, for the time being, the residenst of the house were stuck there. As was their guest.

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

deadlines • gray & marian

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

"Please," Marian adds, her annoyed expression softening as she pleads. She’s not proud of how easily her irritation seems to cave in the face of this situation; she knows her argument is a tired one, and she knows others have come to Vaisey’s before with much more reasonable, much more deserving explanations than hers, and most were turned down or been made to deal with the consequences that followed. "I won’t ask again after this time, I promise, and if I fall short the next time, Vaisey can…" What? She asks herself, incredulous at the words that fall out of her own mouth. He can throw them out onto the street? She vowed she would never let that happen to them, to her father, yet here she is, potentially promising her home to Vaisey if the next customer doesn’t leave fifty cents more on her tip.

Her pride doesn’t finish that sentence though. “Two, then — Gray, I just need forty-eight hours to pull something together. If you prefer, I’ll come back tomorrow, or again until Vaisey shows himself. Then I will tell him, and you won’t have to deal with me anymore.” Marian can promise that much, at least, and she hopes it appeals to the side of him now that steadfastly avoids making any eye contact with her at all. She would think he wasn’t even listening if he hadn’t spoken up, but now she can hardly muster up the heart to feel very indignant about it; now is not the time nor place, not when she apparently is counting on him, after all. It leaves a slightly sick, heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach, having to rely on someone else’s good graces to support herself — she’d felt it when she had gone in for the job interview at Archer’s, and he had been decidedly much nicer about it all than this. She helps others, that’s what she does, and while most of the time she knows when she should ask for help, she doesn’t particularly take a great deal of joy in it. She’s made it this far on her own, hasn’t she? She’s already in debt to Gray for all of the other times he’s helped her, it would seem, but back then it hadn’t ever felt so much like that.

"What changed?" Marian hears herself asking aloud, and for a moment she only wants to kick herself for being unable to keep it in. Once that passes though, she supposes her chances of actually receiving an extension are slim enough that she can at least know what the rest of this is all about, now that that’s out. "You won’t even look at me now — did I do something to offend you? I thought we were friends.”

[graygisbourne]

"You won't ask again next time," a dry, humorless chuckle passed his lips, a small shake of his head accompanying the sound, "Isn't that what you said the last time? Or the one before that? The one before that?" He looked up at her again, for another moment, before he lowered his head, hiding his tired gaze. "But you know I won't let Vaisey throw you out, don't you. So what am I to do with you, Marian?" There would have been a time when he'd consider offering her his own house, until she got her feet on the ground again. Not that the stubborn woman would accept that offer to help her, as far as he could tell. But it didn't matter now, he'd let someone in a few months back, given them a place in his home, and worse, in his heart. It would be better to let Marian rot out on the street, for his sake. He was barely holding together at it was, and even then he was destroying himself in the process of numbing the pain that caused. It was a vicious cycle.

"He won't give you two days, Marian," Gray spoke louder that time, an edge to his voice. He was tired, yes, but the man knew the answer she would get. Vaisey had never been a fan of Marian, or her father, and without Gray to stand between them, he was certain that the Knightons would be out on the street by now. Or they might have made the wise decision to switch to another realtors, to find a place where they had less history with those who collected the rent. "Go home. Talk to Locksley, borrow some money. You will not get extra time. Drop it."

A pained expression crossed his face at her question, and this time it took longer to hide the emotion, to compose his face into a mask that hid his pain. "We were never friends, Marian," he spoke the words softly. His face was composed, but he couldn't keep the exhaustion out of his voice. It had been a longer day, and the past year had worn him out beyond belief. The last thing he'd wanted was to have Marian around, she'd confused things too much before. With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, taking the time to try to think of an answer. Despite everything, he'd known her for years now. He wouldn't start lying now. It was just a question of how much of the truth she needed to know. None. She had never been involved, though, had she. He didn't want to explain what had happened with Penelope, or anything he'd done afterwards. "You did not offend me. Just go home, Marian. Please."

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

deadlines • gray & marian

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

Marian’s eyes narrow at his comment, which she can’t help but interpret as condescending. Of course she’s picked up on the sort of man Sherman Vaisey is — she knows his ways all too well, in fact, what with her family having had to tolerate him for as long as they have. Gray knows it too, and that knowledge only serves to irritate Marian even more. She’s almost sure he means to insult her, but as for why, she’s still infuriatingly in the dark. Honestly. “Fine. And I have, thank you.” She responds shortly, trying not to feel like a small, petulant child, but rather, a completely justified and dissatisfied customer.

However, her false bravado falters when Gray seems to resign himself to the situation, wordlessly inviting her to be seated. Part of her had been holding out for a confrontation of some sort, daring him to accuse her of whatever crime she’s committed against him that prevents him from even looking at her — but just as swiftly she remembers that’s not why she’s here. Now she’s dreading having to ask even more than before — but there’s no other option, is there? Marian hesitates, before following in his example and lowering herself into the chair.

"I need —" She starts, quietly taking a breath as she braces herself. Marian was never embarrassed to ask before, but she had also never gotten a reaction like this. Even when she had expected one in the past, it had never come, and now — it’s caught her completely off guard. "I need an extension, on the deadline. Just a few more days — a week at the most, but less than that. You know I’ve always paid no matter what, but the weather’s so poor lately that hardly anyone’s come into The Merry Men since all the snowstorms. Three or four days — that’s all I ask."

[graygisbourne]

Gray had picked up a pen while he waited for her to spit the words out, absentmindedly twirling it between his fingers. For a moment, he almost wished it were a dart, a knife, so with one toss he could finish all his paperwork and never have to deal with it again. A cut through the middle of something rendered it void, did it not? Or he could almost imagine himself tossing it at Vaisey, a very outright resignation. He just wanted to get out of the office. Home alone was better than here, and that was saying something. But a deep breathe, in through his nose, out through his mouth, and inconspicuous as could be, got the violent images out of his head. Multiple hours straight of work got to him much more than they used to.

"An extension, of course," he muttered, half to himself, half to show Marian he'd heard. She was a customer, so he gave her the time to finish her request, quiet and pensive. A few months ago he would have helped her without a second thought. But why did she deserve the help? She had a house. A job. Her father could hold his own, too. So why was it that if he, who lived alone and came from much less than she did, could pay what he owed on time, even when his life had been falling apart around him. A part of him, one that was still swayed by her beauty, told Gray to help her regardless. He was used to facing Vaisey, he did so every day for years now. But his heart had hardened since Marian last needed him, and he found the majority of himself unsympathetic.

"Why should you get an extension?" he asked gruffly, finally looking up at her, though only for a moment, "No one else does." It was true, everyone else paid on time or suffered the consequences. And with a first offense, that usually just meant interest. But Marian had been getting extensions for almost as long as Gray could remember working at the realtors. "You don't have three or four days."

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

deadlines • gray & marian

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

Marian supposes she definitely should have expected to run into Gray here, but it wasn’t as if she was counting on Vaisey’s right-hand man, Gray Gisbourne, to see her out of this one; he’d put in more than enough of a word for her in the past, and while she’s certainly been grateful for it, she imagines Vaisey must make even the smallest suggestion of things like extensions all the more miserable for him. Besides, Marian hadn’t seen much of or spoken to him at all for the better part of the last couple of months, so why would she bet on him? In any case, she’s perfectly capable of handling herself just fine, thank you. Still, for a few seconds there’s a rush of relief at the sight of her old friend, before she startles at the hostility in the man’s greeting — if it can even be called one. She wagers that maybe she’s reached his limit of favors he can and will do for her — and if that’s it, well, Marian can admit that in the past she’s often hoped to use his kindness to her advantage, but now, no more. She will wear Vaisey down on her own if she has to — and it would seem she does, because Gray does not look to be in the same sort of good mood he’d always seemed to be in when she came round for these types of things.

It would be easier to forego this part of their small reunion — better, too, probably — but the part of her that has wondered how Gisbourne has been doing these past few months stays her. She takes a few steps forward, letting the door fall shut behind her, and wonders why he looks and sounds as if he might gladly push her into traffic when the last she’d seen of him, he had seemed so happy with his girlfriend (they had been the talk of the town for a little while, if she remembers correctly). Is he possibly upset with her for not popping in and saying hello? Did she do something else to personally offend him? Or has Vaisey gotten to him and made him hate any and all who work at The Merry Men?

"I came to speak with your employer," Marian says simply, taking her curt cue from him and asking none of the questions she wants to. She mirrors his movement, crossing her own arms over her chest and coming to stand in front of his desk. "He’s still in, isn’t he? The work day’s not over just yet," She knows she already sounds almost accusatory, and really, it would be just her luck if Vaisey had left the office early to wreak havoc who knows where else — but another small part of her wants to prove to Gray that she’s not just some little girl who runs to him for help when she can’t pay up. The thought of even being seen as some helpless girl steels Marian, makes her stand up taller, straighter; she’s anything but. Archer and the boys may have seen her as such in the very beginning, but that can hardly be said now — and she’ll show these realtors just the same. "If you don’t mind, I’ll just be a moment."

[graygisbourne]

"Vaisey left early," Gray informed her curtly, wondering whether on not she planned on staying regardless. He had been hoping to go home on time, after all. He would have liked to tell her to return tomorrow, or maybe to wait around, but it was Vaisey. He hadn't a clue as to whether the other man was in a rush back with more money making schemes, or if Vaisey wouldn't come through the office for another few days. His boss had neglected to inform anyone of what he was up to, again. Apparently no one, not even Gray, could be trusted. "He's his own boss, he works whenever he likes. You should have picked up on that by now." Marian and her father had been dealing with Vaisey for almost as long as Gray himself had been, he'd assumed she'd have picked up on some things by now. 

An agitated sigh escaped is lips when she wanted to stay, but he sat down at his chair once again, hoping it really would just be a moment. He was working, it was his obligation to help. Gesturing to the seat across from him, he quirked an eyebrow. "You have your moment," he told her, reaching out to straighten a stack of papers, deciding that even with his distrust, it was better to keep his eyes off Marian and on other things. He never knew if a relapse would be a problem, and he didn't care to find out. "What do you need?"

[irisannwcst-deactivated20161021]

deadlines • gray & marian

Today is meant to be the deadline for what must be her fifteenth payment on her family’s home — and when she’d added up this month’s earnings, Marian had counted that she was at least a few more nights’ work short of what would be due today. Unfortunately for her, it now means she’s going to have to make a trip to the realtor’s office in the hopes she can explain herself, or possibly even request an extension — one week at the most. However, also unfortunately for her, the man who had sold her parents their property is Sherman Vaisey, possibly the most unreasonable man she’s ever had the displeasure of dealing with. It must be fate that she works at The Merry Men, where the boys seem to dislike the man just as much as she does — and it must be even more so that Vaisey despises her employer more than all of them dislike Vaisey combined, it would seem.

Marian hopes the small fact that her employer is one of the many men Vaisey has it out for isn’t a deciding factor in postponing this deadline — but she’s not feeling all that optimistic today.

As she ducks into the office on her way to work — Marian has an hour or two before her shift actually begins (she quite likes her job, so she tends to start a bit earlier, which earns her groans from the boys who always seem to show up just in the nick of time), just in case this meeting holds her over — Marian is nearly mowed over in an elderly man’s haste to leave the building. She manages to side step out of the way in time to avoid a collision, but even her startled presence doesn’t seem to faze the poor man. How can she blame him? She hasn’t even stepped foot inside and she’d really rather not — but she needs to pay off her home, if only to give her father what little peace of mind and comfort that she can.

"Hello?" She calls out hesitantly, just inside the doorway.

[graygisbourne]

Another day had been wasted, stuck at the Realtors. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do than work, the reality was that without his job Gray would spend most of his days in a drunken stupor. But being stuck at the office, Vaisey's presence a constant torment, as well as stacks of paperwork that were taller than he was, when he sat. Either that or their digital equivalent. But they pay was good, and he owed Vaisey. Just as Vaisey owed him, to make good on his half of their deal. To help Gray get back what was rightfully his.

He'd been in the office for hours now, most of the day, but it seemed that he'd get out on time tonight. That was the one thing getting him through the day without threatening the interns. And finally, it seemed as if he could go home soon. Paperwork could be left for tomorrow, and he began to pack up, relieved that the day was finally over. The dog had to be walked, and his liquor cabinet was calling. But just as he was about to go for his coat, he heard a voice, looking up to see Marian Knighton there. For a second, he felt his pulse speed up, but it was gone for a moment. She was beautiful, as always, he'd known that for years now. But he'd realized months ago that beauty was a bad thing when one used it like she did.

"What do you want?" he almost growled, arms crossing over his chest, almost defensive. She obviously wouldn't have stopped to chat if she was just here to pay what she owed. Gray had fallen for her years ago, but all but forgotten when Penelope was in his life. Now she was gone, and Marian was here, obviously because something was needed. But he wasn't as weak as he'd once been, and beauty didn't matter now. Women were not to be trusted. 

[graygisbourne]

Throwing Down the Gauntlet || Scarlet and Gray

[officer-sinclair]

Sinclair sipped at her beer, savoring the taste. It was moments such this where she pondered on how it was that a tiny town such as Storybrooke had better beer on tap than most of Portland.

“I’m a lieutenant police officer in my spare time,” Sinclair pursed her lips together. She did her damned hardest to ensure that she had no free time to sit around. “And really, Mr. Gray? You’re going to go back to formalities after our spar?” 

[graygisbourne]

"Police officer?" his eyebrow quirked. There were precious few of those in Storybrooke, the peaceful town not having much in the way of crime going on. Good to know a few were still around. "Impressive." Must have been where she learned to fight. No one in Storybrooke had those skills. No one he'd come across.

"Scarlet," he corrected himself, taking a sip of beer. Yes, they had brawled, and exchanged names, but he didn't quite feel as if he was on a first name basis with the woman, for some reason or another. Maybe it was because he hadn't really had to deal with new people in less than formalities very often.

[perfectlymarvelouspiper]

The Remedy || Gray & Piper

[perfectlymarvelouspiper]

Piper smirked and turned her attention to driving for the time being. Though one hand slid over to slide down Gray’s thigh while she gave pause pulling out of the parking lot of the club. Sliding her hand back before pulling out she headed in the direction of his house. It wasn’t long before she was slowing in front of one of the houses. “This is, handsome?” She quirked her head in the direction of the house she was preparing to pull into. Looking to him for his answer.

[graygisbourne]

Gray couldn't help but smirk when her hand was on his thigh, half tempted to lean over and distract her while driving, but even drunk he sensed that it wouldn't go over well. So he sat, impatient, nodding when she pulled in front of his house. It was nice, well kept, except for the torn up rose bushes scattered in his yard. Two floors, three bedroom, two bath, it was more than he needed, but not what he wanted. It was impressive enough, though.

[graygisbourne]

How About a Dance || WTSC Grand Ball || Piper and Gray

[perfectlymarvelouspiper]

She smirked, she enjoyed being a free. She enjoyed the excitement of different … conquests. Different men. Different women. Both. Whoever she felt like at any given night. She couldn’t imagine being tied down. Not right now. Maybe eventually she’d understand. Maybe eventually she’d find that someone that made her want just them for the rest of her life… But, she didn’t know. She’d never met anyone who could do that and doubted she would anytime soon. “I’m fairly certain I don’t owe your boss money.” She chuckled. “I don’t make debts I can’t repay in one way or another…” 

[graygisbourne]

"Smart girl," he offered a half smile. That was certainly respectable. Most people indebted themselves to others without even thinking it, without even being certain of if they could repay the debt. It was how Vaisey got ahead in life, and Gray was quite certain it was also the reason that the man wasn't in jail at the moment. Moving his hand off her hip for a moment, he brushed some hair out of Piper's eyes, before speaking, "How's the ball been, so far? Any good dancers out there?" Gray could dance, quite well, actually. He'd been dancing since he was a boy, and though he was self taught, since his mother died, he was definitely able to hold his own, if not impressive.

[graygisbourne]

Son (inspired by x)

Gray’s past is a particularly troubled one. His beloved mother died when he was a young boy, and his sister was out of the picture by the time he was a legal adult. There is only one member of his bloodline who remained through to Gray’s adulthood: his father. That isn’t to say it was a happy relationship, father and son rarely saw eye to eye, loathing each other more than they ever cared for the other. But blood has always meant something to the Gisbourne’s, so they stuck together until his father’s death, despite their dislike.

Gray was the one with the better reason for his hate, however. Though his father was distant to begin with, the divide between the two only grew after Gray’s mother died. His father began heavily drinking, and gambling, and though he never beat his children, he frightened them often, and for years Gray kept himself and sister out of the house as much as possible, to keep his father from having the chance. His father gambled away their family’s money, causing them to lose their home, and most of the reminders of his mother, jewels and trinkets she left behind.

Gray was almost relieved when his father died, though most of his adult life has become an attempt to make reparations for his old man’s sins, and to gain back what was lost. 

[perfectlymarvelouspiper]

The Remedy || Gray & Piper

[perfectlymarvelouspiper]

"Thank you~" She smiled a sugary sweet smile and look the keys. Siding into the driver’s side, his car was nice. It would fun to drive, but she was more concerned about keeping it in one piece than she was about enjoying the drive. She nodded when he gave her his address and leaned over. Pressing a heated kiss to his lips before righting herself in her seat. "That’s not that far, we’ll be there in no time." She purred, turning the key and letting the car come to life.

[graygisbourne]

The pout vanished when her lips covered his, and he tangled a hand in her hair to prolong the kiss, reluctantly letting go, so she could drive. No time was good. He could wait that. It wasn't necessarily that he was in a rush to have them both unclothed, though he was looking forward to that, but their sitting in a car, him to drunk to be able to converse properly, might give one of them time to change their mind. And he needed this, needed to get his mind of her. 

[graygisbourne]

How About a Dance || WTSC Grand Ball || Piper and Gray

[perfectlymarvelouspiper]

Piper didn’t mind the silence, she found it easy to focus on the music and the on her own movements as she danced. But she didn’t mind speaking either. So when Gray questioned her she smiled sweet. “I’m not. I had a few offers but I thought sharing was more kind.” She was teasing mostly. She knew she was pretty but she wasn’t overly conceited. She just couldn’t imagine having to stay with one man the entire night. There were too many dances to be had. “Are you? Should I be worried about a jealous date?” 

[graygisbourne]

He couldn't help but crack a small smile at her words. Gray could respect that about her. She wasn't a one man kind of woman, and though that idea had always been odd to him, she never pretended to be, and never played with anyone. Not cruelly. It was probably why he found her to be one of the few women he tolerated anymore. He could trust her to be uninterested in anything more than fun, when it came to him, and that was what he needed. And, despite his not remembering everything correctly due to alcohol, she'd someone managed to be there when his world came crashing down, even though they weren't close. "Not unless you owe my boss money. But I doubt he'd care anyway."

[graygisbourne]

Bail Me Out || Emma and Gray

[swanofhope]

Well, at least that is one gamble that seems to have paid off, she thought as she saw the man seem to relax slightly. Still weary she stepped forward and placed the cuffs around his wrists careful to ensure that they were tight, but not painfully so.

Taking the man by the arm she nodded her head towards the door. “Lets go.” Emma kept a firm grip on him partly because it was normal protocol to keep a hand on a prisoner in a crowded space like this, even cuffed he could still do damage, and partly because she got the sense that with the adrenaline fading from his system he had enough alcohol in him to knock out a horse.

She was silent as they crossed the bar, this was her job, sure, but she didn’t need throw her weight around by berating the guy in front of everyone. The sooner she handed him over to Graham or Sinclair the sooner she could truly begin her night off. Somehow she knew it wasn’t going to start in the bar again—maybe she’d get a bottle of wine and convince Mary Margaret to watch a movie.

[graygisbourne]

Gray followed the woman, quickly growing distracted and all but forgetting about her as he focused on putting one foot in front of the other. He could hold his drink, sure, but he didn't want to stumble and look like an idiot. He had his pride, after all. Looking around he found the cop car, moving towards it, not needing to be led. Cooperating meant that it would be over for both of them faster, he was in some trouble, no mater how he reacted. This was by far the easier route for everyone involved.

[graygisbourne]

Throwing Down the Gauntlet || Scarlet and Gray

[officer-sinclair]

Sinclair sat down at her regular seat at the bar. She was here pretty often, at the end of the work day, at the end of any day really. “Just a beer,” she decided. Normally, Sinclair would go with her staple vodka based drink. One or two would take the edge off. Then she’d find her way home to polish off a bottle… or two in the privacy of her apartment… or truck.  

“So, what do you do, Mr. Gisbourne?” Sinclair asked as they waited on the bartender to serve them. 

[graygisbourne]

Gray offered the barkeep a terse smile when he came over, ordering a beer for both himself and his companion. On most nights, he would order a scotch or something of the sort, when he drank. But today he'd follow her lead. It was safer that way.

"Nothing interesting," he shrugged, brushing some hair of his forehead, "I work at a Realtors." Much to his dismay. "Any you, Miss?"

[tobe-king-deactivated20150117]

A Rock and A Hard Place || Earthquake || Gray & Simon

[tobe-king-deactivated20150117]

Simon could kind of see the look he got in the dim light, but didn’t make a comment on it. He just really wanted to get out of here and find his friends that were like family to him, but he wasn’t cruel enough to leave this man behind. “Okay” he said taking the mans arm and pulling. He made sure not to do so too rough not wanting to harm the possibly sore man. He seemed like he was already in a foul mood and didn’t want to make that worse. 

[graygisbourne]

Gray got his balance quickly, even with a bum leg, and avoided leaning on the other man as much as possible, glancing around now that he could see the area around him. The floor was a bad place to watch. "Is there a way out?" he asked, not quite to the man, but not totally to himself, either. Gray was still turned around from getting beat up, not quite sure of his exact location, or the exits. It didn't help that he wasn't overly familiar with the building.

[graygisbourne]

Sobriety... || WTSC Grand Ball || Gray and Quinn

[theborderatsunset-deactivated20]

She noticed him trying to make small talk and was glad he at least wanted to talk to her. “It’s okay. It’s not really my taste, but the younger people seem to like it so… What about you? Do you like it?”

[graygisbourne]

"Not my taste, either," he shrugged slightly, biting his lip as he fell into silence again. He wasn't used to conversing about things other than work these days, the only exceptions being ordering drinks or food if he went out to eat. This was... awkward, at best.

[nikida-kuradh]

Planting Troubles || Gray and Nikida

[nikida-kuradh]

Kida followed after the dog, crouching beside him and holding her hand out. “Can I have the ball?” The woman asked, reaching for it, when the dog let out a small growl she laughed and shook her head, “Listen buddy, give me the ball and I’ll throw it, then you case after it. It’s a game. It’s supposed to be fun too, but neither of us are going to know that if you don’t give me the ball.” She watched the dog with an unimpressed expression. “Alright, we’ll play the hard way.” Kida carefully reached over and used one hand to open the dog’s mouth, then the other to grab the ball. Once she had it she threw it a few yards away, and carefully watched the dog while he chased after it out. “Hopefully they live that long.” She commented while moving to investigate one of the plants. They hadn’t been in a great spot before, causing them to wilt and not grow as well as she wanted. “They needed more sunlight than they were getting, I wanted to replant them all season, I just ran out of time to.” 

[graygisbourne]

Gray couldn't help but glance over his shoulder every so often, once he saw the woman playing with his dog. A slight grin crossed his features. Sheldon didn't give the ball to anyone but him, but he wasn't getting upset when the woman took it away. The dog liked the woman, and that was definitely... nice. Sheldon was usually good with people, but he'd yet to like a woman. It seemed that he'd inherited his owner's distrust of them. "Give me a call, if you run out next time," he spoke absentmindedly, not aware he was making the offer as he tried to dig a large rock out from under the soil, "Sheldon and I can make time." Gray mentioned the dog just in time for him to rush to his master's side, butting his head into Gray's leg before dropping the ball. Raising an eyebrow, he put down the shovel for a moment, picking it up and tossing it to Kida, "I'm not playing now," he told the pup, "go make new friends."

[nikida-kuradh]

Planting Troubles || Gray and Nikida

[nikida-kuradh]

"Oh it’s not imposing at all. Just let me know if you want or need anything and I’ll get it." Kida bit her lip while she looked at the dog for a moment, slowly she turned towards her shed, ducking inside for just a second before pulling out a tennis ball. She’d never played tennis and as far as she knew neither of her parents had either, but she had a little bag of them in there for some reason. "Here Puppy." She told the dog while rolling it towards him. When he spoke, she turned her attention back to him and frowned while nodding. "Yeah, I know… I was just working a lot and…" Her eyes glanced towards her house before she shook her head and looked at the ground, nodding again. "I know. I’ll be sure to start earlier next year." 

[graygisbourne]

"I'm fine," he said again, going back to work as soon as she turned away. Gray did glance back when he heard her address his dog, glad to see Sheldon sitting there, almost having difficulty sitting still. The dog was still a puppy, energetic and excitable, and as long as the woman didn't have a fear of jumping mutts, she'd be fine. He, in the meantime, put his back into the work, biting his lip as he focused on getting through the almost frozen soil. It wasn't impossible, but it took some effort on even his part, and that required focus. To the point where he nearly dropped the shovel, all but saving it in time, when the woman spoke again. "Next year," he agreed, very understanding of work that got in the way of everything else. His was like that.