William Holloway

I'm a devil in disguise

Aislinn's clear knowledge of the imperfections and insanity that existed within the core of William's soul was enough to make the man want to flee from this scene, and yet there was something about the fragile appearing young woman that kept him rooted to his place. There was a part of him that knew, logically, that the words tumbling from his lips were insane. He didn't know the young woman, and as such, he had no obligation to give up his home to a literal stranger. In fact, based on his history with people in his supernatural lifetime, it was absolutely a better idea to run far, far away from the young girl. For everything that William was and everything he had been through, he should be more fearful of others, more isolated, more... distant. He had every reason to not trust anyone else. And yet the gentle hearted human boy that he'd once been still lived within him. Sebastian had given him a glimpse of what his life could be, as did Vhalla in their brief time together, and the Hunter found it impossible to go back to the isolated life he had once called his own.

She, however, was sensible. Despite her homelessness and lack of a safe place to lay her head for the night, she did not leap at his (perhaps too generous) offer of housing. It was only when he mentioned her lack of footwear that he got her attention, and the offer of helping her acquire new shoes seemed to (almost) warm the young woman to his offer. It was almost too cute the way that she wiggled her toes on the pavement, and William couldn't deny the simper that spread across his lips. But she was clever, and William found himself very nearly laughing as he promised her a new, beautiful coat of her very own. And perhaps a new one for himself, since it appeared that William would not be receiving his offered coat back any time soon, even if he did buy her a new one. That single promise seemed to earn him enough trust to get her to agree to his offer. It was that promise of harm if he was to hurt her that brought that snort of laughter from him. And that bewildered look that she presented him with only furthered that amusement within him.

"I have no doubt that you're very capable of exactly the things you promise," William said simply, that boyish smile easily lingering on his features as he reassured her that clothing would have to come before he took her to his home. The young woman needed more clothing than her thin dress, and he was entirely unwilling to lose any more of his clothing. Besides, he was sure she would have some sort of snarky response to wearing his own clothes any more than necessity. His gesture down the sidewalk was enough to get them both walking. And while William was well aware of the shivering that plagued the girl, he made no effort to speak or try to distract her from it. Instead, he was far too pressed on the attempt to find her a suitable store to procure more clothing that she might find acceptable. When he finally paused in front of a store, he made careful effort to allow her into the building without touching her.

Once in the store, William found himself entirely out of his element. His offered words to assist her were stated awkwardly, the man shifting on his feet as he eyed the rows and racks of clothing that he would have no idea how to pair. He was grateful, then, for her reassurance that she would require no help other than carrying things. A sigh of relief left his lips as he smiled nervously, nodding his gratitude. "Carrying things is well within my range of abilities," He promised, content in his role to follow her around the store. William hardly paid attention to the fabrics that hung on their hangers until her voice drew his attention to her and the very... white dress she held in her arms. It took him a moment to process her words, the very sentence making the man pause. He'd thought her young - she was a Were, was she not? His senses indicated such, and it wasn't like him to be wrong. And yet Weres were certainly not given the curse of immortality. But that sentence was something he might have spoken, or Sebastian. A thought made by a being who certainly did not appear their age...

His attention was drawn away from his curiosity by the sensation of the dress being shoved abruptly into his arms, the man letting out a soft 'oof' of surprise. His eyes followed her gaze, surprised by the very modern pair of shoes that had caught her attention. But her enthusiasm was contagious, and William easily stepped forward to retrieve her desired heels. He placed them in her arms, relieved to have a role - even if it was only due to the near foot of height that he held over her. William was content to watch her silently for a moment before the curiosity got the better of him and his eyes scanned the young woman skeptically. There were a million questions that came to mind, if only because something seemed... off... about the young woman. But instead, the question that slipped from his lips was a cautious one. "So," He stated conversationally as he watched her. "Where are you from? It sounds like the style is... different where you're from."