samanthacreilly

[samanthacreilly]

"I guess I'm just trying to figure out how it all comes so naturally to you. Have you always been so observant of others?" she said when he'd called her out on the face she had briefly pulled. "You're looking at changing that?" Sam echoed with curiosity. "What do you mean by that exactly?"

Alfie didn't miss that look and he had to laugh at it. "What was that for exactly?" He asked, sounding amused at the expression on her features. "Bearing in mind I work with animals, yes. I do run into quite a few. More magical based names given I work with magical creatures more often at the moment but I'm looking at changing that."

[samanthacreilly]

"I hope FRIENDS is okay," she said with a little shrug as she put the volume down a bit more before pressing play again on the episode she had paused. Samantha settled in on the couch with him to make sure they enjoyed the tea when it was still hot. "I guess I've never thought you'd want to come over, otherwise you'd always be more than invited," she replied. "You love cats too so they wouldn't be an issue for you like it is for some who have allergies or anything like that."

"I guess you're right." Nathaniel settled on when Sam pointed out it was something everyone liked to hear. "But I compliment you on other things so it's not like you go away with nothing." He added a moment later. "Let's just sit and watch whatever you had on for a little while. You've made me tea and I don't want it to go cold." It'd give him chance to settle a little and not feel so tense about everything. It'd also allow himself time to take in his surroundings. "I'm surprised I've not really been here before."

[samanthacreilly]

"It... does, doesn't it?" she considered, narrowing her gaze briefly as she tried to figure out what that meant. Alfie was just probably really gifted at reading people. "Do you really run into a lot of those? I figured Oliver was probably the more popular choice because of Oliver & Company."

"It seems I have a way of working things out about you." Alfie said with a little grin on his features. "I mean, I hate to say it but his name is pretty generic. I see plenty with that name coming through my door, I'd rather have something a little more interesting."

[samanthacreilly]

"Isn't that something everyone likes to hear?" she reasoned with a little shrug. "Come on, Nathaniel. You know me. Of course I would go to all that trouble even if I didn't need to– and it's not even any trouble to me, silly," Samantha insisted with a shake of her head. When Nathaniel seemed to be trying to figure out what it was he wanted, she nodded lightly, "Well then you won't be alone whatever it is we decide on," she assured him. While Samantha was flattered that he'd come to her at a time of needing comfort, she was also worried that it was her he'd come to and not somebody else who was maybe even closer to him. She just wished that he was okay.

Nathaniel made a small sound at that. "Didn't realise you wanted me to tell you that." Though he supposed that anyone would like to be complimented and it shouldn't be taken for granted. "You didn't need to go to so much trouble. I didn't expect anything other than to be allowed in really." Given the time he had invaded to expect even that was too much really. "I'm not hungry right now but if there are any left in the morning, I might have some then." Nathaniel didn't want to be rude by turning them down but he didn't think he could eat anything at the moment. The tea was a comfort however. "I don't know what I want at the moment. I might try and sleep but if you're not against the idea I'd rather stick by you. It's the being alone that I don't relish really." That was why he was here after all.

[samanthacreilly]

"Yeah, definitely not," Samantha nodded. "I guess that... that is very much my type, yeah," she had to admit, given her typical track record of crushes. While the woman usually found a way to be infatuated with most everyone, there was a pattern when it came to the ones that stuck. "Definitely. Now I'm disappointed I never named any of my orange cats after him. That's totally my fault."

"Being into certain things is fine. Hell, everyone has their thing. Just not that thing." He said with a little amused smile on his lips. "Ah I see. Loveable rogue who turns out is actually a bit of a gentleman." Alfie surmised after a moment. "But yeah, I guess you are right there. He is plenty of green flags.

[samanthacreilly]

"If that's so then how come you've never told me I smell nice?" Samantha teased lightly. She held the hug for as long as Nathaniel needed it, but she also wasn't in a rush to peel herself out of his arms either. "I made us tea and I brought out some leftover biscuits," she explained and gestured when they eventually were done embracing. If he didn't want to talk but didn't necessarily want to go back to a quiet apartment, he'd really done the right thing. Samantha never had trouble filling silence. "Elara and I baked them last night and proceeded to eat most of them," she confessed with a laugh. "Also got you some water– I don't know if you wanted to stay up still or if maybe you wanted to get your rest," Sam mentioned with a little shrug. "I changed my sheets this morning if you'd feel more comfortable in my bed or I can make up the couch for you," she added, wanting to do what she could for him right now.

Had anyone else said that, he might have doubted it but he never did where Samantha was concerned. It really was a relief to hear her say that she understood though and that he didn't have to elaborate further. He didn't want to explain everything, he didn't even want to talk about how he felt, Nathaniel just wanted the girl there and she was giving him that. As usual she would give anything for another person. He felt guilty for taking it in a way, but right now he wasn't strong enough to resist. At the mention of him being in trouble, Nathaniel shook his head. "No, this is all pretty normal. I'm good. I get bruises regularly, that's just part and parcel of my life." He attempted to reassure her without giving too much detail. "How I looked tonight has nothing to do with how I'm feeling, I promise you." Nathaniel shook his head at the mention of a medical kit, settling into the comfort that their embrace held. "If I smell nice, it must mean you do too." He stated, a little smile forming on his lips.

[samanthacreilly]

"I mean I don't want to judge– I know some people... are into certain things," she reasoned with a visible discomfort, although Alfie's laughter had kept her from tensing up her shoulders. "Yeah he's very charming and suave. Very loyal and dependable. He's also so kind to Duchess' kids right off the bat. I don't know, he just gives off a lot of green flags if you ask me," Samantha shrugged, admittedly never dissecting what it was that she liked about his character so much before..

Alfie felt like he was going to choke on his hot chocolate at that and he had to wipe at his mouth a little. "I really hope you didn't actually think I was asking you if you had a thing for cats." He snorted out, not actually putting it past her some how. "I meant from the characteristics standpoint."

[samanthacreilly]

"Of course I don't mind– you're always welcome here," she hadn't even hesitated with that response. She'd always have a space in her home for Nathaniel if he ever wanted it. "I understand," Samantha nodded lightly. It was undeniable that she wanted to ask more questions and pry but she also could gather pretty quickly it was not going to go anywhere. And he'd just set the boundary down so she needed to respect that. "I'd just hate to think you were in trouble– I, do you need anything? I have a first aid kit or–" Sam found herself rambling, although when she looked up to see him set one of her cats down to reach his arms out to her she got a little misty-eyed. She got up and walked into his arms, squeezing him tightly. Even if he'd just taken a shower in her house, she was convinced he smelled better than she ever had using any of those exact products. "You smell nice," she murmured into his chest, trying to ease the tension with a little smile.

Whilst he could have said he was fine, he knew the woman wasn't an idiot. He'd come to her home in the middle of the night and regardless of the bruising from his job, no one really did that if they were okay. "It's just too quiet at my place. I didn't want to be there tonight." Nathaniel finally answered honestly. "It's nothing you need to worry about, I assure you but I'm not really willing to talk about it right now." He didn't know when he would be but he owed her this much for everything she was doing for him. "I do know that though, you're right. I just wanted your company and I didn't think you would mind. I didn't mean to give you a fright though." Nathaniel knew she was concerned for him and he didn't want that. Shifting forward, he set the cat down for a moment, reaching out for Sam.

[samanthacreilly]

"It wasn't a karaoke boat– they were just doing karaoke when I was on a boat," Samantha explained as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "My type?" she blinked, shaking her head, "Merlin's beard– I love cats but I am not into them like that. But I suppose in a human body he's got some characteristics I enjoy."

"A karaoke boat? Well... that's unusual." He admitted, not having really come across it before despite all the things he'd gotten up to. "They're good moments." Alfie assured her as he reached out for some of the snacks though he found himself chuckling at Sam's words. "Oh? Is that your type?"

[samanthacreilly]

When Nathaniel went to go take a shower, Samantha busied herself with preparing some things to be ready. She'd made tea, gotten him some water and even got some snacks set up. The brunette kept herself busy, clearing up the living room a little bit before finally letting herself sit on the edge of the couch. She couldn't rest, watching the hall as she waited for him to reappear. When he did, he looked a lot better even if he was still a little worse for wear and she offered him a small smile.

While she appreciated Nathaniel coming out with all these apologies, she was less concerned with the time of night and more curious about Nathaniel himself. "Are you... are you okay?" she asked softly, almost as though she was scared to ask it. He'd come to her door covered in mysterious marks and bruises. Of course she was concerned with as to what that meant. "Because... you know you can talk to me, yeah? I figured you know as much considering you chose to come here tonight."

Even though Sam told him to sit down, he found himself remaining stood up with the kitten for the time being, feeling like he probably should wash up before he went sitting down on the sofa. He only set the little creature down when Sam returned with clothes for him to wear. "They're fine, thank you for going to the trouble." Because she really didn't need to but of course he knew she would. It was just the type of person she was. "I shouldn't be too long." He didn't want her to worry about him any more than she already did after all and so he went to clean himself up in the bathroom.

He returned about fifteen minutes later, hair damp and curly, the marks still there but looking better than they had before. "I didn't know what to do with the towels so I just tried to hang them up in there." He explained, setting his own clothes down out of the way for the evening. "Sorry about the time I chose to intrude at though." Nathaniel repeated, finding one of the cats winding its way between his feet so he picked it up carefully and settled down on the couch, finding calm in soothing out the creatures fur.

[samanthacreilly]

"I have actually done karaoke on a boat once– funnily enough," she interjected with a little grin. Given how she and her brother were, they truly would use any excuse to grab a mic. "Eh, I have my moments I suppose," Sam shrugged, letting herself dig into the snacks as the movie rolled on. "Godric, he's so charming for an animated cat," she murmured aloud when O'Malley appeared on screen.

"I get the distinct impression that you have been to a boat load of karaoke's in your short life." Given what Sam had told him about her sibling though, it tracked. "Good on you for being so bold." He added with a smile when she told him she was trying something new, though he did feel a little bad that it was maybe his words that had made her feel forced into it.

[samanthacreilly]

Samantha still instinctively put on the kettle, preparing mugs as they swept through the apartment. She pulled up her setup on the couch to make room for Nathaniel to sit while she went to go fetch things, "Sorry– make yourself comfortable," she said sheepishly as she tossed the blanket to drape over the back of the sofa before disappearing quickly to her room. Soon Samantha returned with towels and a fresh change of clothes, "Here you are. I tried to choose the least offensive combination I could find– Joe likes bold colors and patterns but thankfully most of what he's left here is pretty neutral," she explained with a little laugh, trying to keep things light as she handed off the garments off to Nathaniel. "Help yourself to whatever you need in the bathroom. I keep spare toothbrushes in the cabinet under the sink– you'll find them easily," Samantha continued to jammer on. "Second door to the right in the hall–let me know if you need anything else."

Before Nathaniel really knew what was happening, he was being ushered into the house and there was a cat in his arms. He stared down at the ball for fur for a moment, feeling a sudden wave of guilt for leaving his at home alone but he knew she wasn't unhappy and that she'd gone through it before. His fingers brushed ever so gently along the fur of its head and back. "No, I'm good. Thanks." He added on the end after a moment. Whilst he wasn't feeling much like taking a shower, he knew if he was going to invade Sam's personal space, the least he could do was clean himself up a bit though. "A shower is probably a good idea. I'll only be a few minutes." There was something comforting to him about the way the girl was fussing over him and he couldn't help but feel he'd made the right choice coming here.

[samanthacreilly]

Samantha opened the door and couldn't help a soft gasp of surprise. She'd been half-asleep on the couch with FRIENDS running in the background when she'd hear a knock. The state of Nathaniel was probably the worst she'd ever seen him. She stood there frozen in shock momentarily, looking him over with concern. "Of course– please, please come in," she ushered him in when she was able to bring herself to move and speak again. She was sure Elara would understand and even so, there was no reason for her to be waking her up at this hour anyways. Taking care of Nathaniel to her was more important right now. "Have a cat," she scooped one of her kittens up on the way into the apartment, handing it to Nathaniel with care before bringing him further inside. "Can I get you anything to eat or drink? I'll get you towels and a change of my brother's clothes that are here– you can use my bathroom to shower," Sam put herself into active mode, simultaneously trying to keep herself from bombarding him with questions whilst trying to get him comfortable at her place.

"Hey, I know it's late and before you ask; I'm fine but I was wondering if I can crash here with you tonight? Or will your room mate disapprove of that?" Nathaniel blurted out as soon as the girls door opened. The man was a little battered and bruised from whatever escapade's he'd been up to but they were surface level injuries, nothing that a wash and a few days recovery wouldn't resolve. To most it would have appeared as though time had evaded him given it was the early hours of the morning that he'd chosen to wake her up but the truth was, he hadn't been able to stomach the thought of going back to his empty home, even if his cat was there to welcome him.

@samanthacreilly

[samanthacreilly]

"Well you said you'd most likely only get up there drunk so... probably slurring or shouting the words the song– sometimes they have to pull you off the stage," Samantha elaborated with a laugh. "I'm trying something new," she grinned.

"And what is 'that' kind of karaoke-goer?" Alfie put to the woman with a little smile on his face. "Hey, if you two want to go ham, you're more than welcome. It keeps me off the stage." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Lucky huh? Look at that confidence."

[samanthacreilly]

"Ah so you're that kind of karaoke-goer. Unfortunately my brother and I bring that kind of energy even when completely sober so I guess you'd be terrified of doing that with me," Samantha snorted. You should be ever so lucky to get a one-woman concert out of me," she then huffed playfully when Alfie said he doubted that she'd be able to keep herself from singing during the film.

"I suppose that depends on how drunk you got me." Alfie joked lightly, though he wasn't as adverse as he made out, it just wasn't really his first choice of activity. "Mhm... let's see how long that lasts. I don't think that's something you're going to be able to stick to." He said with an amused smile in her direction.

[samanthacreilly]

"I thought that was obvious," she replied sheepishly. When he asked her if she'd want to be able to do that, her mouth fell agape slightly, "Wouldn't... wouldn't everyone? Like it'd be amazing to have that sort of effect on people, no? I suppose you don't know what it's like on the other side so perhaps it's harder for you to understand that."

"Even you?" He playfully interceded, in part to draw the attention away from himself a little bit. "Would you want to be able to do that if you could?" Roman asked after a moment, curious as to her answer.

[samanthacreilly]

"Personal experience? So no chance on me dragging you out for karaoke then?" Sam snorted lightly. "But alright, if you're going to be so picky I'll try to sing under my breath. I just can't seem to help myself– singing along is half the fun in my opinion," she shrugged. "Unless I'm actually in a movie theatre of course. I'm not a monster."

"In the shower, sure. It can be a very personal experience." Alfie joked lightly when Sam mentioned that it could be freeing. "Me? I mean, sure sometimes I find myself caught up in the music but that's more when I'm not in the company of others. Most listen to the movie for the singers, not for the viewers to add their own rendition."