Grigori whipped around, despite every muscle in his body screaming at the sudden movement. He’d yet to fully recover from the prison, and physical activity still caused aches in his body. In the door frame was Marilee, and the clatter of a bowl spilled popcorn all over the floor.

“Ms. Marilee!” He whispered loudly. His arms rose to be parallel with the ground and expose his empty hands. Show his lack of weaponry. “You’ll wake the house. It’s your roommate, Grigori. Remember?”

Who else had conjured the abundance of sweets that dominated the kitchen space? The fresh loaves of bread that magically appeared in the breadbox? Surely she could not be so oblivious as to not remember him? “You’re safe. Please, do not fret. There's no need to panic.”

Behind him rested an open suitcase, with several pairs of clothes shoved in and a pair of shoes to crown the pile.

---

marilee beaufort

“Apologies then– I wasn’t aware of who was exactly home, at the moment,” Grigori said. He had hoped it was a number of zero, but one was an acceptable alternative. As long as it was not annalise henderson , then everything was alright. His shoulders unstiffened, and he returned to the side of the bed.

“And for the sudden scare. And mess,” he tacked on. “I would offer to clean it up, but…”

The silent suitcase spoke for him, and the absence of noise was punctuated by the sudden movement of its zipper. Closed, ready for whatever trip it was destined to take.

“I’m going to be leaving, for a few weeks. Maybe a month or two, if necessary,” he explained. Memories flashed in his mind. From the prison. What he tried to do to Annalise. How he’d almost succeeded.

“Me and Annalise are on… rough terms. Not my place to speak on the matter, I’m afraid,” he said. Until he was able to clear things up, and beg for forgiveness... it was better for everyone if he wasn't here. Even if the supply of sweets would shrivel up to whatever was written on the list for the grocery store. The roommates would be an unfortunate casualty of their tensions.

---

marilee beaufort

Grigori looked at the woman with a vaguely confused but determined look. It was rather strange, for someone that hadn’t even remembered his existence to feel so strongly about his momentary departure. Enough to even grasp him, as if that would keep him anchored down.

But he shrugged off her hands like one would peel a leaf from their shirt. His shirt and calm demeanor hid the muscles that made the movement all too easy. Massive. Strong. “I agree with you.”

“But it is that bad,” he followed up. “And you won’t be alone. annalise henderson still resides here, and Rory Faust as well. Furthermore, once me and her hopefully settle our… problem. I’d be moving back in. If she allows it.”

Ultimately, it was up to Annalise to allow him the feeling of forgiveness. That was an impossible to predict outcome.

“But I must leave for a spell. If you so wish to meet again, I will be staying at an acquaintance's place. june sleigh , if you’ve met her. She lives in Mauville as well.”

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marilee beaufort