Who: Caspian and Finn What: Quick Chat When: Thursday, 11th April, afternoon Where: Pier 84 at Hudson River Park Rating: Low Status: Complete
After a long day at Bibliomania there was nothing more Finn enjoyed more than getting out and strolling around Hell’s Kitchen before heading back home and settling in for the night. For some unknown reason tonight he was drawn towards the river, he’d grab something along the way and find somewhere quieter to sit and eat, that was usually along Pier 84.
With Laura now working at the store Finn thought that he should inform Caspian, not that Cas really had any say about who he hired or why. He knew that there was bad blood and he didn’t want to get in between anything or have to take side, it was more a courtesy than anything. Dorian Sloan had worked there for years and was one of Finn’s most trusted employees, and anything that either involved or somehow could impact Dorian - Caspian preferred to know about and that included new staff. Getting out his phone out he typed in a message Hired a new worker. Down @ 84 if you want to talk in person. He knew he’d either get a message or call back, talking about things like this were usually better done in neutral territory instead of at the store or wherever it was that Caspian frequented. Opening up his container he started on his steamed bun and ramen.
Blood came in many forms - good, bad, thick, thin. It was all the same to Caspian at the end of the day. He’d shed enough of it himself to be desensitized to it though the aspect of loyalty always remained. Laura and Dorian, Marina, and Finn, there were very few people in his life he cared deeply for enough to protect at all costs. Finn played a smaller role but nonetheless he was involved in the day to day simply because he oversaw the well-being of two important people.
That meant Caspian was keeping a close eye on the bookstore. Years prior the drug lord had gone to meet Finn, to lay down the rules and offer protection. Dorian could be sensitive because of the man’s background and Caspian did not want to have to kill anyone for D though he would if he had to and without so much as a single regret.
Little did Finn know that the Pier was in the heart of Chrysalis territory, the group that Caspian was deeply ingrained in.
When the text came he looked at the message across the screen, annoyed by the interruption but glad for the communication. Is that so? would be texted back. I shall be there shortly.
Before too long a single, ebony hued SUV pulled up to the Pier. It paused a good ways from where the man sat on the bench overlooking the water and Caspian slid from the back. The door was closed with a soft sound and before too long he was settled down next to Finn on the bench. Blue eyes caught sight of the food and the aroma from the wind had his stomach turning in a good way.
“Didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch, mate. You should have told me you were eating.”
After getting a confirmation text that Caspian was on his way, Finn slid the phone back into his pocket and returned to the delicious steamed bun, eating slowly to savor the taste.
Finn was always on guard when he was out in a place like this, so many people lived in a world of ignorance when it came to just how dangerous the city around them was. And Finn wasn't just talking about petty crime, much worse went on that people turned a blind eye towards. He heard the steps coming closer before Caspian sat down next to him.
With a soft slurp he sucked the few noodles that hadn't quite fully made it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing them before replying, people talking while still eating or chewing with their mouths full were pet peeves of his. His parents raised him with manners, he wasn't sure about the rest of the world.
“You're not interrupting. If I had known you'd be so punctual I would've grabbed you a steamed bun.” He said, a soft smirk playing on his lips as he looked over at Caspian. Better get down to business and not waste the other man's time with meaningless chatter.
“I had a regular come in yesterday, we got chatting and they eventually asked if I had any work available. It was kind of good timing as Julian wants more time off during the week to focus on his studies.” Caspian would have at least heard Finn mention the name, Julian had worked there for the last two years and never caused any trouble.
“In my line of work you show up on time if you want to secure your reputation,” Caspian replied, waiting with a bit of annoyance for Finn to finish his meal. The slurping sound was grating on him but Finn was forgive for now for it. “And I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I prefer to make my own meals at home as opposed to eating processed meals.” It was a thing, a paranoia thing.
Listening to the small tale he nodded, hoping that it had a conclusion or affected him in some way to be significant.
“Well, good for Julian then for getting time to himself. I suppose that is well deserved. Who have you hired in to fill that role in his absence?”
Finn would have apologized for the slurping if he had known it annoyed Caspian, the other man was someone he didn't want to get on the bad side of, he knew the man's reputation, especially in this area.
He put the rest of his meal on the bench beside him, it was a bit rude to continue eating while trying to have a conversation with someone and it wasn't like the noodles were going anywhere.
“It's Laura.” Finn said when asked who he had gotten to fill Julian's shifts in the store, better to get to the point, like ripping a band-aid off in one quick motion. He didn't need to go into the details, it was Finn's business and not Caspian's. “And no. I won't be putting her and Dorian on the same shifts.” He had a feeling that the two knew of one another and didn't want any disagreements between them, or for something to happen that triggered Dorian's PTSD, he had gone for quite a while now without an episode.
Laura.
Caspian straightened a touch upon mention of her name. He did not desire to keep tabs on her however she continued to somehow pop into the things in his life he was involved in. He felt it was better she was around those he could trust than those he could not, at least he could make sure she was safe and well.
“Oh really?” How she found the time for multiple jobs and managing not just a child but also a new animal he wasn’t quite sure. But then he had always known her to push through challenges. “On the contrary,” Caspian breathed, “At a bookstore, of all places, a power negating mutant might not be such a bad pairing in Laura’s case. Do not mention that I said that, though.”
This morsel of information was interesting, to say the least. He would have to stop by periodically to check on her, Dorian too.
Finn wasn't one for details but he knew enough of the history between Caspian and Laura to know that there was bad blood there and not to get in the middle of anything. Concrete shoes were more the Italian Mafia's style, he didn't want to know what a fellow Irishman could do to him, he just knew it wouldn't be pretty.
An eyebrow raised at the comment about it might be a good idea having a power negating mutant at the bookstore when Laura was there. “You know I'd never use anyone for their abilities.” It wasn't who Finn was, and Laura seemed to have a pretty good handle on things, for the moment at least. “Your secret's safe with me, as long as you don't tell her we've had this conversation.”
He was used to Caspian's unexpected visits, even if they were under the guise of 'just a regular customer’, he hoped that Laura's ability wouldn't surface if her ex showed up unannounced, but that was something they'd have to wait and see.
He wasn’t an intrical part of Chrysalis for no reason, his reputation preceded him and that was the way he liked it. His street name elicited fear and unease for a reason, staining as many lips as he had street corners and back alleyways.
“That isn’t the problem,” he explained gently, without saying too much. It was safer for everyone and Dorian would help if he could, Caspian knew that much. It was to keep everyone safe and to give Laura peace of mind knowing she couldn’t hurt anyone by accident.
“You’ve my word that this conversation never happened.” He’d experienced many of those in his days alive.
Whatever Finn guessed or assumed about his relationship with Laura may or may not have been entirely accurate. They are on speaking terms, they’d just gotten their child a dog. It was not volatile the way it had been once upon a time.
Finn's reputation… well he probably didn't have one, other than that of a troublemaker from a couple of bars that had banned him over the years for getting into fights. Bibliomania had more of a reputation than he did and thankfully it was a pretty good one, he worked hard to keep up his uncle's legacy and after ten years he thought he was doing a good job at it.
He knew Dorian would help in any way he could, but Finn worried about the younger man's well being more than his own. The triggers were still there though the reactions to them had seemed to have reduced over the years, it didn't stop Finn from trying to remove them from the workplace altogether, it was easier on everyone.
“Dorian is going really well, I appreciate you letting him continue for me. Loyal, hard workers are hard to come by and I'd hate to lose him.” He knew Dorian could easily go and work for Caspian full-time and was grateful to still have him working there, the customers and other staff liked him.
“I'll let you get back to work, I know how busy you are.” He didn't want to take more of Caspian's time than was necessary. “But if I have a… situation… I'll let you and Dorian know.”
Upon mention of Dorian again, Caspian nodded. He was glad to hear that his friend was thriving there. When he had found the tall, slender creature the poor thing was worse for the wear though that was ages ago and both of them had blossomed into the people they were now. He wanted Dorian to have a better life, but overcoming those paranoias and phobias would take time. He had personally made sure D wanted for nothing - he had paid for Dorian’s apartment to keep the landlords at bay, kept the money funneled in for utilities and food, anything the other needed to survive.
“It means quite a lot to both of us that you’ve been so kind to him,” Caspian began, straightening his back just a touch. “He has been through quite a lot, many could not even scratch the surface of a guess as to the ordeals and challenges he’s faced. I’m glad that he has someone as willing to be patient and considerate with him, he’s learning more and more each day.” He didn’t talk about Dorian’s past with anyone, that was not up to him to divulge.
A nod would come. Caspian frowned a touch, hoping that the call for that purpose would not ever have to be placed. “Aye, that sounds just fine to me. I doubt you’ll have trouble but then again life has a way of surprising all of us.”
Moving to stand up, a hand lowered, “Always a pleasure to chat with you, Finn. Until we meet again, then?”
There had been a fair amount of challenges when Dorian had first started working there, there were so many things that triggered an episode that sometimes it was like walking on eggshells, though with time and patience those had lost their power, Dorian had grown both physically and mentally into quite the strong man and Finn was proud of the progress.
“I will always try my hardest to ensure that the store is a safe place for him, I've had my fair share of troublemakers over the years but they get the message clear enough when they're banned.” Even though some slipped through the cracks, a majority of banned people never stood foot in the store again.
Finn hoped that he'd never have to make the call either, but it was good that there was that option available, just in case. “She gave me her word that she'd never do anything to hurt me or the store, and I take that seriously. I will look after her as if she's my own family.” And that was a promise.
Getting to his feet as well Finn shook the offered hand and smiled at Caspian. “Slán leat.” ‘May health/safety go with you.’ He said in Gaelic. “Until then.”
There was much to be said about how Finn catered to Caspian’s family; Dorian, Laura, those select few he considered close and willing to protect at any cost. He found it endearing, that loyalty, given by a man who was on the outside of that circle and yet so willing to do what he could (it seemed) to work his way in. Cas was not the person you wanted to cross, but he doubted that Finn would ever have a reason to.
When the handshake was completed Caspian let the other go, offering a nod of satisfaction.
It was then he turned and wandered off back the way he had come. A moment later he was tucked into the back of the SUV, which was pulling away once the driver had gotten back in, to take the drug lord back to the business he’d been tending to prior to the conversation taking place.