Gael Cardenas (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} shorething) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} heureuxlake, |
Her confidence made Gael grin at her. "There are definitely some fun new people since I left," he agreed, feeling just a touch of guilt that the image that sprung first to mind was Eric, rather than Astrid. "I was only 18 when I left, but I definitely don't remember parties like this. Everyone's put in such an effort." Birthday parties in Nebraska had not tended to include full suits, let alone glowing flowers and a dozen varieties of gin. "So you're here for the long haul, then, if you're waiting til midnight," Gael teased. He also had no idea what time it was. "I promise, I won't be heartbroken if you spot him over my shoulder and run off," he joked.
"One of many," Gael agreed, genuinely meaning it. He was grateful he'd had a home, with a family who loved him, to retreat to. Maybe the work wasn't exactly what he would've chosen for himself, but there were other perks to being in Tarrytown. And they said time healed all wounds, so things could only get better, right? "Oh, wow. What a compliment! And I take it you did?" Since, after all, Astrid had said she'd worked up a group of clients, which implied she'd been successful with at least some of them. "Do you enjoy it? Training people?"
No, Astrid hadn't mentioned that she was a Valkyrie, but Gael waved that away. He tended to assume people knew what he was here, so he could understand someone else not bringing it up. As much as he wanted to comment on being able to fly, he paused, studying Astrid's expression. "That... sounds like maybe not party talk?" he offered gently. "Not because I mind, but I don't want to bring your mood down." Maybe it didn't, but at the very least it sounded like it would be complicated ground to tread.