Scanlan couldn’t help the grin that emerged once Gilmore appeared. Here they were, two handsome, charismatic men (in one gnome’s humble opinion), together once again. Although even Scanlan could admit it was difficult to hold a candle to Gilmore’s charm. He was quite happy to bask in it, and of course, the attention.
“Not today, but a few other times this week,” Scanlan said, returning the hug with equally fierce affection. “I haven’t yet decided how long to stay. I like the idea of leaving an audience wanting more.” He looked a bit cheeky, but no more so than usual, and stepped back to allow Gilmore to return to his full height.
Business would certainly be more pleasurable if there were drinks to be had. Too many days had passed of Scanlan feeling a bit too lonely, even when he was oftentimes on a stage. He missed this company of a good friend.
“Wine would be wonderful, thank you,” he agreed easily. “I also have a... request to run by you, if you have time.”
He slipped something out of his pocket, then moved his arms behind to back to fiddle with the small, unseen object. It felt much heavier than its weight, as it strangely had for some months now. He schooled his expression back into something more conversational than troubled, fingers clutching onto its smooth surface.
“Are you familiar with gate stones?” That was innocuous, he supposed. There was a chance this wouldn’t work, but it didn’t hurt to ask. “Their properties, how to enchant them. The whole deal.”