Who: Caspian Finn, Gabriel Allen What: Nothing to see here -- just two good friends expressing mutual appreciation for said friendship -- move along! Where: A city park When: 12 July 1888 [Backdated] Ratings: PG, but, naturally, low-key flirty.
One of Gabriel’s favorite past times these past few months (outside of the obvious, that is) was walking arm in arm with Caspian through one park or another on the way to a pleasant lunch. If there was time enough for a stolen hour or two after said lunch, that was the icing on the proverbial cake. He found the Merman’s company refreshing, his commentary on the world around them endlessly droll, and the pleasure of Caspian’s arm wound through the crook of Gabriel’s elbow as they walked and talked was delightful.
London was having a lovely summer -- not too hot, but enough sun to bring out the flowers, and the relative cool and green leafiness of the park was a pleasant change from the hustle and bustle of the traffic.
“I thought we might go to the Ship and Turtle for luncheon today, if you’re amenable,” he said, looking over at his friend. “If not, the Mitre’s close by as well.”
There was one thing Caspian loved about the land and that was the spring and autumn seasons. Summer was far too warm for his tastes and winter much too cold, but the in-between periods he found very suitable. The day reminded him of a spring day, the weather was mild and beautiful.
“Wherever you'd like to dine is fine with me,” Caspian replied, arm curled gently around Gabriel’s. It wasn't often they had a chance to be so close out in public and any opportunity that presented itself he was eager to snatch.
“Have you had the chance to see the latest production at Spectacular Review?” The Mer inquired curiously. It had been Gabriel’s idea, the pirates, and it had turned out to be one of their best performances yet.
“The Ship and Turtle it is,” he replied. “I thought the name rather fitting.”
“And I have,” he continued, grinning. “You seemed quite mobbed after, and I didn’t want to take you away from your adoring throng, but it was wonderful,” he said. “The bit with the sword-fighting was thrilling, and the pirate queen’s solo was inspired.” He patted Caspian’s hand with his. “I’m beyond tickled you went with my silly notion and executed it so beautifully. But you are a true artist, so I shouldn’t have been surprised in the least.”
He endlessly admired Caspian’s way of holding a crowd in the palm of his hand, and knew the amount of work that went into wrangling his troupe of performers into a smooth and cohesive unit. “I was thinking I might be able to take you up on that Friday rehearsal offer this upcoming week. I might see if I can pull Mrs Adams away from her studies long enough to come with.”
Caspian was delighted that Gabriel had been able to catch the performance. After each show, as was custom, the cast and crew went to meet the crowds. This time the buzz had been sensational.
“I should steal more of your ideas,” he teased, emitting a soft laugh. “Though I would love to take the credit for the execution, it wasn't just the efforts of a single man. We all put in a lot of work and long hours to pull it off.” He could tell that each of the cast and crew had thrown themselves entirely into the development of the idea and the characters. It showed in the performance.
“Ah yes, rehearsal! I would welcome the pair of you, and if Mrs. Adams finds herself unable to attend there shall be another. It is an experience I would like to share with the pair of you.”
“Another, hm?” Gabriel replied, a slight tease in his voice. “An admirer of your artistry, I have no doubt. I’ll do my best to convince her,” he said. “I think she’d do well to get out more often.”
As they walked along the park path, Gabriel looked over at his friend. “I am struck by the notion that your art is one that is intended to be a temporary one -- a fleeting thing, never to be repeated the same way twice. I think it is that nature of it -- the ever-changing aliveness of it that makes it so seductive, so likely to rouse laughter and tears. And I know, it is a group effort, but I can see your fingermarks over the entire piece to make it all cohesive, to bring the audience in close and whisper secrets in our ear. You have a remarkable gift, my dear sir, and I am continually in awe of it.”
“If she cannot attend, I shall not be disappointed. There will always be a day where her arrival will be welcomed.” He had no business putting himself into someone's life and demand to be the center. People had things to do, he had no rights to delegate.
In response to the comments about his artistry, Caspian radiated. “Your words, they are too kind. I am not sure I am deserving but I shall take the compliments as they've been given.” He knew he had some role to play, he didn't have the job assigned because he was a regular person. He had an advantage.
“You, sir, are quite the charmer. I fear whomever does fall for your tricks shall find themselves very lucky indeed at such an opportunity,” Caspian chuckled softly.
“Pot meet kettle,” Gabriel replied with an amiable laugh. “With our combined talents, we’re a force to be reckoned with. It’s a damn good thing neither of us have greater ambitions, or we’d conquer the world.”
He smiled warmly at his friend’s beaming countenance. “Ah, see, even now, your humility grounds you, and makes you even more charming, if at all possible. One cannot help but be drawn to it. And I very much consider myself the luckier of the two of us -- then again, I am a touch more mercenary than you are, by nature.” He looked over at the merman, his voice low and sincere as they walked along, temporarily alone in the quiet still green of the park. “I hope you know how much I appreciate both your friendship and the gift you so freely give me, Mr. Finn.”
A chuckle of delight escaped him. He had to agree, they would be quite the pair if any challenge faced them. As it was, keeping quiet and off of the radar worked out for them.
Caspian took Gabriel’s words to heart knowing them to be true. The man didn't have a reason to be false to him, but he responded humbly just the same. “I believe the world needs a touch more humility, people are far too broad nowadays. There really is nothing left to surprise.”
He turned a charming smile upon his friend, “I appreciate your friendship too, my friend, and anything that comes from it is bonus.”
“Well,” Gabriel replied, grinning back fondly, “aren’t we a lucky pair, then. And too right. It does you a great deal of credit, in my book, and I, for one, enjoy being continually surprised by you.”
“It is my sincerest hope that my Leah will be able to meet someone like you, you know,” he added as they approached the edge of the park. “A friend whose discretion she can depend on, who gives her as much happiness as you’ve given me. I know you’ve got no obligations keeping you tied down -- that it’s your nature to drift where the currents take you,” he added, with a small grin, “but I have enjoyed our time together thus far, and will continue to do so for as long as you wish it.”
“Indeed, we are,” he agreed without a moment to spare. It was uncanny, their friendship and the way things had worked out in both of their favor.
At mention of Leah, Gabriel’s daughter that he'd yet to meet in person, the Mer nodded. “I'm afraid she may never find another like me. As you can see from the way Mrs. Adams is, we are much different. Before I met her, I wasn't aware our kind even could possess actual feelings for another. I was taken delightfully by surprise, though I have a feeling her situation began quite differently than ours.”
“How could I conclude any time spent with you? I don't believe I could bear the thought of it.”
“Circumstances change,” Gabriel replied with a shrug. “I wouldn’t hold it against you if you did decide to go elsewhere. After all, I know you, and you’ve always been so wonderfully open about what you can and cannot do. It’s one of your better qualities -- one always knows where one stands with you.”
“I am glad to hear that you don’t plan to float away any time soon, though,” he added. “Very glad.” He smiled, soft and fond, before schooling his features a little more as they exited the park to a busy street. “I might have you over for dinner sometime, now that Leah’s a touch more available, if you’d care for it? And we might have a larger party go to the countryside for a day or two -- I’d be sure to include you on the invitation list, and if you’d let me know your next day off, that’d help to determine our schedule.”
That was true. Caspian could make no guarantees as to his whereabouts in the future. He had to go where the entertainment was, be that London or somewhere across the sea.
“I know that you wouldn't, and I cannot promise that I will not take that voyage when it comes but I can hope that even if that day comes that our paths may yet cross again.”
With a nod, Caspian squared his shoulders. The street could be fairly quick paced when it wanted to be. “I would like that.” The answer was positive for both ideas, “I believe that I could escape on a Friday if necessary to ensure a lengthy weekend.”
“Lovely,” Gabriel replied lightly as they made their way across the road to the restaurant. “And that’s a delightful way of thinking about it. You know I’d come and visit wherever you ended up in a heartbeat, and you’d always be welcome to stay with me should you wish to come through town once again. Airships truly are marvelous. But we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it, I’d imagine, and thoroughly enjoy one another’s company in the meantime.”
He grinned as they walked down the sidewalk. “Speaking of, I don’t know what your afternoon plans are, but I could manage to spare a few hours of my day to extend my enjoyment of your company after lunch, if you’re amenable.”