Who: Gabriel Allen, Dex Kessinger What: Gabriel pays homage to the Lord of the Thames Where: Dex's home When: In the early hours of 9th September, 1888 [Slight backdate] Rating: PG
There were a few old traditions Gabriel adhered to. The bond of one’s word, and one’s handshake, the rights of blood, and the value in respecting the territory of those older and more powerful than you. While his usual haunts tended to straddle both sides of the Thames, he knew who was the Lord and Master of the river itself, and knew to do his due diligence when it came to showing respect.
Dex was a canny sort -- and he’d been around for long enough (and was observant enough) that Gabriel didn’t bother to play coy with the dragon regarding the network of whores and pickpockets that worked and lived along the Thames that Gabriel had cultivated and tended to over the years. Dex tended to be even tempered, and the dragon didn’t interfere often in the business of others and could keep his fair share of secrets, which was something Gabriel could appreciate.
The recent murders had Gabriel a little spooked, and he figured it was high time to pay the Lord of the Thames a call, to pay his respects and test the temperature of the dragon.
When he came calling with Dex, it was done with care -- while it was important to Gabriel to have an understanding with the dragon, it also made both their lives less complicated if such an understanding were kept between the two of them unless otherwise necessary. So he didn’t go out of his way to advertise their understanding in public, and he didn’t use the front door or leave his calling card when he called on Dex. With Dex, when he visited (which was quite rare to begin with), he slunk in through the servant’s entrance, after dark, carrying his usual tributes -- a rather nice vintage of scotch, and a piece of antiquity he’d managed to nab from the black market that he thought the dragon would appreciate.
Dex had been slightly on edge with the news about the Ripper. One never liked to hear of murder and mayhem, but one definitely didn’t like to hear of a murderer who seemed to keep killing a certain type of woman. He followed the news strictly and he had friends that told him how the police were handling such things. So far, there was no clue as to the maniac.
With the Ripper running about, he knew a visit with Gabriel would come and it hadn’t surprised him to receive notice that he was coming. The hour would be late and all would be asleep in their beds in his home when Gabriel came in through the servant quarters. Dex knew no one would see the man make his way to his personal study that was close to his bedroom. This was something he knew to be kept in secret, and secrets were something he was rather good at.
“Mr. Allen,” he spoke quietly as Gabriel strode into his study as quiet as a mouse. “Not that I have to ask, but I’m sure no one saw you tonight?”
“No-one’s the wiser,” Gabriel replied with an easy grin, as he set the bottle and a small wooden box on the side table before bowing slightly.
“Mr Kessinger,” Gabriel said as he lowered his head to the Lord of the Thames, “I hope this evening finds you well, sir.”
Formalities done (he knew Dex didn’t tend to care for excessive displays), he stood, looking at the dragon evenly. “I suppose you know why I’m calling,” he said, quietly.
Dex had never been comfortable with being bowed to or excessive displays for him. He didn’t know why, but it just didn’t seem as if it needed to be done towards him. He would rather just be any normal Joe, treat everyone the same, which sometimes could get him in trouble. There had been times in his life when he should have bowed to someone and had not.
“I’m well, as I hope you find yourself,” he said with a slight nod and then gestured towards a seat as he brought out two glasses for the scotch that Gabriel had brought.
“I do,” he nodded and poured them each a glass. “The murdered women, correct?” He handed Gabriel a glass and then took a seat across from him.
Gabriel nodded by way of reply as he took a sip of his drink. It was excellent scotch, but that was a given, seeing as he’d picked it out.
“You might see why I’d have a vested interest in sorting all this out sooner rather than later,” Gabriel replied. “I’ve seen no indication that it’s one of ours,” he added, “nor anything to rule that out either,” he said, with a shrug. “My birds are rattled, and nervous, and hear rumors, but I know nothing definitive as of yet.”
“I don’t suppose anyone’s drifted your way?” He added, swirling the liquid in his glass. “Any floaters who’ve had their throats slit?”
“Yes,” Dex nodded and then lifted his glass to his lips. He wasn’t disappointed that the scotch was excellent, he had known it would be as Gabriel would not have brought anything less. “I’ve kept my ear to the ground,” he looked at the other man. “But I haven’t heard of much progress being made or any suspects as of yet,” he frowned. “Whomever is doing this, I want to say he, or she,” he blinked to realize that it could definitely be a she. “They could be supernatural,” he sighed.
“There have not been any in the river that I’ve been aware of,” he shook his head. “If there are, you would be someone I’d contact.” He’d be worried that it was someone of Gabriel’s for sure.
Gabriel frowned, and nodded. “Appreciated,” he replied. “I know the Night Watch is keeping an eye on things,” he added, thinking of Bertie rushing to Miss Lydia’s to check on his musicians after the first murder. Well, perhaps it was just Bertie being Bertie -- but it still applied nonetheless. “And I’m keeping Anne aware as well, of course,” he added. The sole demon in the House of Shadows was a venerable succubus, and Gabriel knew far better than to keep her uninformed.
“I don’t believe that any of the victims yet have been demons,” he added, by way of clarity, “but it’s still a point of concern, of course.”
He took a sip of his scotch. “I’ll be making more… directed inquiries among my own circles.” He was thinking of Chiara and Severina for that matter -- one well versed in the criminal underworld of the city, the other dealing regularly in bodies. He raised an eyebrow and looked over at Dex. “Any other steps you’d recommend?”
“The victims may not have been been demons, but that doesn’t mean a demon isn’t doing this,” Dex pointed out. “My concern is that if it is a demon of sorts that it will end up bringing light to us in a way we won’t appreciate,” he frowned. Perhaps he needed to start taking to the air a few nights the week and watching; he drank from his glass as he thought that over.
“I have my own contacts as well, so I’ll be sure to have information when it comes out and will pass it along,” he told Gabriel. “I’d tell your girls to not be alone. To travel in packs and when they go off alone that someone knows who they are will,” he said. “Keep them as safe as you can,” he commented. “Night watch will be good, but we can maybe hire other men to watch the streets,” he suggested.
Gabriel nodded. “Agreed, on all counts,” he said, quietly, frowning. “And it could be a witch as well. I know one I might talk to, see if she’s picked up anything.”
He sighed, taking a sip of his drink. “I’ve been making my usual rounds a touch more often of late,” he added, “and I could rope in some lads who might be up for some part-time night work, too. Perhaps someone with a good nose on ‘em might be useful.” Vampires were good at sniffing out fresh blood in particular, but wolves could track. “I’ll ask around. Quietly. Won’t pass along your name, of course,” he added, with a tight smile.
“And you?” He asked, after a pause and a sip of his drink. “How’ve you been keeping? How’s your lad? You look well,” he added, more out of politeness than anything -- Dex tended to keep business and pleasure separate, which was a pity, but a stance Gabriel could certainly respect.
Dex hadn’t thought about it being a witch, but it could very well be. In fact, it could be just about anything and anyone, he just hoped it was human, as bad as that sounded. A human wouldn’t bring the supernatural into the light and he was all for keeping them in the dark.
He appreciated Gabriel keeping his name out of it all. “Anything you need, anything at all, you let me know,” he said and meant. If money was needed to pay a few lads to keep an eye on the streets, he’d hand it over without blinking an eye.
He relaxed as conversation shifted to him. “I’ve been well,” he said with a nod. “I let some of my collection go up on one of the airships,” he sighed. If anyone knew him at all, they knew he did not hand over his collections lightly. “Sam is doing good. He and his new governess seem to get along quite well and so far he’s had less accidents with his ability,” he chuckled. “We, of course, continue to butt heads.” His son was pretty stubborn and even after two years he still wasn’t so sure about Dex. “And you? How many do you have chasing after you? How many hearts have you broken?” He chuckled, teasing him. He knew what Gabriel was and had to respect the man that he somehow kept drama low.
“I believe that all children are sworn to butt heads with their parents,” Gabriel replied with a bit of a smile and a small chuckle. “It’s their God-given right, and a sign you’re doing your job well, I’d warrant. And it doesn’t stop when they’re grown, either, believe me,” he added, slipping into a more comfortable position in his chair with a shake of his head. “My daughter got her stubbornness from me, I’m afraid. My ambition too. She’ll go far, but she’s still got some growing-up to do, no doubt about that. I’m glad your Sam is settling some.”
He waved a hand, almost absently. “Oh, you know me,” he said, grinning. “I keep a full dance card, and pine for the few who’ve managed to escape my charms with their virtues intact, despite their being endlessly tempting,” he said, giving Dex a wink. “I do try my best to leave my dance partners well-satisfied instead of too badly heartbroken as a general rule, and I can’t say I have any complaints on that count of late.” He looked over at Dex, teasing back. “And what about you, you handsome devil?” He said. “Still on the lookout for a decent partner, or have you found one to make me jealous of?”
“Well, as long as it seems I’m doing my job right,” Dex chuckled. “I never thought a child could keep my hands full as he does, but I have to say I think it’s worth it.” Dex had adopted Sam two years ago from New York after finding him in an orphanage. He’d sensed right away that the small boy was a dragon and knew that he needed to get him away and with his own kind. So far it had been an uphill battle, but at the end of the day, Dex really didn’t mind. “If you didn’t know better, you’d think he got his stubbornness from me,” he chuckled.
He gave a rumbling sound of laughter when the wink came. It wasn’t that Dex wasn’t attracted to Gabriel, he was, and if they didn’t have some sort of semi-business/friendship going on he definitely would have gone there, but he had a thing about how sex of any sort could mess up relationships. That didn’t stop the smirk that settled on his lips, however, or wondering just how good it would be. “No one escapes your charm,” he said. “They just manage to somehow keep certain things above it for the time being,” he chuckled. “I’m pretty certain a decent partner will not be coming my way,” he sighed. “I’ve settled on being a single parent. Not to say I don’t have my dalliances from time to time.”
“Well,” Gabriel replied with a bit of a cheeky grin, “I do admire your willpower, and reserve the right to be quite put-out that I’m not one of them,” he said, with an easy laugh. He knew Dex had his reasons -- he was just being complimentary.
His expression softened a bit in sympathy upon mention of Dex’s lack of prospects, and he reached over and gave the dragon’s shoulder an assuring pat. “From one single parent to another, it is entirely worth it. He’s lucky to have you, Dex, and he most certainly got that stubbornness in part from you. He may not be of your blood, but he is your son, and you certainly set a fine example for him to follow. I can’t think of a soul alive who’d be able do better for him than you have.”
Dex smiled and sipped at his drink. He thought of his son and how the lad seemed to be growing so quickly. He was thriving, whether the boy wanted to admit to it or not, something that he wasn’t doing in New York. He could be himself here, and could understand what he was. “We’ll see how well I do when he becomes a teenager,” he chuckled. “Life will be a lot more interesting then,” he laughed. If this boy was anything like Dex was as a teenager, life would definitely get more interesting. “Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll find a partner to help me out.”
Gabriel raised his glass. “Cheers to that, Dex,” he said, and took a sip of his drink. “Although fair warning -- teenagers can be… territorial when it comes to interlopers.” He grinned and shook his head. “Might be different for sons, you never know. And mercy, a teenaged dragon. Heaven help us.” He laughed, looking over at Dex. “As long as you’re around to put a damper on things, I suppose we’re all in good hands on that count.”
“I saw you at Una’s engagement party,” Gabriel added, looking over at Dex, a little curiously. “Interesting business, to say the least.”
Dex hadn’t thought about about his son being territorial, though he should have. Dragons were territorial by their own rights, add a boy whose family had left him in an orphanage and it could be even worse, he thought. “A territorial fire dragon,” he sighed. “Yeah, life is certainly going to be interesting for a while,” he chuckled and shook his head. “Good thing I’m water,” he then grinned.
He lifted an eyebrow just slightly at the mention of Una and the party and then gave a small nod. “Yes. Very interesting,” he sighed and looked down into his near empty glass. He quickly finished it off and reached for the bottle to refill his glass and then offered Gabriel a refill. “Business I do not like,” he then admitted. “But if she is...happy and taken care of…” he had nothing else to say. It tore at him that Una was marrying a vampire, and not just any vampire but Lord Ravensworth at that. A man that he knew from the House of Shadows. If anyone knew him well, they might have thought him jealous, and he supposed he was. “I take it that you know Una then? And Cassius?”
“The groom-to-be much less so, but I am familiar with the man,” Gabriel replied with a bit of a grimace, grateful he had been given permission to express some hesitancy over the match. “Cassius is a bright, ambitious sort, and certainly his manners and breeding are impeccable. I’m just a touch baffled as to why a woman such as her would… would take that sort of step. It breathes intentionality, only, I’ve no idea what her intentions are.” Sidhe could sometimes be a bit of a cipher -- their politics stretched across three realms, and the moves they made in one arena were often shaped by the remaining, but her move felt like a statement in a time of unrest, a statement picking a particular side to favor, perhaps.
Demons were distinctly wary of war -- it was bad for business, as it were. Gabriel had friends on both sides of the brewing tensions, and war tended to make such friends be rather insistent on picking a side. That, and demons were far more likely to be harmed as collateral damage -- when vampires and werewolves got going, they tended to go at it like hammer and tongs, forgetting that the rest of the world didn’t heal quite as quickly nor as easily, and that their actions had consequences for others, if not for them.
“I know both quite well, I guess you would say,” Dex commented. He and Cassius weren’t extremely friendly, but they did talk as he and Una did as well. He would say he was closer to Una as it had been she who had come to tell him about the marriage.
Dex thought over his words carefully, but he knew that he could trust Gabriel. Or he believed he could. “She and I have spoken,” he said hesitantly. “At great length. I believe that this is…” he paused and frowned for a moment. “She wants to stop a war, to...gather information on those who are causing trouble,” he said finally. “There are reasons for this marriage, ones that I wish would not lead to this but she believes it is her duty.”
“Ah,” Gabriel replied, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Now that… that makes a great deal more sense.” He looked over at Dex evenly. “Stopping a war is a rather good reason,” he said, “and one I believe I can support, in my small way.”
“I support her,” Dex said, sitting back in his hair. “But I don’t necessarily think it’s a good decision.” He frowned and looked away from Gabriel and ran a hand over his face. “She’s putting herself in grave danger, and all I can do is sit back and wait for her to call for help if she needs it.” Not that he’d be the first she’d call, but when he was he’d be there. “We just all have to watch and wait, go on about our lives and pray that she succeeds in her mission.”
“And pass along the odds and ends we tend to stumble across that may be useful,” Gabriel added, quietly. “You and me, we tend to hear more than most.” He shrugged a little. “I’ll keep her in mind, and tell you if there’s something that ought to be passed along on her count.” He paused. “Una’s the canniest woman I know. She’ll take care. It’s how she’s gotten as far as she has.”
His relationship with Una tended to be of a particular sort -- he wasn’t sure she’d welcome intelligence coming from him directly, especially unprompted, and the sort of intelligence he might be able to provide would also reveal a bit too much -- funneling through Dex was far safer all around.
Dex gave a smile of thanks and a nod of his head. “The more help she has, the better,” he agreed. “And we probably do hear more than others as I don’t think either one of us are scared to get our hands dirty,” he chuckled. “I’m sure she would appreciate the help,” and he was sure she would expect him to give her information knowing that he knew what and why she was doing what she was. “I hope you’re right,” he looked at Gabriel. “I hope that she does take care.”
“As do I,” Gabriel replied, “believe me, my friend.”
Demons knew how to read a room -- Dex tended to not enjoy protracted conversation, and he didn’t wish to overstay his welcome. He set down his glass on the table, and stood. “On that note,” he said, dropping his head in a brief bow, “I believe I’ll make my way. It’s good talking with you, Dex,” he said. “I do hope next time it’s under better circumstances.”
Dex, too, stood and set his glass down. “It was good seeing you, Gabriel,” he offered his hand to him. “I have a feeling it may be a while before we meet under better circumstances, but it’s good to know we can depend on each other and to work together.”
Gabriel shook the offered hand warmly. “Here’s to that,” he said, with a grin.