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[thebalrogslayer]

 Professional
(always unanswered unless a recognised number)



"You've reached Gabriel West.  Unfortunately, I'm unavailable at the moment, but leave your name and a contact method and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able."

Personal



"Hi, it's Gabriel!  I can't get to my phone right now, but leave me a message and I'll get back to you.  Cheers!"

Comments

text;

[unelven]

I need to leave Locke.

Text

[thebalrogslayer]

How long for?

Are you busy or can I call?

Text

[unelven]

I don't know.

You can call or you can come by for a drink. Either works for me.

Text

[thebalrogslayer]

As in, could be a day or two or could be a month?

Text

[deeproots]

More along the lines of it could be a month or a year.

Text

[thebalrogslayer]

That long?

Give me an hour or so and I'll come over so we can talk properly.

Text

[unelven]

That long.

I'll make dinner.

[ And he does just that. ]

Text -> action

[thebalrogslayer]

[Well in that case, Gabriel has to stop on the way to pick up a bottle of (organic, of course) wine for his friend. He sends a text to let him know when he's leaving, but is otherwise silent until just over an hour later when he knocks on the door.]

voice phone call.

[arrowpoint]

Gabriel, Thorir won't let me go with you guys. I keep trying to say I can do this but he still says no.

[thebalrogslayer]

[Gabriel sighs, but there's a touch of fondness to it. It's been a long time since someone came to him to complain that Thorir wouldn't let them do something. Thirty years, almost.]

You're a legal adult, [A pause, and then,] right? He can't stop you. Though he won't be happy if you go behind his back.

[arrowpoint]

...Oh true, that's right! I'm twenty-one what can he do about it?

[Pause.]

You don't think he'd kick me out of the mountain, would he?

[thebalrogslayer]

... [On the one hand Gabriel wants to say that Thorir wouldn't ever leave someone out in the open and exposed with so much danger going on, but on the other hand, would Thorin? And how much is the latter influencing the former now?]

I don't know. [He admits.] I think he would be betrayed by it. If you want to go without going behind his back you'll have to do your best to convince him. Why did he say you couldn't go?

[arrowpoint]

[Hrm, well he didn't want to be out of a place to live. His mom didn't want him spending money on hotels anymore.]

He was like "your mind isn't ready" or something dumb like that.

[thebalrogslayer]

[SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT. Except probably best not to say that.]

These aren't alien creatures or monsters we'll be dealing with. They're humans, the same as you and I, with hopes and dreams and fears. It's going to be bloody and nasty, and I expect that people are going to die. [Gabriel isn't very happy about that. He doesn't sound particularly pleased. But he's going not for the love of the battle or to try and save Locke, but to protect his own. If he can defend Thorir's back then hopefully he won't have to kill (or be killed).]

[arrowpoint]

[Liam goes quiet as he considers Gabriel's words. It was really something he was trying to push out of his mind, as was the memory of what he'd already done. When he speaks there is a slight waver in his tone, suggesting there was a disconnect between what he was saying and what he was feeling.]

I know... I've...killed somebody before.

[It was a shame that Liam couldn't realize that what Thorir had said was right, and that not being ready in this case might even be a good thing.]

I just want Locke to be safe again, you know?

[thebalrogslayer]

[That is a surprise, and Gabriel raises an eyebrow unseen.]

I understand. I think everyone wants to see it safe again. But that doesn't mean you have to fight. There will be other ways to help.

[arrowpoint]

Like what?

[He doubted his usual saving the environment thing was going to help so much in this case.]

[thebalrogslayer]

It's not going to take one fight for all the lies to go away completely. It's going to take people who haven't been too involved in any fighting, people who can fit in fairly well, to... well, do PR for lack of a better term. I'm sure that that won't be the only thing that needs to be done either. [At least Liam should be able to look harmless.]

[arrowpoint]

You mean like... be public about it?

[So far Liam was trying to be on the down low, really. He hums and seems hesitant, making a noise like he wanted to say something else, but thought better of it.]

[thebalrogslayer]

Or we'll find another way. But there will be other sides away from fighting.

You don't want to announce yourself like that?

[arrowpoint]

...I think dad would be pretty cool about it, but my mom would kill me. She doesn't even know I'm numbered, and it might look bad for the company or something. Not that Dad knows either, but... yeah.

[thebalrogslayer]

[Gabriel pauses, and then,] So you're going to keep it hidden from them?

[arrowpoint]

Well, they might make me come home, you know?

[thebalrogslayer]

What if they find out by themselves? Wouldn't you rather tell them in your own time?

[arrowpoint]

I'd rather not.

[Pause.]

For all I know maybe uncle Teage already told them, I don't know. I think they'd have asked me to come home by now.

[thebalrogslayer]

Well, it is your choice. As long as you know what you're doing. [Much like that subject that Liam originally called him for that Gabriel doesn't wish to remind him of.}

[arrowpoint]

Yeah, I got this. My folks don't know a lot of stuff, and I've turned out okay.

[Liam no]

[thebalrogslayer]

[Yeaaaaah Gabriel's not 100% sure about that certain salads shall not be mentioned but he's hardly going to tell Liam that.]

I hope that they don't find out, then.

[espigeonage]

[Forwards dated a few days.]

Gwannas lu and. Hey, Gabe, you think you'd be up for uh... helping me build a night bonfire? In Germany?

[Pause.]

...I got a really stupid pulse. Another one, I mean. Did I tell you I got one making me look really good in a skirt?

[thebalrogslayer]

Are you trying to say you didn't look good in one before? [Laughing.]

What's the bonfire for?

[espigeonage]

Better than that. [he didn't know he'd look good in a skirt at all until he got the pulse.]

I know the rites to some kind of black mass using a fire out in the open to connect to the moon and stars. Pretty sure it was actually some kind of cult and I really hope it's not my religion now, but I kinda want to... hang out around a fire at night. Maybe roast something.

[thebalrogslayer]

Some sort of magic? [His laughter falters, not sure about that. Still, he trusts Julien, so,] I'm fairly sure it doesn't matter what you echo back you can still chose your own faith.

Still, just tell me when and where and I'll be there. I can bring marshmallows?

[espigeonage]

Not magic! I hope. They used the fire to pray to the stars and some kind of apocalyptic sky god, and I sort of feel like the Apostle didn't actually believe in this god but he had followers who liked the rhetoric. ...I really don't know a thing about this guy.

Well, his views or ideas about stars kinda leaked, but that was a while ago. ...anyway, the weather in Germany is colder but clearer. I have a spot picked. I think I'm asking Liam too, he likes camping.

[thebalrogslayer]

Liam would probably enjoy that. The elves have a thing for stars, from what we can tell. One of the valar - one of their... gods, sort of? She was the god of stars. Varda.

Ah, but that's by the by. I'll come.

[espigeonage]

Aaron sang me a prayer to Elbereth once, in Quenya. They related?

Great! I can set up the wood while it's still light but it'd be dangerous if I tried lightning it and hanging around in the dark. I have zero desire to catch fire.

[thebalrogslayer]

One and the same. I don't suppose you remember it?

Ah, I see how it is, if you're going to be setting fire to things you want a nightlight around. Speaking of which - have you seen the same light from Liam or Ariel?

[espigeonage]

Nice. I remember the tune, that's about it. Sorry.

Haha, yeah. I wonder if that'd spoil the mood! There's supposed to be a light flickering against the darkness. Too bad we can't put a blanket over you. And, no, you're the only one I've seen glowing.

[thebalrogslayer]

No, it's all right, I was just curious. I think I'd like to remember more about them, but I can't think of a way to trigger more echoes. I don't think they... worshipped the stars, not in the same sense people would here, so I don't think that'll do anything.

You're not putting a blanket over me, not unless it gets really cold. [But at least he knows it's an elf thing now. Even though he still wonders why only Julien can see it.]

[espigeonage]

All right. I hope it doesn't get me more - what the hell the Apostle had a cult for, maybe. You'd better hold me down if I decide to sacrifice anyone though. I'll burn some of my molt and that should be fine.

Oooh, you'd look like a cheap ghost! Missed Halloween opportunity, Gabe.

[thebalrogslayer]

No, I'd look like a cheap ghost to you and a bloke in a sheet to everyone else.

Don't worry, though, there'll be no sacrificing under my watchful gaze. Unless it involves marshmallows, and perhaps potatoes.

[espigeonage]

You'll always be an expensive cheap ghost to me.

Maybe sausage? I may be able to find something vegan, I'll have to check. Wouldn't do to have real meat with Liam there! I'm sure the god in the fire will be satisfied.

[thebalrogslayer]

Charmed, I'm sure.

Thanks for reminding me, I'll have to make sure I get vegan marshmallows. I'll head to the health food shop. In fact, why don't you leave the sausages, you get the wood and the matches and I'll bring the food. If we leave Liam just to bring his good self he might get there safely. [He's teasing, mostly.]

[espigeonage]

Oooh, that's right, they might have gelatin. Get the other stuff for s'mores too.

Sounds good! I can ask him to bring stuff to sit on. He likes camping, he should have foldy chairs. I need a stool, or just a blanket will do.

[thebalrogslayer]

Will do, captain. [Laughing.]

Chairs is a good idea too. Possibly blankets for warmth as well.

[espigeonage]

It's so nice to have power. Heh. Muhehehe.

Cool. It's been a little warmer lately but not far above freezing, even in the day.

[thebalrogslayer]

Don't let it go to your head now.

The fire will help, but still best to wrap up warm then.

[espigeonage]

Or you'll sit on me, yes yes, and the god in the fire will not appear. [he's just playing] I'll be good.

Right! I'll bring a thing or two in case Liam does not.