Third flower | Video | within an hour of the lights going up over London

[thebalrogslayer]

 [Gabriel's flat is in unusual disarray, a bag out on the bed which he's shoving clothes into, half out of sight of the camera.  He continues packing as he speaks, short and terse, unusually dishevelled and obviously anxious.]

London lit up.  I have to go home.  My parents are there.  [And, for those who don't remember how old Gabriel really is, his parents are in their early 80s.]

If anyone needs somewhere to stay, I might be able to set you onto somewhere.  Let me know.

[And that's that; he cuts the feed.  Replies will come later and from a very different place: the flat above his parent's house in London.]

Comments

[Action]

[espigeonage]

[Julien hangs out filling the doorway, watching with his involuntary faint-smile look. There's concern in his voice.]

I can clean up in here when you're done.

[thebalrogslayer]

Hantanyel. [It's been hard enough to try and keep in English as it is, at least with Julien there he can partly give in and revert to Quenyan.]

Could you water the plants for me?

[espigeonage]

You're welcome.

Of course I will. Your parents have a spare room for you, right? [They've got to be old, Julien realizes.]

[thebalrogslayer]

Spare room, and a spare flat. I brought the house for them when I was younger, and I keep telling the to rent out the flat, but they say they have enough money and they'd rather keep it in case I want to come home. [His tone turns fonder, softer. His family is wonderful, and he knows how lucky he is.]

Will you be all right here by yourself?

[espigeonage]

[Gabriel really is lucky there, Julien thinks wistfully.] Good. Once you're settled in I'm sure you'll get visitors. I've never seen London!

I'll be fine. Your 'flat' is nicer than the barn I was in in the Alps. ...thanks again for letting me stay.

[thebalrogslayer]

We'll take you to Trafalgar square, freak out the hawks. [Despite everything he manages a wry smile.]

You know I don't mind. I have a spare room, I'm just glad you're somewhere safe.

[espigeonage]

Heh. Maybe I can buzz Big Ben. -You have your toiletries? I hope all those clothes fit. [Julien is shorter than he was - he can stretch up to be quite tall, but standing comfortably upright he's around six feet - but he's heard Gabriel got taller.]

It's still nice of you. Or a cold ploy to make sure your plants are watered whenever you're not here, whatever.

[thebalrogslayer]

I can always buy or come back for more. [He doesn't have that much that fits him since he grew over the new year anyway. Toiletries, though... He heads into the en suit so he can start to pack all of his hair things. Sorry, but a man's gotta look after his most precious possession. |: ]

If they don't get watered, it's not the end of the world. [And that alone should tell Julien how worried he is: normally he'd throw in a jibe about throwing Julien out on his feathery arse if he comes back and they're all dead.]

[espigeonage]

[Yep. It's serious. Julien comes farther into the room. He can't offer to carry the bag, he'd slow things down...]

The teleporter ought to have a new sigil. If not, or it takes longer, you'll take a plane?

[thebalrogslayer]

I'm hoping the teleporter has a new sigil, but yes, if not I'll go to the airport. [He can't really afford to drop that kind of money on a plane ticket any more, but money is the last thing on his mind right now. But aside from that, the teleporter will save him an eight hour flight, getting him back home straight away.]

I'll let you know if I have to fly. [So that if he's uncontactable, Julien will know why.] Thorir has a spare set of keys if you have any troubles with the flat.

[espigeonage]

Right. I can see if there's anything soon and record some flight numbers, that'll cut down on time if it comes to that.

[He nods.] All right. Don't worry about me, I don't need keys anymore.

[thebalrogslayer]

I'd appreciate that. [He really would, that'll make things so much easier.]

No, but it means someone else can get in if anything goes wrong.

[espigeonage]

[Goes wrong with Julien? He decides not to get into that.]

I know his phone. You don't have to worry about here.

Think this is enough for a few days? Let me know the sigil situation, if there isn't one and it'll take a while before a flight you can come pack more.