Post by Christian Moynahan on Sept 7, 2013 22:30:19 GMT -5
So what if I beg to differ, my friend?
Let's fall away as fast as gravity will take us there
-32 Leaves, "Way Beyond"
He had planned it this way, of course.
Gabriel was a strategist; there wasn't much that happened to him without his own hand playing a part in it. He only let Fate interfere when he felt like playing a game.
It had been extremely difficult for him to miss noticing the upcoming cholera epidemic in his visions. He was an excellent precog, though, and in almost all cases he was able to tell who was going to fall ill and get them out of harm's way. There were one or two cases in which he was unsuccessful, but he was certain Lucius would be able to handle Dakari's illness well enough, and that the Quatrevauxes would care for Wesley. Neither would succumb to it anyway. Christian, however, would have, in some of the futures. That didn't quite gel with Gabriel's designs. That was one of the reasons for the dinner he had planned for himself, Alex and Christian, at an upscale restaurant in the Four Seasons-Hualālai. Outside of the contiguous States, Christian would be safe from picking up the cholera at the epidemic's onset.
Also, he figured Alex and Christian should get to know each other.
He was kind of glad for the break from the States. Somehow he had never quite fit in within the developed world. His new family, as extended as it was, made that much better, but he still needed to be away from time to time. Alex understood that, of course, and one way to handle the visit would have been to leave the girls with the Babysitter and both head out to Africa. But that wasn't the point of this occasion at all.
The plan had been for Gabriel, who would be just returning from business in O'ahu, and Alex, who would likely be at home, to meet Christian at the Four Seasons, as Christian happened to be staying at the resort for the duration of his visit, which was supposed to be five days but which Gabriel happened to know Christian would cut short. Originally, Gabriel had wanted to have a small, private dinner at home, but in case things turned sour - as it did in some futures - Christian wouldn't get kicked out of and barred from their homes Daniel Briggs-style.
The restaurant happened to be an excellent choice, however. It had an absolutely astonishing view of the sunset, which they would get to see as Gabriel had set the dinner meeting for six o'clock. He had specifically reserved their three seats at the table with the best view. The menu appeared to be superb as well, or so Gabriel had heard; while it did lean heavily toward sushi, it did include many salads and entrees. It was a shame Gabriel would miss it.
As she often did, The Babysitter would look after Athena and Demeter while their parents were away. She was notified first. Very shortly after that, Alex received a series of texts regarding the change of plans, which, when put together, read as:
Christian also received a text, one that was decidedly more succinct:
The fact that each of them received the texts as they were entering the restaurant was, of course, entirely by design.
Christian frowned briefly at his phone, then set it to silent mode and slipped it into his pocket. He was mostly concerned about Gabriel's safety; he knew there had been some clashes and casualties there very recently. Gabriel could take care of himself, of course, but that didn't mean Christian could feel completely at ease. He considered Gabriel a friend, especially outside of their work relationship.
Besides, he was certain that Gabriel was right. Alex would be interesting to spend dinner with on her own. He was well aware of the disdain - to put it lightly - she held toward what was now his corporation, but he doubted she would behave rashly on that account. The woman Gabriel had married had to be headstrong and somewhat opinionated, but also completely under control, patient. Calculating. At least, Christian thought Gabriel was the sort of man who would be drawn to someone similar to and as respectable - and as powerful - as himself.
An attendant was leading him to the table Gabriel had reserved for them. Indeed, the view was stunning; he wondered whether there was any one place on the island that featured a sunset as spectacular. "Thank you," he said as he took a seat, only to return to his feet once he glimpsed Alex heading toward the table as well.
"Mrs. Constant. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He gave a slight bow and a smile, then moved around the table to pull a chair out for her. It was something of an automatic gesture; he had been taught that chivalry was essential, so it came naturally to him, with barely a thought. Once she had taken a seat, so did he, smoothing down his black dinner jacket as he did.
"I trust Gabriel made you aware of his absence as well." His hands fiddled with the napkin, moving over it to unwrap it, remove the utensils, and smooth it down. "I'm under the impression that he travels to conflict zones often, and that he is well prepared for any possibility, but all the same, he'll be in my thoughts until he returns." He tilted his head slightly and smiled faintly. "I hope I'll prove suitable company in his stead."
(Outfit.)
Gabriel was a strategist; there wasn't much that happened to him without his own hand playing a part in it. He only let Fate interfere when he felt like playing a game.
It had been extremely difficult for him to miss noticing the upcoming cholera epidemic in his visions. He was an excellent precog, though, and in almost all cases he was able to tell who was going to fall ill and get them out of harm's way. There were one or two cases in which he was unsuccessful, but he was certain Lucius would be able to handle Dakari's illness well enough, and that the Quatrevauxes would care for Wesley. Neither would succumb to it anyway. Christian, however, would have, in some of the futures. That didn't quite gel with Gabriel's designs. That was one of the reasons for the dinner he had planned for himself, Alex and Christian, at an upscale restaurant in the Four Seasons-Hualālai. Outside of the contiguous States, Christian would be safe from picking up the cholera at the epidemic's onset.
Also, he figured Alex and Christian should get to know each other.
He was kind of glad for the break from the States. Somehow he had never quite fit in within the developed world. His new family, as extended as it was, made that much better, but he still needed to be away from time to time. Alex understood that, of course, and one way to handle the visit would have been to leave the girls with the Babysitter and both head out to Africa. But that wasn't the point of this occasion at all.
The plan had been for Gabriel, who would be just returning from business in O'ahu, and Alex, who would likely be at home, to meet Christian at the Four Seasons, as Christian happened to be staying at the resort for the duration of his visit, which was supposed to be five days but which Gabriel happened to know Christian would cut short. Originally, Gabriel had wanted to have a small, private dinner at home, but in case things turned sour - as it did in some futures - Christian wouldn't get kicked out of and barred from their homes Daniel Briggs-style.
The restaurant happened to be an excellent choice, however. It had an absolutely astonishing view of the sunset, which they would get to see as Gabriel had set the dinner meeting for six o'clock. He had specifically reserved their three seats at the table with the best view. The menu appeared to be superb as well, or so Gabriel had heard; while it did lean heavily toward sushi, it did include many salads and entrees. It was a shame Gabriel would miss it.
As she often did, The Babysitter would look after Athena and Demeter while their parents were away. She was notified first. Very shortly after that, Alex received a series of texts regarding the change of plans, which, when put together, read as:
Just learned of major damage to some work I did in Somalia. Incidental, there was an attack nearby. Heading out there right now to rebuild it. Back in a few days, but will miss dinner. Sorry for the late notice, darling. Will see you soon. I love you.
Christian also received a text, one that was decidedly more succinct:
On my way to Somalia to handle an emergency. Unable to make dinner, but Alex will be excellent company. Sincerest apologies.
The fact that each of them received the texts as they were entering the restaurant was, of course, entirely by design.
Christian frowned briefly at his phone, then set it to silent mode and slipped it into his pocket. He was mostly concerned about Gabriel's safety; he knew there had been some clashes and casualties there very recently. Gabriel could take care of himself, of course, but that didn't mean Christian could feel completely at ease. He considered Gabriel a friend, especially outside of their work relationship.
Besides, he was certain that Gabriel was right. Alex would be interesting to spend dinner with on her own. He was well aware of the disdain - to put it lightly - she held toward what was now his corporation, but he doubted she would behave rashly on that account. The woman Gabriel had married had to be headstrong and somewhat opinionated, but also completely under control, patient. Calculating. At least, Christian thought Gabriel was the sort of man who would be drawn to someone similar to and as respectable - and as powerful - as himself.
An attendant was leading him to the table Gabriel had reserved for them. Indeed, the view was stunning; he wondered whether there was any one place on the island that featured a sunset as spectacular. "Thank you," he said as he took a seat, only to return to his feet once he glimpsed Alex heading toward the table as well.
"Mrs. Constant. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He gave a slight bow and a smile, then moved around the table to pull a chair out for her. It was something of an automatic gesture; he had been taught that chivalry was essential, so it came naturally to him, with barely a thought. Once she had taken a seat, so did he, smoothing down his black dinner jacket as he did.
"I trust Gabriel made you aware of his absence as well." His hands fiddled with the napkin, moving over it to unwrap it, remove the utensils, and smooth it down. "I'm under the impression that he travels to conflict zones often, and that he is well prepared for any possibility, but all the same, he'll be in my thoughts until he returns." He tilted his head slightly and smiled faintly. "I hope I'll prove suitable company in his stead."
(Outfit.)