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There comes a time in the life of a Lord of the andain where one has to make a choice.

That is why Galadan is currently dressed like a Rim-dweller from River and Gabriel's world. The andain of Fionavar are now in the good hands of Kevin -- Ceridwen's son -- just to set the fox (or in this case deer) in amongst the hens, and he is, perhaps for the first time in his entire existence, a free --

Let's call him a man.

The Tacitus is waiting just on the other side of the door. So one more drink, and then he'll take his leave.

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"Galadan!"

Gabriel is smiling as he approaches.

"It's good to see you, as always."

"Ah, Gabriel."

The genuineness of the smile is a bit of a surprise, but not precisely.

"This is not quite the last place I expected to see you today, but it's close."

"It's not anywhere I expected to be today, but I just received some news, and I needed a little time to process it before heading home."

He glances at the bar, then back to Galadan.

"Might I stand you to a drink?"

"You will rarely find me inclined to object to that," Galadan says, a little wryly.

"Shall I take it, then, that the news you bear is good?"

Given the givens.

He waves to a waitrat, then pulls out a chair and takes a seat.

"Well, it's certainly unexpected," he says, with more than a little dryness to his tone. "And I'm sure there are some who will be extremely displeased to hear it. But on the whole, I think it's good."

"Others are frequently enough displeased with matters that hardly concern them."

So, you know. Who gives a damn.

"Do you care to share more, or shall I begin to guess?"

"I've no doubt you could. Your cleverness is quite an exceptional gift."

Some people might disagree with Gabriel Tam on that point, but none of them are here, are they?

"But no, there's no need for a guessing game tonight. I met with Vincent today."

He smiles again, the scar giving the expression its habitual slant, but even that can't mar his clear, surprised joy.

"I've stabilized, Galadan. It looks as though I'll be around for a while longer."

Galadan's eyebrows hit his hairline, and somewhere behind his eyes a vast amount of calculation begins.

To start with --

"Please tell me you have already sent a wave to River."

Galadan is not in the habit of hiding anything, even to give Gabriel the benefit of actually sharing the news with his daughter personally.

He shakes his head.

"Not yet. I thought there was at least a small chance she or Simon might be here -- and if not, I thought Regan and I could send one together, tonight."

Galadan makes a humming noise under his breath.

"I don't keep secrets. From her, that is. And I'm going to the Tacitus immediately upon leaving here -- I arranged it that way, myself. So perhaps you and Regan might want to speed up your timeline. If she and her brother are not to be found here after all."

"Are you. I see."

Gabriel slants a keenly interested glance at him, but merely says,

"Then I'll send it - or we will - as soon as I get home. I am headed straight there from here. I do have to tell Regan first, though."

Galadan's mouth twitches, very faintly.

"Did I suggest otherwise?"

He would never.

"Mm. No, you didn't, I suppose."

He looks a little amused.

The waitrat arrives and squeaks a polite query, and he nods to it.

"Whiskey, neat, three fingers - and make it something special, if you would; and whatever my friend here prefers for himself, on my tab."

Galadan smiles, very faintly, as Gabriel finishes speaking.

Then --

"Honey mead, I think. For a celebration."

"Indeed."

The rat scampers away. Gabriel sits back in his chair.

"That's the biggest piece of news I have, I think, unless you're particularly interested in the currently nuances of interplanetary pharmaceutical tariffs."

His tone is dry as dust.

"I am always interested in new information," Galadan observes, equally dryly.

"Obsessed, even, as some may have said in the past."

And now, let's be honest.

"Though perhaps we might find something more congenial to discuss. Or, dare I say, chat about."

"What a novel idea."

Friendly amusement is clear in both expression and voice now.

"Let's see. You mentioned the Tacitus? Where are you headed from here?"

"Would you believe me if I said I had no plan?"

Galadan wouldn't believe himself, either. It's fine.

Both eyebrows rise in visible startlement.

"Well, I'd certainly never want to call you a liar, but it'd be quite a surprise."

"There are a great many times when you would not be incorrect, but this time is not quite one of them."

Shockingly.

"I have given myself two weeks to -- not have a plan. At the end of those two weeks I will begin the next part of a great many different endeavors. Timing of certain other events has been kind in that fashion."

Galadan definitely had nothing to do with arranging the timing for anything at all.

Nope.

Of course he didn't. Right.

"A vacation, then? That sounds like a wonderful idea, Galadan. You certainly deserve one."

Galadan winces.

"I wish you wouldn't call it that."

It's so -- gauche.

His eyebrows wing upward again, but his tone is mild.

"All right, if you wish."

The waitrat arrives with their drinks, approaching Galadan first.

Galadan picks up the goblet of mead, salutes Gabriel with it, and takes a drink.

And when he sets the cup down again --

"Well, I suppose if you must."

He smiles, and takes a sip of his whiskey, after saluting Galadan in return.

"Oh, I think I can be flexible."

On this, anyway.