(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

After receiving Simon's wave, Gabriel had immediately arranged with Mark to not only reschedule the previously-planned dinner engagement but also to clear the last meeting of the day from his calendar.

As a result, he's able to arrive at Milliways early.

(He's not worried. Not exactly. Still, requests like this from Simon are rare enough to make him wonder.)

Gabriel takes a seat in the armchair by the fireplace and requests a cup of coffee while he waits.

Comments

[gabriel_tam]

"Certainly," he agrees. "Which languages are you learning?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"French and Spanish and Greek and Latin," Mary lists off, "and I may soon begin with Japanese - it is important to learn languages that are not only the Romantic ones, for those are all so close that it is hardly a challenge in any case. And it is queer," she adds, distracted, "that they should be called Romantic. I know it is on account of the Romans really. But Romantic does mean something quite different, and language studies are hardly that."

[gabriel_tam]

An amused smile slants across his face.

"Not Mandarin Chinese?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"Do you think it should be more useful?" Mary asks, tilting her head.

[gabriel_tam]

"I do, actually," Gabriel tells her, "but I admit to some bias. Mandarin Chinese is the other dominant language on every planet I'm aware of back home. That's why I'm fluent in it."

A beat.

"It's a standard part of the educational curriculum."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

That almost earns him a smile, and Mary's voice sounds a little amused, as she says, "So you are saying that it would be useful, were I to come visit you."

[gabriel_tam]

"I am, in fact."

Mildly said.

"It would, you must admit. And you are always, always welcome."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"I should like that - when some things have been settled."

She can't risk, for example, Blodwen trying to follow her through there.