(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

The room is fairly nice, all things considered. There are several chairs, a porta-cot set up discreetly against one wall for visitors that for one reason or another are reluctant to leave, and it's clear that whoever designed this particular private room in the first place intended to make it seem as warm and welcoming as possible.

Of course, given that it's a hospital, there's really only so much that can be done.

Currently, the hospital bed is tilted upwards at an angle, with the evident intention of making the patient comfortable. It seems to be working, at least a little, because Gabriel Tam is asleep.

Comments

[un_fallen]

A few days into Gabriel's stay when the security staff are less inclined to confiscate all cards from well-wishers on principle, a battered envelope addressed to the senator arrives. It says only:

Tam-Tam,

Looks like I owe you one.

-R

As though to drive home the point (assuming there is a point), the envelope also contains one wooden tile bearing the letter R.

[gabriel_tam]

He's alone in the room when the attendant brings in the mail. She's cheerful and efficient and vanishes quickly. Gabriel's just as glad, really; he's tired of pretending to feel better than he does.

Five seconds after he reads the letter, there's no hope of pretending. The high, buzzing whine of a medalarm cuts through the air as the shock knifes through him, sending his heart rate jolting upwards at the same time that his breathing turns into a series of ragged gasps.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan was not precisely lurking in the corridor, but he can hear the medalarms well enough, and it is the work of a moment for him to slip inside the room.

There is no immediately visible threat, but that does not always mean much.

When the nurse finally leaves, assured that the Senator is in no danger of immediate death, Galadan steps closer to the bed.

"Gabriel?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Galadan."

Gabriel sounds tired. One fist is clenched tightly around something small, and there's a partially crumpled letter lying on the bedside table.

[wolflord_andain]

The letter is new.

Galadan reaches over, almost idly, and plucks it off the table.

"What seems to be the trouble today, Senator? More lung problems?"

The Wolflord's tone is conversational, but his eyes are sharp.

Very sharp.

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm given to understand that I can expect to have those for a while," he says dully, then nods at the letter the other man is holding.

"You should read that."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan does.

Gabriel will hear the growl that emerges from the Wolflord's throat, teeth bared in a sudden sharp smile.

He is anything but pleased.

"Would you care to explain this, Senator? I'm afraid I've no clue who this 'R' is."

He has guesses, but that is far from the same thing.

[gabriel_tam]

"Yes, you do, actually."

Gabriel's voice may be rasping still, but his tone is bone-dry.

"You tore his throat out."

[wolflord_andain]

Every one of the Wolflord's muscles locks tight for only a fraction of a second.

He does not growl at all.

"Ah. That would explain why his scent extended through far more of the complex than I would have imagined."

His eyes are glacier-cold when he looks at Gabriel.

"I'll need to be more thorough next time."

[gabriel_tam]

"If you can. If anyone can."

Bleakly, and not without a hint of desperation. Gabriel's staring at his clenched fist.

"He's not exactly... mortal."

[wolflord_andain]

"I'm beginning to get that idea."

One corner of Galadan's lip curls in a silent snarl.

"How long have you known."

It isn't really a question.

[gabriel_tam]

"I don't know how to say. When I met him-- it was at Milliways."

Finally, he looks up, meeting the Wolflord's eyes.

"It-- he-- was different then."

[wolflord_andain]

"Was he."

Galadan's gaze does not waver, only burns with a fierce chill.

"How?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Given your ... background," Gabriel says, a touch dryly, "I'm not sure how familiar you are with the theology of this 'verse?"

[wolflord_andain]

"Familiar enough in certain respects."

His tone is crisp, sharp as a blade.

"I have been to Earth before, and some stories seem to span universes."

[gabriel_tam]

"Well, that'll help."

A pause.

"He... he was an angel. The angel of Vengeance."

[wolflord_andain]

"Was."

Galadan tastes the shape of the word in his mouth.

"And now?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Now, he's... whatever an angel becomes after a Fall."

There's a distinct emphasis on the last word.

Gabriel essays a slight shrug, wincing a little as he does.

"A-- a demon, I suppose."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's smile is brief and twisted.

"Now that I daresay I know something of--angel or not."

He's putting things together rapidly now, mind working furiously.

"And aside from his mandate, ostensibly, what else does that change?"

[gabriel_tam]

"His employer."

Those two words are flat and bitterly bleak.

[wolflord_andain]

"Who."

Galadan's reply is neither flat nor bleak, just stark and cold and utterly demanding.

This--this is what he needs to know.

Or a very great part of it, at the least.

[gabriel_tam]

"That's where it gets a little more complicated."

Gabriel passes his arm over his eyes, as if trying to wipe away fatigue.

The knuckles of his tightly-clenched hand are white from the force of his grip.

[wolflord_andain]

"Gabriel."

There is command in Galadan's voice, clear and sharply focused.

"Hedging ill becomes you."

[gabriel_tam]

"Oblige me by showing some patience, if you don't mind!" he snaps, only then looking up at Galadan again.

"It's difficult for me to explain."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's expression doesn't flicker a hair.

"You have not yet seen me impatient, Gabriel. But do go on in your own time. The worst would seem to be behind us, would it not?"

The arch of his eyebrow indicates his opinion of that sentiment very succinctly.

Very succinctly.