Paris and Dave: Lunchtime Ramblings
Nov. 12th, 2005 05:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rohansonI chase the last of the crumbs from what had been a large slab of raspberry cheesecake around the plate, eventually squishing them with the back of my spoon and licking them off. It had been divine. All creamy and sweet, off set by the sharp tang of raspberries and complimented by the crumbly nutty base. Putting my spoon down, I flash Dave a grin as he finishes his dark chocolate mousse, which had been almost as good as my dessert, going by the fork-full he fed me when it first arrived.
Our coffees arrive with a smile. Rich and smooth, they’re the perfect end to the perfect lunch. I wanted to spend some time with Dave away from Wellie cause last time I had a day off, I spent it with Éomer. So I suggested we take Leelu up the coast for a blast, and he suggested this place.
He sits back, looking happily stuffed to the gills, and I can’t resist picking up the small dish of chocolates that came with the coffee and offering them to him with a smirk.
“Wafer thin mint?”
Dave: I recalled Ambrosia, a restaurant I don't think you've been to before. I check, and happily, you haven't! Lunch is wonderful, and when you offer a mint in that unmistakeable Python style, I can't help laughing. "All right. Just one."
Luckily, I don't explode. Our coffees are refilled, and we settle back to let the meal digest. "Nice to have you all to myself for a change! When did life get so busy? It feels like I've barely seen you the past few weeks. Catch me up, Paris... anything I've been missing?"
Paris: I nibble on a chocolate and think on where to start. Oh yeah …
“I’m buying a truck. Guess it comes down to practicalities. Hiring one was fine for a couple of weeks, but Ben’s is definitely a write off, so it’s gonna be worth buying instead. Adam’s mate is selling a decent one second hand which has a good few years left in it. And I’ve got enough in the business account to pay for it.”
Sitting back, I sip on my coffee, thinking about how comfortable the big black Ford of Karls is to drive.
“A new one would be nice, but would take too much of a beating with all the materials it has to transport. Wouldn’t stay shiny for long.” And thinking of the truck brings something else to mind. “Éomer’s gonna give me another riding lesson soon. Are you okay with us bringing Smokey Joe to the cabin and taking Laurelea out too so we can both go riding on the beach?”
Dave: I nod in agreement. "You need a truck - that sounds like a good plan." And I can't help smiling when you tell me the one you're going to buy is an old used one that your company can afford. Take that, tabloids. Wenham's boytoy stays in budget, shows his decadent frugal side! What's next for this wanton couple?
But, riding on the beach? I pause, and think about that. "Laurelea's a sweet horse, I'm sure you'd be fine on her. Just promise me you'll be careful, riding on sand's got a different feel than riding on hard ground, all right?" Sound like a fretting mom much, Dave? Relax. He's been getting lessons from the best, you can't find a better rider than those born in Rohan, and he's learning from Éomer. And you do want the best for him, right? Right! "You've got all the sweat equity in the stables, Paris, remember? And they're just as much yours as mine. Just don't let Smokey Joe chew on those carvings you made! I love those!" I give you a quick wink and add, "Er, don't let Éomer chew on them, either."
Paris: Grinning at your fussing and joking, I steal one more chocolate from the plate and sit back. “I’ll be careful, I promise! And I’ll keep them both away from the carvings.”
The server passes and pours us both more coffee and I sit and nurse mine, relaxing. Your comment about Éomer was in fun, but it makes me think of how Karl sees him. First as a threat, then as someone who isn’t particularly, well, bright. I’m having a hard time matching that to the peaceful, intelligent man who’s teaching me to ride.
“He’s an interesting guy, Éomer. He’s got this calm centre, especially when he’s around horses. And I’ve never met anyone so open and honest, right from the start. When I talk to Théo I always know that he’s telling my just as much as he wants me to hear, he’s not the type to open up, but Éomer is so straightforward. It’s very refreshing.”
Dave: If anyone else had described Éomer to me in those terms, I probably would have laughed. But you're not anyone else, and I take your words to heart, even though they don't fully reconcile with my impression of Éomer.
I take a chocolate myself, more to give myself time to think about what you've said than out of hunger, and fiddle with the wrapper. Karl's one of my best friends, and I guess what I know about Éomer mostly comes from what he tells me – and sometimes what he won't. I've picked up on some pretty dark moods coming from the guy lately, and I know Éomer's complicated the fuck out of his life. I'd use words like 'calm' and 'open and honest' for my own shift, but it's taken us a long time to get to where we are, I didn't always feel that way about Faramir. I finish off the chocolate and sigh, I'm trying, but it's still hard to think of Éomer the way you apparently do. But I know damned well you wouldn't tell me this if it wasn't true in your experience.
"I know what you mean about Theo, he can be a pretty shrewd conniver when he wants his way… but you're saying Éomer's different? I've always thought of those two as cut from the same cloth. You know him better than I do, Paris. Tell me a little? Can you share any stories? I just... it's hard for me to see him the way you seem to. Help me get behind your eyes."
Paris: “They’re both intense, but they’re different too. The first time I met him, when I drove him and Smokey Joe up to Steve’s cabin? He apologised for leaving me and Karl to wake up together that first morning. He told me exactly how he feels about Théo and how much he appreciates us letting them meet here. I think his exact words were “I am in your debt”.” I shift a little in my seat, trying to think how best to put this across.
“When we were up there, picking out a horse, I was pretty freaked out at the thought of riding, even if it was just out of the stable yard. He really calmed me down, put me straight at ease and watching him win Commander over, the stallion he got to ride, was amazing.” I guess I’m sounding like a one man fan club here, but I like the guy.
Dave: "It sounds like Eomer does have a bit of a gentleman in his nature, then, and that's good to hear. I really don't mean to keep stereotyping the Rohirrim as wild and unmanageable, but, well… they do have those tendencies! There's a difference between growing up in Rohan and being raised in Gondor. Faramir and Boromir are just so different, and they're what I know best from that world, really."
I nearly drop my coffee cup when Faramir's thoughts push through my own like a warm rush of heat. I once coupled with Eomer on a gritty rooftop in downtown Wellington, after a night of hunting wargs. Our howls might have been mistaken for the beasts that night. Do not think I am so civilized, Dave, and that Eomer and Théodred do not have not that capacity. They are good, decent men.
"Um, I think Faramir agrees with you, Paris. And I trust your opinion, and his." You give me a puzzled look, and I tap my head, nodding, and whisper "Bit of Gondorian input just now."
Paris: I’m just about to say something when you start, and your cup rattles in its saucer. “Say hi from me.” I smirk as I think of Faramir standing up for the horseboys.
“Wild, yeah. I think “force of nature” would be the best way to describe him, and I wouldn’t like to be his enemy, but he’s got a good heart, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have teaching me to ride. And I’m really enjoying the lessons, even more than I thought I would.”
Dave: "Well, I suppose I'd be kidding myself if I said there were better teachers than a horseboy." I remember my own days of learning to ride for the Rings movies. I was pathetic, really. Took on all sorts of teasing about that. "You're having a better time of it than I did - and it's worth it. Took me forever to learn, but now I really enjoy taking off on Laurelea, it's a great way to relax."
Paris: “I’d like us to go riding together sometime.” Yeah, I’d like that a lot, although we’ve only got one horse between us, which wouldn’t quite work. “Course, we’d need to hire another horse from somewhere, unless we toss for who gets to ride in front. I think Laurelea might object to that, though!”
Dave: "I'm sure we can borrow a horse for you! Poor Laurelea, I wouldn't ask her to carry around all your extra weight!" I smirk and eye your amazingly trim waist. "I'd really like that, Paris. You can show off your new skills, and we could haul along a picnic, maybe make an afternoon of it?
Paris: “That’d be nice.” The thought of sharing a picnic puts a warm smile on my face. “And you know, there’s enough space for two horses in the stable block, if I ever have the time to think about finding one for myself. Éomer keeps talking about the partnership between horse and rider, and I can see what he means now.”
Dave: Now, really, that isn't such a bad idea. Laurelea's a sweet girl, and really is deserving of some company when I'm not riding her. She's got all that space to herself. "Sounds like you're well past basic lessons if you're understanding the bonds between a horse and rider, Paris. You're really enjoying riding, more than I realized." I try to keep my voice conversational, but the wheels are already starting to creak and turn in the back of my head. I wonder if Éomer would be willing to give me a little advice - after all, he's the one that's most in tune with Paris on this subject. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask Karl if the horseboy wouldn't mind spending a little time with me?
Paris: “I’m enjoying it more than I realised I would.” And all this talk about riding has given me a need for some fresh air. Reaching across the table, I run my finger down the back of your hand. “You fancy a slow ride home? Then sit out on the porch this evening on the lounger with a couple of beers? We got so caught up with my stuff that I still haven’t heard any of your news, Sean being back and all that.”
Dave: "Mmm. Slow rides are nice. Even when they're just on a motorcycle." I give you a leering wink. "That sounds good, let's just take this relaxing day right into the evening. And I'll catch you up on my news, hopefully with minimal commentary from the Gondorian peanut gallery. "
By the time we turn into the driveway at the cabin, the sun's nearly set. Soon we're slouched out on the porch, cold beers in hand, Ise squirming on her back on the wood deck, lazily batting off mock-attacks by Giz. We talk long into the night, and during the comfortable, occasional silences, I think about giving Karl a call. There's plotting to do with a certain horseboy…
Our coffees arrive with a smile. Rich and smooth, they’re the perfect end to the perfect lunch. I wanted to spend some time with Dave away from Wellie cause last time I had a day off, I spent it with Éomer. So I suggested we take Leelu up the coast for a blast, and he suggested this place.
He sits back, looking happily stuffed to the gills, and I can’t resist picking up the small dish of chocolates that came with the coffee and offering them to him with a smirk.
“Wafer thin mint?”
Dave: I recalled Ambrosia, a restaurant I don't think you've been to before. I check, and happily, you haven't! Lunch is wonderful, and when you offer a mint in that unmistakeable Python style, I can't help laughing. "All right. Just one."
Luckily, I don't explode. Our coffees are refilled, and we settle back to let the meal digest. "Nice to have you all to myself for a change! When did life get so busy? It feels like I've barely seen you the past few weeks. Catch me up, Paris... anything I've been missing?"
Paris: I nibble on a chocolate and think on where to start. Oh yeah …
“I’m buying a truck. Guess it comes down to practicalities. Hiring one was fine for a couple of weeks, but Ben’s is definitely a write off, so it’s gonna be worth buying instead. Adam’s mate is selling a decent one second hand which has a good few years left in it. And I’ve got enough in the business account to pay for it.”
Sitting back, I sip on my coffee, thinking about how comfortable the big black Ford of Karls is to drive.
“A new one would be nice, but would take too much of a beating with all the materials it has to transport. Wouldn’t stay shiny for long.” And thinking of the truck brings something else to mind. “Éomer’s gonna give me another riding lesson soon. Are you okay with us bringing Smokey Joe to the cabin and taking Laurelea out too so we can both go riding on the beach?”
Dave: I nod in agreement. "You need a truck - that sounds like a good plan." And I can't help smiling when you tell me the one you're going to buy is an old used one that your company can afford. Take that, tabloids. Wenham's boytoy stays in budget, shows his decadent frugal side! What's next for this wanton couple?
But, riding on the beach? I pause, and think about that. "Laurelea's a sweet horse, I'm sure you'd be fine on her. Just promise me you'll be careful, riding on sand's got a different feel than riding on hard ground, all right?" Sound like a fretting mom much, Dave? Relax. He's been getting lessons from the best, you can't find a better rider than those born in Rohan, and he's learning from Éomer. And you do want the best for him, right? Right! "You've got all the sweat equity in the stables, Paris, remember? And they're just as much yours as mine. Just don't let Smokey Joe chew on those carvings you made! I love those!" I give you a quick wink and add, "Er, don't let Éomer chew on them, either."
Paris: Grinning at your fussing and joking, I steal one more chocolate from the plate and sit back. “I’ll be careful, I promise! And I’ll keep them both away from the carvings.”
The server passes and pours us both more coffee and I sit and nurse mine, relaxing. Your comment about Éomer was in fun, but it makes me think of how Karl sees him. First as a threat, then as someone who isn’t particularly, well, bright. I’m having a hard time matching that to the peaceful, intelligent man who’s teaching me to ride.
“He’s an interesting guy, Éomer. He’s got this calm centre, especially when he’s around horses. And I’ve never met anyone so open and honest, right from the start. When I talk to Théo I always know that he’s telling my just as much as he wants me to hear, he’s not the type to open up, but Éomer is so straightforward. It’s very refreshing.”
Dave: If anyone else had described Éomer to me in those terms, I probably would have laughed. But you're not anyone else, and I take your words to heart, even though they don't fully reconcile with my impression of Éomer.
I take a chocolate myself, more to give myself time to think about what you've said than out of hunger, and fiddle with the wrapper. Karl's one of my best friends, and I guess what I know about Éomer mostly comes from what he tells me – and sometimes what he won't. I've picked up on some pretty dark moods coming from the guy lately, and I know Éomer's complicated the fuck out of his life. I'd use words like 'calm' and 'open and honest' for my own shift, but it's taken us a long time to get to where we are, I didn't always feel that way about Faramir. I finish off the chocolate and sigh, I'm trying, but it's still hard to think of Éomer the way you apparently do. But I know damned well you wouldn't tell me this if it wasn't true in your experience.
"I know what you mean about Theo, he can be a pretty shrewd conniver when he wants his way… but you're saying Éomer's different? I've always thought of those two as cut from the same cloth. You know him better than I do, Paris. Tell me a little? Can you share any stories? I just... it's hard for me to see him the way you seem to. Help me get behind your eyes."
Paris: “They’re both intense, but they’re different too. The first time I met him, when I drove him and Smokey Joe up to Steve’s cabin? He apologised for leaving me and Karl to wake up together that first morning. He told me exactly how he feels about Théo and how much he appreciates us letting them meet here. I think his exact words were “I am in your debt”.” I shift a little in my seat, trying to think how best to put this across.
“When we were up there, picking out a horse, I was pretty freaked out at the thought of riding, even if it was just out of the stable yard. He really calmed me down, put me straight at ease and watching him win Commander over, the stallion he got to ride, was amazing.” I guess I’m sounding like a one man fan club here, but I like the guy.
Dave: "It sounds like Eomer does have a bit of a gentleman in his nature, then, and that's good to hear. I really don't mean to keep stereotyping the Rohirrim as wild and unmanageable, but, well… they do have those tendencies! There's a difference between growing up in Rohan and being raised in Gondor. Faramir and Boromir are just so different, and they're what I know best from that world, really."
I nearly drop my coffee cup when Faramir's thoughts push through my own like a warm rush of heat. I once coupled with Eomer on a gritty rooftop in downtown Wellington, after a night of hunting wargs. Our howls might have been mistaken for the beasts that night. Do not think I am so civilized, Dave, and that Eomer and Théodred do not have not that capacity. They are good, decent men.
"Um, I think Faramir agrees with you, Paris. And I trust your opinion, and his." You give me a puzzled look, and I tap my head, nodding, and whisper "Bit of Gondorian input just now."
Paris: I’m just about to say something when you start, and your cup rattles in its saucer. “Say hi from me.” I smirk as I think of Faramir standing up for the horseboys.
“Wild, yeah. I think “force of nature” would be the best way to describe him, and I wouldn’t like to be his enemy, but he’s got a good heart, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have teaching me to ride. And I’m really enjoying the lessons, even more than I thought I would.”
Dave: "Well, I suppose I'd be kidding myself if I said there were better teachers than a horseboy." I remember my own days of learning to ride for the Rings movies. I was pathetic, really. Took on all sorts of teasing about that. "You're having a better time of it than I did - and it's worth it. Took me forever to learn, but now I really enjoy taking off on Laurelea, it's a great way to relax."
Paris: “I’d like us to go riding together sometime.” Yeah, I’d like that a lot, although we’ve only got one horse between us, which wouldn’t quite work. “Course, we’d need to hire another horse from somewhere, unless we toss for who gets to ride in front. I think Laurelea might object to that, though!”
Dave: "I'm sure we can borrow a horse for you! Poor Laurelea, I wouldn't ask her to carry around all your extra weight!" I smirk and eye your amazingly trim waist. "I'd really like that, Paris. You can show off your new skills, and we could haul along a picnic, maybe make an afternoon of it?
Paris: “That’d be nice.” The thought of sharing a picnic puts a warm smile on my face. “And you know, there’s enough space for two horses in the stable block, if I ever have the time to think about finding one for myself. Éomer keeps talking about the partnership between horse and rider, and I can see what he means now.”
Dave: Now, really, that isn't such a bad idea. Laurelea's a sweet girl, and really is deserving of some company when I'm not riding her. She's got all that space to herself. "Sounds like you're well past basic lessons if you're understanding the bonds between a horse and rider, Paris. You're really enjoying riding, more than I realized." I try to keep my voice conversational, but the wheels are already starting to creak and turn in the back of my head. I wonder if Éomer would be willing to give me a little advice - after all, he's the one that's most in tune with Paris on this subject. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask Karl if the horseboy wouldn't mind spending a little time with me?
Paris: “I’m enjoying it more than I realised I would.” And all this talk about riding has given me a need for some fresh air. Reaching across the table, I run my finger down the back of your hand. “You fancy a slow ride home? Then sit out on the porch this evening on the lounger with a couple of beers? We got so caught up with my stuff that I still haven’t heard any of your news, Sean being back and all that.”
Dave: "Mmm. Slow rides are nice. Even when they're just on a motorcycle." I give you a leering wink. "That sounds good, let's just take this relaxing day right into the evening. And I'll catch you up on my news, hopefully with minimal commentary from the Gondorian peanut gallery. "
By the time we turn into the driveway at the cabin, the sun's nearly set. Soon we're slouched out on the porch, cold beers in hand, Ise squirming on her back on the wood deck, lazily batting off mock-attacks by Giz. We talk long into the night, and during the comfortable, occasional silences, I think about giving Karl a call. There's plotting to do with a certain horseboy…
