02-11-2024, 06:33 PM
Hiring out a party carriage on a sleeper train had seemed an entertaining notion at the time, and naturally he dragged Saelia along for the ride. Indulging spontaneity was a highlight of being filthy rich after all, and he had the time between jobs. So far it had been a wild few nights. But as the train roared on the novelty was beginning to diminish and already Gideon’s feet were itching. He was getting bored of the same faces and the same barman and the same lavish room, and the prospect of more. Well.
Right now he was holding court on one of the plush sofas, blowing smoke and outlandish stories for his rapt audience. Gideon was only famous in the right circles, but money spoke for itself, as did good looks and buckets of charm.
Though when a stranger sidled up to the bar he paused to glance amused at Saelia. The surprise was evident, but they both recognised him from the time in London. It had to have been five years since that enlightening trip, give or take. Hayden had no reason to remember him.
He necked the last of his drink and stood. The engine hummed under his feet as he made his way over.
“My turn,” he grinned. He swung himself over the bar, vape held between his teeth. When he landed the other side he patted the barman on the chest and pushed him aside. No one carried actual money these days, but he’d be compensated for the blind eye – Gideon winked to make it clear, and no protest was evident. The man went to clear away glasses instead. Maybe he was as bored of the company as Gideon was.
He smirked at Hayden. What was he doing on a train to fucking China anyway?
“Can’t be so hard, right? What was it you wanted?”
Right now he was holding court on one of the plush sofas, blowing smoke and outlandish stories for his rapt audience. Gideon was only famous in the right circles, but money spoke for itself, as did good looks and buckets of charm.
Though when a stranger sidled up to the bar he paused to glance amused at Saelia. The surprise was evident, but they both recognised him from the time in London. It had to have been five years since that enlightening trip, give or take. Hayden had no reason to remember him.
He necked the last of his drink and stood. The engine hummed under his feet as he made his way over.
“My turn,” he grinned. He swung himself over the bar, vape held between his teeth. When he landed the other side he patted the barman on the chest and pushed him aside. No one carried actual money these days, but he’d be compensated for the blind eye – Gideon winked to make it clear, and no protest was evident. The man went to clear away glasses instead. Maybe he was as bored of the company as Gideon was.
He smirked at Hayden. What was he doing on a train to fucking China anyway?
“Can’t be so hard, right? What was it you wanted?”