Exchange PI Pull back the curtain

[Algy Trevelyan]

There was the scent of rain on the wind, the skies above cloudy and almost a little menacing. Through the occasional break in the cloud cover, the sun peeked through, offering a brief respite from the gloom. Few lingered in the streets, most moving with purpose to their destinations. A few tourists wandered resolutely through the park, one surreptitiously checking whatever Maps app they had on their phone as they navigated the modern landscape of Newton, lacking the same unique landscapes that made Old Town easy to navigate.

Algy observed from the park entrance, just by the steps leading down into the River St. T-station. He leaned up against a lamppost, hands tucked into the warm pockets of his bomber jacket, warm sheepskin offer all the shelter from the wind he needed. A dragon he might've been, fire burning in his very being, but he still enjoyed dressing for the weather even if he rarely felt the cold. His head was bare, the Welshman pulling a hand through it to settle it from the wind rushing through the tall buildings that dominated the Newton skyline.

The weather report promised it would not rain until later, but Algy wasn't too worried. Rain would not ruin his day, and the park had some spots offering cover. The weather would only benefit them, allowing for the lunch hour crowd to huddle inside rather than seek the outside. They might not sit and talk for too long, but it was always difficult to predict how someone might react to what Algy had to say and what questions might come of it.

As the rumble of the subway surged from below, Algy glanced down the steps, seeing just the edge of the platform as the train came to a rumbling stop and deposited some of its passengers. It was not the surge of a rush, but he was glad he was out of the way of any hurrying businesspeople.

[Markus Eldridge]

Holding the railing above his head, Markus would spend time people watching. The more he watched the city, its inhabitants, the more intrigued he got. From his visit to the Ashford Luxury Hotel, to the various stories and urban legends he learned speaking to Uber drivers, Bartenders, and more the redheaded man was starting to understood what drew his sister to such a place. The city seemed to almost be alive with mystery, and completely unwilling to just give away its secrets.

As the rhymatic bumping of the old town subway tracks changed into a much smoother Newton glide Markus knew his trip was approaching its destination. Quickly, he would glance down to his phone confirming his stop, after hearing the PA system announce that River St. T-Station was next. In all, the commute had been quite pleasant.

Suppressing down the urge to shiver, Markus would step from the train onto the cold subway station, and look around. He would pull his longcoat a little higher around his neck. Quickly seeing signs pointed to his exit. The weather app had stated that it was cloudy, with a chance of rain later in the day. As Markus climbed the steps he would first see the sky matched what he expected, and was overcast. No rain dropped as of yet.

Second then the redhead saw his old colleague looking every bit the part of the airman Markus knew him to be. With a calm smile, Markus would approach the man, and offer him a handshake. “Good to see you again Trevelyan, I appreciate you meeting me despite the strangeness of the request.”

[Algy Trevelyan]

Algy spotted the man as he emerged from the T-station, pushing off the lamppost and straightening as he approached. Eldridge spotted him too, diverting from the small crowd emerging from the T-station and coming up to the dragon with his hand offered out. Algy took it, shaking it firmly as he offered the man a crooked grin.

“Don't mention it, lad. It's good to see you too,” Algy said, letting the handshake drop before he tilted his head to the park. There was a small Starbucks on the corner, right by them, if they were hungry enough to drop by before they got the nitty-gritty details of it. “A coffee and a bite before we get to it, Eldridge?”

Algy's smile was cheerful enough to show he was open to whichever option Eldridge took. He wasn't the man desperately seeking answers, after all.

[Markus Eldridge]

Markus would look to where the man had gestured, and let out a smile. Starbucks was an excellent stop, seeing as he had no idea what they were here to discuss, or address. The buffer would be nice, giving him time to form what questions he wanted to ask, not that he hadn't been up most of the night contemplating anyways.

“Coffee, and a bite to eat sounds excellent.” Markus would let the man lead them if he wanted to, but otherwise join Trevelyan as they worked their way to the shop. “I must admit, I was surprised to learn you were in town. I actually expected you to be across the pond... This a long term thing, or?” He left the other end of the question open, knowing if it was assignment the older man couldn't answer.

[Algy Trevelyan]

Algy much preferred to walk side-by-side with those he accompanied if able, so he fell into step next to Eldridge as the man accepted the invitation for a spot of food and bev. As they walked the short distance to the Starbucks, the conversation moved on, and Algy allowed himself a crooked grin as he inclined his head in the affirmative to Eldridge's question.

“Yes, I'd say it's long term. I run a flight school and an airfield just outside of town,” the Welshman informed the man, continuing to add, “We've been in operation for just over a year now.”

[Markus Eldridge]

Markus would make a sound of affirmation, and understanding as the older man confirmed that this was in-fact a long term deal, somewhat surprised to hear that he had chosen Easthaven, though the thought of the other man running a flight school was of no surprise to him.

“Interesting, I might have to check it out one of these days,” Markus would say with a smile, as the two walked. “I have always wanted to learn how to fly, but never had the time. Seemed like a useful, and enjoyable skill. Plus... I enjoy travel.” It was interesting that they had been running for so long, and Markus had not heard anything about it. He usually made a point to keep track of people he knew...Then again he had been pretty busy, so much so that he had even missed his sisters death.

As the two arrived at the Starbucks, Markus would be quick with his order. Getting a coffee, and selecting one of the various foods they had on display. The redhead would then step out of the line, and check in with his companion. “Are we eating here? Or did you have other plans?” He would gesture that he would join the other man in either option. As much as Markus wanted to get to the crux of why he was here, he was a patient man, and knew a public coffee shop was probably not ideal for their conversation.

[Algy Trevelyan]

Algy sorted out his own drink after Eldridge, settling on a London Fog and added a danish for something to nibble on. Eldridge's question came as the dragon positioned himself to wait alongside the other man for their names to be called out, redirecting the Welshman's attention from offering the man an introductory lesson to the immediate matter at hand.

“Ah, I suggest we find somewhere in the park. The weather hasn't turned ghastly yet, so we have time to get some fresh air.” Algy had picked up that there was no urgency in Eldridge over the matter–drive to see it through, of course, but he was not rushing towards it–so the dragon matched his energy. He continued, returning briefly to the topic of the airfield to offer a proper invitation. “And if you drop by the airfield, I can certainly show you a few things about flying.”

[Markus Eldridge]

Markus would nod as the other man suggested they head to the park, he would agree, and was always a fan of fresh air. As the two took off, the redhead would cock his head at the offer. “Once all of this is settled, I might just take you up on that.” He would say, his mind half preoccupied by the questions he had for the man.

Once they found themselves somewhere secluded, and only after Markus had a bit of his food, and giving the other man the same opportunity, would he finally speak. His tone serious, and questioning. “Trevelyan... You mentioned on the phone that you might know where I could learn more, spoke about something that would... Change my life.”

He would pause for a moment, contemplating what he needed to say. He knew, in his current endeavor information was paramount, so he would not rush the other man. But, he couldn't wait any longer. “I will not go in uniformed, so... please, hold nothing back. You said there were things you needed to explain?”

[Algy Trevelyan]

The baristas were quick with the orders, their ordered drinks and food arriving near enough at the same time. It allowed them to grab and go, the wait five minutes or fewer. They'd missed the lunch rush, either arriving before or after it, so it spared them a long wait.

Algy led the way out the door, bringing his London Fog up for a sip as he led them onto the sidewalk and then across the road back to where he'd stood. It was a quiet traversal to the park, the dragon content with the silence and assuming Eldridge was contemplating either his beverage or what was to come. The park in front of them was still relatively empty, anyone wandering through there marching with the intent of someone trying to get somewhere. No one was idling. It was private enough for their purposes, at least.

Eldridge was the first to break the silence. He started directly, which would've had an indulgent smile creeping up Algy's face if it hadn't been for the tragedy bringing them there. Out of deference for grief, however unsaid, the dragon only allowed himself a mild quirk of his mouth at the situation he found himself in. Refreshingly, there was unlikely to be outright panic if Eldridge was still the same man Algy had known.

“Yes, although perhaps it defies explanation in its truest form,” Algy mused, but shook his head and continued on. “It is simply said, like the bard once wrote, that there is more between heaven and earth than we could dream of. There is a world next to mundane human existence, not hidden, but obscured by a human tendency to doubt and disbelieve.”

Algy angled a shrewd look towards Eldridge as he spoke, reading the man's reaction as he began to only lightly scratch the surface of a vast world that lay beyond simple human ken.