Gathering Post - 5/7-5/15

[lcrpg_npc]

 

WEATHER || LONDONIST || BBC NEWS

(Rather than write the same vague drivel, here is a pretty gif to inspire you, a link to the weather for the week, and a link to londonist, a great resource for all things London related. As always this post is open all week. Tag in, tag others, check back often!)

Comments

[london_spy]

"Oh, um- I was in an accident a few days ago," Danny lied, not wanting to talk about the attack. "Took a bad blow to the head. ...Still a bit, um, not great."

That was something he'd have to talk about tonight. That, and the scare he'd had at the hospital. ...God, there wasn't a thing he wanted to do less than talk about any of that shit.

"...You know what, I changed my mind," Danny decided, checking himself in the window, then offering the name of a local gay bar. "Just take me there, please."

Nevermind that he was living on barely any cash, or that he wasn't really in any fit state to be drinking. ...He didn't care any more.

[taxi_d]

"You sure? That sure as hell isn't St. Michael's," D noted, but turned at the next corner to follow the directions. It made no difference to him where he dropped the bloke. Though part of him thought that maybe St. Michael's would be the better choice, if just for tonight.

[london_spy]

"Wont kill me to skip a meeting," Danny shrugged, resting his head against the cool glass of the window and closing his eyes. "I'd rather have a drink than talk about my feelings anyway."

[taxi_d]

"Yeah? Is that what goes on at those meetings? I've always been curious. Never curious enough to sit in on one, mind, but curious nonetheless. Feelings, hmm? I don't think I'd like that. Way I was raised you just don't talk about things like that except with your missus, maybe," D said, checking Danny's reflection in his mirror so he didn't have to turn his head to see the man.

[london_spy]

"Given where I've just asked you to take me, it's safe to assume I don't have a 'missus'," Danny replied, meeting his gaze in the mirror as though daring him to make something of it.

Even broken and beaten, Danny was still a fighter in some ways.

[taxi_d]

"Ah, you know what I mean, mate. Husband, wife...you know. The missus," D chuckled. "But I know what you mean. Going out like that generally means you ain't got no one waiting at home. You look like a fit young bloke. You're probably popular at the clubs, yeah? Are you?"

[london_spy]

The driver's constant chatter was making him uneasy, and Danny sank lower in his seat.

"I suppose. Maybe- I dunno," he replied, rubbing his face. "I'm not trying to pull anyone though. I just need to be out for a bit, I don't want my roommate to worry about me.

[taxi_d]

"There's plenty of places to go that's not a club or a meeting," Davey said. He had to stop at a light so he took the opportunity to look back over the seat to Danny.

"Could go for a coffee. There's a few art exhibits open at this hour. Could just wander around Piccadilly if you like. Million things to do in this city, mate. When I'm done after you I think I'm going to go for pizza and games. Win some tickets and collect some cheap Chinese crap for the fun of it."

[london_spy]

"I'm- I dunno. I'm a bit short. Only really have enough for this cab- And I'm not really in any fit state to just wander," Danny admitted.

[taxi_d]

"So you went out so your flatmate wouldn't worry, but you've got no money to do anything? Can I ask how you were going to get home from St. Michael's if you've got barely enough for the cab?" he asked as the light changed and he rolled forward.

[london_spy]

"I was just going to walk," Danny admitted. "Maybe hitch a ride."

[taxi_d]

"You're my last fare of the night. Why don't we go get a cuppa and kill some time?" he said. He didn't need the bloke's money and no one was going to say anything to him if he blew off a fare, especially at this hour. So he'd fence a few watches to make up the pennies. He wasn't too worried about it.

[london_spy]

"I- I can't afford that," Danny said, not about to take a stranger's money.

[taxi_d]

"I don't mean starbucks, mate. We can get tea at any filling station. Drink it in the taxi. Kill some time," Davey said. "Unless you'd rather just walk around in the rain."

[london_spy]

Once upon a time, Danny had been easily charmed by the kindness of strangers. Now though... Now he was always wary. Still, it was better than being in the rain, and he had his mobile. If something happened, he could call Hex.

"...Alright," he nodded. "Thanks."

[taxi_d]

Davey nodded and reached for the meter to zero it out. Then he headed for the nearest filling station that he knew had a small market attached. Pulling in to park, he kiled the engine and looked back at his far.

"I'm D. Davey," he said. It said as much on his permit on the back of the seat. David Hunt, along with his license number. Driving a taxi may well be the only legal thing he did. He did take pride in his license, though. It had been bloody hard to get.

[london_spy]

"Danny," he offered in return, still cautious. Still quiet.

[taxi_d]

"Let's go in. You mind if I smoke in the taxi?" he asked. From the smell of it it certainly wouldn't be the first he'd had in the car, but he didn't smoke while he had a fare in the seat. But this wasn't exactly the normal fare. More like mates, but not quite that, either.

[london_spy]

"I don't mind. Do you mind if I have one as well?" he asked, pulling a wrinkled pack from his pocket and holding it up in show.

[taxi_d]

"No, mate. Good to have company. Let's go in and get some drinks. Might buy a packet of crisps, too. Then we can loiter until the police come along and tell me to move it," he grinned. Then Davey climbed out into the cold rain and waited for Danny so they could go in the shop together.

[london_spy]

Nodding, Danny followed along, unsure and uneasy as he wandered along at the stranger's side.

[taxi_d]

Inside the shop it was brightly lit, fluorescent lights making sure nothing cast a shadow. Davey picked up a packet of crisps on his way to the beverage station where he chose a black tea and poured a cup of water right from the boiler.

"You're about the quietest person I've had in my cab all week, Danny," he said. "You just naturally quiet?"

[london_spy]

"Lately, yeah," Danny admitted, shrugging one shoulder.

In the harsh light his face was still visibly bruised. Not swollen, but slightly blue and yellow, and just behind his ear was a small patch of shaved hair with visible stitches.

[taxi_d]

"Since you got that? Or did they get you because you wouldn't speak up?" D asked. He was just making conversation, there was no judgment in his tone. And in his dark eyes there was only curiosity and the gaze of a man who had probably seen many, many bruises.

[london_spy]

Danny held David's gaze, then frowned to himself.

"I got it because I had something someone else wanted. Something no one wanted me to have," he said calmly. "I'd rather not talk about it though, if it's all the same to you."