Hallway, 3:53 pm

[kindred_spirit]

Gil steps out of his room, brushes dirt that doesn't exist off his jacket, and starts to cross the hall to Anne's room.

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[the_seafarer]

He's almost rammed into by a Narnian king, walking along lost in thought. A hand reaches out for balance, and Caspian looks chagrined.

"Sorry about that."

[kindred_spirit]

"It's all right," Gil says, amiably. "And it's nice to see you again. I take it the girls have been baking."

[the_seafarer]

"That's what I hear," Caspian says with a grin, and offers his hand again, this time to shake in greeting.

"Hullo, Gilbert. Pleasure to see you again. I was hoping we'd meet sometime soon, I admit."

[kindred_spirit]

A firm handshake.

"As was I. I met your sister, a couple days ago. I liked her. She's charming."

A pause.

"How are you?"

[the_seafarer]

"She is very charming," Caspian says, with a grin. "One of those fairy gifts, I suppose."

His voice remains light.

"I'm well, thank you. It has been...a long and tiring week, but much of it seems to be done now, thank the Lion."

[kindred_spirit]

"I'm going to have to hear about these fairy gifts at some point," says Gil, remembering his conversation with Anne.

"Anne mentioned that Amy was worried about you. I'm glad to hear things are improving."

"Have you been here long? In this place?"

[the_seafarer]

"Amy is a good sister," Caspian says with a fond smile.

He may or may not be actively avoiding the implication there.

"And yes, quite long. Since--oh, the beginning of last spring, I should think. March, or around there, as this calendar runs. I'm not really sure how long I spent wandering before I came here."

[kindred_spirit]

Usually, Gil might ask about the wandering, but there's something else on his mind her.

"This thing that happened? The murder? I take it that's unusual?"

Gil is worried.

[the_seafarer]

Caspian's smile fades.

"Aye, very unusual. I'd seen nothing of the kind in all the months I was here."

He shakes his head.

"Only met her once or twice, but she was a kind girl, sweet and curious. It's been a terrible blow to her friends."

[kindred_spirit]

"Things like that don't happen in Avonlea," Gil says. "I find myself keeping a closer on who comes down this hall."

He's thinking about the fact that either Anne or Amy could be described as "a kind girl, sweet and curious."

"I know her friend Lilly. I never met Miss Giry."

[the_seafarer]

Caspian looks a bit grim. The shadow of the man who'd raised his sword against his son lurks behind his eyes.

"I'm thankful that you do. I told Amy to be more careful, and fully intend to keep my eye on her and those around her as often as possible. Anne, as well. I'd not see harm come to either of them, when I could prevent it."

He sighs, a bit.

"Lilly is taking it especially hard, I think. She's strong, and won't break where people will see, but I think she's having a worse time of it than anyone else."

Except Andrew, but Caspian doesn't know him.

[kindred_spirit]

Gil was right. This man could be frightening when he chooses.

"I appreciate anything you do to keep Anne safer."

"I helped Lilly look over the articles for her paper this week. I don't know that she actually needed help, but I think she needed to not do it alone."

Gil doesn't even know Andrew exists.

[the_seafarer]

"Aye," he says, with a sigh. "Lilly--she and I aren't close, but she's a girl that inspires familiarity and friendship, I think, and it's sad to see her so. Good of you, to help her with the paper."

And just like that, the knight and the king have faded, and he is only Amy's older brother, once again.

"This is a sad topic for what will be a merry party," he says, with a small smile. "Tell me, have you kept occupied? You've been well, I hope? Amy tells me Anne is settling in well here, and I'd hope the same for you."

[kindred_spirit]

"It was my pleasure and my priviledge to help her," he says.

He's a little relieved by the change in Caspian that he notices, but could not quite explain.

"Anne settles in anywhere, she has the gift of making friends. And I stay busy enough. I study, quite a bit. I'm grateful to have the time to do so. And Anne drags me off on walks, and there are people to meet. I think I'm settling in. But I still miss Avonlea."

[the_seafarer]

"Of course," he says. "It is your home, is it not? And we always miss our homes, no matter how far we may wander from them or how marvelous the places we find."

A pause.

"It's good that your friend is here. And you're always welcome to join me in the stables, should you wish for a different occupation for your time."

[kindred_spirit]

"I am very glad to have her here. And I may take you up on that offer soon. You can only read so many books."

He looks at the door to room 203.

"Shouldn't keep the ladies waiting."

[the_seafarer]

Caspian gestures to the door.

"After you."