<i>Not bad</i>-- so the usual crowd, about zero.  It was amusing that Eddy had opened the bar at all instead of just shutting himself inside his home and never leaving, but Gabriel theorized it was because, regardless of the bitterness and frustration with society, Eddy couldn't completely turn himself away from people.  From the chance to find one or two faces that didn't know him as a famous person, but as a cranky old bartender who had never done anything noteworthy in his life, even if it was a lie.  To just<i>be</i>.  Gabriel could appreciate that.<br/><br/>Interesting people, hm...?  He sipped at his drink some more, watching Eddy flounder over something he wanted to say, but couldn't quite get out.  Perhaps Eddy had managed the unthinkable; maybe he had made a new friend, or thought they could become one...<br/><br/>And there it was, the reason for Eddy's visit.  Gabriel shifted, leaning into the conversation to make the space between them more private, intimate; he gazed at Eddy intently and didn't say a word, letting the silence sit until Eddy felt like saying more.  Gabriel could stay silent all night, if that's how long it took for the artist to let out the words burning a hole in his chest.  No rush.