jamie bradford ; 11:16am you’re still on for the lecture later ?
orion parrish ; 11:17am yeah sure, I’ve got my corporate business class until 4 but i’ll meet you right after at the conference room
Orion looks at his phone, trying to not go back to his text messages and change his mind. It’s too late for this, not after he signed up for the event and promised his friend that he would attend with her. When she had mentioned a lecture given for the journalism faculty by a former war photographer, he hadn’t known what to do with the information. His opinion on war was complicated (and wasn’t everyone’s ? stupid observation) but it wasn’t like a soldier was coming to tell him his story and it could actually be interesting.
In the end, Orion fulfills his promise. Once the conference finished, he gets up from his seat and begins walking down the stairs towards the man of the day. When he doesn’t turn for the exit he gets an odd look from Jamie and he just shakes his head, telling her that he will join her later. He is not the only student who has question for Levi Boyle but Orion uses all the patience he barely has to wait, letting everyone go before him. Maybe he should be afraid that someone else will make the older man the offer he has in mind, that’s a thought that occurs to him after the first three person and eventually Orion just decides to let his luck play out, which turns out to be the right course of action.
Finally, he takes the couple of steps he needs to face Levi Boyle. He’s had his fair share of occasion where he was feeling more confident in himself but he tries to not show it, hiding his stress behind a small smile. “Hi, my name’s Orion Parrish, I wanted to thank you for the lecture and testimony, it was really interesting.” He bites his lower lip for a second, hesitant. “I… I don’t want to bother you, maybe you’ve got other things to do but I was wondering if maybe I could invite you for a cup of coffee ? There’s a really great place on the campus, five minutes away from here on foot, top.” He smiles at his own last words, as if the distance and the lack of great effort is supposed to be the thing that’s going to convince the other man to come with him. Ridiculous.
we can only know that we know nothing feat @orion parrish
He talked for two hours. Two longs hours who passed like 10 minutes. It was a perfect moment, with a listening public and so many questions. Levi loved questions, it was like his little candy when he finished to talk. In the room, there were a lot of students, young people who were more interested by their past than their parents. Levi always has prefered to talk to youngers because they were most open-minded and capable to see throught words and history. They understood problematic easier than adultes because, for them, it was just a story, not History with a big H. Not a moment of pain or difficult memories. It was just like when you tell a story to your kids : they see magic when you see horror, they see love when you see danger.
Levy was hungry when the event finished but he had to answer others questions and "thanks" by his listeners. He didn't like these moments because it always was a long queue of people who juste want to thank him and not others things. For Levi, nobody has to thank him because, it was his work to take pictures of these periods of History. If "thank" had to be, it'll be to the soldiers, not to him. So, thes moments were always particular difficult for Levi, he felt overestimated. - Can we finish Michael, i don't feel good... His manager turns to him and tap on his watch. His lips moved to say "ten minutes again and we leave." Levi raised an eyebrow and continue his fake smiles. Not fake-fake, but... You know, like a grand-father who smiles just to give pleasure to his grand-children. But when the new one begin to talk, Levi was interlocuted. He was the first to propose him to go to take a cup of coffee and... The photographer would die for a dark and good cup of coffee. The one who he drank during the event was not very good. -Oh, yeah, of course ! His hand squeezed the one of th student and he moved closer to whisper - Thank you to save me from this moment young man.... Michael ! He's a photography student, he want to talk about an intership. I think it's perfect for me to met my futur intern here, don't you think ? Levi was too smiling, too enthousiasm and his hand didn't free the one of Orion. - Yes, i think but... -Okey, i'll be back in one hour ! And the table was abandoned, Orion pushed toward the exit. Levi was still smiling, so happy to be able to get out of here and chaperoning his manager.
The little bit of anxiety Orion is experiencing diminishes a little when Levi’s answer comes so easily. “Oh, yeah, of course !” To be fair, he’s kind of taken aback by the enthusiasm the other man seems to be showing but he doesn’t really have the time to react because the next second, the former photographer is whispering in his ear. “Thank you to save me from this moment young man.... Michael ! He's a photography student, he want to talk about an internship. I think it's perfect for me to meet my future intern here, don't you think ?” A smile plays on Orion’s lips when he listens to the first words and he has to bite the inside of his cheek to not laugh at the blatant lie being told to that Michael guy.
Orion keeps quiet, letting the thing unfold. Eventually, Levi lets go of his hand and Orion is basically manhandled towards the exit of the amphitheater. Once the two of them on the road to the coffee shop, he finally finds it fitting to start talking again. “Who would have thought I’d be the one giving you a favour ? Uh.” There’s a small laugh out of his mouth after that. He’s still not sure what he’s doing and he clearly has no idea how to go about it so, yeah, humor to start might be good. “I still want to thank you for accepting my offer. I’m glad I didn’t exude too many business major vibes for your… Manager I guess ? to call you out.” Orion is building his confidence and it doesn’t really feel too much to joke on what just happened. If Orion read Levi Boyle correctly during the last couple of hours -and especially the last ten minutes-, the older man should be fine with this.
True to his earlier words, it barely takes them four minutes to reach the establishment and soon enough, they’re already sitting at a table. The coffee shop is pretty quiet at this hour of the day and it doesn’t take long for a waitress to come get their order. Not wanting to wrongly presume Levi’s preferences, Orion lets the other man ask for his drink before adding, “And I’ll take one Americano with two cheesecakes.” The woman smiles and once she’s gone, he turns his attention back to Levi. “They’re really to die for, you can’t leave the campus not trying one.” And now they were settled. Time to think beyond small talk.
we can only know that we know nothing feat @orion parrish
Levi was enthusiasm to left the place with 30 minutes in advance. His smile was like a sun in the dark sky and quickly, the duet leave the amphitheater. Properly adjusting his scarf to his shoulders, he turned to the young man when he spoke again. - Michael is my sort of manager. He prepared lists to do professionnal stuff, like smile and sign books without speaking because he thinks it's a loose of time... And blablablabla. Levi laughts a little. He doesn't mock of Michael, He likes Michael because he's most organised than him for this things and... With the last success of his novel, he has to make attention about his organisation. So, Michael he's the man of the situation even if Levi want to kill him sometimes (and not everytime, thank god).
Levi sits on the chair and asks for a double americano. Listening the order by the young man, he frowns a little bit before smiling at the mention of a cheesecake. - Perfect, I love pastries, except the french type, you know ? A lot of people will kill for croissant or pain au chocolat but I prefer cheesecake or muffins. English pastries with a lot of sugar and without pastries talent, it's my kind of things! He has a tender smile, again, for the boy who... - Your name is Orion, isn't it ? As the nebula of Orion? Do you have parents in astrophysic and something like that ? Sorry, i'm very curious but... You are not a photography student, I know recognize this kind of people and this… He raises his finger to show the face and the eyes of Orion. It is like a drawing in the air, and during 3 seconds, the old man tries to understand what he see in Orion Parrish. - It's not a look of photographer, it's a look of... serious man. Economic studies ? Or maybe…Business studies ?
“Perfect, I love pastries, except the french type, you know ? A lot of people will kill for croissant or pain au chocolat but I prefer cheesecake or muffins. English pastries with a lot of sugar and without pastries talent, it's my kind of things!” Orion gets lightly hit by the realization that he could have ordered something the other man didn’t even like but he brushes off the thought as quickly as it came. He’s aware of his need of recognition by older and meaningful figures and he’s also very alert of his case of too high perfectionism but it doesn’t go that far. Not really. Anyway. “Well, you won’t be disappointed, I promise.” He shares Levi’s smile and then the former photographer is going on about his name, offering suggestions Orion hasn’t heard in like, maybe a couple of months or so. “Your name is Orion, isn't it ? As the nebula of Orion? Do you have parents in astrophysic and something like that ? Sorry, i'm very curious but... You are not a photography student, I know recognize this kind of people and this…” Levi pauses, his fingers in the air, and Orion tilts his head a little to the right, interested in what’s supposed to come next. He’s not exactly fond of being judged on his image but he’s genuinely curious about what the experienced man sees in him. “It's not a look of photographer, it's a look of... serious man. Economic studies ? Or maybe…Business studies ?” There’s a small grimace Orion can’t prevent when the adjective serious is pronounced but he goes back to his smile quick enough. He knows it’s not a bad word and it actually fits in the description of his personality but… You know, it’s not the feature of his he actually prefers. Whatever. “Yeah, business studies with a side of international commerce. Not quite the artist or history major you’d expect at your lectures I guess.” He shrugs, clearing his throat before continuing. “A friend of mine majors in Arts and she offered me to come with her, so I did.” And now was the time to explain why he’d asked Levi for a longer conversation but he pauses for a second and then, Levi’s earlier remark comes back to him. “As of my name, well, mom’s a teacher and my father’s in the military, no scientists in sight, it’s more of a greek thing. I don’t have any origins there but my mom was a huge fan of greek mythology. She named my twin brother Hélios after the hellenic personification of the sun and light. Orion, he was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars to form the constellation my name is more known for.” An easy smile accompanies Orion’s words. He’s told the stories so many times, they come out of his mouth almost on autopilot. “And yes, I can locate it on the sky pretty easily.” He adds out of habit. He also used to doodle it everywhere he could when he was bored, there was a thing, there. Orion’s eyes catch their waitress coming back with their order and the next minute he’s blowing on his cup of coffee, ready for the drink from heaven.
we can only know that we know nothing feat @orion parrish
Levi listen carefully Orion, his eyes on the face of the young man because he always think a lot of informations come on the face and not in words. Orion looked a little disappointed by the questions or maybe it was just an impression by Levi. He hoped 'cause Levi didn't like when he makes a mistake with someone in a first meet. The old man wait for the entirely answer and though about his own parents when the subject came on the table. Mrs and Mr Boyle wasn't here anymore but they loved mythology like Orion's mother. Unfortunately, Levi wasn't named with a mythology inspiration but his father told a lot of stories about this subject when he was young. It was a perfect period, difficult because, you know, World War II but yes, a beautiful period. Finally, the waitress comes and give them coffee and cake. Orion was right, the cheesecake seems delicious and Levi tried first bite before answering - You know Orion, even if there were a lot of arts students in my workshop, it's not a moment exclusively for arts people. I prefer to meet students like you, with others topics to tell than people who just wait for me to... explain my stuffs, do you understand ? His voice was warm and sympathic because Levi didn't want Orion think he was closed about his meetings and shares. Taking a sip of coffee, he continues : - So, why did you want to talk to me? ? And if it's just curiosity, it's okey and maybe we have a more in commun you can't imagine... Levi is a watcher and with the expressions of Orion and his way of speaking, the writer recognized himself when he was young. Maybe the details he give in his explication or something in his smile.
“You know Orion, even if there were a lot of arts students in my workshop, it's not a moment exclusively for arts people. I prefer to meet students like you, with others topics to tell than people who just wait for me to... explain my stuffs, do you understand ?” There is something in the older man’s face that makes Orion want to relax. Maybe it’s the soothing smile or the kind eyes which had seen everything and were still able to look at you with a kindness not everyone could give to stranger. Slowly, Orion feels his shoulders unclench a little and he nods. “Yeah, I think I get what you mean.” And he doesn’t want to be pretentious by assuming he’s got more interesting stuff to say than the line of students that came for Levi Boyle before him but he gets the feeling, he thinks. “So, why did you want to talk to me? And if it's just curiosity, it's okey and maybe we have a more in commun you can't imagine..” The last words make Orion smile around his cup of coffee. He takes another sip to gather his thoughts and try to organize them a little bit. “Uh, I’m not sure ? I mean…” He shrugs his shoulder, moving one of his hand around like he’s trying to figure out what words to use. “My dad was in the military.” He finally says. “Well, he still is but he stopped being deployed a couple years ago, he’s only working from New York now.” And when he’s finally launched, the words flow easily. He doesn’t like talking about his life but he can tell a story and he kinds of asked for it, so. “He was in Vietnam. He was born in 1950 so he got there for the latest years. I can’t tell much about his other tours. I mean, he also mentioned them sometimes but I think ‘nam really marked him the most.” Orion sets his coffee down, he takes a breath, passes his hand through his hair once, and continues. “My brother enlisted right out of highschool. He keeps saying that Dad had nothing to do with it and I keep not buying it, it’s kind of been a recurring argument over the last years.” His eyes escape Levi’s face to go wander on the street outside, it’s not that he’s ashamed of the admission but the way he can make it bugs him. He’s always been so close to his brother, facing the fact that things have been different since they decided to go on with their lives on literally two different sides of the planet is not exactly easy. “Things is, I’m not sure what part of my father was made by war and what part is just purely his character. And I know Hélios is growing up and becoming an adult just like me, hence the evolving part and everything but… How do I put that.” He worries his bottom lip between his teeth for a second, then tries to elaborate. “We don’t really talk about all that and I know you can’t really understand war and the military system until you’ve lived it but I guess I thought I could maybe try to see for myself some things through your photos and testimony ? I don’t know.” Orion doesn’t know is saying it loud make it more logical or lot less. The truth, he hadn’t exactly thought this through. Jamie had mentioned the event around a random conversation and being a polite (and curious) friend he’d asked more information. And then his brain went like okay, we should attend and there he was.
we can only know that we know nothing feat @orion parrish
Orion began to explain why he was in the amphitheatre and Levi remained quiet, listening attentively. He couln't drink his coffee, shaken by the words of the young man. Because, Levi Boyle was in Viet Nam and this period was the most beautiful and difficult in his life. He worked for a couple of years in this country and it was the beggining of his carreer. Before that, Levi sold newspaper in the street, took photographies in the park. You know, borings stuffs just to pay a bed, food and coffee for a day. But one morning, he met a man, a professional photographer who was surprised by his energy and passion for plain moments of life. One week after, Levi was in a plane towards the other side of the planet. Stayed quiet, he wait for the end of the explanation of Orion. He didn't except that and he has to take some seconds to think about the story of this young man. Levi saw a lot of violents things during wars, met a lot of young militaries, believing in their job but... You know, war is like a tornado. You can't imagine the danger and the way who it will destroy you after. Tornados seems pretty on the pictures but after all, it's just a fucking destroyer.
- Okey, i can understand the reason of your coming here. And I think it's a beautiful reason. It's difficult to understand the war with a... photographer's eye because even if i was in the middle of the fight, I have an artistic and emotional look before an overview, the true reasons and all that it generates. I always know the why and the how, when I start a report but very often ... I take the side of civilians and no militaries. I still think that these engaged young people, american, english, french or otherwise, don't realize what they do when they sign. As westerners, we have a choice unlike other countries.
Stopping for a second, he took a sip of his coffee, frowning slightly. It was complicated, Orion came here for some answers, to better understand the universe of his brother and maybe his father . But Levi ... Levi was too upset against the army to give him a satisfactory answer.
- I don't know you and don't take my opinion for something obligatory but ... I consider that a military father should prevent his child to engage, whatever his desires. Yet, I'm for choice and freedom but ... accept to see his child go to the front, no matter the fighting, it's to accept to see him die before his hour. I can't accept that. And I'm sorry if ... my words are too strong Orion. But failing to reassure you, I can prove to you that your brother will see the worst but also the best of this world if one day he goes to the front. And I promise you, there are a lot of beautiful things in this world even if its a war zone.
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