⚔ HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU.

GAVIN LIT up at the question, and without much hesitation, headed over to the far corner of the room where a small painting hung. The curator had done his best to give it a prime spot, but it was so small it was easily overlooked. The painting showed a beautiful blonde woman. “this one here, it was donated a couple years ago, by the Humphreys. Their grandfather painted this just before he passed away -- it was what he thought his baby granddaughter would look like when she grew up,” The piece had always touched him. He listened intently to Maggie’s explanation. “huh, I wouldn’t think that. But I suppose they tend to prefer being pretty far away from land. That fascinating,” Gavin said, offering her a warm grin. “oh -- about fifteen years, I guess,”

GAVIN COCKED a brow at Jake, a huge grin on his face. “what? I’m tougher than I look. Especially when I drink, don’t let my commitment to vintage fashion fool you,” He said playfully. Today was a forties inspired suit. Which, while extremely fetching, actually did very little to hide his frame. It was one of his favourites for that alone. Gavin took the tea and gave it a grateful sip. He was a coffee man, save for whatever Jake brought him. Not that he’d let the kid know. “well, so far. mostly been in the library all week, if i’m honest. what about you, kiddo?”

“THAT IS a big part of the job,” Gavin said with pride, touching a hand to his temple in the process. The Holiday’s were a founding family he was both academically and morally obligated to do his research on them. “surprised I got that right, you two really look alike. I’m glad your parents went with distinct names at least. Honestly, we don’t get much buisness, except from tourists who, of course, wouldn’t have any idea,” It was to be expected in a town like this.

A PLAYFUL smile tugged at Gavin’s lips. “I’m terrified and I regret my mistakes immensely,” He said firmly. That was, until the soft melody of his laugh followed suit. Gavin cocked his head, considering the idea of him modelling. “you think? I don’t think I’d be very good at it, I’m a scholar, not a model.” Although, he could think of a few choice lovers who’d likely agree with Addy on this one. Gavin shrugged.  “hey, Alvin swears by the recipe to this day. I do believe its his greatest accomplishment. I’d say we should try it, but frankly I don’t have the heart to crush his dreams. Have you tried over-the-counter medication?”

THOUGH GAVIN had only just met Maggie, he was already taking a liking to her. A woman who understood the importance of research was a woman after his own heart. “I couldn’t agree more,” He said, the happiness plastered all over his face. “and at the end of the day I can feel like I’m making a difference -- just uncovering the past, sure, but in a place like this it’s all new news,” He added. Gavin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. He hadn’t been expecting that as a profession. “oh really? that’s fascinating,” He meant it, too. “I didn’t even know there was a NOAA in Maine. They stuck you in Holiday of all places? Is there a marine-specific reason?”

GAVIN HADN’T drunk in moderation since the Great Hangover Of ‘05 and he said as much to Evie. He’d had a few, and was loosing that scholarly tone he was so known for. “bully it doesn’t, you just haven’t done it right, I’d guess,” He said, flashing her a grin. “loosing your inhibitions is all part of the game. you get to play sherlock the next day with your buds, piecing the night together,” He explained, taking a long pull from his drunk. “But you’re right, I think’d hit you too hard, so maybe you should be responsible,” Gavin paused, then jerked his chin at her. “have we met?”

GAVIN WAS a friendly sort, always had been. In no small part due to his wonderful parents and elders. The curator had no issue planting himself across from Maggie, as if they were old friends. “nice to meet you too, Maggie,” A warm smile. “yeah, it sounds quite exciting. I try to make it that way, but it’s a lot of research, compelling lists of family heirlooms and lineages.  These artifacts are hard to come by. I don’t mind though, I enjoy the work,” He said with gusto. “what about you? do you mind if I ask what brought you to our little slice of the world?”

“SWEATING LIKE sinners in a church,” Gavin mimed, mulling over the strange phrase. “If I’m not mistaken, that’s a distinctly southern colloquialism, isn’t it?” He questioned, offering a small smile. “sorry, sorry, that was rude of me. I’m not trying to gather your family history or anything, that kind of thing just interests me. do you mind if I ask where you’re from?”

GAVIN’S HEART really went out to the poor woman. He remembered how long it had taken him to get accustomed to this new climate. And even at thirty-six, he still wasn’t fully prepared to handle the heat. It was one of the many things that kept him out of the south. “of course, let me go look to see if I have something,” Gavin said quickly. He had a mini fridge in his office, left there by the previous owner, but he hardly kept it stocked for anyone but himself. The curator was back in mere moments, having only to glance in the nearly empty fridge to see what was on offer. “this is all I’ve got. It’s open, if that bothers you,” He explained, holding out a half filled bottle of water. “i’ve got a kettle in the back, but that’s not exactly cold,”

GAVIN LOOKED Addy over, humming to himself. “they’re lying dormant, waiting to make their move. You know, I always sense some untapped potential in you, but I didn’t think it was this,” he said playfully. “keep talking like that and you’ll turn me into a model,” Gavin’s face fell at the thought of it. “no, actually, I paid too much for my degree. its museum or bust,” He cocked his head, considering her stance. Gavin hadn’t ever suffered from allergies, for a number of years so the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. “That’s fair. You know, I once knew this feller, he swore he knew how to cure my allergies. Told my parents to mix olive oil, horse radish and a little bit of red wine. They got me to drink it too, We ended up moving -- which, I’m pretty sure is what cleared them up, but by all means give that a shot,”

GAVIN HADN’T exactly been expecting a baby, in fact, he didn’t think one had ever been inside the building before. At least, not since he’d taken charge and revamped the place. Gavin couldn’t say he minded so long as the father kept him from ripping apart the displays. “ah, well silence is about the only thing we have an abundance of,” Gavin admitted with a small smile. His eyes fell upon the fussy child. “sure, no problem. I doubt anyone will come in here, but if you’d like to play it safe you can use my office? I don’t mind, really,”

GAVIN SHOVED his hands in his pockets, offering her a casual shrug. “no worries, they work you harder than me,” He chuckled softly. Her exhaustion read clear as day on her features. Gavin found himself wishing he’d brought her a coffee was he followed her toward the reserves cart. “a whole month? I’ll have them back in thirty days, guaranteed,” He promised, sliding the box towards himself. Opening the lid, Gavin took a quick peek inside, though he didn’t dare rifle through without gloves. Even if it wasn’t technically library policy, he wanted to do what he could to preserve such an integral part of the town’s history. “and as compensation, how about I whip down to the cafe and pick you up something to drink?”

GAVIN WASN’T exactly the face of the town. He was under no obligation to meet its residents, but had taken the job upon himself for the sake of his work. That mostly consisted of talking to people at least three times his age, gathering a comprehensive family history as well as taking on any valuables they wished to donate. He wasn’t as familiar with the younger crowd, but he knew most by reputation at least. Maggie, Gavin could not place, which he assumed made her a new arrival -- or a tourist. “I am,” He said proudly, offering her a hand. “Gavin Parsons, Holiday’s one & only museum curator.” and historical scholar, most likely.

“YOU’RE PROBABLY the only person in town who notices when I do,” Gavin pointed out with an affectionate tone. The museum was filled with little else other than heirlooms -- each a piece of a family in its own right, but lacking some of the splendor that larger organizations had. “ah,” He nodded in recognition. “so you’re the second youngest Holiday, if I’m not mistaken?” Gavin had done his fair share of research on the local families. The Holidays first and foremost. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,”