Apr 15 09:08:38 108 PA - Another Talk on the River Walk

From Chronicles

Apr 15 09:08:38 108 PA.

SOUTH RIVER WALK

Gabriel is often found around town at night. His own sleep schedule is tightly controlled, possibly due to his past rather than any recent changes. This southern area of the River Walk is quite pretty at midnight, particularly because of the clear skies and waning crescent of a Moon, the entire area dusted by a gentle breeze coming up from the warmer southwest. Early spring has been called, and even the trees are beginning to display small, green baby leaves of hickory and Missouri dogwood. A very low, very loose fog rises from the Walk due of differential heating. Currently, the short Slavic man is parked outside of AAA Arms and Armor, glancing at the goods in the well-screened windows.

Dark. A little foggy. Ooh scary. Or maybe all the big guns in the windows are more scary. Way more scary than one little Bella. She's shuffling in from further up. She's on the walk that's along the river but she's not really by the river.

Bartholemew is out for a midnight run along the River Walk, it's peaceful compared to the bustling of the day and with spring finally here the weather has calmed perfectly. Just a slow and steady pace, nothing too heavy and the way is at least a bit more open from obstacles that can block a man's view causing him to run into people.

As people get closer, it may be heard that Gabriel is singing quietly to himself - something best kept to himself, as he certainly has no voice for it. Really should stick to the whistling. "...ve read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel; As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal; Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel since God is marching on... Glory, glory, hallelu...." The small chugging pattern of the other fellow coming up - or down, depending on your point of reference - the River Walk is noted with a sharp ear, and he stand straight, turning to look at its source.

Bella hears Gabriel. But she don't take chances when she sees Bartholemew. A little step to the side. Just to be safe from any running into. Then she's smirking at the good guy who ain't a good singer. "Oughtta stick ta whistlin'. Whatcha doin' 'sides soundin bad?" The shopping mut've stuck since she ain't wearing the old stuff.

Bartholemew continues chugging his way down the street, though this time a bit more aware of his surroundings. As he comes up towards Gabriel he slows up a bit when he notices him and the Coat in his path. He gives a nod to them both, "Hey, hows it going you two?" pulling his canteen out to take a good swig of water to cool down a bit then giving a quick upward nod to Gabe, "Been tryin to catch you, wanted to invite you, well actually both of you, to a party at Sage's place in a week."

"Really?" Gabriel asks/states, a little surprised. He reaches his right arm out in greeting, because at least where he's from, men shook hands when they met. "Good to see you're intact, Bartholemew. I think that much of the planning up there was left to amateurs. But who am I to say, huh?" The older man bobs his head politely, though perhaps saying through body-language, "Damn right I'm someone to say." Bella is acknowledged with a smile - and if she's close enough, a pat on the head. Never hurts among friends. "I'm practicing, Bella. So someday I can become a rock star like Rubidia and have to quit my life of heroism." Okay, he screws up his eyes and face at the concept of the whole 'heroic' thing. Returning to the other man, he asks, "Ah, do you mind if I just call you Bart? Normally I hate to abbreviate names, but four syllables is kind of a mouthful."

"Uh-huh. Right. Better stick ta shootin' people." Bella makes a sour face too. Mostly about the pat. Then she's all curious. "Party? What kinda party? Long's ya ain' havin' him doin'a music." The smirk's for Bart and the thumb for Gabriel.

Bartholemew shakes the mans hand heartily, "Sure thing, Bart's fine by me." Kinda just shrugging off the first comment, "Eh? What are ya gonna do? We had no idea when and where so we had to take a chance." Bella gets a chuckle, "I guess the best way to describe it is a business party of sorts with a Get back alive theme. Basically, I've invited everyone I have gone on jobs with and would like to propose a partnership among us. I don't wanna get to into it so I don't have to repeat myself a bunch of times. That's why the party."

The older man's eyes narrow briefly, but only in thought. "'We fight together, we die together,' kind of thing? Hmm. Okay, I'll be there. You ever need to contact me, there's a shop up in the Merchant's Plaza that lets me use 'em as a mailbox. Place called 'Venus Envy.' Yeah, I know, a pun. Don't ask me, I didn't name it." He shrugs. "I won't ask you a whole bunch of questions only to have you answer them later. But if I may, and I know that you can only make a guess, just how large an operation would you think it might be?" Gabriel grins at Bella. "Maybe it'll just be the two of us, the Nighthawks. We lurk around the streets of Kingsdale at night setting wrongs right, like the Punisher."

Now the smirk's for Gabe. "Rightin' wrong shit's yer thing, good guy. Ain' really mine." Bella has to remind him. "'Less there's lotsa good reasons fer rightin'. Can prolly be there. Dunno 'bout joinin' up inna big pack though. Easier ta get people mad at ya 'n easier fer 'em ta find ya."

Bartholemew chuckles, "Well this whole meeting is to hopefully get a good core group together and build from there. I got some cash to put in sorta, trying to sell my Skycycles to raise the cash, maybe only one though depending. But I'll explain it all at the party. I gotta finish my run before I cool down too much. I've invited 10 others besides you two, should be a good time regardless of the business." He smiles to the Bella, "Let em come, as a group I know we can put a hurtin on quite a bit. Anyways, Hope to see you there as well, maybe I can change your mind." and off he runs, soldiers aren't taught always the best etiquette in social situations.

Gabriel watches the man take off down the street, then says to Bella, "Interesting. He runs kind of like I do. Steady, you know?" Then, "So what've you been up to these past few days? Daring adventure?" He turns and peers in the window of the arms shop again. "I think I might be hoarding weapons."

"Kinda." Bella shrugs. But she's grinning too. "Gotta li'l bitta adventurin' stuff. Mostly jus' watchin' shit get blowed up. Still fun." Cause stuff blowin up is like that.

"Adventuring!" Gabriel claps his hands together, applauding. "So you *are* daring, huh Bella?" The older man grins widely and reaches out to ruffle her head again. Because it's so much fun to do. "Who blew up? Where'd you go? Must have been a short nighttime run, or else I'm completely off my game when it comes to knowing my shit around here." For some reason he stomps his left foot. Who knows why. Maybe it was a random twitch.

Bella smirks. More. "Yeah. Justa quick li'l trip. Lotsa shit blowed up. Guy drivin'a truck we was protectin. Guys't tried ta blow up the trucks. Didn' do lotta shootin."

"I didn't even know that you owned a weapon, Bella. You been holding out on me?" Gabriel grins and turns on his heel, holding out an arm and crooking his elbow for the young woman, as would be proper. "C'mon, let's go hit Happy Burger. I'm not really feeling up for squirrel right now." Wiggle-wiggle of the elbow, as if, "Well, grab on." In any case, he'll get going. Some people get hungry after creating beautiful pieces of music.

It's midnight, and it's a beautiful midnight, with clear skies and a waning crescent Moon. A warm breeze is blowing up from the southwest, though the remnant cool of the ground is causing a low fog to hang around. Gabriel and Bella are standing outside of the arms shop, though he has just turned and crooked his arm out, as if inviting Coat to take his elbow. They're facing Main Street.

Gabe gets to keep the elbow. Bella's still there though. Maybe goin with him, too. "Ew. No more Happy Burger. Place's crappy. Covernin't up with bright stuff don' make it better. Don'tcha go nowheres else?"

It is from main street that Sage begins to wander back towards her place. While her place may keep her busy, it seems she keeps finding ways to prevent herself from being cooped up in the place. She is comfortable dressed against the cool night air, and her gaze drifts around a little.

Gabriel is enjoying the warmth. The American Southwest is cooperating, finally slapping winter out of the way and bringing in early spring. As he's facing the correct direction, he spots Sage moving back toward her spot, looking up as if he'd really only at that moment noticed that he was actually standing near her spa. No voice is raised for now, but an arm sure is, in a pleasant wave. Someone else waves back, too, someone he doesn't know, but that's okay. Everyone likes to be waved at.

Bella thinks Sage is way better 'n happy colored happy places with happy burgers. Just too much happy. Since the wave's covered, she does the other half. "Hey. Havin fun walkin' inna dark?" It ain't sarcastic. Bella has fun walkin' inna dark alla time.

This area does have a certain appeal that allows Sage to enjoy walking in it regardless of the time for the most part. With the motion of someone waving in her general direction, her gaze shifts to fall on the person. It doesn't take her long to recognize Gabriel and her hand raises to wave back. She adjusts her path a little to pass closer to the others. Her attention shifting to the young woman after that. "Hey..." She replies, "The dark has some appeal... everything seems to look different too."

With a playful, two-finger tug on Bella's shoulder cloth, Gabriel grins and asks, "What do you think, Sage? Got rid of that ratty thing, she actually looks like a young woman around town! Now, someday I'll get her to hit the Nightingale in a dress. How're you doing?" comes the belated question. Indeed, Bella isn't wearing that old and battered coat. Instead, a dark colored trench coat of sturdy fabric, full length and a detachable hood. He pokes briefly near her side. "Check it out, the belt's even holding it together properly." Bella is thus on the receiving end of his own feral grin, whatever it is that may exactly be going on.

"Ya jus' wanna look't me in 't." Bella's hood ain't up so her smirk at Gabe's easy to see. "Don' care whatcha say 'bout bein married 'r good 'r whatever." See? He's got that grin. Makes him look guilty just like she thinks he is. Course, she's dressed up more showy now. Even not in a dress. "Not everythin' looks diff'rent. Jus' ain' so bright 'n shiny" Bella shrugs at Sage. "All looks 'bout the same ta me."

Sage's lips curl into a smile as she considers the young woman's new clothing, "Yes, she does look better in that for sure... but whether she wants to get all dressed up for the Nightingale should be her decision... and perhaps with a woman picking out the dress if she does." She adds with a faint, before raising a brow at the comment about being married. "Married, hm?" She asks the man, before looking to the young woman. "Perhaps I should take you into the wilderness sometime... might see what I mean better than." She offers before shrugging faintly. "I'm doing well enough and yourselves?"

"Good, good thanks, Miss Sage. Miss Bella was telling me about some kind of adventure she was on. Not very descriptive though. The phrase, 'lotta shit blowed up' keeps coming up." Gabriel smiles, then raises his right hand, pointing to the plain silver ring that's been riding his fourth finger ever since he arrived, and likely long before. "Natasha, she's with me in the wilderness already, thanks. Miss Bella just gives me a hard time for being a man who's nice to a young woman. Constantly accusing me of wanting her in not-so-nice ways." He rolls his eyes amusedly. "Never really had you pegged for a night-owl. Coming back from a club yourself?" It's a fair question.

Bella nods. "If ya mean 'is place, been there. Ain' all impressed. Less ya got yer own li'l place out there somewheres?" Course she gives him a hard time. It's fun. Bella eyes him. "Everybody else's like that. Figger yer like that too. Jus' better't fakin. Ain' all bad though. Be real useful sometimes." She smiles. It's almost sweet like.

"Yes, there was an explosion or two." Sage concedes with a little amusement, "Bella was safe enough throughout, though." She adds with a faint shrug, "Can't say many father figures would be urging their child to go clubbing." She mentions, looking towards Bella to shake her head gently, "No, not his place. I do have another place... but an unfamiliar place can look much different at night than at day." She offers before shrugging. A faint chuckle comes as she looks back to Gabriel, "It's not that late... but things happen around the clock regardless of whether its business or recreation."

"Oh, I don't see her as my child. If I did, I'd have her dressed and *talking* like a proper young lady, too." Elbow to the shoulder. Gabriel smiles. "I didn't know you had a place in the woods, Miss Sage. Very sneaky of you. I suppose it's not that big hill out there with the clearing and all the bells and ribbons flying in the wind, then. So you were there too? For the lotta shit blowed up?" Smirk. "Seriously, though, Miss Bella has become what I would like to consider a good friend, she's a good person. I like to help out good people, in whatever way that I can. Glad you're both back from whatever it was in one piece."

"Were doin' some blowin' up too." Bella points a finger at Sage. "Didn' get real burnt up 'r nothin' did ya? I weren' stayin' round after the others showed up. Didn' do lots anyways." More smirk. At Gabe. "Yer gonna keep thinkin that ain' ya?"

"Can't really say the same thing about my armor, but I suppose it did its job." Sage comments, "Shame about that Suave guy, though." She adds before shrugging faintly, then chuckling softly as she looks over towards Gabriel. "Its more of a friend's place, really." She pauses to glance between the two of them. "Was I interrupting anything?"

Gabriel shakes his head, seriously this time. "No, no interruption. Honestly we just bumped into each other a few minutes back. I'm here checking out the weapons through the front window, she's here for... I don't know why, but she's here." He glances between both women for a moment, then says, "Feels like I haven't talked to you in a long time, Miss Sage. Been busy with the spa and out running around the wilderness - apparently not getting burned up?"

Bella has a different story. "Yer interruptin. Just'n time too. He's always tryin'a stuff me fulla food." She eyes Gabe. Then back to Sage. "Yer li'l card thing still good fer usin? Spa sounds way better'n burgers 'n I dunno what yer plannin' ta do ta me in yer place." Eyeing Gabriel again. "'R maybe ya can do somethin ta him."

Sage chuckles faintly as she looks between the two of them, "Well, I've actually been having to plan for a large gathering for the private dining ... but there are people that can keep things going for when I'm going in the spa and other aspects of the business." She comments before looking to Bella. "Well, you'll have to decide if you want something nice done for you or him, it seems." She comments before looking over to Gabriel. "Not sure its been overly long, but I suppose it has been a little bit." She nods faintly.

Gabriel just chuckles and sighs at Bella's innuendo, but winks at Sage. "I'm good, thanks. No spa necessary. So you're doing the thing for Bart?"

"That's fine, Gabriel. You and Erica just don't know what you're missing." Sage offers with a shrug, before nodding in response. "Yeah, should have everything ready to go when its time." She comments before looking back to other woman with an amused look. "We'll have to think of something for him... but, as for you, I could probably just help refine your look a little to make it match your new look." She offers, "Unless you want to be a little more indulgent." She adds with a shrug.

Bella tips her head. Looks down at herself. "Guess we could try 'n make alla me look diff'rent. Up fer 'bout anythin'. Like I was sayin, jus' tryin'a do diff'rent stuff." A shrug. "Ya know way more 'bout't 'n me. Whatever ya think's good's good."

Sage purses her lips as she considers the other woman, "Perhaps a little work on the hair, manicure... maybe a facial... and I'll let you decide if you might want some sort of massage or perhaps a little treat to eat or drink." She offers, "And, perhaps best of all, we can make sure Gabriel doesn't come along if you like."

"Sounds good. Alla it. Dunno if I want 'im 'round 'r not." Bella nods. Then eyes Gabe. "Maybe be fun watchin' 'im watchin. Maybe not." Back to Sage. "When ya wanna do alla that? Got lotsa big parties comin' up 'r just Bart's?"

Sage nods faintly, "It would be your choice. I'm not intending for him to be there, though." She mentions before giving the other man an amused look. Then she looks back to Bella. "Mainly Bart's, but business has been reasonably steady." She comments, "I may have to check my organizer but I imagine a couple hours here or there wont make a large difference." She adds before pausing, "Do you have a preference other than when its dark outside?"

Bella shakes her head. "Nope. Tell ya if somethin' else pops up I ain' likin. No good guy's good too. Was jus' funnin' at 'im."No smirking or even looking at him this time. "S'pose I oughtta jus' go fer the big deal. Everythin' ya got. Least try alla it one time. Got some creds now so I can give ya somethin' fer alla that." Bella shrugs at the end. "Any night ya want lemme know. Prolly go now if ya wanted."

Sage nods faintly, but doesn't seem to add anything to the first comment by the other woman. A brow raises faintly before smiling faintly, "I suppose you do at that." She comments, "But, if you're thinking of going all out, it may be better to leave it to a night when its a little earlier in the evening. Unless you want a little sample now and do more later."

"Huh. Didn' thinka that. Good call." Bella didn't really think of going for the full package either. Not until just now. "'Nother night's fine. Can come by early jus' fine."

Sage nods with a small smile, "Of course, I will make sure to prepare something for you then." She comments, "If either of you would like something to eat or drink, let me know." She adds, "Not enough to stuff, though." She adds with a musing tone.

Bella grins. Not a big smile. Just lips curling up. "Nah. Don' gotta feed me. Use a break from that. He's always tryin'a do 't." Gabe gets blamed again. "Lemme know when yer ready 'n whatever."

Sage chuckles, "Alright." She replies, "I imagine it has to do with you being on the thin side, but I'll leave the badgering to him." She adds before glancing briefly to Gabriel. "I could put something in the window for a night when I'd be ready for you if I'm not able to get in contact with you otherwise."

"That works. Walk 'round here lots anyways. Maybe best easy way fer me ta know yer ready." Bella likes that idea. Since she don't have a radio, phone, or a mailbox thingy. "Whatcha gonna put in there so's I know?"

Gabriel comes back into view, then hurries into the parks to the south to answer a call. Whether or not he comes back is anyone's guess. He can be flighty at night, watching the constellations.

Sage nods faintly to the other woman before pursing her lips, "A small light, I think." She comments, "Should be easy enough to see." She decides, "Unless you'd prefer something else." She pauses, "Is there anything you'd like to do this night or shall I just wish you a good evening?"

Bella shrugs. She does that alot. Even if people can see it's her shoulders moving now. Not just the coat. "I dunno. Jus walkin' 'n wanderin. Less ya wanna gimme a taste 'r tour 'r whatever't yer place now?" She's used to Gabe runnin off. She does it sometimes too.

Well, the constellations were pretty for a while, but the street lamps brightened for some reason, ruining the sky, even in the open park. Thus Gabriel wanders back to where he'd been, with his two good friends. He holds up his small communicator, and offers an explanation only as, "Sorry." Reaching the position of the two women, he breaths in hard, then exhales slowly. "I miss anything exciting? You two going into a business partnership? Spa treatment by day, crime-fighters by night?"

"Its okay, Gabriel." Sage assures with only a hint of humour in her tone before looking back to the other woman. "I'm not sure we should tell him, though." She muses, "He might not be able to handle it."

"Yeah good guy. We gots big big plans." Bella just grins. At Sage too. "Where ya wanna start firs'? Pretty sure he can' hack it. He's all nice. Too soft."

Gabriel crosses his arms and drums his fingers on the opposite biceps. "Start first, and pretty sure that I can hack it? Why Miss Bella, I do believe that could be taken in someone's mind's eye as very good, or very bad, if someone were to take it seriously." Wink.

"I'm not sure if that's what she meant." Sage comments, "But, the first rule would seem to be secrecy..." She muses before shrugging, "I should probably go check on things at my place, though. Make sure the last appointments went well. Might be able to offer something to taste after that. Excuse me."

Bella don't say nothin right away. She just grins at Gabe. "Which one ya think't oughtta be?" Bella lets him think about that a little. So she can wave to Sage. "'K. Guess I'll be watchin fer the light 'less ya tell me diff'rent."

Gabriel only backs away his head canted down and to the side, hands up at shoulder-level in surrender. A smart man knows when to retreat from a no-win scenario.

"Sure thing." Sage replies with a faint nod, before she offers a wave and begins to head off to her place.