Dec 06 05:46:21 108 PA - Searching for Solutions

From Chronicles

Dec 06 05:46:21 108 PA.

It's delightfully freezing today. Like most of the recent days have been, with this freakishly absurd Missouri weather. Things really do change during time travel, apparently. Gabriel is seated indoors, munching away on some stew and fermented honey. A small newspaper is curled up before him, though he's not reading it, and he has a briefcase tucked between his leg and the wall. He's humming softly to himself, looking at that old photograph that he carries in his breast pocket.

Freezin cold 'n dark. So fun. Sorta. Maybe? There's lotsa place fer Bella ta be. But comin inside here 'n there's good fer the soul. 'R keepin it warm anyways. Not lotsa people out inna freezin cold neither. So not lotsa reasons fer her ta be. She comes on in. Leather pants creakin 'n cracklin in complainin.

Off to one wall, Gabriel is seated with a bowl of stew and fermented honey, a rolled up edition of the morning paper on the table before him, and a small, three-inch by three-inch photograph. He's not really wearing much in the way of snow gear, just bland clothing. A suitcase is tucked between his leg and the wall. When Bella enters and the door allows in a *whoosh* of downright cold air, he can't help but look up. He offers a brief wave, but otherwise doesn't disturb the silence of the nearly empty deli. Not a lot of call for Russian food at this hour.

Bella dunno nothin bout Russian food. Ain't had none ta eat. But if she wants ta try this's prolly the place. Cause there's maybe some Russians here. She looks round. Spies Gabe instead. He gets a li'l grin 'n then she comes in more. For the counter. So she can look at the food gettin made. Or mybe pictures onn menu.

Jaxain makes his way into the Deli, wearing a full suit of environmental armor and what looks like a Jet Pack. He has the helmet of the armor off, however, and it is hanging on a strap at his waist. He looks at the menu and starts walking towards the counter before he spots a few familiar figures and starts in mild surprise. Raising a hand in a wave, he indicates he is going to order food then come join them.

Two people he knows? Up at this hour? For fine Russian cuisine? No, that makes no sense. Gabriel waves to both, offering simply, "The stroganoff and their medovuha isn't bad. Try it, you'll like it." He then goes back to his meal.

"Eh. Sounds nasty." Bella shrugs 'n leaves the counter. Heads fer Gabe's table. But she grins at Jax onna way. "Ain' really hungry fer it." She plops her butt onna seat. "Leave it fer alla hungry people like ya." A smirk

Jaxain nods to Gabe, always willing to try something new. Sandwiches get boring sometimes. Making his way over, he finds a seat and takes a few bites, nodding to the other two. It seems that, for now, his hunger is more important than conversation.

Gabriel slurps up some more noodles and tender beef, downs it with a bit of beautifully-colored drink, and sits back comfortably in his chair. With his drawl in full swing, he says, "Fancy meeting you guys here. Isn't there anywhere that I can't get away from you?" He smirks, then his eyes go first to Bella. "This better than fast food? You really should try some of it, it's a fantastic cuisine."

Bella shakes her head. With a grin. "Nope. We're stalkin ya." Course it maybe ain' so funny a joke with her tellin it. So she winks too. Then a shrug. "Maybe try't later. Just had some Chinese. 'R Japanese. Some kinda ese." So she's gonna hungry 'gain in like an hour.

Jaxain nods to Gabriel, "Yeah, been coming here for a while, love Rasputin's food." He grins and goes back to shoveling food in his mouth for a while before deciding to take a break again to speak, then decides the food looks too tempting and starts up again. "Mmmmmm."

"Well, I guess it's not wise of me to be walking around unarmed then, is it?" Gabriel responds to Bella with a smile. "I've got business down here tonight. Not with the Lady, just something private, and.. now it's over, and I thought I'd just warm up a little." He pushes his bowl further across the table toward his friend... then fills up a spoon with some of the tasty treats inside and says in a giggly tone, "C'mon, Bella, here comes the aiiirplaaaanne! Open up the hanger!" Then Jaxain receives a smile. "Working on the 'pack, huh? Kind of brave to bring to the 'Dregs. What if you crashed?"

"Ain't a kid. Just cause yer old don' make ya daddy neither." Bell eyes Gabe. Now smirkin. Then she looks over at Jax. "Pack? Crashin? Don't let 'im teach ya how ta fly." She nods at the spoon airplane pilot guy.

Jaxain chuckles at Gabriel's antics with Bella, and shakes his head, "Nah, I'm not flyin' it around here, just jogging to get used to the weight and balance. Just finished up in the Park, figured I'd pull a double duty. Get a bit more used to the pack," He looks over his shoulder, "And do a bit of a patrol at the same time." He, like Bella, is not quite as afraid of the 'things that go bump' as most normal and/or sane people are. He looks at Bella, "Only one who makes me fly is you, babe."

There's a difference between 'afraid' and 'intelligently wary.' Whatever the difference is, Gabriel does seem to be marching around this part of town with very little on him beside a briefcase that might be used as a bludgeoning instrument, if necessary. He's sitting with Bella at a table near the window, watching the snow fall, and trying to shove beef stroganoff into a grown girl's face with a spoon. Jaxain is standing above them in armor and a jet pack, having just made a friendly pass at the only girl in the area. At least, Gabriel hopes it was directed at her. For now, he doesn't bother to comment other than to ask, "Patrol?"

Bella smirks s'more. Justa li'l softer. Fer Jax. "Ain'tcha sweet. 'Member ta make ya fly sometime then." She ain't lettin Gabe shovel nothin in 'er face. So keeps chattin at Jax. "Whatcha patrolin fer?"

The sounds of someone coming down stairs can be heard in the relative quiet of the Deli. The figure is short, dressed in a very thick dark brown bath robe with nice house slippers. The usually well kept hair is all over, his beard which is usually braided is all over. He doesn't seem to be aware of anyone else in the Deli. He is going about making, what appears to be a midnight snack... And what a snack it is is, a large fried sandwich with some sort of roast beef and blue cheese.

Gabriel hears the quiet shuffling of someone in slippers, a sound that he'd come to know well in his past life. The better life. He turns his head to find its source, and then smiles. "Well, maybe I'll get more out of this visit than food." His own gaze turns to Bella as he runs fingers through his short hair. He doesn't disturb Jaxain's moment of reverie, rather simply gathers his bowl and utensils, then scoots his chair backwards. Unfortunately, it makes a nasty tone as one leg binds for a moment, breaking the near silence. The Kentuckian can't help but cringe.

Jaxain looks up from his food briefly, enough to say, "Nothing special, just a walk-about. Help those who seem to need trouble."

Bella cringes too. "Damn yer loud." She's gotta be the only one ain't lookin hungry. Course that's prolly why mosta the people're inna deli inna middle of the night. Then she gets curious at what Gabe said. "Huh? Whatcha mean?" Since she figgered food 'n maybe warm was the reason fer bein here.

Without looking Rasputin flips his left arm towards the noise which was caused by Gabriel's chair. In his left hand appears a small hold out pepperbox pistol, his head slowly turns as he sees where the sounds are coming from. He shakes his head, lifts his arm and the pistol vanishes. He grumbles a bit, "Dis beink late for customers, da?" He looks around, "Did dhat girl leavink da door unlocked again." He rolls his eyes, and begins to pull back his hair into a pony tail.

Gabriel's smart enough to flinch when a weapon appears, but only long enough for that split second of recognition that it's not going to become dangerous. He's still making his way back to the counter. "Sorry, Rasputin, hope we didn't wake you." He shrugs a shoulder toward the door. "It was open, I didn't know that you actually had hours. I'll admit, I helped myself, but the food was still warm so I figured..." he shrugs again in explanation. "But, I left payment, too." After placing his bowl and utensils back on a counter he asks, "Should we pack up and leave? Let you get back to your sleep? With a huge sandwich to stuff in your face?" The older man's lips curl up in to a smile as he speaks the last statement.

Jaxain smiles at Rasputin, looking up but completely missing the pistol, and points to the counter. "Left a big tip too." He takes his bowl and makes his way over next to Gabriel, still finishing off his last bite. "Figured it makes sense, nobody round here is stupid enough to try and steal from ya."

"Didn't eat nothin." Bella pipes up. Shrugs. "Door was open. He was 'ere. Figgered the cookin people were jus' takina break 'r somethin." Course she didn't flinch none. Maybe cause't looked like she weren'a one gettin pointed at.

Rasputin shakes his head, as his hair gets to be more presentable, "Net, net. Please, be stayink." He plates up his sandwich and pours himself a tall glass of some sort of brown liquid in tall glass, some would say 4 fingers full. He looks to the table where the three of you were sitting. He walks that way, "If you are needink anythinks, dhen givink a moments and mink will makink whats you needs." He sets his plate down. opposite Bella. He sits down his drink, then sits down himself. He looks at Bella, directly in the eyes, smiles, then begins to take a large bite.

Gabriel looks back, his seat having been taken. Although he mumbles some greetings and explanations about food, his more immediate intent is obviously to slide behind Rasputin in order to retrieve that briefcase of his. His face looks more at peace when it's back in his hands. "It's always good food, Rasputin. I really didn't come for anything else. Still, you're my go-to man on things undead. Think you might wake up a little enough to help me out - us out - with something?" He quickly waves off, "I know it's late, and you were sleeping. I can always come back."

Jaxain just goes back to his seat, it's a lot more comfortable than the counter. He is silent, though his attention perks when Gabriel speaks up on the subject of the undead.

Bella eyes the short guy back. After a li'l bit brows pop up. But she don't ask nothin since Gabe does first. Ok. Not 'til after Gabe. "Yer a expert 'r somethin?"

Rasputin eats a few bites, "Experts in undeads?" He thinks a few moments and while usually he would pull on his beard, his hand doesn't even touch the mess that is his unbraided beard. He takes another bite, and then makes a small gesture with his hands. "Mink hasink the ability to be seeink dhem." He looks at Bella, again his eyes are intentionally locking into hers for a brief moment, "Mink knowink how to be puttink dhem to rest as wells."

Rather than remaining simply standing where he is, briefcase in hand, Gabriel lifts another chair and brings it over to where the other three are located, even if Jax may be standing and taking up an inordinate amount of space with armor and 'pack. When seated, the man from the past deposits his case beneath the chair, safely between his legs. "I'll trouble you while you eat, then leave you to sleep, my friend," he says to the dwarf. "Do you know how to tell if someone is under the psychic influence of a vampire? Whether you can do it yourself, or whether someone else can do it? The three of us are in a rather unique and dangerous situation at the moment."

"Good stuff ta know." Bella winks at Rasputin. "But think yer lookin'a wrong way." She shifty eyes a couple times ta Gabe. Ta point him out to the short guy. Nods with Gabe too. "Yeah. Can ya do that too? Cause ain' easy fer me ta do. 'N kinda know how't's done."

Rasputin takes another few bites, chews thoroughly, swallows. Then takes a sip of the brown liquid. He says, "Mink knowink a bit about dhems, how to spot, " He nods to Bella, "How to be returnink dhem to da soil," He says, "How to annoy, such as with globes of daylight." He lifts his hand slightly, but then gets the salt on the table, and puts a little on his sandwich, "Buttink how Dhampires control mentally, mink am net knowink how to be identifyink dhat, save by changes in behavior. Or by the tears when da controller is granted peace."

Gabriel nods. "Yes. That's pretty much what everyone has been telling me, unfortunately." He leans back, crossing his legs silently. After a moment's thought, he asks, "If you knew that someone was... possessed, or controlled like this, could you break it? Or at least fight it somehow?" He chuckles morbidly and leans forward. "That would be very useful. Other than destroying the vampire in the first place, of course. It would seem as if we came very close to getting stabbed in the back by such an unwilling traitor."

Jaxain has nearly finished his food, and has been dwelling on the problem proposed for the last few minutes. "I have a spell which can force the truth out of someone, no matter how much they wish to hide it." He nods to Bella, "It won't work on the Undead," Then he looks at Gabriel, "But it would work on Sebastien."

Bella nods back at Jax. Sorta. "Can maybe get 'im ta tella truth too. Even if he don't wanna. Just gotta try it. 'N already told ya how ta break that kinda thing Gabe." Then she's gotta wonder. "We even needa drag 'im inna alla this?" A nod at Rasputin.

Rasputin thinks about that a moment, then again take a few bites and a drink. "Net, magics and controls mink be at odds. One form of magik does net always stop another, da." He thinks a few minutes, "If Dhampire controls one, dhen another spell mink net stoppink dhat control. Net been tested." He thinks a few moments, "Da one true cure, dis to turn da dhampires to dust. Dhat for sure stoppink possession." He thinks a few moments, "Dhough, mink thinkink one might beink able to create such a freeink magik. But would be takink longs time."

Another nod follows the same unfortunate solution that Gabriel had received previously from another source. He tries a different tact, looking at both Bella and Rasputin - after having shot Jaxain a quick and dirty look at blurting out an individual's name. "What kind of information flows between the victim and its master? Does the master always and automatically know everything that the victim knows? Hear and see what the victim sees?" He's leaning forwardly slightly, obviously trying to achieve something without killing the victim.

Jaxain stays silent, watching the gathering, and keeps his thoughts to himself for now as he pushes his food slightly away from him, apparently having lost his apatite.

"Nah." Bella shakes her head. "Don't work like that. Least not't I know. Still gotta talk. 'R do other mind stuff ta talk. Whatever." She was her hand a li'l.

Rasputin eats a few more bites. Then sets down the food, he sips his drink again. He then thinks a few more minutes, "Da, mink be some magiks which would be workink, but net nowkink dhem. And would be costink much times and much monies." He thinks a few moments, "And even dhens mink net workink." He takes another sip from his glass. He eyes Bella, "Anythink like dhat would have to be done force ably, as net blood slaves can net do against dhere master. Dis possible for da master to be callink da slave, but net to knowink what da slave is doink." He thinks a few minutes, "And de dhampire can seek it out."

Gabriel's eyes lock with Jaxain's for a moment, but he continues with Bella and Rasputin. "So to take it to an absurd extreme. I could take the victim and beat him or her to within an inch of his life... and the master would never know of it? They must actually speak verbal words to exchange information, or for the master to give the victim orders?" The look in the older man's eyes is becoming somewhat hopeful.

Jaxain nods, looking at Rasputin. "As far as I know, that is the case. The Vampire can issue a 'call' to it's slave, but doesn't know what is going on, exactly, at the time."

Bella nods. Smirkin. "Yep. Sounds 'bout right ta me. Course if their mind's all messed up even beatin 'em maybe won't work. Dunno. " Smirk gets bigger. "Guess we can try 'n figger't out though. Since th'other ain' gonna know."

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. Dhough, findink out one is truely da blood slave dis dery difficult. Da slaves won't talk about dit normally, unless dhere master givink dhem permission." He thinks a few moments, "Mink still thinkink betters to be killink da dhampire. Dhat will free da slave for sures."

"Okay, okay," Gabriel says somewhat happily. Odd. He even stands and starts to wander very, very slowly, thinking. "If you guys will just indulge me for a moment. What would it take to subdue a cyber-knight? I don't know what they do. What would it take to... incarcerate one, for an indeterminate amount of time?" His wanderings take him through a full circle, ending up basically where he had started. He adds finally to Rasputin, "Killing the vampire in this case isn't a realistic option, due to other certain... entangled difficulties."

Jaxain is silent for a moment, "I don't know much about them, but they are rumored to be truly fearsome opponents against Technology. So magic, I would think, would be the best option." He looks at Bella, shrugging, then at Rasputin.

Bella cocks a brow at Gabe. "Why not? Just don' wanna have 'im there right? How bout tyin 'im up? Magicin 'im all tied up?" She nods at Jax. "Fack. Toss 'im inna big hole somewheres 'r somethin?" Then the other brow goes up. "'R ya just givin up?"

Rasputin thinks a few moments, "Dis just aboutink likink anythink else rope, magical net, mdc cuffs, and several thinks." He thinks to himself, "Dhough, isink da goal to be hutink down da Dhampire and be killink it?" He looks at Bella, "Da only way mink knowink so far to free da dhampire, is to be killink it. Dhough, dhere may be another way, da. Just mink research has net found it yet."

"Bella, Bella, Bella," Gabriel says, shaking his head. Then to Rasputin, and everyone, just to be clear. "The goal is to kill the vampire. But we cannot meet this goal of killing the vampire without first making its victim unaware of when or how we're going to try to kill the master. The victim is too deeply involved. For now, the best that we can do is contain information, and I'm all for using dungeons and whatever other devices may be appropriate. I know that Valeriya has a place." His mildly aged face crinkles unhappily. "But if there were another option, a basement, whatever, I'd feel better about it. Don't trust that woman any farther than I can spit." He looks to the others. "Thoughts?"

Jaxain shakes his head, his eyes staying locked on Gabriel's for much of the conversation, though now and then they flick to Bella or Rasputin. He appears deep in thought. "We can take him, if we have too, but I'd definitely want Bella's help. Her abilities might help us figure out what is going on with him too."

"Count me in." Bella nods to Jax. Rasputin too. "Yeah. That's been pretty much the plan." Then there's Gabe. Ok. She's gotta nod with him too. Mostly. "Course we gotta be sure they dunno we're comin. 'R what we're doin. Can't be puttin shit off ferever though."

Rasputin closes his eyes a moment and then without looking, picks up his glass and takes a sip, "Da, da. Buttink, if a dhampire was to be exposed, dhey would be doink just about anythink to prevent it da." He reopens his eyes, "Dis net any ways to be trustink suchink a creature." He looks at Bella, "Unless such a creature was to in some ways prove dhey were differents from dheir kin, mink would be more interested in startink by freeink dheir soul, and movink on."

With open ears, Gabriel listens to what everyone has to say. He also tries to gate Jax's attention with a quick nod of his head, then glancing over toward the stairway, and behind the counter where Rasputin had descended and worked. Otherwise, while he clearly wants to continue to discuss issues of captivity, he allows Rasputin and Bella to duke out whatever exactly it is that's happening before his eyes. Damn that weird accent that he has such difficulty understanding!

Bella looks back at Rasputin. Keeps eyein him. "Like my soul where't's at. If that's what yer meanin. So ya can just skip that 'n go right ta movin on." She waves her hand a li'l. Ta help with the movin on. "Ain't 'ere ta start shit. But I finish it if I gotta."

Rasputin nods slowly, "You would beink da first who didn't require releasink, if you are sayink you are net needink releasink dhen times will be tellink." He ponders a few moments, and drinks his drink. "Dhey do know, da?" He says to Bella.

Gabriel waits silently, gathering information by keeping quiet and listening. Wondering what the issue is that he's apparently unaware of. His hands become a little looser around his waist when Bella starts making shallow threats.

"Course they know." Bella smirks. Turns her wave to point out Gabe 'n Jax. "They're the big bad dhampire hunters. Guess alla us are." Then a shrug. "Figgered't out. 'R I told 'em. Shot me fulla holes 'n shoved a stick through me too. Kinda shit got old long time 'go. Don' be thinkin ya getta turn too."

Rasputin shakes his head, "Net, mink wouldn't be tryink." He thinks a few minutes, "Net mink style to causink harm needlessly. Dis net good," He sips his drink. "Dhough, does beg da question as to why you are wantink to be lettink people know, let alone harmink you. Most dhampires are more interested in da feedink, dhen livink friends."

"Bella has been a nice enough person," Gabriel finally chimes in. "She seems to live with her curse with as much hatred for it as any of us, if not more. But she goes down under the bite of silver and wood as do all victims." The older man's tone is obviously spoken from experience. He moves his lips side to side, and asks, "Bella, I think one problem, if this problem comes out to others, is that... we all know that you're benefiting from the very problem that most of us are trying to eliminate. Unfortunately, that makes you a suspect to play the part of master over slave. I personally doubt it, but you must expect it, certainly?"

Bella shrugs again at Rasputin. "Somebody said I oughtta be all open 'n shit. Easier that way. Maybe. Dunno if he's right yet." Then she cocks a brow up at Gabe. "Just cause it's someplace ta go 'n not get short old guys wantin ta cut out my soul?" Ok. Smirkin too. "'S kinda nice yeah. Resta it's Ok. But more fer ya guys 'n not so much fer me."

Rasputin thinks about it a bit and takes another sip of his drink, but finds it empty. He gets up and walks over to behind the counter and pours another four fingers. Then he walks back over and sits down, "So, dis lookink like Sebastien is a blood slave, and we are havink a dhampire here." He looks around, "Buttink, you and you," He looks to Gabriel and Jaxain, "Are net thinknk it beink Bella? Buttink, someone else?" He takes a long pull, and mutters something in Russian to himself, "Someone at dhis club in da Dregs?"

"Yes, the vampiress who commands the Ivory Lady. I don't have any further proof beyond the information that I've been given, and that it seems the most obvious, in conjunction with what I've been given," Gabriel says, shrugging and relaxing his hands back into a comfortable cross-chest weave. "Our victim is part of the group that we're planning on using to clear that club, the vampiress and everything with it. So obviously, we cannot kill the vampire first to free the mind." He takes a step forward. "I've seen you come up from a basement. Could be a root cellar, could be a military fortress. But if I could get our victim here..." he trails of, hesitating. Then finds his voice, his face clearly saying that it might be only one decent alternative. "Might we use your basement as a secret prison, until the deed's done? I only ask because I think that it would be best to keep any other minds that might possibly be turned from being ones that know about our plans. This is a great evil, and I've fought great evils - but this is a different kind, and I'm having to make some of this up as I go along."

Jaxain nods, and looks at Bella. "He's not your blood slave, right?" He asks her, then looks at Rasputin. "Like Gabe said, we think it's the vampire in the Ivory Lady." He considers something, looking at Bella. "I wonder, if you tried to make him a blood slave... would that over-ride her control?"

Bella's thinkin'a stuff ta pipe in with. 'Til Jax does first. She's gotta snort at 'im. "No fackin way. He's an asshole. Gotta be a worst fackin slave I ever hearda. What I heard it's him blabbin 't tipped us off. Ain't thinkin 'is boss's stupid 'nuff ta just let 'im. Think I wanna be stuck witha asshole't don't even listen? That's worse 'n gettin hitched."

Rasputin thinks on this for a bit. He sips his drink but doesn't say anything at the moment. He shakes his head, and chuckles a bit at Bella's words. He looks to Gabriel, "Mink can help with many thinks, but dhat may be too much to be askink." He ponders, "Dhat is a crime in dis city, of course so is possession."

"I understand," Gabriel says with dignity and agreeably. "It was only a thought, Rasputin. Perhaps when it comes time to bind the victim, if we can, we might be able to call on you." He waves a hand around to indicate the 'Dregs as a whole. "Though I'm rather surprised that the law extends down here." He speaks then to Bella. "I don't know if the *victim* -" he continues to lean on personal ambiguity even in gender "- actually spoke of us, or if it was just a warning that he or she might have turned on us, had we gone through without our plans. I think... this is the problem that must now be solved before we can continue. Excuse me." He moves close to the table and grabs his tall glass of medovuha, which has been sitting there the whole time.

Jaxain shakes his head, "No, I don't think he suspects we know. It was just a luckily overheard conversation, as far as I am aware."

"Yeah. The VICTIM." Bella ain't so worried bout sneakin words. Maybe cause the no name victim's kinda messed up a buncha stuff so far. But she's happy the other idea gets dropped. "So." She looks round. Wonderin if they gotta new plan 'r what.

Rasputin thinks about this for a bit, "I agree, dhat he would be needink to be restrained for fear he was to give away any plan to remove the infestation. I would recommend a holy spot, or one with lots of light and running water. Perhapsink a TW Globe of Dayligh which will never go out?" He thinks a bit though, "So," he looks back to Bella, "Are you already havink a blood slave you enjoy, thus net wantink to take on another?" He smiles and takes another sip of his brown drink.

Gabriel lifts his briefcase, cupping its handle in nine fingers with a thumb left over to use as a pointer. "Right now, we have to assume that Donna knows about us. So the whole plan's down the drain. Period. Scramble." He looks at both Jaxain and Bella. "Ignore it right now until we can get together again. As far as the mission is concerned? We've all gone our separate ways. Donna's even craftier than I gave her credit for, almost got us in the back." He allows a small smile. "Good agents know when to scrub missions before they can become complete failures. Leave the victim alone. We don't want to talk to him or her so much that anyone takes too much interest."

Bella shrugs at Gabe. "Ok. Whatever. Yer the boss." Just cause he's gotta good point don't mean she's gotta be happy. She stands up. "Least I don' gotta worry bout't none. 'Til ya figger whatta do next. Whenever." Rasputin gets rollin eyes. "Yeah. Sure. Got piles of 'em. Botha 'em too." Lotsa smirkin 'n she waves a hand at Gabe 'n Jax. Lotsa sarcastic too.

Rasputin nods slowly, "Mink know of a magiks which would be dery helpful. But it would be takink many months of research, and much monies." He shrugs, "If mink was even able to succeed. Dis never guaranteed." He sips some more of his glass, "I'll do some more research, seeink what I can dig up. Perhaps dhere is a way to not only free a blood slave, but to free someone of the full curse."

With a short sigh, Gabriel nods and says, "Yes, but unfortunately I doubt that Kingsdale has many months before things become far worse than most people are even imagining at this point. We just need to regroup, find a new way to combat Donna." The soldier from times long past shakes his head sadly. "I have no doubt that it means that some new twist to the blood trade and everything else is going to happen while we sit around on our hands trying to be more clever than a supernatural evil that fears nothing." He gives Jax a slap on the shoulder, and says, "I think we'll be going. I could use a ride home out of the 'Dregs, and Jax can use the practice carrying a passenger - particularly when the instructor is me. As for you two?" He arches a brow with some amusement. "You seem to have a good report going. Sorry to wake you, Rasputin, but thanks for the information. I'll be seeing the two of you around." He starts to grumble to Jax about how to hold on, but before they're actually out the door adds, "Bella, scrap what we talked about last night. Don't talk to the victim. No further need to tip our hand." Then the two of them are out and into the snow. Then there's a dangerous whoooshing sound, and one can only pray that Gabriel isn't going to be landing somewhere, hard.

"Ok. Don't crash 'n die." Most times Bella's sayin stuff like that as a joke. But now Jax's drivin. Way diff'rent. Just leave her 'n the short old guy. 'N they've been gettin 'long so awesome so far.

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. Takink care you twos, be safe out dhere." He sips more of his drink and looks at Bella, now that he is left alone with her. He thinks a bit, but doesn't say anything.

Least they got quiet eyein in common. Fer a bit. "So. Ya just go all holy hero 'n stuff when ya ain't makin li'l sandwiches 'n soup? 'R what? I wanna know how ya wound up doin that?" Just cause there's stakes 'n steaks don' mean people gotta always make both.

Rasputin sips his drink a bit more, "Net, mink am far from holy. Mink just havink a thing against Dhampires." He says with a grin, "Dwell, most dhampires. MInk will be blunt, I can net be trustink you much. Peoples are sayink you are on da up and up, OK. But mink trust will have to be earned, dhey just have givink you the opportunity. Rather dhan mink callink light, and sendink you from hers." He gets up and goes to wash some dishes. "Dhough, you are knowink I am knowink what you were before you came in tonight, da? Mink have been suspectink for some times."

"Most people do." Bella shrugs. "Ain' nothin new ta me. 'N ain't s'prised ya knew neither. If yer some kinda hunter 'n ya ain't figgered't out? Then I'd be wonderin." Now she's smirkin. "Ain't thinkin we're just gonna be buddies 'r nothin neither. Just ain't 'ere ta be startin shit. Like I said."

Rasputin nods, as he washes a few dishes, "Mink been looking for a cure," He smiles, "One chat pulls da curse off of a dhampire. Haven't been findink one yet, but mink keep lookink." He turns his head as he keeps washing dishes, "Would you be interested if mink some hows findink one?" He looks back to his dishes, and continues his work.

He said somethin like that before. Ain't nothin she never even thought 'bout. "Dunno. Woulda jumped on't while ago. Guess ya get useda alla it." Bella shrugs. "Not somethin ya really wonder 'bout."

Rasputin nods slowly, as he works through the dishes, "Da, da. Mink understands." He thinks for a bit, "Of course, mink sure dhat manies have tried to find a cure. And considerink, dhere isn't one yet dhen mink thinkink." He shakes his head, "So no one knows if it will ever beink a choice." He sighs a moment, "So, you brokink from your master?"

"They got broke." Bella smirks. "'N I was damn happy. Ya don' like bein nobody's slave I bet. Me neither. They were all uppity too. Thinkin they're better 'n ev'rybody else. Makin'a big show of it. They were stupid. Got their asses ashed fer it too."

Rasputin nods slowly then turns to look at you, "Is your master dead?" His voice questing for more information.

Bella nods. "Yep. Alla ones I knew're dead dead. Ain't even seen none since. Til now." A shrug. "Course I weren' really goin 'n lookin neither."

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da." He shakes his head, "Dhere are always beink dhampires in da Dregs. Seems to spawn them as if there was an master dhere at all times." He shakes his head, "Manies go in and kill dhem. After a years or two dhey return." He shakes his head, "Da masters and intellegences seemink to always keep pushing north."

"Dunno bout none'a that." Another shrug. "Far's I knew they're all assholes. The new one here? She's smart. Playin by human rules. But ain't hidin. It's diff'rent." Course it ain't like she knows lotsa vampires neither.

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da," He turns back and looks at you, "Most are assholes, and liars." He grins a bit, "Dhough, dhis new one is tryink another ways, da?" He chuckles to himself and looks back, "Beink more opens, more up fronts." He finishes up cleaning and turns around, "Many times da most dangerious opponent, is da one whos telling you da truth."

Bella laughs a li'l. Bitta pointy teeth showin 'n all. "Guess it'd mess people up. Since they're all thinkin they're lyin. Course." She waves a hand south. "Been inna Dregs since I was breathin. gotta figger ev'rybody's lyin. Less it's gonna get 'em somethin ta not be."

Rasputin nods slowly, "Manies do livink dhat way, da." He picks up the one glass left, still having the brown liquid in it, "Dhough, some are choosink net to be livink dhat way. Dhis up to da person, and lyink leads to further lyink." He takes a sip, "Often times, one leads dhere self into a corner dhey can't get out of without harmink."

"Ya do whatcha gotta do." Bella shrugs. "s'what ev'rybody does. Don' matter what they are. Speakin'a that. Oughtta go getta bite ta eat. Ev'rybody else got their snack." Now it's her turn. Here just ain't the place fer her.

Rasputin nods slolwy, "Da, da. Pleasink be safe out dhere. Gabriel seeminkly likes you, da." He thinks a few moments and shrugs, "Da, da. Good eveninks."

Bella turns and steps to go out. "Maybe wanna lock the door. So ya don' get more hungry people wakin ya up 'gain." Last li'l smirk over her shoulder. Then she's out ta go get her own munchies.

Rasputin flips his finger, and the latch on the door locks, there is a firm sound of locks throughout the house locking. "Da, goodink idea." He grins, as he flips his fingers again and the same sound of unlocking, but only on the front door, "I'll remembers to be doink dhat." He finishes his drink, and sets the glass down in the now empty wash tub.