Dec 24 18:50:45 108 PA - There Can Only be One Asshole

From Chronicles

Dec 24 18:50:45 108 PA.

PLAZA PARK

It might be evening, and the sun may have set; the Missouri winter may be ridiculous for what it should be. Nevertheless, according to this man's calendar, it's Christmas Eve, and he's in a good mood. The two feet of snow on the ground have gathered to three or even four in places where the wind has blown just right. The pond is iced over, with only a very few footprints leading to and from. These are the final hours of the day that a sane person would want to be here, as the criminal element tends to come out when the safe blanket of sunlight has been removed. Gabriel is standing near the lake, smiling and singing quietly to himself. It's off key, but 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' is tough to miss.

Alex is no angel. Even though the robot flies down from the apparent heavens to come to rest over a snow covered pond it is not divine. It is shiny though and glitters nicely in the starlight.

Tek finds his way back to the park though this time he does not look lost. He seems a bit more at ease coming at night this time though. As he finds his way through the park he comes around a tree and nearly jumps out of his skin, and at the same time electricity extends off of his body snapping and crackling for just a brief moment before he regains his wits and realizes that no one was hiding behind the tree. After a moment, in which he was catching his breath, he notices Gabriel and his bad singing and heads that way.

Gabriel looks up as the odd creature descends from the sky. Certainly not the heavens, that's not in question. There are so many things in the skies these days. He finishes up the last of his song, tapping his thigh along with the beat. While he may blend with the ground, the metal being blends with the sky. Fortunately, blotting out the stars is a good silhouette to look at. "Evening," he drawls, Kentucky blood in full swing.

"Good evening." Alex replies, the machine's voice continuing its neutral persistence. The robot hovers above the center of the pond for a moment in hesitation before gliding over to shore in Gabriel's direction. "A decent night for once."

Tek continues on towards Gabriel and Alex, looking around now that he got spooked making sure to look around each tree carefully before proceeding on and thinking himself stupid for not bringing his pistol now but he does not stop just goes slower and more careful now.

"I've seen worse," Gabriel says in a method of agreement with the giant floating machine. His hands are put warm and happy into his pants pockets, causing his huge coat to billow behind him. Not that it blows dramatically - it's a piece of military utility, not theatrics. "I assume that you have, as well?" Now that there's more motion, he catches Tek out of the corner of his eye, and can't help but raise an eyebrow so high that it nearly leaves his skull. "I wonder where that young man thinks he's going."

"Looks like he is coming towards us. Not going at all." Alex remarks with a slight nod. No facial expression is given to counter Gabriel's raised eyebrow, the machine has none. It does have body language though for its upper body and looks pretty at ease this evening. "Yeah ever since the full moon the weather's been the shits for me. Led me from one mess to another."

Tek finally gets over to the two, "Hello Gabriel." he gives a nod in greeting. "Hey Alex." again he nods in greeting, "What you fellas up to tonight?" he seems to relax a bit but still seems a tad jumpy and keeps looking around into the darkness.

Gabriel looks at Alex, his head inclining sideways, perhaps wondering if Tek's use of a plural 'fella' is accurate or not. Nevertheless, he responds happily to Tek with, "Good evening, Tek. I thought I'd come out and get ready for Christmas morning. Presents are already wrapped. Then, I'm meeting... this person. Alex, apparently." He offers a wave at the robotic thing. "Hello, Alex. My name is Gabriel Blaze. Not of Kingsdale." An eye shoots to Tek, and he stage-whispers, "What the hell were you doing in the trees?" A quick gust of wind blows past, slapping his face with blown snow.

"Hello Gabriel. No I am not. You?" Alex returns sounding approving of the conversation that would be normal among three normal people. The robot's head turns to glance at Tek, in acknowledgment. "Hello Tek. You seem agitated. Would it calm you to now there is nothing else moving in our immediate vicinity? Nor to my visual sensors show anything unusual."

With a shrug Tek states, "I was just coming over here but got a bit spooked so I was just checking to make sure the boogie man wasn't hiding behind one of them as I walked past is all." Then looking over to Alex, "So have you found work yet?"

He's coming right for us! There's the slow plodding of hooves on frozen earth, coupled with the jingle of steel and spurs in the distance. There's a glint of steel, a flash of silver, as the horse's armor catches a hint of an approaching street lamp, and then Sebastien's lit as he passes beneath. His Stetson's shadow swallows Sebastien's features, his garments a blend of leather and cotton. Beneath him, a warhorse in plate barding. And then he's a silhouette as he passes between the group and the light, four black legs and a misshapen torso ten feet tall as he draws only nearer.

With a chuckle, Gabriel responds to the mechanical beast, "No, I'm not. In fact, that's what I was trying to say. I wasn't asking a question of a stranger. Mom wouldn't be happy at me if I did." Being nothing if not observant he turns; not that a horse and rider in armor and barding are easy to miss. He turns his head to look in the direction of what he assumes he knows is already there, then looks at Tek. "The boogie man? Really?"

Alex shrugs and cocks its head at Tek. "Was I supposed to be looking? I can't really yet, I've got to make myself some tools first." The machine explains before gesturing to the park entrance. "Another approaches. Is this park normally this busy at night?"

Clear 'n cold. Kinda dark too since ain' much moon out. Prolly means all kindsa weirdos 'n loonies 'n monsters out inna park tonight. Or maybe just people out walkin since there ain't nothin fallin outta the sky fer once. Like Bella. She's walkin. Not fallin outta the sky.

Tek side steps and sidles Gabriel as the gigantamous horse comes riding nearby, "Yea the boogie man. That there is one big shiny horse. Do you know that guy?" being distracted due to the rather large newcomer Tek seems to forget to respond to Alex's comment about finding a job.

Clop clop clop clop. He's not moving very fast, but the rider is covering ground. He does slow, though, at about fifty feet out. In the dark he's hard to make out, but then so is Alex. And Sebastien seems to be staring at the robot from that distance. He murmurs something down to his horse, and she whinnies and steps a touch to the side. Sebastien pats Sara's neck and gives it a rub, watching.

Ironically, there *are* things falling out of the sky. Gabriel is not one of them, but he's standing by a giant mechanical robot thing, that did. Right next to Tek, too. He looks over to the horse and rider. "I know who that guy is, if that's what you mean." He starts to whistle 'I'll be Home for Christmas,' and he might be, if he leaves the park and walks fast enough. However, he also allows the other man his time to drum up another signature dramatic entrance, keeping his hands pocketed and warm as he enjoys the holiday.

Tek looks over towards the man on the horse and says to Gabriel, "So... Who is it?" looking around from side to side and even behind him from time to time, Tek seems on edge tonight.

Bella picks up a coupla people pretty quick. Floaty robot thing. Big guy onna horse. Then there's Gabe 'n Tek. She spots 'em. But goes back ta watchin Seb 'n Sara. She's still walkin at everybody but ain't said nothin yet.

The answer to Alex's question goes unvoiced. But as yet another person nears it seems obvious. "Interesting. In the city I came from people are taught to fear wild unsheltered places. Especially at night. Here people seem to seek them out. Why is that?" The robot asks openly for anyone to answer.

Sebastien seems awfully happy to watch Alex from fifty feet away. Which is a short distance, really. Close enough that following that question, his voice carries across the void. Softened by a lilt, the consonants are blunted and the pronunciation vaguely foreign in a way some might identify as Quebecois. "Because this city worships exceptionalism. The Guild, the Enhancement Center, and a dozen other means exist to propel one's self into the dark at ease." Sara steps forward then, staccato hoof beats slowly eating at the earth between them until Sebastien's shaded face just comes into view. "And some, monsieur, fancy themselves as that which goes bump in the night. What fears have monsters?"

"The Park only counts as a wild, unsheltered place a night, and it only just became night, Alex," Gabriel responds, eyeing the knight with some amusement. "I'm actually leaving. Tomorrow's the most important birthday that I celebrate, after the birthdays of my wife and children." He gives Tek a polite nod. "Good night." Sebastien receives only an amused wave and an examining eye as he turns and does exactly what he mentioned - leaves.

Tek smiles and waves as Gabriel leaves then he notices Bella approaching, "Hey there Bella." he then looks at the man on the horse as he finally comes into view and Tek relaxes a bit when he recognizes the man and remembers he was friendly with other people he already knows.

Bella frowns at somethin. Then she's smirkin. "Hiya. Out havin fun without me? Don't sound right." Could be talkin at Tek. But she's still mostly lookin at Seb. He's one't's gotta pretty horse 'n stuff. Or somethin.

Jaxain walks into view from the distance, features concealed by his environmental body armor. Reaching up and taking his helmet off, he looks around at the gathered group, surprised to find them here so late. "Hey." he says, encompassing everyone but obviously shocked at the appearance of the floating robot as he does double then triple takes. He shakes his head and looks at Tek with a grin. "Kinda late to be out, man. Want an escort outta the park?"

"Is there some unapparent danger that merits an escort?" Alex poses to the latest arrival before nodding to one on horseback. "You make a good point. I guess that would be my view point as well, considering that’s how my former camaraderie now view me."

"Belladonna," Sebastien speaks, a hand raising to grab the chain at his neck. He tugs, drawing loose a good-sized cross that he holds in his left hand, staring down at the diminutive woman. The horse beneath him takes a step to the side, away from her, though Sebastien quickly taps her with a spur to put an end to that. "I wonder if they know what you are?"

Tek looks to Jaxain with a nod, "Well I am not quite ready to go yet but that would be great." taking a few steps in his direction he glances towards Alex, "There are boogie men out around these parts." said like everyone already knows such things. Upon hearing Sebastien's statement Tek starts to chuckle but stifles it quickly.

"Course they do." Bella stops walkin. So she can smirk harder. Crosses her arms. Tips her head. Perks up a brow. "Wonder if they know what -ya- are." Finger comes up ta point at Seb. "Sides justa asshole I mean. Ain't even nice 'nuff ta say my name right."

Jaxain nods to the hovering robot-creature slowly, not quite knowing what to think. "Uhhh, yeah it gets pretty dangerous in the park after dark. Nothing crazy, not like in the dregs, but there are some things that will attack lone people walking at night. I... uh... I don't think you will have any such problems though." He looks between Bella and Sebastien, raising an eyebrow slightly, but making no comment. To Tek, he nods and smiles, "Alright, cool, I'll take off when you do. I'll take you through my patrol route on the way out, you can pull decoy." He winks at the other man.

"But we are not alone." Alex points out with a shrug before paying more attention to the interactions between Bella and Sebastien. "Perhaps those two are an example of such dangers? The one on the horse seems to have some sort of gruff with the cold woman Bella. What does it normally indicate when someone lacks a heat signature?"

Sebastien spits the word, "Vampire. Nosferatu. Drinker of blood. You would cower before the power of Jesus Christ, and these people still consider you a person?" He raises that cross, setting his teeth as he walks Sara towards Bella, staring down at the tiny woman with a particular look of dislike.

Tek follows the conversation as it moves around from person to person but when Sebastien seems to begin hostilities with Bella he decides to shrink back a bit and try to blend in so as not to get involved. Which includes silence.

Now Bella's smirk goes upside down. "Like I's sayin. Asshole." She sorta growls mosta it at 'im. Stands where she is too. For a coupla clip cloppin steps. Then she starts steppin too. Backwards.

Jaxain raises an eyebrow at the confrontation between the two, but it's kind of old news in a way. "Ummm, yeah. No heat usually means dead, which usually means bad. Bella tries to be good though, or so I am told." He smirks slightly, and casually steps between the mainstay of the conflict and Tek, who seems the lightest armored person here.

Alex nods and keeps focused on the continuing interaction. "This would make sense. She seemed quite friendly when I met her before." The robot notes to weigh in his impression on Bella. "Tek, what do you know of those two?"

Sebastien smirks, an unpleasant look in his eyes as he towers over Bella. "What's the matter, Belladonna? The sun a little too lifelike for you? God just not ringing your bell, any more? Now hear this. You will kill Donna. You will burn her playhouse to the ground. If you do not, I will destroy you for the demon you are. If you collaborate with her again, seek to lure every monster hunter in the city into a trap, I will know." His smirk hardens. "Psychic."

Tek steps forward a bit with a hard look on his face his gaze is locked on Bella as he hears Sebastien's words. Though he still remains silent.

Bella glares at him. Hard 'nuff't her eyes're yellow. Bright too. Her turn ta spit out a coupla words. "Get that fackin thing outta my face!" After that she ain't glarin so much. But justa li'l less. "Ain'ta one't came up witha plan ta go after 'er. Was just helpin out." A snort. "Found out didn't she? That why she's gotcha doin this. Try 'n get me bein stupid 'nuff ta go by myself. Get my ass kicked. No thanks."

Jaxain raises an eyebrow THIS time, obviously surprised. "Huh?" He says, obviously surprised. He doesn't say much else however, just narrows his eyes slightly and turns to look at Tek, nodding his head away from the gathering.

"It would appear they are accusing each other of the same plot." Alex notes to the other spectators who appear confused. "Usually this happens when something goes wrong in said plot. And usually both parties are fully involved." The machine continues to note in a completely neutral tone.

Sebastien yells as those eyes go yellow, arms rising to cover his face as he heels Sara. Who obligingly charges Bella, threatening to run her down! Two thousand pounds of steel and flesh throw chunks of frozen earth into the air as hooves accelerate faster than any natural animal has right to, straight through where Bella stood.

Tek starts to look in the direction Jaxain is indicating but then turns back as Sebastien starts an attack on Bella.

Oh. Sure. Callin her names 'r wavin his wood in 'er face ain't bad 'nuff. Now Seb's gotta stomp all over Bella. He does too. Well. Sara does anyways. Damn. Now Bella's all dirty. 'N she's gotta stand up 'gain. "What the fack?"

Jaxain grimaces and reaches out and taps Tek, muttering a quick incantation to grant him some magical protection as a backup. "We might wanna get out of here." He says quietly, not sure exactly what is going on, but having some suspicions.

The horse keeps running, with Sebastien leaning low and grabbing the pommel horn of his saddle a moment later. The silver cross is still clutched tightly in his hand. And in a heartbeat, he's simply gone down the trail. Hopefully Sara can see where she's going.

Tek looks to Jaxain, "I think the spat is over." taking a step forward Tek looks to Bella, "Is any of what he said true Bella?"

Alex watches the scene with clear hesitation. The machine doesn’t look slow or incapable of interfering. So its inaction must be due to lack of ground to act. Or lack of information to pick a side. Either way the point seems to be moot as Sebastien rides off after charging Bella. "That was abrupt." Alex finally comments after the fact.

"Asshole!" Bella ain't changed her mind 'bout that. Brushes herself off some. Then she's grumblin. "Fack he's annoyin." Finally looks over at Tek. "Huh?"

Well, it's out there now. "Yes, what he said was true, Tek." Jax says, keeping an eye on Bella. "And I think, perhaps, it is time for us to leave the park. Wouldn't you say so, Tek?" He looks at the giant robot, "Nice to meet you." He never got a name, then he looks at Bella. "Take care."

Tek looks at Jaxain a bit funny, "What do you mean it is true. She was going to lead us into a trap?" he then looks over to Bella, "Really?"

"Alex." The machine fills in for Jax as he again proposes to escort Tek to safely. Indeed open wilderness is still somewhat dangerous at night. Yet Alex lingers, turning its attention back to Bella. "You ok?" The machine asks, no regard given to the truth the other two are speaking of. Truth is a very elusive thing.

Bella perks a brow at Jax. But she's answerin Tek. "Thinkin he was talkin bouta other stuff. Like Seb bein'a asshole 'n Donna's bitch. Prolly why he ran 'way." Then looks at Alex. She's gotta smirk at that. "Sure. Got people was thinkin were friends tryin'a kill me. Course I'm Ok."

"If it is any consolation I believe he will need to try much harder to succeed." Alex offers with a shrug to the small woman.

Jaxain raises an eyebrow in surprise, looking at Tek then at Bella. "Yeah, sorry man. No I meant about the vampire part. Dunno anything about any betrayals. Sebastien is a weird guy sometimes, hard to read." He looks at the robot. "Alex?" He asks in mild surprise, pausing for a moment. "Huh, ok. Jax." He says in return.

Tek shrugs and nods to Jaxain, "Alright let's head back into town."

"Thinkin it's time fer a drink." Bella knocks offa li'l more dirt from her coat. Gettin runned over by a horse makes people thirsty. Or drinks're just good when yer ticked off. She starts walkin too.

With everyone seeming to move off on their own way after an extremely brief moment of excitement Alex decides to follow suit, by ascending into the air above the park and flying off.

Jaxain nods to Tek, watching Alex as he zooms off into the air, "Alright, let's get you home." he smiles at the mechanic, patting him on the shoulder. "Bring your armor next time you come to the park, just in case we end up staying late." He winks again.