Feb 07 19:52:50 108 PA - Caffeine and Briefly, a New Face
From Chronicles
Feb 07 19:52:50 108 PA.
TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP
The day is a horror to pedestrians. Heavy wind and freezing rain falls aggressively. The streets and sidewalks are icy and most are off the streets this late. The coffee shop is, therefor, light on patronage. And the opening of the door is an event as the wind exploits the moment to drive in. So it is when Jason opens it, only his grip on the door keeping it from being blown inward. His other hand, both wrapped in simple leather gloves, gripping the frame of the door. His stance firm against the wind, though it doesn't unsettle his tall frame very much. Not that he lingers outside, stepping in, the door shoved closed with a twist. A broad brimmed hat rests on his head, the brim lightly iced and dripping. His face veiled by a simple, bug eyed gas mask, wet from the mess of the weather outside. He pauses with his hand leaving the door, scanning the interior of the coffee shop slowly.
Sage had dropped by the marketplace for some shopping after departing the museum where she was checking on how things were progressing in her growing absence there. As a result, she has a bag with purchases tucked under her table. When she realized her sense of the incoming weather's timing, she decided to duck within the coffee shop until the road crews managed to get their act together... or consider an alternate way home. All in all, she sips on some tea with a biscuit as she watches the outside and let faint amusement come to the slipping of others as long as no one seems to get hurt. The arrival of the man draws her attention and a faint smile, "One of the smart ones." She muses.
It isn't until a few moments after Jason has passed into the coffee shop that an older man enters as well. Dressed in a light overcoat and various pieces of clothing that would blend well into a wilderness snow cover. Gabriel looks happy, and sounds happy, if anyone recognizes the whistled notes of, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Still, he's busy removing cap and gloves, so others in the shop aren't noticed for a moment.
Jason steps further into the shop as Sage muses aloud, his hands lifting to take off hat and pull away gas mask smoothly. The reveal of Jason's ordered features done with his eyes closed, a breath drawn as he is freed of the veil. Though his eyes open and the tall man turns to regard Gabriel as he enters. Jason will study him for a moment before he seems content with the man's measure and he turns his head towards Sage. She receiving the same. There is no hesitance or dent to the casual confidence that makes itself known in his mannerisms. Though before he turns to approach the counter, a light smile comes to him. Subtle enough to leave the reason for them enigmatic.
The gas mask does bring an odd expression to Sage's features, as she raises a brow when she notices the man seems normal enough underneath. She shrugs a moment later as she takes a sip from her tea. Its a strange fashion statement if nothing else. Her gaze briefly considering the man when he considers her before she shifts her attention to the other man that enters and she smiles once more. "Hey Gabriel."
Gabriel finishes his whistle, punctuating the end with a single clap of his hands. He then explains to his friend, "And we'll all drink stone blind, Johnny fill up the bowl." His melody isn't so great, but close enough. The older man stuffs his light gloves and woolen cap into one of his horizontal pockets across his abdomen. With a gaze that takes in the entire shop, he inhales deeply. "Ahh." As his face completely turns to Sage - and he continues walking to the counter behind the man he didn't even notice - he says with a wry grin, "Still sipping coffee and planning world domination, Miss Sage?"
Jason seems to deliberate a measure once he reaches the counter and, as Gabriel comes up behind him, he steps aside and motions the older man forward. "Go ahead," he says. His voice strong, yet quiet. His eyes flick towards Sage then, lingering for a moment before they return to the offerings behind the counter.
Sage gives a look of light amusement to Gabriel, "I didn't think you knew." She replies with a tone that's a bit too humourous to be serious. She pauses briefly as if sensing something out of the ordinary before her gaze comes to rest on the unfamiliar man at the counter. A thoughtful expression comes.
With a smile, Gabriel bobs his head to the other fellow. The next words come out in a rolling Kentucky drawl. "Thank you, son. Am I really starting to look old, or did a pretty girl just catch your eye?" Yes, there's humor there, not accusation, and he passes the man on his way to the counter. Sage's countenance is noted with the twitch of an eye, but as there's no reason to bother the woman about it, he simply begins to order. "Whatever you have in that pot over there, please. Nothing in it." The teenager behind the counter hurries off and returns smiling, with a mug being set before Gabriel. He quotes a price. "Ah, that has caramel and cream in it. Plus, there's a pile of whipped cream. Can I just get it black, please.?" This goes on for a while until he ends up with four separate mugs and a muffin of some kind on a plate. Credits are slipped, bills are paid, and he turns to approach Sage's table, inviting himself over. The younger man behind him as again acknowledged with a nod.
Jason smiles faintly to himself as he continues to consider the menu. Gabriel's words draw a look and a faintly amused smile. "There are far too many lovely women in the world for my eyes alone," he replies. "But I do like to appreciate what is pleasing to the eye, when it passes before mine." He doesn't again look towards sage, however and as Gabriel goes to join her, he resumes his inspection of the menu. Not one to make a rash decision, it seems.
Sage can't help but chuckle when she notices the man's battle with the counter clerk, a grin coming to her lips. "Maybe you'd have better luck ordering coffee at my business, Gabriel..." She comments, "Or work there." She adds with another chuckle. A thoughtful, half-frown forming at something. She takes a moment, before raising the mug to take a sip.
The man seating himself by Sage has an odd look, as if he's wondering if the young fellow who allowed him to go ahead actually speaks in phrases like that all the time. But it's not important. What is important is being polite to his friend, and he can't help but laugh at Sage's words. Still, he opens with, "Do I really look that old? I always considered my self more of an Errol Flynn type." Wink. He knows that he's reasonably good looking, but nothing the girls swoon over. After introducing the three different types of wrong coffee, and offering the muffin - cherry, apparently - he blows across the top of the mug that they did get right. "Ah. You still have an opening? Like I said, I can book appointments, I'm quite familiar with a mop, feather-duster and vacuum... and of course, I can keep the riff-raff out." Wink. Sip. "Seriously." Nod.
"A warm brownie," Jason decides, finally, producing a few well worn, but serviceable universal credits. Though as he deals with the transaction, he wears a thoughtful expression. He offers quiet thanks when it is given to him and without pause, he turns to approach the table where Sage and Gabriel are.
A faintly amused look is all that Sage gives to the man when he speaks about the type of man that Gabriel considers himself. A smile comes as she shakes her head faintly, before taking another sip of her tea. Her gaze considering one of the more tempting wrong drinks that Gabriel ends up with. "I've been starting to fill in slowly. People trying out their fit with my business." She comments, "As long as you could avoid getting all religious and preachy, I think there could be a place for you." She teases lightly, before she glances over to the man as he approaches. "Hey..." She comments simply.
Erica walks into the coffee shop bundled up in a big coat to keep out the cold and the snow. She opens the door and quickly shuts it behind her so too much heat doesn't escape. Knocking the excess snow off of her combat boots she starts taking off her coat before walking up to the counter. Once at the counter she takes out a paperback novel from her coat while she waits in line to order. After a few moments in line she gets to order herself a pot of black tea. Picking up the pot and a mug she looks around the shop before spotting Gabriel and Sage. Smiling softly she heads in the direction of that table. "Hiya" she says while walking up to the table.
"When have I ever been religious and preachy to you, Miss Sage, God rest your heathen soul?" Gabriel laughs as he continues to blow across the top of his far-too-hot coffee. He looks up at Erica's voice, smiling reflexively. "Miss Erica! Are you trying to get out of the cold, or are you coming here to beat me over the head with a jet pack? No, really, what're you reading?" My, the man's Kentucky drawl is thick today. Kind of funny how it comes and goes at times, but it's definitely genuine. The order of a warm brownie did catch his attention. In all honesty, he'd just picked out the guy as a black coffee man. How wrong he was. Gabriel waves a hand at Erica. "Please, sit, I'm here to annoy Miss Sage and pry a job out of her. I have extra coffee, too." He does. Three extra mugs worth. And a muffin.
Jason will pause near the table and nod is head to Sage politely. Then to Gabriel. "Might I join you?" Again, he asks without a hint of hesitation in his manner. And as Erica comes by as well, he nods his head once to her. "Good evening," he will say in his strong, yet quiet voice. A plate with a brownie remaining in hand, of course.
A brief glance is given to the door as Erica arrives and a smile comes to Sage's lips before she nods faintly to the woman. "Hey..." She comments before letting her gaze drift to the man's outburst, "You've been religious one... but mostly preachy to other people." She comments before wrinkling her nose faintly. "My place is designed to relax people... not get them all bothered." She teases lightly back, before she purses her lips and considers the unfamiliar man. She hmms softly, "You may join... on the condition that you introduce yourself." She offers. "You already know mine, after all."
Erica shrugs her shoulders as she pulls out a chair and takes a seat at the table. "This is a nice place to go when one wants to get out of the house. Or just have a little pick me up." She says while pouring herself a mug of hot tea. "Oh just an old novel that I managed to pick up." She says while sitting down, not showing or mentioning the title of the novel. "Oh what job are you going to do for Sage? She said I could cook for her at some point. Not sure if she still wants me to cook for her." She says with a little chuckle. She nods her head briefly at Jason before picking up her mug of tea and blowing on it to cool it down.
The older man is quiet for a while, considering the oddity of Sage commenting that her name is known, and the other man's isn't. Have they met? Oh well. Gabriel looks at Sage and holds up two fingers, pushed up next to each other. "I promise not to be religious or preachy, and only make people feel relaxed and important. Scout's honor. I've been through it myself, you know." The man has an eye for detail, and the detail that Erica's novel has no visible title is one that does not go unnoticed. Neither is it brought up. Someone want's privacy, they get their privacy. Yet he does respond to Erica with, "Miss Sage was just about to offer me a job running her front desk. After all, I'm very likeable, aren't it?" He puts on a silly stage-grin.
Jason dips his head to Sage and smiles lightly. "I am Jason. A traveler and observer. Though now I am curious what this place is you mentioned. The one that is meant to relax others." He moves to an empty chair smoothly, plate lightly settled before he does so with his well packed backpack and then himself. Gabriel's mention of working at said place is noted, though for now he quiets some and tends to his brownie. A plastic knife brought with to begin sectioning it neatly.
"It is a nice enough place." Sage agrees before briefly considering the book that the other woman has, before letting the man answer the question about the possible position. She smiles softly, "Well, we'll work out details about what you're full job duties and title will be in that case." She comments softly, before glancing over to Jason. "Nice to meet you, Jason. And, that place is my business. I call it Sage Alternatives... among other things, it has a spa and private dining as services." She comments before she moves on from her empty tea mug to the most intriguing of the fancy brews Gabriel received.
Erica laughs softly to herself at Gabriel's question to her. "I guess you are. More then some people that is for sure. I hope you don't ever get preachy with me." She says with a little smile before taking a sip of her tea. She warms her hands around the mug of tea. "It is quite a lovely place Sage has for sure."
Always polite, Gabriel puts down his coffee and wipes his hands on one of the paper napkins supplied by Tradewinds. That done, he reaches his right hand toward the new man. "Gabriel. Nice to meet you. Miss Sage really does have a nice place, though I'm not entirely sure if she's just yanking my chain, or if she really is going to offer me a job." His eyes had been on Jason, but then turned to Sage as he made the last statement. He indicates the mug that Sage chose. "Caramel cinnamon, right?" For the moment, to avoid monopolizing the conversation at the table, Erica is acknowledged with a smile and a nod - and a nod of support to Jason for Erica's own comment regarding Sage Alternatives.
Jason gives Sage a thoughtful look as she describes her place, though is distracted by Gabriel's introduction. He takes the hand and gives a firm shake. The grip he gives is firm, but comfortable. "A pleasure," he offers. Then he considers Sage again. "Alternatives, is it? A curious sounding establishment. Would one of those alternatives involve being a dinner companion for one of your customers? Seems a suitable offering for those who enjoy pleasant company with a pleasant meal."
"You could always bid on him, Erica, and find out if he gets preachy or not." Sage comments with a little teasing, "He is entered, after all." She comments before taking a sip from the mug before nodding with a smile to the man. "Your loss is my gain." She comments with amusement. Then she glances towards Jason once more. "Well, I figure people should have a more natural choice about some things." She comments, before showing a little amusement at the man's question. "That depends on how you mean that... its not part of the service to offer."
"I might just have to give him a bid or two. We will have to see at the auction." Erica says with a little laugh as she gives Sage a quick wink in response to the other woman's teasing. "Please excuse me for a moment." She says as she stands up and goes off deeper into the shop towards the restrooms.
Good firm handshake - but not too firm, kind of person wanting to make a statement. That's nice to see. Gabriel gives Jason another head-bob and then another bob is offered to Erica as she excuses herself. "Ah, so... you'd be one to be a permanent dinner companion?" He asks Jason, his eyes rather confused, with a certain term coming to mind that he won't voice yet. Not a dirty word, just an applicable word. To Sage, "Have I told you about Underwood? Baccarat, Morocco, Istanbul? Kentucky?" He grins. "I do know how to wait... and be waited upon." Really trying to sell himself into that job, perhaps? Then, finally, "Interesting. Maybe you'd open up some high-stakes gambling, too. Fancy dinners and casinos often go together."
Jason glances towards Erica as she departs and dips his head slightly towards her. Then he considers Sage anew. A lightly amused grin comes to him as he says, "Now I am hesitant to say, for I wonder what ideas you have. And, of course, if I were to share my own that would surely color your own answer, would it not? Perhaps you would share first?" He then considers Gabriel and chuckles lightly. "I'm not quite sure what you mean, but I do find a good meal is enhanced with pleasurable company. Of course, not all have that."
Sage's curl in amusement at Erica's response before nodding as the woman excuses herself before glancing back towards Gabriel. "I have a feeling those would all make for a long story." She muses, "I will expect a certain level of dress code if you want to help with the dining portion, though." She notes before glancing over to the new face. Faint amusement comes once more, "Well, I suppose idle conversation could be part of the service..." She notes, "Anything else would probably have to be prearranged since I don't currently have another true chef in my employ." She comments.
Gabriel holds up a hand, palm upward. "Actually, I have you covered there, too, Miss Sage. I came through with a semi-random assortment of things from my previous life. My dress uniform is one of those things. I assure you that it's one of the dressiest things you'll ever find a man wearing. Probably leave off the ceremonial saber, though. Although..." he allows the sentence to trail for a moment before adding with a wink, "The saber would be good for keeping the 'common folk' out." The older man ends his statement with crossed-eyes and a stuck-out tongue. His gaze does return to the new man, though, as he, and apparently his friend, is not really sure as to what is being suggested, discussed, or even simply spoken. Odd.
Jason smiles at Sage and says, "Conversation is most useful, of course. It might be good to have someone else to cook, to allow you to sit and entertain a guest properly. I don't imagine there would be a lack of men who might enjoy a fine woman sitting with them for a pleasant dinner and conversation. I'd certainly enjoy such a service from time to time."
Sage considers Gabriel briefly before nodding, "You'll have to show it to me and I'll decide whether it seems like it'd be suitable. And... yes... no sabers. Not very good for a relaxing atmosphere." She gives the older man an amused smile. Then glances to Jason. "We'll see." She offers, "But, if you do want to meet new people... feel free to drop by the Alibi in a few days time when the event is being held." She comments.
Gabriel narrows his eyes at the new man. In a polite, yet firm voice, one that still retains a hint of "maybe I'm still confused" he says, "Sage Alternatives isn't a brothel. Or.. a gigolo house. Whatever you call a brothel for women. I'll just float that out there." He nods and smiles to Sage. "No sabers, got it. I'll come by soon and put on a fashion show for you. Or.." his eyes open slightly wider in a comic display of getting an idea, "Maybe I should wear it at the auction. Although.." he then looks equally inquisitive, saying, "That might be a little off-putting, huh?" An eyebrow is raised. "Never really needed to think on how to sell myself before."
Jason turns his attention to Gabriel, giving the older man a steady look. "I'm not sure where you drew that I thought any such thing. When I speak of a dinner companion, that is the limit of where my thoughts wander." He smiles and adds, his eyes flicking to Sage. "Besides, one does not go to such places for dinner and polite conversation. and both are rather poor euphemisms for the more carnal acts of lust. Wouldn't you agree?" Asked of the woman, though not excluded from Gabriel as he looks back to the older man. "What is this auction that you both speak of? Is it happening at this Alibi?"
Sage glances between the two men. "Well, Gabriel does bring up a valid point... it isn't a pleasure service. I might be nice, but I'm not /that/ nice." She comments before glancing over towards Jason, "And you were probably too vague with your words... but I imagine you could always clarify, if you needed to." She comments before raising a brow. Then she nods faintly before glancing back towards Gabriel, "And, I don't recall anyone raving about the food at the Ivory Lady." She notes with a little amusement. "As for the event, Gabriel and some others are going to auction off some of their time for a good cause, mainly helping out the Refugee soup kitchens and aid stations."
Alright. Gabriel is an intelligent fellow, but the other man is either talking in riddles, his grammar is horrible, or perhaps Gabriel suffered a blow to the head last night in his sleep. Whatever the case is, he is at this point quite simply confused. Sage didn't exactly come to his rescue with an explanation, but at least she confirmed that it wasn't necessary he who was the one using crazy-speak. He clears his throat, nods again at the other man and picks up his mug for another sip. "Dammit, still too hot." It is placed back on the table, and the older man - probably looking at a very healthy forty-year old human, somewhere around there - chuckles a tad. "When they do eventually get your order right, they still make it too hot. Anyway... yeah, it sounds like a slave sale, but it's just auctioning time with very interesting fellows such as myself. Who wouldn't want to go on a platonic date with me?" He winks, clearly indicating that he doesn't actually think that highly of himself. "Are you familiar with the refugees that arrive here every day? You do seem to be new, or at least, I've never met you before, obviously, Jason."
Jason nods his head to Sage. "If any offense was taken, then I offer my most humble apologies. Regardless, I would never impugn a woman's honor with such a scandalous suggestion." Said with a simple earnestness. "If nothing else, perhaps I shall invite you to dinner once I have settled myself." Gabriel he returns attention to with a slight nod. "I arrived just an hour ago. I'm afraid that I know little of this area and the politics inherent in it. Feel free to offer me your views. I am sure I will hear many over time."
The older man smiles, and in his Kentucky drawl, says, "My view is this - as long as a person isn't harming, bothering, or otherwise depriving someone of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, they can do whatever the hell they want to do. If not, the problem needs to be solved." Gabriel doesn't state this forcefully, or threateningly, it's exactly what was asked - an offer of his views. "The refugees are coming in from up Tolkeen direction. North-by-northwest. Other than that, I really don't know much, but I'm sure that Miss Sage here does." He then winks in amusement. "The Ivory Lady? A strip-club over on the east side that is just this far away from being an out-and-out whorehouse." He holds his fingers up, narrowly missing touching each other to presumably illustrate just how close.
"Its okay, I think I have an idea of what you meant." Sage replies to Jason before offering a shrug, then takes a moment to sip from her pilfered drink. She nods faintly to the man's potential offer, "We'll see." She comments before raising a brow faintly as the man explains how soon he's arrived int he situation. "Guess, you picked one of the worst weather days to arrive then." She muses before falling quiet as the older man speaks, letting him has his moment.
Jason nods his head once to Gabriel as he speaks and listens. "Interesting," he replies lightly afterward. And he seems content to leave his response to that for now. He turns his attention to Sage and offers, "I would think it might be fortuitous, the time of my arrival. The appropriate thing seems to be an offer of my own time for this.. auction you plan. I don't anticipate it would require doing anything too objectionable. And the experience may well be intriguing. Though I must admit I do not have any fine clothing of my own. I have had to travel light, as I have only the strength of my back to bear the burden of my possessions."
Gabriel stays quiet, leaning against the edge of the table with his forearms, and sipping from his slightly-cooled mug of coffee. Black coffee. However, he can't help but smile. Not to be judgmental about the man, but these phrases and grammar correspond perfectly to the arrogant aristocracy of the world he knew. The ones that were almost always gullible and less than they thought that they were.
Sage listening to the conversation, "I figure the event will be a little fun for the people involved and the Refugees get much needed help." She comments before looking over to Jason, "And, no, there shouldn't be anything objectionable... the date will be by the consent of the person being auctioned off. Its not a 'you get bought, and do what they want' kind of deal." She comments, "And, if you want to consider it fortunate timing, I suppose the refugees would agree."
"Perhaps we can speak on it again soon," Jason offers. "Before that, I should see to some manner of lodgings." The cut brownie gone, slowly eaten in neat bites during the conversation. He lifts his bag as he does stand, the heavy bag shouldered easily. "Perhaps over a meal." His smile is casual and warm as he nods his head towards her. "Sage," he offers in parting. Then a similar nod to Gabriel. "Gabriel."
Gabriel raises his free left hand and lifts his lips away from his mug of coffee. "Take care, Jason. Nice meeting you. Maybe I'll see you around." That done, his attention returns to Sage. "So, seriously, not trying to make you hire me, how's your place going? Miss Erica, she's going to be cooking for you? Quite the woman of many talents. How's the caramel cinnamon?" He winks at the woman and her pilfered - not difficult, as it was offered - beverage.
"Take care." Sage offers to the man, before her attention drifts to the man. "It is going fairly well, and I think I'll need help in the spa... especially considering who has been nominated for the sweepstakes." She comments, "As for Erica, she might be okay for making the snack-type stuff... but she more of a casual cook. Not sure whether she intends to work for me or cook for me as a nice thing to go." She comments before smiling softly, "Sweetly pilfers... but I think you may have done this on purpose." She comments.
Jason nods his head once and then turns. As he strides away, he shoulders his pack fully. His gas mask emerges and is donned. His hat. As he goes back out into the weather, he is a faceless traveller once more and he forges out into the wind without a waver in his purposeful step.
The older man winks and chuckles at Sage's comment on the coffee. "I'm sure that you'll get good people. You're a good person, and people like to work for good people. Speaking of good people -" Gabriel raises a staying hand -" sorry. Speaking of good people, I caught wind of something earlier today that I believe that *you* have kept from me!" He ends with his eyes comically wide open, leaning on the pronoun. "Specifically, I heard something about a 'Sweetheart Sweepstakes?' Sounds a little close for a platonic date to me, but still, alliteration is always a good way to advertise. Special spa day, right? Well, I'm assuming that you can't be nominated for your own competition... so I would like to nominate Miss Erica. She's a fine young woman. Polite, friendly, intelligent, and very free with her time and effort. Teaching me how to use a jet pack right now!" He looks away and clears his throat for a moment. "Sorry," he grins, "Do I need to put her name in a hat or something?"
"Hopefully." Sage replies with a small smile, before she raises a brow at the accusation. "Oh, that. I did announce it at the same time as the auction, but I guess I know what interested you most." She teases lightly, before chuckling softly. "Oh, I wish I'd thought to put that restriction on... but, people have already nominated me." She considers the nomination before nodding. "Alright, I'll make sure that there's a nomination for Erica in."
"If I may ask you a question, Miss Sage?" Gabriel moves his head side-to-side briefly, and then plows ahead with the question. "There was something between you and that Jason fellow. He knew your name, you didn't know his, something like that. None of my business, but was that some kind of psychic thing?" He waves a hand. "Please, feel free to tell me to go to hell. I really don't want to be invasive."
"I think he just overheard my name mentioned... but, he does have the ability to speak like I have with you." Sage comments before tapping her head lightly with a finger tip, "I was surprised when he contacted me like that out of the blue." She comments before shrugging faintly. "He just mentioned it when you couldn't hear it."
The older man nods. "Probably something that I'll never really understand. But good to know. I wonder if he always talks like that. Anyway, thanks." Gabriel hoists his mug in appreciation. A quick glance outside. "Bad day for those who don't like the cold. Good day to be selling coffee!" He turns his head back to his friend. "In all seriousness, is there a theme or something for the auction? Would my dress blues be appropriate, or just something casual and inviting? Like I said earlier, I've never really been on to put myself out on a hook and dangle my dingle around." A wink would indicate that the last part of that was humorous, but totally unnecessary.
Sage nods faintly before she sips at the caramel cinnamon, "Indeed." She comments talking a moment to glance towards the outside. At least it doesn't look like the latest version of ice capades out there at the moment. Then she glances back to the other man, "Nah, there's no particular theme. Just wear anything that you think would intrigue someone... or just dazzle them with your charm." She teases softly.
Gabriel offers an absurdly suggesting wink and mock-flexes his free bicep. "In the unlikely event that someone bids on me, it'll probably be some old octogenarian woman interested in ancient history. But, as long as she pays well.." he allows the statement to trail off with a shrug. "It's unfortunate that it takes things like this to get people to realize that there are those who could already use their money, their time, their general assistance. We held auctions of things that we'd buy from around the world. People'd bid on them, we gave the proceeds to the schools and homes for girls - as I believe I've mentioned. Still, it would be nice if people would do things just because they felt that it was the right thing to do." The Kentuckian suddenly stops and gives Sage a sideways glance. "Sorry, too preachy?"
Sage gives a brief chuckle to the man's antics, "We'll see." She replies before smiling faintly and shaking her head. She takes a moment to consider the man's comments, before pursing her lips. "A little soap box... but, I suppose its all true enough." She comments before giving the man a faintly amused look given that sideways glance.
The man settles further back in his seat, allowing his own "seat" to slide forward as if he were slipping out of the chair. He takes another sip of coffee, looking over the rim at Sage. "Miss Sage, you know, you've spoken many times of of walking toward a similar goal, but taking different paths. What's your path?" Gabriel sets his mug down on the table. "I know almost nothing about your own past. Even my past is more of an open book. I'd be interested in hearing a little bit about your personal history, if you're up to sharing it."
Sage takes the time to start breaking up the rest of the biscuit to eat, before pursing her lips as she looks over to the other man. "I was a medicine woman of sorts... albeit a more gifted one than normal as I didn't have to rely on just my knowledge. I am not a warrior like you... and nor am I a typical city dweller... I am attuned with nature and often feel a need to spend some time around it." She offers a shrug, "But, I seem to have developed some roots here."
The older man nods, obviously interested. "But you didn't choose to come here to Kingsdale as a doctor? Interesting also that you took up living inside the walls. Maybe not safe enough out there for you?" Gabriel jerks his head in the general direction of the City Gates. Then another grin splits his face as he asks, "Are you going to put yourself up for bid? I'm sure that you could bring in a *very* nice price."
"There is a bit of a difference..." Sage replies, "I can treat people as well as any doctor... but I am not sure that I would be able to serve the masses without the training that a true doctor would receive." She offers before shrugging faintly, "And, people like Cel would need more conventional means it seems." She offers a shrug, "I had considered living outside, but at the time there was an undead crisis... so, I was compelled to stay with first Cali as a friend and then Tirzah..." She comments, before she takes a breath and lets it out. "I've been asked to..."
Gabriel shrugs his shoulders and sets down his now-empty mug. "I saw how you treated Miss Monique. That certainly looked as good as any doctor. Better, in fact. You might not be a fast and emergency field medic, but hell, I'd go to you before I went to one of the butchers with stainless steel cutting implements and bone-saws." He nods his head strongly to indicate that yes, he really means it. "I've only met Miss Caliopa once, and I'm afraid that I didn't have the opportunity to know Miss Tirzah as I'd have liked to, God rest her soul. Miss Celaeno? Honestly? Just between you and me, I really don't care for her." Gabriel had leaned forward conspiratorially, in an attempt to maintain the secrecy. He then leads her by repeating her own words. "You were asked toooooo....."
Sage nods faintly, "Yes, I imagine it is a bit better than... but, there are some that likely would not accept that kind of treatment due to their view of psychics." She comments before offering a shrug, "Can't help everyone." She comments before nodding faintly to the man's comments about Cali and Tirzah. As for his comment about Cel, she offers a slight shrug once more. "Well, maybe not asked to... but you aren't the first to ask if I will." She comments, "I suppose I will." She comments before she begins to rise from the table. "Especially if it helps the refugees. But, I was kind of thinking of just bidding ... as for who, I'll keep that to myself." She chuckles, before giving the man a little wave, "I should head out and it looks safe enough to walk home now."
The man stands properly as he should as Sage indicates that she's preparing to leave. His eyebrows waggled suggestively when she'd mentioned bidding - and keeping to herself. Not as if he wanted to be bid on... but... some other knowledge there that's dancing around behind the irises of his eyes. "Hope that I haven't bored you, Miss Sage. Have a safe walk home. It's better out there, but not great. Plus," Gabriel then looks genuinely concerned, "There is a murderer out there. Maybe.. if it wouldn't be an insult, perhaps I should walk you home? Not to imply that you can't take care of yourself, just that murders tend to hit single targets. Two people are harder to kill quietly."
After a few more words, some more shared drink and one vanishing muffin, Gabriel escorts Sage back to her new home in the fancy section of town where Sage Alternatives resides.
