Jan 31 22:43:19 109 PA - Some Nights End Badly

From Chronicles

Jan 31 22:43:19 109 PA.

STEEL STREET

Cold 'n dark. But kinda nice. If ya like cold 'n dark. Nothin ta step in. Nothin fallin outta the sky. Nothin tryin ta blow ya over. Maybe why Bella's out walkin the street. Kinda almost smilin too.

Coming from the north, Gabriel's geared up for weather, as you never know when it may begin to rain. Worse for some than others. He's whistling, but it's a little ragged, and his steps are slower than usual. Still, his eyes sparkle and he seems to be in good spirits. Just heading south from a late hour.

Bella don't spot nobody special. Not right 'way. There's some people walkin. Even if it's late 'n cold. Stayin dry's a big thing. Fer anybody. She's still lookin over people she walks by. Never know when yer gonna find a tasty lookin guy just wanderin 'round.

Gabriel does his best to play a bit of mischief and come up behind Bella announced, but one of his boots manages to find a bit of black ice, and he emits a dull *clunk* as the other needs to shoot out and steady his footing. As he peels around to address the girl, he's putting something back into his pocket. "Evening, Bella. Didn't expect to see you on my way home."

"Good trip, see you next fall?" Gabriel asks, amused. "Kids love that one. 'See you later alligator, after a while, crocodile' was also popular.' No surprise." His hand comes out of his coat, flashily revealing - nothing. Except fingers wiggling in the air. "You eating already, going back into the city to find a nice place to sleep tonight? Maybe a nice warm spot out behind Happy Burger?" He looks backwards as if he heard something... but apparently it was nothing, as he just falls in line with her.

"Hadda bite 'fore." Bella smirks more. "'N fack no ain't stayin nowhere 'rounda Happy Burger." Her eyes kinda follow his back thattaways. Then they're on him. "Somethin up? Ya jumpy 'r somethin? She ain't after ya is she?"

Gabriel shakes his head. "No, no. At least, not as far as I know. Just thought I heard something growl. Probably just a stray dog, but you have to look out for stray dogs these days, right?" He gives Bella a severe eyebrow and smirk. "What've you got about Happy Burger? Really. In your former life were you a young food critic or something? I love White Castle burgers, the ancient ancestor of Happy Burger."

Bella shrugs. "It's big witha kids. Ain't no kid." Back ta smirkin. "Didn' really go there even when I was."

"Pfft. Gotta live a little, Bella. Even if you can't, technically," Gabriel chides. "You're seriously going to walk there and tell me that when you smell the place, you don't think to yourself at least a *little* - 'Mmm. Love a mouthful of that!'" He gives his companion's shoulder a little shove as they continue south.

She bobs a li'l from gettin shover. Smirks lots too. "Nah. Not smellin burgers anyways. Course one's eatin 'em look 'n smell good most times. 'N whatcha mean I ain't livin none? Do lotsa fun stuff."

"Really?" Gabriel looks to Bella with a questioning eye. "List five things that you've done in the past week that were both fun and culturally educational or self-enriching." He holds out one his hands, fingers splayed. "That's this many." Considering current educational standards, he honestly can't be sure if she knows what 'five' is or not.

Bella perks a brow. "Said I did fun stuff. Dunno bout alla other shit yer talkin bout." She holds up her hand 'n starts countin. "Went dancin th'other night. Ain't done that 'fore." Bella counts that as two. "Uh. Went 'n did merc type stuffs too. Don't do that alla time." So she's got three.

Gabriel counts it as only two, as ticked off by thumb and forefinger of his left hand. "Dancing? Merc stuff? Do tell. I've only had time to work. Factory up there had an opening." He jerks his right thumb behind him, north toward the industrial district. "Wanna go hit the coffee place, get outta the cold and have something to drink. Or at least watch me drink?" Rubbing his hands together, he starts to take the lead, as if anticipating a 'yes' or perhaps going to do it whatever the answer might be.

"Sure." Bella turns thumbways 'n starts walkin after. "Ok. Merc stuff's kinda old. Did't while ago. Dancin atta Lady was justa other day though." A li'l shrug. "Didn' get no big pile'a creds. Weren't thinkin I's gonna though."

Trudge, trudge. Gabriel slows up enough to be polite but pushy. "Dancing but you didn't get a big pile of credits. I don't get it. Was it a competition or something?"

Bella snickers. Shakes her head. "Not really. Maybe?" She eyes him. "Guess I weren' the only girl dancin atta Lady. So maybe kinda was. Ain't got much ta show off neither. So less creds I guess." Then she grins. "Made Tek turn alla buncha pretty colors though. Was about better 'n creds."

"Really?" Gabriel says, his voice dipping low in amusement. "Okay, now you have to tell me about it. See, you lived, did something different, now you can talk about it with a friend. Or at least an old guy who won't interrupt you." He sticks his tongue out and takes off running and a decent pace. Not fast, but obviously one that could be kept up for quite a while. The kind that you'd learn in the military. Without looking back, he waves, "See you at Tradewinds!"

TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP

Even though it's a twenty-four hour establishment, there are certain hours that Tradewinds isn't terribly busy, and one hour before midnight is one of them. Gabriel is sitting at one of the longer tables set up for communal enjoyment and meeting strangers. There aren't many strangers to be had, but they've been friendly. Three mugs sit before him, steaming next to a pile of brownies and a muffin of some sort. Most of his winter gear has been stashed on the bench next to him as he waits for his friend to arrive.

Bella comes in. Looks 'round. Spots Gabe pretty quick. Easier when ain't too many people. 'N she's lookin fer him. So she heads ta the table. Plops her butt down. "Heya. Ya really thirsty? 'R waitin fer more people?" Finger points at the three mugs. She can count ta three at least. Just proved it earlier.

"Just thought I'd have something ready for you, is all. Feel free to dig in," Gabriel say, gesturing to the miniature buffet. "Got plenty of people. Big family? That's good. Big gatherings? Not most of the time. At least, not anymore." His tone saddens at the end, drooping in both pitch and volume. There's an extended time before he speaks again, his speech coming mostly in the form of picking up one of the mugs. Looks like mocha. "So. Dancing?" Eventually, his eyes turn to Bella, questions behind them, and possibly hoping to hear something happy.

"Big family? Big gatherin? Huh?" Bella's brows pop up. Then she shrugs. "Yep. Dancin. Ya misseda show. Nekkid show. Lotsa tits n ass." A grin. Another shrug. "Ok. Li'l bits of 'em."

Gabriel chuckles. "I think I'm glad I wasn't there, I might have had an urge to grab my coat and cover you up." He sips at his coffee, not quite animated yet. "So what, just a corner tap-dance with your hat put out for people to throw money into?" He reaches over and pulls Bella's shirt slightly between thumb and forefinger. "Didn't buy you these things to be taking them off for everyone. Remember? Nice shop? Giving a homeless little girl something to be proud of? Ring any bells?"

Bella nods. Smirks too. "Yep. I 'member. Ain' braindead. But ya gave 'em. So they're mine. Can do what I wanna do with 'em." A shrug. "Weren't givin no show fer ev'rybody. Weren't really fer creds neither. Was more fer fun."

"I guess fun is fun," Gabriel allows, making no argument about the gifted clothing. "So young Tek was there? Made his way all the way into the city, into the 'Dregs to hit up a skin bar? Didn't think he had it in him." He eyes Bella. "Did he have a friend along? Chaperone or something? He and Jaxain, they could... compete for most ignorant, nice and annoying at the same time."

"Guesso. Was there wehn I got there." Bella grins a li'l. Then makes a face. "Jax ain't like 'im. Tek's all kiddy 'n shy 'n shit. Jax's just annoyin 'n ignorant."

Gabriel chuckles again. "Jaxain is troubled by his past that at times makes him think that his own childhood makes him superior to everyone else. I think that he misses that everyone is the sum of their parts, and while everyone's parts will be different? In the end, no one has a better collection of parts than anyone else. Just different." His mug is waved at Bella, as he seem to perk up a bit more. "Tek? He's young, but I'm not entirely sure that I like him. Everything gets done for money, or it doesn't get done. He's a regular mercenary, up and coming. I don't care for types who'll fight for anything." An eyebrow is arched as he ads in a whisper, "Present company accepted, of course."

Bella smirks atta last part. "Uh huh. Right. Ain't thinkin I'm no exceptin nothin." She finally gets 'round ta pickin up a mug. Sips some. "So. Why ya sneakin up on girls anyways? Plannin ta tickle me 'r somethin." More grinnin. "Spank me over yer knee?

It's less than an hour to midnight, and even though Tradewinds is a twenty-four hour establishment, the crowd is notably thinned. Outside the weather remains below the freezing point, even below zero on the thermometer. However, there's nothing wet falling from the sky, just a stiff rain and anything blowing up from the ground that it scrapes across. Gabriel and Bella are seated side-by-side at one of the longer tables that have been set aside to encourage community friendship and conversation. Three mugs, a bunch of brownies. Perhaps a strange string of words would greet a new entrant. "...ike to spank you, right."

"Betcha do." Bella winks at Gabe. "Maybe. Sometime. Somewhere in yer head." She points a pointy finger at his noggin. "So. That it 'r somethin diff'rent?"

Gabriel bonks his noggin with the mug he's holding. "What's it or something different? Spanking? Yeah. You don't spare the rod to spoil the child. Other way around, or they end up being little hoodlums who you're not proud to call your own. I've shown you the family picture, right?" He threatens to pull it out again, reaching into his shirt pocket.

Bernard slips into the coffee shop, door swinging shut behind him as he makes his way slowly across the room towards the main counter, offering a faint nod in the direction of Gabe, Bella, and their spankin discussion.

"Yep. Seen 'em." Bella nods. Then cocks her head. Curious. Brow pops up too. "That why ya like me? Gotta thing fer dead people?" A li'l smirk. "'N never said why ya were bein all sneaky. Just said ya didn't have no s'prises." She spots Bernard comin in. Maybe. Don't say nothin his way.

After offering Bernard a simple nod of greeting, Gabriel turns his attention back to Bella. Not completely pleased, not entirely angry, either. "I suppose that their bodies are dead, yes. But their souls live on, and I love all of them." He tink-tinks his small silver band on his right ring-finger against his mug. "Wouldn't hurt you to find a nice young man to spend time with other than an old codger like me. Even if I am increeeedibly fascinating. As for being all sneaking? No reason. Just the spur of the moment coming off shift." By visuals and tone of voice, it may seem that it really was as simple as that.

Bernard looks over the menu briefly, then orders a cup of coffee along with one of the tasty little pastries in the counter display case, offering over the payment for it and steppin back to await his coffee to be prepared and delivered up to the counter.

Bella laughs a li'l. "Ain't no arguin there. Find lotsa young guys ta talk ta." She points her pointy finger again. "Yer one't asked me over 'ere. Fer coffee." Then she's pointy at Bernard. "He's pretty fun."

Gabriel leans over hard enough to give Bella's shoulder a body-check. A weak one, as hockey was never an interest. "Hope I'm not *too* boring for you." There's enough motion up at the counter as he glances to see Tiffany the four-armed teenage barista finish up with Bernard's order, though he doesn't bother the man's own reverie by calling out. "Before we go tonight, I want to tell you something. But it'll wait for later."

Bernard scoops up his order and moves towards the two, "You don't happen to know anyone with a truck, or a horse who's heading out to Laramy?" he asks the two, sipping away at his coffee cup a little as he comes to stand nearby.

"Nope. Only know one guy with a horse." Bella shakes her head. "Dunno where's he's goin. Just where he oughtta go." She smirks. At Gabe too. "Nah. Ain't too borin. Most times."

"Hey, Bernard. Out late, too, huh? Late shift?" Gabriel offers the other man a pleasant smile. "I know a guy named Bartholemew who's got a truck. Haven't seen him in a while, though, and I don't know if he ever has business in Laramy. We've never had a lot of contact," is his explanation. "Can't think of everyone with a horse, though. Postal service letting you down?" Bella gets an amused, "Gee, thanks. Most of the time?"

Bernard shakes his head, "Guess I'll be walking then eh? And I've got some business out on a ley line and I hear there are some out past Laramy." He says with a shrug of his shoulders, sipping at his cup of coffee once more, then nibbling at his pastry.

Bella smirks. "Hire a ride? Sounds like kinda long walk. Why ya wanna go ta those things? Just all kindsa weird shit't pops outta 'em." She grins at Gabe. "Mosta the time. Yep." Then she blinks. At Bernie. "Wait. Ain't those things 'ere inna city too?"

Gabriel offers, "I know you can handle yourself, but the wilderness is fierce. Two-thousand men, mostly armed, didn't make it one-hundred and fifty miles on foot. I'd wait for someone to hire, if it were me." He nods, in deference to Bella's suggestion. "Even right here by the city, most people are wise to stay out of the forests and such, going it alone. Wear armor, it'll be a long walk, from what I saw on the way."

"Two thousand men draw a lot more attention then one man movin through the woods." Bernard says with a laugh, "I can handle myself out there. I've walked plenty, and there are lines in town but first you have to be able to fly to get to them. Second, you're likely to get shot if you use them."

"Oh. Dunno nothin bout that." Bella shrugs. Then she's smirkin at Gabe. "That many people's kinda easy ta spot yeah. Course ya think they'd put up a fight 'r somethin." Brow goes up at Gabe. "Nobody made it? Guess they weren' very good."

Gabriel seems to be ready to offer some advice, right up until Bella makes her final comment. She receives an icy look. "Those men and women were some of the best soldiers that have ever graced these infinite fucking dimensions. But when a goddamn cat can be the size of a tank, armored like a tank and fly faster than Chuck-fucking-Yeager, M-14s and squad support weapons don't exactly cut it. The mercenaries? Yeah, they were easy. Lizard slavers? No problem. But there were too many monsters out there, genuine fucking monsters against men and women who didn't have the luxury of anything to do but try to run and scavenge weapons from those bastards we did kill." His face is leaning in close. "So you shut your goddamn fangy little mouth right now or I swear to God you'll never see tomorrow night." His mug is placed on the table, hard. After a deep breath, he looks to Bernard. "Excuse me, I'll be going." He quickly begins to put on his winter gear.

Bernard chuckles just a bit as he listens to that, "Not sure I'm familiar with those weapons myself but I'll take your word for it. I know how to manage myself out there though." He says with a slight shrug of his shoulders as Gabe takes his things and gets ready to go home.

Bella blinks. Talkin 'bout big cats. Rowr. Somebody got catty. Claws out even. "Well s'cuse me. Ain'ta one't ate 'em. Sheesh." She watches Gabe get up 'n get dressed up 'gain. "Course ain't good ta go teasin'a monsters neither."

As Gabriel closes up his greatcoat, Bella gets another look, though his anger is obviously being carefully controlled and reduced. "Teasing monsters? Yeah, that's bad. But I've found that putting them down when I need to is easy, now that I'm armed properly." He then heads for the door, stopping at its open mouth only to add, "I survived the journey and carved out a decent niche for myself with a modest reputation. Sometimes history teaches people who other people shouldn't be fucked with, if they're bright enough to pay attention to it." Bernard receives another short nod, this time one of departure. After visibly composing himself, "Bella, I would still like to speak with you soon." Then, without another word, he's out the door and into the night.

"He's got some anger issues and is a bit of a prick at times isn't he?" Bernard comments with a little huh. "Also seems to think people enjoy killing 'Badguys' tm pro bono, from what I've seen." He says with a little laugh. "With any luck I'll be back in a few days at least."

"Guesso." Bella shrugs at Bernie. "Course ev'rybody's got issues. But yer right. Lotsa people 'round like ta kill stuff. S'ok long's yer killin somebody nobody likes." A smirk. "Makes it all better." She eyes her mug 'n stands up too. "Speakin'a monsters 'n killin thinkin I oughtta go. Coffee just ain't my thing."

"Yeah, everyone's got their own ideas on that too don't they?" Bernard says with a grin, "Good hunting, find someone tasty out there." He adds with a little wave, then goes to munching on his little pastry treat.