Jun 25 08:44:46 108 PA - Request Unfortunately Denied

From Chronicles

Jun 25 08:44:46 108 PA.

RIVER WALK SOUTH

Valeriya has been about a lot of late. Though she was pretty scarce yesterday for some reason. But otherwise since the Johnson thing started she's been around in some form or another but often not very noticeable. Such is the case as she catches Gabriel leaving the building. She coughs to reveal herself to him from beside the building. "Good morning."

The older fellow takes a deep inhale of the morning air as he steps out of his hopefully-temporary home. After a moment to enjoy that and a smile to Nature, he turns to the one who'd addressed him. Looking up as needs to, Gabriel offers a pleasant, "Morning, Val. Still lurking, I see. All in good fun, right? Lots of unsuspecting marks out there?" He chuckles and waves off a hand. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. What's up? I don't normally see you this time of day."

Valeriya shrugs with some indifference. "I'm here when I can be until the job's done. Actually it's been kinda liberating in a way. Almost keeping me out of trouble. Almost. I was thinking since we're both around lately maybe I'd take you up on those rifle lessons. If you are still interested in exchanging my money for your time." She offers, smiling calmly.

"Oh. Well, this is... a little awkward," Gabriel says. Not glancing away as many would, but giving his partner, even if only temporary, the benefit of the doubt of being someone who can take occasional bad news. "It's been so long since we talked about the matter, I'd assumed that you'd found someone else. Maybe Bart, I don't know him much. Even a that, though," he holds his hands out to his sides, palms up, "since we haven't talked, I'm getting ready to show Erica how to get into some sports. So.. I guess that you could say I'm taken right now. Sorry about that." He offers a final obligatory shrug.

Valeriya smiles, it shows forgiveness. Such may be unnerving as it may be the first such smile she's given. "That's alright. My own fault for putting it off. Maybe I should ask Bart though. Not a bad idea. But if I can't find another before you finish up with Erica, might we do it then? Let me know when you're done type of thing."

Gabriel scratches the nape of his neck, a quirked eyebrow at the 'forgiving' smile. "Well, I'm dull enough that I don't think I could teach two things at the same time. You know, forty-one and all." He smirks at himself at points to his salty hair. "There are a lot of people around though who just go off into the forest to hunt game. Lots of rifles around. I'm sure that you can find someone. Yeah, ask Bart about it, maybe even Sebastien, he might know. Not sure how long it's going to take with Erica. Some people have a knack for these things - some people don't."

Valeriya grins, her expression shifting to cunning which is possibly unnerving in that it has been seen before. "Well maybe all I really need you to teach me is who can teach me. You seem to know a lot more about people than I do. Of course, I'm not really used to a city, so many people to get to know."

A hand is held up in a very gentle 'stop' motion. "If this is important, definitely don't just wait for me to find some free time. As for learning? Bartholemew and Sebastien are the only two people who I can think of off the top of my head who might know it. I know that Erica doesn't - and refuses to even be interested in learning, for some reason. Apparently it's too low tech. Can't us an energy weapon to stop a vampire, though, can you?" Gabriel chuckles quietly as an eyebrow is raised, and he rubs his cheek idly, other hand in a jacket pocket. "Really seems like there haven't been many notable people around. You know, annoying people like us who have a habit of ending up in the news. Can't even think of another technical, military person at all, come to think of it. So that's a place to start. Two places."

Valeriya nods in a sign of acceptance. "It's become more important of late. I'm thinking my current mark 'Valeriya' has about lived out her usefulness. I've come to grips with qualities that would go further in this city. And I do wish to go further. So trying to get some things done before I transition to a better role."

Gabriel finally looks oddly at his conversation partner. "Change of name and change of clothes and hope not to be noticed?"

Valeriya shrugs. "Oh I don't think it will be completely unnoticed no. That would be naive. Actually I'll tell most that will notice just to save that. Like you. But much more than just clothes and name are up for review." She points out a bit mysteriously, not yet offering exactly what.

"Really. Well, you continue to be intentionally cryptic and probably try to be scary, too. Nice touch, Val," Gabriel ends with a grin. "I look forward to not mentioning it to you when I see that you're doing a good job blending in. I assume you'll be... Valeriya... until our personal business is over?"

"Until the things she is needed to do, are done. Things that don't really need her can always be done under the new mark after all." Valeriya points out with a shrug. "This was kinda how I learned to survive where I grew up. Find another capable and strong in the new environment and mimic it. This mark was good for my old environment, time to find the one best suited for this one."

The older man smiles. "It is good to fit in. Not to blend in with a beige society just because you don't want to be unusual, but mixing with society helps. It isn't easy though. I've been here since last September - so not even a year yet, and it's still an adjustment every day. It gets better of course, but I basically departed a word that I knew and entered a world of H.G. Wells and Marvel Comics. As you can see though," Gabriel grins again an spins slowly, "I fit in well enough. Even with the unique accent." Twang goes his Kentucky twang. "I don't know how much different the place is that you're from."

Valeriya nods. "It is good to fit in. And easier for some than others. The quiet and unassuming disappear quicker the the loud activist or the bold action hero. I think I'll manage a smooth transition." She states confidently. And why not, she's done so before she says. The mention of her past brings a frown. "From what I've heard here, many people would confuse my youth with hell. An exaggeration for sure, but still accurate."

"Eh, yeah everyone's had a tough life. Deal with it, it's what made you who you are, right?" Obviously it's not a direct 'you' or 'who' just a generalized conversational use of the words. "Too many people bitch about something in their childhood that scarred them, or makes them have relationship issues, or shit like that. Fuck it, you *did* deal with it, and you live with what happened. No sense in whining about it. But.. I look forward to.. not seeing you? If you know what I mean? Just don't forget to burn your driver's license and Social Security card." Gabriel chuckles again and looks up at the sky, commenting again, "Beautiful morning."