Jun 25 10:43:32 108 PA - Are You Good at Hide and Seek
From Chronicles
Jun 25 10:43:32 108 PA.
TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP
Outside the large plate glass windows of the coffee shop, the City of Kingsdale and southern ex-Missouri in general is experiencing a nice and pleasant day. Inside, it is much the same, save for Tiffany the coffee girl, who as usual continues to be baffled by orders. Despite this, Gabriel has found himself at a two-place table, with a large mug and a round plate with a large brownie sitting on the surface before him. He looks... content.
With easier days behind her for the time being, Sage is armed when she enters the place. She doesn't look to be expecting any trouble from people within. She glances around briefly before she begins to make her way further into the place. Her gaze already starting to consider the menu options.
Gabriel looks up as the doorbell tinkles, and offers the incoming Sage a smile and a brief wave, not meaning to distract her from the wide variety of delicious menu items offered here. Perhaps he'd like to own it someday. Just enough to allow his seat to be seen, then goes back to his coffee and retrieves a set of camping silverware on a keyring from one of his pockets. Always prepared. To eat a brownie.
Sage's gaze shifts to the motion directed towards her, and she wanders over towards Gabriel. "Hey Gabriel..." She replies before looking towards the man's own purchases on the table, "How are things?" She asks simply, then glances towards the counter as if considering whether to tease the man with suggesting he purchased the items for her.
The older man stands politely, as kindness and respect dictates. "Hello, Sage. I'm well, things are.. well, they are as they are. No sense in complaining unless there's something that really deserves it, right?" Gabriel chuckles and waves a hand across to the empty seat. "I'm glad you happened by. I'd planned to hunt you down later, but it's much easier when the quarry jumps into the trap for you." A smile and a wink as he waits for the woman to seat herself.
Sage nods faintly to the man's words, not seeming to have much to add to that particular topic line. She raises a brow faintly at the last comment, before offering a faint look of amusement. "Uh-huh..." She replies with a faintly teasing tone before she moves to settle into the empty chair. She lifts a hand in an attempt to wave down Tiffany's attention but it seems to get lost in the baffled nature and she turns her attention back to Gabriel. "Anything in particular?" She asks softly.
"Actually, yes. At least, I think." Gabriel screws up his eyes for a moment in amusement. "I used to be a real Renaissance man, not much that I couldn't do, and it pains me to know that. But as I've said before, only certain memories came with me through the time doodle thing for some reason. I can remember my urban training down the last detail, and I'm still quite the marksman in the wilderness, and know how to handle myself enough to live on my own. But things like tracking are gone, and I'm in need of a good tracker." After a brief shrug, he continues with, "You, you seem to be quite the woods-lady, and I was wondering if you might be good at that kind of thing?" The uptick in his last word's tone indicates a question far more than the grammar.
A brow lifts faintly when the man speaks about a 'time doodle thing', but Sage had noticed how the man seems to be familiar with the world... or perhaps the world as it had been. She remains respectfully quiet, before she teasingly places a finger on the edge of the plate with the brownie to slide it slightly towards her. She pauses to consider the man thoughtfully. "What would you be looking to track?" She asks simply.
Gabriel smiles as Sage's lips and his brownie move together, and he offers an nod of, 'Please, enjoy.' Then he chuckles at himself. "I'm sorry, I'm probably sounding very cryptic an cloak-and-dagger, and this isn't. There's no power hanging in the balance, military secrets, and basically unless stupidity reigns, not even any lives on the line." He directs his own finger across the table. "In fact, I think that you're already at least somehow aware of it. The 'bonelings' or whatever they're called causing trouble at a farm down south?"
Sage's offers a small smile, before she draws the brownie further away from the man. She uses one hand to lift it from the plate before she takes a small bite out of the brownie. She takes her time to savour the bite while she listens to the man. "Ah, I believe Bart said something about them." She comments, "Sounded like he was going to try capturing one." She adds before shrugging faintly. "I imagine I could have a good chance of tracking them down." She comments with some thoughtfulness, "I am not sure what they are... they do not sound like any animal I know of."
Gabriel chuckles at the mention of Bart. "Yes, the man is quite the self-promoter, isn't he? I guess I can't fault him for that, it's business after all. Truth is, I was the first one out, according to Losk - the dwarf that owns the place - so I'm already on the job myself. Not that we can't work together. But I'm babbling. These 'bonelings' I've been told they're called," he retrieves a small notepad from a breast pocket and reads, "also known as 'devil ghouls' and 'death rattlers.' Supernatural strength, like to work in packs, see in darkness, vulnerable to silver and wood, blah blah blah horrible terrible killers, all the usual stuff." Gabriel can't help but grin at the absurdity of the whole thing. "They keep taking this guy's livestock at night. I figured that if we could find the den, lair, whatever it's called during the daytime, or at least just get close, we might have a better shot at them not being a problem. Hence.. I would like to offer you some money to do a little tracking, if you're available." He closes one eye and lowers his neck, whispering, "How's the brownie?"
Sage hms softly, "Could be good to have some light handy as well." She comments with a little thoughtfulness, but doesn't smile at the absurdity herself. She purses her lips briefly, "I imagine I could attempt to track them... as long as I'm not off by myself." She comments, before she begins to lift the brownie back towards her mouth. "It's rather nice... but I could use something to drink." She says softly with a faint musing before she takes another bite from it.
Gabriel offers, "No, of course I'll come along. I have quite the set of old-fashioned silver bullet shooters that I brought with me through the time doodle thingy." He taps his temple with an amused smile. "Erica, she's a great friend but seems to think that rifles and semi-automatic handguns are too ancient to be useful. Still, I'll be there, and with a jet pack so that if things go bad, I can just yank you and myself out of there. Now, if you don't mind cooties, you can have the rest of my coffee. I have yet another construction job for grunt work to get to. Just let me know when you might be free, and how much you'd like for your time."
"You'll probably need the coffee more than I will." Sage replies, "But, perhaps you could teach me how to use a handgun that I picked up when undead seemed to be running rampant." She adds before pursing her lips and nodding. "Alright, I'll let you know."
Gabriel gets to his feet and nods. "Fair enough. Knowledge for knowledge, a good trade. Sorry to run out on you, but I'll tag you later. Take care!" Then zip, he's out the door on his way to lift bricks.
