May 18 02:11:50 109 PA - A Change of Heart for the Better
From Chronicles
May 18 02:11:50 109 PA.
TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP
It's well after business hours at the O.S.S., and as such, Gabriel is out of uniform, though still dressed neatly compared to most people around. At the moment, he's sitting off against the eastern plate glass window with a large mug of coffee before him. A clearly creamed and sugared cup, in fact. There's a plate of small pastries and a small glass of milk, as well. His jacket has been neatly folded over the back of the chair beside him, and his 'city' weapons have even been loosened for comfort. At this hour, the customer population is quite thin, and Tiffany has been replaced by her sister Stefanie with barista duties. Of course, most people who don't know them would need a good eye do tell the difference.
Leonard rarely watches the time and is not terribly particular when it comes to baristas. That those here are convenient is enough. He walks in looking in need of caffeine. Leonard could be just trying to start his activity, or hoping to keep active a while longer.
Gabriel looks up as the door opens, sipping from his mug as he does so. When he sees who it is, his left eyebrow perks up in a neat triangle. However, he makes no sound or motion to bother the man, assuming that the intended first destination is for coffee. Still, his legs are used to push the opposite chair out slightly, and he cleans up the top of the table a bit. No crumbs.
The assumption is correct. Leonard barely shows cognizance of anyone else until after his drink is ordered, made, received, and sipped from. A shot of heat and stimulants open his eyes and motivate them to look about.
Once the table is presentable, Gabriel does his simple best to raise Leonard's attention - by raising his mug in the man's direction. "Good time to be the middle of the night, isn't it? How're you doing, Leonard?" Gabriel's voice is low and quiet, the way that he prefers things.
"Good place to be in the middle of the night, at least," Leonard smirks around another swallow. He approaches the table and shrugs. "I do well enough to not complain much, not so well that I don't need to keep doing it."
"Ah, I know the kind," Gabriel says with a smile. "Please, sit and make yourself comfortable. I got your singing telegram, and I have to say that it took my by surprise. I'm sure that information doesn't come as a surprise to you either, though, does it?" He gestures politely across to the semi-prepared chair.
Leonard chuckles. "More secure than broadcasting over the air, and delivery of the message was guaranteed. Why would the choice be surprising?"
"Choice of message delivery? Not surprising. Changing your mind about the ambassador, that's surprising," Gabriel offers with another mild heft of his mug. His drawl comes out as he says, "You seemed pretty hard set that the entire interest was a fool's errand, for fools like me to go on. Sounded pretty sincere," he confirms with a light chuckle.
"Ah," Leonard nods as he pulls out a chair and occupies it. "I realized that my personal bias caused me to dismiss it out of hand. Whatever the ambassador plans, that magic is implied makes me curious. I've also spent far too much time anchored to the city, as of late."
Gabriel nods at that. "I can understand a mage being interested in magic. Particularly what an ambassador from Tolkeen might want to pull to impress people who would otherwise hate 'em. But just to state the obvious, it does depend on us getting him - or her - to Free Quebec, first."
Leonard smirks at the obvious. "Of course. Given my talents, I presumed that I could assist with that, also. If the destination is a line or nexus, or the vicinity, magical travel is all the easier. They are brilliant conduits and byways across the world and between it and others. As rewarding as disintegrating a random CS patrol might be, everyone would benefit if we made the trip and returned in minutes instead of days, wouldn't they?" He could be bored and seeking a change, or sees the opportunity to flex his abilities.
"Oh, yes," Gabriel says honestly. "Faster travel, I'm all for that. If we can skip over the bad parts, that's fine with me. However, you, me, and the others will also have to defend this diplomat at the nexus while he does his thing. I imagine it'll be some kind of lengthy thing, if it's going to be spectacular. Not that I really know magic," he admits, raising his mug just an inch off the table's surface. "Are you going to be able to follow my orders?"
"Most likely," Leonard agrees with his estimation on the time involved. "The choice of a nexus implies great power is required. The more power, the more effort and will necessary to control it. All the more reason to have a knowledgeable party present." The final question causes him to shrug. "So long as they are sensible. I'll be sure to advise you when they are not."
Gabriel bobs his head. "That's fair, and I do always encourage advice from experts. But I learned an unfortunate lesson with your near death, and that is that most people around here have no concept of what combat is. I still have to make do with personnel on hand, as best as I can find, but there will be structure. Everyone is assigned a specific job that either best suits their talents, or that they are the best to fill when it isn't perfect. Yeah, people will be expected to adapt to their jobs. But ultimately, there can only be one person at the top. That's why it fell apart last time. So I really mean it when I say that while I'll freely accept advice, things will completely fall apart if there is no structure when it comes down to the final decisions."
Leonard frowns, but more intake of caffeine hides the majority of it until his eyes relax and un-narrow. "If you mean that you will make sure that all will actually participate when needed, you have my full support. That, in my opinion, is why the last effort went so poorly."
"Close enough," the soldier says. "I think that we're saying the same thing in different words." Gabriel stops then for his own sip of coffee. "So what kind of magic is it that's getting you out of the city? Really, it's quite a reversal for an implication." He leans back and cracks his back comfortably.
"What do you mean?" Leonard peaks both brows. "I don't know what magic the ambassador, or any entourage, may specialize in, or what they plan. Thus my curiosity. Also," a light shrug, "while I'm no fan of the Quebecois, Tolkeen would benefit greatly from an ally."
"Certainly, no question. What was the bias of yours, Leonard?" Gabriel asks. "Please don't get me wrong, I'm very happy to have you. Both for transport and for combat. Still, yesterday you seemed to be more worried about Québécois hating mages and being a hair's breadth from the Coalition than you did goodwill for Tolkeen. Admittedly, the city seems to have a vested interest in the magic city's future?" The last is both question and statement.
Leonard nods. "Of course it does. Tolkeen is a city of magic. /The/ city of magic, to many. That makes it a symbol. There are also more practical reasons for Kingsdale to support Tolkeen, as this city could be considered the Coalition's next most likely target." Another sip and he sets his cup down. "My bias is your leadership. I'm not an expert, but what I've seen of it makes me doubtful. I also think that you continue to confuse this world with the one you left, willingly or not."
Gabriel nods to that. "I think that there are good parts to be taken from both worlds. As for my leadership? Yes, that was fair, and I've explained my position. It won't be a problem, as long as people listen. It's a diverse group of people who're coming together, so I'm not going to try and blow sunshine and tell you that it'll be perfect. Hitting the vampires? That was pretty close to perfect." He offers a happy shrug. "This has less military intelligence, but there's no reason that we can't all come out happy, healthy and wealthy. Now, I need to ask this, for my own peace of mind. Does Valeriya have any stake in this, now that you're coming? Beyond your own well-being in returning, of course."
"I've no idea whether she's interested in the trip," Leonard shrugs casually, "If that's what you mean. How is she related to your peace of mind?" A bit of curiosity over a bemused smirk, "I'd think that it is her competitors and adversaries that should be more worried than you."
Gabriel shakes his head, and very clearly says, "Anywhere that Valeriya could be involved concerns me. The two of you seem to be quite close, so asking about it only seemed reasonable."
Leonard's brow and smirk both creep up further. "She frightens you," he infers, and chuckles. "I'll be sure to inform her of that, if she isn't already aware. Also, I think that you misunderstood my reference to the differences in the world of your past and the one, here, in the present."
"No," Gabriel says. "Not frighten, not exactly. That's the wrong word. But I'll say that she seems to enjoy her powers far more than she prides and respects them. Anyone carrying a weapon with that attitude is one that I keep my eye on. Energy rifle, handgun, bow and arrow, club even bare hands. It's only wise, isn't it?" He seems to be very calm about it, truly believing that keeping tabs on potential wild cards is a good idea. "But please, what do you mean then by your reference to differences?"
"Primarily? Your place in this one, and your understanding of it," Leonard begins. "I respect your experience, but however renowned an officer you were in a military of a great nation, neither of those exist here. Here, you are just another merc, at best. You're accustomed to others obeying your orders without questions, but none are under any obligation to do so."
"Good points, some. But if someone signs on to a mission with me, I expect them to listen. Should I let Tek take up a rifle and just send him into combat?" Gabriel shakes his head and answers his own question. "No. That's what happened at the outpost. Orders were given, and if they had been followed, things would have gone smoothly. Hitting the vampires, orders *were* followed, and things *did* go smoothly. I heard that you and some others ran some refugees up to Tolkeen. Was there no one in command?" Then, he closes his eyes and shakes his head again. "Yes, without a country every last one of us who ever fights and gets paid is a mercenary, by definition. In lieu of a country, I fight for an ideal. You'll be seeing some fliers come up in the next few days. I have no need for money; I choose what is right as defined by where I lived. That's what we all do, unless purposefully fighting for some other reason."
Leonard retrieves his cup and drinks more from it. "Everyone fights for an ideal, though I'm envious if you truly have no need for money. I rather enjoy my coffee," he gestures with the cup, "And they expect me to pay for it." Leonard nods. "Yes, there was a recent trip to Tolkeen and the surrounding homesteads and, yes, someone was in command. All were still volunteers, seeking some safety in numbers and breadth of talents. I assume that this is no different."
"Yes, all are volunteers. But we're not taking an old lady across the street. Safety in numbers, good. Varied talents, also good." Gabriel raises his mug. "But a legitimate chain of command? An absolute necessity. Not to tell everyone what to do in detail - that's a sure way to failure. But you tell a man what needs to be done, and he'll surprise you with his ingenuity. That's how I expect this mission to go. Everyone knows their place in the unit. As I'm sure you know, there are going to be a lot more people, and probably a lot more dangerous people trying to kill us and the diplomat than taking a few refugees home." He sits up straighter. "However, all of this will be discussed when we get together. I don't want to get into detail with you only to go over it again. But I'm glad to have you on, Leonard. Everyone listens, we'll keep you in one piece. Thanks for the change of heart." Gabriel extends his hand across the table.
"I'll be sure to keep myself in one piece," Leonard affirms with a smirk, "But I won't dissuade any help in doing so." He reaches out a hand to complete the timeless, if humanocentric accord of the handshake. "If all goes well, everyone else will finish that way, also."
"Sounds like a plan, Leonard. I'll get a message to you when I can get everyone together," Gabriel says. He then confirms, "It will be soon. Now? I guess I'd better get some sleep... which I suppose you don't need." He laughs quietly and begins to stand.
Leonard laughs with that and also stands. "I wish. The coffee here is not /that/ strong. Good night... or morning, Gabriel." He takes his cup and remaining drink to ensure that he can return to wherever he is headed.
With a last nod, Gabriel attaches his gear back to his body, and is out into the night. Probably for home, unless there's some security that needs doing. Ah, the joys of small business.
