Nov 04 00:47:11 107 PA - Quiet Remembrance and Early Plans
From Chronicles
Nov 04 00:47:11 107 PA.
SILVER FORK
It's early evening, and the Silver Fork is starting to fill up with various Kingsdale families; husbands and wives who want to have a nice meal, but also have children to bring along. Gabriel is dressed nicely today, though not by any means in his formal Blues. Simply a nice, robin's-egg-blue button-down shirt and a darker blue tie done up with a small knot. Right at this moment, he's speaking to the maitre de, apparently asking for: "a small table, somewhere with good light, please." As the man at the raised desk begins to look over the plans for this evening's table layout, the man from the past stands back up straight and clasps his hands behind his back, perhaps looking into the establishment for a table to choose by himself.
It is with a little delay that Sage enters the Silver Fork herself. She is likely a stark contrast to the man as she comes clad in black to match the streaks of black she'd dyed into the hair that immediately surrounds her face. The rest of her hair has remained its normal light-auburn colour. Her eyes mist as she looks around the place and lets her gaze rest on one particular table. When she shakes the moment off, she steps over to Gabriel. "Not that table... any one but that one." She comments as she gestures towards a particular one.
Gabriel's eyes are quick, and his mind flops over the possibilities quickly enough that there is no noticeable hesitation before his head nods and says quietly, "Of course, as you prefer, Miss Sage," then adding carefully, "It is good to see you." Just soft and brief. His head turns back to the maitre de, and after a short discussion, it turns out that not even a bribe is necessary. The table is open. The maitre de waves down a man who appears out of space to lead the way. Whether or not is accepted is anyone's guess, but as per proper social customs of his time (at the very least), an escorting elbow will be offered to the woman clad in black. "Miss Sage."
Sage's own eyes are already puffy and red, but she seems to keep herself in check enough that she can blink back any potential tears. She offers but a weak smile to the man before giving a faint nod. She looks to the man's escorting elbow briefly before slipping her hand inside of it. She murmurs something, but she doesn't seem to have the heart to fully pronounce it. She'll move along with the man.
Gabriel gently takes the woman's hand in his elbow, laying a hand across it more as you might do for a loved-one than a friend - or perhaps for a friend in mourning. With a gentle tug, he leads her across the thankfully non-circuitous route and to the table that she'd requested. A chair will be taken out, to help seat her, and then Gabriel waits for Sage to sit before putting himself down. His lips are for now silent, allowing the young woman to comfort herself physically as best she can.
As Sage glances over towards the table she wished to avoid, she has to blink her eyes once more before she looks over to the man. She takes a breath and lets it out as she tries to settle herself onto the seat. She lets her gaze drop to the table as she takes some time to gather herself.
Remaining respectfully silent for a while, giving the young woman time to compose herself a bit more, Gabriel simply takes his napkin, fluffs it once, and places it in his lap. Then, leaning forward ever-so-slightly, he says very, very quietly, "You have my sincerest sympathies, Miss Sage. Tirzah was a wonderful woman, and will be missed by many." He sighs softly, then adds, "I know what it is like to lose your beloved partner. I've had to go through it twice. But while we on Earth are mourning the loss of a loved one, others are rejoicing in the pleasure of their introduction to joy and eternal peace." Anything else goes unsaid, simply left with that own piece of personal wisdom, then falling back in silence.
There is tension in her body as the man expresses his sympathy, Sage makes a sniffing noise after a moment but her eyes merely glisten with unshed tears when she looks up as she blinks them back. "So, you know too... or guessed it." Sage replies with a mild tremor in her voice. The last comments strike her a little odd and it gives her a chance to push lightly back on her emotions. "What do you mean?" She asks simply.
Gabriel looks the woman in the eye, warmly, hopefully. His shoulder rolls almost imperceptibly, and has mouth bends into the tiniest of smiles. "Miss Sage, in my mind, a loss of a loved one is a terrible thing. A heartache no one can heal, but also true, love leaves a memory no one can steal. I know that, in my belief, those who I miss, those I have loved, are in a better place. Where there is no pain, no loss, no sadness. Only friends, family, love, joy, and peace." He looks down at his empty plate, and says, "I hope that when I die, whenever that time is, I will be judged... to be in a place to see them again, and love them forever." His eyes look up just past lowered lashes and he closes with, "But these are my beliefs. I would never intend to impart my own beliefs on others. But perhaps something to consider, if it isn't offensive to you." He clears his throat, and sits back farther in his chair.
It isn't until the word 'judged' comes up that Sage frowns, "I don't like the idea of being judged when its my time..." She comments simply, "...and, only one fit to judge Tirzah is me." She adds with a protective, if somewhat wistful tone. "But, I imagine she'll go where she can burn bright like she always ..." She begins to tremble and the tears threaten to streak down her face. She blinks her eyes furiously and looks away from the man.
Sage and Gabriel set at one of the tables where the man seems to have the look of a friend trying to console another. Sage is garbed in black, including a black-dyed streaks in her hair to the immediate fringes of her face while the rest of hair remains the same. The man, is dressed in a bit more cheerful colours.
"I'll tell you when we're eating," Vixen says as she leads into the Silver Fork. "It's a good surprise, so you won't have to worry." The young woman has an air about her that's been ascent for a while. But not unfamiliar. Focus and purpose. A light upward curl lingering on her lips as she pauses to turn and look back towards Leonard. "I'm in the mood for something that sticks good. And a lot of it." Leonard follows Vixen in, which is why she's looking back at him and not ahead or sideways. "I do enjoy surprises, but ...'when' and not 'what?' Very mysterious." It's not anything near a chiding, or nothing serious, since he's wearing a solidly joyous smile.
For anyone looking closely, they might see that Gabriel's eyes narrow just so slightly as to perhaps be described as "half-a-tad" closure. Clearly, the arrival of new customers is noted, but honestly, the arrival of every new customer has been noted. These just happen to be two whom he knows, one better than the other. But back in his immediate reality, his hands come up and are clasped together on the table. Just resting, the way that everyone learns to lean on forearms, so that technically, they don't have their elbows on the table. When he speaks, he's obviously making an attempt to clear the drawl from his voice. "Miss Sage, if you require anything, anything at all, just ask." He sighs slowly, the sounds of someone unsure of whether or not to continue. But he does. "Did Tirzah leave behind any instructions? Any last wishes or requests?"
Sage's fingers curl and press into her palm as she slow begins to re-assert some self-control on herself. She sniffles a little before she takes out a tissue to blow her nose on, without much concern for how loud it might be. She looks back to Gabriel when she's ready, "Thank you." She replies, before becoming thoughtful. "I'm not sure... I haven't felt like digging through everything just yet." She comments, before she takes another couple deep breathes. "Can we have something to drink?" She suggests as a place to start.
"What.. anything. Hell, I don't know what to eat," Vixen replies to Leo, turning to seek a seat without waiting for the staff to tend to them. As she looks about, hearing, then sight key on Sage and Gabriel. How much of the talk she focuses initially is questionable, but the mention of Tirzah gets a slight arch of her brow. And Sage's state draws a lingering look. Her lips purse and she moves towards the table, her attention moving to Gabriel as she nears, then back towards Sage. "What's going on?" Abrupt, perhaps. But she does keep her voice modest. For now lingering on her feet rather than settling.
"I suppose I can think of something appropriate. Perhaps some-" Leonard's train of thought is derailed with the change from the seat he thought Vixen was seeking to those with Sage and Gabriel. "Sage?" His pleasant delight lasts halfway through her name before turning to concerned curiosity. She's a far cry from her happy mischief only a few nights ago.
Gabriel's head smoothly rotates up to look at the other young woman. His head give a soft bob of recognition, and he says, "We are mourning the death of a friend and loved one, and celebrating her life, as well." Any further specifics seem to be left to others to speak on, which may be more appropriate.
The familiar voices draw Sage's attention over, and lets her gaze consider the two. Her eyes are red and puffy, and she can't completely hide her sorrow. "Cherish each other." She says simply, "You don't know what you have until its gone." She lets her gaze drop away once more, looking simply dejected this time without the tremors or tears threatening to spill out.
Vixen seems to take a few moments to consider the implications of what is said. Her expression schooling into something that will be, for a few moments, guarded. A brief mask, though it doesn't veil the sense of calculation in her eyes. That passes, then she says lowly to Sage, "I'm sorry." And she seems to mean it. She glances towards Gabriel and wonders, "You find her or word of her?"
Leonard is... surprised? confused? pained? He blinks, his eyed widen, and then he is left very much quiet and inarticulate. One and one do add to two, but that doesn't make the implications any more well-absorbed. For the present moment, he watches Sage with concern while Vixen investigates.
Gabriel's gaze drifts back to Sage as she makes her loving statements. He offers a final (at least, for now) glimpse of hoped-for-wisdom gathered over more than four decades of life: "To have loved, to continue to love, is to receive a glimpse of Heaven." Then, after allowing a respectful moment for that to hang in the air, his eyes return to Vixen and he nods gently. In a low voice, one that doesn't carry past the table, in fact, barely carries *across* the table, "Actually, yes. I was out on the streets all day today -" in happier times, he probably would have made a street-walking joke "-and I learned some things that will be helpful." His head quickly twitches toward Sage, "Sometime in the near future, at the least. Perhaps another place for now."
Sage nods her head faintly as she hears the comment made by Vixen. She slowly rouses herself to raise her gaze. She looks to the quiet one of the three first as she considers Leonard. The concerned look seems to give herself something to focus on. "We may need to speak at some point." She comments simply before looking over to Gabriel. "Tirzah will choose her own Heaven." She comments, with a mildly defensive tone. This time, she doesn't seem on the verge of breaking down again. "And, you will share this information with Cel..." She says simply, "But, I want a drink and we might as well hear this information rather than having to speak it untold times separately." She adds, drawing herself up with what strength she has within her.
"What's your poison, girl? Might as well make it strong." Vixen's words for Sage after considering Gabriel. She brushes by Leo, fingertips discreetly brushing him. Not forgotten. But she steps around beside Sage. "We'll eat some food too, I'm starving. What'd you want?" Her eyes lift, flicking towards Gabriel with a silent extension of the offer.
The older man's head dips in an, 'as you wish' gesture toward Sage. He sits back up straight, as if this were any old kind of meal between friends, even his face taking on a more amused expression. One of work, play, and respect wrapped in a single package. A finger is waved, and a waiter gestured over. Gabriel seems to be quite in his element, which is interesting, because if anyone has been around him for a while, he seems to have a number of 'elements' in which he's comfortable, and of wide variety. He starts to speak to the waiter, but then addresses Vixen and the approaching Leonard: "Will you be joining us, then?" Without waiting for a reply, he asks for four menus, orders a cup of coffee - black - for himself, a glass of water, then asks, "Miss Sage, what would you like to drink?"
"A sunrise." Sage decides softly, "With love." She adds even softer, before letting her eyes shut. A tiny smile coming to her lips at whatever she think of, "And something spicy to eat... if we're going to pretend to celebrate something here." Then she lets out a breath and the smile dims to the point of disappearing.
Vixen nudges Sage lightly with an arm, but doesn't say much more yet. Instead, she smirks at Gabriel and says, "What'd you think? Some heavy stew, don't much matter what's in it." Added as she lets her attention linger on him, since he's doing the ordering. "And whiskey, just a glass and a bottle." She glances towards Sage then adds, "Two glasses."
The man's eyes warm-over as Sage's smile drops, but he says nothing, only allowing the woman to finally grieve in her own way, without his own human, early 20th century wisdom getting in the way. Vixen is again acknowledged with a nod. The beverages are delivered with blinding speed. Must be some kind of super-powered bartender in the restaurant. Gabriel actually gives a very tiny chuckle at the incredibly small time interval between order and reception. His eyes open, he takes in a deep breath.. the physical features of, "Huh, where to start." They then relax, and he addresses the people at the table in a low voice. "I was out talking to some people. You'd be amazed at how much a homeless man sees. They know their areas." He nods vehemently as if this is a hard fact. "Man near Miss Tirzah's apartment said that he saw her taken out of the building by 'a dark weird-looking guy' then put on his ATV, they drove off. But apparently no confrontation there. They turned on to Main Street, again, nothing unusual. I found another guy up at the gates, saw them heading north out of the city." His eyes then close and he gives a meaningful shrug. "But I'm not a wilderness tracker, and the road was too busy beyond the landing strip. Don't know where they went, don't know where any conflict may have occurred." His hands are spread, palms up. "That's about as much as I can even think to look for at the moment."
Once the drink arrives, Sage takes up the drink and considers it briefly before taking a sip from it. "Ahriman." She provides flatly when a dark weird-looking guy is mentioned. The rest is considered thoughtfully as she continues to sip from her drink. There isn't much she can add to that aside from, "She is dead in any case." Her tone flat once more, showing little doubt.
"Dark guy.." Vixen's eyes narrow as she considers that. "Black skin?" She tends to the bottle and the glasses, pouring a healthy dab into each glass, one of which she nudges towards Sage. "Either slam this back and hang on for the ride or take it slow. Your choice," she murmurs before she takes up her own glass. Sage's deduction not surprising her. "Figured those two were pals.. then again, that creepy fucker never did make no sense to me. Heard he's killed a few people around here. And not for the normal reasons." She looks to Sage then, thoughtful. "Could be trouble if he decides to come after you. I should give you something.. you come back to my place with me after this, I'm going to hook you up."
Gabriel's head shakes slightly. "I've heard the name, but I have no idea who or what he is." With a nod to Vixen, "Obviously, he's the kind of guy that needs killing, if you happen to remember our conversation a few days ago." He flips his hands up again. "So who is he? What is he? Or, you know... if he roams around town killing people for no good reason, why hasn't the militia, or some mercs or something come in and killed him as a favor in return?" He coughs a little, obviously just something in his throat. "Sorry. So what is it he does? Brain crusher?" That's Gabriel's best shot at "psychic" at this moment in history.
The glass pushed towards her is dubiously considered before Sage shrugs a little to herself before putting the sunrise drink aside. She lifts the glass, smelling a little of the drink before she tries some. Her face scrunches up and takes a moment to recover from the drink. "Vile..." She gasps, before she shoots Vixen a look. "Trying to kill me?" She asks, with unintended humour. Then she looks away. "He seems to be more of a mage... and I wouldn't be surprised if the people he's killed are lesser mages... he probably hunts them in the Dregs where things can be swept under the carpet." She comments like she's tasting something bad at the same time. Then, something gives her pause. She looks back to Vixen. Perhaps she hadn't considered the man might return for her. Surprise turns to anger in her expression, before she nods simply.
"Trust me, Sage. Slam back a few of those, you won't be thinking anything bad and every moment will be a party," Vixen says to Sage, giving her a broad grin. It lingers as she gets the potential. "We don't know why he offed Tirzah. Or what the fucker thinks of you." She looks to Gabriel then and says, "I don't know what the hell he is. Don't much care either, but he seems to like shadows and darkness. So if you ever run into him, have light. Lots of light. Figure it'll make him easier to see at least.. as dark as he is." She then notes to Sage, "I have some nice grenades from Wilks. Laser blinders. Toss one at him and cover up your eyes. That'll put him on his ass I bet. Gotta be careful or you'll blind yourself too for a bit. I'll give you a few to borrow. They charge back up, so using them won't be a big deal. Get flashlights.. lanterns, whatever. Whatever will put out a lot of light."
As he sips at his coffee, Gabriel listens intently to the wisdom of what is this era, not from his. "Back in the Old West," he begins, "when they had a man like this, they'd get a posse together, hunt him down, and deliver vigilante justice, which was usually either being given a horse, a canteen and told to not come back, or die, or the second options, which was pretty much to, well... just kill him. Elliot Ness and his G-Men pulled the same thing with Bonnie & Clyde, Machine-gun Kelley, all those other bootleggers, many of which came from my home state. Thankfully, not my little town," he tacks on as if anyone cares. "During the war, both sides would occasionally hunt down one bastard who'd done them wrong. Even on their own side. Called it 'fragging.'" The older man takes another sip of his coffee, momentarily interrupting what some people might consider to be ramblings. "What I'm trying to say is that the need for vigilante justice is obvious. The cops aren't going to do anything about it. We also need to be smart. Don't attack him piecemeal. If you're going to drive in a nail, don't try doing anything fancy, just pound the fucker in with as much force as you can get." The first time this evening that the man's cursed. Unusual in that he is normally definitely not one to shy away from foul language.
A dubious look is given by Sage at the talk about every moment being a park. She plays with the glass of whiskey for a moment before leaving it in front of her in favour of the sunrise drink for the moment. "Perhaps later." She murmurs, before pursing her lips as she considers the other woman's words. "Alright, thank you." She nods faintly, "I have a few things that could help in that department as well." Her gaze drifting briefly to Gabriel. She considers the man's comments, before simply nodding faintly. Then she partakes of the sunrise once more.
Vixen shrugs. "Dunno about going after him," she says. "But yeah, I wouldn't shed no tears if he got shot down. And I wouldn't think about taking the shot if it was mine. But right now I got some other shit to worry about. But if you go looking, I suppose i could go along." She pauses as the food comes, then purses her lips faintly. "I should.. yeah." She looks between those at the table. "I just remembered something I gotta do." She settles her attention on Sage as she gets up. "I'll bring the stuff down later.. you still at Cali's place?"
Gabriel gazes dubiously at the alcohol before the two women, but particularly Sage. Sure, it's a knee-jerk reaction to get loaded in times of sorrow, but it really isn't the best way to go. But what he says is actually an apology, quietly slapping his hands flat on the table. "Sorry, ladies. Lifelong habit of going on too long with words. Natasha got used to kissing my cheek to politely tell me to shut my trap. Glad that it was a kiss on the cheek!" Otherwise, he's then quiet, looking between the two women, and considering what has been said. "I have nowhere to be, myself, but I understand that both of you have other things to do. Different things. But, ah, anyway," he scratches at the back of his head, obviously realizing that he's rambling again, "if you... Sage... would like to be escorted home, especially in light of things, I'm more than happy to help." That said, he finally is quiet.
"I'm not sure that I would be the one to lead the charge despite what's happened." Sage comments, "But, that does mean I don't have certain feelings on the matter." She pauses before pushing the whiskey away in disinterest. "And, I guess it would be a smart idea to stay at Cali's for a little bit since he likely has the key to Tirzah's now." She comments, a flicker of anger showing in her eyes. "In any case, we might as well eat and then you can escort me to the apartment, Gabriel."
Vixen nods to Sage. "Watch yourself, girl," she offers before she snags the bottle, leaving the two filled glasses. "I'll catch you at Cali's soon." She glances at Gabriel and adds, "Talk to Leo when he gets back. I think he might be up for helping you out. Let him know I had to get something done." She lifts a hand and with that heads out quickly.
As with all departing women, Gabriel rises to his feet, bows at the waist, and says those oh-so-common words, "Miss Vixen. Stay safe." He then returns to his seat with a smile at Sage. "You don't need to lead anything, Miss Sage. Leading things is, well," he shrugs, "it's what I've done for more than twenty years." The man's face screws up in, 'this isn't bragging, it's just truth.' "But now is no time to talk about things. I hope that Cali will be able to give you a good place. I'm not familiar with him, but he must be a good guy." His chin juts toward the pushed-away liquor. "What do you say we just have something light, and I'll take you home, make sure you get there safely - as best I can."
"If you can handle Cel and Daeni." Sage comments simply, before she begins to frown at the other man. "Cali's a she... but she's not around... not dead... but she's some other place... I only hear about her through Alistair when he decides to appear... otherwise, he's with her." She comments, "I miss her." She gives a soft sigh, before nodding to the last comment. "Okay."
"Oh, sorry, I could have sworn that Vixen said that Cali was a 'he.'" Gabriel takes another sip of his un-accented coffee, not pointing out that he's not ever heard of Alistair, either. Seems rather unimportant at the moment. "People coming and going, not around, not dead. A little hard to keep score." He then cringes and says, "Ooh. Sorry. We should order." ooc :should be going soon as well.
"Something tells me they wont mind if we eat the stew." Sage comments, with unintended humour as with her sampling of whiskey. "And, its okay... things seem to change constantly." She comments before beginning on the food with the interest of someone eating knowing they should rather than full of desire.
There's some ladled stew poured carefully into a bowl, then tasted. "Mmm. Good. Should come here more," Gabriel comments. The man really has little if anything remaining of interest to talk about at the moment. Not that he's not interested in conversation, just that he doesn't have anything unique of his own to share, beyond offering more little nuggets of early 20th century wisdom of child, soldier, husband, and father. It's good food.
