Oct 27 17:33:39 108 PA - Park Conversation Twice Intruded

From Chronicles

Oct 27 17:33:39 108 PA.

PLAZA PARK

The night is quiet and calm, and a little warmer than it has been of late. Most normal park-goers have already left, but it isn't quite late enough for the those who know the park's reputation to be worried. And of course, there are the foolhardy who just don't know whats good for them. Oh look! Here comes one now, as Jax comes running up a path wearing new looking running shoes, tight running shorts, and a simple black t-shirt. He runs right by the crater-pond, disturbing some few of the waterfowl in their rest, but after a few disgruntled quacks break the silence they tuck their beaks back under their wings. All is well, in Kingsdale. If one doesn't look too deep...

Bella sorta likes the park. Cept fer the lake. It ain't so great. And no roof when it's rainin. Since it ain't she's out 'n 'round though. There's people here lotsa times. 'N she likes people.

Jaxain continues his run, having been around the park a dozen times already, and not surprisingly he eventually comes upon a familiar form. He changes his course, heading closer to her. "Bella?" He calls out to the dark figure, not quite able to make her out in the dim light. He doesn't approach too close until he hears a reply, as he's large enough most women would be freaking out if he ran right up to them in a dark park.

Bella don't got no problem spottin Jax. Dark or not. He's still a pretty boy. Even all sweaty. "Heya. Lost? Looks like yer runnin round in circles ta me." She smirks.

Jaxain chuckles, raising one foot up and slowly staring to take off his shoe. "Yeah, been takin' up running recently, realized I have to get myself in a bit better shape." He nods at her, "How about you, what's a dame like you doin' in a place like this?"

"Just workin out. Like yer doin." Bella grins. Strikes a pose. "Gotta stay all big 'n strong 'n stuff." She's gotta lotta work ta do.

Jaxain laughs and takes off his other shoe, wincing slightly as he does so. He stands barefoot on the grass, sighing at the feeling on his feet. "Jeeze, why the heck do people like shoes so much?" He mutters, shaking his head. He sits down on the grass, his elevated breathing starting to return to normal. "So been back to The Lady recently?" He asks, giving Bella a strange look.

Bella nods. "Yep. Kinda like the place." She plops down next to him. "What boutcha? Been back ta get all wasted on titties 'n beer?" He gets a bigger grin and a poke with a finger.

Jaxain smiles again, returning Bella's poke with a gentle shoulder push. "What can I say, I had a fun night." His smile turns into a more serious expression. "But it was kinda strange... I mean, who was that weirdo in the yellow jacket? Drug dealer? Did he let you drink him or something? There are rumors of vampiric stuff going on, hoping it's not just you."

"Nah. He didn't." Bella shakes her head. "Not that time. He ain't a weirdo anyways." Back to grinnin. "He's fun! Even fer a old guy." Then she shrugs. "'S just people talkin shit mostly. They ain't got no killin goin on if that's whatcher talkin bout."

Jaxain raises an eyebrow, "You think so?" He chuckles, "Came off a bit strange to me, but no biggie." Jax shrugs, laying down in the grass to rest his weary muscles. "Well, there must be a reason the rumors started, people don't just talk shit about the Alibi for no reason." He smiles. "It was a good night though."

Bella goes back to smirkin. Pokes Jax s'more. "Was the Lady silly. Course ya got way way drunk." She's sittin in the grass next to Jax. Jax looks like he's all dressed up for runnin. Ain't so bad out right now. Moon ain't up but a couple lights keep it not super dark. Not rainin neither. Cause most people don't sit round outside in the rain.

Tek comes wandering into the park looking miserable. His coveralls are wet, seeming that he has been out in the rain for a while. His gaze flickers from side to side and he keeps stopping to turn around and look behind him, even starting back before turning back around and continuing on forward. The longer you watch the more it seems he is lost. It is apparent as he gets closer that he has not seen your group as of yet, even though he is less than a stone's throw from you.

Jaxain can't see so well in the dark either, but he does think he might recognize the figure approaching. "Tek?" He asks, propping himself up on his elbows. His shoes are lying on the grass next to him, and his bare footed form is spread out and relaxed. He reaches forward and starts to massage the calf muscles on his left leg. "That you?" He's had people try to rob him in the park before, but mostly weren't wet OR making that much noise when they walked.

Bella glances over. Even if she can see the guy better she dunno the face. "If't is he's all soakin wet." She's still smirkin. Just gives the new guy some. "Gonna go jump inna lake 'r somethin? 'R did ya already?"

Stopping Tek turns and relief spreads across his face, "Friendly faces..." he steps over closer to you, "Hey Bella, Jax" smiling he gives a nod in greeting, "I have been lost for hours wandering around in what seems circles. Where the hell am I."

Jaxain laughs, "Not exactly in your element, eh?" He smiles at the other man. "We are about a fifteen minute walk from Main, it's somewheres over that way." He says, pointing in a vaguely eastish direction. "Not exactly the safest place to be at night." He looks at Bella. "I know it was the Lady, I just meant I ain't heard no rumors about the Alibi. So something tells me there might be something *behind* the rumors there." He shrugs. "But you say it's clear, right?"

"Yep." Bella nods at Tek. "Ain' safe. Monster maybe jump outta the dark 'n eat ya up." She's only teasin. Ok. She's grinnin anyways. Shrugs at Jax too. "Ain't heard nothin bout the Alibi neither. Maybe means there's somethin goin on there?" Now a nod. "Yep. Could be people startin stuff ta get people lookin'a wrong way. Maybe y'oughtta be checkin 't out?"

Tek's eyes widen a bit and he looks around nervously, "Monsters? Here?" he steps in a little closer, "You are joking right?" looking around a again he mutters something about armor next time under his breath.

Jaxain nods at Bella, "Ummm, Ok I guess that makes sense... so you think that someone is trying to put focus on The Lady as a distraction?" He doesn't have any reason to believe otherwise. "It seemed alright when I was there, I guess." He shrugs. Looking at Tek, he gives a small smile. "Well, there are reports of attacks, robberies and unsolved murders in this park... but only a night, really. And they don't happen all THAT frequently." He looks around himself, "Bringing armor is nice I guess, but it also gives people somethign to rob from ya."

Bella pokes Jax again. "Ain't sayin that. Sounded like what -ya- was sayin silly." She flops back on her hands. Sorta half sittin. Don't care bout bein inna skirt much. "Always gangers 'n shit runnin round 'ere. Lookin fer easy pickins. Ain' so bad. Ya wanna find more stuff go walk inna Dregs. Don't even gotta be dark out ta get mugged. Beat. Grabbed. Dead. Whatever."

Tek nods and seems to relax slightly, "Well I appreciate the information. I am still getting familiar with the area."

Jaxain nods to Bella, "Yeah, gotta watch out in the dregs. Sure it's great to have armor and weapons, but that just makes you a tastier looking target sometimes." He gives Bella a confused look. "OH... I didn't mean to say that..." he shakes his head. "But I guess it makes sense..." He moves on to his other leg, massaging the sore muscles. "How'd you get all wet by the way?"

"Gonna do mine too?" Bella grins at Jax. Swings a leg over ta drop on his. Then she looks back over at Tek. "Yeah. How'd ya get all wet? 'N how'd ya get lost in 'ere? Ain' that big."

Sure, it might be dark in the Plaza Park where everyone knows only the foolhardy, the brave, the powerful or the stupid go at night. Sure, it might be chilly. Sure, there may have been people coming and going, some of them friends, some of them strangers. But dammit, more than four decades of life, more than two of them having been the peacekeeping and war-making kind earns a man certain privileges. Privileges such as sitting on a wooden bench, looking up at the stars and trying to pick out constellations that sync-up in some meaningful way with Glenn Miller's 'In the Mood.' If not? Then an older man is entitled to a little 'me' time, lost in contemplation about family and times long gone. Then, only then, can anyone expect said person to take notice. It is now that time. Gabriel stands from where had been sitting motionless, stretching his arms to the sides. "Bella, Jax, how're you doing? Looking into that helmet fix, Tek?" Yeah, that's right. It also entitles a man to just blurt his way into a conversation that he knows absolutely nothing about. Suck on that, life.

Tek shrugs and says to Bella, "Well I just got into the park, I can't seem to find the Nut & Bolt again. Which is where my Rover is parked and I have been wandering around for a while and it was raining pretty good earlier." then looking to Gabriel as he emerges from the shadow, "Helmet? It would be no problem to do I already have the tools I would need. Just need the parts and some time."

Bella grins up. "Heya Gabe. Doin Ok. Just chattin bout stuff. Rumors 'n clubs 'n stuff." She's got one leg dropped on Jax's legs. Maybe get it some rubbin like he's doin ta his. Since he was runnin. Other one's flopped onna grass she's sittin on. "Whatcha doin? Helmets? Somebody break theirs?"

Gabriel starts to wander over, not that he'd ever really been far away. In his common drawl, he asks, "Why Bella, you little minx. Are you going off and trying to subvert our noble friend into entertaining your desires? Poking him in all the right places? Little tickling while whispering sweet nothings in his ear?" He taps his earlobe. "You know, that language of yours that no one can understand?" He chuckles at that, and looks to Tek. "Yeah, yeah. If I can find someone to sell me a cheap multi-optics helmet, as long as it won't take away its ability to take a hit, I'd pay you to build it in. Maybe I can take out the existing thermals and adapt 'em to do something else." Then a small creeping smile. "Now that I have something better anyway."

Tek smiles and nods, "Just let me know when you have the parts and I can take care of the rest. The thermal I remove will be in working order and I could even work it into the helmet that the multi-optics come out of if you want."

"Who? Me?" Bella grins. Looks all innocent. Maybe. Ok not really. At all. "Oh. Gettin new stuff. Cool. 'N ain' nothin wrong witha way I talk." Her tongue pokes out at him. Then sucks it back in when she looks at Tek. "So. Yer a fixer-upper. Cool. Know who ta talk ta when my shit breaks."

The old soldier nods at Tek and Bella at the same time - somehow. "I think you're going to have a 'flamey shooter' laying on your doorstep pretty soon, Tek."

Tek chuckles, "I am good with weapons of all types, but better with weapon systems. Robots are my specialty but combat vehicles are my second favorite to work with though tinkering of pretty much any kind tickles my fancy. Ohh and if you have any computer issues I can be very helpful in that regard as well." he stoops down to one knee as the conversation progresses, "I was talking with Bart and am seriously considering signing on with his outfit, being new in town was wondering if any of you have had any dealings with him and how those turned out?"

Bella smirks. "Oughtta get me more flamey stuff. It's fun." Tek gets a shrug. "Dunno much bout 'im. Went huntin dinos with 'im. Sorta. Maybe somethin 'fore that. Ain' got me blowed up yet?" She smirks more. "Ok. There's that one time. Weren't his doin thought."

With his lips quirking to the side for a moment, Gabriel does his best to honestly answer Tek's questions. "He's quite deliberate. I personally don't think that I've seen him make the best choices of targets when it comes to fulfilling a mission quickly and efficiently, or protecting others fighting with him. He's not unskilled or incompetent, those are just my observations. I'm sure that he's excellent as long as there are large numbers of people supporting him." Then the man shakes his head. "The thing that I personally avoid about him is the company he keeps. I won't name names, but a number of them aren't the kind of people whom I'd want my name associated with; thus.. I have yet to work with him in a capacity where he has chosen the soldiers." He's then quiet, but quickly adds, "Oh yeah.. he's a merc, and he likes his money. If you're on a mission and you get the shit blown out of you, don't expect him to drop a dime in your direction to help in any way." Then he's quiet. Quiet. Yeah, he's done for now.

Tek nods as he listens, "I can understand not giving names but could you hint at what kind of unsavory you refer? I have worked for several Merc companies in the past and it seems most have unsavory types almost seems to be the nature of the beast... No?"

"Ouch." Bella scowls at that. "Guess he's a big fat selfish ass. Fun. Maybe I oughtta go onna 'nother mission thing with 'im. Then when he gets blowed up 'r chopped inta bitty pieces I can get alla creds he's been keepin."

It doesn't take Gabriel long to hint. In a flat drawl, "If I said that some people consider one of his common affiliates to be a borderline psychotic, would that mean anything to you?" He holds up an index finger, perhaps trying to make an important point. "I'm not knocking his skills, though with the caveats I've already said. But I have seen him leave a man to die as he collected his own reward. Associations and trustworthiness? I personally find those at least as important as the ability to shoot something or give the enemy a good knock on the head." Looking at Bella, "You've been with him, too? Why don't you tell Tek what you think of him. Maybe I'm wrong. It does happen... occasionally." He offers the young man a wink of an eye to prove that no, he isn't actually that hung-up on himself.

Tek smiles with a nod, "Well I appreciate your candor, like I said I was just considering joining up with him. I am not exactly combat ready, without some power armor or weapon system that I do not own to control I am fairly useless in a major conflict. Right now I would consider myself support. Fixing weapons and armor and the sort." he smiles and looks to Bella to see if she has any additional information to add as Gabriel asks her.

Jaxain was busy massaging his sore muscles during the mainstay of this conversation, giving Bella a wink as he gently removes her leg from his lap so that he can reach his own. "I dunno, Bart seems like a pretty straight shooter to me. Maybe he figured that the man he left behind was in good hands already." He shrugs, "It an easy mistake to make, I suppose. I think he's good for his word, though your," he says, looking at Gabriel, "Point is good. He's more interested in the money than the mission."

Bella frowns again. "Well. Pissed me off onna dino hunt thing. Asked if I was gonna go. Asked him when't was goin down. Told me one thing. Was another." She moves her leg back onto Jax's. "Ended up makin me walk halfa damned night justa catch up. Then got the li'l dinos 'fore I could do nothin. Then ran off 'gain." A shrug. "I figgered fack it 'n left. Came back 'ere. Weren' nothin fer me ta do."

Gabriel grins, and in a Kentucky twang offers up, "I'm here for candor - I try to always be polite out of respect for my parents and my family, but I try to pass out any honest information that I have to give." He is gathered with Tek, Bella and Jaxain in the dark night beneath a cloudy but currently rainless sky. He and Tek remain standing, though Bella and Jaxain seem to be in the middle of their own private wrestling match as to whose leg gets to go where.

Tek shrugs, "A Merc out for the money?" he chuckles a bit, "How strange, but leaving people behind what sounds like twice is a concern. I might join up and sit back and fix stuff for him just for a paycheck but I still have not decided."

Jaxain smiles at Bella and rolls his eyes, starting in on massaging her leg since he has finally finished on his own. He is wearing running gear, simple tight shorts with a black t-shirt, and he is still steaming from the evaporating sweat from his extended runs around the park. His new running shoes he has removed and set on the grass beside him as he nods to Gabriel, giving a meaningful look which is lost on others. He looks back at Tek. "Bella still got paid, even though she wasn't able to make the meeting point. That one, I wouldn't completely blame on Bart, and he could have kept her share but didn't." He gives her a smirk. "Though she did miss out on the fun."

Tap. Tap. Tap. A figure steps through the gloom, wide-brimmed black felt hat tugged low, little bits of him visible as he passes the uncertain street lights. A bit of olive oilskin duster. The silvery flash on the tip of the tightly-bound umbrella he's using as a walking stick. The quiet jangle of dulled spurs. There's a flick, flick, and a brief flare of light as he pauses, and Sebastien's face is a map of angry red scars in the glow of a cigarette as he eyes the group gathered in the park.

"Was borin." Bella sticks her tongue out at Jax this time. "Went fer the fun. Creds're nice but weren' why." She could complain lots more. But she's gettin her leg rubbed. "Least I didn' starve. Found a nice guy 'r two sharin a snack." One last shrug. "Bout the only fun I got outta the whole thing. Hiya Seb!" She grinning again 'fore she even looks up at the guy inna hat inna dark.

"Nice shoes, Jax. But you're going to need something sturdier for the great outdoors," Gabriel advises. "What's your best time for a lap of the strip?" He listens to Tek with a contemplative smile, neither here nor there in judgment of any kind, save to remind, "Paycheck's are good. But for me, I like to keep my name pristine. Anyway, good luck, Tek. I'll look out for you for the that helmet fix." Now, there could be any number of was with which one might address someone appear out of the darkness in such a dramatic fashion. A greeting, a cheer, a gasp, a mime attempting to get out of box while simultaneously pulling a rope. Gabriel goes a different direction. "Hey! They fished out you out of the river!"

Tek turns as the new person approaches keeping his eyes open but remains silent for the moment.

Jax's face drains of color slightly at ... something... Bella said (judging by the look he gave her), and he removes her leg from his lap again, gently, and does his best to hide a shudder as he stands back up. "Ummm, yeah." he says, facing Gabriel. "They kinda suck. Had some pretty major blisters on my feet too..." He looks down at the shoes. "My last pair of boots got damaged in an explosion." He tilts his head to the side, considering something. "It was about 10 minutes, I think." Looking at the newcomer, he gives a smile and a nod of his head. "Hey, good to see you again. How are things?" He asks, raising his eyebrows at the end of the question.

His eyes sweep them, colorless in the monochromatic light, and a stream of smoke blows up from under the brim of his hat as he steps up from the path towards their bench. The tip of that umbrella lifts, lazily whipped in a broad arch to his side, and as he's closer than spitting distance Sebastien jabs it into Bella's chest to lean on the umbrella's crook, red-lit face peering down at her. "You," he utters, the cigarette bobbing in the corner of his mouth, "did not tell me about this work." Jaxain pages: that an english language question, or specifally related to something? ... is supposed to denote a 'pregnant pause', which could also be a sentince trailing off unfinished. Peers is also quite ambigous in both it's meaning and in how others use it. Can be a curious look around, or the younger less scary brother to the glare. Why do you ask?

Bella cocks a brow at Jax. "What?" But she don't getta chance to getta answer. Getsa point of an umbrella jabbed in her chest. And leaned on. She smirks up at Sebastien now. Perks up the other brow. "What work? Goin out 'n huntin dinos? Weren' nothin. Missed mosta it. Why? Ya miss me?"

A lifetime's worth of experience has told Gabriel to wisely back away slightly as a possible argument begins to blossom between friend and acquaintance. Plus, it gives him a place to loosen his weapons quietly, in case someone decides to really bring down trouble that might interfere with his own pleasant evening.

Tek also takes a step or two back and watches the proceedings, having not met the new fella he keeps a watchful eye in case he needs to run for cover.

Jaxain isn't as wise as Gabriel, or as smart as Tek, and he simply balances himself on one foot (with some difficulty) while he tries to put his shoes back on. He had opened his mouth to say something to Bella, but saves it as she seems otherwise occupied. His eyebrows raise, and he hops a step to avoid falling over as he watches the proceedings.

Sebastien tilts back his head, eyes widening as he peers down at little Bella, and his face lights briefly in another drought of cigarette smoke. "I thought we had an arrangement," he broaches, bits of ash falling like snow as he speaks. "You; use some sense, and follow my plan. I; keep you alive." His head tilts to the right, nostrils flaring. "How does sneaking into the woods to play Tiny White Hunter fit into that arrangement, I wonder?"

"Yer the one figgered I oughtta go out. Help more. Shit like that." Bella stands up. So she don't look so tiny. Ok. Not as much anyway. Lets her poke Sebastian inna chest back too. "Was helpin 'n stuff. Ain' that parta yer big plan?"

Although he enjoys the man's use of rhyming technique, Gabriel now has a safe thirty feet between the argumentative odd couple. In fact, he makes a mental note to write up a script about this event and send it in to that Bridge Beau guy who broadcasts the news on Channel 5. As he unbuttons the front of his his already loose jacket, he suggests quietly, "Hey, Hopalong!" - Jax obviously being the target - "Get over here, I'll show you how you're still using your knees too much." Subterfuge, perhaps. A way to get someone's attention, definitely.

Tek has not backed up as far as Gabriel but he has a little distance as Bella stands up and starts poking back, their words may seem friendly enough but he is still just observing from the sidelines trying to get a better feel for the situation.

Jaxain has both of his shoes on by now, but hasn't finished tying the laces. He gives a strange look to Sebastien, which is just as ignored as everything else. He shrugs, and starts tying his shoes. "Yeah, coulda been dangerous, I guess..." He starts saying, then he looks up as Gabriel speaks and he makes his way over, laces untied. "Ok, wicked!" he says, only glancing back at the other two now and then.

"I did," Sebastien replies, tonguing the cigarette so that it falls in a cascade of sparks between the pair. "Fighting vampires. With my help." His eyes never leave Bella, and he steps closer to press her back with the umbrella as one of those boots crushes the burning ember to nothing beneath him. "You're not invulnerable. This world is alien and violent towards your kind. Right now, death could come from above." He lifts that umbrella from her chest then, leaving a dimple in her shirt, and turns it sideways to hook the crook behind her neck and tug her forwards. His dark eyes peer down at her as he utters, "Think. Please." He pauses a breath, and two.

Bella is tugged to him. And don't mind. Her poking finger goes around his shoulders with her hand. And the other one. Leg comes up to hook round him even. And she coos. Sorta. "Aww. Were all worried bout me weren'tcha? Soon 's we find some out somewheres we can go get 'em. Don'tcha worry none. Ain't stupid. But can't be all cooped up inna city alla time." Then she's playin with his ear. "'Less yer gonna make it more 'xcitin fer me here?" Yep. They're all friendly.

Gabriel remains ready, knowing both people well enough to know that he doesn't know them well enough when they're together. He helps Jaxain over to his location, all of his gear loose. Fleshy people don't live very long if they let their guard down. "Damn, Jax. Rub some dirt on those blisters and play through the pain. Ya don't want to go into battle wearing sneakers... you can't get anything like mine, but someone around here has to sell something resembling combat boots." A chin is jutted in the direction of the public display of affection. He toys with his long-barreled pistol's grip and asks his student, "Don't suppose you know anything about the love-in?"

Tek seems to be out of place and starts to wander over closer to Gabriel and Jaxain but keeps an eye on the reunion/lovers squabble and keeps listening. Feeling a bit out of places he puts his hands in his pockets just watching still.

Jaxain isn't all that concerned by the pain, and just shrugs. The shoes, which he said he just bought recently, already look a few weeks old. "Yeah, I'm gonna see what I can find... Damn sneaks'." He says, bending down to tie the shoelaces. "Ummm." he gives Tek a nod as the other man approaches. "Yeah, I got some idea. Not certain though, going to have to clarify my knowledge before I write a report." He smiles.

Sebastien stiffens a moment, and releases that umbrella to dangle from her neck. "You know where they are," he points out, and he sinks fingers into the flesh of Bella's shoulders to push her back. "You told me to stay away."

"Maybe." Bella gives him that much. She don't give nothin more. Keeps hold so he can't push her back. "But it's fer ev'rybody's good. This's diff'rent. Ain' like what yer used ta. Shit. Ain't what I'm used ta neither. It's all business-like 'n stuff. Ain' nobody dyin. 'N that's better ain' it?"

There's a fine line between polite patience and simply standing aside as your otherwise friendly evening is shattered. It may be healing itself, which is good enough reason for Gabriel to chime in. Or not, at Bella's last words. To them, he only gives a tight smile and a simple nod. "Jax, remember the stories I've told you about where I grew up? Well this is exactly like watching Shakespeare in the Park, except the actors are terrible and the dialogue makes little to no sense. No, wait... it's exactly like Shakespeare in the Park." He grins at the younger-and-taller man. Perhaps a joke lost to the ages.

Jaxain doesn't really get Gabriel's reference, but he smiles anyway. He starts moving back towards the actors, "Wait, you met them? The vampires in the city? I knew they were organized!" He looks at Sebastien. "Have you found anything else?"

Sebastien's arms bulge, straining a touch, as he draws a fine line between a snort and a sigh. "You're right," he utters. "Making the addicts, inducing brain damage, creating effective disorders, this is superior to slaughter. We should simply leave them be." He frowns down at her, looking rather dour. He sighs, and leans in, muttering something to Bella.

Gabriel watches everyone, from the departing robo-Tek to the odd couple to jittery Jaxain. Then he simply remains silent, because listening is usually a better idea than flapping your trap. At this point, he begins to secure his weapons, eyes taking in everything, ears searching out those small wavefronts of sound from what can be considered a point source. If he has anything to add on the subject right now, he doesn't. He does take a moment to run some fingers through his short and graying hair. This might even be better than what he'd planned!

Bella listens. Smirks. Shakes her head. "Nope. Don't think so anyways. 'N I'm pretty sure." She finally lets go. Backs up a li'l. Shrugs. "Yer still breathin." She tips her head at Gabe. "He's still breathin. Ain' nobody got ate." Bella answers Jax for Sebastien too. "Yeah. They're all organized. S'prised the shit outta me. Thinkin it ain'ta bad thing neither."

Jaxain waves for Gabriel to approach the group. "Hey! Wake up!" he calls at Sebastien, not angry but surprised he has been ignored so long. "Jeeze man." he looks at Bella, shaking his head. "What did I say before. If they are organized they might be even more dangerous. Did you make friends with them? Did you tell them about us?" he makes a gesture that encompasses both himself and Sebastien.

Sebastien's eyes narrow as he peers down, a brief pause as some space is made. His lips curl to snarl a quiet sound and he heel-toes, a brisk pace carrying him away from them as rapidly as he entered. The umbrella the only hint that he'd come in the first place.

"Sebastien." Bella matches his li'l growly sounds. Thinks he can just start shit 'n walk away? "Get yer ass back over here. 'N the rest of ya too." Just so he don't try 'n find a way ta get cute. "Didn' tell 'em nothin bout ya." She answers Jax too. Waves a hand at Gabe. "But they know bout him. S'why I told 'im ta stay 'way."

"Would have been nice of you to mention that they knew about me, Bella. How much do they know?" If there's any surprise at cover being blown, Gabriel doesn't show it. Sebastien's behavior was dismissed as quickly as he'd arrived. "I hope that they know enough that rumors get to the rah-rah human folks. Might lend some credibility to my righteous and supportive indignity." He then gives Jaxain a look as if he's considering mentioning something - but doesn't, just smiles and nods shallowly. "If there are four of use working on a problem, I think that an organized plan might be a good idea. That's usually how things get done successfully." His drawl is slow and even, eyes looking at each person in turn.

Jaxain nods, looking back at Seb. Damn flamey pants passionate French people and their stormy walks. He calls out in good, but accented, french. << Hey, we could use your even tempered wisdom and heavy handed justice over here, princess! >> He looks at Bella, nodding. "Ok good." Gabriel gets a considering look, and a nod. "Exactly." He looks back to Bella, "Did you ever find out what Val knows about them?"

Sebastien calls back, "Non Jaxain, vous ne pouvez pas." He sounds awfully definite when he says Jax can't use his wisdom and justice, yet moments later Sebastien's exit is foiled. He pauses, head turning skyward, and his shoulders raise a touch as he wheels back. The arms spread, making him easily twice as big as Bella as he marches back up to her. "What?" he wonders. His eyes turn up towards Gabe as the man speaks, his lips pursing, and Sebastien gives Bella a silent look.

Bella smirks at Sebastien. "Ya were fergettin yer umbrella." She unhooks and holds it. Don't make no move ta give it back yet though. Looks to Gabe instead. Shrugs. "Just found out. Know I told ya 'fore ta stay 'way. Guess it's good thing I did. 'N dunno nothin bout Val knowin nothin. Ain' talked ta 'er bout it."

The most immediate words from Gabriel's mouth are, "I came to her for help. Made a good pair, really." Then a very strange question. "Which one of me do they know about, Bella, and why do they think that one of me kept coming around?" All of his gear has been secured at this point, his jacket buttoned up against the chilly breeze that makes even his short hair rustle.

Jaxain blinks, completely uncomprehending of Gabriel's words. "Why are you so freaked out, Sebastien?" he asks the other man. Then to Gabriel, "You came to Val for help?" His eyebrows crinkle up in confusion. He looks at Bella, "Listen, they are doing more damage than we think. People are dying and being victimized, and they are growing their power base. Like I said before, I can live with a rogue vampire hanging around, but when you got a whole nest you get serious danger for everyone."

"I left it for you," Sebastien replies simply. "I was being quite gallant, je crois." He peers down at her, furrowing his brow. "I came, I brought you an umbrella in case it should rain. I even slipped in a few kind words." He winks at that, and glances at the offending umbrella again, obviously impatiently waiting. He looks up at the sky, and then back at Jax, and asks, "I wonder why I am so upset? Imagine; a rainy October? Non! Impossible!"

Bella got her payback in. She grins at Seb. "Aww. Ya really are all sweet 'n stuff." He gets a pat. Not a poke. "Ya can go play now. Maybe ya oughtta go find Monique. Kiss 'n make up s'more 'n stuff." More pats and a wink. On to the other boys. "The one 't was there Gabe. Got the place bugged 'r somethin 'n they're watchin fer people't wanna play hero. Don't." Then she points the umbrella at Jax. "Doin way less damage 'n they could be. Blood's all gave up nice. No takin. Ones't ain' offerin up cause they wanna were bought off the Family or somethin. Only victimizin's from humans."

The old soldier looks to his side. "I never went to Val, I never even heard that she was involved, Jax. A bit confused myself, really," Gabriel says to the the younger and taller man. Of course, most men are younger and taller. He then nods at Bella's information. "Good. So Gabriel Blaze has only been on odd jobs around town, hanging out at the classy clubs." A little smile of.. triumph.. follows that. He then plows forward to suggest some minor strategy. "Obviously, we need to sit down someplace that is actually *away* from prying eyes to discuss everything that we know about the growing problem, in detail, as I'm sure we all have different pieces of information. Beyond that, I figure that even groups of the undead are similar to any other group of bad guys. There's a leader, there's a gathering place, and they grow through insidious means. Acting rashly is a good way to both die, and to completely miss any chance of success in what I assume is a mission to wipe out the problem for good, or at least until the next big bad guy pops up. No one makes a move until the rest of us know to look out for it until then." He opens his palms. "Fair enough?" The old Kentucky twang is pleasant enough to hear, even if someone doesn't agree.

Jaxain does indeed agree, mostly due to being accent-hypnotized maybe, and he nods his head. "Ok, sounds good." He looks at the others, then turns back to add another point. "Well, Val found out about Bella, and then I spoke with Val and Bella together when I first arrived here. Probably one of the stupidest things I've ever done." he shrugs, "I hope I will live to forget it." he looks at Bella. "Unless you are sure you can trust her. Any information she may have gotten can still be of use."

Sebastien shakes his head. "They're not dead. They are vampires. I'll explain later. Goodnight, monsieurs, mademoiselle." He reaches down and grabs his belt, cinching it up a touch with a knowing grin, "I, I believe, have some work ahead of me yet!" He peers amusedly at Bella, his attitude changed entirely, and he trots back towards his apartment. A man on a mission!

"Have fun." Bella grins after Seb. Figgered he'd like that idea. Then she looks round. "Yeah. Ain't the best place ta be talkin. But we oughta talk s'more. 'Fore ya boys run off 'n wind up dead."

Gabriel blurts out an exclamation which by its very essence against his own personal mores and philosophy may demonstrate just how much he means it. "Holy Mary mother of God! Christ, you can't trust that woman, Jax!" Then as if a chiding father, "Haven't you learned anything yet?" He even put his fists on his sides, standing akimbo. But only momentarily. "Okay. That's enough for now. I'd offer my own place as a meeting point. No one knows where it is if they want to listen in or bug it. But we can work that out over the comm. Stay dry and safe, I'm gettin' out of here before the crazies start to come out of the woodwork. Or at least, crazier than you guys." He tosses off a sloppy, military-to-civilian pseudo-salute, and then ambles toward Main Street.