WHAT'S A GO-GO...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

patient was a word many had used to describe gabriel over the years. however, as he stands there, still as the statues flanking either side of his estate's walkway, he gave off the feeling of anything else.
[break][break]
no one would argue a pyroar, however lazy in their appearance, was anything but a predator lest they become another addition to their feast. when it stirred, tail lashing in agitation, you didn't even stick around to truly find out if you were right.
[break][break]
the people near gabriel felt the same instinctual feeling, no matter the innate curiosity they held for the circumstances of his arrival, and moved quickly on about their business.
[break][break]
"what am i doing here? what are you doing here?"
[break][break]
this pyroar was stirring.

A PASSING OF KNOWLEDGE...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

gabriel nods, his brow furrowing ever so slightly in response. his mind works to unravel details that have plagued him for weeks, and even the new ones presented here.
[break][break]
there's something to be said about the 'freedom' of being 'a sword', but gabriel leaves well enough alone. while she was an enigma, he'd received enough information about those close to FERNANDO SILPH , and the dangerous level of loyalty they held for their CEO.
[break][break]
it wasn't something that should be prodded carelessly.
[break][break]
but her last comment peaks a curiosity in him, one he can't simply ignore.
[break][break]
"and what superpower do you believe will come out on top?"
[break][break]
he places a mental bet, but waits for the woman's inevitable answer anyways.

A MILE OR TWO OUTSIDE OF TOWN...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

is this what it felt like to be on the hunt?
[break][break]
gabriel muses the thought to himself, as the liquor slides past his lips again. he turns, eyes watching their fleeting surroundings, before turning a placid look back onto the huntress.
[break][break]
"you don't ask the questions you've been asking, and not expect people to talk, remi."
[break][break]
gabriel swirls the alcohol in the glass, licking his lips patiently. in some ways he was no different than most, in others, the pyroar sigil of his house was more than fitting.
[break][break]
"no, i don't."
[break][break]
he finally concedes, his expression remaining nuetral.
[break][break]
"finding one missing person in the chaos of this region, well, that may prove near impossible."

AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

he nearly scoffs, but changes it's trajectory into a brief exhale of air through his nose, signaling amusement.
[break][break]
"i keep tabs on everyone, ana."
[break][break]
if running a business had taught him one thing, it was the power behind information. it had to power to build nations, and crumble them, much less something as fleeting as a business.
[break][break]
"haven't found the right one yet, then?"

ANA STONE

[attr="class","credit"]milky

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WHAT'S A GO-GO...[break]

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[break]

gabriel walked into the bar, ducking beneath the frame as he was given looks of curiosity, fear and suspicion. the titan of his industry was every bit a walking powerhouse as he strode through, pushing past people and belongings.
[break][break]
when he finally stopped and looked up, his eyes were like blue giants, burning with the heat of anger.
[break][break]
and they were directed at none other than his own daughter.

A SURPRISE VISIT FROM...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

'dad' doesn't answer. the door swings open to reveal a well-dressed, but much older gentleman than ral's father. he looks down on the boy with a childlike smirk that holds more warmth than one might've expected from hired help.
[break][break]
vic had been a long-standing friend of the family since well before his father established their successful business. when they did, he signed on quickly to help the family in whatever way that he could, eager to be of help to his best friend and his bustling family.
[break][break]
he'd come out of retirement after gabriel's father - and the childrens grandfather - passed on. 'it was the least' he could do, he said.
[break][break]
now, he stood in the doorway, a giant man in own right, and appraised the man before him.
[break][break]
"got taller did ya? come on, yer father's this way."

FATHER DAUGHTER BEACH DAY...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

looking down at his daughter, his brows lift momentarily, and for half a second he gets a quizzical, goofy-like face. then, with a jaw bigger than most, he clamps down on the stick of meat and fried dough.
[break][break]
the juices burst into his mouth, soaking the back of his throat, and his expression turns into one of enjoyment.
[break][break]
"it's good."
[break][break]
he admits, going for another bite. while he didn't express emotion as freely as she, gabriel found other more subtle ways to do so.
[break][break]
the wood of the boardwalk groans beneath him, as he turns to continue down the assembly of booths.
[break][break]
"anything you want to do in particular?"

A MILE OR TWO OUTSIDE OF TOWN...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

and the truth of the matter reveals itself.
[break][break]
gabriel sips his whiskey, his expression neutral as she speaks. the glass that separates driver, and passengers, rolls up to give the two complete privacy.
[break][break]
"i understand he's been missing for quite some time."
[break][break]
sip.

A PASSING OF KNOWLEDGE...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]
"my ambitions and goals lie first with my family, then everyone else. but this leaves me... vulnerable to issues plaguing the rest of hoenn's people."
[break][break]
it was tough to admit to the former councilwoman. likely, it'd win no points from her to see him using it as a means to secure his family even further. but rare was a true that came off pretty.
[break][break]
instead, he listens, sipping at the cold drink in his hand, picturing her words as they take image in his mind. when she settles, he places his down back onto the coaster.
[break][break]
"you'll rarely find those in power not seeking to control everything within' it."
[break][break]
he found that the hard way when he took the reigns of business from his father. he wanted everything to be perfect, and smooth; things rarely were.
[break][break]
"but that brokers a question. someone will attempt to control the legendary pokemon and their partners. would you rather it be the council, or someone else?"
[break][break]
he didn't care either way, admittedly. at least, he had no desire to reign over literal gods. hubris like that led to not only your death, but the death of your house.
[break][break]
both were options he didn't want to amuse.

FAMILY MATTERS...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

gabriel doesn't push for the understanding he lacks, but lets it slide; he'd research it later, no dobut. still, the grimace on his lips at the mention of being close to gabrielle is hard to spot on an always emotionalisms face.
[break][break]
"i try to spend the little free time i have doing things my family might enjoy."
[break][break]
they each their own vices, but he couldn't deny that it was near impossible to satisfy all of them. URIAH BLACK was more than disgruntled over this fact, he knew. not much he can do about it these days.
[break][break]
"yes, it'll be my treat. do you need... a coat or something?"
[break][break]
the titan of a man was terrible both literally, and metaphorically, at tip-toeing around things. one of them just happened to be a child that'd been neglected all her life. for him, warmth rarely emanated from his cold personality, and when he tried...
[break][break]
well, it was just awkward.
[break][break]
he steps out of the doorframe to let her take the lead down the steps.

AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]

gabriel nods, content with the ramifications of their discussion set in place. after ordering himself, he eyes the strange halloween themed pokemon, taking its treat.
[break][break]
"hm, if there was anyone here with an admirer, it'd be an eligible bachelorette like yourself, ana."
[break][break]
pocketing the treat, he trains his pointed gaze back onto her. a question laced in his statement, hidden well-enough that only those with a feel for politics could decipher it.

ANA STONE

[attr="class","credit"]milky

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A MILE OR TWO OUTSIDE OF TOWN...[break]

[attr="class","setting"]

[break]
favor the taste.
[break][break]
an odd euphemism from most, but, he'd expected this kind of attitude from remi.
[break][break]
"very well, remi—"
[break][break]
he leaves an edge to his words, one that says he's not yet done. gabriel pauses to take another, longer sip of the brown.
[break][break]
"—i am too old for that line of work. i mean any other kinds of help. the kind that men with my influence could assist with."
[break][break]
the deep oceanic blues of his eyes meet hers as if asking a silent question himself, or, having the answer to one.