4/27/2003

10:44 PM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

Gabriel's

Opening from the front facade is a rather simple plate-glass door, banded on one side by a showroom front window giving hint as to what is currently available and trendy at this moment in time for the fashion conscious. Once within, the smell of new fabric mingles with that of jasmine and tea rose.

The flooring is old wood varnished to new glory, but the entryway is set with a stone mosaic in the form of a starburst, both relics from the original building and diligently revived. Pale blue, nearly white, adorns the walls where brick and mortar do not just as the lighting is warm, hopefully inviting patrons to spend some time within. Clothing racks are set here and there along the floor just as the walls as well, a handful of clothing articles to each setting to dismiss any cluttered appearance.

Trendy desires are in evidence, along with that which might be considered more understated and simple in design -or as the proprietor would say: more able to enhance the person wearing the clothing, not the clothing itself. Along the back wall are a trio of changing rooms, and off to the left side is a long counter where transactions can be made.

Obvious exits:

Exit   Stairs

 

Isn't it lit up so pretty? All of the lights within this rather out-of-the-way store are working just perfectly, or nearly so. Actually, not exactly. With the constant traffic of workmen slipping in and out (but now long gone to home), the front doors of the facade are left open, allowing in a soothing spring-time breeze. No, the only one left is Gabriel, perched upon a step-ladder as he reaches up, up, up to reset a specific spot light to highlight a corner of the store.

 

And who'd know that it wasn't ready to go yet. Well, the simple fact that the place is still in some terms a wreck, clothes absent, would be a big clue. But the lights and perhaps its out of the way nature have brought at least one brave soul to look into the window and see just what's suppose to be here. Her outline can be seen  at the window, just before the sign, but soon enough she's peeking in once the door is open. Why? Shinobu is a nosy little thing, but upon doing so, one of the workers leaving notes, "It won't be open for a few more days, Miss."

 

"Remind me to have a sign made and set in the window," Gabe mutters to the lone assistant left over after hearing her speak. He continues to stretch up, giving the quickly heating light a couple of gentle taps to get the illumination just right. "You can go now, Naomi. Give your husband my regards." Satisfied with the light, he starts back down the ladder, one rung at a time. Fingers curl about the ladder and he prepares to pull it to a new point. As he does so, the man glances up, and just then catches sight of the woman without. No. It simply couldn't be that easy...

 

Well, one isn't sure that this chance meeting could be easy; considering the young woman's dark eyes widen upon the sight of Gabriel, then lowers, who knows what's going on in her head. "I knew the sign said this place would be open soon, but not an exact date." Shinobu quiets a little as Gabriel dismisses Naomi for the night, wondering now if she herself should move along to. She didn't know this was /his/ place. And after meeting Mitama..... should she really go through this again? A step taken back, and then another, she finally says aloud, "I... should probably go, since you're still getting things set up?"

 

Gabriel is completely dismissing any further thoughts about track lighting and ideal illumination for another time. Instead, the man is immediately striding forward, only to hesitate as the woman backs up. "No. Wait," he is quickly speaking, hand extending forward as if in entreaty. "Please, don't go." He isn't even paying attention as Naomi disappears for the evening as well, simply watching Shinobu. "Please don't leave yet."

 

Shinobu continues to stand by the doorway, nodding to Naomi as she leaves, one hand reesting against the doorframe comfortably. She should leave. She promised herself.. after all of this, that she'd do her best to make sure everyone was happy. Her appearance in their lives didn't help much... should she change that? .... No. Definitely not. ".... alright." She said that to Malachai, too, and that ended up a mess. When will she learn? No time soon... one can hope. "... I didn't realize this was your place. Did you get home alright, when we last met?" Yes, keep it casual for now.

 

Gabriel simply must get her away from that door, before she feels a need to slip out of it before he can do anything. "I'm sure you didn't know..." Even if there is a touch of consternation over the fact that she might not have tried to actually seek it out. "But, yes, it is... and yes, I did. It would have been a long walk had I not been able to hitchhike back here. A very nice young woman was kind enough to give me a ride." Even if he had to put up with questions and commentary about a renaissance faire. "And you are well also?" He takes a step closer to her, smiling warmly.

 

Getting her away from the door probably would be a good thing, but the task itself will be somewhat daunting. Especially when it seems she has one foot -- or rather hand -- out the door. Dark eyes lidding a little, perhaps in a complacency that she is close to an easy out if she needs it, Shinobu nods slowly, before she muses, "I didn't think anyone would leave you walking for long. I'm... sorry to have run off like that." She was certainly shocked at Gabriel's appearance... and his actual arrival into the city. It was something that was a touch incredulous if one were hearing the story; being there didn't help Shinobu's mind at all. "Oh, I made it back alright... oh, you mean now." There's a pause, even as she glances down, missing that first step forward. "Well... I can't say I've been worse?" is given wryly. "I'm sure there are worse things that could have happened just now."

 

This is almost like trying to get a robin to come and feed from out of his hand. Gabe draws another careful step towards her, easing his movements. "You don't have to apologize, Shinobu. It was a strange evening. But I'm very happy to see you again, pleased to see you actually here." He frowns just the slightest at her following words, watching her curiously for a moment, before his hand extends again to her, "Please... Shinobu. Can we talk? Somewhere more comfortable for you, instead of having you stand there. Please?"

 

Or more like a frantic butterfly that knows that death or capture could be moments away, only to flutter off pre-emptively for seeing another flower. Dressed in a simple business suit, she wouldn't seem to be the sort that goes so nervous easily, but there she is, looking somewhat worried despite the general composed presence she gives off. That hand flexing against the door frame, she begins to shake her head, before that hand is extended to her. "Well... I should apolo...." There's a pause then, blatant, as her gaze moves from the hand to its owner. "....." She should say no. She should walk away, and not get another chance glance back. This can only bring trouble. ".... Alright. But I shouldn't stay too long. I... You've got a lot of work to do, right?" is finally said, even as her hand reaches out to take Gabriel's.

 

Pregnant pauses like that can really be a killer. And it is throughout Shinobu's hesitation, that Gabriel simply watches her, hope in his gaze. But as she takes his hand, his smile warms even more, hopefully reassuring. "Nothing that can't be put off for a little longer," he answers softly, giving her hand something of a soft squeeze. "I can offer you a moment to sit... and something to drink as well, upstairs. If you don't mind? This here is no place to entertain guests, at least not yet. Simply to talk... If that would be alright with you." But still, he'll try to lead her towards the stairs with a gentle urging.

 

 

4/28/2003

09:01 PM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

It's the pauses like that which could mean she'd stay or run. She could easily do one of the other, and somehow, it is the former that she sticks to for the moment. That hand squeezed, a nervous smile fluttering to her lips before fading completely, Shinobu nods, replying with, "If.. if you're sure." Upstairs? That only causes a tiny panic that causes her hand to squeez Gabriel's tightly, before she takes a deep breath. "I..." There really is a war going on in her head over this. Should she go, should she insist the talk remains here, or should she follow him. It's another one of those pauses, one to the point one can see the gears working in her head, before she finally nods. "... Alright. But only for a little while." If nothing else, she can feign illness and go, right? She certainly looks pale enough. "You know," is finally said softly, "You almost act as if you know me."

 

Gabriel offers her another soft smile, almost fond. "As long as you wish, although I hope you won't mind if I try my best to keep your company as long as possible. You can't blame me, really." He flashes her wink before moving around to close the front door, locking it to keep any more unexpected visitors out, and then moving to lead her towards the stairs. "No, I don't know you, Shinobu, but I would certainly like to. I think that I not only owe it to myself, but to you as well."

 

You take the stairs into the the loft.

 

Upstairs Apartment

 

There is almost a raw, unfinished feel to this apartment, filling the entire second floor of the building, and harkening back to building's original roots -and purposely so. High ceilings are left bare with mortar, brick, and metal, vaulting over the pale wood floor at least twenty feet high, and adorned here and there with the opaque glass of rectangular skylights. Large windows nearly six feet tall dominate, panelled in glass that at times can be either frosted or clear enough to show the sight of Carmine Street below.

From the staircase leading to the store below, the loft flows outward in a rather dramatic display of space. There is comfort to be had in the pair of dark red couches that are set near to the front facade windows, while just a little further from them is something of a kitchen area, separated with a counter and a dark table. Various entertainment purposes are served with a modest television and stereo, but the majority seems to have been invested in a pair of large cases, filled with various books from pictorals of architecture to modern pop-culture fiction, historical novels to whatever else seems to have claimed the owner's fancy at the time.

Off to the back of the loft is a closed off area, divided by paper-shrouded panels that only extend about ten feet high. Beyond such is afforded the privacy of the bath area, as well as the bedroom. Simple elegance in all things.

 

Obvious exits:

Downstairs

You arrive in the loft.

 

Houki arrives from the stairs below.

 

As long as possible? Oh, this could be trouble, indeed. But the smile is somewhat comforting, though the wink is a bit of a shock. ... Maybe she should have ran. But it's up the stairs, and into a loft that brings the woman's gaze around; before, he lived in a palace, didn't he? He was an emperor, and everything he had was of the finest. Now... well... in her modern mind, this makes more sense, than perhaps a part of a global empire. He's out of the spotlight. And she could keep him that way... just... remain friendly. "... Oh. I'm... sorry. It just seemed as if you were acting as if we were familiar." She isn't running, though, once up into the loft taking a good look around. "..... what... what makes you say that?" comes to the last, Shinobu's brows rising a touch. ... Does he remember already?

 

Gabriel grins wryly, "It isn't much, but it is far better then what it originally was. Not quite the trappings and opulence from before, but it suits me fine." Reluctantly, he releases her hand, gesturing to one of the couches. "Please, make yourself at home. Can I get you something to drink? Water? Tea... something a bit more fortifying?" With that last, the tone of his voice almost grows amused. He slips away to the kitchen area, his voice floating back to her, "If you don't know the answer to that, then perhaps this might make this all the more difficult."

 

There's a pause at that first comment, one that brings her brows to hitch just enough for curiosity to pique into her features. That... she didn't expect. She expected either for him not to know his past or to know it. But now, she isn't quite sure if her first estimation was correct. Continuing to look around, Shinobu doesn't say much, instead listening. That is, until she's given a choice on something. "Oh, water's fine." Alcohol, while more fortifying, wouldn't be the best thing right now, really. Finally perching at the edge of a chair, Shinobu glances toward the kitchen area, before she muses, "I'd figured.... you hadn't... well... I'm just beginning to discover things just aren't quite what they seem." And she wishes they were, again.

 

Gabriel is returning a moment later, a glass in each of his hands and both filled with water and ice. As he approaches Shinobu, he bends forward a little to offer her the glass, bound hair slipping over his shoulder once again. "I hadn't. Until Nuriko called a man to come and look into my mind to see what the problem was." He moves over taking a seat near to her as well. "He managed to pull some things out, but the rest have been stolen from me, more than likely owned by the man who has been impersonating me. And, apparently, those are memories of you, which was why... when I suddenly appeared on that street, I had no clue who you were. And I still don't, Shinobu." He watches her for a moment, a touch of melancholy in his gaze, "You deserve more than that, but other forces are at work here. You've become more aware too, I see."

 

The water is taken, and Shinobu nearly gets to sip from her glass. Nearly, save Gabriel mentions Nuriko. Eyes widening, she nearly chokes, coughing suddenly even though she hasn't tasted a drop of water. Don't mind her, she just got shocked to bits. That name, Nuriko... it brings a sudden tightening in her chest, a pain that just won't go away no matter how hard she thinks otherwise. Taking a deep breath, waving off any attempts to help, she notes, "I'm fine, just....." Blink. Did... he say that he didn't remember her? .... This might make things easier than she thought. It really might. "There was someone imitating you? I would think that would be easy to spot...." All that sparkle... ahem! As for the rest... "I... ran into someone from my childhood." Who just happened to remind her how fickle love and apparently Suzaku can be. "... You really don't remember your later years?" How few there were. "What's the last thing you remember?"

 

Gabriel doesn't quite wince, but he looks a little repentant. "Oh, I probably could have said that better, couldn't I have? Nuriko. And Nuriko has changed from when you remember. This time, he is actually a /she/, and her name is Kourin, and she is very anxious to find you. Just as anxious as I was, to see you again. If you'll allow me, I can tell her how to find you...?" Of course, he is going to need a phone number and address to do that. "From your childhood?" There is just the slightest of frowns to his features, looking thoughtful, but apparently nothing is going to come from it as instead he simply looks frustrated.

"There isn't a last thing. There is simply holes. I'll remember one string of events, and suddenly there will be nothing there." Frowning, golden-irised gaze shifts back to her, peering through his wayward forelock, "I cannot bring together any thoughts of Houki. None. Just a faint sense of... warmth, and something else. But..." He releases his breath in a sigh, aggravation showing once again. "This needs to be changed."

 

 

5/6/2003

08:38 PM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

"She's... actually female?" She remembers the last time she ran into the one she knew as Ryuuen back then; the bath was the wrong place to find out one of the harem girls was actually a boy. It lead to some very interesting conversations back then, including the thought that 'Kourin' would be fighting for Saihitei's hand. But now.... there is a thought. And an idea that forms in the back of Shinobu's mind... at least for now. Lips pulled into a soft line, she listens as Gabriel admits that he indeed doesn't know who Houki is.... who she was to his past counterpart, and while she could easily not say anything at all, if Nuriko is still her basically personality, she'll fill in the blanks. Dead at the time or no. "Houki.... was Saihitei's wife." It's given in a rather montonous tone, as the woman's gaze comes to fall on her glass. "She bore him a son... but he died before the child was born. He did get to see him, to hold him... but only after he was dead, and had to possess someone else to do so." ..... Shouldn't she sound a little happier about all of this?

 

Gabriel is moving once more, only this time to take a seat beside her upon the couch. Once more, confusion litters across his features, turning down his brows and causing his lips to draw into a thin line. "I have been told the stories, Shinobu. More than once, in the hopes that it would trigger something. But there is /nothing/." A touch of annoyance darkens his tone once again. But, a breath later, released slowly, and he is looking back at her, studying the woman, "You remember these things?"

 

"I... remember your heartache over another." Shinobu is honest about that, at least, even as her hands form a rather painful grip upon that glass of hers. "I remember Boushin." A silent child over his mother's heartbreak. One that, in Shinobu's mind, should have occurred. If only Nuriko remained alive.... then what? Would she have gone back home, to Tendou? .... Sigh. There really isn't a good answer to this in her head, so she turns her thoughts back to speaking. "I've only caught glimpses... I'm guessing I lived to a rather old age..."

 

Gabriel sits back in the couch, dropping back into the corner with one elbow braced against the arm. He peers back across to her, watching Shinobu silently, almost sadly. "You didn't remember me before, when Suzaku deposited me right in front of you, just as I didn't recall anything either. How do you remember these things now?" His head tilts a little to the side, curiosity making an almost gentle appearance.

 

Shinobu pauses at that question, flushing slightly. "Ah... actually," she gives, looking somewhat embarrassed, "You did seem familiar then. But I'd given those sort of thoughts to delusion, really. Living in a castle, being empress. But nothing was really quite as vivid until...." The woman quiets, before she settles her drink into her lap, hands cradling it gently. ".... Until I ran into your brother." Oh, if she only knew everything about Malachai. "... He didn't like me too much... considering I married you over him." And... it makes sense. It seems everyone around her had a tragic end, and she had to live to watch it all. "... Do you remember him?"

 

Gabriel frowns across to Shinobu, but it only disappears after a moment to be replaced by a faint grin. "Deja vu, then? I think I felt that as well -but you'll have to forgive me, especially at the time, considering just a moment before that I was standing in Konan and being immersed quite harshly into what I /should/ have remembered." He reaches over as if to give her knee a soft pat. But he is frowning once more, confusion evident, "You are not the first person to tell me this. Is this the man that is an artist? An... onsenshi. Malachai De Courtenay? Who claims to be a relative of mine? I don't know anything about those claims."

 

Shinobu nods slowly at that, musing, "Yes, that was it. Seeing that outfit, you... it made a lot of sense to Houki, but not much to me." There is a distinction the woman makes, though only on a mental level... which is a lot more than a lot of people would do nowadays. That knee pat nearly makes her jump, before she calms herself, head shaking slowly. "He /is/. Don't mistake it as otherwise, Gabriel. Nor don't mistake his dislike of you. He tried...." Frowning slightly, she continues, "He tried to kill you once. Under the influence of someone, but... that emotion... that dislike, it's still there. If I hadn't..... well, I guess that's hard to say now... it's past."

 

"And you aren't the first person to warn me about this man either," Gabe speaks slowly, as if pondering his own words. "I can't see to remember any of that. None of it. I'm assuming those are some of the things that have been taken from me." As he speaks, his gaze slips away from her and towards the windows to look at the lights of the city beyond. "And he managed to cause you to remember some things then?" There is a frown there, a flicker as he peers back at her, "He didn't try to hurt you, did he?"

 

Definte hurt? Physically Shinobu came out of the whole affair unharmed. Mentally? That's another story. "Then they have good reason to warn you. Tendou.... I guess I should start at the beginning. Tendou and I grew up together. It was... assumed we'd marry." There's a deep frown for that, but she doesn't pause over the matter long. "However, after I was taken to the harem, our village was attacked. I'm guessing that's where he found out he was your older half-brother. He attacked you....." She doesn't give the rest, how he ranted about the man taking his kingdom, his wife... it wasn't true. The nightmares proved that, but it doesn't make them any less real. "No," she answers at last. "He simply reminded me that, it seems everyone I come in contact with... well, they don't meet the best fate. Him, Nuriko... you.."

 

Gabriel listens quietly to her, his frown deepening once more as she speaks. He is searching through his memories once more, despite the fact that he finds nothing, he mutters, "And I killed him." Silence reigns for the moment. But then he is frowning at her, shaking his head slowly from side to side, "Please tell me that you aren't blaming yourself for these things? That is ridiculous, Shinobu. Did this Malachai try to feed you some sort of guilt trip? And you aren't listening to it, are you?"

 

".... That's right." There's a deep sigh that escapes the woman, bringing shoulders to hunch slightly, but soon she rolls them back into a more comfortable position. "You didn't want to, but there was very little choice." To put it kindly. It was either kill or be killed. Not a good thing, either way. "Well, if I hadn't chose... if I'd gone back home.... but you.... Saihitei left Houki so soon after marriage... she floundered quite a bit after his death. Maybe, maybe if he were able to go to Nuriko, he wouldn't have died." Shinobu shakes her head to the last, only noting, "No... I think that's why I've been trying not to remember. There was so much trouble I caused... I'm afraid to do that again." Setting down the glass, she does something unexpected... she begins to stand. "I should go."

 

It isn't until Shinobu is standing that he seems to come out of his own thoughts at her movement. Gabe startles, immediately shooting to his feet as well, a hand reaching out as if to take her's. "No. Wait. Please, Shinobu. I might not remember everything, but there is no way that you could have caused... so much trouble. I find that highly unlikely. Impossible. "Nuriko's death was tragic. It was... There isn't words to describe it. But that is no reason to try to blame yourself for it, and Nuriko will be just as quick to say the same. Please don't leave."

 

Shinobu's intent is to get out of here as soon as possible. But a hand stays her, bringing her head to jerk up and look at Gabriel almost owlishly. No, there's no tears, but those overbright eyes suggest it isn't too far off at all. Perhaps, in time, or maybe that's why she was rushing to get away. "If I'd married Tendou, if I had helped in getting the money with him in order to keep me home, he wouldn't have died." Lower lip chewed upon, the woman continues, musing, You seemed to be rather enamoured of Kourin, too. I think it would have been for the best... but we'll never know...?" Unless she keeps from repeating that this time. Still, she doesn't move away... not just yet at least. "You don't remember now... but when you do, will you be able to say the same things?"

 

Gabriel isn't quite sure what he is doing, but his hand seems to know what it is about. His wrist turns, fingers attempting to interlace with her's. His own eyes try to seek out her's, searchingly looking into them as if trying to find the answers. "No, we won't know, but I am not about to consider all of the 'what if's of the past. It will do nothing but eat you alive, Shinobu. There is no point in it. What happened, happened, and while I will still try to understand what I remember from then, and what I felt, I don't think that my opinion will change."

 

Shinobu doesn't resist, at least not yet; fingers are easily interlaced, her hand initially grasping tightly. Slow down... just a reaction... nothing more. At least, that is what she's thinking. Her gaze is hard to keep at first, mostly because she's looking toward the ground. What to do, what to say... "Well, it is something to keep in mind. That we don't make mistakes from the past." Is she saying that marriage was a mistake? Or maybe his thinking of doing so is? Who knows, even as once catching his gaze, she looks away. "I... don't want to hurt anyone again. Not this time. Not because of me."

 

Gabriel gently draws her hand upwards. He might have been denied any further memories of his past with this woman, but he can still feel the warmth and kindness there by simply being there and with her. He free hand reaches over as if to try to take her chin and gently turn it back so that she is looking to him. If she resists though, he isn't going to force her. "Please don't try to blame yourself. You are strong, I can see this... but blaming yourself for things that happened in the past -it doesn't feel right with me."

 

Shinobu should be leery of that hand being drawn upwards, but really doesn't do a thing about it. At least, not yet. No, she's caught within her own thoughts, wondering about this and that, and particularly how to get out of here when her chin is caught and turned toward Gabriel. Those dark eyes nearly border on violet now, still bright, though she doesn't just stand and listen. No, not this time. "But... so much happened. You loved so many... you were emperor because you had to be." Chewing on her lip again, she lets it out with a sigh. "You have a second chance. At... a lot of things. I'm not going to stand in the way of that."

 

"I know that I have my freedom now, something that I wished that I had then," Gabriel answers softly. "I prize my freedom, to have a chance to be able to be there when needed. Yes, Shinobu. I am sure that I loved you and Boushin, just as I loved Miaka, and Nuriko, the other seishi, the people and the land, if not more." His head slowly shakes from side to side, lifting her clasped hand up to gently press his lips to her knuckles, "I want you to stand here, Shinobu. Please? I want to see if I can love Shinobu as I am sure that I loved Houki."

 

"You... you deserved it back then. You did so much for Konan... you gave everything." Even his life. And while there is a smile that is beginning to come at the fact that he relishes his freedom, it freeze at the last, how his past counterpart loved his wife and child, and a part of her really knows... that is the case. Why can't she say it? She doesn't want to influence. But it seems she's doing that anyway, if only perceptively. "... But, if you don't remember....?" Where's the logic in this? Agh! But she doesn't move, murmuring, "I don't think I can say, one way or another."

 

Gabriel shakes his head from side to side, "Shinobu, while I might not have all of my memories, I can still..." His eyes drift close for a moment while he tries to find the best way to explain it. "I can still sense feelings. They are vague, and as soon as I think I can grasp them, they disappear again because I cannot seem to link them to any one instance. There is warmth..." And now he opens his eyes once more, "And I must have loved her. How could I not?" A soft smile, almost crooked, makes its way onto his lips as he looks down at her. "Are you going to simply deny the chance?"

 

Just based off of emotions, feelings? That's... well, all that Gabriel can do. "I'm not sure the extent of their feelings, to be honest. I know she was shocked when Saihitei finally came to the harem... to visit her, but.... no. He would have never married out of duty." And it really isn't the point for her. But that crooked smile brings her to grin, before she shakes her head. "I simply do not want to hurt you. Or leave you in a position where I could be used against you."

 

Gabriel doesn't look as though he is about to release her hand any time soon either, simply holding it against his chest as he looks down at her. Just hearing her talk like that makes him want to know more than ever about these gaps in his memory. But, instead of scowling in futility, he instead offers her a soft smile, "And so you are willing to give up even trying because of those reasons? Not even give it a chance? Shinobu... I do not see how I could be hurt by this. As for being used against me... I am willing to chance that. Don't you think it is worth it to even try... Houki and Saihitei hardly had a chance last time. It ended all too quickly."

 

Shinobu's hand seems to be caught at the moment. Still, she hasn't tugged it away just yet, instead concentrating upon that smile... is that what Houki saw that was so facinating? That look that made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world? ... Perhaps. And maybe that is why Shinobu is having such a hard time with it. Malachai merely reinforced her ideas, where Gabriel seems more than willing to shatter each and every one. ".... I... I don't know if I can, Shahit.... Gabriel." Flushing slightly, she finally looks away to note, "Yes.... they didn't have a chance at all. She ruled in his absence... and watched her son rule after her for so long.... but she never took anyone else. She... didn't want to." Is there any wonder she's afraid?

 

Gabriel nods his head in understanding, free hand slipping over to lightly brush his knuckles over her turned cheek. "Shinobu? I'm not sure if I can either, but I would simply like to try. To at least give it a chance. We owe it to them... and to ourselves." He seems to sigh softly, the breath leaving his lips slowly and as if in reluctance, "I am sure that took great strength. Amazing strength. And I'm sorry that it happened like that."

 

Shinobu leans into that touch instincitvely, eyes shutting for just a moment. "Are... you sure? I can't make any promises..." Nor will she. Instead, there is a pause, in thinking over giving this a second chance, on strength, before she shakes her head. "It was what he would have wanted. A mother to take care of his son. Her want to see him grow strong and not be as hurt as his father." And it's something she means, even as she pause,s to pull out a card. ".... I probably shouldn't, but here." It actually has her number on it, though she adds, "I mean... if you want to, and all." Leeery? Yes, still, but at least she's not trying to bolt. Until... "I should let you get back to work, though. This place opens in a few days, yes?"

 

Gabriel takes the card in hand, giving it the barest of glances before slipping it into a pocket. Seems like an exchange is in order, and he gives her one as well. "You know that you can come here at any time, day or night... for any reason. If he gives you trouble again, tell me immediately. I don't want him trying to hurt you, Shinobu." But he is bowing his head, nodding, "I am sure. And I promise not to try to expect too much. Things are different, our lives our different, but I still want to give this a chance. Thank you, Shinobu." He offers her another gentle smile, lips drawing upwards at the corners with the movement just as the warmth echoes in his eyes. He leans over as if to give her a kiss to the top of her head before moving away, "I'll call you a cab. This time I actually have the money on me to do it." He gives her a wink before moving away to do so, and then escort her out once it arrives.