Thank you, Ma'am. [ He nods in respect and reaches for the ashtray. He places it within arms reach before lighting up another cigarette. Doesn't want to get any ash on her floor or furniture ]
Take your time, please. I'm the one who's obscenely early for the scheduled time. [ Yeap, suddenly torn about his decision to arrive early. He doesn't want to be any trouble ]
[ Brig spends the first few minutes smoking. He looks around and admires the Filipino-Spanish design of Barbara Gomez's abode. Beautiful paintings hanging on the walls here and there. They seem to depict... vampires? Brig's not quite sure. He continues to sit and finish his cigarette.
He's lighting his second stick and his host still hasn't returned. His curiosity gets the best of him when he notices some framed photos, where he thinks he spots Inquisitor Falner in one. He has read Inquisitor Gomez's file. The Golden Hand.
Brig stands up, light on his feet, and takes the ashtray with him as he goes for a better look of the photos. There are many, of different groups of individuals. Some who he guesses are vampires just like Ms. Gomez.
Other photos catch his eye. He notes that they've been taken over the years. They look to be Barbie's biological family (based on the similarity in their features), growing older as the pictures go on, with Barbie's features absolutely the same (with a change of hairstyle here and there) all throughout.
18 years old. Forever.
In the last one, if one didn't know who she was, it'd be easy to think she was her relatives great, great granddaughter. ]
[She'll come around just as you're looking at those pictures. Leaning against the doorframe a bit behind and to the side of you now, and smiling as she crosses her arms over her chest.]
I'm forever fabulous in those, or so I like to think.
[It keeps her from dwelling too much on the fact that she technically has no ties back to her mortal life left now.]
[What he'll see is that there's a LOT of food set out, and it seems like it's more than enough for the both of them and for Alejandro Raura. Raura is already standing by his own seat: he nods once in Brigade's direction before sitting down. Barbie immediately moves over to her own chair at the head of the table. The only other place set at the long table is directly across of Raura.
The servants are all in place. One of them immediately leaps forward to well. Fuss over Brigade, and pretty much not let him serve himself because that is their job. Other servants do the same for Barbie and Raura.
[ They've never been introduced but he's read about Alejandro Raura. He was mentioned in Senator Gomez's file on the Vigil networks. He's guessing that this is that man at the table with them.
Brig's still not entirely comfortable with being served but he recalls the first time he and Kasumi drank in Seigi before. Sometimes people need to serve as it's part of who they are or what they want to do or be. It's not always a bad thing. Add to that that Brig doubts that Senator Gomez and her partner treat these individuals badly.
He says words of gratitude and gives nods of thanks as the servants go about their business. It's the least he can do as they're being so kind.
He also acknowledges that it might be discourteous to his hosts as well as their househelp to reject their hospitality and make a fuss about it. ]
[While she picks up on that, she doesn't comment. There are more than a few smiles sent in Brigade's direction, though, until they're both settled.
Yes, Barbie and Raura can eat just fine. Some vampires can't.]
Anyway, I invited you over here so that we could talk properly. I need to go on a bit of a business trip, and I would very much like it if you could come with me.
I need you to be my bodyguard, together with Inquisitor Hawke! Of course, that also means that the two of you will have to be my enforcers whenever negotiations do not pan out as planned.
[Ah, such a politically correct way of saying it...]
My shields are ready, Ma'am. [ "Diplomatic" as they can be. He remembers the vampire that took Hawke down in the past. He was one hell of a talker. ] It's been awhile since I last shut up vampires who needed shutting up.
A couple of years, give or take, Ma'am. There were some engagements for Aegis Kai Doru where I had to go up against a couple of vampires. There were the Russian Cold War Years doing commando work taking out a couple here and there for political motives, but those were years I try not to count even though my body remembers the things it did. My last major engagements with Kindred were a good century ago back in the War; against the Nazi vampire division.
[ Brig remembers them all very clearly. Like it were yesterday. He pushes his edginess into the back of his mind. ]
I disliked the Nazi thinking back then, Ma'a; I still do. But I felt the Nazi vampire division were degenerates worse than the rest. On par with the Nazi's Slashers. [ A pause ] Will we be meeting any vampires of the sort on this trip?
That's good to know, Ma'am. [ It really is for Brig ] But if you're bringing Hawke and I as muscle, Ma'am, I take these ones we're visiting are still the type to cause some trouble?
I'm on board, Ma'am, and hopefully things go smoothly. [ A pause, then he adds ] I'm actually curious to see more of the Kindred community because of some reading I did on them in the Arcanum.
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Take your time, please. I'm the one who's obscenely early for the scheduled time. [ Yeap, suddenly torn about his decision to arrive early. He doesn't want to be any trouble ]
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[Saying that with a wink over her shoulder before she sashays off. She'll be gone for about fifteen minutes, give or take.]
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He's lighting his second stick and his host still hasn't returned. His curiosity gets the best of him when he notices some framed photos, where he thinks he spots Inquisitor Falner in one. He has read Inquisitor Gomez's file. The Golden Hand.
Brig stands up, light on his feet, and takes the ashtray with him as he goes for a better look of the photos. There are many, of different groups of individuals. Some who he guesses are vampires just like Ms. Gomez.
Other photos catch his eye. He notes that they've been taken over the years. They look to be Barbie's biological family (based on the similarity in their features), growing older as the pictures go on, with Barbie's features absolutely the same (with a change of hairstyle here and there) all throughout.
18 years old. Forever.
In the last one, if one didn't know who she was, it'd be easy to think she was her relatives great, great granddaughter. ]
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I'm forever fabulous in those, or so I like to think.
[It keeps her from dwelling too much on the fact that she technically has no ties back to her mortal life left now.]
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I'd have to agree with you on that, Ma'am. But I think you're forever fabulous as you are; not just in the photos.
I wish I could say the same for myself but my body's stuck at 33 and I'll forever be humdrum in pictures. [ He let's out a soft laugh at himself. ]
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[Chuckling, then canting her head towards the dining room.]
Come: let's eat!
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I think it comes naturally to me, Ma'am.
[ How apt that he is sort of a behemoth of an individual in the Behemoth Division of Netsach. He follows her to the dining room. ]
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The servants are all in place. One of them immediately leaps forward to well. Fuss over Brigade, and pretty much not let him serve himself because that is their job. Other servants do the same for Barbie and Raura.
Both of the vampires are used to this. Are you?]
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Brig's still not entirely comfortable with being served but he recalls the first time he and Kasumi drank in Seigi before. Sometimes people need to serve as it's part of who they are or what they want to do or be. It's not always a bad thing. Add to that that Brig doubts that Senator Gomez and her partner treat these individuals badly.
He says words of gratitude and gives nods of thanks as the servants go about their business. It's the least he can do as they're being so kind.
He also acknowledges that it might be discourteous to his hosts as well as their househelp to reject their hospitality and make a fuss about it. ]
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Yes, Barbie and Raura can eat just fine. Some vampires can't.]
Anyway, I invited you over here so that we could talk properly. I need to go on a bit of a business trip, and I would very much like it if you could come with me.
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I'd be glad to, Ma'am. What do you need of me? [ He remembers her mention "big, scary, and reliable" earlier before they went into the dining area ]
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[Ah, such a politically correct way of saying it...]
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I'd be a pleasure, Ma'am. Diplomatic mission?
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[Chuckling at that. 'Diplomatic' and 'vampires'. That was always a fun mix.
Yes, at times, she means that sarcastically. Sigh, Darkest Vigil.]
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[And she LOVES stories.]
Please just tell me if there's anything I should edit or delete.:D
A couple of years, give or take, Ma'am. There were some engagements for Aegis Kai Doru where I had to go up against a couple of vampires. There were the Russian Cold War Years doing commando work taking out a couple here and there for political motives, but those were years I try not to count even though my body remembers the things it did. My last major engagements with Kindred were a good century ago back in the War; against the Nazi vampire division.
it's all good!
Then, when you're done:]
Oh, I heard about those guys. Hawke had a lot of unkind words about them, as did Riley.
Re: it's all good!
I disliked the Nazi thinking back then, Ma'a; I still do. But I felt the Nazi vampire division were degenerates worse than the rest. On par with the Nazi's Slashers. [ A pause ] Will we be meeting any vampires of the sort on this trip?
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[And good riddance to them, no doubt.]
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[Rolls eyes.]
Seeing me and the two of you should be enough to cow those ones.
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I'm on board, Ma'am, and hopefully things go smoothly. [ A pause, then he adds ] I'm actually curious to see more of the Kindred community because of some reading I did on them in the Arcanum.
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[Yeah, she's saying that even if she knows you're a soldier. Vampires are interesting creatures.]