Meeting Annia's boy

[Lovely]

Gabriel moved smoothly down the hall, dancing with 'himself' to a tune he hummed. He heard the latch of a door and scooted into the shadows. A faint laugh disappeared into the dark with him.

The door opened and Keller stepped out, securing the door behind as he headed toward the kitchen to get the morning prep work ready. It seemed that the summer was starting to pick up with morning travelers on their way to points West. He hummed lightly to himself and then paused, a look of curiosity crossing his face briefly, before he trotted down the stair.

It was him! Gabriel was quite giddy...He smiled with glee as he played a game of hide and spook. His laughed was heard fading away in different shadows as Keller moved towards the kitchen.

He passed by the door that would go to the lobby and the cafe, poking his head around a brief moment to see if anyone had already arrived for service. No one had yet and he returned to the back hall, pausing again, certain he'd heard someone beside himself. He shrugged it off, but sniffed at the air gently, seeing if his other senses knew any differently.

His laughter rolled out of a shadow in front of Keller just seconds before Gabriel appeared seeming to form out of the shadow. His smile was wide as he held out his arms. "Look at you!" He said in the tone like a proud parent, offering an embrace.

"Good morning to you, too sir.. cafe opens at six.. um.. may I help you?" He chuckled at the unexpected gaiety for the hour. Then his nose seized on something peculiar.. familiar.. but he couldn't place it. His eyes narrowed as if desperately seeking recognition, "Apologies, sir, but... should I know you?"

"You are Annia's." He said, beaming. He was so proud of his girl. "You are beautiful, just as she deserves. As she is lovely like the early morning, you must be the dusk."

He cocked his head, grinning, "And that would be a compliment? How should I take that sir, and how is it you know Miss Montgomery?"

"Of course it is a compliment boy!" He laughed heartily. "The smile...I can see why she likes you." He could not help himself, he reached forward pulling Keller into his arms. He kissed him on the cheek, like they were old friends. Gabriel stepped back. "My manners..." he stepped back and made a gallant sweeping bow. As he rose grinning he spoke his name. "Gabriel Kisslinger...A pleasure to meet you, young man."

Gabriel.. his mind tossed the name about, but no recollection saved him, however something familiar still surrounded the man."Apologies, but I must get to my preparations.. a business, you know. Coffee?"

Gabriel laughed. "Keller...you make me smile... I like that." He clapped his arm around the boy's shoulders. "Come let us get a drink and become aquainted."

But.. I hadn't stated my name.. did I?.. when did... a curious look crossed his features again, but his words played along, "I suppose, but only if you'll leave me to my humble devices as the poor soul who feeds the wicked masses this time of day... my cutting board awaits, sir.. you're welcome to stand by."

Gabriel shook his head. "Don't know why they don't just put out a trough like they do for farm animals." He made a motion as to say lead the way. "It may amuse me to see how you feed your dinner."

What?... did he know?... the scent... reminded him of Annia.. moreso of Jorden... but older.. tinted and refined somehow.. different. Who?... and he spoke of the patrons as nothing more than cattle. "I'm sure I don't understand your meaning, sir. Our patrons are quite often of the elite and proper ilk who I could hardly compare to mere swine."

"I'm sure you do know my meaning...and they are swine. Nothing but filthy animals...Few of them appreciateing life and really knowing what it is like to live." Gabriel smiled spinning on his heel and clapping his hands in front of Keller's face. "But you are superior...you are above man and beast...you are nearly a god!"

[Lovely]

"Doubtful that I am a god, sir, but if I'm to aspire, I may as well go long, hm? Please.. step into my office if you would. I don't wish my... affairs.. if you will, discussed before the hired help. At least, not before the proper time," he winked.

Gabriel sorta of bounced around a bit light in his step. He moved into the room indicated and turned smiling at Keller. "You are so modest...Annia always had good taste...well almost always." A roll of his eyes as he glided about the room, full of energy that seemed to now fill the room with his giddiness. The spirit seemed some what contagious.

"Lady Annia is one of impecable taste and unquenchable desires, to be certain. I am but one of her humble caretakers, sir," he folded his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Modesty, however, is a term that's missed the mark a great deal. It is merely that I don't know who you are.. or how it is you know my name without giving it, hm?"

His laughter floated about the room. Spinning and jumping through the air to land on a turn in front of Keller. Gabriel smiled and bowed again. "Annia made you....I made Annia...I am her Sire. How do I know things without you telling me? I just do and one day you will too."

How very like a puppet on an invisible string, he danced about the room as Keller watched... then he spoke the words.. he did indeed know. "Then, a bow of gratitude.. for showing her the world she's shown me, sir." He nodded, his grin returning.

Gabriel's dark eyes danced. "Ah showing me a bit of respect now are you?" He laughed merrily. "Annia may not agree with you...but then perhaps the winds are changing....Here you are after all."

"Upbringing.. I have no reason to be cautioned against you as I have only now heard of you, not to be rude, of course. I reserve my judgments, sir, and do not let words of others sway my own determinations... I find it... careless and petty, actually... to depend on others for how I should opine." His arms unfolded and he reached for his apron, stepping out of the office towards the prep area. He closed the door to the serviette so the waitress would not hear them, nor surprise them as she arrived.

Gabriel smiled nodding his head. "A very good way to think....Annia was always so strong willed...she still is." He closed his eyes picturing her as she had been the first day he saw her. There was a party...She was stepping under an archway in the fading light of day...Gabriel sent/shared the memory with Keller.

"Beautiful... she still is of course..."

"As beautiful today as she was three hundred years ago." His lips curled, he leaned against the counter watching Keller. "I must ask if you know how lucky you are?"

"As lucky as the first day I set foot in her door, making her acquaintance, you mean? I cherish the moment... especially her wonderous way of making other cower before her, to be honest. It's rather charming," he chuckled.

"I meant that she allowed you into this world...that she turned you....She didn't tell you? Ah is why you have no pre -grudge against me."

"If you wish for me to dislike you or distrust or whatever it is you believe she feels against you, that is her quarrel, sir, as I've said, for you've done nothing to myself to warrant a grudge of any kind. A history... even among bloodlines... is a recording, not the event itself."

[Lovely]

He laughed a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Not if you are the one it is happening to...spectators can say such things. But it is all good. I do not wish you to hate me...In fact I would rather you love me. And we are family, as much as Annia likes to hate me at times...she loves me, adores me...Can't help it -I am so utterly charming." He laughed to himself.

"Utterly," Keller grinned. He spoke his truths, but remained wary. The man twisted words and used them in a way that could lead to a level of distrust. "And as you put it... I am Annia's.. so truth being told, as you know.. I would have it difficult to sway against her wishes, hm? Loyalties... the child to the sire... but what of the sire's offspring.. does he hold the same power?"

"Would you like to find out?" His deep voice held a slight warning. But then his smile returned. "Yes it extends...I could make you do things...But it also depends on the power of the elder."

He chuckled lightly, "Meaning no offense, of course, sir... Gabriel... but gaining the information I lack. As this goes, I am but a todler in a room full of doting grandparents, it would seem. Please allow me my tumbles so I may aright myself, hm?"

"I intend you no harm, my boy. Annia is very special to me." His hand pressed to his chest over his heart. "And you are special to Annia...I do not wish to see her sad. So unless you mis-step to an unforgivable degree...you have nothing to worry from myself."

His eyebrow tugged to raise itself at his comment, but he thought better of it. He turned to prepare the coffee, then stepped to the cooler. "I do as the lady wishes, sir. I offered myself to her before she even told me of her... gifts. It is my lot to please her," he said, returning with eggs and sausages. "In whatever way she wishes."

So many thoughts swept through Gabriel's head, imagining the many ways Keller might please Annia and himself...perhaps there would be time for play. "I wonder if I might intrigue you to a hunt this evening? We could double date.." He stuck his tongue out, smiling.

"A hunt? Of what sort? I imagine you're not speaking of pheasant or grouse, hm? If the lady declines the offer, I would also, humbly, of course, withdraw."

"What if she said you could come with me? hmm?" He was still jovial, but was nearing his time to rest.

"I'd question her judgment, lay a hand upon her fevered brow and humbly protest that she'd turn me away so," he grinned, pulling slowly into a chuckle. "Sir.. as the lady wishes, so would I go."

Gabriel was delighted to hear so. "Good..and I regretfully must bid you farwell for the moment. Has Annia turned in? It has been so long since I took my resting time with her.." He moved and pulled Keller into a warm embrace, kissing his cheek affectionately. "Maybe you will come join us later? I'm sure it would please Annia so.."

He twitched and moved as if to move away, but stopped as if a wall held him in his tracks. ... it would please Annia so... the words hanging in his ears.. twisted just so. "Yes... yes, I suppose it might... unquenchable...," he whispered.

"It's settled then...I'll see you there soon." Gabriel stepped back quite pleased, it was possible his good spirits would last for days, with this turn of events.

Keller turned back to his cooking preparations, not sure whether it had been a warning, an invitation, or both.

With a whisper of parting, a promise of things to come, Gabriel was gone again into the shadows.