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Asbolus:
Although Philadelphia is not THE City, enough of that endless collection of streets and skyscrapers was imbued into the fiber of Asbolus' being that he sometimes felt the urge to simply venture outward, seeing where the sidewalks took him as the night slowly fell around him. The Darkling was on one such wandering on this chilly evening, a well-made leather duster keeping off the chill and acting as additional protection covering a simple outfit. He kept his pace even, watchful of his surroundings while his mind wandered as much as his feet, allowing himself to simply...be for a little while.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent for his part had been out and about of the evening, his stomping grounds as it where, getting a feel of the places that forged him, supplied him, where he made connections, sadly some of those connections may have earned him a reputation.
"Come on, one date," a young woman asked him as he walked past, "For old times sake, you're a good customer."
"I'm good, in a relationship now," he smiled, "Listen, if it helps, take this," he takes out three franklins, "And add them to the nights profit, consider it payment for being a pleasant memory that you'd ask." he smiled as she pocketed it and headed back to work, later on his walk he ran into some hold pick con artist
"We heard you've moved up, good score?" he asked, Vincent just laughed
"The best score, but don't worry, I haven't forgotten my friends, here's some tips." and he shared with them some tips for taking advantage of the Country Club, "Been inside, saw the pickings, good luck." he nodded as the played a con, Vincent just shook his head and kept walking, not expecting to bump into Asbolus yet they bumped into each other none the less
Asbolus:
It wasn't a bump, exactly, aware of the world around him as Asbolus tended to be. He did catch Vincent just before contact would have been made, perhaps before the Daeva realized that they were about to collide. There was a flicker of steel in those blue-grey eyes until he saw who it was, the look fading as he gave Vincent a nod. "Evening, Vincent. Out for a wander as well, I take it?"
Vincent Drake:
"Basically," he shrugged, "Just wanted to clear the head, remind myself who I am as it where." he looked around the streets, "How have you been?"
Asbolus:
"A search we all undergo, I imagine." He nodded, glancing around briefly to see where exactly they had ended up before looking back to the young Daeva. "I've been well enough, all told. Yourself?"
Vincent Drake:
"Eh, I'm of the opinion these days I'm never truly well, just a different obstacle each week." he shrugged, Asbolus would see the walk ended up in Fairhill, Vincent's stomping grounds, "All in all though, things are going well, had some good fortunes in the form of new work friends, I'm more worried about the bastard Avery is dealing with."
Asbolus:
"Perhaps. Always good to cherish those peaceful moments when they come, though." He nodded, frowning a touch at the mention of Avery's issues. "Good to hear, and agreed. I've been working with them on the matter, and hopefully it can be dealt with swiftly."
Vincent Drake:
"I trust in the capabilities of you and yours, I'm sure things will have a satisfying solution." he shrugged, "So, how's the acting career going?"
Asbolus:
He smirked at the question, more amused than anything. "I haven't been back on the stage myself since I returned. Things at the theater are going well, though."
Vincent Drake:
he shrugged, "So. . .the theater, profitable job?"
Asbolus:
"Quite, to my pleasant surprise. The owner is one of yours, although other business has kept him out of the city for a time. He bid me to keep the place running in his stead and spread our mutual love for the theater, and I've done my due diligence in making that happen."
Vincent Drake:
Vincent does show some surprise that Asbolus works with one of his, he thinks one something that's weighed on him since the party, "Mind if I ask you something?"
Asbolus:
"Ask away."
Vincent Drake:
"Avery. . .am I wrong for them?" he asks, blunty and eyes staring into his
Asbolus:
Asbolus paused mid-step at that, those piercing eyes meeting Vincent's easily as the question rolled around in his mind. "You bring them peace, I know that much; beyond that it is not for me to decide. What makes you think that you might be?"
Vincent Drake:
"I don't I just have a feeling some. . .co-workers of theirs disapprove, if you said I was wrong for them I would have told you that you know nothing." he admitted, "Think of it as gouging the rumor mill."
Asbolus:
"Past interactions with your kind may have left understandable marks on them, if you're talking about who I assume you are." He nodded quietly, looking Vincent over. "You suit each other well, in my mind: they've flourished since sharing their heart with yours, no question of that."
Vincent Drake:
"Then clearly I'm a positive influence," he sighed in relief, "I had hoped to forge some allies among yours, I find one Arthur Phoenix to be affable enough."
Asbolus:
"You've given them something to care for outside of themselves, something that's theirs. When one has lost almost everything, that can mean the world." Spoken from experience? No, never...
"Artie is a solid fellow, although I haven't spoken with him as much as I'd like."
Vincent Drake:
"I like hanging with him, he's good people, easy on the eyes too." Vinny jokes, "So. . .I guess we never talk much, besides theater, what's you hobbies."
Asbolus:
He allowed himself a small chuckle at the joke, not making any further comment on the Wizened himself. "Reading, people-watching, things like that. I got back into free-running recently, and spoke with your friend Valeria about joining the group she's wanting to set up on that front."
Vincent Drake:
"Yes. . .she's told me, not who I expected her to join but if she feels drawn to them , best of luck to her," he shrugged, "I enjoy people watching, thought I'd be an info-broker. . .but I've found a different calling, one that I'm sure I'll do well in, as long as the queen is beside me."
Asbolus:
"Considering her athleticism, a parkour enthusiasts group seems to fit her rather well to me." He replied with a curious look to the young Daeva, nodding as he continued. "Which 'queen' is this?"
Vincent Drake:
"Maria, our shared partner," he nodded, "As well as my business partner, we're a disaster triad if you will."
Asbolus:
"Ah...I see. Avery's mentioned her, I believe, although I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet myself."
Vincent Drake:
"She's amazing," he said wistfully, "How about you, got a lucky person to come home to?"
Asbolus:
"I'm not in a relationship currently, no." He smirked a touch. "I hope to amend that at some point in the future, though."
Vincent Drake:
"Greater Philly Polycule," he joked, "I'm sure their is someone whose tastes and needs you fulfill, just need to look." he shrugged, "Can't wait for the start of season, I have a feeling we might head to the world series again." he grinned
Asbolus:
"I have been keeping an eye out on that front, although no such luck as of yet. It'll come when it comes."
"Baseball, correct?" He inquired, smirking a touch. "More of a soccer man myself, but American sports have started to rub off on me lately."
Vincent Drake:
"Baseball, yes, the only sport worth following and we have the best team in the world, only lost because Astros are cheaters!" he shouts
Asbolus:
"I'll take your word for it." Asbolus chuckled, pausing as they passed a storefront to nod at his reflection in the window before continuing on down the sidewalk. "What sort of hobbies do you keep to these days?"
Vincent Drake:
"As much as I cut the figure of a dashing rouge, I'm a nerd," he laughed, "Tabletop, anime, warhammer, video games, info-dumping lore is my love language."
Asbolus:
"Not a bad thing, that." He nodded with a small smile. "Lord knows I could go on for hours talking about some of my preferred playwrights if allowed."
Vincent Drake:
"One day. . .I'll teach Avy to play warhammer," he chuckled, "Not Space Wolves, that army is an attack waiting to happen."
Asbolus:
"This a board game of some sort, I would guess?"
Vincent Drake:
"Tabletop, you buy miniatures, put them together and paint them," he smiled, "Two settings, Fantasy, I refuse to call it Age of Shitmar, and 40k, a dark sci-fi setting, either way I use the same army, Chaos Undivied, hordes of Daemons and Foul Slaves to the Dark Gods, although I primarily use Slaaneshi and Tzeentchain units," a pause, "Slaaensh is the god of pleasure and excess while Tzeentch is god of change and fate, the other two are the blood god Khorne and the plague god Nurgle," oh no, he's on a role, "So I field Warriors of Chaos in Fantasy, and Black Legion space marines in 40k-"
Asbolus:
Asbolus' eyebrow arched upwards at the description of the gods in particular but let Vincent carry on, listening intently although most of it clearly went over his head. "It certainly sounds...interesting. I can see them enjoying working on the models, at least."
Vincent Drake:
"Just not the Space Wolves, their an army of Space Marine Viking Furries."
Asbolus:
"Ah...that would be wise to avoid, yes." He offered a nod. "Similar to how I avoid most cyberpunk fiction, I imagine."
Vincent Drake:
"Another of my favorite franchises, Arasaka all the way," he joked, "If I may ask. . .how does it connect, please ignore my question if you wish."
Asbolus:
"Have you ever seen the film Dark City? Take that but done up in neon and chrome, the roads looping back into themselves and skylines that reach the heavens. That is where I was taken to, and media of that bent bring me back there in ways I'd rather not linger on."
Vincent Drake:
"Fuck." is all he says, having seen that film and, 'Fuck.. . "
Asbolus:
Asbolus let out a quiet hum at Vincent's response, looking forward as they continued down the sidewalk. "I served as one of Her Chosen while there, sent off to track down those who rebelled and either brought them back to the fold or...otherwise ensured they would cause no further issues. I won't deny that in time I relished the work, the desire for the hunt woven into my very being. A moment came where I was reminded of what remained of my humanity, however, and I was able to return here with the aid of those I had been sent to find."
Vincent Drake:
"That's.. . fuck, every time I here one of these stories I want to kill every last one of those fucks and mount their heads on my walls." he snarls, his eyed gaining a crimson tint before dying down, "Like. . .ugh, I hate that payback does not seem to be an option."
Asbolus:
That brief glimpse of the Beast within earned Vincent a quiet look from Asbolus, with the Darkling nodding quietly after the moment passed. "Direct action against them is unlikely at best and suicidal at worst, but some say that the best revenge is a life well lived and I tend to lean that way myself. Carving our own path forward spits in their eyes and proves that we no longer need them to survive."
A faint beep emerged from his pocket, causing him to pull his phone to check the message that arrived. "Apologies, but I need to be heading home. It was good speaking with you, Vincent, as always."
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