gabriel_tam | (no subject)

(no subject)

The room is fairly nice, all things considered. There are several chairs, a porta-cot set up discreetly against one wall for visitors that for one reason or another are reluctant to leave, and it's clear that whoever designed this particular private room in the first place intended to make it seem as warm and welcoming as possible.

Of course, given that it's a hospital, there's really only so much that can be done.

Currently, the hospital bed is tilted upwards at an angle, with the evident intention of making the patient comfortable. It seems to be working, at least a little, because Gabriel Tam is asleep.

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"No, to know," he retorts, and now irritated temper is clear. "I remember very clearly. A business matter, he said -- of course that was five hundred years ago, or however it works in that tāmāde bar, and when he mentioned it now, when they were taken, it was to threaten to leave them dead and floating, dŏng ma?"

The flare of anger exhausts his strength, and Gabriel looks bitter as he falls back against the mattress.

"As for why he'd send Raguel after me, I've no idea. I can only suppose that something I've done has annoyed him. Then again, I'm given to understand he might do things just because he thinks they're fun."

"It appears that there is a great deal more for me to watch for than I might have expected."

Already he is including these new details in his plans, much as he has ever done.

"Though there do seem to be weaknesses to exploit, should it come to that."

Given Galadan an inch, and he'll take an entire world apart.

He has before.

"I suppose."

His tone is one of weary resignation.

"You don't need to."

Galadan's voice is cool as ever, though his attention is at least half elsewhere.

He has learned a great deal in the past few minutes, and there is more he should be finding out.

He'll have a busy night ahead of him.

"To suppose or to exploit?"

He reaches out to set the tile on the nearby table, and finds as he does that his hand is trembling with weakness.

Gabriel curses bitterly under his breath.

"Either."

Galadans smile is sudden and sharp.

"That is, to a point, what you hired me for."

Beat.

"And unless you have something to tell me regarding the significance of that letter you've been clutching, I'll take my leave of you now."

"I don't know the significance of it," he answers. "It was included with the note."

"Hmm."

Galadan looks at the wooden tile a moment more, then flicks his gaze back to Gabriel.

"Should anything occur to you, feel free to let me know. Otherwise, I'll go about my business, and touch base with you in the morning."

"Wăn ān, Galadan."

He manages a cordial nod. Even as exhausted as he is now, weary from the shock and the passing of the adrenaline rush, there's something of relief about him as well, although he might himself be surprised to see it.

"I'll see you in the morning."

Galadan nods in return, then steps toward the door, blurs into a shadow, and vanishes.

The evening nurse will be here shortly, and some things are better left unseen.

And, if possible, unremarked-upon.

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