gabe-guzman

[gabe-guzman]

"Not unless we were in a bar brawl and I took one too many blows to the head," Gabe answered. There was, after all, every possibility. Still, you'd think you'd remember a night like that with a guy like this. "Gabriel Guzman-," he introduced, holding out a slightly crumpled business card- "Private Investigator."

So far, Colt had not run into anyone he knew. At least that he recognized, anyway. The costumes did tend to throw one off if the person in question was very well disguised. But he was definitely sure that he did not know the man across from him who was suddenly raising his glass in a toast. Blinking a little confusedly, Colt raised his own glass. "Uh yeah, cheers. I don', er, know you, do I?"

[gabe-guzman]

"babette," gabriel said in response, the first friendly (well, he doubted she was all smiles and sunshine) face he'd met in town. he didn't forget a face even if they weren't all as memorable as hers. "that it is. thank you again for the directions, who knows where i would have ended up without you."

babette strolled around evangeline's like the social butterfly she was born to be. she was proud to see the hard work ray had put in pay of for him, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. that being said, her attention was currently on the more rugged man in front of her "if it isn't my park buddy. cheers"

[gabe-guzman]

Gabriel Guzman could rarely contend with a friendly smile, it unsettled him. He spent so much time in the seedy underbelly of other people's sins, it was jarring to be met with anything genuine. In any case, he obliged with a small smile (he was smiling, right?) of his own. "Well, as much as I can. I've never been much of partier-," not for a long time, anyway. "I do think it's a good thing for Ray though. Set Evangeline's off with a bang. Are you enjoying the party, Batgirl?"

Anna was having fun seeing everyone in costumes, trying to guess who it was under, she ditched her Batgirl mask, since it was getting in the way of her seeing properly, and people could easily understand who she was dressed as without it. When someone next to her said cheers she couldn't help but turn to them. " Are you enjoying the party?" She asked with a friendly smile.

[gabe-guzman]

gabriel offered a polite smile as their glasses raised. he had researched this town extensively although who didn't know the name 'armbruster'? if he knew one thing, it was that money could get you into almost anywhere. after a moment, he set his glass back down, extending a hand to her-- "gabriel guzman, private investigator"

ashley hadn't been seen in public for some time. she had opted to go on a long vacation and arriving home in time for evangeline's opening seemed fitting for her grand reemergence onto the social scene. standing with a drink in hand, she raised her glass to him "cheers"

[gabe-guzman]

Unreadable. Sometimes Gabriel wondered if he was chasing a ghost or a reflection when it came to Mirage. There was no doubt in his mind that she was at the center of this. Then again, he was the first to point the finger her way for most things. If there were strings being pulled, he imagined her hands.

'Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it'.

"Here was me thinking you'd be a million miles away from a place like this," he started, eyes never leaving hers. "Don't tell me you're thinking about retiring?"

Of all the people Mirage was expecting to take a glancee at tonight, Gabriel Guzman was not one of them. He was good at staying off her radar, while she struggled to stay out of his, a feat not easily achieved. She was lingering at the bar, taking it all in, when his glass came into her line of sight. Cheers.

She glanced at it, then Gabriel. Her expression was just as unreadable.

"Cheers."

[gabe-guzman]

How fitting it was that tonight Redwood's residents adorned costumes. Hiding who they were, hiding what they'd done. The opening was innocent enough, of course but Gabriel Guzman wasn't going to let his guard down now. With an unreadable expression, he held his glass out to them--- "Cheers."

@happieststarters

[gabe-guzman]

Gabriel had almost been too lost in his own inner monologue to notice that Ray was right in front of him. Not very observant, detective. A rare grin spread across his face when Ray turned, the pride he felt clear as day. Gabe clapped him on the back affectionately in response-- "You did it, Ray."

He let it sit between them a moment longer, let the truth of it sink in. Gabe had last seen Ray when he was miles away, chasing another dream. Thankfully for them all, he'd realised he was right where he was meant to be. "Yeah, of course. Well, as much as I ever enjoy anything. She looks amazing, everything you ever said she'd be. I'm proud of you, Bug."

When the doors to Evangeline's opened that evening, Ray wept tears of joy. It had happened. Raymond Bug had created something meaningful to himself. Something that he believed would outlive him. Something he could pass onto his future family. He hhad created a way to support himself and Jane. This was his.

Mingling through the crowd now, Ray's smile was beaming so bright it could probably be seen from space. Turning at a tap to his shoulder, he smiled at the person infront of him. "Thank you! Welcome to Evangeline's! Are you enjoying yourself?"

@happieststarters

[gabe-guzman]

gabriel couldn't get used to the air here yet. it was too sweet. the sun may have been shining now but he knew better than most that a storm was rolling in. this town was shrouded in more mystery than anyone knew (gabe included) and he intended to uncover it all. until then, he'd settle for directions.

gabe knew trouble when he saw it and today, she was sipping coffee. "excuse me, ma'am. do you know the way to a place called 'evangeline's'?

babette sat on her preferred park bench, basking in the sunshine before it clouded over. she had been lost in her thoughts as of late. victor and her back to a rough patch and she was unsure where to go to move forward. lifting her coffee cup to her lips, she took a sip and let out a deep breath.

@happieststarters

[gabe-guzman]

[gabe-guzman]

[gabe-guzman]

Pedro Pascal for Esquire by Norman Jean Roy