#˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗ g.a. : casual convos

[s0leinis]

open starter! capping at 5 replies! @kilmerstarters location: hawthorne inn

gabriel couldn’t help sticking his nose where it didn’t belong – it was part of his job description. as he leaned his body against the splintered, timeworn counter of the hawthorne inn, he studied the flow of guests with the scrutiny of a man who never truly clocked out. his coffee had long since cooled in his grasp, forgotten as he cataloged the familiar and unfamiliar faces streaming through the lobby’s doors. even though he was off duty, he couldn’t help but make mental note of the faces he’d recognized and those he hadn’t. if one of the latter happened to be attractive, he’d discreetly mark the thought for potential exploration, perhaps an invitation for drinks when professionalism wasn’t breathing down his neck. just as he lifted the coffee lid to his lips, someone out of the ordinary catches his attention. gabriel set his coffee down and slid a small, leather-bound notebook from his coat pocket and began jotting down observations. “interesting...” he mumbled, his voice carrying a bit louder intended.

[s0leinis]

to gabriel's dismay, the subject began speaking. a lot. “uh-huh,” gabriel muttered, shifting his focus from the stranger to his notebook, where he hastily scribbled, arrested (multiple times?). “and what other things haven’t you done since getting out?” gabriel decided to take advantage of the information that poured forth. much of it came so quickly that his hand struggled to keep pace, as he was determined to not neglect a single detail. only when briar called him weird did the writing cease, gabriel now looking up. “me?” he scoffed, “oh, you have to be on something.”

briar  does  not  fuck  with  cops.  in  the  same  way  that  he  doesn't  particularly  like  horses,  briar  makes  it  a  habit  to  avoid  being  around  them  at  most  times.  in  the  same  vein,  they  can  always  spot  a  cop,  too  —  they  do  weird  shit,  like  brood  in  a  corner  and  scan  the  room  while  drinking  coffee.  or  talking  to  themselves  while  writing  something  down.  briar  refuses  to  acknowledge  that  maybe  his  copdar  isn't  that  good,  and  instead  he's  just  met  a  lot  of  cops.  this  one  included,  unfortunately,  "  are  you  talkin'  to  me  ?  man,  i  hope  not,  'cause  i'll  have  you  know,  i  haven't  done  anything  since  the  last  time  i  got  out  —  "  a  motormouth  at  heart  and  a  chronic  sufferer  of  foot  in  mouth  disease,  briar  can't  help  but  continue,  "  —  and  you  gotta  stop  acting  weird,  man.  like,  you're  being  real  weird  right  now  —  "  you'll  have  to  stop  him.

[s0leinis]

if the male ego was fragile, gabriel would have 'handle with care' stamped across his forehead. he cast a critical glance at the woman addressing him, unable to mask his judgment. “i’m just doing my job,” he retorted, lifting the cloth at his waist to reveal the badge clipped to his belt. "and though i don't do this for the praise, a thank you wouldn't hurt. ” he resumed jotting notes, but lillian's mention of ms. jones piqued his interest. gabriel hesitated, his pride unwilling to let him pry further, but curiosity nagged at him. he cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "and what is it that you know? i’m just asking to make sure the details match up - and i probably already have it written down here - but legally you do have to tell me."

"Oh now, there's your mistake honey. If you want to snoop on people or simply watch then you really do need to keep those thoughts on the inside." Lillian smiled with barely restrained glee. In truth she'd just happened to be walking past as he spoke and looking up had joined the dots. Still she hoped she'd be able to have a bit of fun and so pulled up the chair beside him.

"Who did we notice? Wasn't Mrs Jones was it? Really she needs to be left far alone or you're just asking for trouble."