(Untitled)

[gabriel_tam]

The hotel concierge had hastily arranged a private conference room for him, at least, but he's under no illusion that his own influence had anything to do with it. It's the fact that he's there as a special courier with an urgent message for Senator Gabriel Tam

Comments

[a_fell]

The novice that answers the wave hesitates when he hears the name that Gabriel requests. He recovers quickly, though, and vanishes obediently to fetch the Prior. It's still a few minutes before Aziraphael shuffles into view, wearing a strange expression on his face. Those that know him might describe it as wild hope. Those that didn't might say it was mania. Regardless, it's vanished by the time he takes a seat in front of the screen and dismisses the novice with vague thanks.

"Gabriel," he says, voice a little creaky. "It's good to see you."

[gabriel_tam]

"You as well, Prior."

He hadn't missed the other's expression, or how it had changed when he'd seen who was waiting-- or who wasn't, rather.

Gabriel can feel his hopes trying to sink, and he forces himself to take a slow breath and not to jump to any unwanted conclusions.

"I'm sorry to disturb you."

[a_fell]

"No, no need to apologise," he says, waving a hand. "I'm afraid we're still floundering around in the Dark Ages here, as far as communication goes. It's not a necessity most of the time, you see."

He clears his throat, in the way that one does when recovering from a nasty cold.

"I hope you're well? Everything - things are going all right?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Wŏ hăo, yes, although..."

Carefully, so carefully.

"... I just received some troubling news."

A pause.

"More than troubling, really, if it were true."