001, redux | video

[ringen]

[ Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Here is the face of an impeccably dressed lady, judging by the looks of her white wide-brim hat, stylish dangling earrings, and makeup. Or, more specifically, here is the face of an impeccably dressed lady who is also so done. It's hard to tell, because there remains the curl of a smile to her lips, but there's something about her demeanor that says what's behind the smile isn't so much delight as much as it is just--finished, and this is just the beginning. ]

So.

Second verse, same as the first, hm?

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to make it to Istanbul without making a detour to an alternate dimension or parallel universe or whatever it is that we're calling this place now. I'd personally like to make more than a few meters, but I suppose that's not really for me to decide, now is it? This is only slightly ridiculous.

I hope you all haven't gotten into too much trouble while I've apparently been gone. And if so-- I could surely use a rather stiff drink right about now [ gaby it's not even 5pm ] and shall welcome anyone who would like to join me. It looks like something called "Cinco de Drinko" just passed? Is it too late to celebrate that? Those "margaritas" look quite good.

[ She sighs, a little exasperated. ] Well... it's good to be back. In a way.

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[brushoff]

My dear Gaby, if you wanted a margarita, you simply had to ask. [ Dorian's just grinning, as he gives the camera a little wave. Hey gurl hey. ]

[ringen]

[ Her hesitant little smile turns a little brighter. ]

Dorian. I knew I could count on you, my friend. It's good to see you're still around.

[brushoff]

I've got a feeling I'll be here forever, [ said in a light-hearted tone. He's obviously joking (except he REALLY isn't) ]

What city are you in now?

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[hypodermicgurl]

Didn't know they did callbacks around here.

video | id reads "karen starr"

[boobwindow]

Happy Hour starts early, huh.

[ringen]

Heropa. A bit of a silly name, I think, all things considered. But it's sunnier than Maurtia Falls.

And you?

[ringen]

Oh, certainly. I think this place may even be fond of callbacks.

[ringen]

[ She gives a mischievous little smile. ]

As they say, it's always five o' clock somewhere.

[ That is a thing, right? She'd thought she'd heard Solo say it at some point, but... ]

[boobwindow]

Would it be in celebration or exasperation?

[ She feels rather bad someone who had gone home had to find themselves back here. ]

[hypodermicgurl]

Now that's a bitch.

[The dead coming back outside of a hotel is a little much for her.]

But there's a new bar around. If you're shopping.

[brushoff]

Still in Maurtia Falls, thankfully. Toby and I have our own apartment.

[ringen]

I'd call it a bit of both, frankly.

[ From Gaby's point of view, she'd just been held captive twice in a row--once at home, and then again here, by the Russians, which now feels like it only happened yesterday and not months ago. It's a lot to process all of a sudden. ]

Although I'd say exasperation has a bit of a lead on this one.

[ringen]

How lovely. That reminds me, I never did meet him. Won't you introduce us sometime?

[ringen]

Truly.

[ She offers a sympathetic smile. ]

I am always open to suggestions, my friend. Where is this new bar?

[boobwindow]

Can't blame you, especially if you had some business to take care of back home.

[ringen]

I think everyone's got their own business to take care of at home, do they not? We're all in the same boat.

[ it clearly has not occurred to her that some people here are dead where they come from... ]

[boobwindow]

A lot of business... but it's unfortunately got to wait.

[ringen]

We don't have a choice.

Anyway, business here and there are quite similar for me. I was lucky enough to be pulled from the cold war to be put... in the cold war.

[brushoff]

Considering he's my fiancee, you'll meet him sooner than you think!

[ringen]

[ There's a brief look of genuine surprise that flashes across Gaby's face, before she offers a smile. ]

Fiancee? Since when?

Oh, and congratulations, Dorian.

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[liverletdie]

Cinco de drinko? Really?

Has anyone talked to you about drinking problems, lately? It's awfully early.

[ringen]

[ Who even is this jerk. ]

Not in Rome, it isn't. And considering that's where I just was, I'm going to say it's perfectly fine that I'm going to have a drink.

[liverletdie]

I'm pretty sure that's not how you're supposed to cope with jetlag.

Haven't you tried coffee, instead? I'm just saying, it's kind of unhealthy.

[brushoff]

Since about a month ago—we've been together longer than that, though.

[ And look at just how smiley and happy he is. Dorian's downright overjoyed. ]

[ringen]

[ Dorian is so sweet, thought literally no one ever except for (1) Gaby Teller. ]

So it was quite recent. How lovely. Does this mean you're in the midst of planning for all of the festivities?