It took a moment for Gabriel to think back, to comb over years of memories. “Two months,” he admitted after a moment, “though, to be fair, I had a vested interest in wanting to make sure I got it perfect.” He’d still been young at the time, infatuated with a student in one of his classes at university and convinced that finding that perfect scent would be a powerful tool in wooing the boy. It hadn’t really worked out as Gabe had planned and the weeks spent searching out that exact combination of smells seemed like a waste looking back. He watched as Jason shifted closer, resting muscle-corded arms against the bar. Gabe didn’t bother shifting back from where he was leaning forward on his stool, some of the space eliminated between the two. “Our abilities aren’t really meant to benefit us, they’re meant for those around us.” He shrugged off-handedly; seraphs were meant to be a positive influence on the people around them, to be fiercely protective, to be beacons of virtue – there wasn’t much room left for anything else. “It isn’t our most potent ability, but sometimes it seems worthwhile. Being able to soothe someone when no one else can can be its own reward.” He’d met completely desolate souls who had been eased, even minutely, by his ability to call up some scent that comforted them – that had been enough for him at the time. “To be honest, I haven’t managed to mimic my favorite scent just yet.” There was a certain smell of ozone, one that you could only breathe in at a certain altitude in flight, that was unlike anything else; it smelled like life and energy and freedom… “I have no interest in stealing their bitches,” and it was almost comical to hear him being profane, “I doubt they would consider me much of a threat.” Being underestimated had always been one of his strengths.
Once Gabe felt even-keeled again, once he felt like he’d readjusted to this new presence in Amsterdam, he headed back inside to take up his seat beside Anais. “Maybe you should forget about Sven and try your wiles on Joey?” Gabe offered with a dimpled smile. Well, if the werewolf she’d spoke with online wasn’t available to charm her in person, she might as well try her luck elsewhere. “A fourteen year old girl?” Maybe the guy wasn’t someone Anais needed to be getting involved with, after all. “Sounds like someone needs to run a background check.” It only seemed to make sense that they closer the partners got, the more protective of one another that they would be. Whether it was on the job or otherwise, Gabe didn’t want anything to happen to her. “You can have another drink, you know.” Mind-reading wasn’t a gift Seraphs could lay claim to, right? “I’ll see that you get back to your room safely. You don’t have to worry. We both know that I couldn’t get drunk on this stuff even if I wanted to.” He raised his glass, motioning for Joey to bring him a refill. “Thank you,” he nodded his gratitude when a fresh cocktail arrived in front of him. “So what do you say?” Joey leaned over the bar, brows raised in question when he glanced at Anais, “Another?”