PENNY, 24, GMT; SHE/HER. |Β if youβre hearingΒ VIENNA by BILLY JOELΒ playing, you have to knowΒ GABRIEL MOORE (HE/HIM; CIS MAN)Β is near by! the THIRTY-FOURΒ year oldΒ HISTORY PROFESSORΒ has been in denver for, like,Β THREE YEARS.Β theyβre known to be quiteΒ OBSTINATE,Β but beingΒ ALLOCENTRICΒ seems to balance that out. or maybe itβs the fact that they resembleΒ JACOB ANDERSON.Β personally, iβd love to know more about them seeing as how theyβve got thoseΒ WANDERING EMPTY MUSEUMS, THE GLOW FROM A LAPTOP SCREEN and ROLLED-UP SHIRT SLEEVES AND V-NECK JUMPERSΒ vibes. and maybe iβll get my chance if i hang out around theΒ DOWNTOWN DISTRICTΒ long enough!Β
full name:Β gabriel isaac moore. nicknames:Β gabe, abe. gender and pronouns:Β cis man, he/him. age:Β thirty-four. sexuality:Β bisexual. date of birth:Β july 15th. zodiac sign: cancer ( loyal, creative, sensitive, insecure. ) place of birth:Β bristol, england. occupation: assistant professor of history, university of denver.
born and raised in bristol, the youngest of three with two older sisters. as a diplomatic service officer their father was away more often than not, so gabe was raised by his mother and sisters.
his interest in writing, reading and history was a curveball. aside from his father, the rest of the family's interests were firmly rooted in stem. they were ( perhaps justifiably ) worried that gabriel's interests would not give him much success in life. but he was determined to pursue his passion and after graduating top of his class at bristol uni for undergrad, went on to get his master's and phd in history at st andrew's.
moved to london after graduation wondering what to do with himself and fell into teaching. completed his teaching qual and sought out a role teaching history whilst continuing to research and publish occasionally on the side to keep up with developments in the academic world.
( tw: car accident, injury, depression & ptsd ) was cycling to work as per usual one day when he was hit by a drunk driver at a crossing. he woke up just short of a week later to a shock. gabe had been lucky, really. at least, that's what everyone said -- at the time he couldn't only think that was a cruel thing to say. his right leg had been amputated, originally below the knee but complications did not go his way and so shortly after he became an above knee amputee. otherwise, he was pretty much unscathed - scars here and there the only thing to show of his ordeal now.
slightly reeling and with nothing to really do during his recovery, gabriel turned back to the work he loved. this was something of a relief to friends and family as, not unexpectedly, gabe was diagnosed with ptsd and depression immediately following the accident and suffered during much of his recovery. by no means have either of those things become a non-issue in his life, but they have dissipated and significantly and well, when all else failsβ¦ thereβs always throwing yourself into work or looking after someone else.Β he wrote a monograph, a social history of black africans in renaissance england that was eventually published just under five years ago now.
riding on the back of the book's success, a desire to return to academia and for a change of scenery he began applying for jobs. the offer from the university of denver came through and he took it and uprooted to denver. this was where his familyβs relief was dampened; they thought it was a rash decision ( they werenβt wrong, but gabe was never one to change his mind once it was set and they knew it )Β
gabe has been in denver for three years now, comfortable in his position at the university but also keen to engage with as many people as possible. he runs a sort of 'history 101' evening class at the community college for anyone to attend.
"That wasn't even an option for me before all the shit went down," he spoke, though it had been more about him than actually getting in anywhere. Banks had barely survived high school, leaving college something that never made it to the table despite there being voices in his ear saying that he could make it work. "That's why I fought for the apprenticeship, cause then at least I could do something I was good at. College.. that's a bigger swing than trying to find me a job outside of the cafe."
"i don't think it's a bigger swing, but... a swing in a different direction, sure." he didn't want to argue with banks by any means, but equally gabe wasn't going to stand by and let the other just write off college because he didn't believe it was for him. the brit rifled through his paperwork, producing the community college and du brochures he was sure he'd brought with a quiet but triumphant 'aha.' "it was a tattoo apprenticeship, right? there are loads of art courses that you would be great for, man."
Owen grinned over at Gabe as he watched him reach for his phone, something he was very grateful for. While he could lip read decent enough, he often missed words here and there, trying to scramble and place them mid conversation. Reading off a phone was much more easier for him, though he would never ask anyone to go out of their way to do it for him. So when Gabriel did, it truly meant a lot to Owen. A loud laugh fell from him lips as his eyes scanned over the words, reaching for his own phone as well. Just trying to keep you on your toes. He grinned, shaking his head with amusement as he paused for a moment. You're the one that agrees to go on them with me, can't put the blame on me for that. He teased, shrugging his shoulders lightly before he looked around the two of them for a moment. But this is where I'm really hoping that you know how to get out of here. I feel like I've been going around in circles at this point, briefly debated just making this my new home.
accessibility was a quality many people didn't tend to think too much about. not until it touched their own lives, at least. gabriel had been one of those people -- and would be the first to admit his own ignorance -- so he always made a conscious effort to do whatever he could to make life easier for anyone else. "i think you're forgetting the level of coercion involved," a pause for effect. "what am i supposed to do? look lady in the eye and say no i won't be spending any time with you today? PLEASE." there was an element of truth in his joke -- he found it increasingly difficult to say no to lady or owen. maybe part of it was also that the hikes had turned out to be good for him too, but he wasn't going to concede that. gabriel shook his head, shoulders slumping. "i'm actually really sorry to break this to you, but i have absolutely no idea where the fuck we are. i'm pretty sure i've been walking around in circles since i got here. but you came from back up there, right?" he gestured to the space in front of them. "and i came from the right so maybe we try going left? or like you say, just accept defeat and settle down right here."
βIβm sad to say that the marketing scheme worked on me!β Ophelia scoffed with a small pout. Her desire to try something new did mean caving into the seasonal trends, and she felt burned by it. βStraight vinegar is a little too much. I think Iβd suffer through this over that,β she laughed. βOh. I would not say no to a make-up drink. Anything better than this, please, though it is such a low bar right now.β
"oh, we've all been there! you just watch, when it gets to christmas my defences crumble completely. it's borderline tragic," he truly was an absolute sucker for christmas-themed... well, anything. gabriel conceded with a dip of his head and a slight laugh, hands up in surrender. "yeah, i might've gone a bit too far with the straight vinegar thing, but in my defence i really don't like pumpkin spice flavoured things." considering the drinks menu, he hummed quietly. "do we risk sticking with the seasonal menu to try and get in the spirit of it, or do you think that's just too risky at this point? because if not i'm really feeling a mojito -- you can't go wrong with a classic.
"oh, we've all been there! you just watch, when it gets to christmas my defences crumble completely. it's borderline tragic," he truly was an absolute sucker for christmas-themed... well, anything. gabriel conceded with a dip of his head and a slight laugh, hands up in surrender. "yeah, i might've gone a bit too far with the straight vinegar thing, but in my defence i really don't like pumpkin spice flavoured things." considering the drinks menu, he hummed quietly. "do we risk sticking with the seasonal menu to try and get in the spirit of it, or do you think that's just too risky at this point? because if not i'm really feeling a mojito -- you can't go wrong with a classic."
"I still don't know what the point of all this is, it's not like any of these places are gonna want me anyways," he replied to the various ideas they were pooling together to get his shit on track. Banks didn't know how the other had talked him into it or why he was even thinking there was some place that would be willing to hire him on with his record, much less aspire for more as he looked at the list. "Who even put college on this? That's got to be for someone else." Not him. @modestvm
gabriel frowned, shuffling papers idly in his hands as banks spoke ( he still tended towards the analogue when it came to important subjects -- and he very much considered helping the other in any way he could incredibly important. ) "you don't know that," he asserted, "you have a job and people have come back from way worse records than yours -- and i put college on that because it could be for you. if that's something you're interested in, i know it's not for everybody."
Really, the corn maze had been a good idea about twenty minutes ago- but now Owen was so turned around, he wasn't even remotely which way he had been yet. Briefly wondering if anyone would come looking for him when they closed down for the night or if he would be stuck here over night. If he should just give up and make home inside the stalks of corn. The game plan he had for tackling and finding the end had been abandoned the moment he had gotten inside, despite it all though, he really was having a blast. Even if he had came here alone, figuring that sooner or later, he was likely to run into someone he knew. And if he didn't, well, Owen was sure to strike up a conversation with someone anyways. However as hypothetical his running into someone was, the very thing happened as he turned a corner of the maze and ran directly into someone. Instantly bringing up a hand to sign a quick 'sorry', without even thinking about it.
his sense of direction was poor at the best of times, but desperate times had called for desperate measures and a corn maze was as good a distraction as any from work. at least, that's what gabriel was continuing to tell himself after about ten minutes of wandering aimlessly around said maze. it had brought him away from his desk for the first time that day though and the fresh air really was working wonders. he hadn't expected to run into anyone in the maze, but realising it was owen he'd just literally bumped shoulders with gabriel was all of a sudden very grateful for it. he grinned, signing 'no problem' back before reaching instinctively for his phone to type. the brit had made an effort to pick up some asl but he still only knew a little. "i thought you usually saved trying to kill me for when you're dragging me out on hikes. is this your way of telling me i have to start looking out for you wherever i go now?"
figured i would just make a wee post for a plotting call so if you'd like to plot with gabe ( i have something vaguely resembling a wc page here for him ) pls drop a like and i will shuffle over π
open starter ! @chqstarter
location: hell & high water
"Seriously, I know it's fall and people love their seasonal drinks and everything, but who thought a pumpkin spice cocktail was gonna taste good?" Ophelia squeaked, face scrunching from the sip she had just taken from her autumnal drink. Pushing it away from her on the counter, she shook her head with disgust. "Do you want to finish this?"
gabriel winced sympathetically at her reaction to the drink, nose scrunching at the idea of pumpkin spice flavoured anything. "well, you said it; everybody's trying to capitalise on the season and its trends... even if it turns out to be a terrible idea." he gestured vaguely towards the offending drink. "oh, no, thank you! i think i'd rather drink straight vinegar, but, uh can i get you another drink to make up for this loss?"
check the source link OR HERE for #124 gifs of π£πππ¨π ππ§πππ«π¬π¨π§ as himself in various youtube videos. all gifs were made from scratch by me for roleplaying purposes and are 268 x 165 px. if you found this post useful, PLEASE REBLOG. check the rules for more information.
he had figured those behind the counter would have been able to grab whatever they wanted ( within reason, anyway ) throughout the day, but also would have kicked himself had he not even offered. after all, he had basically roped the other into sitting with a stranger. gabriel thanked banks as he arrived with their drinks, secretly glad he hadn't scared the other off after all. he frowned over the top of his mug of coffee. "i wouldn't tell you to fuck off," fingers tapped idly against the mug. "and if i did you'd be well within your rights to deck me one. i invited you over here." he nodded his understanding. "well, if you get in trouble i'll just tell them it was my fault." he shrugged nonchalantly. it was only the truth. "so, banks... do you just really like cats and coffee?"
a laugh escaped at his words and she nodded her head. she agreed wholeheartedly with the sentiment, though sticking a middle finger up to memories that had once been pleasant was no easy task. if it was sheβd have done it years ago. βwell then I might have to start saying that too.β
sofia liked to think herself a bit of a wine connoisseur. It was perhaps the one thing sheβd inherited from her mother. in the acosta household, wine held a certain importance. every meal had to be served with the right pairing, every fancy party fully stocked with whatever someone may desire. βIβm partial to a nice pinot noir or chardonnay myself, but at this point Iβm willing to drink anything. surprise me,β she told him, a playful smile daring him to pick something good.
he nodded, expression schooled only half-successfully into seriousness. "oh, you should." gabe implored, hand on heart. "i could see it really catching on, you know."
a thoughtful hum passed his lips as he tried to recall the stalls he'd seen and align them with her mentioned favourites. "all good choices," he conceded warmly. "you can't go wrong with a pinot noir; that's just a fact of life." he huffed a sigh, brows furrowing lightly. "...have you ever had mead before?"
