New Member (Gabriel)

[Connor Dwyre]

It had been a few days since Connor had met Sara on the roof. He figured she would speak to her "boss" and then he would go and find him. However, trying to find someone without eyesight was not exactly an easy task. Sure, Connor had shown confidence, and at the time he even believed it himself. But, his "blind sight" only helped him to navigate and avoid falling or walking into things. No detail, no color, and no Gabriel. If this was a test, he felt like he would fail.

He didn't give up. After all, there were only so many students in the school. One of the had to be the boy he was searching for, right? He didn't stop everyone, only a few, but none were able to tell him where to find him. This was discouraging for Connor. How does one find what one seeks? Connor rested his back against a locker for a moment. That proved to be folly.

The same large boy who had targeted him with Linda standing right there happened to own the locker right next to the one Connor was leaning against.

"Well, if it is the cripple who hangs with the weirdo witch! And look... no school captain to protect you this time."

Connor smirked. "You know I can't see, yet you still tell me to look. You really are about as smart as I gave you credit for." He shook his head. "I don't have time for you right now. Maybe you should go and play with someone else."

Connor started to walk away, and the boy pushed him from behind. Connor stumbled forward a few steps, but caught himself and didn't fall. "Not so fast, punk! I'm not done with you."

There were only a few students around, and Connor was not in the mood. The benefit this time was he was able to deal with the guy himself. He took off his shades, using his eyes to unnerve the boy. "Are you sure you want me to embarrass you in front of everyone?"

The boy hesitated a second, the eyes bothering him. Then he god mad. "Shut up!"

With that, he swung. To Connor, it looked like slow motion. He waited until the face shot came within inches of nailing him. Then he shifted his weight to the left, caught the boy's arm at the wrist with his right, and his elbow with his left. With a quick rotation, he turned the boy;s arm around, applying pressure so that the boy thought it would pop out of the socket. He continued to drive the boy's face to the ground. He held him there, the boy crying out in pain.

"How the hell did you..."

"Now that I have your attention, maybe you'll listen. I'm only asking once. Leave me alone, and never, ever talk about Bix like that again. Otherwise, we'll go through this again."

He could feel the boy nodding, and with that, he pushed forward, sprawling him out on the floor. He made sure he had his things, and left the crowd and the boy. Connor was usually quiet, but the mention of Bix and the constant problems this boy had already caused him just got to him. He didn't care what anyone called him, but to talk about Bix in a down fashion... that he didn't take. To his friends, he was fiercely loyal. Since Bix was his only friend, he defended her even if she wasn't around.

Not to mention, he was a bit enamored with her, but those were thoughts for another time. He had to find Gabriel. But how. He talked out loud as he walked. "This is beginning to feel hopeless. How am I supposed to find someone. Just walk up to everyone I pass and go 'Hi. I'm trying to find Gabriel. Do you know him?'" He shook his head.

"Come on Connor... think..."

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel found himself sitting alone in the hallways, well actually he was sitting in a stairwell overlooking the halls. He'd found this opportune place to pop out and find effective fights breaking out even eavesdrop on the latest news running about. There were bits and pieces about riots, rebellions, when was there move going to strike. He grinned at the idea's Gabriel wasn't ready and therefore neither was the school. The pieces were in play and the game was about to begin.

Emerald eyes traced a small brawl occurring, looked to be another healthy fight though however despicable it may have been. A blind kid vs. a group of bullies. Disgusting. Gabriel shook his head not bothering to get included he would normally have jumped in but he figured it would add to his support, angry students meant a violent following and thats what his smokescreen needed. There was a gathering however that lie behind that screen eager to take its place. He gazed down and in an instant he heard smashing, looking up he expected to see the cripple beaten into the locker though somehow he'd come out on top. Interesting. He thought with a malicious grin.

He heard the kid mention Bix. A slave of his? yes she had lost to him in that game, and she'd soon become a part of his attack legion once the pieces came in motion, they'd all be closely knit. Gabriel sat watching knowing his presence hadn't been alerted.

"This is beginning to feel hopeless. How am I supposed to find someone. Just walk up to everyone I pass and go 'Hi. I'm trying to find Gabriel. Do you know him?'"

His brow raised curiously, "You called?" Gabriel hymned in a rhythmic voice standing to clap and walk along to the blind man's side.

"Quite an interesting talent you have there, mind enlightening me as to how you came about my name?"

[Connor Dwyre]

A calm voice responded to him. The voice came from behind, and Connor didn't know if someone from the crowd had followed him. He turned around, his shades back on his face, and was "looking" right at him. The boy had apparently responded to his thinking aloud, and had very much gotten Connor's attention. He even gave a bit of applause. The sound pinpointed his exact location, and Connor found the person right by his side.

Apparently the fight had caught his, and as Connor was not one to brag, his reason for any bravado gone, it took him a second to respond. "Um... talent?" He didn't know what the guy meant at first. He thought for a second, and then realized that he must have been talking about the fight. "Oh, that. Well, the short version is from training. My sensei taught me how to work with my blindness, not against it. The longer version would take more time to explain."

Connor also realized he was now face to face with the very person he was seeking. "Your, Gabriel, right?" He was relieved a bit. The search wouldn't take him the rest of the year. He lowered his voice a bit, to keep others around from overhearing. "Well, I met Sara the other day, and we talked. I found that we share a common ground. What you guys are trying to do is something I tried at my old school. Unfortunately, there were... complications." He rubbed his gloved hands. The memory always brought back the pain.

"Anyway, when I came here, and especially after the wonderful PAs from this Purple guy, I have been slipping back into a similar role as my old school. Problem is, there I had a voice. I was able to rally. Here... well... not so much. I have been trying to figure out a plan. Something, anything, to take down the gangs, and these guys who are obviously abusing the power they think they have."

Connor was calm, but the tone and passion in his voice showed honesty. "She said I should find you. That I might be an asset. Right now, the only bit of good I have is the fact that I met Orange, and he doesn't see me as a threat. I had an idea to get close, and gather information. I don't know on what. Their plans... something isn't right. I think it runs way deeper then they let on."

He paused a moment before continuing. "I want to help, and I'd like to join you guys. Whatever I can do, as long as I am capable, I'd like to offer it. And, I can fight." He rubbed his hands again. "I want to keep what happened to me from happening to someone else. But, Sara said I had to find and talk to you."

He grinned. "Though, to be honest, I didn't know exactly how I'd find you. I can get around, but not like I could spot you in a crowd." He was obviously not embarrassed by his blindness. He was very easygoing when it came to that. Sara had found that out. "Glad you found me. Otherwise, I'd be kind of stuck."

[Gabriel Seran]

"Your, Gabriel, right?"

Gabriel grinned with a certain pleasure, "That would be me." He said in a low humored voice waiting on his words, it wasn't everyday he was sought after most of the time the only ones out to find him were the pillars, in fact he was a regular convict at this school ever since he stepped out of line and voiced himself. Only a target now.

"Well, I met Sara the other day, and we talked. I found that we share a common ground. What you guys are trying to do is something I tried at my old school. Unfortunately, there were... complications."

Good, Sara knew the importance of this and was evidently working just as hard to bolster their ranks though the dirty deeds to be dished out where not to be spread about by a handicapped man. Useful he may be but in a battle against severely trained pillars he'd hinder the group.

"Yes I understand what you mean by complications." Gabriel chuckled lowly as a hand rubbed over his right hand. The metal pieces of it was taut against the glove he wore to conceal his injury. He'd done it for the war for this purpose he sought fit to press. An arm was a small sacrifice for what needed to be done.

"I want to help, and I'd like to join you guys. Whatever I can do, as long as I am capable, I'd like to offer it. And, I can fight." He rubbed his hands again. "I want to keep what happened to me from happening to someone else. But, Sara said I had to find and talk to you."

Gabriel's eyes traced over the young man, he was quiet and swift about it appearing as though he were a ghostly figure. He didn't know how much of a use this boy could be, the inside information on Orange was certainly a nice bonus though Gabriel was after the Reapers and Pillars. He thought on it again, unfortunately they were all in this together. Matrim, Adrian, Damien, Mr. Purple, and Mr. Orange all of them working as one. But if he could find a way to turn them upon one another it would be much easier.

"I don't know what much use you can be to me, you haven't even given me a name to put to your face," Gabriel stopped and looked towards him once more, "unless a snitch has no name?" He needed to take the precautions risking his own valuable resources was to no way going to help his plans he needed to be sure.

"Show me you can fight...I want to see it..."

[Connor Dwyre]

A snitch? For who? Not the opposing side. Connor had nothing to hide, save for his own scars and his eyes, which upon request he would show. His eyes, anyway. His scars ran deeper than the markings on his hands, his own sacrifice at his own school.

Gabriel had his doubts. Even if he had been slightly impressed before, standing here no getting a look at Connor he might have summed him up as "not much." After all, he was blind, he was quiet. However, he was also loyal, honest, and very reliable when it came right down to it.

"Connor. Connor Dwyre." He spoke straight forward. "I have no reason to snitch. Besides, it was days ago when I met Sara. If I had wanted to snitch on anyone, I could have done so. I had your name and hers. She admitted you had plans. That would be all I need, I would think. But, I didn't. I have no reason to do that. Everything they stand for, I am against. I had to deal with it before. I want to help deal with it now."

The boy also mentioned wanting to see Connor fight. Didn't he just see it? But, Connor figured he wanted a more... intimate demonstration. Connor nodded. He placed his cane against the wall, and his bag down next to it. He took his stance. well balanced, his palms open, and facing the ground. His face, shades still on, met Gabriel's. He wasn't aggressive, and his style was meant to work with everything Connor was capable of. He spoke, his voice soft, but powerful.

"Whenever you're ready."

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel smirked, the kid seemed rather innocent from a verbal sense indeed Gabriel had his doubts if Sara was so sure of this kid there had to be something in him that would resort to the other side a darker background and Gabriel would become determined to pursue sed fact.

"Now then what is it you so desire? Are you willing to abandon and give everything of yourself to seek it even if it destroys you, your very morals you stand for?" Gabriel ushered in a deep voice that would be very invasive and perverse.

Watching the boy crouch into a fighting stance Gabriel grinned again, he didn't take pleasure from kicking puppies. Though it was the test he'd asked for, if the boy was indeed of any use at all Gabriel would need to see how he faired against a true fighter. He was ready, though Gabriel took a slick approach to it walking on his toes stealthily, he wanted to weed out the kids weaknesses. Once he was to the boys left close enough to reach out at him Gabriel would drive a swift downward blow aimed at his face.

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor grinned. During a fight, he was confident. Not overly cocky, as you never overestimate yourself, or underestimate your opponent. However, he knew what he could and could not do. Gabriel spoke, and his words struck Connor. Give everything of himself? Risk destroying him and his morals? "I always give everything of myself. I don't hold back." His tone darkened, just a bit. "People have tried to break me before. I'm still standing."

He could feel the vibration, though it was slight. The boy moved swift and stealthy. However, Connor could feel it. The tension, the blow coming. He could feel the power in him, just as Sara described. If he landed a blow, Connor would be reeling from it for a while. The blow was coming at a down angle. Connor moved, just barely. He didn't have to go far. He brought his own arm up. Not a striking block, but something that connected at the wrist, guiding his punch away from him, and putting Connor at a better position. Basic self defense.

He had a feeling the boy was not only stronger, but faster as well. But, maybe Connor could throw him off guard? Surprise him? Perhaps. It was Connor's perception that gave him an edge in a fight, not superior speed or strength. With his left arm guiding Gabriels attack, he turned so his body was centered, his balance stable. He shot out his own blow. A straight right punch aimed at Gabriel's kidney. Whether or not it hit, after the strike, Connor would back peddle a bit, putting a few steps between them. That is, if Gabriel didn't manage to grab hold of Connor's arm. After all, every attack left an opening, even if it wasn't obvious.


OOC: Sorry for the delay. There is a reason, and I just might rant about it in the general board. But, I will always reply, and I can be on just about every day. So, you will always get a reply from me. Some more speedy than others.

[Gabriel Seran]

"I always give everything of myself. I don't hold back." His tone darkened, just a bit. "People have tried to break me before. I'm still standing."

Gabriel smirked as the kid made way to evade the strike. For being blind he had his uses, not necessarily a fighter though he could play the victim card certainly something he had use for perhaps he'd even play a martyr or scapegoat each of benefits to his grand scheme.

Gabriel took the weak punch and excreted a small humph from the blow leaning forward with his own grabbing for the back of Conner's head and pulling him down into his knee so that the blow would impact his lower ribs. Getting back up to his full height and stepping back from the situation Gabriel began once more, "Thats not what I asked."

"I want to know if you're willing to sacrifice yourself, knowing clear well that joining may mean you'll never be the same worse even that you'd still follow and lead by example." The perfect soldier

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor never got to back out after his attack landed. No, the boy was fast, and though Connor had connected, it wasn't powerful enough. Thanks to his own injuries, his training had not gone back up to speed. His strength had not come back to him fully yet, as he needed to go back to his defense studies with Suichi.

Thus, the knee hit it's mark. Connor had a feeling Gabriel didn't hit him as hard as he could. Something told him that he knew he could break Connor down right now. The boy reared up to his full height, and explained his words to Connor, the blind boy's answer not what he was looking for.

Sacrifice himself? He might change? Changing could be avoided. That would rely on Connor's mentality and moral strength. Was he really willing to sacrifice himself again? Go through the same pain if not more? As he stood there, holding his ribs with one arm, the thoughts poured into his head.

Wasn't that what being a defender meant?

Connor chose his words carefully. "For one to change, they have to allow it. Be willing to go with the environment. Flow with things, and at the same time, make a difference. Am I willing to sacrifice myself?" Connor lifted his head. "I did it once, and not by choice. If the choice is mine to make, I would do it again if I needed to. I was told you were in charge. Follow and lead by example? If that will turn things around, then yes. I told you, I don't hold myself back."

"I didn't seek you out to tell you no. I said I wanted to help. Your obviously stronger than I am." He grinned. "You held back more than half your stinking power with that attack, too. Good thing... you would have broken my ribs." He stood, having regained his breath. Connor could be dangerous, if he just let himself be. The way he could read people, and even gauge things as a fight went on was all part of his training. If only he were stronger.

"Fighting you is pointless, though if you still wish to test me, I'll comply. The outcome is obvious, though." He took his stance again. "It it was a test of loyalty, and what I would do as part of your group, that you'll have to take my word for. I will do what is in my power to do. Though fighting can tell you many things, it can't tell you about trust or loyalty."

He smiled. His expression showed he was hiding nothing, as did his aura and just about everything about him. "You'll have to believe what I have told you, and see for yourself." He stood ready, should Gabriel want to continue to test his fighting prowess. Connor severely hoped that part of the test was over. Though he could last, especially if Gabriel continued to hold back, what would it prove? Connor knew he needed more training. He was already making plans to do so with Suichi. He'd need to be ready for what the next few days and weeks brought to him.

[Gabriel Seran]

Suspicion turned to trust as he saw Conner step up to the challenge. Gabriel smiled he liked the kid, at least now he had. The suspicion riled its way out now turned to understanding as he heard the weary reply. Gabriel backed away turning on his heel.

"Good," Gabriel said mysteriously sounding as though he was deep in thought though he'd already decided well enough, "it seems as though you'll fit in perfectly."

His figure changed to one of purpose as he stood before the man and slid him a card, though he was blind Gabriel was sure he could find out how to make sense of it, indeed the kid did end up finding Gabriel in the end. Take it as another test.
"Make sure no one else reads that." Gabriel said with a wink as he turned away.

The note read: Meet at the warehouse down by the docks 9 am Saturday.