Recital (Ryuu-open)

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel sat patiently at the edge of his seat before a dusty piano he had pulled up to the stage. He’d been about as rusty as the piano’s strings had grown over the years the last he’d played was back when he was first admitted into public high school #259. He grinned nonetheless looking up as though it were another challenge. That’s right he had a positive attitude toward this experience as others he was surely to have here.

Gabriel wore an elegant looking suit he’d chosen earlier for this performance, a black rhinestone suit that seemed to shimmer off of the platonic lights strung from the roof’s technical theatre. At the motion of the bar keep’s signal he’d choose to begin. *song*
I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away

Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes good bye's the only way

[Chorus]
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey

And the sun will set for you
[End Chorus]

In cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay

Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes good bye's the only way

[Chorus]
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey

And the sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey

And the sun will set for you

And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey

And the sun will set for you
[End Chorus]

As it started he kept his eyes low and his voice low to create an aura that would emanate in the beauty of the piano. Lights dimmed and shuttered to his music as the coordinators had planned. He was proud.

[Ryuu]

Ryuu sat near the end of the bar, in the shadows, as he rested an elbow on the counter, and rested the side of his face on his hand, as he sat in his seat. He was wearing a black t-shirt, loose black track pants, a black jacket, and black Converse shoes. He looked over at the stage, calmly observing Gabriel, who was sitting at the piano on stage, the black rhinestone suit he was wearing seemed to shimmer off the lights that were strung up on the ceiling of the bar. At the signal of the bartender, Ryuu heard Gabriel begin to play, as Ryuu watched with a look of mild interest on his face.

I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away

Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes good bye's the only way

As Gabriel played and sung in a low voice, Ryuu noticed the lights dimmed and shuttered to the music, creating a rather interesting aura in the club. A few minutes later, the song finished, as Ryuu stood up from his seat, applauding Gabriel as he walked up onto the stage and approached him. "Well played," he said in a soft voice, continuing to applaud long after everyone else had ceased, "Well played indeed. You have talent, Gabriel, correct? I do believe you were at that meeting in the library." After that meeting, beyond meeting up with Emily and arranging to text her about starting his training, Ryuu had not much else to do with Militia. "Militia is falling apart, and anyone who denies that, is kidding themselves. Maybe it's rather presumptuous of me, but perhaps a new gan... pardon me, organization, should be started up. One that has the ideal that Militia has, but be one that won't fall and crumble. Of course, that is merely my thoughts," Ryuu said, bowing slightly, "Perhaps I am speaking of things I do not know much about." But Ryuu had a feeling that Militia, no matter how many ways you put it, was falling apart. "Where are my manners, I am Ryuu Hikari," Ryuu said, bowing to Gabriel, "A acquaintance you could say, of Emily."

[Gabriel Seran]

As the song came to a close Gabriel stayed quiet and humbled himself as the sound of applause drowned over him, the sound of nearer claps approached the small inlet of a stage that signaled Gabriel to look up. His tired eyes shimmered as he took on the new coming face. He looked familiar, perhaps sometime in the past they had crossed paths but not for a very long period.

"Well played," he said in a soft voice, continuing to applaud long after everyone else had ceased, "Well played indeed. You have talent, Gabriel, correct? I do believe you were at that meeting in the library."

Gabriel nodded respectfully, he remembered that moment very well, his allegiance to Militia was shaky now, he had ties with the leaders still, he would forever be the Strategist however he’d shaken up their moral and their trust in him. Gabriel had done some questionable things over the past few weeks though they would all come together in time, plans had a way of working out if they’d only given him some faith.

"Militia is falling apart, and anyone who denies that, is kidding themselves. Maybe it's rather presumptuous of me, but perhaps a new gan... pardon me, organization, should be started up. One that has the ideal that Militia has but be one that won't fall and crumble. Of course, that is merely my thoughts," the new face said, bowing slightly, "Perhaps I am speaking of things I do not know much about."

"Where are my manners, I am Ryuu Hikari," Ryuu said, bowing to Gabriel, "A acquaintance you could say, of Emily."

Gabriel took on him with new eyes, now they were no longer dreary and tired but hungry and fiery with new found purpose. From first impression this guy made a good one, indeed Militia was to fall, things were in turmoil they only had one successful meeting in their short stay at this school compared to Gabriel’s numerous little exchanges throughout the school. As he’d said in the meeting they needed to move quicker work as if this were a blitzkrieg war.

Gabriel took Ryuu’s hand and stood at his level giving him a decent amount of respect, “Thank you for taking notice, not as though I don’t like to beat around the bush or anything it’s just,” Gabriel hurried along, “we need to prepare swiftly and if we are to accomplish anything I would like to know if I have your allegiance to me?” it wasn’t the same as a knight to a king but more so a noble to his minutemen, they had every right to say no without penalty, “A friend of Emily’s is a friend of mine.” He said with a welcoming grin.

[Ryuu]

Ryuu saw him nod, so Ryuu had gotten his name right. Ryuu could see the dread and tired look in his eyes, though they shimmered when Ryuu had approached him. But as soon as Ryuu finished speaking his thoughts, the look in Gabriel's eyes changed from tired and dread to hungry and fiery, a new found purpose in them. It seemed Ryuu's words had caught Gabriel's attention. Ryuu held out his hand to Gabriel, who took it and stood up at his level, giving Ryuu a decent amount of respect. “Thank you for taking notice, not as though I don’t like to beat around the bush or anything it’s just,” Ryuu heard Gabriel hurry along, as Ryuu waited patiently, “We need to prepare swiftly and if we are to accomplish anything I would like to know if I have your allegiance to me?” Ryuu paused for a minute, to think this over. Now while he did not know Gabriel that well, or even Emily for that matter, he knew that the two of them were very determined in achieving their goals, and that alone gained Ryuu's respect, something that was very hard to achieve.

“A friend of Emily’s is a friend of mine.”

Ryuu returned Gabriel's welcoming grin with a slight smirk of his own. "I shall be quite clear. I am only loyal to Emily. I will only listen to Emily. She is the only one I will obey, because not only do I trust her, she is the one training me. With that said, you have my allegiance. My loyalties lie only with Emily, and you, Gabriel." Ryuu then firmly shook Gabriel's hand, before releasing it. "If we want to get anything done around this place, we have to act now. We cannot just sit back and wait for changes to happen, for changes to happen, we must get them by our own hands. You have earned my respect, something only one other person has managed to gain, again, that would be Emily. I could tell that she was extremely determined to keep the goal "Unfettered" had started alive, and I had decided I would help Emily out with it, but only her. I have no loyalties to Rem, or David Blaze. You are the only one aside from her, I will help."

And that was the truth. Ryuu would help Gabriel out, because he had someone he wanted to protect, someone he cared deeply about. He would protect her with his life. "Together, we will make changes come about. We will do what is needed, to make sure they are accomplished."

[Gabriel Seran]

"I shall be quite clear. I am only loyal to Emily. I will only listen to Emily. She is the only one I will obey, because not only do I trust her, she is the one training me. With that said, you have my allegiance. My loyalties lie only with Emily, and you, Gabriel." Ryuu then firmly shook Gabriel's hand, before releasing it.

Gabriel held the wide smirk, good there was a man with morality to him, now things were going to get done. Numbers were beginning to look in our favor once more, time to get the ball moving once again. The clockwork ticked within Gabriel’s head.

"If we want to get anything done around this place, we have to act now. We cannot just sit back and wait for changes to happen, for changes to happen; we must get them by our own hands. You have earned my respect, something only one other person has managed to gain, again, that would be Emily. I could tell that she was extremely determined to keep the goal "Unfettered" had started alive, and I had decided I would help Emily out with it, but only her. I have no loyalties to Rem, or David Blaze. You are the only one aside from her, I will help."

Wow. Gabriel found a true respect for Ryuu, honestly it scared him to the extent of how much this guy made a first impression it was as if the man was reading the thoughts out of his head. Good a very loyal warrior, everything was falling into place and now Gabriel needed the time and place, patience was on his side and though the pillars were getting sloppy it was not yet time to drive them from their hole.

"Together, we will make changes come about. We will do what is needed, to make sure they are accomplished."

He nodded solemnly, “Good, then what are we waiting for?” Gabriel smirked as he led the man out of a side door. It was a dark small alley way littered by aluminum trash cans and fences, “Your training begins now.” Gabriel said without another word as he shot out a right handed punch at Ryuu’s head. He didn’t really want to hurt the man in fact this was the first truly loyal subject he’d seen, but as he’d been taught…tough love.

[Ryuu]

Once Ryuu had finished, he saw Gabriel nod solemnly, “Good, then what are we waiting for?” Ryuu saw him smirk as he led Ryuu out of a small side door into a dark small alleyway that was littered with aluminum trash cans and fences. “Your training begins now.” With that said, Ryuu saw Gabriel shoot out a right-handed punch at Ryuu's head, although Gabriel was fast, Ryuu was able to see his attack, and timed the movement of his head with the direction of the strike, letting his head flow with the movement of it. He felt the punch graze the side of his face slightly, inflicting a bit of damage, but not too much to hinder Ryuu that much. Ryuu then snapped his right hand out and took hold of Gabriel's wrist, gripping it tightly, rendering that limb unusable. He would then launch a rapid left hook, aiming for Gabriel's ribs, he wasn't aiming to hurt Gabriel badly, after all, to injure his own comrade?

That wouldn't help them accomplish their goal now would it? This fight was more like a test, a test to see the capabilities each had to offer, and Ryuu would show Gabriel his abilities alright. Knowing that Gabriel's other arm was free, his attack would most likely be blocked or countered, which is why he did this to increase the likelihood it would connect. Gripping Gabriel's wrist tightly, Ryuu would then wrench his arm out, hopefully sending some pain through Gabriel's arm, but not enough that it would be wrenched out of its socket. If his hook connected, Ryuu would then pull his arm back, keeping it close to him to use to block or counter. Ryuu wasn't as fast as Gabriel was, but his perception was very good, and he was generally able to see attacks aimed at him, though some attacks, he wasn't able to react to fast enough, some he barely managed to react to. Ryuu kept his focus and breathed, making sure to keep cool and calm. There was no need for him to rush his attacks, because it could potentially work against him in this spar. And Ryuu did not want that to happen.

[Gabriel Seran]

Ryuu caught Gabriel’s fist which was quite impressive, Gabriel flexed, and the guy had some talent and would prove useful for his future plans. Loyalty above all was his main concern he could accept strength and talent but both was a godsend. As Ryuu planned a strong left hook to Gabriel’s gut, emerald eyes looked for the motion and saw it coming. Gabriel leaned into it allowing the strike to hit. He exhaled with a short grunt. And with his other free hand Gabriel latched on to Ryuu’s fist that had implanted into his gut and Gabriel would strike forward head butting Ryuu in the face. If he had anywhere to run to, which there wouldn’t be unless he’d release Gabriel’s right hand. This would be an interesting brawl as Gabriel would follow up with a series of kicks from his right leg allowing for the left to maintain their balance.

[Ryuu]

As soon as Ryuu told hold of Gabriel's wrist, he felt him flex, but Ryuu did not stop there. He then launched a left hook, it connected, but he saw Gabriel lean into the attack, reducing the damage inflicted, but it inflicted damage nonetheless. Ryuu heard him exhale with a grunt, as Gabriel latched onto Ryuu's left fist that was implanted in his gut, and strike forward, aiming to headbutt Ryuu in the face. But Ryuu saw the motion of his body, and leaning on his right leg while maintaining his tight grip on Gabriel's wrist, bending his arm to lean to the right even further, Ryuu would tilt his head to the right as much as he could, Gabriel's head connected with Ryuu's left shoulder, as he cringed slightly from the pain, he would have a sore shoulder after this, but he would worry about that later. After the headbutt, Ryuu straightened back up and saw Gabriel follow up with a series of kicks using his right leg.

Ryuu allowed the kicks to connect, in order to ensure what he was planning would work. As soon as Gabriel's right leg was still in motion from the kicks, Ryuu snapped a quick kick with his right foot at the back of Gabriel's left knee cap in an attempt to knock Gabriel on his ass. Since Gabriel's right leg was in motion, it left him balancing on only one leg, his left leg. And while this would drag Ryuu down with Gabriel if he fell, Gabriel would end up being Ryuu's cushion, the only thing between him and the ground. Although Ryuu's fist was still in Gabriel's grip, and he still had Gabriel's wrist in his grip, it did not stop Ryuu from swinging his leg over Gabriel, and move up him, finally sitting on top of Gabriel, rendering his legs useless. Gabriel wouldn't be able to kick Ryuu now. Ryuu would then lean back slightly, before aiming to headbutt Gabriel in the face. Only way Gabriel would be able to stop the headbutt, is releasing Ryuu's left fist. Unless he could think of something else to do to counter Ryuu's attack.

[Gabriel Seran]

Ryuu seemed to be a skilled fighter at this point and throughout it all Gabriel knew the future was bright for this boy, though of course he’d need to learn a few lessons to be better. A smile glinted off of Gabriel’s face as his kicks worked in great succession, though that didn’t hold up very long as Ryuu tripped him whether it was purposeful or not Gabriel was unsure of but he’d make up for the stumble as his right hand pulled his apprentice down with him, Gabriel would swing his left fist up into the boy’s face, it went against all self defensive instincts rather than block the fall, Gabriel used his momentum to generate an extremely face assault that wherever it was to hit would inflict a strong swipe of damage.

Once Ryuu had straddled Gabriel the young man planned to head butt him back. Bold move on his part, it was a good thing Gabriel was a stubborn thick headed fool. In the same motion Gabriel thought not to counter the strike only meet it with equal vigor as he pressed his own skull into Ryuu’s

*Crack* he could feel the blow sting into his brain, the pain was relieving to a blood thirsty man.

[Ryuu]

Just as quickly as the smile appeared on Gabriel's face when his kicks landed on Ryuu, did Ryuu initiate his plan, and tripped Gabriel, although he was pulled down in the process, that did not matter to him. But Gabriel did release Ryuu's fist in order to swing his left fist up into Ryuu's face, but a quick catch with his hand prevented Gabriel from inflicting any harm to his face, though it did hurt Ryuu's hand, that strike had been a powerful one. Gripping tightly onto Gabriel's fist now, Ryuu now had both of Gabriel's limbs in his grasp. But that also left Ryuu with no limbs to strike Gabriel back with. So he went with the next best thing. Headbutting the guy. Well, his head was the only thing he had to attack with, and besides, Ryuu had a thick skull. It seemed Gabriel decided not to counter the strike, instead meeting it with the same amount of vigor, as Ryuu felt him press his skull into his own.

*CRACK!*

Ryuu could feel the sting of the blow into his brain, rattling his head. Ow... pain... But despite the blow to his own skull, giving him a headache, Ryuu was still able to think, and so, wasting no time, Ryuu loosened his grip slightly on Gabriel's wrist, and slid his hand up his arm, before coming to rest on his elbow. Was he...? He was. He was going to do what Sara had done to him before in their fight. Gripping Gabriel's elbow tightly, he would begin to pull Gabriel's elbow towards him, bending it the opposite way. A cruel move perhaps, but this world was cruel too. And besides, Ryuu wouldn't go too far and actually break Gabriel's arm. He just wanted to see how much pain Gabriel could take in this fight, before either one of them won this spar.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel would laugh if he wasn’t in such a fight, he saw the key strengths to Ryuu, and he was certainly a powerful comrade and a driven adversary. He would also admire his bravery in taking the attack head on prior. Gabriel was sure to make this man one of his key figures to the regime he’d have planned here in the near future. Though all those thoughts would have to take back seat now, this moment was reserved for pain and most certainly victory. Gabriel didn’t enjoy a loss to a fight he didn’t have control over. He knew he was bound to lose to the Pillars, and to Kate he chose a decisive loss so that they would think him as less of a man then he certainly was. As for Emily he was unsure of his reasoning perhaps she was stronger than him or maybe he still had softness for her. Some weaknesses had to be removed before they were to attain their goal and that would mean some things had to be done.

Gabriel’s thoughts were in a tangle as Ryuu moved to make his advantage sliding his hand down his grasp into his elbow region. Gabriel ignored it seeing it as no threat but as their grappling continued the young man began to shift it peculiarly in a separate direction. Pain would immediately start to shoot up his arm. The move was dirty, his eyes glinted, and good we’d need that. Rather than reveal his pain Gabriel put up the front of enjoyment, he smiled admirably choking down the twist.

With his hand now free Gabriel would return the pressure opposing Ryuu’s assault and pressure it in the opposite direction before it was close enough to his face and he’d aim a quick swipe to the face. The man was good, this was all he needed to truly see, but if Ryuu wanted to show more Gabriel wouldn’t press the issue.

[Ryuu]

Ryuu had to hand it to Gabriel, the guy was tough, and powerful. He also admired the fact he matched Ryuu's headbutt with one of his own. Ryu was indeed very driven, he was driven not only to keep the memory of his cousin alive and become even more stronger than him, but to also protect Emi, the one girl he cared about. Although Ryuu didn't like to lose, and he had lost to two people so far, Matrim and Kate. But those two had been much stronger than him, and just thinking about that, made him even more determined to get stronger, but not for the sole purpose of attaining strength. But enough about that, back to the fight. Ryuu made his move, moving his hand to Gabriel's elbow, and gripped it tightly, before beginning to bend it the opposite way, attempting to break his arm. The move was dirty, but Ryuu saw Gabriel's eyes glint, as he smiled, which made Ryuu think he was trying to hide his pain, which was admirable. Gabriel would not show his pain in front of Ryuu.

But with this move, it freed Gabriel's hand, allowing him to return the pressure to oppose Ryuu's assault in the opposite direction, as soon as it was close enough to Ryuu's face, Ryuu saw him aim a quick swipe to his face, and although Ryuu couldn't dodge it, the strike wouldn't be all that powerful, and just as Ryuu thought, the blow crashed into the side of Ryuu's face, but didn't inflict that much damage, inflicting maybe a couple scratches to Ryuu's cheek. As Ryuu continued to pull on Gabriel's elbow, bending it back even more, he decided that was enough. There was no need to inflict further damage on Gabriel. Besides, they would need all the strength they could get, to accomplish what they wanted to do, and getting injured would not help them out. "Enough," Ryuu said in a calm but firm voice, as he released Gabriel's elbow and fist, before getting off him, "There is no need for us to continue inflicting assaults on each other. I declare this fight a draw." With that said, Ryuu stood up, and held his hand out to Gabriel, to help him up.

"You are tough," Ryuu said, if Gabriel took his hand, Ryuu would help him up, ""And your skull packs a punch too." Ryuu raised his left hand to his cheek, wiping the blood from the cuts away. "If you ever need to contact me, call my cell phone." Ryuu then pulled his cell out from his jeans pocket, and exchanged numbers with Gabriel. Once that was done, Ryuu stowed his cell back in his pocket. "If you need anything, just look for me around the school. I'll be around." Ryuu then turned and walked out of the alleyway, before he disappeared from sight after going around the corner.

[Gabriel Seran]

"Enough," Ryuu said in a calm but firm voice, as he released Gabriel's elbow and fist, before getting off him, "There is no need for us to continue inflicting assaults on each other. I declare this fight a draw." With that said, Ryuu stood up, and held his hand out to Gabriel, to help him up. Getting into a standing position Gabriel had a smug grin on his face not at the fact that he was ready for more violence and that on a deeper level he’d gotten Ryuu to back out but the fact that Ryuu was by far his best fight here. The man had strong qualities not only was he skilled but he knew when to pull away for the best, qualities of a true leader.

"You are tough, And your skull packs a punch too."

“pretty impressive yourself.” Gabriel said with a quiet laugh

"If you ever need to contact me, call my cell phone." Ryuu then pulled his cell out from his jeans pocket, and exchanged numbers with Gabriel. Once that was done, Ryuu stowed his cell back in his pocket. "If you need anything, just look for me around the school. I'll be around."

Gabriel nodded swiftly letting the man trot off into the darkness and away. Good, now things were in order, things would start to come together, soon very soon indeed.

-end-