Presuming the inevitable (Drea)

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel had fortunately enough been in the neighborhood to give the school a little look see and with the disarray of students and leaders it was ample time to reinforce his ranks as the sole organized body on campus. Yes it was as he expected, Regalia was more or less on the down slump, he'd predicted as such with a faulty organization however the concept was ingenious to say the least its application failed thoroughly. Gabriel sought to improve upon its past blunders and take advantage of Emily's disarray.

Marching benevolently through the school corridors, already a number of students bitting at his heels for either attention or a moment of glory Gabriel ignored their mere presence, he was less than impressed by a few foul mouthed students looking for short term glory. Gabriel was interested in the long run, the things to come.

Finally he'd come to the courtyard, an undoubted confidence about him. Of course this was the Gabriel Seran people knew about all too well, powerful not only in his strength but in words, deception, and in strategy. It made him dangerous as others would say, because they couldn't predict his movements.

"All of you who wish for power and glory follow me."

Gabriel would beckon playing the psychological card on people, knowing humanity's true weakness.

"Those of you who are opposed, can fall by my hands later." A hard sought chuckle escaping his throat.

[Drea]

"Just what do you think you're doing?"

This call would come from the Emily look-alike that sat in the very courtyard that Gabriel had just interrupted. Having been looking over her notes, Drea was now on her feet, her well cared for books having set to the side. She'd put them aside the second she'd realized that the Scepter was near. Of course, it must be understood that she did such things not out of respect or some other positive regard, but suspicion. She had pitied him when he'd tried to help the school, but any ounce of pity or sympathy or any other kind emotion had died when he'd taken his claws and driven them into her sister. Drea was nothing if not protective of the older twin sister that she'd found again after so many years apart.

This suspicion provided her with some warning if only because she worried so much. She didn't want this monster of a man to lay a hand on her sister ever again.

And she had heard nothing of any gathering for 'glory' or 'power' from her sister or anyone else in Regalia... Drea's eyes narrowed as she understood that it meant that Gabriel was likely acting on his own and without permission. While she didn't feel that Regalia was the type of organization to micromanage it's members or draw unnecessary attention to itself, she had no doubt that radical, unauthorized movements made by members, Scepter or not, were disallowed. Regalia was supposed to be discreet, and while his actions may have been in regards to something entirely irrelevant, one could never be too safe with one's enemies, and much less so with Gabriel Seran. While he wasn't an enemy yet, Drea was aware that he was damned close.

(Done. xD Sorry, I didn't change much. Just fixed a spelling error. >_<)

[Gabriel Seran]

A brow cocked at the Emily impersonator. It was funny though they looked similar their actions were interchangeable, only slightly different. Merely a foul change to effects in his mind. But again he didn't worry, Regalia was no longer a threat, he acknowledged this by their decreasing funds and to stick around when the ship is sinking is simply stupid a job for the Captain to deal with. He laughed at a simple thought in his head picturing all the little lemurs that'd followed Emily joining her on a sinking ship. At the very least she made a different route then the Black Knights had, though their end provided many versatile options to grow from.

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

Gabriel's reply would be filled with an ego driven pride unconcerned of what a low-level knight felt, regardless of her position in Emily's army she was not in Gabriel's entourage and he doubted she'd see the benefits of such. Certainly no one seemed to pay attention to those who had stuck close and how they'd become far more powerful than anything not merely by power alone but by means of influence and information. That was where true power was derived from.

"Are you going to try and stop me? I could use a bit of a display to increase my ranks if you feel so obliged...."

Gabriel found it in himself to laugh darkly. Of course there was potential in every person, should they act upon it. Merely took work to extend the basic flaws people had endured, just as Gabriel had ascended from his old passive state. But as stated earlier, Emily's followers seemed a bit blind to the world around them, more consumed by their own pride of what was "good" when just as easily they could be defined as the perpetrators to this school's own demise.

[Drea]

Drea considered his challenge. She really did. She wanted to take it. She wanted to take it very much, if only to punch him for what he'd done to her sister. But she wouldn't. If she were entirely honest, she couldn't. She wasn't strong enough.

She bit the inside of her cheek, even as she fisted her hands so hard that her nails cut into her palms.

"No," she said, repressing her anger. Her voice came out flatly. "I may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them." She glared at him. "You and I both know that I'm no match for you as we stand now."

She wasn't happy in the least about that fact, though she kept it from showing through. Her expression was neutral and she'd released the tension in her palms, the quickly reddening white the only fading representation of her fury.

Drea wasn't a coward, but she knew when the odds weren't in her favor. The only thing she could do now - the only thing she was capable of - was getting this information back to her sister as quickly as possible. Still, she wondered just what it was he was planning.

She wouldn't be able to learn from him, or through any of his flunkies. His confidence told her he was sure of what he was planning, and that meant that he'd not be making many mistakes. His confidence, after all, must have come from somewhere, and that somewhere was likely previous experiences.

Knowing she was entirely useless, Drea smiled a sweet smile before taking a few steps backwards, still facing him. Without taking her eyes off of his traitorous form, she returned to her things, gathering them together. "You want Emily to know, right?" she asked the question, knowing the answer before she'd bothered speaking. Why else, after all, would he make his move so boldly?

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel let his scowl turn downwards and away from her. His bluff had worked again and he knew exactly the kind of person Drea was, just as he'd expected. It depressed him slightly that she folded so easily, letting her anger seethe rather than to act boldly, nothing like those of old, not like David Blaze and not as defined as "Unfettered" it irritated him greatly.

"And that is why you will never be..." By that he meant her strength, her power. She'd feel just as inferior as the people she'd talked down to and treated because of her change in strength.

The truth was even at such a high repose as Gabriel was, he often played himself down to the masses, a lesson he'd learned from his superior, the only man he feared which would be "Unfettered" Winters.

"By all means do send her a bit of a message for me, "Unfettered" won't be getting in the way."

A smooth lined grin set in place upon his features. The only threat to him at the moment and also his greatest adversary, mentor and teacher. Gabriel was riled up and excited to go to war with such a man, if war was what was meant.

[Drea]

She heard him muttering something behind her, but paid no heed to it. When a rather familiar name came to the surface, however, she turned back to him, a cruel smile appearing on her face.

"Unfettered?" she repeated, her eyes gleaming slightly. "Disposed of him, have you?" There was a dark joy in her soul - one that clashed with her appearance and usual behavior.

While she might have once been neutral to this "Unfettered," the facts remained facts. Unfettered had hurt her sister far worse than Gabriel ever had, and for that, she might have to thank this man.

"Or," she grinned, her expression still cruel, though it had grown a bit colder. Her usual cuteness changed to that of frigid beauty. A cold and cruel one. "If you've yet to move, I may be able to render some small amount of aid."

While she loved her sister, she currently hated "Unfettered." She wasn't entirely sure of the situation, but the main points had been displayed before her. This "Unfettered" had caused her sister to come to her, tearful and broken, and for that, he would pay. It didn't matter how long it took her - she would make him wish he'd never laid eyes upon her sister in the first place.

And nor did it matter how much it cost her so long as her sister was safe. Should her sister hate her, the blow might kill her, but Drea was willing to take that risk to keep "Unfettered" from ever hurting her sister again.

[Gabriel Seran]

A brow raised. She'd certainly perked Gabriel's attention for a brief minute there, why in the world would a woman who'd never formally met Gabriel but with a built up hatred of him instantly turn to his aid to destroy another man she potentially didn't know? Certainly this girl was a follower by all meanings of the word, always blindly listening to those around her for her information rather than putting forth that effort of thought.

"I think you've drastically underestimated me, and by association "Unfettered"...."

Gabriel took the steps necessary to cross the open field now situating himself closer to Drea, something that could be interpreted as a dangerous proximity at his speed it'd take him but a second to reach out and crush her.

"What interest do you have in him I wonder?"

[Drea]

Drea's eyes narrowed at Gabriel's approach. She set her bag down on the bench beside her as discreetly as she could, shifting her body until she was facing him.

"Wonder away," she scoffed maliciously. "I'm certainly not going to tell you; It's none of your business."

She hadn't underestimated either of them. If anything, it was possible that she'd overestimated them. Gabriel was a force she disliked. She could say 'hate,' but that was a word that she reserved for "Unfettered." She was well aware that either of the two could kill her without thinking about it, and, even worse, use her against her sister. With awareness came wariness, and so she kept her eyes and ears opened. She'd heard of "Unfettered" and his abilities by listening. It wasn't that difficult to gather information on him. He'd been a rather well-known figure in the past - and quite possibly was still well-known. On the other hand, his name didn't come up as frequently as some others did, so she couldn't be too sure.

Gabriel, though, she'd seen in action. She knew full well how deadly he could be, and was well aware that it was likely only a modicum of his capabilities. So no - she hadn't underestimated them... But letting them think she had would be allowing them to underestimate her... As it seemed Gabriel already had. That was fine. Timog was at the top of her bag, and she'd be able to pull the beauty out quickly and without any trouble.

Drea would never deny that she followed her sister loyally. Never. Not only was it true, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that she was fixated on her sister, if only because she didn't want to lose her again. Those years apart had been long, and she didn't particularly want to repeat them.

She'd diverged from her sister in only one thing, and that was in the well-being of one "Unfettered."

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel laughed openly feeling that sudden surge that he was looking for, stubborn child she obviously was misinterpreting things. Fine by him it was in their blood to jump to conclusions. Not exactly see the whole picture before them. Children nothing but that sort of children. So self consumed in idealizing someone without any power thinking the world was after them. Gabriel wasn't after Emily, as bad as he was he wouldn't go about kicking a cripple again... for that was all she was, crippled by her misguided sense of superiority to the point it blinded her and made her greatest strength of power into her greatest weakness. Gabriel didn't care about her.

"Awww, theres no need to get snippy, you see I'm the bad guy simply because of fear, fear of what I'm capable of. Now you, you can stay the hero, the good guy, same with Emily for all I care, but truly it holds no resolve when you act out of rude gestures towards people. Thats the only reason why you're good. Because people don't think you deserve their attention."

Gabriel laughed turning his back to her walking towards his stuff, "Lest you can prove me wrong of course."

[Drea]

Drea failed at restraining a smile at his words. She couldn't help herself. He reminded her of someone, though she couldn't think of who.

His false honesty, though, was refreshing. There were few people that were willing to tell others that they believed they were weak or worthless to their faces, especially in a school like this. Although Drea was aware that he was saying it because he was stronger than her, she was also aware that it was that very fact which let her laugh. Had he been weaker than her, she'd have been quick to correct him.

"I don't need to prove myself to anyone," she chuckled, her voice musical with her laughter. It was a total contrast to her previously cold self. "Least of all, you."

She shrugged, his words not striking her. She'd heard far worse from her parents and had no intention of worrying about what he said.

"And I certainly don't need anyone's attention," she grinned. Why would she? She didn't need it, nor did she want it. She had no need to do show her secrets or her presence. The fact that she was ignored or considered unimportant, for her, was a bonus.

After all, most people didn't stop to consider the damage a bit of ice can do to stone as opposed to the sledgehammer beside it. It was perfectly okay for Drea to stay hidden within the rocks around her, using her capabilities to slowly destroy them from the inside. She had no need to make herself a target by attacking the boulder with a sledgehammer. That was for those like Gabriel and, unfortunately, her sister, and this "Unfettered."

"I enjoy life," she said simply, observing his movements. Not once, though, did she let down her guard.

[Gabriel Seran]

"I enjoy life,"

Gabriel smirked slightly enjoying the dark unemotional part of him seek up. The facade of Nova slipping in a tad. The Dragon in him seeking blood and flesh more than anything else, sure she could run now but could she hide. Or would she disprove him altogether to stand and fight.

"Then perhaps thats what I should take away."

That dark grin a distance away before instantly lurching forward with immense speeds that he was perfectly suited for. The advantages of the Luna coat playing to his stronger nature.

"To make you understand what life really means."

His hand would lapse out aiming to grasp her face in a simply grip and exert the full amount of force to crush it. With his left kneecap it'd fire out to seek a new set of rips and crush them as well amusing everything went out as perfectly expected.

---

1) 6
----------------
Totale: 6
x1.9

Burst Activated.

Strength: 331
Dexterity: 420
Constitution: 224
Intelligence: 337
Wisdom: 348
Charisma: 221

[Drea]

As soon as she heard his words, Drea became aware he was going to attack. Immediately, she drew Timog, bending backwards sharply at the waist as she fluidly thrust the weapon before her.

She could hardly prevent a mental curse when she just barely missed getting hit in the ribs, but she certainly did swish Timog with a flick of the wrist - a damned strong one - to open her steel fan. With the positioning - it was held out in front of her - she intended it to slice whatever was before her.

Drea had managed to dodge the first of his blows if only because of the fact that she'd been a decent distance away - and had begun to move as soon as he'd spoken. The first blow of most fighters, after all, was towards the upper torso.

Her mind suddenly deathly clear, she became aware of the fact that he was aiming to seriously maim, if not kill - it was obvious with his words and the fact that his first blow had been to her head. The second was to her ribs. From the force with which her enemy was attacking, she assumed that he either didn't realize his strength or had no intention of leaving her alive - if she didn't defend herself. Again - his words had more than described his intent, and the whistle of the wind with his movements had done more than enough to fortify it.

With narrowed eyes, Drea moved the fan about her as quickly as possible in a pattern not unlike a carefully constructed multiple of the figure eight. It was done in a way that left little of her unguarded.

Unfortunately, he was much speedier than she. The most she could hope for was that she'd strike some part of him as he attacked. Inertia, she felt, would help her in this aspect. Even if he managed to stop her hand or to attack her directly, the body-encompassing defense would still strike him if he didn't get out quickly. Fortunately, she supposed Newton's first law would still help her. In the moment he took to stop and back away, she'd hit some part of him.

She could only hope. His movements were ridiculously fast and as a fighter who was still relatively new to the school in comparison, she could only do her best to defend herself - and to keep her eyes on him, for all the good it might do.

[Gabriel Seran]

He'd grin subtly with the intensity of each hit made on her. Of course he also hoped she'd fight back granting his dream with her weapon that was brought fourth in the artistic pattern. But even with it's beautiful display the attack contained with it a certain amount of force and bravado to it. The quick acting blade moving silently creating for her a shield and assuming she was backed up against the wall the weapon itself provided for her a perfect cover from that angle. The only holes to it would be subtle wrist movements and the difference in each of their speeds. Of course Gabriel saw that, that was in fact his advantage. Speed, but to act upon an advantage was one thing as compared to another motion. Call it not cowardice for thats not what it was in fact rather predicted strategy.

With the effects of the burst worn to their limit only pressing him for that first movement itself Gabriel had to rely on his more natural speed in retreating the pendulum like arc-blade she used. He shifted back left foot out seeking the retreat where the right would follow into a hopping motion of the sorts diminishing a swift back pedal. For the intention was to push forward till your enemy had no air. That was the way to win. If retreat was his motion, was victory in his itinerary? the retreat would not go unscathed, forced into the back drop Gabriel felt the splicing pain, even worse seeing the occurence as the metal sheet sliced his upper right cheek in a vertical sense. The crimson peeling from his face making vision in his right eye troublesome. Regardless as the salty liquid trickled down to the corner of his lip a tongue emerging liking up the wound.

Again his steps would bring him out of her arm length assuming she didn't follow catching him on the steady defensive retreat she started him off on. It was thus far her game to win or lose, for when control was attained the game shifted.

"So why is it you've had it out for me?"

Gabriel said calmly not pursuing to damage her merely enjoying his isle of retreat much like Napoleon did following his exile. His own little kingdom there.

"Don't think I didn't realize that look I got...seems you are your sisters twin, both of you as suspicious as ever." He'd chuckle slightly following that proclamation.

Bending into a defensive stance Gabriel suggested his hands up into offering motions the hands extended out now entering her reach the fingers jutting back cautiously telling her to continue her battery of him.

---

Strength: 331
Dexterity: 105
Constitution: 224
Intelligence: 337
Wisdom: 348
Charisma: 221

[Drea]

"I don't 'have it in for you,'" Drea explained coolly, slowing her movements as the other retreated. She'd come up with a plan to defend herself. Her defense was strong enough to keep her safe, and the constant movements she made with her forearms and hands to keep the fan moving allowed supple protection. He'd be unable to get near without hurting himself against her fan.

The more he backed off, the more she'd slow. Even with his vast speed, she'd be able to acknowledge his movement and start her pattern to defend herself almost immediately.

She'd already decided that she would fight defensively. She wasn't strong enough to take him head on, and she didn't have a good, clean source of water to manipulate just yet. As it was, she could depend only on her defensive ability and Qi, and even so, her Qi wasn't something she particularly wanted to reveal to anyone just yet, much less an enemy. As she and her sister had agreed, she wanted her Qi to remain a secret.

"And I dislike what I have heard and seen from you," Drea's eyes narrowed in a slight glare. "All you know how to do is hurt people! I may not know what occurred directly between you and my sister, but the facts are the facts, and I'm aware you hurt her." Her voice was like ice as she kept her even colder eyes on the male.

Even as she spoke, Sin stirred in the back of her mind, easing ideas into her own consciousness. Yes, she would fight defensively, Drea decided, but she'd aim to let him hurt himself.

-----

Stats
Strength: 56
Dexterity: 36
Constitution: 63
Intelligence: 56
Wisdom: 34
Charisma: 48

Puttin' 'em up now since I just got some exp. xD Don't wanna let it get mixed up. ^^

[Gabriel Seran]

The subtle grin set in place as Gabriel listened intently weighing, calculating, and of all things confirming. His guard lowered to his sides. Knowledge above all was the controlling factor in this movement, not cocky pride. Knowledge by which her movements betrayed her abilities. Drea had already been formulated in his mind as a calculating sort of person the likes of which Gabriel used to be assorted with, the likes of Emily and "Unfettered" to some reguard, something the likes of today missed out upon but therein was a difficulty.

"And I dislike what I have heard and seen from you,"

They'd not spoken with one another before this day.

"All you know how to do is hurt people! I may not know what occurred directly between you and my sister, but the facts are the facts, and I'm aware you hurt her."

His gaze turned fierce not that of an angry person but rather a scolding father irritated by the perfectionist talent going to waste under the words and implications others had set upon her. So decided on a single path that she didn't think or become motivated by her own actions rather those of another, a puppeteer not the kind that was visible perhaps rather a mentor behind the cloak.

"And that is what makes us different Drea..." His voice turned soft and mostly melodic for the part.

"What have you heard of me? What have you heard from me?"

He smiled with reassuring confidence knowing there was a clear difference. And due to the fact she'd never taken the opportunity to speak with him beyond snide remarks and her quick defensive reactions of this day they'd never spoken before. Never interacted beyond a shine of the face or the words of others, in fact he'd have never realized she was Emily's sister had Emily not said so within Regalia.

"To hurt take upon itself many implications, have you not hurt a friend? Have you not HURT someone? Are your sins clear? Facts are facts as it seems and the facts leave us both as damaged martyrs for whatever misguided purpose we follow. If I hurt her for that I am sorry, my intentions were my own and we can resolve that at a later point but I cannot change the past."

Gabriel said with a wholly calm expression understanding the things he had in mind, something needed to be fulfilled by all people because they could change the future.

"Now where do you stand? I'm not asking of you to define your Allegiances but rather your morality. Tell me that you serve some purpose that is not of another foolhardy individual that walks blindly about behind a guise of strength or ideologies of past grudges, tell me you sail straight and true for the good of others or tell me nothing at all, because if you speak of the future you are an ally no enemy."