Midnight Memory (Open)

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel had been on the phone most of the day, pent up to his master office downstairs overlooking their seaside view. This was in turn meant to be relaxing however did nothing of the sort. Irritated and put off by the many henchmen that'd promised to follow through had given up or fallen short of the goal. Olivia was elusive, and Gabriel blamed himself. Of course Shu had done his job well if she could evade a paid off police force and senseless criminals parading about the city.

"Gabe! I'm gonna go looking for her can you watch Zeke?"

Furrowing his brow in irritation he stood up and sent himself into the boy's room. Nuzzled in front of the tv the boy giggled aimlessly bringing a small grin to Gabriel's face. If only the boy knew of his corrosive past and no doubt potential upbringing.

"Oh my God!"

A bolt of what would appear to be lightning, that being Gabriel of course would burst through the room snatching up Zeke defensively, the boy's features blurring to understand the rapid change of their direction.

"Are you alright, sweetheart? Gabriel!? Olivia is home!"

Heavy boots marching down and out the Stairs towards the front lawn arms protectively latched around Zeke and forcing himself a step ahead of Livi and Lexi.

"Um..... hi?"

"What're you doing here?" Gabriel spoke out slowly, his voice tired from talking all day despite it being one of his favored things and talents.

Eyes would trace up and down the man he'd called rival and smirk with an air of superiority. He knew David better than most would he thought, but he couldn't leave that up to chance when his family was at stake. There was a grave risk underestimating David.

[David B.]

David turned, watching the girl walk, and though he didn't especially wish to stay and see Gabriel again, the look Olivia sent back obviously said he was meant to follow. He closed her door, having ignored her lack of contact with his hand as the girl had exited his vehicle- she obviously had problems where men or people in general were concerned. He used his keys, hitting the button on them to lock the door as he walked after her, stepping inside once she opened the door. He shook his hair out, very few water drops falling as he eyed the interior of the Seran Manor. Nice place, for Gabriel. David expected something more suiting, like a dungeon, but a fine mansion worked just as well. Put Gabriel on top, where he always hungered to be. Sexually.

Davids eyes caught Alexis, smiling a little as she came into the room, rushing forward toward Olivia but stopping- something to do with freaking the girl out, the young Blaze was sure.

"Hey. Uh, i-"

He was cut off by Gabriel, whose voice sounded tired but nonetheless wary of him. Good, he had a right to be. David and Gabriel had fought many, many times, and though each time David was proud to say he had one, the battles had not been kind. To either of them. Probably Davids only other challenge in the school, besides Leon, was Gabriel. He shifted his gaze, looking pointedly at the back of Olivia's head, almost in warning. He didn't want Gabriel to fly off the handle, and scare the girl even more- how much work it would take to explain everything to her...?

"I found Olivia up by the Correctional Facility, walking around the lake there. Figured i'd bring her home."

His voice, unlike Gabriel's, was completely normal, David keeping his calm and cool in the face of his Rival. The two had gone down totally different paths. David had gone on to college to pursue a different avenue, while Gabriel had gone into teaching. It was strange to think of the kid as someone who had authority over him- in fact, David would ignore that completely. Gabriel would never see Blaze admitting anything of the sort, or following a direct order. If he had to have a class with him, David would only listen when it was convenient, and never otherwise.

He smiled at Alexis again.

"I see you guys were worried....If i had known she was here, i probably could have called."

[Olivia Green]

Once inside she felt bombarded with the energy Alexis was giving off...why? She started running her direction. Olivia stiffened and one would think she wasn't ready for battle from a stance as straight postured as hers...but they would be wrong...when she was tense and unmoving..that was when she was studying your every move.

Then Gabriel entered. She knew it was him due to the way he moved....just how she knew it was Alexis... but his voice didn't sound familiar.

He rushed up and Olivia would take a few steps forward towards Alexis. Why? She could see a reaction when ever she had hurt Alexis... that and she seemed more safe with Alexis whether she still trusted her or not... But..if Gabriel tried anything funny... Alexis was going to have it...and then Gabriel.... maybe Zeke too.......... and David.... all of them wouldn't hurt...

But she would listen in trying to understand what was going on.

But her ears perked and wide eyes grew when she heard the words "Correctional Facility." Yup... she recognized the term back when she was in The Institution....that was also the school's Correctional Facility.

Now she knew where it was.... though she didn't piece together they were two different places....

"Was Shu there? Tyrone..." she would ask gingerly. Yeah.. she was aware they were dead, but what came with her fucked up mind was the fact she will have blackouts where she was back in that time and they were still alive...

[Alexis Seran]

Of course Gabriel was out in a second... She knew the two never got along which was a shame due to the fact she had been close to both boys. She loved them in their own way...she was in love with Gabriel... but at a time she loved David for helping her get to where she was today...you know....friendship love.

Though....

Now it would seem Olivia getting thrown into the equation was going to make things a little more difficult... especially how she saw the girl get closer to her...and grow stiff... that same eerie stillness she witnessed when she was saving Kevala and Olivia just stared.

Alexis would smile back at David's...though she did feel uncomfortable...scared Olivia was going to snap on her.

"I see you guys were worried....If i had known she was here, i probably could have called."

"Guess the directions home didn't hint that for you..." her smile was still there...and anyone who knew Alexis would already have the fact that she was sarcastic drilled into their head. If you were her friend it shouldn't be taken personally...if you weren't her friend.... well you should...

"Was Shu there? Tyrone..." as quickly as she could her eyes darted from David back to Olivia as she got a little more scared. When she brought up Shu being alive it was always wise to be still... she was most fragile in this stage and would break any given moment if something was done wrong.

"Don't move." she would say to David to warn him..Gabriel already would understand how she would be by this point. "Olivia..." her eyes would return to her sister and try to get her to look her way instead of straight at David knowing full well she would attack him first for mentioning it.... after all... she was asking him the question and if he gave her the wrong answer she would most likely react. "Shu is gone... so is Tyrone... they were bad bad men...."

[Gabriel Seran]

"I found Olivia up by the Correctional Facility, walking around the lake there. Figured i'd bring her home."

Gabriel's eyes faded a moment, it'd make sense she went to the ruble of that accursed place. It probably reminded her more of home than here. Gabriel would turn slightly towards the home in which he'd paid. Not made with his own hands, it was a cold shame the life he had though out now, all things aside from those he'd loved around him. The few at least. He had a very dark implication now, now that Olivia was back. He hated himself for what he'd done to her the reason that she was like this broken down and while they'd saved her from that tortured life and she wasn't dead, she still wasn't Livi. Not the same at least. Cringing at the thought harshly Gabriel returned face towards David having heard and passed up the opportunity to do something helpful for Livi to Alexis as she knew best to quell her sisters worser moments of nostalgia.

"I see you guys were worried....If i had known she was here, i probably could have called."

Gabriel would remain tight lipped, he was tired in all senses he hadn't been himself for awhile as the fire seemed to be dying in him from time to time, still. He had his moments.

"Its quite alright." Gabriel would manage to pronounce in an unmistakable cheer, a boys will be boys sort of tone rather in this case to reverse the boys with girls. "How about you join us for dinner? It'd be our way of saying thank you."

He'd quickly regather his strength and reposition Zeke in his shoulder to look back at David with his emerald eyes. "Trust me its not bound to be poison." A small laugh looking to Alexis to help lightening the mood. It was much needed, especially for him.

[David B.]

"Directions?"

David thought a moment, and shrugged.

"I guess by that point, i figured we were on our way anyway."

He looked to Gabriel, who did one of the strangest things David had ever seen him do. He calmed down, and acted civil. It certainly brought a cocked eyebrow up over a crystal blue eye. The only time he ever saw Gabriel calm was when he was miticulously plotting something, or running through thoughts in his mind. It didn't bode well, in the past. Here though, he just seemed too tired to care about flexing his muscles for David, which in truth actually caused him to relax slighty. He could call this a neutral zone, if Gabriel would remain as he was. Outside the school, away from the thoughts, the fighting, the possibilities, there just was no reason to act like pricks to one another. Of course, come monday, that would change, but life was full of that, and David came to terms early.

A grin.

"Nah, i aint worried about it. Poisoning me would be the easy way out, which you never take, and God knows you'd never let me die unless you actually kick my ass once or twice first."

He meant it as a jest, something to stab at Gabriel but with the sharper point of humor, as though making a joke of the shit they had been through. He would let Alexis take Olivia from the room and into the dining area, unaware of what was going on in the head of the girl he had just given a ride to. Shu, Tyrone- these were names he didn't understand at all. The kid one something he was going to need to dig into as soon as possible, since he was unaware that Alexis and Gabriel had already had a baby together, and unless it was someone elses child... well, he didn't picture Seran to be that generous, to take in someones kid. He took off his jacket, and would place it on the back of the seat that he was given when he came to the table.

"So, uh, what's with the kid? I didn't know you guys had a baby..."

Tactless.

[Olivia Green]

"Shu is gone... so is Tyrone... they were bad bad men...."

Oh yeah...

Then the mood all changed in the room. It was hard for her to keep up..she could barely portray one mood let alone several within a few seconds. It was all too much to process.

But... all was good because food was mentioned. It was fun to eat food... a nice challange for her... she was going to try sold foods! Alexis promised her....

She would walk towards the kitchen looking at all the pictures on the wall..there was always one that through her off..it was when she had blonde hair so she could never remember who it was... even if it was herself. She didn't understand how her hair turned blonde... because it was black now and always had been as long as she could remember.

Olivia would slump herself at the large dinner table... a spot she was familiar with... she basically was now ignoring everyone.

[Alexis Seran]

Olivia dropped the subject which was great progress... it also helped having Gabriel change the mood and subject. Alexis would laugh along to the jokes that were rather dark in spirit... BUT Alexis wouldn't dwell on it..they were getting along and that was more than she could ask for..after all she was close friends to one and engaged to the other.

"So, uh, what's with the kid? I didn't know you guys had a baby..."

Alexis would blush at the question..it wasn't embarrassing or anything it was just..she had been thinking of having a kid of their own. Yeah Zeke meant the world to them... but she wanted more... Maybe one more...

"Ah... We are his legal parents... I don't know if you met his real parents... Nathaniel Seran and Kevala Katashi..."

It was a sore subject.

Why?

Well.. Zeke had been depressed here and there.... that and she was mad at the fact she was now Zeke's Legal mother...not because she didn't want the responisiblity or not that she didn't like him...it was beause she was hoping Kevala would have taken it upon herself to take care of her kid..Alexis just wanted Zeke to have his parents and have them love him; a luxury Alexis never had.

"His name is Ezekiel."

She would enter the dining room shortly after Olivia had... she took her place and Alexis would take her own...which usually varied... it was usually sitting across from Gabriel beside Olivia or beside Gabriel.... sooooo

How should the seating go?

OliviaxDavid and AlexisxGabriel

-or-

AlexisxDavid and GabrielxOlivia.

Second one seemed right... David won't want to sit with Gabriel and David barely knows Olivia..that and suposed Gabriel would be able to help her eat if she needs it..after all she had promised Olivia she can try her hand at solid foods. She would reach up and grab Zeke while sneaking a kiss from Gabriel and would seat Zeke in the baby chair positioned on the other side of Alexis.

"Babe..Wanna sit by Livi?" she would say in a hushed tone so Olivia couldn't hear. She didn't want the girl thinking someone had to be asked to sit beside her...'cause she didn't understand the situation. Her tone also was somewhat more of a demand than question...

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel managed a small smirk, the corners of his lips turning up to acknowledge the fair joking effort from David despite them all being a bit on edge over a situation like this. It wasn't like things were gumdrops and cherries. For any of them that was. For Gabriel and Alexis; the newly engaged couple had to fight through hell to get here and Livi's fate wasn't exactly peachy to match the fact. A bitter sense of guilt riling under Gabriel's skin as he tried to pull forth the facade of father as the time was coming around. His hands craning up to tuck Zeke back into his shoulder as the small boy tugged at hem and cloth for attention even in his dozed state.

"So, uh, what's with the kid? I didn't know you guys had a baby..."

Gabriel would look down at Zeke with something of an awkward glance. Somewhere along the lines trying to compare their features somehow but finding none of them. Except for the eyes, always a Seran trait to develop such piercing hues.

"Ah... We are his legal parents... I don't know if you met his real parents... Nathaniel Seran and Kevala Katashi..."

Gabriel remained tight lipped, he didn't want to talk about this concerning facet. Kevala had in a way abandoned her child, in her sense of insanity and dropping off the face of the Earth to pursue whatever life she still clung to. As much as they offered to protect her she wouldn't take them up on the offer, and rather than breaking the cycle of her family's cruelty she indulged in it letting her children suffer.

"His name is Ezekiel."

Gabriel would nod noting that Zeke's eyes bulged open to revel the huge goblet orbs that you could practically swim in. The young boys hand rolling towards his sockets to wipe the sleep out yawning massively. Big mouth, yep he was a Seran. A bright smile getting to Gabriel despite all the other concerns on his mind something he didn't want to reveal to David but was unintentional.

Escaping towards the Living room Gabriel suspected that David would follow Alexis, in which case he'd follow David, otherwise if David chose the pull up the flank Gabriel wouldn't hesitate to move in tow. Though he'd remain standing at the table awaiting Alexis to snag Zeke who still clung to the edge of sleep as she moved him to the chair that'd pin him inside. It was great providence they got him now otherwise he'd be impossible to deal with.

Gabriel once free of Zeke would sit down absent minded of an order to the seating arrangement noting that he was dead center on a single side.

"Babe.."

"Huh?" He'd look up a tad lost in thought before noticing the body language.

"Wanna sit by Livi?"

"Right, of course." A quick smile before rising quickly and moving beside Livi who as always seemed lost inside her own little world. How he pitied her at times, but all the same that pity he offered only made him feel sick inside.

[David B.]

"Mmm."

David's eyes went to the Alexis' as she mentioned Kevela. The girl was...interesting, to say the least. Troubled in almost every way, but then again with people like Gabriel beating in your skull whenever they felt like it, you'd be a little troubled too. But David didn't say anything about that. Instead, he scratched his templed lightly. "Yeah, i know Kev. Trained her once or twice. She has some issues, but seemed like a good person." He clasped his hands in front of him, laying his forearms against the edge of the table. As for Nathaniel, David remained silent. He had never heard of the kid, bu assumed from the last name he must be another relative of Gabriel.

The positioning of Alexis and Gabriel wasn't lost of the young Blaze, who simply chewed his bottom lip, ignoring the obvious musical chairs being played at his expense. He would glance up, watching as some servants brought the food in by the platter. David's house was a little different. He had plenty of money and room to bring in servants, but he liked the feeling of maintaining his own palace, so to speak. He had maybe ten on the entire staff, including the butler, and they just cleaned laundry and took care of his room when he left. He had a personal chef, but when meals came along, he was standing there beside the man, laughing and joking while helping him cook. He didn't see anything wrong with how Gabriel did it, just differences in preference.

"So, Gabriel. Haven't seen you much at school. Something happen?"

((This assuming before David knows Gabriel is a teacher))

[Olivia Green]

Olivia sat quietly before looking up and seeing the small kiss shared by Alexis and Gabriel. She never understood what it signified.... but she did always wonder why she didn't get one. Hell she probably wouldn't let someone get that close, but it still confused her... that and for some reason she could always picture kissing Gabriel... it was as if she knew the feeling of his lips. It was enough to send an emotion stab at her insides though she didn't know what emotion it was. It felt like a bunch of them.

Then the throng of people showed up with food. Olivia sat still watching the set down the platters and would wait for either Alexis or Gabriel to serve her the food. First she would pick up her fork in tight fists as she looked up at David when he spoke... then she pointed at the plate that had food displayed.... she wanted it though she didn't know what it would taste like.

"Please." she would say remembering to use her manners.

[Alexis Seran]

They all sat down and shortly after some kitchen staff came in with their food. It made her blush a little 'cause she herself had yet to get used to that kind of stuff. Her and Gabe tended to just have a few door men or limo drivers... but Alexis ended up hiring some more help when they took in her sister. It was hard to take care of Zeke let alone a full grown woman who knows nothing better. So... she just was embarrassed cause she didn't want David thinking less of them and assuming they were lazy.

"Please."

Alexis would go ahead and start serving Olivia her food while David and Gabriel conversed with each other. Once she was all served up she would serve herself. "Be careful Livi. It is hot. " she would turn to David. "Help yourself." she would say with a smile to let David know to make him feel comfortable... though she know that would be probably very hard all considering the static in the air that was seen between both Gabriel and him.

[Gabriel Seran]

Having taken up another seat next to Olivia, Gabriel prepared himself as best as he could manage. Grabbing a napkin and placing it over his lap with utmost care he'd serve himself in silence. His eyes leveled across the table taking note of the help. A quick shift to David as he realized what the boy must have thought to himself. Of course he'd only think the most illicitness of the situation. A small frown in place as Gabriel hadn't wanted the aid, but he was stubborn and Alexis knew best of the situation. With all of the family members hard at work and Olivia and Zeke with poor attention how were they to play all fronts? Difficult indeed. So Gabriel caved to pressure.

"So, Gabriel. Haven't seen you much at school. Something happen?"

Nodding upwards from his meal Gabriel would wipe his mouth with the table cloth paying mind to take his time. Yet all the same another grandeur plot to give David the worst thoughts to his mind. That after all Gabriel was still his dark abusive self that pleasured at people's servitude to him. Why stop if people barely gave you a second thought on the matter? Better to go all the way then halfway.

"Been under the gauntlet recently, between 774, Seran Corp., and getting a position here there's been no time for pleasantries." A wicked smile before returning to his position cocking his head towards Alexis as he plans of repositioning came for naught seeing as the newly formed position of over protective sister came to Olivia's aid once again.

A deep sigh before he'd sought to continue giving up his deep seated facade and surrendered to the guilt now building beneath his chest. "They're paid quite well."

He'd say soon as the help had made their exit, A small inclination of his finger to suggest who he'd aimed his attention at. "No strings attached, benefit plans. Not a bad deal in an economy like this."

Never being the one for small talk Gabriel jumped around suggesting his morals on a very low basis. As for David, he had nothing truly strong to speak with him about. This dinner was merely a means of getting past things. Neither of them had been a victor despite formalities sake of win or lose. Gabriel fought for the long run and had done horrid things. While David, fighting on a case by case basis for justice, also falling short as their methods had always crossed. No victor but loss all around.

"There are however things I must tend to here, you understand thats the only reason why I'm here." Gabriel suggested, his words probably drawing all their attention with a grave essence. There was always a plan formulating in his head otherwise he'd be boring.