Half Drunk Wisdom (Gabriel)

[Maurelle Lacroix]

I want it to break
I want it to burn
I'm going to bury you until it hurts

Maurelle was waiting for her guest to arrive at the tea garden in the hotel she was staying at. It was a strategic place for them to meet, as it was both private for them to do their business but also public enough to prevent a possible escalation of activities. It was part of her meticulous nature, picking the perfect place at the perfect time to conduct the dealings that needed to be done and ensure that the possible outcomes were all favorable, for her.

Her foe on this day though was as meticulous as she was, if not more so. If there would be anyone to flip the advantages that she had prepared in the selection of this site, it would be him. Of course, foe was an awfully strong word to use for the man she was set to meet, as they were supposed to be allies. That relationship though was tenuous at best and the exact reason why she was here this day. As far as she was concerned, Gabriel Constant was failing to live up to his end of their arrangement on all fronts.

Another person who did not possess Gabriel's skills and contacts would have likely seen Maurelle storm their household and drag their ass to a table to hash out new terms. However Gabriel did have skills and did have contacts, mutual contacts between them that she would prefer to keep at least on a working relationship with. There was also the matter of his wife, as deadly as anyone else alive on the planet and who probably would not have hesitated to put a knife through Maurelle's skull. And inevitable the children as well, there was no reason to spoil innocence because of a renegotiation of terms.

The weather was warm, unseasonably so even more Hawaii, which Maurelle had not come to expect. She had dressed for warm weather, in a turquoise with black trim sundress and a straw hat, matched off with some sandals and sunglasses. Even so, she was finding herself continually moving her chair closer to the shade that the trees in the tea garden provided to escape the rays of the beating sun. Or perhaps it was her anxiety in having to wait for the man to show. The loss of her powers had made such matters a requirement for her and put her on edge.

At a quarter towards three though, she could hear the thud of his shoes on the pavement and smell the cologne on the air before she ever saw him. "You're late." She said in a half playful tone before placing her tea cup on a saucer and resting the spoon next to it. "Please sit down, we have much to discuss, you and I."

[Gabriel Constant]

The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might,
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright—
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
-The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

The problem with being a precognitive was that Gabriel had unwittingly become too dependent on his abilities. He preferred to be certain of things. There were many, many variables in seeing futures, but at least he knew that if he made this action, or took this route, that things would turn out such a way. That was not infallible, as his relationship with Alexandria stood as example, but it was right enough times that he had used it routinely. Grown comfortable with it. Made promises on it.

That ability was gone, now, however, and he was not sure whether that was for just a time or forever. He had no idea what had caused it and no idea where to start looking for answers. His second ability - the one that allowed him to track and locate others - worked just as it had before, with no interruptions. He also knew that Maurelle Lacroix had lost her precognition as well. He had two other very tenuous contacts who were precognitives, but he would prefer not to give them any idea that he might be powerless. That could be taken too much like a weakness.

So, when Maurelle asked to meet with him, he had very little idea what it was that she wanted to talk about. He did know that she had a purpose for everything, and there was no reason for her to come calling socially. She had also set up the meeting on neutral territory. What that meant, Gabriel was not certain. She could easily have met him at his house - he did not mind her being there, as he was sure she could find his address - unless Alex objected to it. Perhaps Alex was the reason for the choice of venue. In that case, the conversation they were going to have could grow dangerous.

Conclusions drawn from there led him to believe that Maurelle wanted to discuss the arrangements they had made some time earlier, in which he had promised to watch over those close to her in return for access to her resources. That had been back around the time of GEIST, but he still needed those connections; just because the organization itself was gone - dissolved by his own hands - that did not mean he was without a plan. He had significant, groundbreaking plans, and he still needed those resources and those of the Johessmans. Due to the assistance he had given in Christian’s trial, he knew he had cemented his relationship with that family again, and more firmly; Maurelle, however, should not have had cause to worry at all. Her charges were safe, and he had kept them that way as best he could, both with and without his main, dependent ability, that crutch of his.

Gabriel was an intelligent and crafty man on his own accord, even without his ability. He was certain that Maurelle wanted to discuss that arrangement. To reaffirm it, perhaps, since so much time had passed since its inception. In any case, he hoped it would be something of an enjoyable evening. While he and Maurelle and allies, they were not exactly friends, so he did not expect too much in the way of camaraderie and small talk.

He walked along the path that led to and through the tea garden. It was much like a park, an even nicer, better-kept park than most, in fact. The day was warm, to which Gabriel was well acclimated. He had dressed lightly, properly for a meeting, but also for the weather. He had even put on something of a tan since living on the island, and was much happier there than in any of the other States.

It was easy enough to find Maurelle, seated under the shade of a tree. He sat on a chair across from her. An attendant asked for his order, and, once given, hurried off to fill it. With a faint smile, Gabriel turned to Maurelle and tilted his head slightly as she spoke to him. He had always arrived exactly when he needed to be somewhere with his precognition. That was no longer the case.

“‘Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax, and cabbages, and kings?'” he responded with a chuckle on his lips and an eyebrow raised. The only matter he could think they could discuss was, as he had thought before, their arrangement, which he had and still was delivering in full, even with the loss of his ability, as he had connections still - or of the loss of the loss of their powers, which they had already covered. What else she had on her mind… was a mystery. That made Gabriel more than a little uneasy? Curse the loss of his ability!

“What is it you would like to discuss?” he asked, letting her lead the conversation. He had nothing extra to discuss, after all. A meeting with tea was pleasant enough, but there was clearly more to this than what appeared on its surface.

[Maurelle Lacroix]

I am the devil in the rye
The devil that lurks inside

Gabriel was in a good mood it seemed as he joked upon his entry. He was dressed as she had expected, light to accommodate the weather, perhaps what he presumed would be a casual business matter. Perhaps it would be light, that depending entirely upon how much blame he was willing to accept and what else he had to offer her. Protection it seemed was something far beyond his measure, at least of late. Perhaps he was slipping from the pedestal that he thought himself to be on, with the uneasy calm that had come with the outbreak of the cholera and events thereafter.

He seemed intent thought to get right to the point, with his query as to what she wanted to discuss. She weighed the idea in her head for a brief moment just how quickly they should get into the business at hand. Would swiftness cause less hostility and tension or would it only escalate it to a higher end? Tact had to be used her, for she did not desire to alienate the man altogether, that would not be beneficial to her plans and desires. It would also complicate personal matters, but that was only if such matters progressed as she expected them to.

"It has come to my attention that you have completely and utterly failed in your half of the arrangement that we made years ago. Helena Rahal has been exposed to live threatening situations more often than I care to count and associates of mine have also been at death's door. It behooves me to motion that you offer new services for our arrangement or I shall need to cancel it all together." It was only two options but she wanted Gabriel to realize just how serious she was taking the matter.

"I always want to know what you are planning up your sleeve. I have been burned once by so called friends and allies in order to assist in their goals, I do not plan to allow that to happen a second time. I want us to remain allies but I will no longer risk my plans and assets to cover others plans and ambitions."

She did not add in that the ally in question was none other than Christian, their mutual friend and business partner. Nor did she mention that Christian was also assisting her in rebuilding the portions of her empire that had been damaged as a result of his plans. It was irrelevant and would only complicate the matter and detract from the point that she was trying to make. Gabriel might have already known about that anyhow, as close as the two men seemed to be, though Lucius and Gabriel were far closer she knew.

"I know you are up to something Gabriel, though not the same something you first approached me for. How could it be, half of those people have disappeared clean off the Earth as far as my vetting has shown. New identities perhaps but even my trackers would have been able to claw through such measures and found them. It is awfully curious."

She took her cup of tea off the saucer and began to slowly stir the contents within as she eyed up the man. Friend or foe, how she should proceed? Too aggressive and she would risk agitating him, too cautious and he would see her as weak, the balance had to be struck exactly right.

"If it suits you better, think of this as a renegotiation of terms. I know that I may need to make further concessions for what I ask, but I also know that the arrangement we have is no longer working. It is in our best interest to continue to work together, especially now. Unless your abilities have returned and I am the only one blind to what the future holds." There was always that chance but Gabriel would not have been late if it were true. She was firm she thought, firm but flexible enough that Gabriel should be open to cooperation, or so she hoped.

[Gabriel Constant]

The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done—
“It’s very rude of him,” she said,
“To come and spoil the fun!”
-The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

There was little reason for Gabriel not to be in a good mood. The weather was fine, and he was going to have tea with an old associate. The only stain was that what said associate might wish to talk about, but he would let that come as it may. Things were going well for him; aside from his ability loss and one of his best friends nearly getting blown up, and aside from the cholera and famine and riot outbreaks, everything was actually falling into place for him. While he’d had absolutely no hand in any of those happenings, they did serve as an excellent cover for what he was truly planning to do, and what he was setting in place.

After he sat and a cup of tea was brought to him, he listened to Maurelle’s comments. He had to think over then for a time. Something just did not quite click correctly. She moved on to offer Gabriel two choices, and then spoke on. Gabriel had no reason to interrupt yet.

He had no intention of sharing his plans with Maurelle. He had no intention of sharing his plans with anyone, not Lucius, not Christian, nor anyone else. The sole other person who did know knew it because she was him, and he was her. There were no secrets between the halves.

He did wish to remain allies with Maurelle, however; such alliances - and, he suspected, further relations - were always strong supports to lean on. She was hardly risking anything in working with him, but he knew she would need solid proof of that. He could provide something similar for the moment. That card would be played soon, of course. Even powerless, a good precog knew there was a time for everything.

She spoke of his former plans and his former cohorts. He hid a chuckle behind his teacup. No vetting she had done would have produced the correct names and identities anyway. GEIST had always been a secret society, more so than any other, so impenetrable that even Christian Moynahan would never have broken into it. She might have found his and Alex’s names, but the rest were still covers, as were the Constants’ to anyone who did not know better. Of course those imaginary people had faded away.

Her last comments found him smiling very calmly - almost a bit too calmly. But, in truth, Gabriel was at a perfect inner peace. Perhaps he should have shown some strong emotion - he was prone to that - but in the moment, there was little more there than placidity. There was a touch of amusement, too, but he would expound on that later.

He remembered their first meeting very clearly. It had occurred shortly after his daughters’ birth, and was the first business-like foray he had made following that life-changing event. It had involved a breaking-and-entering, a potentially poisoned meal, and a butter knife. There, they had struck a deal: Maurelle would allow him access to the underground networks she had taken control of, and Gabriel would protect those she cared about in return.

At the time, Gabriel recalled, Maurelle had pointed out three individuals or groups. One had been Maurelle’s family, one had been Marie van Kliej, and one had been an individual she herself had been asked to watch over and guide. He had sworn to keep those people safe. That was the point that stood in contention now.

“Miss Lacroix,” he said, settling easily into the back of his chair, “we seem to be viewing my commitment to you at very different angles. When we made our agreement, I vowed that I would protect those people you loved the most dearly. At the time, you indicated your family, Marie van Kliej, and one other. I have kept your family and your mentor safe, even as far away as they are. Helena - which, since I know her name, should give you an idea of how closely I’ve kept her secured - found herself in a good deal of trouble during the riots, and I admit that I did fail there, to some extent. I lost track of her. However, she suffered no irreparable harm, and, aside from what it might have done to her psyche, she is as well as she could be.

“However, you refer to associates being ‘at death’s door.’ None of the three parties you asked me to cover meet that criterion. Also, your use of the plural suggests that there are one or more people who were, at some point, added to that list. Now, Miss Lacroix, I ask you, how am I supposed to protect a person I did not know I was meant to be protecting? I’m a precognitive - and a blind one at that - not a mindreader. If you had additional ‘associates’ you wanted me to cover, you should have told me.”

He was speaking in a calm, controlled manner; pleasant, as though they were indeed sharing a bit of small talk. It fit the atmosphere of the tea garden. “Now, I could hazard a guess as to who one of those ‘associates’ are. One could certainly say he had been at death’s door, and you were certainly there enough to guide him from it. Now, make no mistake, we share at least that one contact who is valuable to both of us….” He paused to read her expression. “Or perhaps more valuable to you, if I may go so far as to say so, but valuable to me nonetheless. His danger never became apparent to me; I had already lost my foresight by then. Believe me, if I had known he was in trouble, I would have stopped him as quickly as I could manage.”

He placed his teacup, now nearly empty, on its saucer and leaned forward. “You accuse me of breaking our agreement, yet I never knew its rules had changed. Yes, I do believe this calls for a renegotiation of terms.” He picked up the cup and took the last, long sip from it. “And this time, if there are any new ‘associates’ to add to our list, I would thank you for making me cognizant of them.”

[Maurelle Lacroix]

I can't go back the way I was before
Don't turn your back on me
I wont be ignored

Maurelle felt slightly unnerved by the extremely calm demeanor that Gabriel was displaying in this meeting. She had come at him on the offensive, accusing him of failing at the duties and obligations of their arrangement. She had suspected to take him unawares and put him on the back foot, to make him be the way who was unnerved and making unfocused moves. Yet he was as calm as calm could be, as if had merely passed over him like water.

If she was not dissatisfied with the way their arrangement had gone and was here trying to force better terms from him, she would have felt a certain measure of respect for Gabriel's resolute calmness. Perhaps this was hwy he was as successful as he was or perhaps the changes in his life have produced changes within himself. She had expected him to lash out in defense of his work or to heavily handed critique her assessment. Instead he sat there as if he was merely a professor grading yet another end of term paper, dissecting its little faults effortlessly.

Her own expression remained emotionless, even as Gabriel correctly guess as to one of the parties that she said he was failing. Even as he suggested that perhaps that party was more important to her than to Gabriel himself. She highly doubted that was the case, at least the way that Gabriel and Lucius treated Christian in the public Ark outings and on the chat room. They had also been among the first to visit with Christian after his awakening from the coma, though they lacked the same resources she did to be the very first one to visit the man.

There was something else though, there was something amiss, something that he was holding close to his chest. There was no reason that he should be this calm, not unless he had a reason to believe that he was in the advantage. What was it that he had that gave him the upper hand, what in his perspective made him so entirely confident? She had not missed how he had failed to address her request for information regarding his activities, perhaps that was it. If that was the case, it mad this meeting even more important, she was not about to be burned again.

"Mind reader? I have never suggested that. However, you are a clever and smart individual, smarter than most and clever enough to evade incarceration despite your wanted status in many countries. If someone were to become close to me, and thank you for so kindly informing me of your own keeping tabs on me in doing so, then it should have been obvious that such status is bestowed upon them as well. Not that I would need to tell you with your monitoring of my own activities, but few people breach the great wall of madam Lacroix."

Indeed and Christian himself was trying his damnedest to try and destroy those walls. Yet they still existed and for reasons and Gabriel would know that very few people were allowed within them and fewer still could overtake them. Playing the uninformed bodyguard would simply not do, not with as intelligent as a man as the one who was before her was. "If I need to spell out just exactly who needs that service extended to them, then I have gravely overestimated your worth and should simply cancel the services here and now. I don't believe that is the case however."

Maurelle gave Gabriel a half smile and sipped on the last of her tea. She put her hand up to keep the servant from coming to refill their glasses just yet, this was not the time for idle ears to hear conversation. They were coming towards more intimate details of their actual agreement she suspected and idle ears lead to loose lips. That was not a risk she was willing to take, not even in the tranquility of the tea garden.

"Let's not be coy now. If this is a negotiation, lay out your counter terms since it seems mine are unacceptable."

[Gabriel Constant]

“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The Walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each.”
-The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

As Maurelle spoke, Gabriel leaned back and folded his hands. Observation was key. Both of them knew that; or at least, he did, but he doubted she had gotten so far in the business world without learning the same. It was apparent to him that Maurelle did not like how calm he was, so he remained just as calm as he had been, with hardly a ripple in his placidity. She complimented his intelligence, after a fashion, but then suggested that since he was keeping tabs on her that he should have been aware that there was a new player who also needed her protection.

He sighed and rolled his shoulders back a bit. “I never make assumptions, Mademoiselle. You had every opportunity to contact me and apprise me of the change. That being said, I do recognize the failure, but on my side. I had a responsibility over him myself.”

He folded his arms and sat farther back. “Would you like me to name him for you? We are both talking about Christian Moynahan. On a professional level at the moment, but you and I both have connections to him on a more personal level as well. What the nature of yours is, I could barely say.” He tilted his head slightly; the shadow of a smirk crossed his lips for a moment. A bait, to see exactly what her reaction to that would be.

Now, however, as he began to reply to her mention of a counter-offer, he leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. He was a husband and father above all else, but he was still a businessman. In all of those cases, he could be as vicious as he wanted or needed to be; his role in Ark’s takeover stood as testament to that. He had nothing at all against Maurelle, but this was not a social call. There would be no quarter given here.

“Your request was to learn my plans. That is, in fact, unacceptable. There is only one other person in the world who knows of my plans. Even Lucius does not know what they are. Now, of course, you are looking to secure your side of the deal, to make sure you are getting what you need and not being screwed over by me. That is a wise call.” He smirked briefly rested his chin in his hand.

“Christian Moynahan is a difficult man to protect. He can take care of himself, of course, even without the use of his ability. However, he has a tendency to get himself into danger, and is stubborn enough to refuse all counsel, as you’ve seen. If I’m to keep him protected, I’m going to need a bit more from your end.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to clean house. I’m only going to specify our original terms a bit more.”

Now a dark look settled into his gaze. “We’ve already talked about your plans for your… less well-known businesses. As we said, you retain control of those, but when I ask for your support, I will have it. You will be informed of my plans when the necessity arrives. That is all I require.”

He tilted his head and smiled slightly. “That isn’t so bad, is it?”

[Maurelle Lacroix]

When wisdom fails
It changes all

Maurelle was relieved to see some sort of emotion from Gabriel, even if it was a simple sigh from him. It was followed by some rather pointed words but it was a refreshing change from the over indulgence in calmness that he was trying to exude. Now that there was a crack in the armor, she could maybe get back into her own element and dictating this meeting more than she was. While she was the one that was presenting the terms and had arranged this meeting, it still felt like Gabriel was the controlling factor in this.

It surprised her that Gabriel had already put Christian on his own protection service and that they were now referring to him specifically. The veil had been lifted now, which she was not entirely sure was a good thing. Nor did she like the tune that Gabriel was singing about her relationship with Christian. They were not out to anyone, not yet anyways, and that Gabriel was suggesting that they were together was unsettling to say the least. Her private life was supposed to stay private, especially to a man like Gabriel who could use it as leverage.

"Our relationship is purely business as far as you should be concerned mister Constant. I also would prefer that whatever tabs that you are keeping on me distance themselves. I do not spy into your private life, I would except you to keep the same respect for me." The grin of his was very dissatisfying indeed and gave him way too much of a cocky appearance. This was unraveling far too much and too quickly for her liking, her fear of Gabriel running this negotiation were becoming more real than she had even thought would go when she decided to concede a little ground.

Inwardly she sighed as he leaned forward and began his explanation of the terms that he had in mind. It was a very interesting thing to learn that not even Lucius, someone with whom Gabriel considered to be a brother were privy to his plans. That only other person then was natural his wife, which put Maurelle at a disadvantage considerably in such a negotiation point. It was likely something that she had to concede, as much as she despised doing so, she would not have put it past Gabriel to burn her in his plans.

His assurances to the contrary were not going to be comforting for her, words were fleeting. His actions were not anything that could be a sign of assurance that whatever his future plans were would not turn sour for her. In fact, they were quite to the contrary, but she was not about to rehash arguments. It was a pointless exercise and would not advance this discussion any further.

His counter offer... seemed too good to be true, there had to be a catch to this. She leaned back in her seat and stared blankly at her counterpart, studying him. She had expected... something that she would have to argue against and present her own counter offer. Yet he was simply asking for what she already provided, in stricter terms, but more or less the same.

"What's your angle here Gabriel? It's not that I am ungrateful about the offer, it is far better than what I expected, but it is too good. Are you cutting me a better deal because of our mutual friends, are past history, some ulterior motive?" Perhaps he simply was in a good mood... but would he commit such a business maneuver simply because of that?

"I suppose it is as what you were then, if these are your terms." They were not what she had hoped to get, but she knew when not to press issues that could not be won. Maybe she would have to think Gabriel as less of an ally and more of a friend, if this was how they were going to treat now.

[Gabriel Constant]

“A loaf of bread,” the Walrus said,
“Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed—
Now if you’re ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed.”
-The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

When Maurelle tried to convince Gabriel that she and Christian were merely business partners as far as Gabriel should be concerned, Gabriel simply smiled. This had nothing to do with what Gabriel should be concerned about, but had everything to do with that he knew. He knew it not from Christian telling him, nor, of course, Maurelle; he simply saw, and knew what he saw. Gabriel Constant had always been a very observant man; it had kept him from being killed a number of times, and from being screwed over at other times. He was confident in what he saw, even if it was only the present and not the future.

Nevertheless, he left the subject alone. There was no reason to push it, no reason to alienate Maurelle. He wanted them to be on good terms. He did test her reaction, however, and she seemed not to like his smirk very much. That was interesting. He decided to take it as a half-admission. No one successfully jumped into a relationship; it was possible that she and Christian shared a mutual interest in each other, but either had not or were just beginning to explore that interest. He was no stranger to that, although his and Alex’s relationship had not run along that course. But then, his and Alex’s relationship was not a fair tool of comparison. He and Alex were married with children.

As for the business deal, it would make no matter how often Gabriel assured her of his good intentions toward her. She would not believe it without proof, proof he had no way of providing. She would have to wait until it was time to execute his plans, at which time, he would, indeed, not screw her over. That was not part of the plan. As for how long that would be… without his ability, he did not know. He was looking for the right time.

She asked why he was presenting such a good offer. “Because that is all I require of you, Mademoiselle Lacroix. There is no reason for me to ask for any more than I need. Just your temporary alliance and resources when I need them, which, incidentally, will be a very short time. As for when I will need them….” He opened his palms. “I honestly don’t know. If I had my precognition, I would have an exact date and most likely a specific time for you. As it is now, I’m running on my intuition. I’m waiting for the best time to strike.”

He sighed. “I truly apologize for that. In your place, I would feel much better if there were specific days to offer time to prepare or at least solidify my certainty that I would not be screwed over. All I can offer is my word now, however, and while I know I mean it, it is difficult for you to be certain of it. But I have no reason to cause you or your business any harm, in any case.”

He extended his hand. “If these terms do find your approval, we’ll shake hands on it and consider it set.”

[Maurelle Lacroix]

I don't want to be the one
Who causes the inevitable fall

Gabriel was remarkably honest and forthcoming in his explanation. It was refreshing and yet disturbing as well, not that he was being honest, but that he did not know when he would need her. Had both of them become that accustomed to letting their ability to see the future dictate so much of their lives and how they conducted themselves? What would life be like if their power of foresight was gone completely and they had to relay on themselves and only themselves once more? Gabriel seemed to be adjusting fine enough, yet his allies made such adjustment easy.

Hers were far more loose, temporary, and not at all as comforting when it came down to it. Lucius would only go as far as it suited his agenda, that she was ultimately sure of, which made the alliance with the Johessman's tenious as well. Christian would risk much personally for her, yet he would not put Ark at risk if she required aid. Helena was too much tied into others to ask her to take such risk on her behalf, even if she suspected the woman would answer the call.

Gabriel, he was the only one who she could count on if she needed assistance and his words of temporary alliance did not sit well. Not with how she saw the situation as it stood, her loved ones might have been safe but she needed her own safety net beyond whatever personal comforts Christian could offer. She had failed her organization once already, she was not about to let them suffer again because of her not pressing the issue as hard as it needed to be pressed.

"No, not temporary alliances. I do not want to be having this same meeting in a year, two years, whatever it may be. If we are allies, I want it as permanent as can be, no temporary conveniences. I have enough of those already, I need someone I can count on fully, when the chips are down and I am in need of a hand." It was strange how the flow of this meeting had changed, yet that was the way of the world. A few misplaced words, a few assurances that needed to be iron clad and not flimsy in their make.

"I of course would reciprocate, it will be a two way street. You have my word on that." What was the word of a mob boss, an assassin, a person who desired more than their station currently provided? Well it depended upon the person obviously, yet her word was as strong as it could be, with nearly ever promise and guarantee seen out through the end. Her place in the world may have made her untrustworthy, yet that did not mean a thing about who she was.

"Another time, another place, I might have offered a blood promise, but I suppose a hand shake will have to do." She offered her hand for the man to take and seal what should have been done a long time ago.

FIN Maurelle

[Gabriel Constant]

“O Oysters,” said the Carpenter,
“You’ve had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?”
But answer came there none —
And this was scarcely odd, because
They’d eaten every one.
-The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

It was not Gabriel who had suggested the terms in the first place. However, doing so did bring him benefits, the main one being able to depend on Maurelle and her resources when the time came. It bothered him even more that he did not know when that time would be, because he liked to have his affairs perfectly in order. He was not so precise and rigid as to plan out each moment of his day, but in matters such as this one, he would have preferred to give Maurelle a specific time and place as to where she would be needed so that she could be prepared, instead of them both being on their toes until the moment Gabriel wanted came.

Every morning, when he awoke, Gabriel tested his abilities. So far, his precognition had not returned; hopefully, he thought, there would come a day when he would wake up and they would have returned. Well, at least his secondary ability remained functional.

It seemed a specific part of his terms did not please Maurelle, however, and he was surprised by that, as it bound her even more to him. She wanted a more permanent alliance, not the temporary one that would have come and then gone once Gabriel’s goals were met. They would support each other whenever it was needed, she suggested, as, apparently, she needed someone she could count on aside from other temporary alliances she had.

That was perfectly fine with Gabriel. With their resources combined, they would make an excellent team. He considered telling her what the nature of her assistance would be, as it was unlikely that it was anything like she imagined it was; but that would have given away his plan, and, although he had no reason to distrust Maurelle, no chances could be taken on this or it would not only ruin everything, but also likely bring an end to Gabriel’s life. He would not leave Alex a single, mourning mother. He would not leave his friends to live on alone. “I refuse to accept the possibility of failure,” Christian Moynahan said. The man was right.

“We will make our alliance permanent, then. I have no objections to that.” He chuckled at her comment about a blood promise, but shook her hand firmly. They were both dangerous variables in the system they lived under; as a team, they could be lethal. And that was exactly what Gabriel needed.

fin Gabriel