01-30-2019, 05:02 AM
[align=center][div style="width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.4;"]Aside from the distractions, such as the bitter cold or the horrible glass of whiskey or the presence of the two other Flintlockers, Gabriel had managed to focus his attention onto the interaction between Catalyst and Hayley. Like a match of ping pong, his gaze darted between the two leaders as they shared their thoughts, and he could not help but pick up on the heightening tensions. Who couldn't? It was as plain as day how intense things were getting. Catalyst had asked about an alliance, let alone a neutrality, which had caught Gabe off-guard. He could have sworn that the Boss had declared Flintlock Lodge "fair game" in one of the recent meetings, but perhaps they had different ideas in mind? Maybe they were planning something? Who knew what was going on in that brain of theirs, honestly, and Gabriel wasn't going to question anything now. That wasn't why he was there. He had given a very faint, awkward smirk of acknowledgement in response to Catalyst's comment about drinking, but Gabriel didn't dwell on it for more than a few seconds. Hayley had taken control of the conversation, and it sounded like she meant business.
She had taken a direct shot at Catalyst's leadership, which hadn't affected Gabe all that much. A lot of people respected them ( or at least pretended to ), but to be fair, a good handful of people were terrified of them ( including him ). Speak of the devil, when Cat had directly addressed him without expecting it, the Officer straightened up quickly. "... Punish them." He had nearly mumbled in response, feeling uncomfortable from being put on the spot as it was. His stomach clenched as he absorbed their question, his cold hands growing clammy, and he subconsciously began to avert his gaze to the floor and away from his superior's. It was likely the feeling of inferiority and general fear that he held for the older individual.
Now that that was over, he just only wondered how Catalyst would react to Hayley's suspicions. The last thing he'd expect to see is for the Boss to be cornered and out of options, and the anticipation was building by the moment. Gabriel's head quickly snapped towards Jackson, who had moved to lock the only exit to the shed. His heart starting to uncontrollably quicken in his chest, his lips drawing partly agape, his blue eyes brightening with realization  that they were both in serious trouble. He didn't know what to do; did he rush this guy and break the door open? Did he stand and wait tensely in the corner for the next move in this anxiety-inducing game of chess?
It was not surprising that Catalyst was serene and calm during the whole ordeal, unwavering like a steady flame surrounded by the elements. They were like an anchor in the situation, something reassuring him that everything would be fine. They knew how to handle this. Gabriel made a point to steady his breathing through his nostrils, though he could not help the tight fists his hands made down at his sides.
Hayley had come to an agreement. Not before making a vaguely concerning statement, sure, but it was still an agreement. He just only hoped that Catalyst would smooth things out and get them both the hell away from this place as soon as possible. This shed was tiny, but Gabriel only felt more cramped and claustrophobic by the moment, being surrounded by these intimidating people who apparently wouldn't hesitate to hurt the both of them. He kept his fingers trailing over his pocket, as he was still wary and ready to whip out his blade should something else arise from this near-trainwreck of a meeting.
She had taken a direct shot at Catalyst's leadership, which hadn't affected Gabe all that much. A lot of people respected them ( or at least pretended to ), but to be fair, a good handful of people were terrified of them ( including him ). Speak of the devil, when Cat had directly addressed him without expecting it, the Officer straightened up quickly. "... Punish them." He had nearly mumbled in response, feeling uncomfortable from being put on the spot as it was. His stomach clenched as he absorbed their question, his cold hands growing clammy, and he subconsciously began to avert his gaze to the floor and away from his superior's. It was likely the feeling of inferiority and general fear that he held for the older individual.
Now that that was over, he just only wondered how Catalyst would react to Hayley's suspicions. The last thing he'd expect to see is for the Boss to be cornered and out of options, and the anticipation was building by the moment. Gabriel's head quickly snapped towards Jackson, who had moved to lock the only exit to the shed. His heart starting to uncontrollably quicken in his chest, his lips drawing partly agape, his blue eyes brightening with realization  that they were both in serious trouble. He didn't know what to do; did he rush this guy and break the door open? Did he stand and wait tensely in the corner for the next move in this anxiety-inducing game of chess?
It was not surprising that Catalyst was serene and calm during the whole ordeal, unwavering like a steady flame surrounded by the elements. They were like an anchor in the situation, something reassuring him that everything would be fine. They knew how to handle this. Gabriel made a point to steady his breathing through his nostrils, though he could not help the tight fists his hands made down at his sides.
Hayley had come to an agreement. Not before making a vaguely concerning statement, sure, but it was still an agreement. He just only hoped that Catalyst would smooth things out and get them both the hell away from this place as soon as possible. This shed was tiny, but Gabriel only felt more cramped and claustrophobic by the moment, being surrounded by these intimidating people who apparently wouldn't hesitate to hurt the both of them. He kept his fingers trailing over his pocket, as he was still wary and ready to whip out his blade should something else arise from this near-trainwreck of a meeting.
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*･ﾟ✦ — close your eyes and taste the sun