Gabriel let out a heavy sigh as he slumped himself down onto the park bench. His usual loose fitting attire having been released with restricting and somewhat uncomfortable black suit and tie he often wore on important meetings. He loosened the tie around his neck and felt his previously tense body relax slightly as he tilted his head towards the stars above. Caelum Park was quiet tonight. Typically when he came here this late it was filled with couples. All trying to capture some fleeting sense of romance that the starry sky seemed to produce. Gabriel himself didn't quite understand it. He was just glad that for once he didn't have to put up with the moronic sounds of wooing or making out.
Over the course of him time with his nation's capital city, he had come to rely on Caelum Park as a place to help escape from his more stressful moments. The park had a natural beauty to it, especially at night. The large pine trees that circled around the park reminded him of home oddly enough. A strange comfort considering how much distance he put between himself and that place. It had been an unreasonably long day for the Forge Commander. His entire morning, afternoon, and evening having been taken up with pointless meetings, and useless bureaucracy. He couldn't help but feel that it was idiotic. You had to cut through so much red tape in order to get anything of meaning done. He was just thankful that it was all over.
"Soon." but not soon enough if he was being honest. The Forge had such big plans for the future but if things like red tape kept getting in the way they were never going to make much progress. Elias, the leader of the Forge, and a man who like a father to Gabriel, had said it was going to be like this. He had suggested they proceed without the blessing of the right officials but Gabriel had refused to listen.
Maybe he should have.
He let out another heavy sigh and took his gaze off the stars and towards the glowing lights of the city in the distance. It was about time he got going. He had an equally busy day planned for tomorrow. He had already spent a lot longer in the park then had meant to today. Yet as he tried to lift himself up from the bench he found himself unable to do so. The idea of actually heading towards Forge Headquarters suddenly felt so heavy. "Perhaps I'll just sit here a bit longer. Who knows, maybe something interesting will happen." he slumped back down and closed his eyes. Taking in the smell of the pine trees.
Caleb walked alongside his little sister listening to her recount how she was invited to attend Cocoon Academy with a soft smile on his face. The idea of her fighting off some goons trying to steal prismere wasn’t a particularly fond thought; however, he was nevertheless still proud of her for her refusal to back down in the face of adversity. Then again, it wasn’t as if he was squeaky clean considering he had been in a nightclub brawl over a simple misunderstanding. Not his fault though, it wasn’t as if he knew that club owner’s girlfriend was there, and really what was the point of the club owner even picking a fight with him? Damages aside, Caleb was quite happy for the distraction in the form of his little sister meeting him there if inadvertently. Ashe, for her part was skipping along humming merrily, “Then he invited me to attend Cocoon!” She exclaimed waving her arms rapidly.
“I assume you took him up on the offer?” Caleb asked.
“Well…” She trailed off looking down at the ground, “I told him I’d think about it?”
Caleb stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Sis… I love you, but… really?” He asked with a laugh, “You’ve got an opportunity to get a head start on being a hunter. Hell, I’d imagine that people would think you’re the bee’s knees with something like that under your belt.”
Ashe stomped her foot, “But I don’t want to be the bee’s knees, I just wanna be a normal girl with normal knees!” She flailed in exasperation.
He laughed at her antics and smiled, “Well sis, you know Suzu got in early too?” She blinked up at him, “Well I’d assume so anyway, she’s two years younger than Korvo and Dad.” Caleb shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged once more, “I’m sure she’d say take the opportunity, but it’s all on you.”
Ashe harrumphed in thought before she nodded, “…Fine. At least I’ll know someone there between you and Xel.”
Caleb’s smile became a tad bit tense, “You sure you don’t wanna try and make some friends on your own? I mean… how else are you gonna grow up if you don’t try to meet other people and work together?”
She groaned in frustration, “You sound like Dad!” Ashe whined, “What does meeting new people have to do with fighting? And besides… I don’t need people to help me grow up! I drink milk!”
He shook his head as they walked through Caelum Park, it was almost comical really, though the Sanctum abandoned its monarchy a century ago, they still paid homage to the Sanctum Emperors. Caelum Caliga, though he was the last Emperor of the Sanctum, was responsible for the modern world in all its splendor. Perhaps that was why the Sanctum created this national park. Caleb never really paid attention to it, Ashe meanwhile seemed to be content just looking up at the night sky and admiring the stars. An unmistakable feeling of dread washed over him though as he spotted a man with shaggy brown hair sitting against a tree. Ashe seemed to pick up on it as she glanced up at him, “Is that…?”
“Yep.” Caleb replied firmly. “And here I was enjoying my day…”
Ashe frowned as she beheld their older brother apparently snoozing beneath a tree. She sighed, “Well…we can’t avoid him all the time, eh?”
Gabriel had been distract, his mind adrift, distance memories flashing into frame behind his closed eyes. He didn't often allow himself to have moments like this. A moment of relaxation in his otherwise busy schedule. Far too busy hoping from one task to the next, whether that be something for the Elias or continuing his training he always busy. Always moving. It had been like that ever since he had left home. He kept moving forward in order to put as much distance between himself and that man as he possibly could. He knew he had left the others behind in doing so but he saw it as a necessary sacrifice. Both to get away but also in order for him to further grow as a warrior and a person.
As if to test if those were truly his feelings the universe saw fit to place those he had left behind in his path.
He had head their voice long before he had noticed their approach. Caleb's voice and lighthearted tone were things that were almost impossible for Gabriel not to notice. As was the innocent that his sister Ashe held within her own. He was just barely able to make out what they were saying. They didn't seem to be too happy to have stumbled across him. He understood. It was likely difficult for them to understand why he was doing what he was doing. Or maybe they did, or maybe just Caleb did, and they just didn't care. Whatever it was that caused them to dislike him Gabriel couldn't fault them for it. He opened his eyes as heard them halt their approach. He had a moment of hesitation as he moved to stand himself up from the ground.
Perhaps it was best to just let them walk away? They obviously didn't want to see him and he had just been thinking of how he had left them. He couldn't go the rest of his life avoiding them though now could he? With the paths that they were walking it was only natural that they run into each other every once in awhile. Caleb was a hunter after all, and from what he could remember Ashe wanted to become one herself. Yes, he'd approach. Better to get this out of the way now rather than later.
Pushing his thoughts aside Gabriel made his way towards his brother and sister. It was an uncomfortable walk towards them. The restrictiveness of his suit becoming all the more apparent to him as he moved around.. He was going to have to take this thing off the moment he got back to headquarters. "Caleb." he nodded at his brother and then turned towards Ashe. She was a lot bigger than he remembered her being. Had he missed a birthday? Two of them, or was it more than that? He felt bad that he couldn't remember but he didn't let it show on his face. Instead the harshness that he had held previously seemed to soften slightly. An out of place smile on his face, "Ashe you've certainly grown since the last time I saw you." there was slight hint of pain hidden in his tone as he spoke.
"What brings the two of you out to Caelum Park so late? Surely Caleb's laziness isn't rubbing off on you Ashe." despite his attempt to make it sound like he was just joking, his tone surely came off as if he was serious. He didn't know if he was going to be able to do this. Interacting with them like he used too was going to be more difficult than he had thought it was going to be. Casual conversation had never really been his strongest subject either. Elias's words of how he needed to learn to relax echoed in his head. "I'm kidding of course but only partly." his whole body felt tense. Gabriel only hoped that his siblings would take it easy on him but somehow he doubted it.
Ashe noticed that her brother’s jaw clenched tightly as Gabriel walked towards them. It did bother her that Caleb seemed to be getting angrier and angrier around their older brother; however, she simply placed her hand on Caleb’s shoulder and gave a gentle, if firm shake of her head. Caleb nodded silently as his jaw relaxed slightly, his smile a tad strained, “Sparkplug.” He muttered in as neutral a tone as he could muster.
The little reaper shook her head as she sighed audibly. It was a start. She nodded at Gabriel’s observation before Caleb stepped up, “About four years or so.” Caleb stated dismissively. “You don’t call, you don’t write, part of me thought it was something I did.” He mused with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Ashe only laughed at the quip about Caleb being lazy, “Nah, someone has to keep him in line.” She grinned.
“Riiiight and how’s that working for ya? If Sparky or ‘Liv couldn’t do it I highly doubt you could!” Caleb teased lightly.
Ashe’s grin widened, “Well I guess I’ll have to take up the Headmaster’s offer then, stop you from being a dummy!” She exclaimed placing her hands on her hips. She glanced at Gabriel, “Caleb’s not lazy though! You don’t get into Cocoon by being lazy!” She smiled.
“Yeah, well… I had to do something since I couldn’t get the Headmaster’s attention by foiling a store robbery.” Caleb smirked. “Our little sister’s trying to outdo us all, Gabe.” He laughed lightly.
The younger brother gave a genuine smile. It wasn’t that he hated his older brother, far from it; he simply hated his brother’s hypocrisy. Still, if there were moments like this where they could try to be civil with one another? He’d take it. Ashe meanwhile stomped her foot on Caleb’s only to fume in irritation, “I hate that you wear steel-toed boots Caleb!” She exclaimed.
Caleb grinned, “It’s my only way to protect my feet from your foot of fury!” He exclaimed laughing lightly. He glanced over at his brother, “So how’s it going in the mad scientist division, eh? Working on bringing some sort of Frankenstein’s Monster thing to life?”
Some regarded the Defense Research Agency, colloquially known as the Forge, as the Sanctum’s answer to Oceanaria’s Commandos, but the truth was that they didn’t actively pressure new hunters to enlist as the Commandos did. Caleb figured that if they had then Olivia would’ve joined them, yet she joined the Office of Strategic Intelligence and got to exercise almost unsettling ways to acquire obscure information.
Ashe bounced up and down, “Oh! Oh! Are you developing any cool weapons?!” She asked, her eyes wide and sparkling in the night sky.
Caleb only laughed at his sister’s antics, “And what’s wrong with Acheron?”
Ashe clutched her rifle tightly to her chest, “Don’t you talk smack about my sweetheart!” She fumed.
“I didn’t. But you did imply it wasn’t cool.” Caleb teased.
Ashe opened her mouth to retort only to visibly wilt, “Just… hush!”
Gabriel could feel that his brother was holding back strong negative emotions. His tone had been neutral but the hints of anger were hard to fully mask. Keeping that in mind; things at least seemed to be off too a good start. Caleb hadn't exploded in anger at him after all. Gabriel rolled his eyes, "It's barely been two minutes and you've already brought out the nicknames." Sparkplug was just one several that his brother often called him. It had been such a long time since he had heard them. So in spite of his protest Gabriel was actually slightly happy to hear the jab. This changed when Caleb mentioned how long Gabriel had been absent.
Caleb had said four years so casual, so dismissively, like the amount of time that had passed meant nothing at all. He followed it up with joke that made Gabriel even more uncomfortable. The distant look in his brother's eye told him the smile on Caleb's face didn't quite match with his true feelings. "Wow it's really been four years? I guess I've been so busy I barely noticed." he had been busy, he had been solely focused on rising through the ranks of the Forge. On proving his worth not only to his nation but to the man in charge of the organization. Even still he hadn't been expecting for four years to have so easily passed him by. It was a cold reminder of his obsession with progress. Gabriel's eyes drifted towards his sister to see her reaction. To his surprise he couldn't read her. So he moved the conversation forward, hoping to avoid the subject of his absence for the time being.
"Glad to hear that someone the keeping him in line is you. Caleb's right though, you'll have your work cut out for you." his brother had always been a free-spirit. It was something that Gabriel both admired and disliked about him. It meant that his brother would always be going his own way in life. Unswayed by the thoughts and opinions of others. Gabriel just wished that his brother would take things more seriously. An opinion that Gabriel wasn't afraid to voice either. Even if his brother wasn't going to follow his advice like he wanted. "I'm sure Caleb isn't always lazy, but he certainly needs to work on his drive a bit." once again his serious tone found a way to break through his calm.
"What's this about the headmaster's offer though?" he was curious, no one had told him anything about his little sister being invited into Cocoon Academy. Then again Gabriel wasn't Olivia. He didn't get access to every little bit of information that flowed through the city. Caleb was the one to answer his question if only partially. It took Gabriel a second to grasp what Caleb had told him. Ashe had not only dealt with a robbery but had gotten the attention of Cocoon's headmaster because of it. Gabriel was impressed and it showed on his face. "Impressive Ashe. If you keep on going like this you might even surpass me soon." his mind was racing with a thousand other questions. Like where Ashe had received her training. When he had left four years ago she hadn't been that strong.
Gabriel's brotherly demeanor began to fade as he folded his arms against his chest and began to stare at his sister. He was looking at her from the perception of a warrior now. As a man who fought, commanded, and trained others into elite warriors. He compared the Ashe in front of him to the one from his memories. So sweet and innocent. That Ashe had a softness to her that while still present in the one before him. It had certainly hardened a bit. The sister in his memories also didn't have as fit a physique. Being not only taller but having more muscle as well. She really had grown up since he had been gone.
His eyes fell upon the weapon at her side Acheron and the dots began to connect. "Abram..." it was a quiet mutter and a thought he hadn't meant to speak aloud. Of course he didn't know why it hadn't occurred to him sooner. Abram was and wasn't a lot of things but Gabriel would give the man his worth as a warrior. He had certainly earned that much. His worth as a father was something else entirely. Gabriel's inspection of his sister had been quick. Lasting long enough for him to zone back into the conversation as Ashe vented her frustration over Caleb's choice of footwear. Not that it mattered. His presence in the conversation was likely not missed. Not because of their dislike for him but because of how close the two of them seemed to be.
Gabriel found himself shifting slightly when the subject of his work with the Forge was brought up. He hadn't been expecting them to ask question about how he was doing. Not that he minded answering them. He just hadn't been prepared for it. "It's going fine Caleb. Though I suggest you stifle that imagination of yours. We're not working on anything quite so fantastic." he'd need to be careful with how much information he gave away.
After all a lot of what the Forge was working was top-secret. Only a select few needed to know. In fact, the Forge's reputation for secrets often made them out to be a sort of boogeyman within Cambria. "I actually just came from a meeting with the council. Believe it or not but there's a lot of red tape that comes with job." and he hated it. But things like that were not what his siblings wanted to hear. They wanted to hear about all the cool and exciting aspects of his occupation. Ashe in particular seemed excited about the details.
"We are working on something interesting though." as he finished speaking Gabriel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small transparent bottle. Inside of the bottle were several pill capsules, all of which were white with dots of red spread throughout them. Gabriel shook the bottle, "This is our latest project. They're combat enhancers made from a mix of several herbal plants and artificial medications." he popped open the bottle and took a single pill out. He held it out on display within the palm of his hand. "If it helps you can think of it like a steroid but it's in a whole other category." Gabriel paused and returned the pill to the bottle and the bottle to his pocket.
"It not only enhances strength and reflexes several fold but it also amplifies the user's chakra output." it might have seemed like he was giving away too much information but he really wasn't. The drug was already making fast tracks on the road to approval. "We don't have an official name for it yet but the boy's at the lab are calling it: Malice." it was a catchy name. Not one that he would have chosen but whatever fits. He doubted that was what his sister and Caleb were looking for when they wanted to hear about cool new weapons. But it was the only thing he could give them. Besides, the other thing they were working on no one was ready to know about.
Caleb laughed softly at his brother’s response about the nicknames, “Pretty sure that aside from Ashe, I’ve nicknamed everyone.” He crossed his arms listening to his brother’s bewilderment at being absent for four years and it roused a rather nasty feeling in the pit of his stomach. His brother had the audacity to level vitriol at their father when he was no better. Though it was perhaps a small comfort that Gabriel never sought comfort in the bottle the same way that Abram had during those three miserable years. Just as quickly as it came; however, that feeling was swept away when Gabriel mentioned his needing to work on his drive, “Well it’s already hard to top being better looking than you or being funnier.” He grinned. “’Sides, unless you suddenly got training as a hunter, then I’m reasonably sure that she’s already surpassed you, Sparky!”
“And being a pain in the butt…” Ashe grumbled fixing Caleb with a rather pointed stare, she glanced back to Gabriel and smiled happily, “Surpassing you? ‘Liv? Well… that doesn’t matter to me. Helping people is all I’ve ever wanted to do.” She explained softly, “I think… in some way, Mom would’ve approved too.”
Caleb’s expression softened as the subject of their mother was brought up, “Of course she would…” He replied as if Ashe had stated water was wet. “I think she’d be proud of all of us. Even if our lives took drastically different turns.” That last part was a bit of a stretch really, from what their father had told them, Orianna would have had harsh words with him, Gabriel, and Olivia. A scolding towards Caleb wasn’t out of the question either, really.
The mention of their father’s name wasn’t lost on Ashe and she suspected that Caleb didn’t miss it either; however, she was remarkably impressed with his sense of tact in not wanting to bring up the subject. Still, it was primarily one of the reasons why she was admittedly fearful of her oldest brother. The hatred he held for their father was impossible for her to comprehend, it seemed alien to her to shut off contact with a family member much less wish death upon them. Ashe refastened Acheron around her waist and listened to Gabriel talk about his projects and raised an eyebrow at the pill bottle.
Caleb stared at the pill bottle with a sense of intrigue, “So… you’re trying to develop something and put Cambria in the medicinal field alongside Elysium and GenTek?” He asked with a glance upward to his brother’s eyes. The Vestein family was something of a household name in Elysium alongside their company, GenTek Industries. It was through patronage by the former royal house that their company even got off of the ground, the CEO of the company, Vladislaus Vestein, was known for his numerous press conferences denouncing the actions of the Equalists.
Ashe crinkled her nose at the name of the wonder drug, “Malice…? That sounds… kinda ominous don’t you think?” She asked blinking.
Caleb tapped his chin in thought, “She’s got a point Sparkplug,” He mused. “Marketing for that would be a nightmare. ‘Hey, try this wonderful new combat enhancer! It’s called Malice! It’s totally safe and doesn’t sound like you’re gonna murder a bunch of puppies and skull fuck an entire orphanage!’”
The little reaper poked her index finger into Caleb’s chest, “Swear!”
Caleb cringed before grumbling softly, “Twenty crowns to the swear jar then…” He muttered before reaching into his wallet and handing her a bill for twenty crowns. “But seriously, you guys need a good marketing name. Why not call it Venom?” He asked.
“How is that any better?!” Ashe exclaimed.
“Venom can have medicinal value. Mostly in producing antidotes to certain poisons that exist in the world. Granted, Ravager venom is impossible to come across even if they resemble giant emperor scorpions.” Caleb explained. “The point still stands though, Venom just sounds simpler and easy to understand: It’s a dangerous, but useful drug that shouldn’t be treated lightly. Malice just sounds like you’re popping pills made up of pure concentrated puppy killing and unsavory blood rituals.”
