"you're right about one thing, ms. reyes. you went about it entirely wrong." gabriel's movements seem almost methodical as he places the paper back onto the desk. he barely registers the golem that looms even over him, his fixation on the smaller woman.
[break][break]
"had you informed me earlier, i would've been able to shield you from dahlia goode 's anger. as it stands now, she's half-a-mind to remove you from your spot permanently. i'm not quite sure if i disagree." his anger tapers off, allowing the cool-headed councilman to prevail. the switch is fast enough to have one question whether or not he'd been angry in the first place.
[break][break]
"while the death of a gym leader would be unfortunate, it's manageable. the loss of one of the league's brightest minds, however, is not."
[break][break]
gabriel places one hand in his pocket, rubbing the pad of his thumb and forefinger together.
[break][break]
"what did your attempt teach you?"

[attr="class","notes"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]her eyes sharpen, half expecting a fight.

what she gets, however, is more disappointment.

"how could you have shielded me?"

could he have convinced her to stop? to go down a different path?

somehow, she wonders if she would've even listened.

her eyes fall to the floor. there's a level of defeat she can't seem to shake, not after this. too many failures leaves her grasping at straws.

"i'll accept whatever punishment the league deems necessary," she murmurs. there's no avoiding it. "i would like to still consider myself an asset to the league but i understand that i have a pattern of reckless behavior in field work."

littleroot should have ended it. and yet, she's still here, still fucking up.

she lets out a soft sigh and finally, her eyes drag upward to meet his.

"to not allow my personal beliefs to cloud my judgement."

and the kicker...

"it's also teaching me to speak with a higher up before i act on personal research."

does she also add not using league resources for her own gain? no... that's probably a given.

GABRIEL BLACK

"simply put: authority. so long as you act under mine, your successes would be your own, but your failures mine."
[Break][break]
she seems to wilt beneath his gaze, a flower receding further and further into the shade, afraid of the suns shadow. but, he knew it was not he who'd done this. the weight of guilt, and fear, was a pressing one.
[Break][break]
gabriel's eyes narrow, a heavy brow furrowing
[Break][break]
"do not misunderstand me, illeana. your work is vital to the league, so long as it and you remain useful in turn. i do not, even if the commissioner does, expect you to report to me your every move. however, if i am to shield you from those that reign on high, i need to be kept informed of your more... engaging projects."
[Break][break]
"do you understand?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]she stays quiet for a moment.

he presents himself as an ally, as someone who can help her achieve what she wants. and part of her really likes the idea...

but distrust still breeds in the fissures of her mind.

"i do," she finally murmurs.

"are you sure you're willing to be a shield, though?"

she should know better than to question him. he is, after all, her boss.

she can't shake the concept of needing security, however, and it's driving her to question every small detail.

eventually, a soft sigh escapes. a hand rises to rub at the side of her head as if there's an ache coming on.

"i'm sorry. i just -- it's been a lot lately."

she's been a lot.

"i won't fail you or the league again, sir."

GABRIEL BLACK

gabriel remains silent, even in the face of her questions. indecision plagues the scientist, her words a pathway to process it openly. he allows the woman to come to her answers, even if the subtly of his hand guides it in the shadows. [break][break]an unspoken question persists in his flat, hard gaze: if gabriel was willing to rip his own arm off in the pursuit of success, where, if at all, would he stop? better yet, what would be left of those who impeded his path?
[break][break]
"good, see that you do not."
[break][break]
intent given, gabriel does one last sweep of the lab, before making his way to the door. his steps are even, unhurried, shoulders stiff atop perfect posture. with his back still to illeana, he stops, hand wrapped around the doorknob. from over his shoulder, he speaks.
[break][break]
"and illeana? book a therapist."
[break][break]
with a click, the councilman opens the door and departs, leaving the scientist and her golurk, alone.

[attr="class","notes"]illeana reyes[break]

[attr="class","wizzcredit"]☉