PLAY THE DEVIL'S GAME // OPEN

[GABRIEL]

[align=center][div style="width: 500px; text-align: justify; font-size: 9.4pt; line-height: 1.4;"]That carefully constructed misdirection was- well, Gabe, for once, preferred it that Laz held out for his recovery. Someone had to, and it sure as hell wasn't Gabe himself, because ever since he went to check on Har in Sunhaven, he felt...unhinged, more so than before. He kept up as fine a front as he could, but he disappeared sometimes to hide these bouts, and other times to- he couldn't remember. Another of his many problems, and he didn't want Laz caught up in any of them, even though he knew it was inevitable. Especially when he was still working on figuring out what kind of bastard framed his son for murder. Fainting and dribbling a bit of eye-blood didn't matter so much, when they were probably just signs of his own body attempting to kill him. He couldn't put that past himself, whereas Laz's situation was definitely an external problem. Some asshole was wandering around with the satisfaction of getting a few minds turned in doubt. Gabe couldn't let his problems get in the way.

He just needed a second to get up. A second too many, evidently, and his stomach twisted into knots when he heard Laz's voice. "Mijo. ¿Qué onda? Ay la llevo." Gabe hid his face in the dirt, attempting to discreetly rub away the blood with his leg, but discreet had already gone out the window. Goddammit. This was the very last outcome he'd wanted.

He rubbed a bit more, dark gaze momentarily drifting up, where he could see an unfamiliar leopard. That was even less comfortable. Someone new in town and already acquainted with Gabe's issues. Perfect. "I am fine. I just need a few minutes."

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