[Unfortunately, Gabriel does know where Jack lives! He's going to go there now and he's NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. From the noise that's happening at the door, it seems like Gabriel is trying to let himself in. Upon finding that the entrance is, in fact, locked, he jiggles the knob aggressively, then starts banging on the door.
If Jack is going to do something as stupid as throw himself into the quarry, Gabriel is going to make sure he regrets it in absolutely every way.]
[ There's no avoiding this, Jack realizes, and so it's best to just get it over with, to let Gabriel say his piece or throw his punches and then move on. He could have holed up in one of the many Kestral safehouses and refused to engage, but he isn't a child. He's made his bed and now he'll sleep in it, for better or worse.
The banging on the door does seem childish, on the other hand. Jack is quick to head over and open up, not wanting to draw undue attention from his neighbors -- who are blissfully unaware of his rebel activity, though no doubt they've heard tell of his name being called for the Quarry.
He doesn't expect to hear any condolences. Most people accept the cycle of the Quarry as a way of life, and if anyone ends up there? They deserved it.
He's met with Gabriel's face, betraying more emotion than usual. Most of it anger. Jack's silent for a few seconds, taking in the features of an old friend who he doesn't often recognize these days. ]
[Jack is lucky that Gabriel hasn't done worse. If their positions were reversed, Gabriel would most certainly be avoiding Jack entirely, but he knows that Jack doesn't think the same way he does. He'll want to own up to this, no matter how idiotic a decision it is.
And Gabriel considers it very idiotic--he should know. Fighting in the Quarry is what he does.]
[ There's no reason that Gabriel wouldn't be upfront about how he's pissed about this, though Jack doesn't see how he can be so outraged when he's done this sort of thing for years. With a sigh, he lets Gabriel inside and then shuts the door behind them.
The accusation, again, is ridiculous. But Jack also doesn't need to reveal the full extent of his plan, not even to Gabriel. ]
Not sure how it's any of your business, actually. How many times have you gotten yourself thrown in there?
[ Jack crosses his arms, back stiff, and waits patiently for an answer. ]
I throw myself in there on purpose. There's a difference.
[It may not seem like it, but all of Reyes' entrances into the quarry are calculated, and he doesn't push his luck. There's an art to it, and he wouldn't expect Jack to understand. That's the whole issue here--Jack doesn't understand the quarry, and it's going to get him killed.
Gabriel would rather not be the one to do it, but if it comes down to it...]
[ Jack scoffs and shakes his head. Leave it to Gabriel to underestimate him. It's not that he thinks he's prepared for what's to come, because he doesn't think there's any way to actually brace for a staged fight to the death. ]
What, you think I legitimately got caught? [ Jack's mouth briefly twists into a wry smile. ] You should know I'm too careful for that.
[ Gabriel can call him idiotic for his choices all he wants, but it won't undo anything. Like it or not, Jack's going into that arena.
He lets out a sigh and places one hand on his hip, giving Gabriel an assessing once-over. ]
[And the fact that Jack is clearly avoiding telling Gabriel the real circumstances under which he's ended up in the Quarry does not necessarily inspire confidence.]
Either you got caught, which is stupid, or you signed up on purpose, which is stupid.
[He punctuates that with a little hand gesture, as if all of this should be obvious.]
You ever fought someone? I mean, really fought someone.
[ Jack slings that back before thinking better of it, but he also sees no reason to go easy on Gabriel. For all of their shared history, their friendship hasn't really been much of a friendship for years now. How could it be, with everything Gabriel's done?
Either way, it goes without saying that Gabriel has gotten himself purposefully tossed into the Quarry more times than either of them could count by now, and yet somehow that isn't stupid? Right.
As for the question, that does cause Jack to lean back on his heels and cross his arms, body language shifting into something slightly defensive. ]
I've practiced using my kestrel power by sparring with people. But let me guess — that doesn't count.
[Yes, his first run in the Quarry had not been intentional, and he understands that he's crazy to keep throwing himself into it. But the thing is, he's good at it, and good at very little else, so he more-or-less looks at it like a job he's carved out for himself, something that takes a certain degree of savvy. Jack hasn't necessarily convinced him of the same thing.]
If the people you were sparring with weren't trying to kill you in earnest, it doesn't count.
[Gabriel understands that the two of them are very capable of just standing here being very angry with and at each other, but he needs to soften Jack up a bit if he wants to get any answers. He lets out a sigh, a little defeated.]
[ It's stating the obvious, but Jack also doesn't want to let Gabriel get away with anything right now. He sighs and crosses his arms, tapping one foot as he eyes the door. How long does he have to put up with this before Gabriel relents and leaves him be? ]
It's not like I can really practice fighting someone who's actually trying to kill me, so guess I'll just have to brace myself for it as best I can.
[ At that he looks back to Gabriel, one eyebrow raised in silent anticipation. If he wants to share some advice or some tips to keep in mind after his many bouts in the Quarry, this would be a good opportunity to do so.
But Jack's half-convinced that he won't, that he wants to keep those secrets to victory close to the chest. ]
[By now, he's convinced that there must be something else going on here, or maybe he just doesn't know Jack as well as he thinks he does. It's not like they've been real friends for some time, but they still manage to stay part of each others' lives, for better or worse.
At this moment, it's definitely worse. He doesn't want to see Jack dead, but he knows that's where this is headed, unless he beats out all the competition himself, and then forfeits his own life so that Jack can walk out of the quarry.
It's an interesting thought. He doesn't think Jack could go through with it. Maybe he should just come right out and say it.]
What happens if it comes down to you and me? You really want to make that choice?
[ Of course it's come to this. Jack's aware that there was no chance he could get through this conversation without Gabriel bringing it up, and while he's convinced that he can orchestrate an outcome where they're not forced into that position, there's not much he can actually say about it now. ]
Seems unlikely that'll actually happen. Either I get picked off early, or things go my way and it doesn't come to that.
[ It's as close as he'll come to admitting that he's got something up his sleeve. Jack crosses his arms and levels a stare at Gabriel, his gaze unblinking. It's a silent show that he isn't going to budge on this regardless of what Gabriel might say. ]
And if does somehow, well... guess we cross that bridge when we get to it.
[ Jack has no doubt in his mind that Gabriel would murder him if push comes to shove. It's not a reality he wants to face, but may as well start to mentally prepare for it now. ]
[Just about as unlikely as Jack ending up in the arena, he imagines. He can't possibly think he'd be that lucky, to avoid a scenario where it comes down to him and Jack. He has to know that Gabriel will be working to keep them both alive, at least until the last few people.
Still, that doesn't change the current situation.]
You can't exactly do things on the fly in there.
[Sometimes he does. But they both know he's a hypocrite.]
[ How much is Gabriel going to push him on this? Jack lets out a grunt and drops his arms to his side suddenly. ]
Well, I have no plans of killing you, so make of that what you will.
[ If Gabriel wants to take that to mean that he'll have to make his own plans to take Jack down, then so be it. Jack doesn't have any assumptions about being spared by him, not when he's seen how ruthless he can be from past performances.
There's no reason it would be any different just because it's him and they have history. He won't delude himself that way.
[Even if it's probably more likely that Jack gets taken out early by someone else, Gabriel won't let that happen, if only so he can be angry about being put into this highly specific position.]
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If Jack is going to do something as stupid as throw himself into the quarry, Gabriel is going to make sure he regrets it in absolutely every way.]
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The banging on the door does seem childish, on the other hand. Jack is quick to head over and open up, not wanting to draw undue attention from his neighbors -- who are blissfully unaware of his rebel activity, though no doubt they've heard tell of his name being called for the Quarry.
He doesn't expect to hear any condolences. Most people accept the cycle of the Quarry as a way of life, and if anyone ends up there? They deserved it.
He's met with Gabriel's face, betraying more emotion than usual. Most of it anger. Jack's silent for a few seconds, taking in the features of an old friend who he doesn't often recognize these days. ]
Could've just knocked.
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[Jack is lucky that Gabriel hasn't done worse. If their positions were reversed, Gabriel would most certainly be avoiding Jack entirely, but he knows that Jack doesn't think the same way he does. He'll want to own up to this, no matter how idiotic a decision it is.
And Gabriel considers it very idiotic--he should know. Fighting in the Quarry is what he does.]
Don't tell me you signed up on purpose.
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The accusation, again, is ridiculous. But Jack also doesn't need to reveal the full extent of his plan, not even to Gabriel. ]
Not sure how it's any of your business, actually. How many times have you gotten yourself thrown in there?
[ Jack crosses his arms, back stiff, and waits patiently for an answer. ]
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[It may not seem like it, but all of Reyes' entrances into the quarry are calculated, and he doesn't push his luck. There's an art to it, and he wouldn't expect Jack to understand. That's the whole issue here--Jack doesn't understand the quarry, and it's going to get him killed.
Gabriel would rather not be the one to do it, but if it comes down to it...]
You have no idea what you're getting into.
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What, you think I legitimately got caught? [ Jack's mouth briefly twists into a wry smile. ] You should know I'm too careful for that.
[ Gabriel can call him idiotic for his choices all he wants, but it won't undo anything. Like it or not, Jack's going into that arena.
He lets out a sigh and places one hand on his hip, giving Gabriel an assessing once-over. ]
So, what is this then? You want to prep me?
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[And the fact that Jack is clearly avoiding telling Gabriel the real circumstances under which he's ended up in the Quarry does not necessarily inspire confidence.]
Either you got caught, which is stupid, or you signed up on purpose, which is stupid.
[He punctuates that with a little hand gesture, as if all of this should be obvious.]
You ever fought someone? I mean, really fought someone.
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[ Jack slings that back before thinking better of it, but he also sees no reason to go easy on Gabriel. For all of their shared history, their friendship hasn't really been much of a friendship for years now. How could it be, with everything Gabriel's done?
Either way, it goes without saying that Gabriel has gotten himself purposefully tossed into the Quarry more times than either of them could count by now, and yet somehow that isn't stupid? Right.
As for the question, that does cause Jack to lean back on his heels and cross his arms, body language shifting into something slightly defensive. ]
I've practiced using my kestrel power by sparring with people. But let me guess — that doesn't count.
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[Yes, his first run in the Quarry had not been intentional, and he understands that he's crazy to keep throwing himself into it. But the thing is, he's good at it, and good at very little else, so he more-or-less looks at it like a job he's carved out for himself, something that takes a certain degree of savvy. Jack hasn't necessarily convinced him of the same thing.]
If the people you were sparring with weren't trying to kill you in earnest, it doesn't count.
[Gabriel understands that the two of them are very capable of just standing here being very angry with and at each other, but he needs to soften Jack up a bit if he wants to get any answers. He lets out a sigh, a little defeated.]
But it's better than nothing.
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[ It's stating the obvious, but Jack also doesn't want to let Gabriel get away with anything right now. He sighs and crosses his arms, tapping one foot as he eyes the door. How long does he have to put up with this before Gabriel relents and leaves him be? ]
It's not like I can really practice fighting someone who's actually trying to kill me, so guess I'll just have to brace myself for it as best I can.
[ At that he looks back to Gabriel, one eyebrow raised in silent anticipation. If he wants to share some advice or some tips to keep in mind after his many bouts in the Quarry, this would be a good opportunity to do so.
But Jack's half-convinced that he won't, that he wants to keep those secrets to victory close to the chest. ]
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At this moment, it's definitely worse. He doesn't want to see Jack dead, but he knows that's where this is headed, unless he beats out all the competition himself, and then forfeits his own life so that Jack can walk out of the quarry.
It's an interesting thought. He doesn't think Jack could go through with it. Maybe he should just come right out and say it.]
What happens if it comes down to you and me? You really want to make that choice?
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Seems unlikely that'll actually happen. Either I get picked off early, or things go my way and it doesn't come to that.
[ It's as close as he'll come to admitting that he's got something up his sleeve. Jack crosses his arms and levels a stare at Gabriel, his gaze unblinking. It's a silent show that he isn't going to budge on this regardless of what Gabriel might say. ]
And if does somehow, well... guess we cross that bridge when we get to it.
[ Jack has no doubt in his mind that Gabriel would murder him if push comes to shove. It's not a reality he wants to face, but may as well start to mentally prepare for it now. ]
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[Just about as unlikely as Jack ending up in the arena, he imagines. He can't possibly think he'd be that lucky, to avoid a scenario where it comes down to him and Jack. He has to know that Gabriel will be working to keep them both alive, at least until the last few people.
Still, that doesn't change the current situation.]
You can't exactly do things on the fly in there.
[Sometimes he does. But they both know he's a hypocrite.]
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Well, I have no plans of killing you, so make of that what you will.
[ If Gabriel wants to take that to mean that he'll have to make his own plans to take Jack down, then so be it. Jack doesn't have any assumptions about being spared by him, not when he's seen how ruthless he can be from past performances.
There's no reason it would be any different just because it's him and they have history. He won't delude himself that way.
He tightens his jaw. ] Anything else?
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[Even if it's probably more likely that Jack gets taken out early by someone else, Gabriel won't let that happen, if only so he can be angry about being put into this highly specific position.]
If that was your goal, you could've just asked.
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