So this is St. Gabriel {OPEN}

[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

"Apollo, Come!" A sharp whistle pierced the air signalling the German Shepherd to come bounding from his place in the grass. The owner, standing sharply next to the center fountain, was a tall, handsome man with an accent that hinted at German decent. Some time ago the academy had once seen this very same man, but that had been a very long time ago and sans his furry friend. The shepherd halted obediently at his owner's feet prompting the man to bend over. He was a curious thing, that man. From the outside the man didn't look like he could be a professor. Clad in a white t-shirt with a brown leather jacket for warmth, he looked too relaxed to teach any class at all. Instead the man bore the look of an outsider, someone menacing in their unfamiliarity, but intimidating all the same with his focused and determined glare.

The man, though strange and out of place, was the new Head of Safety known to some as Jonathan, to others as Mr. Reinhardt, but to many in a hushed voice knew him as the Angel of Death. Jonathan smiled at the thought before ruffling the dog's fur as he beckoned the beast for a walk. He had only been there for an excess of a few months and already the students were starting rumors. 'They say he murders students who misbehave.', 'Jane Carpenter says that he kills people for money'.... So many had passed his ears and much to Alexander's dismay, many of the students began referring to him as the angel of death. He particularly loved that one. However, it was finally evident to him that he had returned to St. Gabriel. After years of trying to sate the blood lust set upon his bones, he was back to the one place that advocated peace towards their adversaries.

A scoff escaped his lips which prompted his companion to bark and growl. "Easy Apollo." He eased the shepherd back into silence with a pat on the head as he took a seat on the rim of the fountain. Opposite where he was moments ago, Jonathan massaged the top of Apollo's head, relaxing the dog into a sit. He was at St. Gabriel solely for the knowledge that it was a new target. The Holy Cross knew where the supes were hiding and it was only a matter of time before they waged war, he wanted to be the first one to taste blood and batter brains. Whether Alexander liked it or not, the Holy Cross made it so that peace was not an option and J would take full advantage of the fight.

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

The breeze that blew through the courtyard of St. Gabriel's was surprisingly cold given that it was only Fall. It jumped over the hedges and along the paths, making each living thing it passed shiver. A cloud of moisture hung in the air before the face of another visitor, whom had been here a rather long time, walking here and there, and enjoying the last of the sunny days. Soon, they'd be buried in snow up to their noses. Twirling a loose strand of hair that wiggled out of her ponytail around a finger, Leena Blake, or Lee to friends, walked along the neat, white paths. She blinked with watering eyes as the cold wind came again before dying out finally. Her cheeks had been scorched pink and she flexed her fingers to summon some warmth to them. A smile flicked on her lips and the fire elemental plucked a small amount of power from her reserves. She sighed happily as her fingers instantly warmed to the perfect temperature. It had taken her a lot of practice to be able to perform such a simple task without setting something near her on fire. It still always made her nervous, and even now she glanced around to make sure none of her power had escaped.

A loud, echoing whistle made her turn her head swiftly back toward the school. Lee squinted, watching as a large dog caught up to a rather dark-looking man. She lifted her chin, instantly knowing who had issued the disturbing sound. "The Angel of Death". She rolled her eyes at the silly name that seemed to be passed through whispers by the students. The headmaster's old friend who had returned to act as head of security for the school, as the truth told her. But the rumors outnumbered the truths. Many said that he was here to punish misbehaving students, or weed out traitors who would betray them all to the Holy Cross. Lee knew better than to believe these outrageous stories. The students were rather imaginative when it came to newcomers, especially one that had to do with the headmaster's past. Rumors were a nasty business, she concluded. As if acting in spite of them, the nurse of St. Gabriel's took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and made a beeline for the fountain. Her heels clicked the stone with an almost defiant cadence.

"That's a lovely dog," she said as she approached, not wanting to surprise the man. He was still intimidating, even without so many stories floating around him. Her smile was soft and friendly as she continued, refusing to be unsettled. "I've always hoped someone would convince Headmaster Devereaux to let them keep a pet on school grounds. What's it's name?" Lee paused a respectful distance from the pair, knowing better than to run up to a strange dog. Instead, she smoothed her winter coat self-consciously. She mentally scolded herself for being so influenced by silly gossip. "I'm Leena Blake," she pushed on, clearing her throat, "I'm a nurse at the school infirmary. You must be Mr. Reinhardt."

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

He sat quietly admiring the changes over the years. While the lawns and pathways had retained their classic ‘Versailles’ look, there were pieces of students art and remnants of Gardner’s floral designs that added a modern flair to it. The last couple of decades had been good to St. Gabriel and John would be lying if he said he didn’t have a soft spot for the Academy However, what had torn him away was the separation of beliefs. Alexander and almost his entire school of his so-called ‘children’, believed that this war against the Holy Cross could be won by peace, diplomatic reasoning and changes of heart. The old fart really must have lost it when he went looking for his mortality. Years of posing as a Nazi hunting the bastards down that clipped his family’s wings, fighting countless wars and hunting enough heads to earn him more than a King’s wealth was enough to tell the angel otherwise. The world was a nasty place and in order to survive, one had to be equally as nasty.

He leaned forward tired of mulling over his departure and feeling a dull ache between his shoulder blades. Lately it had become more of an inconvenience to keep them tucked away. It seemed wrong that in his natural state he was considered a freak and worth annihilating. Last time he checked, it was his kind that God crafted and sent to be messengers or to put the humans in their place. Whatever the case his immortality gave him the last laugh. After all if God hated them so much why make them longer lived than humans. The feathers tickled at his skin and the muscles of his back contracted, but before the great span of his wings could emerge his ears caught on to a sound of clicking. A quiet and slow whine rang out as Apollo felt the discomfort emanating from his owner. John gave him a quick hush patting him again on the head. ”It’s alright Apollo, I’ll stretch later…” The tendons in his face contracted as he tensed his jaw. Drawing in a deep breath he soothed the ache and straightened out on the fountain. Hoping the sound of footsteps would pass he waited, but as the sound drew closer the discontent on his features grew.

It halted, the sound stopping abruptly only a few feet away. With eyes still staring at the white pave of the academy ground he gave Apollo another good rub before looking over the footsteps owner. He traced her up slowly, following the smooth contour of her legs and the elegant posture of her body before resting his eyes on her face. He didn’t smile, but displayed no image of discontent either. He was unreadable, the same stone façade that made even the hardest of Nazis tremble. “John, call me John.” With a fluid grace he stood straightening out his frame. Sitting he seemed less frightening, the lanky frame and casual clothing made him seem like more of a nice bystander, but as he stood shoulders broad and towering at the height of six feet clean he seemed to carry about a more sinister air to him. “That’s Apollo…” Without warning he let out another sharp whistle. Apollo on command bolted to his feet and took the few steps towards his master. With a nuzzle of his nose into John’s palm, Apollo took his seat near his master’s heels. “It’s easy to convince Alexander if you’ve got the right bargaining chips, you can pet him if you’d like. Apollo’s well trained, he only bites when he’s told.”

For a moment the stone façade gave way to a smirk, but it disappeared as quickly as the heat of summer in the brisk fall weather. “So Miss Blake how exactly can I help you?” The sharp tone of his voice was no less softened by his German-English accent. It had an air of authority about it, but fed into the surliness of his age. Careful to keep his eyes from wandering he examined the soft contours of her face. She was, even by an angel’s standard beautiful and though that set her apart from the other bumbling women who had approached him as of late, John still remained in his hardened resolve.

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

Continuing to refuse being intimidated, the nurse forced herself not to look away from his face, as stoic as it was. His height and posture were relaxed, but she could tell that he was always ready for something, anything. Not tense or on edge, but....prepared. She actually did jump this time when he whistled, even though she had felt it coming at the back of her mind. Somehow, she knew he had a habit of enjoying seeing people flinch, although she didn't know if this was a good thing or bad. Embarrassed, she recovered quickly and replied, "A fan of Greek mythology, Mr. Reinhardt? I never would have suspected." When Jonathan reassured her that Apollo was trained, Lee crouched, balancing carefully with one knee resting on the ground. The action made Jon's height all that more obvious, but she ignored it, instead holding out a hand for the shepherd to smell and invite him to approach her. She rubbed his ears gently with a grin when he did. "It's nice to meet you, Apollo. I hope I'm never on the receiving end of one of your bites. You must've had to pull out every bargaining chip you had, Mr. Reinhardt, but I'm glad you did. I love animals."

Lee continued to stroke Apollo's head, not looking up and, thus, not noticing the man examining her face. She shrugged nonchalantly at his question and only after a few minutes of silence glanced up, her hazel eyes performing their own study. "Now, if I'm going to call you John, then it's only fair that you call me Leena," she replied, flashing a grin before turning her gaze back to the shepherd, "And I simply wanted to introduce myself. First impressions are not always correct, but important, I suppose." In this case, Lee was unsure of whether or not her first impression was correct. She could tell that this man had a rather tough exterior, but something told her that this was simply a layer. A tough nut to crack. And she had to admit that she could tell where the rumors had stemmed from. Those that keep people at a distance often get misjudged, and John seemed the type. Somehow, this only hardened her resolve to 'figure him out', so to speak. The nurse chocked the urge up to her stubborn will and nosiness. "Plus, I thought it might be hard not to know anyone at St. Gabriel's besides Alexander."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume you're from Germany, based on your accent," she said, standing and brushing grit off of her knees, "That seems like a long way to travel for a job." She examined her stockings, checking the knees for holes that always seemed to appear. In her mind, she studied the image in her mind. His body language seemed to point to a man that was not used to constant conversation or company. He dressed in relaxed clothing, but they complimented him well, and he was well groomed. Rather handsome, she thought before straightening and facing him fully again, But in an odd way, like the way a statue or a lord or king was handsome. Lee held back a snort or eye roll at her own thought. She smoothed her skirt down the back of her legs and sat on the fountain edge, clearly planning on a lengthy conversation. "What is your job here at the school, anyway? If you don't mind me asking, of course."

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

Apollo indulged in being petted. As usual, the pooch relished in any touch enjoying the attention that was often missed when it was just himself and Johnathan out on missions. So it was to no surprise that he panted with utter excitement, nuzzling her hands as she ruffled his fur. It was Apollo who knew John’s true nature and stuck to his side no matter the emotional state the angel was in. After all, it was the pup and now full grown dog who was privy to John’s secret soft side. Even if animals could speak, it was doubtful Apoll0 would share the secret with anyone for fear the cuddling, laughter and games would disappear. While Apollo was enjoying the physical attention his owner was humored by the startled Leena Blake, but regardless he only gave away a bit of a smirk in his amusement. “Looks can be deceiving Miss Blake and for all you know I could be some bumbling idiot who watches Greek gods based movies and decided Apollo was a good name for my dog.” While that was far from a description of who he was, John was known for testing people. He poked and prodded at the soft spots, pushing them in different directions to see what the true persona of the person before him was. While it was unnerving to some the process was efficient and in anger or embarrassment most showed their true colors.

He eyed her half expecting her to leave, half hoping she would, but when she had her fill of Apollo she took her place at the fountain. With a tense of his jaw in disbelief, Jonathan took his original place on the fountain. It seemed that he would have to play friendly for the meantime. Apollo laid at his master’s feet nibbling on a stray stick that the dog had brought along with him earlier. “You would be surprised at what I’m capable of, bargaining is child’s play.” Several thoughts passed through his mind at once, highlighting the various things he was “good” at. It all seemed macabre, murderous and gruesome, but as the thoughts slowed he thought about his books, his propensity for sweets and his ability to cook and bake. Living alone for almost all of his life had made it fairly easy to conceal his varied interests and his ability to make a mean german chocolate cake while maintaining his menacing appearance. ”Deutschland... I haven’t been home in a long time, but yes you are correct.” His eyes bore a very empty and distant look. While he would always be proud of his German descent, he would never forgive the atrocities that happened to him there. Even with the bloodshed and the revenge he had gotten, it didn’t mend the part of his soul that was blackened that day.

“Alexander called and my job requires a lot of traveling, it’s not far when you don’t really have a permanent home and where are you from if you don’t mind me asking?” The little admission allowed a softening in the features of his face. While he still bore the same stoicism of earlier, he seemed more relaxed and willing to converse. Truth was that after decades of running away from the pain, anguish and the company of others, he almost missed the small talk and the strong camaraderie formed between soldiers. However his nightmares of late had brought him to miss the soft features of his mother’s face and the tender touch of her hands as she offered her loving encouragement. While Leena displayed the same elegant, beautifully soft features he was wary of speaking with her, wary of letting her anywhere under his skin where she would have the advantage. “Sooner or later you’d find out, so I don’t mind at all Leena.” Carefully he tested out her name, letting the sound roll of his tongue with a pleasant ring. Not wanting to leave to much of a pause he continued on.

“I’m a mercenary by trade and Alexander needed someone with military experience to head safety and security on the school and certain island parameters. Thus I’m the new head of safety.” It was boring compared to the excitement of chasing down terrorists and head hunting. Coordinating security cycles and teaching defensive maneuvers was not nearly as thrilling as being on the frontlines and running through fields of fire. Of course, there was still the matter that a student had been murdered and St. Gabriel needed his help. That changed quite a few things for him. “I would assume you taught here, but seeing as classes are running at the moment I would assume otherwise. ”

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

"I hardly think you're an idiot, let alone a bumbling one," she said, leaning back on the stone ledge as he sat again. The fountain gurgled quietly, filling the gaps in their conversation. On the side facing away from Jon, she dipped her fingers into the water and twirled them silently in the heated water. The water had to be kept heated, or else it would freeze in the winter and burst the pipes, but it enticed students to come up with interesting dares after nightfall. "At least not as far as I can tell," she finished, brushing a strand of dark hair from her line of view with her free hand. She was sure now that John was more than he let on, given by the smirk he let through when he thought she wasn't looking. That was fine. She would wrestle it out of him eventually, her outlook optimistic.

“You would be surprised at what I’m capable of, bargaining is child’s play."

Taking a short almost inaudible breath, Leena's eyes flickered toward his face as the rumors surged again against the barricades of her mind. She watched his eyes grow glazed and distant, wondering what was running through his mind, summoned to the front of his thoughts. Holding her breath as he talked of home, Lee drew her hand from the water and absentmindedly evaporated the droplets on her fingertips with focused heat. From his tone, he didn't very much miss Germany, yet something about it haunted him. She filed each thing he said in the back of her mind, looking away quickly when his gaze turned toward her. She watched Apollo, pretending she hadn't been looking for any and all changes in his mask. By doing so, Lee missed the slight softening in his face afterwards. "I'm from New York. My mother and I lived a little north of here, and I lived in the city after that with a friend," she said, falling silent for a few minutes and chewing the inside of her cheek as memories of her own childhood seeped into her mind. Realizing she was probably getting the same staring-off-into-the-distance look that John had had a heartbeat before, she snapped herself out of it. That was something she didn't want to get into until she'd had a glass or two of wine.

"Head of Security? We've never needed one of those before," Lee replied, raising her eyebrows at the mention of his military background, "Usually the stories of monstrous Supes...Supernaturals keep the unwelcome out." She pursed her lips and looked John in the eye curiously. "Anything I should be worried about?" Truth be told, most of the students could protect themselves better than any adult human. It was the humans stupid enough to come looking for trouble that needed the security. Surely Alexander would have told the teachers and staff if something in the status quo had changed. Wouldn't he? Her silent suspicion was broken by a short laugh at the man's comment about teaching. "The headmaster would be very desperate if he asked ME to teach," Lee replied, grinning in amusement at the idea, "No, I'm a nurse at the infirmary. Young Supernaturals are surprisingly prone accidents, hurting themselves and others, though they won't admit it easily." Her posture relaxed and her mind was glad to put aside worries again. Leena wasn't the type that thrived on danger and intrigue, but did enjoy a good thriller novel every once in a while. That was really as adventurous as she got.

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

History was the only witness left to retell the story that belonged to Jonathan Reinhardt. From the outside John was able to hide the scars of mutilation. The massive jet black wings had since regrown the feathers to cover the burns and though they were graying from the damage looked no stranger. However it was evident that once his shirt was removed something awful had been done to him. Scars from lacerations marked his shoulders blades and lightly speckled his lower back. Unlike his brethren he was incapable of extending his wings to their full capacity. Instead the bones seemed misaligned and as he extended them one went full y and the other stopped awkwardly giving the impression that it was broken. ”I suppose that’s a good thing then.” He was secretly pleased that he had made a rather nice example of himself. Why it mattered, he wasn’t sure. The foreign feeling was unsettling and he shooed it away. ”You’re very observative, aren’t you?” John raised a brow slightly as he pointed out her classifications. It was almost as if she were dissecting him taking apart his accent, his words and God only know what else. While her prodding was harmless he began to feel the need to put up walls and keep her at an arm’s length. It’s better off this way… He thought, taking his eyes off her momentarily to distract himself.

It wasn’t very long before he was looking back at her again trying to find the reason he was talking to her. Something in the depths of his mind, heart or soul told him that she was cut of the same cloth. He couldn’t understand why he even indulged in the conversation when he could have taken his dog and said he was busy. Instead he was there planted grudgingly in his spot glancing often at a woman he had just met, wondering what her story was. Like a magnet attracted to some hidden piece of metal, he was being slowly pulled in and the feeling was terrifying. She was dissecting him, clearly interested in something beneath his façade. No one had ever dared to get that close and to try and break his composure. As he glanced back he noticed a change in her eyes and there was his leverage. Maybe she too had something to hide and if he pushed as she pushed, she would leave his past alone. “What brought you to St. Gabriel?” Innocently, he placed the question in front of her eyes examining her expression. He avoided the subject of her mother, while his goal was to keep her at a distance, his conscious didn’t like the idea of prodding at something so personal. After all, if he had so much spoken about her parents perhaps she’d take a stab at his family and he wasn’t going to take that risk.

“They never needed a PR representative, or a headmaster’s personal secretary, but we have those too. Times change Leena and I suppose dear old Alex is just trying to keep up with it.” It was a diversion. It was true that new positions were installed in the Academy due to changing times. However the PR representative was installed in response to the holy cross and the opening of the island and the secretary was a cover for the headmaster’s new progeny. Jonathan’s position was due to much darker details. With the Holy Cross looming and the murder of a student on academy grounds, he was called in to create a defense and if worse came to, to plan the offensive that would threaten anyone who decided to mess with the ancient school. However no one besides himself and Alexander knew that. Even Alexander himself had a hard time admitting to himself that he called John for that very reason, because if he did Alex would be admitting that the students were in danger and that the Holy Cross was becoming more aggressive. ”I don’t do anything special. I sit in front of a computer, watch security tapes and investigate anything suspicious. I’m sure if you had anything to worry about Alexander would tell you.” While it was a false reason to give her a sense of security, it was true. Now that Jonathan had been installed in his current job there wouldn’t be much to worry about. Sure it sounded cocky, but it was true. The one good thing left in John was his increased sense of loyalty and once he set himself upon a task he wouldn’t let anything stand between him and executing it perfectly.



He paused letting the silence settle in and the sounds of the rustling leaves and gurgling fountain ease her thoughts away from any kind of danger. ”A nurse, so then you must be know quite a bit about medicine then?” It was the first actual change in his persona. He had perked up to the sound of her profession and seemed genuinely curious about it. However he caught himself noting that this was not the time nor place nor person to reveal secrets to. He composed himself drying the expression of curiosity from his face and directing his attention to Apollo.

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

It was amazing how well they were both playing this cat and mouse game so soon. Leena felt a slight twinge in her stomach that she was dealing with something that would come back at her soon enough. And there was a really good chance it would hurt. Too fast, she thought, sighing. At this rate they'd both regret introducing themselves, but she couldn't help it. Maybe it was the nurse inside of her that wanted to fix everything in penance. On the other hand, part of her mind whispered to her to leave and reaffirm the distance that had originally been in place. She fought the urge to walk away as all of her instincts told her from the start, clenching the fountain edge as if clamping herself to the spot. His question only confirmed her suspicions. She forced a small smile. "I came to St. Gabriel's for the same reason that all of the students and families did. It's safer than any other place for our kind," she blocked, giving a cookie-cutter response, "When the Supernatural community was revealed, my aunt set up a job with Alexander here for me." Of course, Lee knew that this response really didn't answer much, but it was basically the same thing that she had repeated for everyone else. She was somewhat impressed that he so easily gave her a taste of her own medicine, as bitter as she had served it.

Half-grudgingly and half-eagerly, she accepted his change in subjects like a spoonful of sugar. Leena nodded her head as he listed the changes that Alexander had made to the school to go with the times. Her mind calmed, at least over the school's protection. She trusted Alexander enough to go with his judgment. If anything big had happened, he would have told them. That had to be true. As for the installation of security, he was just taking precautions. That much made obvious sense. The Holy Cross was getting bolder each day, like it or not, and they had to be prepared. But prepared for what exactly? She shuddered slightly at the thought of them coming to the school or anywhere near it. "I hope you can give us the safety you promise, John," she murmured, glancing over at him. The safety of this school was really the only thing that many of its inhabitants had at this point. Many of them had run from people like the Holy Cross their whole lives, and Elysian Island was one of the last places that could offer such protection.

Silence lulled between the pair as Apollo happily tore his stick to pieces. Lee's eyes wandered to the building behind John, or lingered on the grey sky above, but she kept coming back to him for short glances. When his expression changed at the mention of her job, she raised an eyebrow. It was hard to miss the change this time, but she didn't push. Instead, she watched silently as he covered it up again and turned his eyes back to Apollo. She didn't follow suit and her eyes remained on his face, not sternly, but cautiously. "Well, a little," she replied, a bit embarrassed, "I know enough to get by. Most of what I know I learned here at the school, taking some of the classes." Lee laced her fingers and placed both hands on her knees, fighting the urge to chase the lead that he had practically dangled in front of her. He was playing her as if he already planned her moves five steps ahead, unnerving her further. Licking her lips, she chose her words carefully before playing along and speaking again. "You know, I'm not a doctor, so I can't swear by the Hippocratic Oath, but if you need help.....anything, I'd like to help. That's why I became a nurse." The words came haltingly, cautiously testing their weight with each syllable. It was less of a push then a pull, an offer, but she doubted it would change his mind.

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

There was something about the way she reacted to what he said that hit him the wrong way. He could see her tense and it was a surprise that the fountain hadn’t cracked with the way she gripped it. An unexplainable twinge of guilt washed over him knowing that it was his words that put her there. He was conflicted, unsure of whether he wanted her to stay or go. Frustrated, he stared off into the distance debating on what his next move was. Why did he have to meet her? He had never run into anyone who had made him feel conflicted, let alone that he wanted to talk to. Something about her caring nature or curiosity drew him in. She had something that touched him and awoke the child that needed affection. It was almost like she could see right through him and it unsettled him. For a moment he let her words settle giving them silence before he responded. “Don’t flatter yourself…” The words made didn’t quite make sense until he moved. Carefully he removed his jacket revealing the full white-shirt and a black holster which housed two 9 mil pistols at his sides. He laid both his jacket and holster on the ground. “It’s a habit of mine, I’m always armed.” He hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and lifting the shirt over his head revealing his bare skin underneath. It was evident by looking at him that he had met some horrible fate. There was a long scar which stretched from the bottom of his rib to the edge of his hip, tucked underneath the rim of his pants.

Before she could ask any questions as to why the head of safety was stripping in front of her John closed his eyes and focused on the contraction of muscles in his back. His body was sculpted with lean and defined muscle. After years of military training and pushing himself to his very limits his body had taken on to renaissance appearance of angels. With a tense of his jaw the black wings stretched from his back startling Apollo for a moment. His eyes traced over her face trying to read her expression and before he could back out he turned his back to her. “I had an accident a long time ago and I can’t fly because it’s painful…” Though it was clear that he wouldn’t explain any further about what had happened to him, Jonathan was taking a great leap of faith in her. “I don’t trust anyone and I didn’t trust anyone to look at it…” The appendages were tense, pulled tightly into his body. Though by looking at him she would already be able to tell it was a bad accident. The cluster of scars, light, deep big and small alike surrounded his wings as if someone tried to hack them off. One wing connected smoothly to the body in a straight line, while the other bore a gap, a valley that was indicative of having it nearly cut off. “I don’t know why I trust you, but I do. Even if you can’t help me…I’ve never let anyone touch me.” John’s voice was stern. He was struggling to hold onto the hardened façade, but it was softened by the fact that he was letting her in so close. Quickly he changed the subject, mostly to distract himself.

“People are right to fear me.” His voice was soft, thoughtful even. He didn’t know why he was revealing this to her. Maybe it was to scare her away or test her. It wasn’t evident. All he knew was that what he was saying was the truth and that she should know the truth. He wasn’t good for her. If she was as nice or charming as her demeanor displayed, she didn’t deserve to know or condemn herself with his problems. “I was alive when Hitler was Fuhrer of Germany and I was one of his Schutzstaffel, SS.” He didn’t want to terrify her with details or reveal any more of his past, so with a hush he discontinued. ”I keep my distance from people, because I’ve done a lot of bad things Leena.” He let the warning loose keeping his eyes on Apollo. The dog had since laid down indulging in a puppy nap. He wasn’t sure if he would regret trusting her or not. Maybe she’d pry or see his damaged wings as a weakness, but he didn’t want to think of it. It was a nightmare, like being back in that village. Outside he was composed, but inside he was trembling reliving that moment when he was bloodied and battered after being betrayed by the village which he called home.

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

Her hands, which had been relaxed in her lap, suddenly clenched together as she fought to remain still. This was taking an unexpected turn and Lee blushed when he told her not to flatter herself. She tried to imagine what he meant by it at first, but being allowed to watch him strip in the courtyard certainly wasn't first on her list. The nurse glanced around the courtyard, suddenly glad that class was still in session. The sight of two fully-loaded pistols gave her a jolt and she flinched away as if scalded by the mere sight of them. 'A habit,' she thought, frowning, 'Of course.' Her first instinct was, again, to run, but she steeled herself and stayed, too curious. She wanted, needed to know why he was being so cryptic, but as she waited, the door clicked shut behind her. It was a point of no return and she was rapidly being pulled away from it. Lee remained painfully silent, her mind roiling as John unfolded a pair of mismatched wings. 'Well, that certainly explains the 'Angel of Death' nickname,' she thought weakly, eyes widening.

It was obvious that the marks were evidence of yet another dark piece of his past, but she clamped her mouth shut, afraid that speaking would cause him to collapse in on himself again. She slowed each breath, eyes unable to leave the large divot that marred his wing joint and caused him pain. 'How long?' she wanted to ask. Holding the question back for another time, Lee let him progress at his own pace and taking each word in stride.

"I don't know why I trust you, but I do."

Although she didn't say a word, her thoughts were racing. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in her brain and suddenly, a list of medications and treatments began compiling in her mind. This is why she came to St. Gabriel's in the first place. Penance. The healer in her took over and she unclenched her hands. Her eyes flicked down at them for a moment, images of a smoke filled house and the sound of a squealing alarm flashing in her mind.

"Just because people have done horrible things in their past," she said slowly, voice low and stern enough to match his, "Doesn't mean we......it doesn't mean that they can't find forgiveness." It was a tone that she often took when dealing with sick students, attempting to reassure and calm. Although he faced away from her, she could tell he was struggling. It was easily heard in his voice without seeing his expression. Leena already knew what she was going to do, but finding the words was a bit harder. A lot of information was still being sorted in her mind. It was surprising, though, knowing he was older than he appeared. 'Not in bad shape for-'she cut off that thought before her face could even get warm. Setting it all aside, she turned to the matter at hand and lifted a hand. It paused in the air above his back for a moment, as if hitting a barrier, before Lee settled it on his shoulder. Her other hand listed his coat from the ground and she stood, standing above him for once. The tremble in her hand subsided and she smiled gently. "I can take a better look at it in the infirmary. Plus you'll catch a cold like that."

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

Apollo was still napping, ears twitching every so often as if sensing his owner’s distress. John had since closed his eyes, jaw tensed, anticipating the touch of another person. The last person to have touched him was Renate, the alpha’s wife who had nursed the wounded boy back to health. That had been at least eight decades ago. While the touch of his mother had been soft and gentle, Renate’s was full of pain. Although John knew that her touch hurt because he was covered in cuts and burns, his mind still associated it with pain. So there he was trembling inwardly wondering when the searing touch would burn into her skin. He could sense her behind him and as her hand slowly went out to touch him every muscle tensed, but relaxed once she had placed it over his shoulder. No pain, no hurt only warmth and gentleness. He relaxed releasing an audible breath as he turned to look at her. “Eager to have me behind closed doors?” He raised a brow, a wicked smile playing across his lips. Although the first touch was out of the way he didn’t like the prospects of being examined. Therefore rather than display his discontent in the combative way he began with, he would tease her.

Gingerly he stood up grabbing his shirt and holster, allowing to keep her hand on his shoulder momentarily before he turned to take his jacket. With a roll of his shoulders the wings disappeared and he slipped on his holster before throwing on his jacket. Shirt in hand he gave her a bit of a shrug. “I’ll have to take it off anyway.” The explanation was succinct and carried the same terse tone that they had begun their conversation with. Still, it was evident that he was warming to her company and possibly less fearful of letting her in. “You’ll have to show me the way, I’ve never seen the infirmary.” He looked back at Apollo who had since roused to the commotion and was already at his master’s heels. Without much else he took a steady pace towards the school at least leading the way to the main doors. “I don’t think you’d talk to me let alone help me if you knew the kind of things I’ve done. There is no forgiveness for people like me, Leena.” The warmth that momentarily seeped from his eyes, returning to the shade of ice cold blue as he kept in pace to her stride.

”You said we before you corrected yourself. What did you mean by that?” A thoughtful quality filled his voice as he looked at her. While she seemed fairly unscathed by the world and it’s horrors, there was something bubbling underneath. Jonathan had always said that people like him and people who looked normal or were of any natural or unique aesthetic quality were the ones who had the darkest secrets. However, Leena seemed incapable of anything dark. Her gentle touch wasn’t tense or rough like his. They didn’t seemed marred by carrying weapons or being stained with blood. She seemed soft and worth protecting, but capable of her own. He found himself still gazing at her more curious and admiring than examination as he had done earlier. She could have been an angel, with her fair skin and bright eyes. However like John she would have been an anomaly, something odd compared to the fair haired and blue eyed angels of the norm. Still, she was just as beautiful if not more. John shooed the thoughts away, chastising himself for staring. Drawing his eyes away he instead looked towards the Academy which was only a few feet away. He was getting a little too involved and he couldn’t possibly ask her to live his life or be marred by his secrets. He still had to keep her at an arm’s distance.

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

Lee couldn't stop the rather large blush that forced itself to the surface of her face at his insinuating words and smile. She was so surprised by the sudden change in his attitude that she barely reacted to the angel sliding back into his jacket without first putting on his shirt. It wasn't the context of his words that shocked her the most, although she was slightly embarrassed, but the fact that he so easily jumped between completely stoic and just joking. It was...unexpected, and she wondered if she'd ever know the many facets of John Reinhardt. The nurse had a terrible feeling that there were many locked doors she'd have to open, without knowing what was on the other side, before she even came close. Silent once more, she simply nodded and headed for the school. As he continued speaking, she felt the door she had just pried open slowly closing.

She stopped at the one of the large doors that opened into rear of the school. The infirmary wasn't a far walk from there, but her hand remained on the door handle, not moving to open it yet. His question kept her frozen in place, struggling with her response. "I..." Leena started, glad her back was to John. Her brain panicked, fighting a civil war. She wanted desperately to say it was nothing, simply a last minute change in how she phrased it. It wasn't the soundest of excuses, but it would protect her in stone as he chose to do. She would be safe from the guilt there, well, safer. She was never free of it entirely. Fighting against this urge was the small voice that wanted to say it. Just so someone else would have it in their head, to know what ate at her when she let her guard down. Maybe it would prop open that door in him, to return the trust that he had placed in her earlier.

"I just...if you can't be forgiven...," she said faintly, opening the door and stepping over the threshold, "....nevermind. It was just a mistake." There was a yank in the pit of her stomach as the words left her mouth. Fingers curling and uncurling, she continued to walk in silence, slightly ahead of John. Her mouth was dry as she ushered him into the quiet, vacant infirmary and motioned for him to sit on the plastic-wrapped bed. All the while, she kept her back to him as she removed her coat and searched cabinets. She focused on the little printed labels, pausing to rub her temples. Why was this happening? Why couldn't these things have stayed buried? Couldn't she just fix others and leave herself at peace? Dammit, she thought harshly to herself, 'I hope he's worth it because the only one who'll end up hurt when it all falls apart is you.'

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

He was silent most of the way to the infirmary. Slowly the gears in his mind were turning taking apart her words and wondering what his next phrase would be. Perhaps if the silence persisted, the treatment would go quickly and he would be on his way. The two of them could be strangers again. That was the correct answer. It was the logical one. The two of them didn’t belong in the same world, let alone the same conversation. She had a life unburdened by the madness that filled his, at least that’s what he thought. Still something unsettled him, made him want to stay. For some bizarre and unexplainable reason he felt like he had a job to do, something uncompleted with her. As the words churned in his clouded mind, a variety of things came to him. The two of them were one in the same, cut from the same damned cloth of suffering brought on by their own design. It was him and his powers that led the villagers to their dastardly conclusions and it was her, it was her and her hesitation that led him to wonder what she was hiding behind that flawless face. “What would you ever need forgiveness for?” The stoicism was settling in, draining his features. Although, something had remained, a fragment of thoughtfulness, compassion, sorrow or a combination of those things, one couldn’t be sure, but it was there offering her a sign that there was a heart beneath the hardened shell.

“No offense, but I hardly think someone like you could be capable of something unforgiveable.” Gingerly he removed his jacket once more eyeballing the room as if awaiting some large beast to take hold of him. He did the same with his holster and placed both items on the floor next to the bed. Apollo made his way to the jacket and curled himself around it, as he usually did with any of John’s weapons or gear. With a roll of his shoulders the wings were back and he sat atop the bed as instructed. It was not a comfortable feeling knowing that she’d be touching him again. While it felt harmless earlier, there were now medical devices or medications involved. The tenseness was evident in the strain of his muscles as he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. “I don’t believe in mistakes.” The quick admission was with a release of his breath as he struggled to relax himself. He looked at her momentarily letting the words play out in his head. If he said one thing she’d pry, if he said another she’d be gone. The balances were broken. The right choice was now counteracted with the choice that he wanted. Nothing made sense and there was no explainable reason for it. Leena had an awful pull on him and he wanted to know why, but he didn’t want to let her in either.

“The world isn’t kind. There is no merciful God, there is only one that created us for some unknown reason. He performs no miracles nor does he save us when we ask for his grace.” Steadily his voice took on the cynical and bitter tone that he had developed in response to optimism. He directed his eyes away from her, glaring in the distance at some unknown enemy. The compassion drained quickly from the pale blue of his eyes and all that was left was rage. Years and years of anger hadn’t subsided. Instead the rage built and for decades Jonathan refused to let go of it. It was unhealthy, wrong, but it fueled his power and his ambitions. “I don’t believe in mistakes. We choose our own destinies based the cards that fate has given us. You chose to be a healer, Leena and I chose… .” The tension in his hands released the moment he began to realize he was shaking with the effort to keep his fist clenched. He laid his palms flat against his thighs trying to calm himself from the momentary blood rush. Often he got caught up in the fantasy that there were still survivors of his village and that there was still blood to shed for him. Watching his family get tortured and murdered had pushed him beyond the brink of humanity and peace. He had wanted revenge, to have them suffer as much as he had, but when it was all done and the entire village murdered, burned to the ground, there was still anguish and pain that remained. He swallowed as the silence remained in the air and the expression in his face had gone with the fading light of his eyes. “I chose to be a monster…”

[LEENA ♥ BLAKE]

how my thoughts

The nurse remained silent, facing away from the man as his words rolled into her like angry waves against a shore. She leaned forward on the counter of the infirmary, hands clenched as if holding her back. Her usual self-control techniques, deep breathing and the sort, crumbled against the man's tone. It wasn't hard to get under Leena's skin, but this wasn't the same. He was tearing right through her walls. Her short temper was getting the best of her, and she didn't want him here when it broke through. In fact, she had the right mind to get out into the woods and away from anyone she could hurt. Already her skin and hands were burning with the flames under her skin that threatened to consume. Hands trembling with effort to resume normal temperature, she reached for a cabinet door and tried not to wrench it from its hinges. She sifted through boxes, finding it harder and harder to read the labels until finally she found the right one and closed the door.

Lee turned and paused, brows furrowed as she stared at the man that so easily got past her guard. She hated him when he spoke, and was surprised to find such a strong emotion toward him already. Yet, she knew this wasn't it. Something wasn't right. Opening the box, she pulled out what looked like a tube of toothpaste. "Capsaicin cream," she said in a tight voice, "It's for arthritis and sports injuries. When applied, it gives off heat that will help relieve the pain. Use it 3 or 4 times a day, and wash your hands afterwards." She slid the cream back into the box and resealed it, holding it out to him. Had she not been frustrated, she might have found the fact that heat could relieve his pain ironic. Her hand flinched away when he took the box and brushed her hand, afraid that touching her skin might actually burn him. Lee crossed her arms quickly, fighting for control of her own abilities. She only had to wait for him to leave. Then she could head for somewhere safe and let herself burn, just like the way forest fires cannot be prevented, only contained. The nurse lifted her eyes away from her hands. "That's the nice thing about free will, John," she said softly, almost afraid to reply, but unable to help herself, "You can always choose again."

It was a slip. She felt the fire escape her for just a second and a small flame budded on the tips of her fingers. She mentally cursed and crushed the flame by clenching her fist. Her eyes dropped to the floor as she struggled to cover the hole in her wall that it had snuck through. "You should go," Lee said hurriedly, hoping he hadn't noticed.

they spin me round

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[JONATHAN ♥ REINHARDT]

There was an ominous tension that filled the room. Like a black mist which rolled over the ocean as the tempest came it blocked all light leaving only the raw energy of anger and power crashing beneath it. The two of them square shouldered and angry had stared at each other waiting for one or the other to flinch, but as she dropped her eyes at the flicker of flame the resolve broke and reality settled. Jonathan failed to falter his eyes still scrutinizing her as if that little flicker had given him the perfect peek behind the porcelain mask. She was like him different and with her own kind of poison. The two of them were as dangerous as quicksand, smooth, docile and perfect in outer appearances, but deadly beneath the surface. He reached out to her quickly before she could make the decision to walk away from him and held her hand in his. Gently he stroked the tender softness of her skin with his thumb unsure of why he had grabbed her in the first place. Minutes before he was loathing the idea of being touched and now he was making the conscious decision to reach for her and to hold her in place before she became some fleeting memory.

“And if I don’t?” His voice assumed a softer quality somewhat sympathetic that he had pushed her to the brink of setting him on fire. Humorous thought, but he fought the urge to smile at it, in case she perceived him laughing at her. Jonathan felt himself at the brink of a war with himself. One minute he was pushing her away because she deserved to stay away from him and the next he was pulling because… because he wasn’t sure he wanted her to leave. “If it pleases you and you absolutely detest everything about me, then I’ll leave.” Apollo was peering up from the floor panting happily and swinging his head to follow the conversation. He seemed amuse almost laughing at the two of them as the pushed each other’s buttons. He dropped his eyes staring at the smooth texture of her hands. Fire. That’s what she hid behind her flawless skin. The way she hid it almost indicated that there was something else attached to it and it drove the inevitable curiosity in John’s system. “You shouldn’t be ashamed of it." Gingerly he released her hand, not wanting to irritate her anything further. He slid down from the table, placing the medicine in his jacket before retracting his wings and slipping on his shirt.

He left the jacket and holster at Apollo’s feet and stepped closer to Leena. The two were maybe less than a foot away from each other. He was definitely aware that he was invading her personal space, but as he loomed over her he didn’t correct it. “Some divine being, God or whomever you believe in created us this way and if he despised us so, he would have found a way to exterminate us in one swipe.” Jonathan took a deep breath swallowing his pride with the air. Alexander had been the kind of philosophical man and when the angel had arrived to take his post, the vampire gave him a word of advice. To reconcile, to become powerful and successful in one’s own right, required finding peace and in order to find that peace one had to find God and to find God one had to look into another person’s eyes and find the beauty of creation and the divine meaning hidden within each of us. Jonathan had none of those things. He had no friends, no family and no way to reconcile the damnation he felt was bestowed upon his wings. However she was here and for some bizarre reason, fate had brought them together and she had been courageous or brave enough to speak to him so for that he would indulge and quit his absolute stubbornness.

There was a pause, a good measure of silence before he offered something to her. Bending down and bringing their faces close to one another he whispered the words, letting the smooth bass of his voice fill her ear as their cheeks touched. "I don't mean to offend you with my combativeness. You have questions about me, like a puzzle you can't solve and I have questions about you in the same way." The warmth of her skin and sweet soft scent made it difficult to focus. Everything about what he was doing was against his principle, but if he left and she despised him as everyone who met him often did, he would be at a loss. He wanted his leverage back, if he could exchange a little of his life to know about hers, they would be even and perhaps she wouldn't be so under his skin. "Ask me and I'll answer, but don't ask me to go..." Slowly he straightened out pulling away from her awaiting her answer with a stern and serious look about his face. He was surprised she didn't fall over from whiplash feeling the full pendulum of his testy persona.