Staring Contest {Sean}

Gabriel had little to no reservations when it came to waltzing into the Institute. Coming in put up a pleasent bluff that he had nothing to hide, a lie that would give him some space to get a foot in the door and manuever round any passive blocks the other teachers may have for just a person such as him.

There was no surprise that Sean Neville was first on the tall man's hitlist. When Jesse had mentioned him in passing while they conversed in the cafe, Gabriel had recognised the name. This man had been around even as he had been growing and learning his powers.

He also knew that to be on Sean's suspicion list was less than good. Gabriel, despite playing by all the rules, had a hunch the shrink had a less than complimentary view on him and his rather unique power. So now it was time to play nice and talk to this very man, try and gently smooth the surface over, cover up all the cracks and flaws left behind from his own, less than pleasent work.

"As curteous as always, Sean." Gabriel laughed lightly, flopping comfortably on the sofa and flicking a little dirt from his trousers. "It's nice to know some things don't change." Chuckling to himself, the man ran his fingers through his hair and grinned lazily, other hand resting idly on his lap. Time to make pretend, a skill that the man had only perfected further since his time within Hammel. It was a gift that Jesse, however, was miles from learning, but that mess is yet to come, and the older man would be somewhat displeased to have to clean up afterward.

"I was passing through and I thought I'd drop in and see what's going on." His voice was low and casual as he met Sean's gaze. "It's been some years, but it's nice to know someone from before I left." Fingering the box of cigarettes, Gabriel had to remind himself to leave the smoking till later, to push most of his stray thoughts towards the back of his mind, where they would be distinctly more difficult to read. It needed to be thoughts of pleasent things, no memories that would give the psych any sort of insight into his most private of plans. "I got quite the curious welcome when I parked up." He added, thinking of the teenagers staring at his car and his clothes.

Hopefully, he thought quickly, those teens would be easy enough to manipulate, as his classmates had been those years ago. It was easy. Play gentle puppet in classes, make the subjects do silly things like tapdance, sing silly songs. But when Gabriel was alone, he found it much, much more fun to cause trouble through other people, all the while remaining the golden child of the Institute. High grades, polite to teachers, excellent work with his power... yet, somehow this man he sat in front of just had a hunch. A hunch that bothered him no end.

"Been busy?" He suddenly asked, jerking away any remaining thoughts that may have given him away. Sean was already suspicious, no need to add any further fuel to that fire.

Ah yes, Sean Neville was a tough nut to crack. The two men together would be just as hard as each other, probably fascinating to watch, like a game of skillfully played chess. Rubbing his stubble, Gabriel leant a little further back in the chair and took the water, nodding. "Oh yes, I've always had my guests treated the best way possible." He laughed softly, swirling the water round a few times before taking a sip. It was a horrendous lie. Any guest in Gabriel's home outside his operation either came away with no memory, inate fear or lacking their lives. The man had little patience for others, even the organisation members feared the terrible raging tempers of Gabriel Underwood.

As it was Gabriel smirked at the thought of children never experience the wealth he now owned. Houses in every continent, every major city, cars enough to have a team of racers, boats, expensive clothes... if there was a man who knew luxury, he would be it. "Well, perhaps it's a nice change for them, hm?" He asked smoothly, taking another sip of the water and leaning forward, eyes glinting. "Ah yes, a psychistrist's work never ends, does it. Still, you are the best." A quiet laugh, then Gabriel busied himself with the bottle, fingers tracing the ridges with silent amusement. "I was lucky that I never really needed your help." Perhaps, if he had, then Gabriel might have turned out differently.

If the psychiatrist had picked up on Gabriel's lack of emotion, lack of remorse, lack of care for others, then perhaps the man would at the least be powerless. But, Mr. Underwood was smart. He knew that to display his true attributes would be socially unacceptable... and now look at him.

"Of course, business and politics has always been what I'm good at." He laughed and settled the bottle of water beside himself on the sofa. "I now work in government affairs, travelling a lot, but it's worth it." It wasn't a complete lie, he did, indeed, work in government affairs, but rather, destructively, and from the outside. "I have you to thank for helping me decide that path." Gabriel keenly watched Sean's movements, gauging his reactions to his words. It was important to read him as thoroughly as possible as to gain any further information, any weakness, to aid Jesse later. The blonde was already on the watch list, and Gabriel had loosely promised him some aid. "Other than the students, this place hasn't really changed." He added quickly, gesturing round the office.

As it was, Gabriel was intrigued by the staff especially. Sean was a dead end as far as puppetting was concerned. The man would simply push him out, or lock him away and render him useless, but that didn't mean everyone else had the mental prowess to do so. There was bound to be a teacher, an official that he could infiltrate and use to gain even more information. "So tell me, any new additions to staff?" He asked casually, drinking a little more water, then straightening his tie. "Forgive my curiousity." Gabriel added, tapping his fingers on his thigh. "It's just been a long, long time."

"Well, with the travelling, places I visit more than once a year, I've invested in properties. I tend to rent them out or allow others to stay there as long as they don't get up to too much mischief." Gabriel said smoothly, stretching out and looking at Sean curiously. "Other times I am, indeed, relying on others for hospitality." Laughing quietly, he stroked his hair back from his face and yawned. "There are wonderful hotels in Belgium, treat you like royalty." Listening to what Sean had to say, the tall man rubbed shoulder and settled back, looking completely at ease.

At the thought of setting up a scholarship fund, Gabriel had to disguise a large smirk. He could indeed have easily given the school something like that, yes, but it's difficult to break a selfish habit once it's set in. "I could indeed." He finally set, sighing softly. "Perhaps I'll discuss it with the admin before I leave, after all, the school helped me, why shouldn't I help it?" Pressing his fingertips together, he rested his lips against them for a few short moments before stretching again and flicking the bottle cap open. Taking a few swigs, the man cleared his throat and eyed Sean casually.

Sean did play the game remarkably well. Indeed, the last time they had been sat like this, all those years ago, the two of them had been skirting around each other. It was like an elaborate game of chess that had been left for a few days, and was now being picked up again. "I suppose you're right, Sean." He said with a slight growl to his voice. "Do you mind if I light up? I'll stand by the window." Polite and well mannered as always, Gabriel had similarities to a cat. One minute his claws were retracted, leaving soft, smooth imprints wherever he trod, the next, the claws were out, and chaos staggered behind him drunk. Flipping out a cigarette, he hovered it to his lips, moving to the window with a question on his expression.

"I would love a tour." Gabriel said softly, flicking the cigarette away again just as quickly as it had appeared. "If you would be so kind, presuming you have nothing else to do at this moment?" Smiling calmly, the tall man stopped and looked at the door. "I'd really enjoy walking around the old place, it holds so many memories." Yes, indeed, Gabriel could remember his dorm number, the trainer he had back then, even the way his bed pointed. It was full of the smell of teen excitement, and those first few thrilling moments when Gabriel learnt that his power could be used for something more than just making people do silly things.

"Lead on." He said softly, gesturing to Sean.