an infallible way [Raines']

[Fifi Hart]

Since Fifi’s little tutoring session with Zac (despite its super-downer ending), she’d been doing a lot better in chemistry. Not well, but better. She had a lot to catch up on, and she’d been such a bitch to the teacher that he wasn’t much for giving leeway. Fifi was okay with that on some level, feeling like she didn’t much deserve the second chances she’d been given. Those she was given? Well she sure as hell was going to take advantage of them!

One such chance was with her AP English class. She had been doing exceptionally well, but had fallen behind and out of studies during her absence. That meant she’d missed the deadline, the late deadline and the you’re-totally-getting-an-F-but-at-least-it’s-not-a-zero deadline. But after some begging and pointing out that she could be top of the AP class with it, she’d gotten some reprieve. Rather than a poetry essay that she wasn’t too keen on, Fifi had been given the chance to write about one of the books she’d actually enjoyed reading: Great Expectations.

She couldn’t quite decide on an essay topic, and was jotting down ideas in a spiral notebook. Did she want to write solely about the title? Or use of diction? Didn’t AP score-ers like that word? Diction? She underlined it twice. But in her fervor to write as quickly, neatly, and organized as possible, her pen went flying, tumbling out of her hand into the grass near her backside. She squeaked in a mixture of rage and surprise and turned over on her hands and knees to feel around for the pen.

Fiona was already cussing fluently when footsteps approached her, mourning her choice of a black pen instead of her usual fluorescent orange. “Fucking grass being all lush and shit.” She gritted under her breath, her wiry fingers seizing hold of the pen at long last. “Gotcha Mutha-Fuckaaa~!”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

"No, seriously, think how cool it would be!" Uriel said, wide gestures as he hopped around on his feet, Gabriel laughing at him. "Are you kidding? You would probably end up blowing something up. In fact, I'm completely sure of it." Uriel nodded, acting as if he understood, before throwing an arm around Gabriel's shoulders.

"But Gabe, Gabe, darling, my other half, my Forever Boy, Gabriel, DARLING! It would be so good. SO. COOL. Gabriel shook his head, still laughing, as he shrugged Uriel's arm off his shoulders. "No, seriously, I'm good, and you're good, and together we're fantastic, but I just don't think we could pull it off!" He insisted, gesturing as if it would help put the point into Uriel's head.

Uriel turned, walking backwards and face to face with Gabriel. "Gabeybaby." "Ew, don't talk me that." Uriel rose an eyebrow. "Gabeybaby, just think of it! It would just take some cotton balls, a vast amount of chewing gum...and a lot of potentially dangerous chemicals. "..a lot of potentially dangerous chemicals." Gabriel finished, with Uriel.

"Probably poison, too. No, wait.." Gabriel seemed to count a few quick things out on his fingers. "We could skip that.." Uriel's eyes lit up. "You mean.. you're actually considering it?" "No, this is purely hypothetical." Gabriel said, glaring, though not truly angry - as Uriel well knew.

As Uriel went on, rambling on about purple goo and some cotton balls and maybe a few pairs of tweezers, gestures just as wild as before as he continued walking backwards.

Hearing something, something mumbling and rustling in the grass, he whirled around, though just a hint too late as he tripped over what seemed to be a large person. With a yelp, he went down, at least catching himself, as Gabriel reached out - a little too far away to catch him - to try and at least help, to no avail. He jogged the last feet between himself and his twin and the girl, shaking his head and of course helping Fifi up first.

"Oh, goodness, I'm so sorry for my brother.. He started, Uriel standing up and brushing himself off, taking over from where Gabriel left off. "Soso sorry, did I hurt you? Are you okay? I can make it up to you, did you drop anything? Here, I can pick it up..." Did he ramble? Only sometimes. He was blushing a little now, as Gabriel reached down, touching his knee gingerly, feeling the pain Uriel wasn't.

"Your names Fifi, right? Ohmygosh, I'm so sorry, especially if I hurt you, I didn't hurt you did I?" Uriel continued, eyes wide with worry and concern.

[Fifi Hart]

Fifi squealed when she was suddenly forced into the first by a very person-sized assailant. She was just glad she didn’t stab herself in the chest with a pen. “Holy fucking Christ!” she spat, shaking a bit as one of the twins reached to help her up. “You scared the bajeezus out of me.” Swallowing her thumping heart, she dusted off her pale legs, most of them exposed in the shorts we was wearing. “but I’m good. I’m can take a few licks, ya know?”

She looked over the other twin, who had pretty much not ceased his babbling since Fifi fell over. “Dude. Chill it. I’m cool, I swear.” She smiled and tucked her razored hair behind her ears. “Not even bleeding.” Looking between the two of them, she thought they were vaguely recognizable. But for the life of her she never knew there were two.

“Uh…yeah. They call me Fifi. My name’s Fiona. Whatever works.” She shrugged. “How’d you know?” She crouched down to tuck her pen in her notebook, leaving the work in the grass where it had been in favor of socializing with the boys. “Have we met?”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

Uriel coughed, still slightly flushed as he stepped back, shutting up effectively. Gabriel smiled, coming forward as the confident, social twin. "Sorry, we've just seen you about, and remember names to faces very well. They both reached their hands out for a handshake, saying in their usual unison, "I'm Gabriel." "I'm Uriel" Though it kind of melded together.. which led to an in unison conversation.

"Sorry. I'm Gabriel. He's Uriel." "Sorry. I'm Uriel, he's Gabriel."
Then to each other:
"Let me talk." "Let me talk."
"Okay, fine." "Okay, fine."

Giving up with an exasperated sigh from each of them, Gabriel pointed at himself, then at Uriel, who nodded. Gabriel turned back to Fifi, sighing quickly.

"Sorry about that.. I'm Gabriel." Before nodded to Uriel, who smiled, blush having faded. "And I'm Uriel." He then glanced over to Gabriel, who'd already caught the memo and was speaking.

"Oh, you know, we've had a few classes together," "Classes together," "Such as english a few years ago, science this past year.." Uriel had tagged in with "English," and "Science." before they both trailed off.

"Sorry bout knocking you over, again." Uriel added with a nod, before both reached their hands forward politely for a handshake, saying easily, "Pleasure to meet you." "Please to meet you." in unison.

[Fifi Hart]

Fifi paled slightly. Oh she knew those looks. Oh she knew those voices. That way of tandem speaking. That one-twin-talking-the-other-twin-blushing. It was a scary amount like Lala and Reese. Only most likely way less evil and absolutely way more adorable. She had to train herself to remember that it wasn’t Gestalt’s that were evil…just the Degreas sisters.

Watching them stumble over each other made her giggle slightly and she reached out both hands, shaking each boy’s in tandem. She must have looked ridiculous. Her face twitched and almost frowned when she got their names. One of them was Gabriel. What was this, bad memories day? “Nice to meet ya for real I guess.” She said, suddenly dropping their hands.

She blinked. “Classes together? Really…You know.” She chewed her cheek thoughtfully. “I’m pretty sure I just thought there was one of you.” She shrugged and winked. “Double your pleasure, double your fun, right? I’ve never met any of the Gestalt pairs here at school.”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

They both caught the little twitch, and wondered what it had to do with. The name Gabriel ringed someone in the backs of their heads. After a long moment of thought, they chalked to probably some childhood friend, or perhaps even just Gabriel himself, now, their Gestalt Pair thing just being weird. It just rung a bell, somewhere, but they figured it was nothing important.

Pushing past it, they both gave tiny shakes of their heads at the same time, a charming smile appearing on both their faces, Gabriel being the one to speak for them. "Yes! Yes, classes.

"One of us?! Uriel gasped, looking appalled, Gabriel grinning quickly and continuing on. "Wha - how?! We're both so different! Obviously, one of us is more handsome, charming.." He trailed off, gesturing towards himself and fluttering his eyelashes.

Uriel rolled his eyes, putting his hand in Gabriel's face and pushing him over. "And so modest, too.." He grinned, flashing a wink to Fifi as he shoved Gabriel over, before continuing on. "What? We're a Gestalt Pair? How did you ever guess?!" He was currently very thankful for Gabriel's outgoing personality being the one to rub off onto both of them. Sort of.

"Really? Never any other pair? Gabriel asked, grinning. "Well, aren't we just exceptionally luck-" "And oh-so pleased to make your acquaintance! Naturally." "Naturally. They finished in unison, smirking, at a combination of at each other and at Fifi.

[Fifi Hart]

Fiona now remembered why Gestalts freaked people out. They were just…to in sync. More than a twin thing, Gabriel and Uriel just worked as a unit. It didn’t bother Fiona, but it was a reminder that someday they’d be one man. Even if now they acted more like a hysterical circus act than brothers. They played off one another, fed from the other’s energy. The more they spoke, the more Fifi could see they were becoming a unit.

It was actually really cool.

She would have applauded their little dog and pony show if she’d thought they were up to some dickery, but it seemed the two boys were just genuinely silly and over-the-top. Over-the-top in a sort of…endearing way. It was refreshing humor. “Alright Thing One and Thing Two, no need to get sassy.” She planted her hands on her flat hips and shrugged playfully.
“Gestalt’s are a rare thing. Sometimes no one even notices they’re meta at all. They just assume they’re twins. So there aren’t many here…the Gestalt lady I met was…” she trailed off, tapping her hip in thought. “Well she was nothing like you two, I’ll tell you that much.”

At least she hoped not.

“So!” she chirped, changing the subject. “Since you’re exceptionally lucky---naturally---, to make my acquaintance, how come we’ve never talked before?”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

The boys knew Gestalts were rare here, knowing they only were discovered by word of mouth. Their mother told her friends the strange bird story from their past, and about the time they wee forced to be separated for Christmas. Her friends told their friends told their friends who were having twins who told their friends who were twins but not like that.. eventually, someone working for Hammel got wind of it and came to check on these strange twins, tracing them back.

That's how they came to be at Hammel, the shortened version.

At her asking why they haven't ever met before, they smiled. "Well," "I know this is outrageous to believe but.." Then they finished in tandem, "We're actually schockingly shy." "We're actually shockingly shy." It was surprising, really, but very true. They just didn't like talking to people.

Today, they were full of jitteries from their prior conversation and from tripping over a girl. Adrenaline kind of jumped into one and another and then the more talkative side came out.. it was all one big Gestalt chain reaction.

Gabriel, thinking of a clever joke that he was sure Uriel had also thought of, jumped to say it first. "Guess it just took one of us, you know, falling for you." He teased with a wink. Uriel rolled his eyes, thinking the joke was hilarious but trying to act like he didn't, simply because *he* didn't get to be the one to say it.

[Fifi Hart]

Fifi doubtfully raised her eyebrows. “You? Shy? I don’t believe you at all, even if it does perfectly explain everything.” There was just no one someone who was shockingly shy started up a conversation with a girl cussing up a storm in the grass. Even if he did fall right on top of her. They must have had some measure of extroversion in them. Either that or at least one of them did.

Laughter exploded from her at the joke, tinkling through the air light-heartedly. “Oh god. You did not make that joke.” She snorted ruffling her hand through her hair. “Cute Gabe. But not my style.” Her smile was earnest and encouraging, despite the scorn in her voice. “Better luck next time?”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

Uriel twitched a little, Gabriel barely noticing it as he went on with what the other part of their brain was thinking. "Oh, well, it obviously wans't a joke.. no, it was, it was a total and awful joke. But look! It got you to laugh! She laughed! She cussed, he was excellent to trip over, and she could laugh! The girl could prove useful, or something.

Once Gabriel was done being strange, Uriel started, though Gabriel picked up on their next sentence. "It's Gabriel and Uriel, not Gabe and Uri." "Uriel, not Gabe and Uri."

Uriel went on to offer a pleasant smile. "Sorry! It's nothing mean or rude, but pretty much only family calls us any sort of petname." "Any sort of petname. Our mother used to, then she said we 'grew out of it' and Dad always called us that.. so. Gabriel and Uriel."

Uriel had, of course, chimed in with "Our mother used to," "Grew out of it," and "Gabriel and Uriel."

Gabriel smiled, taking notice of her notebooks on the ground. "Oh! So what're you studying? Or working on-" "And, if you don't mind our asking, why in the World were you crawling around on the ground-" "All sorts of prime for one of us to trip on?" The teased and asked, both then doing potentially the weirdest think of winking different eyes but in tandem. Very joking and fun-loving, these boys were..

[Fifi Hart]

Fifi shook her head. “I wouldn’t ever call someone Uri. And you’re lucky I’m even bothering to call you Gabriel as opposed to something like ‘Other-Uriel’ or ‘Uriel’s Brother.’” She said flatly, suddenly a little uncomfortable. Being in that position pissed her off, and it showed. She realized it almost too late and managed to soften a bit, smiling weakly. “Wow. I’m a mega-bitch.” Crossing one arm over her waist to grip the other, she shrugged one shoulder
passively. “Bad times with the name Gabriel. My bad, dude, for serial.”

She was glad when they observed her study materials scattered about, if only for the change of subject. “Oh! Uhh…AP English. I’m starting up on an essay. Writing my ideas is better than typing them because its more organic and shit.” Turning a little pink at Uriel’s question, Fifi plucked at her hair. “Oh, that. Well I sortof like, flicked my pen out of my hand I lost it in the grass. Normally I write with orange so I never lose the fucker, but today my pen was black and it was hard to find.” Smiling sheepishly, she raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “My bad.”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

Uriel had prickled and tensed at her words. Other Uriel? Uriel's brother? But at the continuation of her talking, he relaxed, giving her a smile. "Well. He's not a bad Gabriel. Our parents named him after an archangel for a reason.." He told her with a smile.

The moving on was good, though they both laughed at her explanation. Especially about the pen, that was the best part. "You.. you lost your pen? He chuckled. "Well, I guess that makes sense.." He snickered, shaking his head. "So.. little clumsy, then?" He asked teasingly, Uriel chuckling. Also, so many expletives! She laughed, she said expletives, she was clumsy, potentially studious, and she seemed decent enough.

Maybe they'd grab some hot chocolate with her sometime.

But of course, it was certainly not the time to be thinking about that, nor was it even close to the appropriate weather. Also, bad experiences with the name Gabriel? Just the name bothered her? She must've had some awful time with whoever he was. So, there new task was obvious, and they shared it with her. Well, Uriel did. Gabriel did through him, at least. "All right, new task!" Uriel smiled. "Get you to trust us and not think we're evil people. Bad times are bad. Good times are good!"

It was so simple, so philosophical..! And obviously probably the meaning of life, at least in their book.

[Fifi Hart]

Fifi shook her head. “Your parents named both of you after archangels. And besides, just because you’re named after an angel doesn’t mean you are one.” She pointed out. And she had evidence to prove it! Fifi shook her head again, more fervently this time when Gabriel accused her of being clumsy. “Hell no. I was just really into what I was writing and dropped my pen.”

She looked forlornly at her notebook. She’d way lost her train of thought since the twins had shown up, and hoped it wasn’t better than what she’d already come up with. She really needed to ace that essay. Fifi turned her wide eyes back to them skeptically. She didn’t really like being referred to as a task, but the boys were interesting, so she let it slide.

Fiona smiled brightly and nodded at the simple logic. “Yeah, that’s true. I mean I don’t think you’re evil or anything. Just not a fan of the Gabriel name. It’s a long story.” She waved her hand. “Anyway! You guys are sweet --- a little weird--- but sweet. And maybe there’s some chillaxin’ in order.”

[Gabriel & Uriel Raines]

They looked at each other, gasping, as if offended. First and foremost, she was obviously clumsy. She was crawling around on the ground looking for a pen that she dropped, that all but screamed clumsy. Also, a little weird? No, not weird. Maybe.. outrageously in tune, maybe.. very twin-like. But weird? Were they weird?

They didn't find themselves weird, and acted horrifically offended. "Weird! Gasp. Shock and apallment." "It's all over our faces." He nodded, solemnly, before the both broke into grins. They didn't find themselves weird - just very in tune with each other, as their power demanded, but if someone else thought they were, who were they to judge? No one. Exactly.

"Should we let you get back to you sad and forlorn notebooks and 'chillax' later?" Gabriel asked, one eyebrow cocked in amusement. She was certainly fun - he was sure if they ever went to any parties, they'd most certainly see her there - a theory he'd rather not test, but he was sure it'd come up inevitably and eventually. Gabriel and Uriel couldn't avoid high school parties forever.

[Fifi Hart]

Fifi shook her head. That grin was contagious. And with double the grinning, it was doubly contagious! And so, grinning, Fifi meandered over to her things and snatched up her pen. “Yeah I guess, I’ve actually got to be getting inside anyway. I’ve got class soon anyway.” Reaching out and taking Uriel’s hand---at least she was pretty sure it was Uriel. She’d have to learn quick if there was a way to tell them apart!--- she wrote her phone number in precisely legible handwriting, signing her name with a smiley face underneath. Fiona Hart.

“There. I’ve got unlimited text and everything. And I live on campus basically forever and ever. So shoot me something with your name and I’ll keep you in contacts.” Sticking the pen in the spiral binder of her notebook, Fifi nodded slowly to herself. “Yeah, basically whenever. ‘Cept Tuesday nights. I have Chem. Tutoring then.”

Though at this point staring at JD’s notes with Zac sneering over her shoulder could hardly be considered tutoring.

“So I’ll see you around or something.”