1085/Walkin' After Midnight

Walkin' After Midnight
Date of Scene:	10 April 2020
Location:	Upstate New York
Synopsis:	Gabby and Julian walk to the mansion and talk about things.
Cast of Characters:	Julian Keller, Gabby Kinney

---

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller made a deal with the bartender to leave his car until morning, given that he's had a little to drink and he shouldn't be on the roads. He feels mostly fine, but doesn't need the ticket and license revocation that could come with getting pulled over. So, he decides to walk with Gabby back to the school after their evening in Harry's Hideaway, plaiying cards and mingling with their fellow students.

"Sometimes they're almost entertaining, when they're not being sticks in the mud," he says with a sly grin.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney has no problem at all with being tipsy or walking. Then again she'd only had a sip of what Illyana provided, and her healing factor was rather impressive so she wouldn't know if it was kick-her-ass strong or not. For the moment she's enjoying the warmer night air as she walks along next to Julian with her head tipped up toward the sky wearing a grin.

"Ah, older people always do. They forget what it's like at our age and try to keep us safe. Even if they didn't do the same at our age. They're nice guys though, and looks like they've met some nice people too." Grinning again she looks back up. "But I'm glad they at least let me *try* to get away with some stuff. I've lived inside all my life! This is so much better."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller nods, "Yeah, they're definitely protective. Which can be a very good thing. Fuck knows nobody looked out for me when I was younger. I just ran wild, doing whatever I want. And I had a lot of fun. But I got in a lot of trouble, too. Sometimes more than even I could handle," he says.

"Seems to be a few disputes going on about your age, actually. Not just cause of the trick Illyana did in there. She said you weren't even fifteen really. I don't get it. Sometimes people act like you're a little kid. You don't look like a little kid. Not even now," he says.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"It's... complicated," Gabby finally decides in a slightly more serious tone. She looks toward Julian considering him a long moment only to give a small shake of her head with a smile. "I don't think you ever got to hear the full story of me, right? Or maybe someone told you. Basically, she means with everything I've gone through and expeirenced, I shouldn't really be considered a kid." Her shoulders scrunch up with a shrug.

"I was cloned and raised in a lab. I was taught how to fight, and kill. I never did though," she hastens to add with a glance his way. "I was the youngest, and my older sisters made sure I never did. ... But I knew they did. Sometimes in the other room of where we were at. It was the best they could do to keep me safe. So... I kind of get them wanting to look out for us."

"But, yeah, I don't even have a birthdate. I just know I was viable sometime around August."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller absorbs this information with a certain amount of aplomb, although some if it is definitey new to him. It clears up a few things, for certain ,especially regarding Laura's behavior around Gabby.

"I've got to be honest, Gabby, that's pretty fucked up. I mean, for you. That's gotta be a real mind-bender. Because you seem pretty...well, normal, I guess. More so even than Laura. I guess cause she shielded you, huh?"

"I just know I like you and whenever I spend time around you, I can feel them looking at me like I'm about to do something I should go to jail for."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney pauses in her step to offer a hand out to Julian with fingers wiggling until he takes it, or otherwise makes it obvious he wouldn't. "It wasn't Laura that protected me, but yeah. She knows what I've been through. Been through some herself, though worse. None of my sisters ended up with an active x-gene, and we managed to hide my powers until we escaped."

"I could be angry--and I am, a lot, though I try not to be. And I could be hurt... Again I am at times. That's what they wanted me to be though. Everything they did was to try and break us. Fuck that." Even for her it was perhaps one of the first times she'd actually sworn out loud.

"I'm free. I'm happy. I found new family and friends. You're included in that, too," she adds with a little chuckle.

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller takes the hand and gives it a squeeze, "I'm glad they protected you. And yeah, fuck those people. If you ever want to put a squad together to go tear them a new set of holes, I'm all in,' he nods. "Although you might have to talk your sister into letting me come," he adds.

"I'm not always good at friends," he admits. "I tend to go too far or be too rude or act like an ass. Sometimes I don't mean to. Sometimes I do," he shrugs. "I dunno, is everyone always in control of what they do all the time? I'm not. Or I don't feel like I am,' he says.

"I guess mostly I wanna know how you want to be treated. Some people are gonna treat you like a kid sidekick. Some might treat you like a freak. Some will treat you like a little kid. But how do you want me to treat you? Cause as long as I'm right by you, I don't give a shit about their opinions."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney actually has to pause and consider that thoughtfully with an understanding nod. "Thanks. That means a lot." Squeezing his hand back, she swings her arm a little whole holding onto his in a way that was a bit childish but at the same time... It was just her being her.

"I'm probably still going to do a lot of hyper crazy things. That's just me. It's fun and I like having fun," she points out with a grin. "Just treat me like me, I guess. And no, I can definitely agree people are not always in control of their emotions. Trust me. That's a big one in my family." Just look at Laura, or Logan even! "I mean, if I ever feel like you're out of line, I can speak up for myself. I don't mind how things have been."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller nods, 'Oh, I'll definitely be inappropriate sometimes. That's just part of the territory. I'm only really polite to people I fucking hate," he says.

"Hyper I get, although I can't do it much. My powers tend to get...tied to my emotions and if I get too hype, I can end up breaking things. Windows. Tables. Walls. Houses," he says. "And yeah, I've kind of heard about your family temper. Another reason why I was a little nervous."

"I dunno. I like hanging out with you because you judge me less than they do. They being...well, most everybody else. Not everybody. But most people. And hey, I get it. I can be an asshole. Sometimes I even have fun being an asshole."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"They mean well, they do. They're just trying to protect the family is all. Logan's not so bad anymore from what I've seen but some things just set Laura off." Like that time she got shot by a sniper. There wasn't much left of the sniper. "But they listen to me, too, so I try to help calm them down when they start to lose it. I also did that a lot for my other sisters," she has to admit with a wry grin. "I guess that's probably why I keep my own temper in check pretty good. Someone has to keep a level head."

"Well then that works. We both like spending time together. I'm good with that if you are." Glancing up toward him she grins broadly again feeling a bit more at ease with the situation. "And yes I even got some of your dirty jokes. I'm not a *total* kid."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller laughs, "I figured you weren't. I guess that was part of it. I've been treated like a kid before - especially at the Hellfire Club sometimes. And it makes me angry. And I didn't want to treat you that way," he said. "It sucks to be patronized or underestimated."

He gives her hand another squeeze, "There ya go. I've got my back. You've got mine. We can have a little fun raising a little hell. C'mon, let's get back to the mansion..."