Silent Serenade (Alexis)

[Gabriel Seran]

Part I - The Chase

Part II - Adore

Much like anything else, life had been a chase, of turns both up and downs. It was evident that life was necessary to live that way, otherwise love was but an impossible goal. Sadness, Sorrow, even heartbreak. All of them were essential to life. Even a perfect life lived without heartbreak and sorrow were enough to drive a man to sorrow. For an imperfect love meant worlds.

The tall dark man who'd lived through so many lives strode forward with a confident mannerism to himself. His body upright, the tread falls of both hand and heart uneasy but not out of fear, it was anticipation. Looking over the edge and wanting to run yet resisting and waiting there making his pace slow and steady. The racing of a pounding chest tearing at his insides like some perversion of an Aliens movie. Somewhere along the lines when he felt this way he just wanted to die so that the pain of it all could stop.

A pair of emerald hues stared back at him in his memory of it all. Blonde locks and a giddy smile as she treaded towards him falling over herself in a lacking sense of stamina, wrapped up like a present. He remembered as much when she first played for him reciting the lyrics, how he made her cry and tear her heart open and him feeling the same. That was heartbreak. Soon as heart found its way home. Across the pools, the lemonade stands they'd crossed glances uncertain enemies daggers staring at each other. No musical perfection to the air as uncertainty strangled their best intentions.

Black soled shoes crossed the street on this cloudy evening the stars out of sight and a purple mass of cottony clouds entrenching things. The large glass ornate shop just ahead in his sight as Gabriel Seran continued on. Heeled soles brushing the wet musky air and tile till the ring of entry alerted those behind the counter. Eyes turning back with a welcoming smile. Gabriel would turn back to look through the parting glass as the reflection reminded him.

Looking back her pale body stared back, tears coating his eyes and the lurching pain tore him apart useless now he thought as life meant so little. The slowly playing violin in his memory of darkened days. Until he looked up again where she stood. Noir hair, the same emerald eyes, but these were different something that outshone any star in the sky.

Still no music as the scene continued and Gabriel turned into the store. A bearded man with a jolly look about him lingered his hands wavering before the presentation before him.

"How may I help you sonny?"

"I'd like to purchase something... something very important."

"Well thats why you're here."

Here. Now in Europe as they buried a lost body, mixed emotions as Gabriel was torn apart, his mind filled with nothing but vengeance against a world that'd killed her as he toyed the girl along like her life was nothing. It went along this sick game of his till she'd broken him, heartbreak again had left him worthless. Dirty and destroyed everything had to be burned, empty and worthless this past quickly became. Ashes and Dust.

"Yes sir, I'd like that one."

"You sure sonny? This one is very expensive."

The elderly man eyed him up noting his youthful figure and curious where the money would come from, no doubt Gabriel would make a presentation of sorts as he revealed the large briefcase at his side opening it up quickly to reveal stacks of bills. "Will this do?"

His gawking figure nodded slowly like he'd hardly seen such things in his life. With a sure grin he handed over the tiny box as Gabriel exited with a calm composure. And the next storm struck. She was with him that day, every day since then, till forever. Clasping the box close Gabriel glimmered a sign of eternity.

"Lexi, hey I'd like to take you out tonight get dressed up. Love you."

Gabriel would seal away the phone at his side and continue on into the car nodding as Phillipe took the wheel taking off at a slow rate.

Even if the memories were fleeting now, they could always make them anew. That was the power of a future.

[Alexis Seran]

~I'll be like that heart that you cut out and pinned on your sleeve~

Alexis was curled on the couch. Her chin buried in her knees as her slender arms hugged tightly to her shins. Those emerald eyes glowed with the light that radiated from the T.V. Glasses are normally known to hide the true extent of intensity of one's eye colour... but hers tend to glow... as if full of a life she wished for. She had hope... where her sister had fallen before life's prevail... Alexis carried on... Pulled the weight of her sisters life atop her own... Lived the life that was destined for her sister.

It as the greatest gift Olivia had given Alexis. A blessing in disguise.

She now had someone to be proud of... to make her feel like the woman she had never been treated as such. She was genuinely thankful.

Her eyes were on the TV as her mind wondered about. Just as she painted a perfect picture of his face within her mind... the phone rang.

"Lexi, hey I'd like to take you out tonight get dressed up. Love you."

"I love you too." she set the phone on the couch, her eyes glued to it as her hands remained gripping it. Just a moment of awe. She smiled.. he was great... they never tired of each other.. he still takes her out on romantic nights where some would bore of it..thinking nothing but "I've got the girl...No need to impress her." They would fail then...and that's where Gabriel prevailed and shone above all else... He was.. as said many times before... perfect.

Alexis slinked away from the couch. She had gotten out of the shower from a late night cleansing..so there was no need to do it again to go out. She put some hair products that would give that ravenous hair a natural wave without looking frizzy. Taking her glasses off to apply her makeup as perfectly as she could accomplish... giving her face a glow... not that preggo glow... but that full of happiness glow..

She slipped on a dress.. which she just bought... she had been feelin' the dresses lately... that and Gabriel asked her to dress up. Now Lexi had been dressed accordingly to be dressed nicely...but not over the top.

For shoes she sided for heels to make her a few inches taller. Now she would wait... looking out the window that was bigger than her within the foyer.

[Gabriel Seran]

Something of an excitable smile as he flipped the case open and close with that very same audible clap. Velvet holding the exterior together as he held a silly boyish grin. Things were always changing in ways one could not very easily predict. Though Gabriel had some pretty amazing foresight now he was excited, heart racing at the opportunity for something very new and unpredictable.
A pair of grey eyes stared back through the rear view mirror eying him up as Phillipe wondered if his lord was quite himself today.

"What're you looking at? Keep your eyes on the road." Gabriel said in something of a joking manner watching as the dull featured man cracked a grin for what'd seem to be the first time in ever and settle forward on the road.

"So Lady Green has something to do with this?"

"Aren't you the intelligent one."

Gabriel's sarcastic remarks giving him a guise of safety that prevented his cheeks from lighting up like ruby bulbs. Phillipe would make a long drawn out nod and Gabriel would smile notoriously before tossing a small pillow in the storage section at him.

It'd only be a few more seconds before the limo would be parked outside the manner. Gabriel's tall frame would exit the vehicle adjusting the tie around his neck. Dressed in a formal suit, dark blue vest and tie, his slacks reaching all the way to the heeled shoes. Popping open the door he'd leave it wavering before waving off Phillipe to remain in the car. His strides bringing him to the door to where he expected being jumped by a certain someone.

"Hello love." Before kissing her he'd present a single dark crimson rose and would give her his hand to walk back to the car.

[Alexis Seran]

Alexis' left hand crossed over her torso to hold tight to her right elbow as her right hand thumb was placed in between her teeth. The headlights of the limo flashed at her face, illuminating her eyes, as they pulled into their large driveway. Gabriel exited the vehicle and would approach their home, but of course wouldn't be able to the door before Alexis opened it up with that smile shining bright on her face. He had the same affect on her... the same smile she would gleam when in his presence or even when he was on her mind. It was his smile.

She would pick up her pace so it looked as if she was jogging... but of course she wasn't 'cause her high heels prevented her from doing so. Her hand gripped the white dress at her thigh to lift it for fear she would step on it and ruin it or it fly up inappropriately...and not classy like Marylin Monroe.

Once close enough she would leap.... not a huge ass leap... just enough for her to reach her arms around his neck.

"Hello love." she would smile saying nothing but a sweet little greeting in the form of a kiss. He handed her a rose and she accepted it with that same smile bringing it to her nose as they entered the limo. Lexi would adjust her her dress so it wouldn't wrinkle no ride uncomfortably. Once inside she would slide herself close to Gabriel, her hand caressing his thigh lovingly.

"Is it my birthday?" she would say with a smile laugh as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She would look passed the window and at Phillipe. She would smile giving him a wave with the rose in her hand. The girl always got along better with Phillipe than she had with Marcus. Those two just hated each other to no end. Now she waited patiently for some form of explanation. She didn't know where they were going and she didn't know why... but she just kept smiling.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel's smile was something that was a curious thing, not only was it fleeting but when visible it would light up a room. One could say the same for Alexis at times but this being not one of those more so a mutual happiness between the two after what seemed a lifetime of terror and drama. Oh the days of high school when the world seemed to end on a daily basis but it just kept spinning. Though Gabriel wouldn't trade it for the world.

Taking his left hand and placing it around Lexi's waist he'd hold her a close embrace, soft and caressing as the right hand laid out on her lap to hold or do as she pleased which he had an odd feeling could be naughty but then again she did have her moments of oddity which he got a laugh out of.

"Is it my birthday?"

No?

Gabriel searched his mental data banks not looking as though he was thinking about it, hell he sure hoped not that would ruin his whole plans and atop of it all he'd look foolish. Then Nope, not her birthday which was rather a few months earlier making mental note to better judge the spans of time.

"Mmmm, not quite." Gabriel would coo in a silky voice his lips slowly trailing to her ear with a wispy breath. All the while her transaction with Phillipe being taken note of.

It was good that the two got along, for whatever reason Gabriel was completely blind to their connection but he'd enjoy the fact nonetheless that Alexis was making friends, an area she'd had trouble with for quite along time.

"I guess tonight just seemed special." He'd whisper silently before kissing her cheek turning eyes up towards Phillipe again who was a sucker for romantics and was already starting to tear up.

"A little privacy if you would." Gabriel's darting eyes would glare up at Phillipe in a humorous fashion before hitting a button concealing him from their sight.

[Alexis Seran]

Her smile was amused as it took him awhile to answer her joke. He forgot her birthday. Cute. She didn't get mad or anything.. 'cause at a time like this it would be hard to... that and birthdays always slipped her mind. She scrunched her nose and bit her lower lip like a giggly little girl when she kissed her ear and cheek.

"I guess tonight just seemed special." Alexis shrugged in a girlish way with a small exhale of air that would be classified as a small playful laugh. "A little privacy if you would." she laughed and before Gabriel separated them from Phillipe she would give him a wink. Once the window was closed she would turn to Gabriel those lips close to his.

"Only seemed special?" her eyes shifting back and forth to look into each of his eyes as she joked around. "Well... Guess I'm going to try my best to make it special." her hand would slide up his thigh, then the length of his torso to grab onto his tie to tug his face closer to hers so she could kiss him. With a few minutes of said passionate kiss she would pull away, her green eyes capturing all the light of the passing street lights. "But it will have to wait until later..."

She didn't want sex hair.... She just did it.

Lexi's smile was bright as she bit her lower lip and readjusted Gabriel's tie for him. "You're looking rather handsome tonight." she would say giving the tie a small pat once she had been finished with it.

[Gabriel Seran]

"Well... Guess I'm going to try my best to make it special."

Of all the tempting parts that could both ruin and make a perfect night. The not so subtle teasing and taunting calling towards the allure of a sexual presence. Gabriel would grin back with the very same intensity in his eyes. In the end however she won these games it was all simply a matter of how much control one had.

"But it will have to wait until later..."

Phew... Gabriel wondered if that reaction was a good thing or a bad thing. either way he'd resort to it as being neutral because chances are after the fact it'd end up with giving Phillipe something of a peep show.

"You're looking rather handsome tonight."

With a slight yank on his tie Gabriel would grin widely making for his own hands to cover hers as she made the adjustments, the touch tender and guiding.

"I could say the same for you, though without the handsome part and more leaning towards incredibly beautiful." Gabriel would move in quickly to nibble at her neck the motion seeming drawn out and slow rather than rushed and aggressive.

"I have a feeling I'll need to beat off every man in the diner with a club in order to keep you to myself." He'd chuckle lightly at the ideal.

The car pulled around a loop coming to a slow point as Phillipe made the necessary pointed turns to make the job perfect as the doors would click open and a man tailored for the job would appear in the doorway holding open the door.

"Welcome Madame and Misuser to Chateau du Valease."

With an instructing aim he'd aim in the direction of the large front entrance of ivory stairways leading to the top where massive doors hung leading into a room filled with light and crystalline imagery.

"After you Ma Belle..." The soft coo in her ear as this was beginning to look like every Disney Fairytale imaginable. As the pair would enter another stairwell would open to a large dance hall on all ends gaudy tables placed surrounding it in sequence.

[Alexis Seran]

Alexis felt rosy flush compliment her milkened skin when Gabriel nipped at her neck. They pulled in front of a large building that was extravagantly decorated statues of biblical figures or lions and griffins.

The grand doors opened for them to be greeted by a french man. Once inside she heard the soft coo from Gabriel. She stared up the ivory stairwell and to the entrance before them before turning to Gabriel with a smile. She linked her arm in with his and they made their way. Marble columns surrounding the door.

They climbed the stairs once inside the dancing hall her eyes soaked in the light of the room in a spark like a candle as she gawked at the large area. This place must be so damn expensive.

".... This is your 'seemingly" special night?.... Guess I'm gonna have work hard to compete tonight." she would say giving him a tug on his arm to pull him closer... or more like bringing herself closer to him 'cause he was too big to pull. Her grip tightened around his arm as she continued to look around.

"So... What now?" she would turn into his arms and look up into his emerald eyes. "I'm not really used to this kind of thing.. so you are gonna have to guide me." everyone seemed snobbishly rich where as she had the cash... but was more modest with it... so she kind of felt like she was sticking out like a sore thumb. She had never been at something like this so she really didn't know what to do or what to say....

[Gabriel Seran]

Snobbishly rich was a good observation, the truth was the majority were and while the pair received a few stares the vast majority were arrogantly at work striving for their own superiority one way or another. Gabriel had been birthed into this type of society, the past coming back to him as the young boy that was him dressed uncomfortably in a suit at such a young age would dance around between tables being met with mixed reactions. Some of which were shoos away and others were sucking up and flattery. He knew the game that was the dinning hall this time around and after some ten plus years he'd returned to the fray with a vengeance.

"So... What now?"

The sudden grip in his arm and he could feel Alexis' tension coming off her body as she tightly embraced her way towards him. In all honesty he was a bit afraid too but it'd not be shown.

"I'm not really used to this kind of thing.. so you are gonna have to guide me."

"Don't fret ma belle, they smell fear." A soft chuckle from his throat as he'd proceed on holding Alexis at his side, evenly matching in stride because she was his other half without which he'd be lost.

Immediately as if blood had been spilled in the waters the leeches emerged before them. The first pair were humorous indoctrinations of Suess's books one stout and fat with a monocle and button tie, the other stretched out longways to the sky with an equally long tie.

"Mr. Seran, pardon me but could I take some of your time theres a business deal I must propose to you."

"Not tonight Earnest, theres only room for one proposition tonight I'm afraid you'll have to excuse us."

"You're father would have taken the time." The stout man would call from beneath his handlebar mustache.

"Yes well I'm not him, good evening fellows."

Gabriel would chuckle as Phillipe quickly flanked the two and would seize up the money hungry investors stalking Alexis and Gabriel to their table before Gabriel would whisper in her ear, "Like I said."

A smooth laugh as the small two person table was presented near the dance floor which was empty aside form the miscellaneous entertainers and servers. With an elongated arm he'd grasp the edge of her chair pulling it out for Lexi with a smile.

[Alexis Seran]

Like vultures circling a dead carcass the men with exaggerated features approached Gabriel with hungry eyes. Alexis got a little irritated..... actually.... very...

"Yes well I'm not him, good evening fellows."

Gabriel carried on walking and Alexis' eyes followed the two. She saw the tall one about to object... his index finger pointing to the sky and his mouth left open to let out his speech. She shot him a glare that warned yet had a sense of threat in them. His mouth then shut as his eyes looked appalled and his finger remained in the air. He had not expected such a look come from a lady of such high stature... so he laid off... That and Phillipe took care of 'em.

"Like I said."

She looked away from the fellows being escorted away from them and returned her gaze upon the fellow who she was here with. With a smile she would nod. "Remind me to thank Phillip later." she would bite her tongue to the silly joke before getting lead to a two person's table. Gabriel pulled her chair out and she sat herself down with as much proper etiquette she could manage as to not draw attention.... more attention than they were already getting due to the presence of a powerful Seran."Thank you." she would respond with her smooth voice that had her delicate accent laced within the tone.

Alexis would reach to fiddle with the cutlery only to retract her hand quickly realizing it wouldn't do any good than looking like a nervous wreck. It was hard to tell what it was... she had a feeling in her stomach... The people's stares not helping. Her lips would pull back into a smile, her her pearly-whites shut and visual to anyone who were to look at her right now. She took a piece of thick paper that had intaglio prints of floral design and vines to decorate the menu. Everything looked expensive and French.

"Can... you pick for me?" she looked down at the menu with a confused expression to make a slight joke at her failed attempt at trying to understand it.

Bouillabaisse?

She looked back up and cocked her eyebrow while pointing at the dish she had just read. "'Cause I don't know what a bull-ah-bays is..." As she said it she made it apparent she was tongue tied and would stick her tongue out to exaggerate her word. she has lived with her French boyfriend for so long..... Yet she could never pronounce anything if her life depended on it.

[Gabriel Seran]

"Remind me to thank Phillip later."

A low and calm chuckle no doubt covering up his own awkwardness under this very same scenario. While he'd not been one for huge scenes on this level he preferred the other sort, where most would see finely dressed gentlemen Gabriel would see dogs fighting over the smallest pickings for thats what man was nothing but an animal fighting over the scraps. He was a beast that wanted what others had regardless of his own situation.

"Thank you."

It was somewhat symbolic so to speak, Gabriel introducing Alexis who'd come from a world much like this where she'd taken her advantage on the world and stolen from those who did the same however legal it was. Everyone out for themselves.

Taking his seat across from her Gabriel would sit somewhat boorishly no doubt drawing more attention to himself than Alexis, however he found it cute her nervous mannerisms almost like when they first began dating. An arched hand coming up to balance his head as he watched her humorously drawing up the corners of his lips in curiosity.

"Can... you pick for me? 'Cause I don't know what a bull-ah-bays is..."

A soft chuckle as his hand would clasp over hers as he'd move the menu right before his nose guiding his face closer towards Lexi's letting his breath draw out.

"Bouillabaisse. Fish soup...?" Gabriel would reply as if he was asking her again if that sounded appealing, he wasn't all too sure himself in fact nerves were feeding him more than anything else.

"Escuse-moi would you mind a bottle of champagne?" Gabriel would summon the waiter as he'd scurry off to take his time on the return.

Gabriel would have to sweat this part however, nerves coiled him for the first time in years, never had he been so nervous as now. Why? Well something was eating away at him that he'd been dancing around for days now and it was life altering.

[Alexis Seran]

"Bouillabaisse. Fish soup...?"

She had grown accustomed to the small gestures of holding her hand or his fancy-pants ability to pronounce French words.

>.>
<.<

She would then stick her tongue out in disgust at the fact it was fish soup. That sounded rather disgusting.

"Escuse-moi would you mind a bottle of champagne?

Once Gabriel looked back at her from the waiter she would smile and set the menu down in defeat. "Fish soup sounds like ass soup." she would say in a hushed town for only his ears to hear... but of course people turned their heads when they heard her trying to stifle in a laughter. "Sorry..." she would apologize to an old woman with an appalled expression on her face. Once she turned around and looked away from Alexis... she turned to Gabriel with a face that mocked the old woman's. "Kay... you order me something that I know is safe to eat... Just.. Yeah order me anything. I think I love you enough to trust you ordering my food in French." she would say with a small smile as her other hand would clasp his hand that was clasping her other hand.

"Let's just hope you love me enough to by me something yummy bot something like cow tongue.... Or you don't even have to love me.. I just hope you either love me...or value your balls enough." her laugh was a bit more apparent at the joke threat. Alexis would lift his hand and kiss the back of it... a somewhat apologetic gesture for her inappropriate jokes for their current location.

[Gabriel Seran]

"Fish soup sounds like ass soup."

He wouldn't bat an eye slightly expecting something of this from her but it didn't offend him, while however brought up in this culture that Gabriel had been he'd been teetering far off from the norms of such a society, something about his person defined him as a monster. Which was curious no doubt seeing that nowadays it was the monsters that were dressed in cloths of order.

A wicked smile would jolt across his face taking notice to the abrupt shift in heads.

"Sorry..."

Even with childish behavior Gabriel would keep a straight face playing as the devil's advocate as he placated to a world he'd lost touch with seeing Alexis do much of the same though in her own way. Pressure no doubt from a past upbringing of telling her to never fail or the punishment would be her hide.

"Kay... you order me something that I know is safe to eat... Just.. Yeah order me anything. I think I love you enough to trust you ordering my food in French. Let's just hope you love me enough to by me something yummy bot something like cow tongue.... Or you don't even have to love me.. I just hope you either love me...or value your balls enough."

Gabriel would part his lips avidly shifting his palm from his lips as he spoke next presenting a small chuckle of admiration, "So it's become a test?" His brow would rise as if meaning to both pressure her and apply a short waft of guilt, "And I thought we'd gotten past this stage."

His lips would purse, a faux sense of insult that he hoped she'd fall into though being the great liar she'd once been perhaps she'd catch on far quicker than most to discover his malice intentions.

Casting a glance up towards the waiter he'd mention a quick jolt of words almost indescribable apart from jibber jabber. "Deux Raclette sil' vous Plait."

With a quick grin Gabriel's attention would return quickly to the table and bat eyes for a moment, the growing premonition of the music rising in tempo slowly at that. He would rise from his seat respectably and cross the distance with his left hand elongated towards her. "Would you be so kind." Gabriel would say in a speculative tone. The very one that was indifferent from being an order or a remarking question.

[Alexis Seran]

"So it's become a test? And I thought we'd gotten past this stage."

As the waiter was called over and he poured their champagne... Alexis grabbed the glass delicatly with a beautiful smile..eyes pinned on her boyfriend with an innocent gleam as she would nod. "Yup." it wasn't really a test....and he wasn't really upset... they were both fucking with each other...always competing with each other.

"Deux Raclette sil' vous Plait."

She smiled across the table..idly enjoying his French accent... he never really got to use his native tongue.... Alexis was able to understand some from where she would love and worked for Gabe before she had moved back to America for the first time since Olivia's death.

"Would you be so kind." Alexis held the glass of champagne like a cross as her eyes looked down at the hand outstretched towards her...for her to take. Her eyes following up his arm and into his eyes. A sweet smiling spreading across her lips... the look that everyone rarely got to see... that look made her face glow...the most beautiful she could get.... but she just never had that glow for anyone else.... That genuine smile...

"Don't mind if I do..."

She would slip her hand in his and set down her glass...standing up as gracefully as she could.... she would follow him out to the dance floor... her arms wrapping about him in an elegant manner.

[Gabriel Seran]

A hand at the flat of her back trailing up one towards her neck lightly massaging it between his index and thumb before retracing its steps towards her back once more. His other hand entwining in hers with a steady grip. His cheek revealing a bit of tanned color as it rested on Lexi's forehead, the soft exhales of breath chasing across her brow scurrying a bit of hair.

"So do you think we've made the right choice in coming here?"

Gabriel would whisper silently against her brow a low heartthrob in his chest. Ever since they'd arrived things had felt like there was an unnatural flow to things. Like nothing was really in their control as though they were fated to be here in some unnatural plot.

"Sorry, neither the time nor place."

Gabriel would make for a mock gesture as if he'd been overly stressed out and was working for some kind of small talk, a thing he failed at miserably to all extents.

WIP!