[h2][center][color=007236]Gabriel Moreau - Wall Rose: Trost District[/color][/center][/h2]
[center][@Poi][@Solace][@FrostedCaramel][@LetMeDoStuff][@Ambra][@Jinxer][@SheriffLlama][/center]

The sound of other Cadets catching up to Gabriel sent him in a small panic.  He wasn't sure what had made him react in such a way, but he felt a need to defend himself.  Of course, when he heard Grant speaking up to him by his side, he calmed down quite a bit, easing his hands on the grips.  It was a difficult task to not show his fear, but he somehow managed.  He had to.  It was his duty as a role model and leadership figure.  He looked behind to make sure the others were following and nodded in approval as the Cadets that were closest to him were following the call to regather at Headquarters.  Looking back in front of him, he spoke up to Grant with a stern expression on his face.  Of course, all of this was just to hide the true fear that he was feeling at that very moment.  Every brave thing he did was to cover that weakness in his heart.

"[color=007236]I'd love to assist, Grant.  You know I would more than anyone, but we can't.  We're only Cadets.  If the Garrison needs help, headquarters will assign us to assist them.  Let them do their job and we'll do ours.[/color]"  These words escaped Gabriel's mouth with such ease that he seemed to be possessed the spirit of an orderly officer who sought to complete his duties above anything else.  Of course, like the earlier actions he had made, this was all to mask his cowardice.  In all honesty, Gabriel wanted to be as far away from the attack as possible.  He loathed to see another Titan again, especially as it grabbed some poor soul.  In fact, during his time in the Trainee Grounds, he had thought of joining the Military Police far before the Stationary Guard.  It would not only keep him away from the titans, but give both his brother and himself a decent place to live.  Of course, over time, his sentiments changed.  To Gabriel, his duty to protect humanity was far more important than any weak-minded thoughts and concerns that surfaced at the reminder of his traumatic experience.

As the others began to close in and add in their words, Reese pointed out the headquarters.  Gabriel nodded, making his way towards it as swiftly as he could, and touched down rather clumsily.  This short moment of tripping was a likely break in the mascaraed that he veiled over himself.  Picking himself up quickly, he immediately entered a salute towards the nearby officer, and reported in as swiftly as he could.  [color=007236]"Cadet Gabriel Moreau, reporting and awaiting assignment, ma'am."[/color]  After the salute, he fell back into the crowd and waited for the others to get done with reporting in to the officer.  As Tanner made her way in, Gabriel thought of what to do as he stared at the one girl that had changed his thoughts on the way he perceived society.  He waited in silence as she reported in, until she moved back in the crowd, where he approached her.

"[color=007236]Tanner, before we go out on this mission...I want to give you something.[/color]"  The young man reached into his pockets for a small item.  Reaching out for Tanner's hand, he curled hers over the object, staring at her with more intensity than had ever been expressed in the past.  "[color=007236]This is my family's ring; it was recovered by the Scouts during the Expedition that my father went missing in.  I....I know he's....that doesn't matter.  I just want you to take this.  Please.[/color]"  As he let go of her hand, a sudden drop in his stomach seemed to take place.  He felt sick, as if he knew that he was going to die.  He had merely accepted the possibility that he would, and yet here he was, feeling as if the world was about to transpire against him.  Nonetheless, he gave Tanner a reassuring smile and leaned in, giving her forehead a small peck, before turning to face the officer for assignment.  In his heart, there was nothing but a cold feeling of dread that gripped him between it's ghastly claws.  Somewhere however, a fire sparked in a small corner of his heart, and it spread to his eyes; the eyes of a warrior.