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Warning: Contains spoilers for Crossfire. Gabriel has been an enigma, and he likes it that way. Ever since his mysterious arrival in Seattle a little over a year ago, speculation has been rampant regarding who he is, where he came from, and why no one had ever heard of or from him prior to the massive party that marked his introduction to Seattle society. Since then, numerous resources have been devoted to discovering
the answers to these questions, but so far every inquiry as
come up empty. He seems |
 Gabriel as played by Akira Hojo...picture by Ryoichi Ikegami, used (and Photoshopped) without permission |
At first glance, it seems odd that someone as memorable in appearance as Gabriel would have been able to hide from anyone for long. With his raven-black hair, bright violet eyes, fair skin, and flawless physique, he possesses a level of physical beauty that doesn't look quite real. Speculation is that he's either had major plastic surgery or else he's got some hefty magic keeping him looking that good, but astral examination reveals no sign of either. He assenses as a mundane with no cyberware, and shows no indication of having had any surgery or other body alterations. Further confounding speculation is his apparent youth: how can a guy who looks like he's barely twenty years old have the clout and connections that Gabriel's been throwing around since he showed up?
He isn't talking, and neither is anybody else.
Before discounting Gabriel as a pretty-boy airhead with a lot of high-class connections, though, consider this: during the time he's been in town, he's managed not only to keep his head above water but to succeed in the cutthroat Seattle shadow scene. He's proven himself to be sharp--his ability to think three steps ahead of the opposition has kept him out of trouble more times than anybody can count--and he seems to live a charmed life. Danger might seek him out, but rarely finds him.
Most people who have met him report that they are immediately at ease around him; he usually projects an aura of amused benevolence that tends to make people feel like he is someone they can trust. Since taking up residence in Seattle, he has made it known through various channels that he is looking for a particular type of runner with whom he wants to do business. So far he's running only a single team, but he doesn't seem to be disturbed by this fact. He is extremely particular about those he chooses to be part of his his teams: the only common denominator anyone has been able to identify thus far is that he looks for runners with significantly higher moral character than the average street warrior is likely to possess. The jobs he procures for the team tend to be of the "help out the underdog" or "get even with the corrupt system" sorts of jobs; he doesn't seem to deal in wetwork or jobs involving the injury of innocent people. Many of the runs involve helping out one of his numerous friends with some problem.
Speaking of friends, Gabriel's closest one and near-constant companion (at least in public) is the retired street samurai Kestrel, who serves as his business partner and confidante. They have a good partnership: he handles the "big picture" details like working with Mr. Johnsons and procuring runs, and she handles the street-level stuff and the gear procurement (both for and from the team).
Gabriel drives a black Saab Dynamit; he's never had a ticket despite the fact that he doesn't seem to comprehend the concept of speed limits. His style of dress tends toward tailored, stylish suits in light colors, although he's much more casual when he isn't working.
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