Gabriel and Juliano

Gabriel and Juliano are identical twins who work as bodyguards for the Runorata Family. In 1931 Carzelio Runorata is kidnapped and the twins pursue his trail, eventually retrieving him from his 'kidnappers.'

In 1935, Bartolo orders them to serve as Cazze's bodyguards exclusively in preparation for the party at Ra's Lance.

Appearance
Both the twins wear three piece tuxedos, contrasting the biker goggles perched atop their heads (they usually travel via motorcycle).

Gabriel's hair is slicked back, while Juliano's hair is more wild and loose.

Personality
Gabriel is always polite and respectful to those he speaks with. In contrast, Juliano is the more boisterous of the two and speaks more roughly. They operate essentially like a kindly gentleman and a tough gangster. It might be said that Gabriel is the more thoughtful of the two, having understood the situation with the Lemures before Juliano did, and he sends Juliano away to fetch Cazze as he deals with the ransom and Cazze's kidnappers on his own. That being said, Gabriel tends to be the one who asks what they should do, with Juliano suggesting a possibility.

They refer to each other in the first person (speaking of themselves as 'we', as a duo. See Trivia) and many people think of them as one person in two bodies. The two don't normally speak much at the manor, except when with Bartolo (or presumably Cazze).

Most in the Family (notable exceptions being Bartolo and Cazze) refer to them as "mad dogs" and look upon them with fear and hatred. Their fear isn't exactly unwarranted, considering that the twins are rather predatory men who enjoy the thrill of the 'hunt.' The two are extremely capable fighters and have little respect for human life. They are trigger-happy by nature.

1931 ~ Winter: The Time of the Oasis
Gabriel and Juliano first come into the Runoratas' employ as assassins. After killing "unnecessary targets" (due to their little respect for human life) they are removed from the front lines and become Bartolo's bodyguards They are under the impression that their duty is to put their lives on the line for Bartolo Runorata, not the family as a whole. However, a long-time bodyguard informs them that Bartolo's family is a part of Bartolo himself, so the twins mechanically carry out their duties as ordered. When Carzelio Runorata is born in late December 1922, the twins are entrusted with protecting him and continue to do so on many occasions, though they have yet to see the bodyguard's point.

They change their minds in late December 1927, just after Cazze turns five. Ten-odd people attack a Runorata car (in the car are Cazze and his father), and the pair dispatch the hoodlums with ease. Splattered with the blood of their enemies, the two crack their necks as they survey the corpses, looking rather likes demons who'd crawled up from Hell. One of them (probably Gabriel) comments that "we were to do our utmost never to let the young master see us kill anyone, weren't we? As least as much as possible." The other (probably Juliano) replies "that's impossible. We tried as hard as we could, for about five seconds." Cazze opens the door of the car and smiles innocently at the two, thanking them for saving him. The two, accustomed to people calling them mad dogs and viewing them with hatred and fear, look upon him in astonishment. Juliano wipes some of the blood off his face (with gun in hand) and asks their young master if he's not scared. Carzelio cocks his head to the side quizzically.

The twins look at each other, and break out into smiles. Cazze's father, unnerved by them, grabs Cazze by the scruff of his neck and pulls him back into the car. The twins ignore him, and simultaneously they each drop to one knee and bow to the boy. They apologize, and confess (alternating back and forth as they talk) that up until now, they'd been treating their protection of him as merely "work" and nothing more. From now on, Bartolo is no longer their only master - Cazze is too.

Cazze's eyes sparkle while his father's narrow. That day sparks a rumor within the Runorata family - that the "innocent young leader" had won the hearts of the two mad dogs, and that the fight for the succession to Bartolo had already been won.

Four years later, Cazze runs away on December 30, 1931 just after his ninth birthday, and is kidnapped by the group Vanishing Bunny. The Runorata household receives a phonecall from a woman, who demands a ransom from the family. The woman says that they should bring cash to a specific bungalow, and not to contact the police. Gabriel and Juliano, who are currently off-duty, approach Bartolo and ask him to let them take care of this matter. After all, they should be the ones to take care of Master Cazze. Bartolo points out that they're off-duty, and not even he has the right to give them orders at the moment. Gabriel recalls that there is a rule that they are off-duty, they can do whatever they want so long as they don't hurt the family, and Bartolo agrees that this is so.

Juliano continues the thought. In other words they won't be acting as bodyguards, but as hunters. Gabriel tells Bartolo that if he has any faith in them, he should let them do this job. Bartolo sighs and calls them awfully dramatic, remarking that hunting has been their main job from the start. It is guarding that is their side job. Minutes later the two mount their modified motorbikes and race down the road, goggles over their eyes. The first couple of minutes on the road are spent in silence, the two driving their bikes as expressionlessly as machines. When they are finally some distance away from the mansion, driving at full speed - the two (side by side) open their mouths to sing. They are excited at the prospect of a hunt - it having been too long since they'd received such a mission. And so - they open their mouths in perfect synchronization and sing a strange song about a rabbit hunt.

The two locate the box placed at the entrance of bungalow number three. Inside the box is a note written by Pamela, which states that Cazze is next to the bridge with some "youngsters that happened to be passing by." The note orders whomever is reading it to place the ransom money inside the box and send it down the river.

Juliano picks up the box and attaches it to the back of his motorbike. They stop their motorcycles in the trees next to the road Bartolo had directed them to take, and whisper with smiles on their faces that the trading spot should be just up the road. Gabriel points out that they should check and see how much money they have. One of them twenty dollars ($316.10 by modern standards), and the other has twelve ($189.66 by modern standards), totally thirty-two dollars total ($505.76 by modern standards). Gabriel thinks that this might be a problem. The twins sigh and shake their heads in unison. Alternating as they speak, they recall that the demand had been for the Runoratas to "bring what they could." Will they accept the thirty-two dollars? If they do, then good for them. If not...the twins chuckle softly and an unpleasant light enters their eyes. ...then it's time to start the hunt. Gabriel asks what shall they do if anything has happened to Cazze? Obvious, says Juliano. They'll kill 'em all.

Continuing into the forest, the two hear signs of an engine down the road and attempt to conceal themselves. A few seconds later, an off-road vehicle emerges through the trees, driven by an oddly dressed man. The brothers nod at each other, simultaneously accelerate their motorbikes and follow the car. As they drive, one of them turns off his headlights, deliberately confusing the driver (who can only see one bike in his mirror). The driver grabs his gun and fires off a gun in their direction. Juliano neatly avoids the bullet and shouts "haha, bingo! Yeah, hyou're no ordinary kidnapper, are ya, punk?!" He proceeds to twist the man's wrist as hard as he can, causing the man to crash the car into the trees.

The two dismount their motorcycles and pull out the driver. They string him - a sorry mass of flesh - via a rope from a nearby tree and demand that he release "the child." At that, the man's expression had changed and he viciously called them dogs of the government, right up until he'd lost consciousness from their 'interrogations.' Before he passed out, he'd told them that Cazze should be beyond the bungalows and next to the railroad trestle. The twins fold their arms and look up at him with cruel smiles, noting that he'd held up to their torture surprisingly well.

Gabriel wonders why he'd called them government dogs, and Juliano suggests that maybe it's because Bartolo is on good terms with Senator Manfred Beriam. Gabriel coldly surmises that they're so misguided they somehow believe that Bartolo is below Beriam, and suggests that they teach the men a lesson. The two tilt their heads to the sides, crack their necks and mount their motorcycles, heading for the bungalows.

The two drive down the riverside where Cazze is being held hostage at knifepoint (at his throat) by Serges. Gabriel dismounts his motorbike and dispatches two of the Lemures before grabbing Serges' wrist and flipping him onto the ground. Behind him, Juliano revs into the scene upon his own motorbike. Gabriel seizes Cazze and pushes him behind him. Playing with his knife, Gabriel (his voice filled with the highest respect) informs the "young master" that this place is dangerous, and requests that he makes his way down the river. Cazze exclaims his name, and Gabriel smiles kindly at him to calm him.

Juliano looks around at his surroundings and brusquely asks "what the hell's goin' on here?" Cazze calls his name, and Juliano gets off his motorbike to bow, saying that he is glad to see Cazze safe. It is at this point that Serges realizes that they must have taken care of the other Lemures when he was knocked down, with the help of Cookie the bear. Cazze heads towards the other youngsters at the urging of the twins.

Juliano faces Serges and blithely says that sure, they don't know who he is or where he's from, but he didn't actually think he could accomplish anything by making the Runoratas his enemies, did he? Serges comes to his own conclusion and vigorously accuses Bartolo of "eating out of Senator Beriam's hand." He sees how it is--Bartolo must have ordered the two to come finish...them off.... Serges trails off weakly as he feels murderous intent rolling off the twins in waves.

They comment to themselves that Serges has said something certainly interesting, and "what did he call our family, our Don Bartolo?" "We'd rather not say. Hearing it even once is profane," their voices growing more and more frigid as they speak. The two conclude that their first priority is to make sure they never hear his voice again, so as not to disrespect Mister Bartolo. A wrench in their plans arrives in the form of two Lemures, who burst into the scenes with guns cocked. They order everyone to freeze, and ask Serges if he is unharmed. The onlooking Pamela, Lana, and Sonja remember them as the men who'd been unconscious behind the bungalows. Sonja exclaims that they're holding her guns, though the men don't hear her.

Gabriel and Juliano whisper to themselves that they'll probably have to take care of these newcomers as well, but they hesitate, remembering that they'd been told not to let Cazze witness a killing until he turned thirteen. One of them points out that they've already let him see people die once before, and if they hesitate he might get hit by a stray bullet.

As they confer, Lana retrieves a smoke grenade out of her pocket, pulls the pin, and throws it to the ground. White smoke unfurls from the cylinder and envelops the scene, and after Cookie the bear attacks the two newcomers the twins seize the advantage and beat the Lemures until they're black and blue. They then throw the unconscious men into a pile before Pamela and Lana.

Juliano asks his twin what the hell is going on - putting money in a box? It makes no sense. Gabriel smiles wryly and says that they'll talk about it later. After all, they've gotten most of their information already about the men's goals through torture. Juliano in confusion inquires that their goal was not infact to kidnap Cazze? Gabriel says that their real target was apparently the train that will pass over the river any minute now.

Juliano shoots him a skeptical look and shoves the men into the heap. He'd thought the men were the kidnappers. Gabriel mutters that the voice over the phone had been a woman, and with a grin he turns to face Pamela and Lana. Juliano cracks his neck and thanks them for the earlier grenade, calling it a big help. Gabriel agrees, and distractedly says that "we" should go get Cazze now that the danger is no more. Juliano dashes off toward the group of youths to collect Cazze, and Gabriel watches him go before quietly confronting the two women. He asks "may we ask who you might be?" They don't seem to be passersby, that's for certain.

Lana immediately blubbers an apology, tears filling her eyes. She says that it was all her idea, that she was the one who wanted to kidnap Cazze after he stowed away in their truck. She claims that the others didn't know anything about it, and since she was the one who'd called she'd be grateful if they turned only her over to the police. Gabriel chuckles and answers politely that it seems she is mistaken. They had received a message not to contact the police - and furthermore, the twins' master had told them that he'd leave the fate of the kidnappers in their hands. Which means that they can do whatever they want with the offenders here and now.

Pamela steps forward to protect the shaking Lana, and asks what he plans to do to them. Gabriel chuckles again as he pulls his wallet from his hip pocket to rummage around the change compartment. Previously thinking the wallet to be empty, he finds a half-dollar coin stuck to the corner and puts it in Lana's hand. He says that that's all they have at the moment ($0.50 = around $7.81 in modern inflation) and is that enough? Lana frantically nods and says that it is "definitely enough."

Gabriel asks her to keep the exchange a secret, since if the Runoratas catch on that Cazza had been recovered at a ransom of a mere fifty cents, they'll torture the one responsible for "a thousand days" before the perpetrator is permitted to die. The women accept him at his word when they see the chill in his eyes, and Pamela doubtfully asks why he's going to let the kidnapping go just like that. Gabriel advises them that it would be best if they thought of it as the twins paying respects to "distinguished criminals" brazen enough to turn the Runoratas against them for a paltry half-dollar. At any rate, he and his brother are truly grateful for their assistance with the smokescreen. The young master did not need to see anymore blood spilled needlessly. He chuckles once more, and then says quietly "however, if you get carried away again...you understand, don't you?"

Lana and Pamela feel something "colder than ice" run down their spines at his smile, and they realize that this is what true bloodlust looks like. Mustering all her courage, Pamela supports the swooning Lana and thanks Gabriel. They owe him. Gabriel hms and says that the twins owe the women as well. Watching Cazze run towards him with Juliano, he confides that it has been a long time since they've seen Cazze so carefree.

Sonja runs their way and at the sight of a trembling Lana asks if they fought again - they really shouldn't fight. Pamela smiles weakly with as much bravado as she can muster and assures Sonja that they didn't fight, giving Lana a good thump on the shoulder as she talks. Lana stumbles under the weight and with a pale face she offers Sonja a watery smile before fainting at the sight of Cookie.

Gabriel asks Cazze if he is alright when the boy is in speaking distance, and asks him what the matter is when he notices Cazze looks dejected. The boy regretfully apologizes for making him worry; Gabriel gives him a little smile and says that it is his family's job to be angry with him, not the twins'. If they were to scold him, they'd be "making light" of what Cazze's family has to say. Juliano suppresses his normal rough speech mannerisms and advises Cazze that he'd better get ready for the scolding of his life when they return home.

Cazze acquiesces, and looks toward the ground dolefully. Gabriel softly asks him if the experience was worth it, and Cazze lights up, cheerfully saying that he'll never forget today as long as he lives. Gabriel thinks that's rather excellent, and declares that they ought to get going. The twins will arrange a car. Does Cazze have anything he wants to bring back with him?

Cazze bashfully says that there is one thing - a someone, rather. Gabriel stutters "oh my, that's quite a thing to say" and he remembers the youths nearby. All sorts of thoughts run through his mind - does Cazze want the girl with the ponytails (Melody)? The Asian girl (Chaini)? The kidnappers? Who? He doesn't want one of the boys, does he?

The boy points to Cookie the bear lumbering his way towards them from the dissipating smoke. Cazze rashly announces that they became friends earlier, and since nobody seems to know the bear can he keep him? (The boy does not know that the bear's name is Cookie, and calls him Charlie). The twins look at each other, smile, and without hesitation say "as you wish" as they bow to their future master.

1935-C: The Grateful Bet
The Runoratas erect a tent next to Ra's Lance around February 1935 for Charlie (Cookie) the bear. Inside the tent stand Cazze and Mary Beriam, who chatter together as Gabriel and Juliano look on nearby. For the past month, they have served exclusively as Cazze's bodyguards on Bartolo's orders. Gabriel says that the question is when will Charlie arrive, and Juliano figures it'll be sometime that night. Normally they wouldn't think twice to put their lives on the line for their masters, but this time they act more cautious than normal as they converse.

Gabriel wonders why the Senator's daughter is here, and Juliano says they have no idea. Obviously she isn't going to go gambling at the casino - maybe Bartolo and Senator Beriam have cut some sort of deal. Well, Gabriel says, if it's Bartolo's intention then there's no use in enquiring further. Juliano agrees: no reason to question it. The two narrow their eyes and nod. Gabriel asks what they should do if Beriam is scheming something, and Juliano suggests they should cut off Mary's ear and send it to the senator. Out of the question, Gabriel says. She's a friend of Master Cazze. Juliano sees his point - Cazze would be sad if they did that. Looking away, the two smile. As they watch over Cazze, deep down they're chomping at the bit - waiting for one of their masters to tell them the name of their prey.

Abilities
The two are very capable fighters - demonstrably competent in close unarmed combat (or at the very least they know some form of martial force), and lethal with a knife or gun.

Their motorbikes are modified, capable of racing up to more than sixty kilometers per hour (a little under forty miles per hour).

Trivia

 * Bartolo Runorata always has an organized team of twelve bodyguards, divided into three groups of four. The groups rotate through protecting Bartolo and his family, so that one group is always off duty. When they are off duty, nobody can force them to work.
 * To elaborate upon the "first pronouns" detail: In the original Japanese, they use the first-person expressions ore (Juliano)and watashi (Gabriel) to refer to each other. In addition, they use kochira and kocchi to refer to themselves. There is no way to approximate this in English, so the fan-translator chose to adapt this into English with the pronoun "we." In the translation, "we" can mean both 'I', 'you', and 'we.'