Chapter 4 - Back to Garden

[Storyteller]

Auria~


The chopper began it's descent, curving it's flight into the left, toward the parking garage. It slowed down, letting of the garage open. Light poured into the dark room, revealing two or three other airships.

The helicopter came to a complete stop next to one of the airships, settling onto the ground. The blades began to slow down.

Zacke stood up and headed straight for the door. He stepped out onto the concrete of the garage.

Let them stay and fight...then Xu will know who truly belongs on this team. he thought irritably, headed straight for the hallway out of the room.

/Wisest thought yet, Zacke./

[Storyteller]

Spiffy~

Finally, I can get back to my dorm and go to sleep. . . after the dreaded speech to Xu, though. Man, this is really gonna suck, we weren't supposed to fail this soon. I just hope we aren't yelled at too much, or too many of us get cut out of the next mission. I guess time will tell on that score, Sym thought as the chopper touched down in the garden, a little calmer than before. The outburst, however strange it must have looked, had helped to get rid of the soreness Sym felt inside. It was still there, but not as strong as before, not powerful enough to make her scream again, Some people make me so mad, and it's ten times worse when I'm tired. They should have known better, they should 'have realized what they did. Next time I'll cast stop before going on a tirade, if there is a next time, which there probably will be if that bitch’s still with us.

Shaking her head a few times, Sym walked to the front of the aircraft and, as soon as it was on solid ground, followed Zacke off. Hopefully the others would follow, that way they could face the music as something that at least looked like a team, even if it wasn't. Which reminded her, when was the meeting? Turning back around, she spotted Rayven and asked, "Do you know when we're supposed to talk to Xu?"

[Storyteller]

Ani~

Stardust furrowed an eyebrow at Blaze. Even if she decided to drown in her own blood Stardust wouldn't be the least bit scared. She eyed the psycho with disgust then looked outside.

Just try attacking me and you'll see...

After a short while, they finally landed at Balamb. Stardust's plans were set. She was going to head towards the director's office and try to have a word with the Headmistress. She wanted to go solo and track Adel's henchmen all by herself.

Since they failed to retrieve the first gem with this group; she believed that it wouldn't make a difference if she go alone. She could do it. She knew she could.

Making her way towards the ground, Sym asked Rayven a question. She looked back at Rayven, interested. As eager as she was to meet Xu, she knew that it's only proper to know if the Headmistress was available.

"Can we see the Headmistress now?" she said curtly right before Sym ended her question.

[Storyteller]

seiferfetish~

Gaiea smiled ruefully at Tomoe. "Thing is right. I looked even worse when Rayven found me." She ran a hand through her wet-and now stringy-auburn hair. "Landed right in a giant kelp forest. I've never hated anything belonging to the Mother, but I just might now..." Not to mention those strange underwater monsters, she thought, brows furrowing.

"Yeah, you looked like shit before, Walker, but this must be a new low," Kyou muttered as he passed, one hand on his hip.

Gray eyes narrowing, Gaiea's fist clenched, but she forced her voice to remain calm. "I have you to thank for that, don't I?" Ignoring him, she swung around and descended the stairs, but paused before she reached the bottom. Her duffel bag and weapons case sat in the luggage cart, and unable to help herself, she let out a yelp of joy.

Vaulting over the railing, she dropped to her knees beside her bags and quickly opened them, running a hand over the smooth blade of Uncontrol and the tough dragon hide of Lapidary. "How...?" Her eyes met Kyou's, but he just snorted angrily and continued on, hands shoved in his pockets.

"I'm not staying around to watch Blaze and Stardust kill each other, though it would be entertaining. Some of us have a mission to complete," he called back, heading towards the main building of Garden. "Would be better if they did kill each other. At least we'd have a bit of peace."

Without waiting for anyone else, he disappeared indoors.

Gaiea paused next to Rika as she too headed for the inevitable tongue-lashing that awaited. "You ready for this?" she asked, sighing. "I don't like dealing with Xu when she's in a GOOD mood. This is definitely not going to be a picnic." Shooting a sidelong glance, that held a bit of respect, at the Water caster, Gaiea hefted her duffel bag onto her shoulder. "Shall we?"

[Storyteller]

Dark~

[Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't know... well it... I'm sorry for asking] Terry hung his head ashamed but realized that all of a sudden the ship turned awkwardly silent.

[Oooooh kaaaaay.... what's up?] Terry waved the paper around just when he saw Blaze dripping quite a bit of blood onto the ship's floor.

Whoa?!? What's happened?!? Terry thought and was about to "ask" when the explanation set forth.

Ermmm.... well that's... nice... Terry smiled nervously.

Terry then turned his attention to Tomoe when she told the crew that they made it back and instantly saw Zacke go off first, then Gaiea and Kyou.

[Well I guess we'll be going now.] Terry stated in a piece of paper before jumping through the hatch calmly. Not really happy or moody just plain calm face full of wonder. He was wondering what was going to happen to them when they report the bad news.

[Storyteller]

Ani~


Seeing everyone else heading inside, Stardust grunted and said, "Never mind." She wanted to be the first one to see Xu or things might turn out worse for her again.

I have to hurry now...

Running a hand to her damp pink hair, she went and disappear inside the vast main entrance of the Garden. She had no time to fool around. It was either she go solo or be doomed with these lowlifes. She headed towards the Main elevator and past some lively SeeDs. The infirmary can be seen from there. After she had a talk with Xu, she would go see the doctor for her injured left hand. It was better to take some precautions.

She stepped up to the platform and pressed the elevator's button that has a '3' on it. Stardust knew that this might be risky but she was ready to face the music.

[Storyteller]

Dark~

Seeing Stardust going to Xu's office through the elevators, Terry quickly ran up the steps and put his arm through effectively causing the doors to reopen again.

Terry looked nervous at Stardust and he had to admit he was somewhat put off by her but he had to be the damage control of this mission.

[Forgive me for intruding] Terry's paper said while his hand stuttered and a reddish tint appearing in his face.



Terry stood there and looked out the clear plastic doors of the elevator when they closed and started to bring them towards Xu's office.

[Uhmmm soo...?] Terry tried to make small "talk".

[Storyteller]

Mari~

Rika watched Terry leave her and exit, looking slightly abashed in response to her comment.

Well, he asked... she thought to herself.

She turned her vibrant eyes to Gaiea, who stopped next to her at that moment. "I've been thinking about what I want to say for a good while now. It promises to be... quite harsh, to say the least." She nodded to Gaiea, and motioned forward.

"Let us go, then."

...and get this over with. No doubt this will be the finest moment in our SeeD careers, she sarcastically thought.

[Storyteller]

Ani~


Terry joined Stardust at the elevator reasoning he had to meet Xu as well. There goes Stardust's plan. He blew it off. Stardust glanced out of the transparent door of the elevator, looking a bit irritated. Even so, she couldn't back down, she would still voice out her request.

Amidst the stillness inside, Terry tried to make a small talk. Stardust felt he was because of the piece of paper he kept holding.

"Why don't you just speak..?" she said blankly, eyes locked at the wide view outside the elevator. True, she didn't like this guy; but she didn't have to insult him either. Especially if he wasn't doing anything stupid.

[Storyteller]

Bunny~

Tomoe waited until everyone had left the helicopter before leaving, herself. She didn't want to report to Xu, but Xu needed to know the mission from all points of view, she decided, and maybe she could do a little damage control between Blaze and Infinity afterwards.

She saw Wildwish head for the elevator and hurried after him, intending to make her way to the third floor to meet Xu. "Hey, could you please wait up--" She stopped short when the doors closed in her face. Tomoe frowned and let out a sharp breath, anxiously awaiting the elevator's next descent.

This waiting isn't making me feel any better... Tomoe groaned as she ran a hand through her hair, half-dry and dripping with green muck. And I am in need of a serious soak.

[Storyteller]

Auria~


Zacke strode into Xu's office and slumped down into one of the few chairs within.

Xu looked up from behind her desk, at him. "Report?"

"Waiting for them to get here." he replied stiffly.

"I see." Xu said, turning her attention back to the papers on her desk.

[Storyteller]

Spiffy~

Sym saw the others leave and followed, trying her best to disguise the feeling of dread that had crept into her tired mind. The mission had been a terrific failure, no thanks to her she had to admit. While she was out looking high and low for Gaiea, the rest of the team had literally walked into a very well laid trap. It'd almost been like someone knew they were coming and had put that sticky crap on the floor just in time for her fellow SeeDs to step on it. The entire thing, once someone thought about it long enough, reeked of a set up. Either that, or someone on the other side was psychic.

"We'll surely meet those a-holes again, and when we do. . . ," Sym muttered while waiting for the elevator to return to the first floor. Those who'd come to steal the Sapphire would undoubtedly try their luck again with the next gem, the team just had to be ready for them. The elevator arrived as she thought the last mission over, and with butterflies in her stomach, Sym climbed aboard and waited to face the music.

[Storyteller]

Ani~


A faint "Ding" gave out as they reached the third floor. Hearing nothing but silence coming from Terry, she let it go. She wouldn't have the patience to read papers on and on anyway. It was nonsense. If Terry didn't want to speak, why the heck would she care.

"Fine. If that's your option, deal with it," she said and stood properly as the elevator opened. "But listen here..." Stardust took the first step forward. "I'll be the first one to talk to the Headmistress, not you." With this, she went on ahead.

I could do this...

She paused and stared at the Headmistress Xu's office door. She was going to propose a solo mission. That's it. She just wanted to make things better for herself.

Lifting her knuckles in level of the door, she knocked and slowly entered. Her eyebrows clashed once again. The Headmistress was inside but it looked like she wasn't the first one to arrive.

Mercutio was there already.

I should've known. She eyed him for a while then saluted the Headmistress. After making a proper greeting, she started to head over Xu's desk.

[Storyteller]

Auria~


Zacke watched Stardust walk in and salute Xu.

Oh anything to try and make me look bad. he thought angrily.

/Well you were disrespectful./

He rolled his eyes and stood up. "Where's everyone at?" he asked Stardust impatiently. "Or did you kill them all?" he added snidely.

[Storyteller]

Ash~


Blaze was the third to stride into Xu's office. Quickly scanning the room, Blaze saluted as fast as she could and took a seat farthest from Stardust which, unfortunately, was right by Zacke.

"Where is everyone?" She asked while wiping the blood off of her hands onto the chair she was sitting on. Xu looked at her in disgust. Just as she was about to speak, Blaze loudly popped the gum she was chewing on. Xu's nostrils flared. It was kind of a habit for Blaze to pop her gum while Xu was in the middle of speaking.