Chapter 5 - A Race of Sorts (Sneaking In)

[junkuroki]

Lily~

"If you three are done being immature, I might remind you that we've got a mission to go on," Dan said, and cast white wind on both Reese and Gone.

After he had done lecturing them, Stardust hurried to where Jun was, and kneeled down beside Reese.

"For goodness sake Jun!" Stardust scolded in a vexed tone, "Of all the spells to knock him out, why Ultima? If you can't hold him back then you should've bothered turning around and ask someone for help! A water spell could've pry him away from Gone. Not like this."

"S...sorry." Jun muttered in a low voice, and backed away.

Yeah, I should have thought it out before I acted. But I was desperate! All I was trying to do was save Gone from death by strangulation, and Reese a jail term for manslaughter.
So blame me.
FINE.
I knew I should've kept a low profile.

She gave a small sigh, looking worriedly at Reese.

But I admit, that was a stupid move.

“We can just slap him awake.” Gone said, suggesting ways to revive Reese. “Or, we could use a water spell on him."

She glared at him silently.

And maybe I should just stay away from this troublemaker.

[junkuroki]

Ani~

Stardust felt something nudge her from her side and swiveled her gaze to check what it was. It was a broken watch. Annoyed, she looked up to see who threw it.

“We can just slap him awake.” Gone said. “Or, we could use a water spell on him. Then we won’t be wasting any precious time, since apparently it’s going to run away with spoon once the cat meows and the Ex-Instructor jumps over the moon.”

Her eyes narrowed at the redhead pilot. "Shut up," she said. Gone was right though. If they waited for Reese to regain consciousness on his own, the other group might beat them to Esthar. Or they probably were in Esthar right now as they dawdle. And certainly, the emerald wouldn't wait for them. If only Gone didn't taunt Reese and Reese didn't buy Gone's mockery then they wouldn't have any problem at all.

/This situation reminds of a certain incident at the ball./ Diwata said.

Who asked you?

She turned to Reese, thinking. Dan's white wind probably eased him by now. She hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth to speak.

"Reese?" she said to his unconscious stature. Her voice was faint but firm. "...can you hear me? Reese....wake up."

[junkuroki]

Auria~

/I hope you don't think you can just lie down and take a nap just because you got hit with an Ultima spell Reesie, cause that's just not gonna happen!! You have an important mission to finish!! I'll scream until you come around!!/ Perish scolded.

Wha...

/Reesie WAKE UP!!/ Perish screeched.

Oww...damnit...

He heard a faint voice. "...can you hear me? Reese....wake up."

His eyelids slowly parted and he found himself looking up from the ground and into a woman's eyes. Extraordinary eyes he felt he knew. He blinked and glanced around, finding his surroundings distantly familiar. His head was pounding so harshly he swore he could hear the blood pumping inside it.

He grabbed onto the pink-haired girl's shoulder and used her to pull himself up. He noticed his own jacket on this strange young woman and suddenly everything hit him like a speeding freight train.

He struggled to get to his feet, but f ound himself incredibly weak. More so than he thought he was. He put a hand over his eyes and rubbed them with his thumb.

"You know...a healing spell would be...really good right now..." he said groggily. He realized his hand still rested on Stardust's shoulder and he pulled it away.

[junkuroki]

Ani~

He’s coming around, thought Stardust as Reese began to open his eyes. Looking dazed, he glanced at his surroundings for a moment.

“Are you al--” she tried to say when Reese lifted his hand and rested it on her shoulder. She cleared her throat as she felt him exert some force, using her shoulder to hoist himself up. She didn’t flinch.

"You know...a healing spell would be...really good right now..." he said groggily and drew back his hand from her shoulder seconds later.

/He does look out of shape,/Diwata presumed. /My Kiss of Life shall definitely rejuvenate him...Yes, yes it will.../ she giggled maliciously.

Don’t taint him.

“Sorry, I don't carry Curagas,” Stardust replied. She glanced back at the others for Dan who had cast White Wind on them a while ago. Unfortunately, he was still having that heart to heart talk with Xarin. And she wasn't sur e if Jun and Gone carried healing spells either.

"Unless one of them carries a healing spell, you're gonna have to deal with your headache." She stood on her feet, catching a glimpse of his bowler hat sitting upside down near them. She took a step and picked it up before turning to Reese. "Here." She extended the hat for him to take.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

"Unless one of them carries a healing spell, you're gonna have to deal with your headache." she stated.

Damnit...

He watched and she stepped away and bent down to pick up...his bowler? My bowler fell off?!

/Well don't have a kitten it's just a hat.../ Perish said dryly.

Just a hat?! That's like saying Adel is 'just a mean lady' or Gone is 'just a tad naive'.

"Here." Stardust stated, extending her hand that carefully grasped his precious hat.

He grabbed the hat and quickly put it back on his head. "Thank you." he said to Stardust with a nod. All of them...seeing me with my hat off...

/Oh how embarrassing, time to go hide from humanity is it?/ Perish drawled sarcastically. He chose to ignore her.

His eyes trailed briefly over Gone, then Jun. He chose to drop the fight. In casting Ultima, Jun had simultaneously injured and saved him. From committing murder. From going to jail. Bringing it up would only waste more time.

He glanced at Daniel and Xarin. "I'm sure you're having a very heated discussion about something more important than saving the world from Adel's wrath, but I beg that you could both find it in your hearts to wrench your attention from said discussion to help us with our petty little mission here?" he directed toward them, with anything but sincerity in his voice.

He looked away.

"Well then..." he glanced around above them. A discolored blotch lay on the ceiling about ten yards down the north end of the tunnel. "...there's our exit. C'mon."

He adjusted his bowler and began walking north down the tunnel, wincing slightly as with each step his pounded twice as hard and his joints ached something furious.

Pray we don't get ourselves into a battle...going to be painful.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Reese slowly regained consciousness, using Stardust's shoulder to get onto his feet.

"You know...a healing spell would be...really good right now..." he said groggily.

“Sorry, I don't carry Curagas,” Stardust replied. She glanced back at them.

"Unless one of them carries a healing spell, you're gonna have to deal with your headache."

I have Regen... Jun thought.

She looked at him, hesitant to interrupt as he had begun lecturing Dan and Xarin for their "intimate" talk.

"Well then..." Reese said afterwards, glancing around above them. "...there's our exit. C'mon."

He began walking north down the tunnel. She knew he must not be feeling too good... for Ultima was not a spell anyone took without feeling some pain - especially right at the back of his head.

"Wait..." She ran after him and called out. "I have Regen... at least it'll make it a little better."

She pulled out her sword in readiness to cast the spell.
"Regen." She said, directing it at Reese,

A ring of healing magic surrounded him, weaving upwards as it was absorbed by his body.

Jun opened her eyes.

"I'm sorry for casting the Ultima on you." She said softly, and turned away.

At least my conscience feels a bit better now.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Reese stopped and turned around, unstrapping the black sheath that held Consequence. It was made of stiff black leather and had a various intriguing symbols pressed into the material along one side, black diamonds lining the mouth. Had to be worth a lot of money. He turned to extend his arm out to hand it to her.

"Cut an opening, then drop it. I can catch." he instructed, staring straight at her. "Find something to lower into the hole we can climb up. If anyone up there gives you trouble, tell them we're repairing the elevator. Never mention SeeD." he nodded as she took Consequence. "And be careful."

[junkuroki]

Ani~

Stardust nodded in reply and took Consequence from Reese. Shifting her gaze at the thick wires in front of them, she leaned the scabbard on the wall and let her eyes crawl up to the dark blue roofing above them. She could do this. Nothing would go wrong.

/You do know that you'll get electrocuted if you're not the right weight./ Diwata reminded.


It's not that high, Stardust said, still looking up, as she slipped Reese's jacket off her shoulders. Swinging it back to Reese, she thanked him and added, "I don't want to ruin it."

As soon as Reese grabbed his jacket, Stardust strapped Consequence across her back then started for the wires. Grasping it on both hands, she pressed her foot against the wall and pulled herself up. Halfway up there, she paused to check if something was going to give.

/So far so good,/ Diwata said.

And she doubled her pace, repeating a certain pattern--grab then pull- -as she climbed. It didn't take long till she reached the discolored roofing. Tightening her clutch on the wire that she was on, Stardust reached one hand behind her back for the Consequence. Unsheathing it, she quickly thrust it upward then diagonally, mustering almost all of her force to move the heavy gunblade. She finally made a hole enough for her to fit in.

"It's open." she said, not sure if the others heard her from below. Stardust looked down and searched for Reese. "Watch out," she warned then swiftly dropped the gunblade. She looked up at the small opening that she had made then continued climbing up, thus finally making her way inside the city.

Stardust glanced around and found herself standing in a middle of street where cars and buildings showed pure innovation and art. A couple of construction workers saw her and she quickly lied about the elevator's repair. It seemed that they had bought it and left her alone to work in another area. Everyone seemed so preoccupied about something. She didn't waste enough time and quickly get on her feet for a rope or a ladder in the area.

There it is! Stardust lightened up at the sight of a coiled rope sitting a couple of yards away from her. She approached it.

Moments later, after tying the rope on a nearby post, Stardust peeked her head down the small opening for the others. "I found a rope!" she called back to them and threw it down.

[junkuroki]

Fox~

Alaxia sat down by a tree watching the rest of the SeeD and what they were doing.

God Dam I'm @#%$ freezing my ass off

/ Well Is that my Problem human?/

I wasn't talking to u, Now was I

/ Don't talk to me like that or you will regret it./

What are u going to do kill me???

/ You know if i could I would/

Alaxia turned slightly and looked at Xarin. Then quickly turned hopping he wouldn't see her looking at him. "Oh Xarin only if u new what was in me. maybe u could understand that I didn't say that." Alaxia whispered to her self. Hopeing no one can here her.

Alaxia. Then go up and walked over to Reese And then looked up at Stardust.

I found a rope!" Stardust said on the other side and threw it down.

Alaxia Looked at the dangling rope." Are u serious? Is this even safe?"

/Chicken./

Oh yeah. Alaxia looked at the rope and slowly climbed it. She drooped down next to Stardust then looked at her other team mates

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Reese watch Stardust, shifting weight from foot to foot every now and then. In his thoughts he urged her on. He watched silently as she let Consequence drop, and reached out to catch the handle of the heavy weapon with little effort. Extension of myself... it felt good to have it back in his possession. He was busy strapping the sheath back onto himself to notice Stardust climbing through the entrance.

A few minutes passed sinced she'd climbed into the city. He glanced at Jun, then back to the ground. "Thank you for the Regen." he said tonelessly.

Before Jun could reply--if she was going to--Stardust's voice echoed off the tunnel walls. "I found a rope!"

She DID pull it off. Hah. Perish, I do hate to say it, but I TOLD YOU SO!! Eat your words, you cheeky, irritating ball of hair. he exclaimed in his mind.

/You may have won the battle Reesie, but this is WAR!!/ Perish replied cattishly.

Reese smirked and watched the rope drop down feet away from him. "After you all..." he stated.

"Are you serious? Is this even safe?" Alaxia questioned, eyeing the rope apprehensively.

"Well I suppose we'll find out, won't we..." Reese said, mostly to himself and barely above a whisper. He watched as Alaxia climbed the rope and eventually climbed through the opening.

"Alright then, next," he said, glanced around.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Jun breathed out a sigh of relief when Stardust finally reached the top, cut a hole in the discolored blotch on the ceiling and threw down the gunblade Reese had entrusted her with.

{Why, afraid she couldn't get the job done?} Sapphy sneered.

Those were wires for Hyne's sake. She might have been electrocuted! She shot back indignantly, still staring at the hole for Stardust to appear.

"Thank you for the Regen." Reese suddenly said in a toneless voice.

Huh?

"I found a rope!" Jun turned her gaze back to the ceiling when Stardust called out to them.

She dropped a rope down from the hole she had created. It swung at a few feet away from them.

Jun lowered her head from staring at the ceiling.

She happened to glance briefly at Gone, whose features were rearranged into a sulk.

What a kid!

{You aren't still mad at him, are you? I didn't know you were this petty!}

I AM NOT PETTY!

As if to prove herself, she strolled towards Gone and took off his jacket. Secretly, she reached into her shorts pocket and took something out, stuffing it into a pocket on his jacket.

"Here, you can have it back. Thanks." She handed it to him, and turned away.

Alaxia had already climbed up the rope through the opening.

"Alright then, next," Reese said, glancing around.

"Me." Jun spoke up, went up to the rope and grasped it. She started climbing up cautiously, mindful of giving herself rope burn.

She finally made it through the opening, scrambling beside Stardust and Alaxia in a most ungraceful manner.

"Climbing is not my forte." She said with a wry smile.

[junkuroki]

GC~

Where’s my Regen? I’m the one you almost died! Not fair!

You started it, Gone. You always start it. Arianrhod’s cold voice echoed.

I did no such thing! It was an innocent comment! I would never start something. Honest.

You are delusional. Arianrhod said with a very unladylike snort.

Gone was startled out his sulk, when Jun shoved his beloved jacket at him. He took it warily, she had been pretty mad at him. He thought it was probably because Dan had scolded them like errant children. Arianrhod and Jun were right, it was all his fault. Somehow it was always all his fault.

"Here, you can have it back. Thanks." Jun said, the walked away.

“I knew you couldn’t stay mad at me, love.” Gone said grinning as he put his jacket on. His grin got wider when he realised that it smelled like Jun. He saw Dan and Xarin having a heart to heart chat in the c orner, they looked pretty close. He wondered if he’d called the wrong guy a sally. “Oi, Danny-boy! Don’t go getting all pissy at Jun and Reese, it was all my fault! I started it, after all.”

Gone stuffed his hands into his pockets as he sauntered over to where Reese was standing. He wanted to get back into the open, breath some fresh air. He pulled something out of his pocket, a candy bar, that hadn’t been there before. He smiled. Gone didn’t actually want to apologise, but he did want to call a truce for now in his own way.

“Hey, Reese, want half?” He asked. “You can go now too, get your bearings and whatever.”

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Reese glanced from the candy bar to Gone for a moment.

/Reesie be nice, he's offering you chocolate!! Ohhh if only I were able to eat chocolate--ooh! I remember this one time--/

"I'm not taking candy from you. Stop being a git and climb the damn rope." he said to Gone coldly.

/...well wasn't that polite!! Reesie you know I love your evil little ways but he just wanted a truce./Perish chattered.

There is no point in a truce. Reese replied. Perish remained silent.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Eventually everyone made it up the rope and out into the city of Esthar. The sky was a brilliant dark pinkish-purple color, the first few stars of the night twinkling in the sky as the gigantic metropolis of Esthar began to settle into its restless night lifestyle.

They were in the lowest parts of Esthar--the ground level of the city. Above blue sky-roads and red elevator tubes streaked this way and that, all leading to various locations of the city.

Bright blue and green buildings that seemed to stretch as high as the heavens surrounded them. This particular elevator they'd climbed through was--as every other in Esthar--right in the middle of the blue-translucent road. The lights in the awesomely tall buildings were predominantly lit, save for one or two rooms. As far as rooms could be seen, anyway.

Every few seconds one of the hovering cars Esthar was known for would pass, it's only noise a faint hum. On the sides of the road were scatte red Estharians. Men, women, of children of all ages, all carrying on with their busy lives. No one seemed the slightest bit alarmed about the seven young people that had just broken and climbed through the elevator landing pad.

Reese glanced around after climbing out last, and took in a deep breathe. The city of Esthar never ceased to amaze him. The sheer mechanics of how everything coexisted in such a tangle of tubes and roads and sky-scraping buildings was mind boggling.

He sighed. "We'd better get a move on, the sun's already set. Where was this place...Erple something?"


-----

Auria~

Reese turned to Dan.

"Actually, no, I don't live here. I did, during my time with the Mavericks. That was roughly four years ago, Vlahos. And don't you think Esthar is kind of big, to say the least? You think I would have every street name and its location memorized?" Reese sneered, mocking the tone that Dan had used with him. "And no, I don't remember what Laice said. Forgive me for being so incompetent, Mr. Lets-have-a-heart-to-heart-with-Xarin-in-the-middle-of-Esthar's-underground-elevator-system."

[junkuroki]

Fox~

"Actually, no, I don't live here. I did, during my time with the Mavericks. That was roughly four years ago, Vlahos. And don't you think Esthar is kind of big, to say the least? You think I would have every street name and its location memorized?" Reese sneered, mocking the tone that Dan had used with him. "And no, I don't remember what Laice said. Forgive me for being so incompetent, Mr. Lets-have-a-heart-to-heart-with-Xarin-in-the-middle-of-Esthar's-underground-elevator-system."

Alaxia looked at Reese and giggles slightly. Alaxia turn to Xarin

"Um Xarin Can I Talk to u please."

/ He is going to say No/