Chapter 6- Brooke and the Angel Tear

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Reese caught Stardust's glance. I'm not going to have to gag it up right here.... His mind filled with the piercing sound of Perish's laughter.

/THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR EATING ROCKS!!!/


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Brooke gave a light, tinkling laugh. "Of course! I think you should come to the mansion. Don't worry, daddy's away on business, the only other person there will be Altair and the servants. You and your team here can come inside, I'll explain everything." she said to Stardust.

"I don't really feel safe with my life in the hands of Ambassador Coroneire's daughter." Zacke said, arms crossed.

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Look," she started in a harsh whisper, glancing down the corridor. "We can't talk here. Just let me get you guys down to the mansion and we'll talk there." she continued in normal tones. "Besides, you're better off in my mansion than trapped in a dingy jail cell, right?" she arched an eyebrow.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Jun closed her eyes, trying to recuperate from the rough way they had been shoved into their confinement, but having little success with it.
The appearance of the girl who called herself Brooke Coroniere effectively stopped any further brawling or squabbling that was about to erupt in that cramped little jail cell the SeeDs were locked in.

She studied Brooke curiously.

She doesn't strike me as someone who'd be Adel's minion.

{How so?}

Adel has terrible taste. Her followers should resonably be the same, in order not to incur her wrath by having a better dress sense. She thought half-seriously.

{What a load of crap...} Sapphy grunted, fed-up with her poor excuse of a reason.

"...in the hands of Ambassador Coroneire's daughter." Zacke had been objecting to Brooke's proposition of moving to the Estharian Ambassador's mansion.

"Look." Brooke whispered harshly, glancing down the corridor. "We can't talk here. Just let me get you guys down to the mansion and we'll talk there." she continued in normal tones. "Besides, you're better off in my mansion than trapped in a dingy jail cell, right?" she arched an eyebrow.

"I don't see why not." Jun grinned at her. "We'd have a lot more options if we can get out of here. And anyway..." She turned round to face the rest of her teammates. "...we can always make use of her highly-valued status as the Ambassador's daughter if anything goes wrong."

She allowed a hint of threat to shadow her last few words, before strolling to her original place by the wall. Leaning against it, she waited for the rest to agree, or to object, as she guessed some would.

She directed a poorly-concealed look of amusement at Reese.

The only problem is... how do we retrieve this Angel Tear...?

[junkuroki]

Ani~

Stardust thought about what Brooke had said to them for a while. The flashy girl spoke so casually and she couldn't detect any hint of lies in her words.

"I don't see why not." Jun said, grinning. Stardust looked at her. "We'd have a lot more options if we can get out of here. And anyway we can always make use of her highly-valued status as the Ambassador's daughter if anything goes wrong."

Stardust didn't say anything. It was either rot here in this musty cell or be bail out by the ambassador's daughter who could backstab you anytime. Either way, the second one seemed better to her. Should something go wrong, retaliating would be easier with them out of this cage.

/Besides, I think she has juicy information for you guys./ Diwata said. /Aren't you interested?/

Stardust grunted and faced Brooke, hesitating to say something at first.

"Fine."

[junkuroki]

GC~

Gone checked out the bit of flesh that was springing them from this cage. Quite tasty looking, a bit too… girly for him though. She was currently talking about a rock. What was with women and shiny rocks? Were they part cat? Entranced by shiny rocks? No, they had to have expensive rocks, if they didn’t they’d just be some nifty marbles. Wait a minute, Gone thought stopping his train of thought, she’s talking about the rock that Reese swallowed.

“Oh boy.” He said, stepping up beside Stardust. “Well, love, why don’t we get back to your pad before we hand over the stone. That way we both get what we want. You spring us barbarians from this metal cage, which is what we want, and you get your shiny rock, which is what you want. Besides do you really want to something of that value to change hands here in a prison cell, do you love? Where the guards are kinda iffy, maybe they’ll let you keep your rock, maybe they’ll slit your throat. Besides I really don’t think you want to know where we stored your rock, love.” Gone babbled, he really didn’t want to be in the same area as Reese when he… coughed up the pretty rock.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Reese shifted weight, growing anxious. He caught Jun's look, and when Gone mentioned 'stored your rock' he passed a brief death glare Gone's way.


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Brooke appeared to soak up Gone's "loves" like a dry sponge, a dazzling smile flashing over her face every time he said it. She arched an eyebrow when he said she 'didn't want to know where it was stored'. The corner of her lip curved into a smirk. "I guess we'll see all about that..." she murmured.

Turning on her heel, she brought a hand up to brush her brown ringlets over her shoulder, against her back. "This way then, I have a limo waiting." she said in a light sing-song voice, ushering them through the hall and straight out of the front door. The officers in the front room looked on as each SeeD they had worked so hard to capture stepped out of the building, but none of them dared oppose Brooke.

"There you go, everyone should fit." she said, pointing to a long white stretch-limo parked against the curb right in front of them. She walked toward the front of the car, but paused as she passed Gone. "I guess the old "Serious SeeD" rumors aren't true about everyone?" she nudged him and winked, then continued on, opening the passenger door. She bent to peer inside.

"I don't know what it is you're putting higher on the priority list, Dobbs, but I suggest you get out of the car and start opening doors!" she snapped. The chauffer (i kan speel soe godd) immediately stepped out and circled around the front of the car to open the door for the waiting SeeDs. Brooke straightened and flashed a false smile their way.


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Zacke arched an eyebrow at her when she wasn't looking. What a...spoiled brat.

/Yeah well we all have our faults./ Iris said, clearly hinting something at Zacke.

He just rolled his eyes. "Well, since I'm such a great guy..." he flashed a grin and threw an arm out, gesturing toward the open door. "...ladies first."

[junkuroki]

Ani~

A long white limo was waiting for them outside. Stardust watched Brooke boss his chauffeur and open the door for them. She straightened and forced a smile on their way.

/First Class, eh?/ Diwata giggled. /I could get used to this./

"Well, since I'm such a great guy..." Here comes Zacke with his grin and gestured towards the door. "...ladies first."

Stardust found Zacke's beam unpleasant. She hated it when he grinned like that.

"Great guy, huh?" she mumbled as she walked over to him. "...that's a good one." She stepped inside the limo.

It was so wide in the inside. A lone portable television was encased on the far end near at the back of the driver's seat. The seats were made with leather and she carefully chose her spot, scooting over near the window as always.

This better turn out good. she thought to herself

[junkuroki]

Fox~

Alaxia looked out the window of the limo and smiled I wonder how Garret is doing?

/Garret? Him, I don't believe u/ Lamara Hissed

Just shut up I wasn't even talking to u.

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Alaxzander laid back in pain the bleeding had stoped but the bullet laid in place. He closed his eyes and tried to relax but it was to much for him to handle. He looked over at Alaxia who seemed to be having fun.

"What are u doing Alaxia? "
She turned to look at him "Nothing just thinking about something, Hey are u OK?"

"Yeah don't worry about it."

[junkuroki]

GC~

"I guess the old "Serious SeeD" rumours aren't true about everyone?" Brooke said winking at him. Gone grinned, she wasn’t bad, not to be trusted but not bad.

“So, love, how’s Esthar been treating you? Ambassador’s daughter eh? This must be pretty different from where you grew up, eh love. Of course Esthar is different from just about everywhere. Your pad must be near all the other head honchos, and Adel of course. Sure it’s safe to call there, love? Wouldn’t want to put a beautiful lady like you in danger. She’s not in is she? Adel, I mean. Us, her, same neighbourhood, not a winning combination. Meh, doesn’t matter if she is. Love, you do have a back way out, don't ya?” Gone said, he hated being cornered and trapped like mangy cur.

Do you ever shut up? Arianrhod asked bitingly.

The only way to get answers is to ask questions. Gone replied smartly.

People lie.

Do they now? I thought that only happened in the movies.

Please tell me you were being sarcastic…?

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Brooke ducked to climb into the limosine as Gone chattered away behind her. She took a seat and brushed the wrinkles out of the front of her skirt, then moved over a bit and patted the seat next to hers. She smile. "Well of course we have a back door, we have many doors, but you really shouldn't worry." she replied.

The last of the group climbed into the car, and the man Brooke had earlier called "Dobbs" got into the driver's seat and turned on the ignition. She pressed a button on a panel under the window nearest to her, and black glass slid down between Dobb's seat and the back of the limo.

"I think," Brooke continued, tossing her hair over her left shoulder dramatically. "you should know, I am not in alliance with Adel." she moved her hands in various gestures as she spoke, perfectly manicured pink nails flashing under the small limo lights. "My father's business is none of my own, and if you ask my honest opinion, it's all very foolish, DotNA, the "New Age", the whole Estharian army, foolish! From the outside it all looks so strong, powerful, united. But you know there are people out there, scared for their lives, not knowing where to turn or what to believe. Too many power-hungry men in this city, and Adel will give them exactly what they want."

She shrugged, her eyes shifting to her lap. "Daddy's the same way, you know. Same as all those men, I mean. And Altair is walking that very same road." she combed her fingers through her hair and sighed. She looked up and around at the faces of the SeeDs within the limo.

"Oh well, I didn't mean to start rambling. I can tell your SeeD minds are getting bored, quickly. Well then, onto business. You're probably wondering why I bailed you out after you stole my own diamond. I guess that would seem strange at first impression, but let me explain.

"You see, Daddy's lab has a silent alarm. The minute you guys dropped from that vent--" she let out a giggle. "--and yes, we soon figured out you came in through the vent--well, after that, the alarm went off. You managed to get to the gem, or so I am told. When the officials Altair sent to the lab reported that a group of a dozen or so SeeD had broken in, I decided not to press charges. I mean, hey, it was only one diamond. It's not worth sending one SeeD to D-District. Garden needs all the help they can get to stand against Adel, I wouldn't put any of your kind behind bars over a little rock."

[junkuroki]

Ash~

Blaze couldn't quite place her finger on it but there was something annoyingly false about Brooke. She was like a live barbie doll with her bouncy hair and pink nails. Blaze had the overwhelming urge to spill an ink pen on Brooke's clothing.

And the way she says "Daddy". Blaze shuddered from her seat.

"Garden needs all the help they can get to stand against Adel, I wouldn't put any of your kind behind bars over a little rock." Brooke said after an annoyingly high pitched giggle.

"Oh, that's nice." Blaze commented. "i guess since you didn't give a damn about the gem we stole you can stop the car and let us go now. It was nice knowing you" She let out a loud cough that sounded distinctly like "plastic."

[junkuroki]

Bun~

"Garden needs all the help they can get to stand against Adel, I wouldn't put any of your kind behind bars over a little rock." Brooke giggled then, a shrill, obnoxious sound.

"Oh, that's nice," said Blaze from beside Wolfe. "I guess since you didn't give a damn about the gem we stole you can stop the car and let us go now. It was nice knowing you."

And then Blaze coughed. Loudly. And it sounded curiously like the word "plastic". Wolfe bit back a grin and looked away from the violent girl, crossing his arms over his chest and deciding to enjoy the sights instead. With all the other beautiful women in the limo, he was enjoying himself very much, indeed.


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Tomoe barely listened to the idle prattle going on around her as she surveyed the limousine. How long, she thought, had it been since I've ridden one of these...?
She expected a smart remark from Obsidian, but the empty feeling inside her told her that he was still gone. She sighed softly. It would be a while before he would return...

[junkuroki]

Auria~

The limo slowed to a halt.

Brooke frowned when Blaze gave an exaggerrated cough. She eyed the SeeD girl with distaste. She could tell they weren't going to get along. "Well," she said icily. "I was kind of thinking maybe you guys would do something for me in return."

The side door opened, Dobb's holding the handle, waiting for them to step out. "We'll talk about it more inside, c'mon." with that said Brooke rose from her seat and stepped out.

The SeeDs followed suit. She led them up a long concrete driveway. A black rot-iron gate stood tall at what must have been twenty feet or more, the end of each bar pointed. Most of the bars were covered by rose bushes, but they stopped where the gate began and continued on the other side where it ended. Brooke approached a small consol on the left side of the gate, where the bushes stopped growing.

"Hey," she looked down at a screen. "open the gates."

Immediately the rot-iron swung into motion, sliding to the right slowly. She gestured with her hand for them to follow her. The driveway was long and winding. Surrounding them was a beautiful garden, decorated with exotic plants and flowers from all around the world, three or four intricately designed fountains. Tall willows provided shade, their branches hanging low. An enormous mansion stood before them, three stories high, all the paint shades of whites and greys. It fit in with the futuristic theme of Esthar, yet still had a flair of its own.

They stepped up the steps, onto the porch, and through two large double-doors. "This is the lobby," Brooke said airily, gesturing to the room. Her pace never slowed as she led them through an arched doorway and into another room, her heels clicking on the white marble. "This way," she said. She turned and getured to various furniture, a few couches, some chairs. "Everyone take a seat somewhere."

She sighed and fluffed her hair, a nervous habit of hers.

"Miss Coroniere, will your guests have anything to drink?" a maid stood in the doorway. Brooke didn't bother asking any of the SeeDs, but instead shook her head briskly and waved her maid away. Her maid didn't leave the doorway. "Miss Coroniere, I think you should talk with Mr. Coroniere before bringing SeeD--"
"And I think you should do your job and mind your own business Delia!" Brooke snapped, cutting her off. The maid cocked and eyebrow and shook her head, walking off down the hall, humming softly.

Brooke gave a frustrated sigh and sad down into the nearest chair, a rich red velvet color. "So disrespectful." she spat, refering to the maid.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Jun switched on her "noise-block" the moment she got onto the limousine, choosing a seat as far away from the main source of disruption as possible.

She had barely settled into a meditation-like trance that was thankfully free of Sapphy's interruptions when she felt someone nudge her foot. Opening her eyes, she noticed that the limo had halted.
She stepped out of the limo, following Brooke into the majestic-looking mansion along with the rest of their team.

They were led to some kind of living room with an assortment of seats. Jun strode to one of the couches, perching at its edge so that she could spring up from it immediately should a need arise. It had become a habit for her whenever in unfamiliar surroundings.

Jun watched in mild amusement at the brief little dispute between the maid and Brooke.

She plastered a smile on her face.

"So... Miss Coroniere. Now that we're well and settled, would you mind explaining what is this something you want us to do? Cos I find it hard to believe that you'd invite all of us into your Grand Mansion just to have your diamond back.

Jun shifted in her seat edgily, then continued. "Of course, whether or not we agree is another matter entirely."

[junkuroki]

Ash~

"So... Miss Coroniere. Now that we're well and settled, would you mind explaining what is this something you want us to do? Cos I find it hard to believe that you'd invite all of us into your Grand Mansion just to have your diamond back.Of course, whether or not we agree is another matter entirely." Jun said, shifting in her seat.

"Yea." Blaze added snidely. "What if we don't want to do your little task? We never agreed to do anything for you in exchange for our escape, and I don't see why you don't just pay some secret service to do your dirty work for you since you're so filthy rich. We have enough Sh.it to take care of, let alone waste time listening to you. You didn't care about the gem, I don't care about you and whatever you want us to do."

/She is going to threaten to put you back in prison./ Deathstrike warned.

I don't care. I've escaped it once and I can do it again.

"Where is the emerald anyways?" Blaze inquired team B. "One of you must have it."

[junkuroki]

Ani~

Situating herself on a wooden carved stool near the couch, Stardust's eyes wandered around the enormity of Brooke Coroneire's living room. She had never been to a mansion this big before--not that it was a big deal to her--but she must admit that being a fancy rich girl sure had its own advantages.

Later, Stardust heard Jun ask Brooke about the favor that she wanted them to do and that was when Blaze cut in and said, "....We have enough Sh.it to take care of, let alone waste time listening to you. You didn't care about the gem, I don't care about you and whatever you want us to do." She didn't quite hear most of her rants mainly because the bandanna girl was talking too fast.

After taking a short pause, Blaze spoke again and turned to them. "Where is the emerald anyways? One of you must have it."

"Emerald?" Stardust responded immediately, creasing her forehead irritatedly. "There is no emerald at the lab. Just a pink useless stone."

/Ohh, I wouldn't call it a useless stone in front of the owner if I were you.../

"And..." Stardust stopped for a while before continuing, "You don't have to make such a big fuss as to where it is." Her gaze shifted to Brooke. "We'll give it back...later."

/Is that your lame attempt to cover 'someone'?/ Diwata asked.

"Now, ignore that girl over there and tell us why you brought us here," she continued and folded her arms.