Chapter 1: New Faces, New Mission

[Polaris Lyn]

Wow, Ash, your evil laugh sounds evil...er than usual. *gets hit by a shoe and yelps* Cripes, Sho, you have really big shoes!!

Sho - You know what they say about guys with big shoes.

*muttergrumble* Yeah, they have huge feet that make them clumsy as hell...

Sho - NANI?!?!?! *throws his other shoe*

---

Blaze strode away, and Polaris just had enough time to wonder why Blaze wasn't telling her what made her so worried before the elevator doors opened, a soft ding! alerting her, and a blonde man and a brunette girl stepped out. Polaris knew that the girl was Jun. The man, however...was the other new male SeeD.

Polaris blinked, her long black lashes grazing her cheeks, and raised one hand in greeting. "Hi," she said softly, tucking a stray raven curl behind her ear with her other hand. "Jun, it's been a while." She smiled.

[stardust]

DotNA may have caused all this... Stardust's puzzled frown deepened. But why? It didn't make any sense to her. She intended to ask more question but was distracted when she noticed the same newbie make his way to look at Reese's cubicle. That guy again...she thought. Stardust watched Sho from the corner of her eyes, almost checking to see if he was going to do something stupid. Much to her expectation, the flashy SeeD just mumbled something and pulled out a gum before heading to the exit.

Nice move. She didn't want him around.

Stardust brought her eyes back to Reese, feeling her solid frown soften. She couldn't stand to see him like this. She had to get to the bottom of all this.

"I see you got new members in replace of the unable ones," Dr. Kadowaki presumed. "Looks like there's no choice but to move forward from here on."

No choice... She repeated to herself. "The new ones are just temporary." Stardust looked at the doctor. "They're bound to step out once the unable ones get back on track." The pink-haired said, assurance in her tone.

Dr. Kadowaki wanted to say something, but decided to keep quiet. It might be much better if she left Stardust believing this way. Some things just weren't certain afterall. The doctor nodded.

"I bet you still have a new assignment coming up. You better get as much rest as you can." She patted Stardust's shoulder. "I will keep you posted for any changes I get from Mr. Amaerick."

"Thank you."

"Goodluck from here on."

Stardust gave one last stare at the confined SeeD in front of her. She couldn't hide how much his crisis was affecting her right now. Despite the fact that she had just met him, there was something about him that was really familiar. He just couldn't die. He mustn't.

I'll find out who did this to you...I promise. Stardust pressed her lips together. Just hang on, please.

Giving a nod to Dr. Kadowaki, Stardust headed for the exit. She pulled Reese's jacket out of her waist and folded it on her arm. She was hungry, but she didn't want to eat. She was tired, but she didn't want to sleep. What was the best thing to do now? She swerved on the main corridor.

[miyavi]

Sho strolled out onto the main aisle of Balamb Garden, blowing himself a pale pink bubble as he glanced around. Knowing Aislinn the Evil Librarian, he wouldn't be allowed to return to the Library for a while. Going to check out the Balamb Garden Messageboards in the classrooms required too much walking, and he didn't want to be in his dorm or he would fall asleep. He wasn't about to miss his mission...

His thoughts were interrupted when something collided into his back. "Ee?" He glanced over his shoulder, caught a glimpse of vivid pink hair.

"Aa, it's you again." Pinko the Demented Witch.

Sho didn't even give her time to scowl at him. For a prissy little girl, she seemed to be troubled. He turned around, bowed deeply to her - she'd get pissed either way, so he might as well have fun before he left her - and flashed her a gleaming, feral smirk before turning on his heel and sauntering off into the direction of the cafeteria, linking his fingers together behind his head. "Have a good day!" he shouted behind him, before wandering into the Balamb Cafeteria.

[waterlily43]

(Ahh...I'm gonna use this account for all my charries until I create some for them... bear with me in the mean time >_< And sorry for not posting until now >_<)

Jun

Jun proceeded out of Xu's office towards the elevator, holding the door open for the new guy before walking in herself. Normally she would have at least attempted some civil conversation but her mind was too preoccupied with the questions swarming around. She didn't even hear the ding of the elevator until a loud "Ahem" behind her interrupted her reverie.

"Sorry..." She said in a distracted manner, striding out the doors in a similar way. Her glance wandered about but inadvertently landed on a familiar face.

An awkward silence followed, but Tomoe aka Polaris raised a hand to greet her with a smile.


"Hey...Polaris." Jun returned the greeting, hesitating a little upon using the new name.

The nosy parker in her immediately burst forth a round of questions about Tomoe's change of name, appearance, etc etc but something else--most likely Sapphy-- told her this wasn't the time nor the place to ask.

"How have you been? I'm glad you decided to join us again." She said, reciprocating the other girl's smile.

---

Rayden

There was definitely something weird going on between this team of SeeDs. Rayden could almost taste it in the air. And rumours had been flying around that this was a cursed mission... especially since one of the previous team members was lying comatose in the infirmary while the turnover rate was one of the highest in SeeD history.

But he had confidence that it was just that, rumours. He was going to make the chances better, cos he wasn't considered one of the best for nothing. And hey, no harm staying on a team where ratio of female members vs the males was 4:2.

He studied the woman who had introduced herself as Jun earlier. Seemed like she was floating in her own world, staring at the floor of the elevator.

Hmmm.... is there gold there or something? I can't understand the logic of preferring to stare at the floor than at me.

He cleared his throat rather loudly when the elevator reached its destination. Fortunately she moved this time but stopped when she was greeted by another girl on the Team.

"Hey...I know it's a touching reunion, ladies..." He said with a hint of playfulness in his tone. "But could you just shift to the side a little? Of course I'd be glad to watch you pretties exchange pleasantries all day but that woud leave no time for me to do other more pressing matters. So please?"

(-_- what an idiot...)

[Polaris Lyn]

"How have you been? I'm glad you decided to join us again."

"Well, I..."

"Hey...I know it's a touching reunion, ladies..." The other man, Rayden - Polaris finally remembered his name - had a teasing tone in his voice, and Polaris almost automatically knew that this one was going to be like her good friend Wolfe, "But could you just shift to the side a little? Of course I'd be glad to watch you pretties exchange pleasantries all day but that woud leave no time for me to do other more pressing matters. So please?"

And while the old her would've given him a gaze that could melt reinforced steel, she instead tilted her head to one side slightly as she studied him, dirty-blonde hair, intimidating height, and intense yet playful blue eyes, taking in all details of his face. And then ( if only Blaze could see her now, she's gape and gawp and shake Polaris by the shoulders furiously for even acknowledging such a creature; he was a man, for Hyne's sake!! ) she smiled, a warm, soft smile that she had just given Jun, and politely held out a slim hand for him to shake.

"I apologize," Polaris said in her quiet voice. "Polaris Lyn."

---

Cripes, Pol, you suck at flirting.

Polaris - *scratches her head* I was flirting??

[waterlily43]

Rayden raised an eyebrow at Polaris, slightly surprised at her smile and offered hand. He smirked back at her, taking the hand and grasping it while registering the warmth of her skin.

"Charmed, I'm sure, Miss Polaris. Rayden Sharpola." He nodded slightly at her, still not letting go of her hand.

"Mr. Sharpola is it?... I think that's about long enough you've held on to her hand?" Jun intoned sternly, seething at his interruption and even more at his insinuation that she was blocking the way. Not as if she was that fat to block his way! She simply seized the opportunity to bite off his head.

Jun turned to Tomoe with a 180 degree change in expression.

"I'm getting something to eat at the cafeteria. Care to join me? You know how we're not always sure when's the next meal so..." She shrugged her shoulder. "But if you have other matters it's okay."

[Polaris Lyn]

Polaris returned her calm attention to Jun, who was now smiling cheerily as opposed to the evil scowl of death she had been giving Rayden Sharpola just a milisecond earlier.

"But if you have other matters it's okay." Jun shrugged, and Polaris shook her head.

"Actually, I don't." Polaris deftly pulled her hand away from Rayden, a slight twist of the wrist and a momentary cheeky grin aimed at the blonde. "Lunch sounds great, I haven't eaten in the past couple of hours. And it'll probably be the last time in a long time we'll get a taste for Balamb Garden standard-issue mystery meat. Shall we?"

[stardust]

Stardust followed Sho with her eyes till he disappeared towards the Cafeteria, her signature frown still pasted on her face.

Weirdo... One minute he was an ass, one minute he was bowing?

/I think it's a custom of his, you bow when you greet. It does make you look polite...you know?/ Diwata chirped.

Stardust grunted and shook her head, continuing on her way to her dorm. "Some people are just weird."

And you, after THIS has happened, you still have the nerve to fool around. She spat in her GF. Reese is in a coma, and all I hear from you is just crap.

Diwata fell silent for a while. /I'm just starting to lighten the mood./

Well it's not working. She turned to the corridor leading to the dormitory, almost bumping on a few strolling SeeDs.

/I'm sorry Stardust.../ Diwata said afterwards.

Stardust wanted to physically kick her GF. The apologizing thing was just making her feel worse. She stepped inside her room and felt herself cringe. Don't...stop that! she scolded her GF.

"Just..." Stardust sighed. She unjunctioned Diwata. She thought this was going to be a great day. She thought things were starting to flow in their right place. Why do things like this always happen?

Somehow, she knew why. It was because life was a complete crap. Stardust collapsed on her bed, burying her face on Reese's jacket. She closed her eyes.

It doesn't matter how good it gets, life can always f*ck you.

Reese's voice was still very much alive to her. He was right. When would she ever get this through her thick head. Life always does...

[ST]

Few minutes later, an announcement was heard all throughout Balamb Garden.

There was a couple tapping of the microphone, and then a high-pitched yet more womanly tone ensued. "Hello? Is this on?" It was Rinoa Heartily's voice, always dripping of enthusiasm. "Oh, Good Afternoon my good Balamb SeeDs! I trust that those who are scheduled for breaks and those who have assigned for their missions are all doing their tasks. " SeeDs walking to and fro paused to look up at the speakers. "The Chief Disciplinary Committee, Mareni is itching to bust anyone who gets a little of out place. So watch out for her." Rinoa laughed. "And now, for the whole purpose of this, I was informed that the brave SeeDs who are assigned to the Trinity quest are almost on their way to get the last gem." Chatterings started to grow. "By far, as what you have been told, this is the most dangerous and definitely the major concern of Balamb Garden. Our commander, Squall Leonhart would like to give these SeeDs a good ol' pat in the back for coming this far." Times like this, you know Rinoa was the one behind it all. Whenever Squall Leonhart wasn't there to speak, it was understood that his mistress was the one who started it.

"Unfortunately, he had to be in an important meeting with Galbadia Garden right at this moment, so let me have the honor to word this to everyone." She cleared her throat. "There is a special stand in the cafeteria that serves special menus different than our ordinary cafeteria's. This visiting chef from Trabia garden has agreed to do business here to support the SeeDs who are on the frontline in fighting Adel. I advise everyone to check it out. Let's support the SeeDs." With that, a holographic images of all the SeeDs who had been part of Trinity appeared and circled the main pillar of the elevator. Everyone in the vicinity clapped. The SeeDs who were in the area where you were started complimenting you.

[waterlily43]

Jun nodded at Polaris, laughing at her description of cafeteria grub. Just then an announcement from Sorceress Rinoa sounded overhead. After it ended, the SeeDs that had been minding their own business suddenly started to compliment them even when the two girls started moving, Rayden tagging along like a curious dog.

Jun felt most awkward receiving the compliments. It wasn't as if they had already acquired all three of the gems. She moved closer towards Polaris and spoke softly.

"I don't know about you, but this is weird. Trust Sorcress Rinoa to come up with something like this." Jun shook her head with a half-grin. "But looks like we don't have to settle for mystery meat after all."

[Polaris Lyn]

Polaris nodded at Jun's remark, moving a half-inch closer as some of the bolder male SeeDs and cadets pressed closer to her and Jun. "True, instead we'll get gourmet mystery...hell, now I'm not even sure if we're actually having meat or not."

She nodded slightly to a muscular, tall man in the uniform of a SeeD as he grinned at her. Polaris thought that he was trying a rougish, handsomely-devilish wink, but all it did was make him look like a supreme fool. She winced inwardly at all the compliments and advances, and whispered to Jun, "This complimenting thing that Miss Heartilly started is getting out of hand." She shifted. "I'm not sure compliments involve staring in our chest area."

[Blaze Sanaku]

Just as Blaze was walking down the dorm halls out into the corridors, she heard Rinoa's announcement and saw a huge figure of herself and the others projected on the elevator pillar.

Oh Hyne... Blaze hunched her shoulders and tried to walk as fast as she could through the applauding crowd.

/You know you like it/ Deathstrike said and laughed.

Shut up Blaze thought and practically sprinted to the cafeteria among the shouts of "Go Blaze!!" when she passed them by.

When she got to the cafeteria she saw the Trabia chef and his array of food for the seeDs. She looked around, knowing that her teammates would show up.

[ST]

Blaze

You arrived at the cafeteria, curiously looking around to find some of your teammates. There was already a growing line for the portable foodstand coming from Trabia. However, something was a bit off. The "chef" behind the counter didn't seem to be doing his job by catering the delicacies inside the glass panel. He was just sitting back on his chair like he was in an office or something and was punching buttons on a sidekick mobile phone.

"Hey what's up man? I thought this was free food??" The guy in front of the line complained. "Get off your ass and do your job! We're hungry!"

The "chef" didn't bother to look up at the guy and just continued punching buttons. He wasn't even dressed as a chef, he was clad in a black armor-like suit and the reddish highlights hanging across his eyes made it more difficult to see his bowed face.

"What's with the hold up??" More people started to complain and the noise in the cafeteria was starting to get worse.

"Let's just go to our good ol' cafeteria lady!!"

"Are you kidding?! If I eat more of her hot dogs just one more time....!"

"Hey!! How come this line isn't moving??"

[waterlily43]

(LMAO Bunny XD)


"This complimenting thing that Miss Heartilly started is getting out of hand." Polaris said, shifting closer as the crowd became even more enthusiastic. "I'm not sure compliments involve staring in our chest area."

"I'm sure..." Jun replied, frowning at a particularly persistant male SeeD moving unnecessarily close to her. "...she didn't have this in mind when she made that announcement."

"I have to say, can't blame them for taking the chance to admire some eye-candy." Rayden piped in with a suggestive raise of his eyebrows.

Jun threw a withering stare at him before turning back to Polaris.

"Why don't we make a run for it? At the rate we're going the gourment food will all be sold out. I expect there'll be many other SeeDs who are sick of eating cafeteria mystery meat."

[Blaze Sanaku]

"All right, move it!" Blaze shouted and started pushing and shoving her way up the gigantic line.

"Hey, you can't-!"

"What do you think you're-!"

Blaze ignored the cries of protest in the crowd and kept mowing her way through.

"I was in lin-" a young cadet started to say when Blaze came towards him.

"Are you a seeD?" Blaze shoved her face centimeters close to his, NO!" She yelled in his face. The cadet and his friends grumbled and slunk away from line.

"THIS LINE IS FOR," Blaze yelled, "SEEDS. ONLY."

She heaved her way to number one in line as she said those last words. Once she was in the front she stared straight at the so-called "chef." It fell dead silent in the front of the line as they waited to see what would happen next.

Suddenly Blaze put her arm on the top of the foodstand like she was at a bar and pointed downwards. "I want that... that, that.. thathathat.. some of that, thathathathathat... and that." She ordered.

The people in the line groaned and started yelling protests again, seeing that Blaze had only done all that to get food for herself, not come to try to settle things down.