Chapter5: Final Pitstop

[Myacu]

WOOT!!! Page 2!!!!! AND ITS GEMMA'S TURN TO WIN THE JACKPOT! ;D
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Xu took off her eyes from him and waited for another one to reply. She wasn't going to risk this mission anymore than she did.

The silence that followed lasted for a good two minutes. Finally, unable to bear the tension any longer, Gemma timidly stepped forward.

"Headmistress Xu..."

At first her voice was tentative but it slowly grew in strength. Gemma squared up her shoulders and looked at her headmistress directly in the eyes. That's how all the politicians did it.

"Headmistress Xu. Although I had been assigned to this mission for only a short period of time, I've been able to assess their capabilities. Besides their profiency in casting and weaponry, more importantly, both kept a level-head and were able to quickly come up with a strategy for our escape. I have complete faith in their ability to make this final mission a success."

[Stella]

"The more skilled people we have to fight Adel the better chance we have of defeating her" Stella spoke up her opinions stated in a simple sentence, her eyes watching Xu expectantly.

There was enough tension in the room to bake a thousand layer cake made of the stuff.

[stardust]

Headmistress Xu chose not to discuss the matter with them any further. She definitely wasn't acting her usual self. Standing in her spot nearer to Xu's table, Stardust gave a good long look at the three Opps. It was true. They weren't really that much of a baggage. Besides...

"I don't care." Stardust announced after Stella, crossing her arms. "Let them in if they want to." In a way, she knew where they were coming from. They want revenge, they should go for it.

[Blaze Sanaku]

Blaze caught Xu's smug look. Blaze knew that look; Xu was expecting her to be difficult as usual. Blaze looked at the three members of the rebel faction.

If I say no, they'll never let me live the whole 'saving my life' thing down Blaze inwardly sighed.

"I'm fine with them being part of our team," Blaze said with a completely blank look on her face.

[Lily]

Jaime's glance flitted nervously from the Headmistress to the SeeDs, finally settling on Van. Biting her lip, she felt words straining to leave her mouth but hesitated for fear of making matters worse. But from the looks of it Xu looked adamant on denying them a place on the Adel Assasination Team. So anything she said now wouldn't hurt, would it?

At least she hoped not.

"Headmistress Xu..." Jaime started off with an uneasy tone, her voice coming out weak but turning stronger as she continued. "I know that we are just a little civilian group in your eyes and what we're asking of you might be a risk you're unprepared to take. But I must ask you to reconsider your decision. I used to be a cadet in Balamb Garden and I know how Garden operates. And that each mission has to be accomplished at all costs, especially this one. So if you have reservations about us hampering your operation, be rest assured. Our desire to destroy Adel and the Dotna is no lesser than Garden's, maybe even stronger."

She paused at that juncture, her chest heaving as images of Able, Signe and Lawric being excuted at Weiss' gunpoint returned to her mind at full force.

"Our companions have been wrongfully sacrificed. I think we deserve more than anyone else a chance to exact revenge for them. It's the least we could ever do for them. So, I beseech you, Headmistress." Jaime's gaze on Xu was firm and even unrelenting.

"Well, since she has put it so plainly how it is for their team, I think it'd be cruel to reject them, Ma'am." Rayden added from his seat. He had to admit, he was a little moved by the girl's speech. "And don't worry, it's not only them that's going to assassinate Adel. There's still a whole other bunch of Elite SeeDs to finish the job."

[ST]

After hearing all of the responses from the SeeDs, Xu's face remained unchanged.

"Very well," she said and faced the Opps. "I will incorporate all of you into the current mission at your own risks. Pray to Hyne that we end this war in our favor."

"Thank you very much," Vanesse bowed deeply. "We'll do our best."

"Again, once Rinoa finishes the preparation for the Trinity sword, the real battle will begin. Breaking the seal with her spiritual powers is not an easy thing, so it might take a while. Balamb Garden has taken a different flight path, so it is going to be difficult for Adel to track it. We are safe, atleast for now. Nonetheless, I want all of you to stay alert and standby for the roll call at all times." Xu paused and returned to her seat. "For the mean time, do what you have to do and prepare for the final task. It would be nice if you choose to rest.... Are there any questions?"

Surprisingly, there was none.

"Now that everything is settled, you are all dismissed." Xu glanced at the Opps. "Feel free to roam around Garden as you please."

And with that, the people inside Xu's room started filing out.

~*~


Just outside the office, Vanesse took the liberty to stand in front all of the SeeDs to thank them for their kindness.

"I never thought you'd actually want to work with us." she stated, sounding grateful. "Never even thought you'll think highly of us after what our team has been reduced to...." She tried to laugh. "You made the right choice then. Thank you again, SeeDs."

Grunting, Stardust walked past Vanesse. "Don't get spoiled," she mumbled and strode along the corridor to the elevator. Someone could show them around Garden. It definitely wouldn't be her. She had more important things to do--like take a warm shower and a nap.

[Jun]

Jun shook her head with a hidden smile. That's just like Stardust to say something like that, but at least she agreed to let them stay in the team? It was the most anyone could ask for.

Jun turned to Vanesse.

"Come on, I'll show you three around Garden." She beckoned them with a hospitable manner.

[Stella]

Stella nodded slightly as someone offered to show the new SeeDs around. She still hadn't caught everyone's names but there was plenty of time for that. Right now she needed to get to her room and get her guns clean before the water damage became permanent.

She was also looking forward to getting back to her own space. This tiny hallway cramped with so many people was setting her off in the worst way. It was defiantly time for her to go. Slipping past everyone she headed for the elevator without a word.

[Polaris Lyn]

"Come on, I'll show you three around Garden," Jun said cheerfully.

Polaris said nothing, noticing that Stella had slipped past the group and was already leaving. < Hm. > She filed away the action in her mind, then nodded to Jun and the three Opps members.

"Take care," she told them quietly, remembering the last time she had been in B. Garden and the ludicrous speech Sorceress Rinoa had made that had gotten them mobbed. Hopefully the speech was forgotten...but it was unlikely. She shot Jun a look. "Watch out for the mobs."

She turned on her heel and strode away, walking past Blaze and patting her best friend's shoulder briefly as she walked by. Blaze's acquiesence of letting the Opps into their group definitely meant that she had to swallow her pride. Polaris smiled at her friend slightly. It meant a lot.

---

Recommended Listening: FF8 In-game B. Garden Music

"I'm home," she announced, opening the door to her dormitory room. Nobody answered, and Polaris withdrew her key from the doorknob, locking it as she closed it behind her. She leaned against the door, glancing around the room. It was just as she left it. The curtains were open, a fresh breeze making them flutter like silken ghosts. It felt clean and light and warm.

Polaris pushed herself off the door and pulled open her closet, grabbing a fluffy white towel from the upper shelf and a pair of skinny black jeans and a fitted black sleeveless. She took off her shoes and strode into the bathroom, kicking it closed behind her. Setting the towel on the rack and her clothes on the spacious sink area, Polaris removed her grimy, dusty, sweat- and blood-soaked clothing and stepped into the shower, turning the heat on full-blast. < A hot shower, clean clothes, and then a quick game of BattleCraft on the laptop. > She counted off the list of things she planned to do, and nodded. She definitely needed the alone time.

---

I hope nobody minds that Polaris undergoes a costume change. Those lousy lace armcovers and the jeans were pissing me off. -___-;

[Hadrian D'arcell]

I LOVE her costume change! *__* She's so stylish! And it's just real for them to change outfits, y'know? >.< It just says that they wash their clothes XD LOL
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Hadrian watched as the three girls took off and headed for the elevator while Jun stayed to show the Opps around. This was actually his favorite part of a mission--free time. However, the salt water was stinging his eyes and shirt, so he knew that was his cue to hit the showers.

"This group is so hospital, feeling the love, yet?" Hadrian kidded, walking towards the Opps. It was only from a sudden grumbling of his stomach did he change his mind to drop into the Cafeteria to take out some footlong sandwhich to his room. "Welcome, to Garden. Maybe you'd like to hit the cafeteria first? I'll gladly walk with you there." He offered them a smile.

/Insufficient gil, Hadrian./ reminded CQ.

Exactly. Hadrian's smile had gotten warmer.


~*~


Vanesse let out a weak laugh. "Just showing us around is hospitality enough. Thanks again," she said, turning to the others behind Jun and Hadrian. "Do you want to come with us? They said we're going to the cafeteria!"

/I think they heard it, Vanesse./ Paridge interrupted.

[miyavi]

"They said we're going to the cafeteria!"

GggrrRRRrrRummmMMble.

Sho blinked, putting his hands on his stomach. "Aa!" he shouted, grinning abashedly at the Opps, Jun and Geeker Boy. "I vote for food!!!" He put on his best, most charming, brightest smile, flashing two fingers in a 'V for Victory' sign. "That sounds really great!!"

[waterlily43]

"Yes Yes." Jun added a bit too gleefully. "I haven't had any grub for a good few hours. And any self-respecting B-Garden resident would tell you that if you haven't had its hotdogs, you haven't been to B-Garden. So...shall we?"

"Ahh Cafeteria Food..." Jaime's eyes misted over at the thought. "Just the mention brings back the memories."

"If there's food and chicks count me in anytime." Rayden quipped, joining the gradually growing group from behind.

[Diego Stanton]

The offer of food was music to Deo's ears. He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.

"I'll come too," he said simply, putting both of his hands behind his head. "We don't have dorms or anything to go to anyways."

Even though he and the girls had been accepted into the seeD team, Deo had the uneasy feeling that it was only because the team felt sorry for them.

Blaze didn't seem too happy about it, Deo thought as he saw her slip away from the corner of his eye.

[Polaris Lyn]

Polaris ran her fingers through her slightly-damp hair and slipped her feet into black satin ballet flats. Then she grabbed her keys and ID card, stowing them in her right back pocket, and grabbed her laptop. She made her way to the cafeteria, her laptop tucked securely beneath her arm, and made her way to the counter that specially served her team. Reading the nametag on the server's shirt, she smiled. "Hi, Nettie. Could I have a turkey sandwich, spinach, no lettuce, tomato, and extra pickles, a bowl of chicken noodle, and a hot chocolate, extra whipped cream?"

"Want some chocolate shavings on that hot chocolate?" Nettie asked cheerfully, a green-eyed woman in her late twenties with her auburn hair tied back in a waist-length braid.

"Sure, if you have it."

"No prob." Nettie returned shortly with the items on a small tray.

"Thank you," Polaris said quietly, grabbing her tray with one hand and making her way to a small, empty table in one corner of the cafeteria, beside an open window. She set her tray and laptop down, opening her laptop and booting it up. She wanted to get in a couple of games of BattleCraft before she had to resume the mission.

[Blaze Sanaku]

a sibling power post! hahahah

---

Blaze went to stop over at her dorm like she usually did when Xu gave her free time, ranting to Deathstrike on the way.

<So now they're gonna be like, 'I saved your life. You have to be nice to me. I get the last piece of chicken. I call shotgun. I get to be the one to kill Adel.' Did I asked them to save my life? NO> Blaze slid her ID card through her dorm's slot and opened the door.

/Well you would have been even madder if they had left you there to die, wouldn't you?/

<But that's not the point,> Blaze popped open a bottle of fish feed and sprinkled some into her fighting fish's bowl. <The point is->

Blaze stopped and stared at her fish. Killer, who had been unoriginally named after his nature of attacking and tearing apart other fish, was calmly floating upside down. The fish feed slowly rained to the bottom of his bowl.

"He's dead." Blaze said after awhile. She picked up his bowl and held it for a minute, unsure of what to do. Then she left her dorm and headed towards the cafeteria, where she knew Polaris would be.

<Playing BattleCraft I bet.. You can never win that stupid game unless you strategize or whatever.>

Blaze almost crashed into Deo on the way. He had been lagging behind as usual. Deo looked at the fishbowl in surprise.

"Your fish died?" He asked. Blaze paused, then nodded.

"Well all pets die when they're ready to leave," Deo said, "I bet your fish moved on because he was ready to swim in the ocean."

"I know. Somebody told me that before." Blaze replied, staring at Deo strangely.

<This happened before. All of this. Something died and I was told exactly what he just said.>

/It's called deja vu/

"Who told you?" Deo asked.

Blaze paused. "I don't remember," she said finally, and walked away.

Polaris was sitting in her usual spot in the cafeteria and everybody else on the team was in there as well, getting dinner. Blaze sat down next to her friend and placed Killer down on the table. Absentmindedly, she began eating Polaris's food.

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Just to let you guys know, it's nighttime in the RP right now so everyone will probably go to bed after they eat and whatnot XD