[IC] Final Fantasy VIII: Tempus Veneficarum [7/10 Slots]

[Shiinen]

"Only a few times- Eep."

The sudden need to look her over and poke and prod at every little hole that remained from the last ammunition round that had gone into her had Eika feeling just a little embarrassed...If not happy for receiving the attention in the first place. With one of her hands resting on her orbs, she rubbed the back of her head as her body was loaded down by yet another dose of healing magicks. ...Oh, there was the questioning that she was waiting to get assaulted with. A clearing of the throat, and Eika eventually sat up in order to stare her Instructor face to face while she answered him with the upmost respect.

"When I woke up, I realized that I had passed out during our conversation -- which prompted a need to apologize. ...With the death of my family, I woke up with the realization that I still have people that I care about -- and not being by the sides of the ones I cherish would only result in my failure to protect them once again. ...I am okay with being punished, as long as I can stay with you."

The words came out before she could correct them...Oh well, she'd already kissed him in front of the others. She might as well go the whole way now. There was no point in trying to hide any "emotional conflicts" that came with trying to act out the "student" role without...these complicated notions.

"...The kiss wasn't just because I needed your magic, Instructor. ...I really am glad you're safe. Punish me later, if you'd like. But while we're here..."

Standing up finally, the girl made one hell of a risky AND taboo motion. The prior kiss had had a reason behind it, and that was for her to recover from her fatigue. But in this moment? The pressing of her lips against his was one to display actual emotion beyond just a mere student caring for her teacher. A romantic gesture, if one needed to have the obvious pointed out to them -- which Duncan might, with how he could fluster so quickly and...ahem. Only two words were all she could give after this silly little attempt.

"Elixir, please.~"

...Did she mean...? ...Well, that was one way to make a phrase seem innocent.

[Lennon79]

Whatever teacherly dignity that Duncan had mustered, it slowly eroded away as Eika spoke, replaced first by the humbling realisation that he had no idea how badly she had been effected by the mission in Dollet and then by growing confusion and disbelief. He tried to speak a few times, perhaps to console his student or cut her off, he wasn't exactly sure which, but couldn't find the right words. Instead he stood there, lips moving like a goldfish when she once again moved in to attack them. Whether out of compassion, affection or bare-arsed shock, Duncan just stood there and took it, staring into Eika's eyes as if he could read her thoughts within. Perhaps he... could handle this. A dozen regulations screamed at him to put her on a charge and send Eika packing back to Balamb, but somehow it just felt... right. An odd thought, coming from himself. After a long moment of silence, he took a seat next to her... and tried to articulate his thoughts. 'I... Not sure how to say... Perhaps I, in a way... might kinda want this?' Fully aware that he was acting like a frightened schoolboy, Duncan reached out slowly, jerkily, and rested his hand on hers. 'Well... Let's talk things through later. Somewhere, uh... safer.' He didn't make a move to leave right away, instead taking a moment to marvel at the warmth of her hand.

---

It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that the last of them trickled back to the safehouse. Within seconds of entering the building, Kein was rendered unconscious and dragged into a side room by a determined looking Yoko; she flashed Ramses an uncharacteristic expression of savage triumph before locking the door tight behind them. The rest of the team worked to move the immobile Major into another room, removing his armour and chaining the man naked to the wall. It was harsh, but considering Wiggs' unnatural toughness, a necessary precaution. Once everyone was back and the worst of the work over, Duncan called the team together in the ops room. 'No speeches. You did well, even when shit went south.' He looked haggard, tired beyond his years although there was also a strange spring in his step. 'Just go to bed. We'll debrief tomorrow, 0930. But rest well; we leave Timber tomorrow night.' The news was sudden and a few of the support team muttered between themselves, perhaps disappointed by their lack of involvement. Your opinion doesn't matter, Duncan thought savagely. Two dead and three crippled SeeDs do.
'... Dismissed.'

[akirashadow]

Jake had been one of the last to return having created some interference for the support member to make it back alone. "Useless idiot... I should taken the bumbling fool with me." Jake muttered to himself after assisting with the transporting of the major, a tricky task considering he had two files pinned to his chest with 1 arm beneath his jacket. The small distance comprised mainly of apologies for his 'current state of fatigue', nowhere near the case. But he had his orders and this intel was property of Galbadia Garden and it was his job to find out if any of it was useful. Following the very brief follow up on what to expect next Jake reached across and swiftly struck a nearby cursing SeeD across the back of the head "Hey, you all had your roles to play. If you were left here it was for your own good understand?" The support SeeD nodded his head before proceeding to rub it. "Good, you tell your friends if I catch any of them complaining I'll put them through their paces." Silent acknowledging what Jake had said the support SeeD had scurried off to rejoin his friends.

Being able to drop the formal act Jake let out a heavy sigh as he proceeded to a quiet section of the compound. Not that anywhere was silent, but there were places that would less populated. Sitting down against the wall Jake brought his knees close to his chest as he took out the Galbadia Garden file and began to carefully scan over its contents. The SeeD occasionally raised his head to take a quick observation to check if anyone was getting to close before returning to his reading. There wasn't much from what he had read in the first few pages mainly rumours and speculation, such could be expected in an expendable office. But the hope still remained that they weren't all complete idiots, for those that know they're expendable could keep good secrets safe. Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps Jake folded the file shut, placing at his side before stating. "Go away SeeDling, if I wanted your thanks for protecting your sorry hide I'd seek it out." The support SeeD, looking rather frustrated didn't need to be told twice it seemed. "Well that was easy." Jake chuckled as he raised his head to look around before picking the file up once more. It was looking to be a long night of reading ahead for him.

[Ogo]

~Ramses Reinholdt~

They actually fucking did it.

Ramses really couldn’t get over it. He was sure that everything was going to go to shit, but they up and pulled through. The big guy couldn’t stop thinking about it. He was even left in the dust by the guy sent to retrieve him. Dude definitely didn’t seem like one to stop to smell the roses. Ah, oh well. Live and let live, Ramses ol’ boy.

He returned to an already celebrating base of operations. Of course, they were still alert, ready at any moment to rush out to support the main team if need be, but everyone seemed giddy. Hell, Ramses was right there with ‘em. He was more than happy to be dead wrong this time around. They did it. They actually fucking did it. Jeez…

The big man made his way to the impromptu armoury and removed the sweaty ‘Bad gear. He despised the thing. It barely fit. Barely. Sad thing was, Ramses wouldn’t be surprised if that was how they all felt. Oh well. Every second spent NOT wearing that abomination would be one that he would cherish. He took a quick shower and swapped into his normal gear. He returned the rifle, now equipped with only his revolver. He didn’t think he’d need it for anything but…

He sat in the makeshift barracks and checked the gun. He hit the latch with his thumb and slide out the cylinder. Empty. He reached into a pocket on his vest and pulled out a speedloader, ready to go. He slid it into the cylinder, gave it a slight twist, and let gravity do the work. Then he returned the loader to the pocket, closed the cylinder, and felt ready. He waited by the entrance to the base. He had done all of jackshit during the mission, but maybe he could help when they arrived.

---

It was late.

Or was it early?

Both, really.

Ramses had let out a yawn. Some of the team had returned, but the others were lagging behind. And damn did he feel tir-

The last groups found the base. Kein was one of the first in the building, and one of the first to disappear thanks to Ms. Ono. That look she shot him...well, alright ma’am. You win this one. Go do what you do, lovebirds. Ramses didn’t linger or pry. What happened behind closed doors…

Instead he went to assist with moving one of the biggest men he had ever seen. Was it even a man? It was like a brick house with feet. And it looked like it had just had a nuke dropped on it. Fuck…

And it was heavy. Really. Fucking. Heavy. How they even got the guy into the vehicle...well, it didn’t really matter. They had managed it. And now most of them looked like they were going to collapse at any minute. Ramses didn’t. So he tried to carry most of the weight. They carried him into an empty room and...well…

They stripped him. Nude as the day he left the womb. The dude really was a mess. Besides what he had obviously just received during the kidnapping, Wiggs was covered in some nasty scars. He’d rather not hear the tales behind them. Then they got the pleasure of chaining a nude, unconscious behemoth to a wall. He was dead weight. It wasn’t a walk in the park to keep the guy pinned against the wall, Ramses could swear by that. But they did it, alright. Ramses checked the chains after they were done. They were nice and tight, surely enough to hold a man.

But he worried. Would that REALLY be enough to hold back this monster if it started going? Dude was likely to rip the damn wall down and bludgeon them all half to death with dry wall. But, one makes do with what one’s dealt.

The Commander had called the team, even the supports like Ramses, to the Ops Room.

“No speeches. You did well, even when shit went south.”

And south it apparently went. Ramses saw the wounded. It was brutal. And then there were the deceased…

Fuck.

“Just go to bed. We’ll debrief tomorrow, 0930. But rest well; we leave Timber tomorrow night.”

Wait. What? They really were leaving? Well...it made sense. The ‘Badians were likely to be whipped up into a fury after their little stunt tonight. Getting out tomorrow might not be the easiest...but it sure wouldn’t get easier if they sat around with their thumbs up their asses. Tonight, a high-ranking Galbadian officer was just ripped out of his office. Many soldiers were gone, or so Ramses had gathered. A sweep of the town would be in order. And if any of the resistance groups decided to rise…

Ramses sighed. That’d be trouble. Timber was likely to become a nightmare if they stuck around much longer.

Another SeeD sighed. Some more muttered.

“... Dismissed.”

Well...the mission was still a success. Shit went down, shit got cleaned up. It’s what SeeD do. Though sometimes shit begets shit. Ramses could feel the beginnings of a headache. He needed a smoke.

He needed a drink.

Ramses headed back off to the ‘Barracks’, staying a bit clear of the main team SeeD popping a squat across the room, reading at some files. Dude told off another SeeD, one of the supports. Ramses frowned a bit. That one was a ‘Badian as well, or so he was lead to believe. They were something else. He didn’t know what to make of the Galbadian Garden Elites. In this case, they were allies but…

Could you really trust someone to betray their homeland?

Ramses shook away the thoughts. Doubt doesn’t help. Doubt only rots. The large man entered the barracks and crossed to his little slice of paradise. He went through his stuff, pulling out a paper bag. He reached inside and popped off the cap.

Bottoms up.

Ramses lifted the bag up, and let some of the honey-scented liquid flow into his mouth. He took a gulp, pulling the bagged-bottle away with a grimace. Good shit, that Whiskey, but man did it burn going down sometimes. He turned, heading back into the main room, booze in hand. He needed to relax a bit. And with that fucking monstrosity in the other room?

He’d need all the help he could get.

[SwordfishKnight]

Gracelyn sat down and took a shot of gin. She couldn't get over the fact that she handled a deceased person. She was no newbie to death. In fact she loved the pain, whether she was giving or receiving it. But the bodies she saw, the limp injured folks, it disturbed her. She watched Freya tumble like a ragdoll, her arms bending in ways they shouldn't have. It troubled her. She shook it off and took another shot. This probably wasn't good for her.

When they were traveling through the woods, Jericho remarked about the strongest members being taken down. She remembered her heartless words, talking about how if they were so strong, they shouldn't have been beaten down. She thought about her words all night, they were keeping her up.

Jericho and her had reached the base midway through the night. They took a few drinks, and then went to sleep. Or at least she think he did.

She couldn't sleep, opting instead to stare blankly outwards, thinking about the body she had carried. That girl might've had a family, someone that was waiting for her to come back. And now she never would, the only thing that would come is her mangled corpse. She shook the thoughts out of her head, and filled her glass again, taking another shot.

[Little_ninja]

The lone Moomba at the base, glared at all who approached. He was in a bad mood from being left behind, not that it could be helped this time. Some supports would be disgruntled by the Moomba taking a spot on the mission. A small cry came out of Rue's mouth, similar to that of a sigh. Hearing the car in the distance, he could tell Xerox was coming back. Getting up, he walked over to the door.

Greeted by his furry companion, Xerox hauled the massive heap of flesh known as Wiggs, with the help of other SeeDs. "Come on Rue. I know your annoyed, but I've gotta get the others out too. Like Syrus and Freya." Xerox looked down a little solemnly.

After hauling the dead and injured, Xerox set down to relax, and think about the day. I was right there, yet I couldn't do anything for Syrus. Damn it. Now there's only Eika, Kein and myself from Duncan's class. There were more of us who took that test. I wonder what will happen now He thought, while Rue left off some steam, complaining about being left behind. "I'm sorry already, alright? Not like I had the authority to bring you along this time." Xerox apologized. "I'll be sure you can come next time alright? Let's just relax now."

---

After the Jake, the last of the assault team, arrived, Duncan gave his speech. It was incredibly short. Most people moped and muttered in complaint. Before going ahead with a drink to end their days. Given the time, Rue was tired and went to sleep earlier than Xerox. Looking for Eika and Duncan, to have a small celebration for Eika's return and recovery, and take their mind off the mission, Xerox found the bald, well built, man who helped carry Wiggs, Ramsis was it? Not ever having spoken to him, Xerox was not actually sure of his name. It seemed he had just returned from outside, with a bottle of whiskey in hand.

"Yo." Xerox lifted his hand in greeting, not quite waving. He wanted to find Duncan and Eika, but since he couldn't find them, he decided to socialize a bit. I should see them around soon enough, unless they are doing what Kein and Ms. Ono are doing. Either way, he had nothing else to do. "Ah, whiskey. Good stuff, although it burns going down. How about a drink? Want to try some of this?" Xerox's hand that was lifted turned palm up. Dropping down from almost nothingness, into his hand, was a bottle of Whiskey. A famous brand of Whiskey, well known for it's kick and smoothness.

[Kissu]

Finally, the squadron of SeeD had returned, but not without sacrifice. In all honesty, Mei had expected bloodshed, (it was true that she was not as astute to detail as her brother but even she was aware of the Major's terrible power), but even she had not expected the outcome of the fight to be...this.

She was rendered at a loss for words when she first caught wind of Syrus's injuries. Not only had the SeeD apparently suffered critical damage during the fight, but the boy was likely to stay in an indefinite coma as a result. Once the diagnosis was made clear, Mei could feel her stomach drop, images of the boy dancing with her the night before. There was so much about him that she wanted to know, needed to know. And now...would she ever get the chance?

The life of the SeeD... The words echoed solemnly in her head as she hung her head low, watching the wounded and the dead arrive along with the group. This was their life, it was true. Their existence was always hanging in the balance, the thread about to be cut short at any moment. Tyler often teased her that she didn't really comprehend the life of a soldier, and he was probably right.

An array of emotions crossed her face as she watched on helplessly, but it wasn't until she caught the sight of her mangled brother that the girl immediately sprung to action. "Tyler!" She cried, bounding over to where her bloodied sibling was being laid to rest. "Oh god. He's not-?!"

"No, not dead. Although the kid should have known better," the SeeD sighed piteously at the unconscious male as he tended to his gushing wounds. "Got right into the thick of it when he should have left it to us. Wiggs was no joke, I can tell you that." He looked over at the distraught looking girl, his features softening slightly at her despair. "Look, compared to some of us, he got off lightly. He'll be feeling it for a while, but he's gonna be just fine."

"...Thank you." Mei's words were quiet and defeated as her hand rested over her brother's clammy forehead, a look of regret filling her eyes. "I...I need to speak with the others. Where are they?"

"Should be back in the operations room by now. I know Lerwick had some things to say."

"Right." After making a polite bow, Mei left the room, a grim expression forming on her face as she prepared for the encounter ahead.

"...Dismissed."

The gravelly sound of Duncan's voice echoed through the room as Mei slinked her way past the departing SeeDs, swollen eyes fixed on the former Instructor. "I heard about Syrus. And my brother." Her voice was choked as she struggled through her words, looking downcast as delicate fingers caressed the wood of one of the chair frames. "I...I can't believe this could happen." Tears began to well in her eyes before she brushed them away stubbornly with the back of her hand. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Duncan...wh-why did this happen?"

[Zarkun]

Jericho didn't join Gracelyn for her drink or Ramsis or anyone else. Instead, he opted to sneak past everyone to sit on the roof of the warehouse they were hiding under, laying back and watching the stars. He knew that the remaining garrison was already looking for the perpetrators of Wiggs kidnapping, but they'd gone to painful lengths to make sure they thought the group had fled Timber. We fucked up so bad. Two injured to the point of uselessness, Syrus ending up in a coma was the worst part. Then one dead...we did our homework, we had a good idea of what the guy could do. So why the hell did it go to shit? Maybe I should just get some sleep and quit dwelling on it. Not like I know any of 'em that well. Sighing, the SeeD pulled out his side arm and slid the clip out, pulling the gun apart and reassembling it to keep his thoughts off the results of the mission. It was done and that was that.

[Ogo]

~Ramses Reinholdt~

"Yo."

Ramses snapped out of his thoughts and looked over to the voice he had just heard.

Uhh…

Well.

Shit.

Had he met this guy before? Ramses couldn’t really place a name to the face. The glasses looked familiar. Alright, yeah, no. Ramses had no idea who the kid was. He hadn’t recalled seeing him around the base in the last few hours...so…

Was this guy apart of the main team?

He had to be. Probably.

"Ah, whiskey. Good stuff, although it burns going down. How about a drink? Want to try some of this?"

Want some of...some of what? There was nothing there. If the guy was propositioning him, well, A-for-effort, but Ramses didn’t swing th-

Wait...the hell?

Out of practically nowhere, a bottle appear. A whiskey bottle. And not just any whiskey...that seal? That bottle? This was some classy shit. Ramses laughed aloud. If this guy could just conjure up nice whiskey at a whim, they’d get along. Theirs would be a friendship built solely atop a mountain of empty bottles and cirrhosis.

“Ahaha, now this guy knows how to celebrate in style. Ya'll other fools could learn a thing or two. Well, I ain’t about to let it be said that Ramses Reinholdt ever turned down a drink. Now lemme get a swig of that before you change your mind.”

Ramses ended with a chuckle. He was only half-joking.

[Shiinen]

It...hadn't gone horribly? She'd actually managed something good out of her ballsy attempt? Eika could only smile as she heard the words of her Instructor once the kiss that she'd pushed upon him broke apart. The warmth of his hand was...calming, something to support that trained side of her personality that'd taken over for the time. With a soft intake of breath, and a relaxed exhale of the oxygen, she plopped herself right down and ventured so far as to rest her head upon his shoulder in order to attempt relaxing to the best of her capabilities. It had been a long day, hadn't it? At least, for them. For her...It'd been a harsh awakening that she needed to get out of in order to support them all better. Maybe, in time...

"That's fine with me. The timing may seem a bit ill...I just didn't want to go without...a chance of telling you at least. I'm sorry for the surprise."

He was right...They'd best wait for another place to speak of what hell she'd probably bought upon his mind. For the meantime...Resting seemed to be something nice, resting seemed to be something needed for them.

---

She hadn't slept through the rest of the night. With so much rest from the coma she'd had, Eika couldn't stay still at all, to be honest. So she'd walked in paced circles -- walked in certain patterns, to match the way that each person had gone in individually to fight Wiggs, as her Guardian Force showed her. One step at a time, until she had -- by herself -- recreated the entire fight from her body through hours of careful movement. It was just to examine it all, just to see how things had happened- ...Oh, there was a speech being heard. The girl had taken her place within the back of those listening in order to oversee what was going on as Duncan began to end it and promptly dismiss them. ...Then came the crying girl -- had she seen her somewhere before? Possibly...Didn't matter for now. She was in tears, so...someone she cared for must be hurt?

Why hadn't Eika reacted like that?

Why hadn't she cried it out? Instead, just falling off into a drowning slumber...The four orbs floating above her head twitched and shifted as eyes inside of them looked around the area. They didn't look for anything around this place -- they searched through her own thoughts as she stepped closer to the girl that was inquiring the result of the situation to their Instructor. ...How did one comfort another?...

Duncan had talked to her, hadn't he?...

But this wasn't the kind of situation that words could simply stop. ...Someone needed comfort, no? If not, that girl could react like she did at how things had turned out...

Eika had finally focused her eyes upon Mei's frame as she closed in. Words? Not enough. Hesitation? The girl wasn't known for that trait. What was her solution -- her approach?

A hug.

A hug that literally came from nowhere as Eika wrapped her arms around Mei's frame and bought her to hug as best she could -- an awkward moment, admittedly, from the fact that she didn't know what truly spurred on physical contact as a means of reassurance. Despite that all, she was speaking without realizing what she was speaking. Talking without letting thoughts come to try and figure out what she wanted to say -- something to try and help out both herself and for the Instructor that surely must be pained by the hurt and the fallen as well.

"There is a way of thinking that people have, correct?... If one should go down, go down fighting. In this case, as I was not there for the beginning of what happened, I cannot say what made things go as they did. But...despite that...If a person gives their life for the people they love, or to try and give their all for a better future against opposition that would hurt the innocents...Tears are fine to have for their fading...But why not thank those that passed away for the lives that they gave to us?"

She truly expected to get shoved away and yelled at for such actions, but...That was what Eika did best. Throw herself into the middle of things to try and help those that she cared about. And in this case? Yes, she was helping people that were the most important to her, even if they were not related by blood. A small, sad smile came to her lips as she tried to perk the girl up from her sadness.

Her family. She had to think of her "family", always.

[SwordfishKnight]

Gracelyn continued drinking. She was almost down a whole bottle, nearing the end of it. Though she wanted to rid her mind of the thoughts they still paced through her head. Jericho snuck by, and she didn't bother following him. Some others walked by, and were talking elsewhere. She didn't bother them either. Just her and her drinks.

The thoughts wandered still again to the mangled girl. She was still quite pissed about it, letting that innocent person die in such a meaningless way. She thought about it. If she had stood her ground, maybe Freya wouldn't be in the state that she was, all broken and battered. Her hand trembled and shook, letting a few drips spill. She quickly downed it, rolling the empty glass in her hand.

She got angry about it. Her hands shook in rage. Her eyes widened, and she silently crushed the glass.

After realizing what she had done, she sighed, gathering the glass into a pile, and looked at the cuts on her hand. Not too much blood, although there was still enough to be worried about. She took the last bit of gin and poured it on her hand, figuring it would fix it.

She pulled out another glass and cracked a new bottle, pouring another glass.

[Little_ninja]

“Ahaha, now this guy knows how to celebrate in style. Ya'll other fools could learn a thing or two. Well, I ain’t about to let it be said that Ramses Reinholdt ever turned down a drink. Now lemme get a swig of that before you change your mind.”

Ah... it was Ramses not Ramsis. Luckily I didn't call out his name. Xerox thought. "No need to rush, I'd rather have mine on the rocks. Why don't we sit over there?" He suggested, heading towards where Gracelyn was. The only area that had glasses in the first place. "Hey, I don't know why your so upset, but don't beat yourself up over it. Things could have been worse. Mind if I sit here? Xerox pulled a chair near Gracelyn, who had some glass scattered around her on the bench. He could see her hand, cut from the shattered glass, but did not say a word.

Grabbing two low ball glasses, Xerox scooped some ice into one and poured his whiskey into it. Looking over to Ramses, he asked, "Straight or would you like it on the rocks too?". Once he got a reply, he would pour the drink with or without ice into the second low ball glass and offer it to Ramses. "Would you like some of this whiskey?" He offered Gracelyn. If she wanted some, he would pour her some into another low ball glass.

Well, not much of a celebration party, but I got some people to drink with at the least. After a hard days work, some winding down is necessary. Xerox thought to himself. Looking around, the mood had not really lightened up yet. At this point, he wondered if there was anything he could do. With that he sighed.

[Lennon79]

As the assembled SeeDs slowly filtered from the room, Duncan felt a wave of weariness overtake him. He had lost teammates before, but never subordinates. The weight of their lives, both living and dead felt suddenly heavy on his shoulders... An unsteady voice broke the silence of the empty room, punctuated by halting sobs; the contact, Mei was it? Her brother had taken a hit during the fight, a pretty serious wound. Kein had assured him that Tyler would survive along with the other wounded, but without the support of a junctioned GF it would take time, months, perhaps years before he could fight again. He felt for the kid, but had no words of sympathy to offer his horrified sister. They all knew what they had signed up for...

'... Things didn't go well. Wiggs was more dangerous than we anticipated; he caught us off-guard. Your brother did well, but took a heavy hit... I...' Duncan sighed deeply, unsure of what words of support to offer; they team technically had a councillor, but Yoko had disappeared soon after Kein returned, damn her... Come to think of it, Kein himself had vanished too. It didn't take a genius to put two and two together, but he was still annoyed that her support was missing at such a vital juncture... He turned his gaze back to Mei, trying to lighten up his grim expression. 'Well, at least he's...' He trailed off at Eika entered the room, making a beeline straight for the sobbing girl. Well done girl, nice save! Duncan mentally high-fived Eika, glad to have someone more articulate to help calm the tears. 'Uh, b-but just to confirm, Tyler isn't dead. His injuries will heal, don't worry.' Watching Eika confuse the dead and wounded brought a melancholic smile to his lips and Duncan stifled a morbid laugh. 'Well... For the moment, just be grateful that he's safe. I plan to send him and the others off to Balamb Garden for medical care tomorrow. Speaking of which I've gotta head into the office, write that mission report... I'll see you both in the morning.' He gave them a smile each, awkwardly sympathetic to Mei and just plain awkward to Eika, before heading off into the bowels of the base.

Despite what he said, Duncan passed by the designated CO's office, continuing down the hall to the holding cell where two heavily armed SeeDs stood guard. Giving them a grim nod, Duncan led the way into the cell, breaking open a special case lifted from the Galbadian base. The Major was awake, strung up helplessly against the wall. With his implants fried, his bulk was nothing but dead weight; the only useful part of him left was the information in Wigg's head. Robbed of his weapons and purpose, he looked oddly diminished... and frightened. 'Well then Mr Wiggs- can I call you Arnholt? You and I need to have a little chat...' Duncan drew a pair of pliers from the case as the soundproofed door swung shut behind them.

---

The sun was just starting it's ascent into the sky when Duncan stepped out from the base's camouflaged entrance. Hopefully the rest of the team had gotten a few hours sleep, God knew they deserved it. Sitting down on a pile of discarded tires, he sparked up a morning cigarette. He had gotten some useful information from working overnight, pouring over the various... assets taken from the base, enough to plan the next stage of the operation. First step would be escaping the city, no easy feat since the garrison had put it on lockdown... Well, he thought practically. First step is getting casualties home. What worried Duncan was that he feared he might have to cut his active team right down or risk being noticed as they moved toward... He shook his head violently, trying to dispel his thoughts. The plan could come later. For now, the team could have a few hours to relax...

[SwordfishKnight]

Gracelyn looked at the boy, Xerox, offering her a drink. He was trying to be nice, but she wasn't quite in the mood for any kind of social talk. She looked at him and shook her head.

"Thanks, but no thank you. I have my own right here."

She pulled out a bottle of whiskey from her secret stash, and popped the top of the bottle. She poured it into her glass and took the first sip, letting it run down her throat. It felt good going down, washing away the bad thoughts from her mind. She felt slightly buzzed from the first bottle she drank, and was on her second one already. She felt more sociable now. Shoving the glass off the counter onto the floor near her legs, she turned to Xerox.

"I guess this isn't much of a celebration, since there's only three of us here."

[Ogo]

~Ramses Reinholdt~

"No need to rush, I'd rather have mine on the rocks. Why don't we sit over there?"

Ramses looked over to where the guy had pointed out. The area didn’t seem that mu-

Oh. Helloooooo Nurse.

A bald beauty was all alone wi- WHOA WHOA WHOA WAIT. The girl crushed a glass in her hand. Then, without so much as a yelp, went about pouring her alcohol onto her wounds and gathering up the glass. Then she cracked open another bother. Geez...talk about a woman after his own heart. Good to see she had her priorities in check.

"Hey, I don't know why your so upset, but don't beat yourself up over it. Things could have been worse. Mind if I sit here?

Ah, she must have been another of the main team. Poor chick. It didn’t seem like she was taking things too well. Or maybe she was? Honestly, Ramses couldn’t quite get a bead on her. The booze conjurer didn’t seem to wait for a reply, he just moved into her bubble and pulled out some glasses, not saying a word about her obvious vandalism. Looks like he had his priorities settled as well. Good people, the lot o’ ‘em.

"Straight or would you like it on the rocks too?".

“Give it to me straight, doc, how long I got?”

Ramses took his drink and looked down at it with a soft smile. Victory, should it have a taste, would be akin to free booze, he felt. They were both so fulfilling.

"Would you like some of this whiskey?"

"Thanks, but no thank you. I have my own right here."

Ramses was impressed. Did everyone on this goddamn team have a drinking problem so bad as to warrant carrying their own secret stash? Well...shoot. He had found his people.

"I guess this isn't much of a celebration, since there's only three of us here."

Wow...both of them seemed so down. Everyone did, really. Ramses frowned. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. They had did it. They had made it. They fuckin’ survived. For a brief moment, he felt anger swirl inside him, but it passed as quickly as it arrived.

“Hey, three’s company. Ain’t no reason why we can’t celebrate a little. You guys fuckin’ won out there. You went in, kicked some ass, took some names, and came home. Not all of you, but if that ain’t more reason to celebrate, then I don’t know what is.”

Ramses held his glass up.

“You fuckin’ owe it to those that didn’t come back to keep on livin’. Because mopin’ around ain’t gonna fix a damn thing.”

Well...he might be getting a bit harsh, after all it just happened and grief was good but…

“So let’s live, people. Let’s live enough for those that can’t. Show ‘em that they didn’t go out in vain. We’re fuckin’ SeeD.

Alright, so Ramses was a bit of a lightweight. After the few drinks he had before meeting these two, he was already a bit loose. Oh to hell with it. Live, fuckers.

Live.

[Little_ninja]

“Give it to me straight, doc, how long I got?”

Xerox laughed lightheartedly to Ramses's words words.

"Thanks, but no thank you. I have my own right here."

Was the reply Xerox got from Gracelyn. As his mind wondered off momentarily, Gracelyn spoke up, "I guess this isn't much of a celebration, since there's only three of us here."

He was silent. However, Ramses spoke up.
“Hey, three’s company. Ain’t no reason why we can’t celebrate a little. You guys fuckin’ won out there. You went in, kicked some ass, took some names, and came home. Not all of you, but if that ain’t more reason to celebrate, then I don’t know what is.”
Ramses held up his glass. Xerox smiled a little, raising his own to Ramses's glass.
“You fuckin’ owe it to those that didn’t come back to keep on livin’. Because mopin’ around ain’t gonna fix a damn thing. So let’s live, people. Let’s live enough for those that can’t. Show ‘em that they didn’t go out in vain. We’re fuckin’ SeeD.

Ouch, a little harsh don't you think. But nonetheless, he is quite correct. Xerox thought, taking the drink. For a while after that, they kept drinking and talking.

---

Waking up to a numbing headache, Xerox lifted his hand to his temple. Agh... what happened last night? He could not recall last not properly. Xerox had only ever gotten drunk once before this time. Normally, when he drinks, he does so responsibly, although he can drink quite a bit. The sun had started to ascend, Xerox was sleeping with Rue, as he normally would. They seemed to have found a separate area to sleep in. Heading to the toilet to wash his face to wake him up a bit, he saw people, still asleep, ... who he didn't recall being on part of the mission. Were there other people that I didn't see?

Shaking his head, he took off his glasses and proceeded to wash his face. Looking at his lab-coat sleeves, he pondered Were these always this long?. Rolling up the sleeves, he washed his face. As he started to dry his face, he looked into the mirror. At first he just blinked. Then he rubbed his eyes. Taking a good look in the mirror.

"WWWWHHHHHHAAAATTTTT TTTTTHHHHEEEE FFFFUUUCCCKKK!!!!????" came out a voice more high pitched than his own. "Wait, what's with my voice!? What he had saw in the mirror was.... a female version of himself.


If anyone was still asleep, they were most likely awake now. Xerox patted his body down. His chest had swollen, and his lower region was missing. Putting his hand to his forehead, he sighed, "I'm actually a girl now." He was shocked, but started to calm down. Xerox started to recall last night.

---

Someone was asking something about the opposite sex and said something like they just don't understand them. Xerox can't seem to recall who said it. But from that, Xerox decided to make something, while in his drunken state. The result of it, was a gun that changed a person's gender. With it, he tested it on numerous people. That's right, first was Ramses and Gracelyn. Followed by about half of the team. Duncan, Mei and Jericho also got caught up in the testing. Eventually, someone got their hands on it and it was fired at Xerox. A whole bunch of screams and laughter and other things happened, before people ended up falling asleep.

---

Putting his/her hand into his/her ESS, Xerox rummaged through his/her stuff, to pull out the gun that changed a person's gender. It was more sophisticated then some of his/her other works. Scanning the insides he/she wanted to see what the settings for the effects were. Were they permanent? Would they work on someone only once? After a while, he/she found out, it could not reverse the effects, however, the effects were temporary. Phew he/she felt relieved. They should last somewhere between 24 and 36 hours.

Rolling up his/her lab-coat sleeves, Xerox decided to see if he/she could determine who was who. Walking around, he/she found a bald woman. Judging from the fact that only Gracelyn and Ramses were bald, as Xerox could recall, it was likely that this was Ramses.


With a scythe lying around, he/she found the woman whom Xerox presumed to be Jericho.


There was a guy near the wounded Syrus and Taylor. The only person I can think of close to those two would be ... Mei ... Could it be?


Continuing on, Xerox decided to head back to his/her ... safer area. While on his way back, he/she noticed someone smoking outside near the entrance. Could that be Duncan? he/she wondered.

[SwordfishKnight]

The night was one to behold. Things had happened, and less than pure things may have ocurred. Gracelyn woke up and felt her neck. On it was a big red bump, nice and bright. That couldn't have possibly been something from last night. It was just a bump. Yeah, a bump. Nothing more. She looked up and stared into a mirror. One look. Two looks. Three looks. One last look. She slowly unhooked the sickle from the chain. Her face morphed into a blank stare, and she walked slowly towards Xerox.

Xerox dear. Did you happen to invent some stupid shit that may have had bad effects? Is that a possibility? Because if so, This little chain here would love to hoist you up by whatever it can. And see this empty whiskey bottle here? It's been itching to be swung. However, i'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Did you cause something like this? Cause if so, I WILL FUCKING STRANGLE YOU!

[akirashadow]

Jake had spent the best part of the night awake reading. When he wasn't doing that, he was mentally preparing the report he'd give when he returned to Galbadia Garden. Trying to keep himself to himself and not stir un-needed attention, as the night progressed he moved around the base avoiding the possibility of being cornered by other members of the team and to avoid them getting too close a glance of what he was up to. Most of what he'd read was either completely useless or just barely useful some mentions were made of certain 'plans' and it appeared that the 7691 reports contained not only reports he had made to the army, but records of his movements throughout Timber.

Then there was the commotion within the base. Jake had managed to keep himself far enough away from the main body of the team that most of the occurrence to him was just noise. "What the hell are they doing now?" The SeeD had found himself asking at the time, though his curiosity of the situation would just lead to him having to hide better after spotting some of the partial aftermath. Although it was good to see that people were not so heavily focused on what had happened earlier that day the solution that one of them had concocted was far from what Jake would consider a sane choice. However sane choices was not something people were renowned for whilst under the influence of booze, he thanked his graces that he was anti-social enough to avoid becoming one of its victims. Having said that he had only narrowly escaped the gender changing lunatic, managing to give them the slip with the upper-hand of being sober. There were... sacrifices made on his escape route, a few unlucky support SeeD's who were bound to be a part of opposite crew by now. Once it had died down and SeeD's began to pass into the world of nod Jake used the opportunity to stash the files back away with his belongings before opting to keep watch over the base.

Come morning the mercenary stifled a yawn as he decided to examine the true extent of what had unfolded during the late hours of night and early morning. He could recognise a few faces, most of which purely due to the fact that they had miraculously also avoided this 'experiment'. A small smirk grew on his face as he looked over the main team from the day before, most of whom were now members of the opposite gender. "Well now, this is a sight to behold." Jake managed to prevent himself from chuckling before he continued. "I suppose on the bright side, none of you will match your own descriptions of who the army will be searching for." Jake had been watching the room carefully, he had no idea where this tool was and didn't quiet fancy having it turned on him if any of them remembered where it had been stashed. Then there was an outburst by one of the team members at Xerox(?) these new appearances were going to take some getting used to it would seem. In fairness the SeeD in question had every right to be in current state of anger that had been displayed. "Well I can't say I witnessed everything that you got up to last night, but I can guess if he did cause it that his current appearance clearly displays that he didn't finish it."

[Little_ninja]

Hearing slow pacing footsteps, Xerox turned to see a man holding sickles.

Gracelyn

Except bald

Slowly taking steps backwards, Xerox retreated from her/him.

Xerox dear. Did you happen to invent some stupid shit that may have had bad effects? Is that a possibility? Because if so, This little chain here would love to hoist you up by whatever it can. And see this empty whiskey bottle here? It's been itching to be swung. However, i'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Did you cause something like this? Cause if so, I WILL FUCKING STRANGLE YOU!

"Uh...." He/she wasn't sure how to reply. "Its ... only temporary... Xerox ended up replying, taking more steps back.

Then it seemed Jake came up, assessing the situation, and making a comment.
"Well I can't say I witnessed everything that you got up to last night, but I can guess if he did cause it that his current appearance clearly displays that he didn't finish it."
"Not very helpful you know. If you don't want to turn into a woman, I recommend you help me." Xerox stated. He could easily get the gun to shoot Jake with later, if need be.

"Anyway, please calm down Gracelyn. It's only temporary. I mean, look at Duncan" Xerox pointed over at Duncan, who had turned into a girl. "Look, he has no qualms of being a girl right now. He even interrogated Wiggs like that."

Just within earshot, Duncan, who had yet to realise he had turned into a girl, looked at his body. "What ... did you do ... Xerox?"

"It's only temporary!!!!" Xerox cried out, making a run for it.

[Aerandir]

"There you are! what do you think you are doing?!"

Hector groaned and rubbed his eyes. He looked to his left and saw Selena with her hands on her hips shaking her head. "Didn't you sleep all the way back from Trabia?" He shrugged and looked down at his chest to see Shaddow curled up on it still looking up at him. Then they both looked at Selena.

"Yeah, Just waiting though for the head master to get back. Must of dosed off." He said as he swung his legs off the couch and Shaddow slid down his chest into his lap. Glancing up at Hector with a look, "What the heck? I was comfortable!" Hector smirked and rubbed shaddow's head who then jumped off his lap and moved over to Selena who bent down to scratch his chin.

"What are you doing here?" Hector asked, as he looked around the waiting room to the headmasters office, the secretary typing away on her computer. He glanced at his watch as she answered.

"Well to give my report... like we are supposed to do after a mission remember? I know that you hate to give reports and wait till the last second to do so, but other people...."She places a hand on her chest." Like to get it done as soon as possible." She then stood up and smiled. "Even though I was planning on it, I was called up to talk with the headmaster... What are you doing here? I know it's not to give the report, since I was in charge this time."

He got up and answered, "Before I even had a chance to unpack I got called up here as well. Apparently the Headmaster wanted to talk to me too." As he said that the doors opened and another SeeD walked out of the room with the headmaster following. Once he saw Hector he motioned for him to come in. The headmaster then motioned Selena to come in as well.

Once inside the doors swung shut. Not before shaddow slipped through and sat down just next to Hector.

"Sorry to call you two in before you had a chance to relax. But I was hoping you would be back earlier. But it would seem that the Trabia Exam took a little longer than expected. But I need you two to go help a team that I sent to Timber. Sorry for no rest but we are running thin lately."

"When do we leave?" Hector asked. Still at attention.

"Right now." He handed Hector a file, "Here was their orders and their authorized comm frequency. There is no other way of contacting them. If they are not in timber they are at their second Objective. You will Catch up with them, Provide support for Duncan in any way possible."

"Yes Sir!" they both said as The headmaster nodded and said, "Dismissed. Good luck,"

With that they turned and left, and made their way to Balamb village to take the train.

---------

-Current morning-

Hector stood on the edge of the train platform looking over timber, with Selena on his right and Shaddow sitting on his shoulder, his tail wrapped around his neck. A discreet comm was in his and Selena's ear, they then began to try to connect with Duncan's Team. Though it looked as though they were speaking to each other.

"Come in Duncan team, This is Support team Bravo. What's your Twenty?"

It was a long shot, but it was all they could do at the moment to meet up with them. It was required to have comms open incase of emergency, though communication was limited due to the jamming which effected any long wave Radio signals. A phenomena which occurred twenty years before yet no one has figured out yet. But Short wave does still work.