The Crimson Flower & The War Ahead

(TIME-LINE) - December the 10th / 8:52pm

*Lenn* "Okay, officially confused. What is going on here? How long have you been gone and they must have been lost without your advising expertise."

"It has been awhile. Everything looks exactly the way it was before I left."

*Fairly tall man with limp* "All of you must be tired from your trip! Please come this way and I'll show you to the personal dormitories."

*Lenn* "Thank you!"

"This is Lenn and Kai, both close companions and for the cause. We had more, but had to part for the mean time."

*Fairly tall man with limp* "Where are my manners, please forgive..."

"Lenn, Kai, this is the Garden's infirmary Dr. and student counselor, Dr. Rasmus."

*Dr. Rasmus* "I was going to share that!"

*Both Lenn and Kai bow with their heads in respect*

*Kai* "This place is just too amazing! I can't believe how huge it is."

"We'll have more time tomorrow for a tour of the Garden. Right now we must get things settled and rest up. We still have a long journey forward."

*The Dr. guided us though the crowd of students in uniforms*

*Dr. Rasmus* "Come on! All of you get to your dorms or remove yourselves from this location! All acting like you've never seen or heard of him! Move out now!"

*Everyone scrambled as soon as they heard the shout from the Dr. They all made their way in multiple directions away from us. All that past us made a very polite bow, or wave to us. Kai would act if he was one of them and use the same salute towards the other students. We walked past steps, doors, offices, classrooms, and inner-Garden shops for the students*

*Dr. Rasmus* "Here we are, these are reserved dorm rooms for special guests. We hope that it is to your liking!"

*Lenn* "It's so spacious, I feel bad for the other people."

*Dr. Rasmus* "No problem what's so ever. We are more than comfortable as we are. Now please, take your time and be sure to get a bite to eat. The kitchen is open until at least midnight. You know how the stomach can play tricks on you, so we extended the time for the cook. He has been here forever so he will not mind it at all to cook almost anything for you. He has a dish that is just to go back for thirds!"

*Kai* "I am a bit famished."

*Dr. Rasmus* "Well by all means, please. Miss Harmony!"

*A young girl in a skirt version of the uniforms walked up to us and bowed towards the Dr.*

*Harmony* "Yes Dr. Rasmus?"

*Dr. Rasmus* "Please if you wouldn't mind, guide this young man to the Garden's cafeteria. Are you hungry miss?"

*Lenn* "A little, but I would like to settle in before hand."

*Dr. Rasmus* "Of course, and if you both can not wait until the next day, you may walk around for a bit. We are forever kind and respect those with curious minds here in the Garden. Please do take note that there are some restricted areas here and that there is a curfew."

*Lenn* "I shall respect that curfew."

*A nod from the Dr. and he watched as Kai took off with the student girl named Harmony and then turned his attention back to Lenn just entering her room and closing the door behind her. He finally turned to face me and laughed with a chuckle*

*Dr. Rasmus* "You must want to see him, am I right?"

"The thought had crossed my mind."

*Before I knew it, Dr. Rasmus came up to pick me up. My feet came off the ground. He had a bear hug that could almost kill*

"How is it that you have a damn limp and can still pick up things with ease?"

*Dr. Rasmus* "Oh this leg isn't that bad! Come, I will take you to see him."

*Dr. Rasmus and I walked back to where the stairs were located. At the top of the stairs there was an elevator. This elevator would take you to the upper class rooms, other dormitories, and the gym. More importantly, this was the way to get to the Headmaster's office. In the elevator as it was acceding upwards, you could see through the thick glass. Admiring the view of the large open lobby and some students walking around the floors. The elevator stopped and let us off at the very top. A short hallway with a laid out red carpet leading to a large double door welcomed us. Walking along the carpet to the door, it opens automatically. An over-sized office within and a man in an all red and blue uniform stood waiting*

*Man in red and blue uniform* "Welcome back!"

*I bowed and saluted to the man*

*Man in red and blue uniform* "Hahh, I thought it was the other way around, after all you saved me many years ago."

"Issac, you've grown."

*Issac* "Nah, just gotten stronger. Please come sit and tell me of your adventures!"

[the dorm rooms for the special guests were so open and had more than you could ever want. i thought to myself that if my room looked like this, what the hell does the student dorm rooms look like? i placed my katana and guns upon the queen-sized bed and walked into the bathroom. the bathroom was bigger than it needed to be! i still couldn't believe that this place existed. even if it did existed, i only imagined it being just a regular school-like facility. i had miscalculated it's size incredibly]

"i'm pretty sure that i won't need my weapons here. i need to see if anyone can teach me how to work with this damn gun madame Leslie handed me. if not, than i'll just have to make do."

[taking off the dark-brown jacket and hanging it on the hook behind the door. opening the large closet to find extra uniforms for the guests]

"i can see that this place welcomes you with open arms. this is simply awesome to be here. there is still enough time to walk around. i can't wait for tomorrow to explore. i know that i prolly won't be able to check out most of the place, but i don't care. let's see just how far i can get before the curfew."

[i figured that if i can start now and then meet up with Kai or Dokuno, i'll be good. shoot, i hope they have a map around here. this is the question that will follow me for the rest of the night. walking out into the some-what wide hallway of the dormitories and trying to find a student that could assist me. not a single person, where is everyone? guess it's getting late.finding way to the front lobby and that is all i could really remember. that's right, i was already lost]

[voice from behind] "excuse me miss? can i help you?"

[a very cute boy walked up and greeted me with a polite handshake and a bow]

"yes, i am terribly lost and trying to find my way around to explore this enormous beauty of a garden."

[very cute boy] "i can guide you if you'd like, my name is Conner, Miles Conner, but you can call me Trigger."

"Trigger?"

[Trigger] "that's right."

"i'm a little afraid to ask."

[Trigger] "don't worry, you'll find out if you stick around for a bit. you must be the girl that came in with the legend."

"legend? you mean Dokuno?"

[Trigger] "the great Dokuno Okami!"

"he just seems normal and nice to me. sure he has shown some phenomenal things since i've been with him, but..."

[Trigger] "that just means you must have not seen his greatest abilities yet. still what an honor to meet a companion of his to fight along side him. you said that you'd like to explore the garden?"

"yes please."

[Trigger] "i'm pretty sure that we won't be able to cover most of the place, so i'll try my best before the curfew."

"when is the curfew anyways?"

[Trigger] "it's at 11:30pm. now unless you're getting that last midnight snack, you better be in the dorms or they'll escort you back to the dorms. i think you may have special privileges as a guest though, but as for me, it's another thing. so you have me until then."

"okay, thanks. lets get moving then."

(After many hours of arguing, shooting, and yelling the portly man, who was identified as Dr. Grovitch, had allowed Nessa to be admitted into the hospital. Nessa had been toted carefully into the Intensive Care Unit by Ted's guards, but were promptly sent out under Leslie's command.)

(In the waiting room, Ted would make his way over to Leslie holding two steaming cups of coffee. One cup contained two sugars and non dairy, the other four sugar with dairy. Ted offered the non dairy cup to Leslie, but the other was quickly snatched out of his hand. Leslie smiled as he took a small sip from the cup, placed it on the small table next to him, and sighed with his head in his hands and legs closed at the knee)

(Ted while sipping coffee)- "...What's eating you?..."

(Leslie)- "......"

(Ted puts his cup down and slowly reaches down to touch Leslie's left boot. He is quickly met, surprisingly, with a gun pointed at his chin. Leslie glares and Ted scowls)- "...Why can't I touch the boots?....And..When are you going to tell me what happened?...I have a right to know.."

(Leslie continues holding the gun at Ted's chin and uses it to guide him back into an upright position)- "I told you I don't want to talk about it...Is it too much to ask for you to just let things be?"

(Ted stares at the gun, then Leslie)- "..Well are you at least gonna tell me about the boots?..."

(Leslie stares at Ted, then holsters the gun with a sigh)- "Ghloria bought them for me..."

(Ted leans forward and cocks his head to the side)- "....And?....That can't be all.... What about the blood?"

(Leslie reaches for the coffee, takes a long sip, then places the cup back on the table. He fidgets with the rim of his skirt, then stands up abruptly)- "..I'm going outside for a cigarette...."

(Ted stands up as Leslie walks away)- "Leslie...Le....Aggh.."

(Ted stares at the two unfinished cups for a moment, grabs his coat, and runs out towards the front double doors. Outside, Leslie had already lit up a cigarette and would be found leaning against the wall with half folded arms. Ted walked over to him, placed his jacket over Leslie's shoulders, and stood there looking out unto the sidewalk where pedestrians would break his gaze. Ted spoke without blinking)- "..Now it's my turn...*Leslie looked at him with a raised brow*...I deserve some answers..What happened out where you were?....And don't beat around the bush either.."

(Leslie's gaze turned to his cigarette. He takes a long draw and holds in the smoke)- "Alright....*exhales*...Fine....After you left we took my carriage to the Gardens of Beauty...on the way I lost......one of my most prized stallions......*pauses *...We went through the gardens and our will was tested..um......Ran into Sickle-Yai...."

(Ted interrupts)- "Whoa wait...You actually survived the Sickle-Yai????...How?..No one has made it that far and come out alive...Yo"

(Leslie puts his hand up)- "Let me finish before you begin worshiping me...*sigh* Anyway....After that we headed to Lis'tarii and slept in the Jhakiy-Aquoa.."

(Ted thinks while making a confused face and Leslie taps his ash on the ground)- "Once we left the Aqu..."

(Ted)- "What happened while you were actually there?"

(They both lock gaze to each other, the air around them grew colder, and Ted began to shiver while Leslie remained unphased. Leslie was about to share a few choice words until he felt a vibration on his chest. Ted reached over to find the source, but was promptly met with a hard slap to the hand)

(Ted grimacing)- "Dammit....ow..Wha..."

(Leslie reaches into his shirt, pulls out his cell phone and stares at the strange number on the display. He flips it open)- "Hello?.....*mild static on the other side and a garbled word satellite is said*.....Sat..li......Oh satellite!."

(He pulls up his antenna, pulls off the ring on his middle finger, and places it in a slot on the back of the phone which causes a white beam to be sent into the sky. The voice on the other end became crystal clear and Leslie tries to communicate once more)- "Hello?"

(Voice)- "Leslie?...Oh thank Tora!...It's me Ghloria....You guys out at Hilifax right?.."

(Leslie scrunching his brow as he takes a draw on the dwindling cigarette)- "Hi Ghloria...and yes we are...why?"

(Ghloria chats with someone in the background, then returns to then phone)- "Alright..uh sorry....That hunky Mr. Okami gave me something to give to you..."

(Leslie starts to pace away from Ted who ends up walking beside him)- "Oh really...And what is it?"

(Leslie sees Ted next to him and holds out a palm to lightly push him away)- "This is business Ted...just wait for me.."

(Ghloria started chatting once more to someone in the background, then starts speaking with her mouth full)- "I dunno...I didn't really ask...I was sorta hypnotized by his...*she starts to drool on the other end of the phone*"

(Leslie stops pacing and furrows his brow)- "Ghloria..............Ghlooooriaaaa.........GHLORIA!"

(Ghloria scrambles on the end of the phone and speaks nervously) - "Hmm..Heh sorry.. Yea so I gotta get this to you...How do I get to Halifax?...I'm kinda stranded at this diner. The mine tunnel only goes so far."

(Leslie places the phone on his left shoulder while he motions for Ted to give him another cigarette. Ted places the cigarette in Leslie's mouth and lights it while cupping the flame with his hand. Leslie takes a draw, exhales and rolls his eyes before placing the phone back into his hand)- "It's Hilifax love...and where..*inhales*....If you aren't too far...I may have Ted pick you up.."

(Ted stands upright and cocks his head)- "Wait...Wha..."

(Leslie glares sternly, and Ted throws a tantrum and walks off. Leslie lets out a big sigh and Ghloria continues on)- "I'm stuck on the border of...*talks to what is now known as a waitress*...Ok I'm on the border of Quintance. I haven't been to Hilifax before.....So...I'm hoping you can guide me there...."


(Leslie adjusts the coat that Ted put on his shoulders earlier and thinks)- "....I'll have Ted pick you up...he knows how to get there and back...I'll also send a guard along just incase....Oh....and Ghloria?...Bring me and Ted some food...I"m starving.."

(Ghloria laughs on the other end and calls out to the waitress)- "Alright Leslie sounds like a plan...I'll make sure to bring you something light...What's Ted want...?

(Leslie scoffs slightly)- "Hmph...shit I don't even know....he stormed off when I said he was picking you up....Bring him anything.....And...*he places the phone on his shoulder and looks at his watch*...Uh ..hmm..He should be there in an hour to pick you up...See you when you get here"

(Ghloria chuckles)- "Alright love..Bye"

(Leslie hangs up the phone and places it back into his shirt. Ted came from around the corner and shuffled his way to Leslie)- "Why'd you say I'd pick her up?!...You know I can't be in the same car with her!"

(Leslie looks around, behind him, then on the left and right sides of Ted)- "Who the hell are you talking to like that?!..And i don't give a damn if she has a thing for you.....Plus you know I can't drive in heels...*motions with his hand*..Now..go and pick her up. I'll be inside.."

(Ted looks at the ground and stomps his foot angrily before walking off towards the parking lot. Leslie motioned for one of the guards to go with Ted, gives a nod, then heads inside through the double doors.)

(Ted reached the van and fumbled with the keys before the guard came up from behind and opened the door with ease. He looked at the guard slightly puzzled)- "Why are you going??"

(Guard)- "Leslie's orders...I am to drive you to your destination and I am instructed to keep Ghloria at bay.....She knows me.."

(Ted looked puzzled at the last part for a moment, then walks to the other side and sits in the passenger seat. The guard took his position at the wheel and turned to look at his passenger)- "Buckle up Sir.....and enjoy the ride..."

*Issac* "So you've been through quite a bit since the last time we talked. You found the keys then right?"

"I have."

*Issac* "Only you could find such items. You know how many souls on the planet and the next have wasted their lives on finding them?"

*Dr. Rasmus* "I honestly didn't think they were really still on this planet."

*Issac* "Dokuno, I am happy to see you again. I am please to see that you have came in a time that we all need you."

"You don't need me. You've done a fine job since I left by the looks of this place."

*Issac* "Still, you were the one to bring us to this moment. I ask of you and your companions if they will, to aid us in this critical time."

"Issac, what's happened?"

*Issac and I go back a ways in our past. Since I met this man, never did he once show fear like I just saw in his eyes at that moment*

*Issac* "The Xias have pin-pointed every one of our locations. We no longer can hide, at least from them."

*Dr. Rasmus* "Which can only mean one thing."

"You have a spy in this Garden."

*Issac* "Precisely. Dr. Issac, the other teachers and staff, along with I have tried to sniff out this spy, but no luck."

".................................."

*Issac* "Will you help us Dokuno?"

"Issac, I'm not a soldier anymore."

*Issac* "You were and still are a family member of this Garden. You could walk out of here whenever you'd like, but since you're still sitting there, I can tell that deep down you still want to fight."

"I have my own mission right now. I'm a peacekeeper for this dying planet."

*Dr. Rasmus* "But in the guidelines, A Zodiac and the last of it's kind are always there to protect, am I right?"

*I had my reasons as I sat there next to Dr. Rasmus. Both of them were more than capable of defending this Garden. I made an oath to protect those around me, but more importantly, to this Garden.*

"We have to keep this confidential, even from the staff. If the spy were to know that we are on to them, they will to take off before we knew it."

*Issac* "So you will help us?"

*My silent nod was my answer. Both knew that they had me on their side now. The Garden was going to be at war with the Xias. Even after we were to find the spy, The Garden was going to be at their limits*

*Issac* "Please, get some rest. We'll talk much more the next day."

*The sound of the double doors opening from behind. A young girl in a almost silk-style version of the uniforms walked in. Her uniform had a mark on the skirt of it. It was a black dragon wrapping around a blue wolf. I stood up to see the full view of her face, but before I had the chance, she had taken her right hand and swung it into my face. The cold, hard slap of her hand came across the left side of my face. Both Issac and Dr. Rasmus stood straight up with a bit of shock.*

*Upset girl* "You, I can't believe you came back!"

*The upset girl came in closer and buried her face in my chest with tears. Her left and right hand balled up into fists and pounded into the upper part of my chest*

*Issac* "Dokuno, you obliviously remember Kagome right?"

*Kagome* "You left... you left without saying anything. Why? Why did you leave the Garden without saying such as a word to me? Don't you dare tell me that you were trying to protect me. That it was for the best! Damn you! I needed you and you weren't around!"

*Her head still deep into my chest. My right hand placed upon her back, then through her long, maroon-colored hair. A smile escaped me for a brief moment. Kagome was just this little girl at the age of 14 when we first met. Her mother and father had abandoned her because of her curse. Friends and towns considered her as a castaway. The Crimson Garden did not judge and did not disrespect. The day I brought her here, most the students were scared of her, but soon accepted her. Kagome was a Vial-coup, half elf, half vampire. A very rare bloodline. Most think of it as a generic mutation, while others thought of it as a curse for the sins you have committed. I tried with all my heart to let her know that it was not a curse, but a gift of life. She does not to this day how she became what she is. All I can share is that her father tried to kill her in her sleep one night. I happened to walk by the small cottage as he was getting his gun from the barn. I would not allow it, so I took her in. The rest is history*

"I am sorry Kagome. Please forgive me. I needed to leave and find a way to bring peace to this planet after knowing that is was severely corrupted."

*Kagome* "Why didn't you use the Garden? Why didn't you ask me?"

"This Garden is one of the few to aid the lost children. It is under the most high secrets of this world. Now it is threatened by those that I have punished. It's deeper though. Now we have a spy, someone that has been relaying some kind of message to the Xias."

*Kagome* "..........sobs.........."

"Dr. Rasmus, please take Kogome to her quarters. Kagome, we'll have much more to talk about tomorrow."

*Dr. Rasmus walked Kagome out of the office. Issac walked around the large, oval table and made his way towards me*

*Issac* "I can see that this will be a grand opportunity to witness your legendary skills."

"Issac, I'm not a legend, my abilities and skills are not legendary."

*Issac* "Modest as ever!"

"We still have that satellite communication station?"

*Issac* "Yes and it's been upgraded immensely since you left. It has been modded and guaranteed to reach even other planets with a single static. Interference and interception is impossible too!"

"Guess we can check off the satellite way for the spy to get info out. I need to use it to contact someone. A companion of mine that I had met on my journey. They have great connections and may be able to assist us against the Xias."

*Issac* "Dokuno, you've never really been able to work with most. Are you sure that they aren't working for them. Alot of Xias out there."

"Believe me, this person hates the Xias more than anything in this world and the next."

*Rising up out the seat and walking out of the office, into the elevator. The panel of the elevator had a secret scanner for your hand. After it scanned my left hand, the panel showed a picture of the Garden's mark. The elevator soon shifted from vertical to horizontal, and then back to Vertical. The doors of the elevator opened up and I was surrounded by wires and technology through the roof... literally. The members that worked all the communications stood up at attention and saluted with surprise in their eyes. I had them continue what they were doing and went back to noticing how much the communication room had changed. Feels like someone put at least one-million dekus into this room*

"Issac, you really out did it this time."

*Walking to a tall, wide com-console. I imputed a couple of numbers and descriptions of where I would like to scan for a satellite-link communication. I was just working off the information of Leslie's known location. Hilifax, the place he had taken Nessa to be better taken care of. The technology was really complex, but thanks to one of the members there, I had it in no time. A signal was being sent out, hopefully Leslie receives the call*

*Com-technician #1* "Can I get you something to drink sir?"

"No thank you, but you can send this message to Dr. Rasmus when you get the chance."

*Handing a piece of paper with a code written onto it*

*Com-technician #1* "Right way sir!"

*The satellite had picked up something in Hilifax. It was the strongest and I knew Leslie, he never leaves home without a damn good com-device.*

"Echo, echo, zero, alfa, echo..... Zoolo, 1, 4, 2, echo. This is the Crimson Garden. Do you read me?"

*Opening a screen that first came out with a pitch-black scene. On the other end...*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Hilifax Hospital*

*Madame Leslie was finishing up his nails, making sure not to touch much around him, his com-device goes berserk and louder than ever.*

*Madame Leslie* "What the blue hell? Who is calling me now?"

*Nurse* "Ma'am..."

*Madame Leslie's colder than ever expression to the nurse turns ever so slightly*

*Nurse* "my apologies, Sir. I will have to ask you to take that outside, or turn it off."

*Before the Nurse could even blink, a gun was placed straight between the middle of her eyes*

*Madame Leslie* "Get the hell out of my face girl, I'm not in the mood to take yours or this damn hospital's shit. Now go!"

*The Nurse runs away back to her station with fright and stays quietly to herself*

*Madame Leslie* "Now, who the hell is this?"

*The voice of Dokuno* "Echo, echo, zero, alfa, echo..... Zoolo, 1, 4, 2, echo. This is the Crimson Garden. Do you read me?"

*Madame Leslie* "Okami?"

"Good, I got ya loud and clear. Leslie, is everything alright?"

*Madame Leslie* "Just peachy, this damn hospital can't do a damn thing right. They call themselves the best. Goddamn liars. They have the best equipment, but not so much the brightest people. I need to find the damn doctor that's suppose to be famous here."

"I guess you have your hands full."

*Madame Leslie* "Oh on with it! I need something to pass the damn time here anyways. Where are you? How did you get this com-device's satellite Gio-die link number?"

"On board the Crimson Garden, we made it and have a bit of a problem at the time."

*Madame Leslie* "Well I am known as a problem fixer."

"We are at war with the Xias. Can you get in touch with you Mansion? We need your weapon's cache."

*Madame Leslie* "I'll get my guards to find a way to get it to you. How much do you need?"

"........Everything you've got!"

*Madame Leslie* "............................."

"Don't worry, you'll be paid in full. Reimbursement and everything."

*Madame Leslie* "That place must have one hell of a funding then. Fine, I'll send my men as soon as I can. Do you need some guards?"

"No thanks, the students and people here can hold out on their own. We just need some firepower and equipment to get through this war."

*Madame Leslie* "Xias are no damn joke. Wish I could be there to settle my other fucked up bloody boot into them."

"Don't worry, when ever we meet up again, there's alot more on the way. Thankyou Leslie, Keep in touch through this com-signal of the Garden and get some rest, you look like hell."

*Madame Leslie's face grows a bit duller from the comment and severs the communication link*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Back at the Crimson Garden*

"Hopefully I can find some time to search out the spy and prepare everything before the Xias make their move."

*Removing myself from the com-station's console and walking back to the elevator. Heading back to the lobby and towards the special guest dormitory. The room was large and had a very warm feeling to it. I sat at the edge of the bed and fell back into it. My eyes slowly closed as I drifted off sleep.

(Leslie looks at his phone and thinks to himself)- "Who the fuck does he think he is...Humphh...I look like hell? I'll show you hell!"

(Leslie places the phone back into his shirt, folds his arms and looks at the glossy black and beige checked floor. Something shiny catches his attention which causes him to lean over to take a closer look. He uses his right foot to slide it over to the left to which he picks up the said object. Leslie stares at it closely and smiles with his eyes closed)- "An Alund Djer coin...Tonight just might be my lucky night...."

[IN THE CAR]

(The guard keeps a steady gaze on the dusky roadway and whistles a familiar tune. Ted rests his head on the window and stares blankly into the night surroundings. Thoughts run through his mind as lights pass above their head, and he reaches into his pocket to pull out his pack of 190Kelz Extra Smooth cigarettes. Ted places the cigarette just barely in his mouth and was about to reach for his lighter when he is suddenly startled by a flame already kissing the white paper. He blinks nervously as he turns to look at the guard with his slowly retreating hand)- "..........Th.thanks...."

(Guard turning his head ever so slightly)- "You are most welcome Sir"

(The trip egged on as the city lights turned into complete moonlit horizon. The van shook and rattled as it went over the unpaved terrain. Ted's head bounced on the window until he could stand no more. He sat more upright, reached his hand low to the right side and pressed a button which made the seat recline. Ted tapped the ash of the cigarette on the van floor which causes the guard to glance over at him at the falling white)- "Sir I don't think that is very polite"

(Ted sits up straight and furrows his brow with the cigarette hanging out of the side on his mouth)- "Whose van is this?!.....Mine!...If you have a problem with me dropping ash in my own paid for van you can get the hell out and walk back to Hilifax..I don't have a problem driving alone.....So what say you?"

(The guard swallows and clears his throat nervously)- "I .i..I am sorry Sir..It's just...*catches a hard stare from Ted*..I am sorry it's nothing Sir"

(Ted leans back in the seat and blows out a huge cloud of held in smoke)- "Good...I am glad we now see eye to eye..*Looks at the clock on the radio which reads 9:45* ...How much farther?"

(Guard takes a deep breath)- "Should be there in 5 more minutes Sir..."

(Ted leans back, closes his eyes and mumbles throw a few puffs of grey)- "Good...5mins away from hell spawn"

(The ride remained deadthly quiet except the occasional hum from the guard, and rattling of the van as it rode onwards towards Quintance)

[BACK AT HILIFAX]

(Leslie had started to fall asleep in the waiting room chair when the loud speaker came on and startled him awake)

(PA)- "VIsiting hours are over and will start up again at 2am. Thank you"

(Everyone in the waiting room groaned and began moving around. Some went to the far-side vending machine, some to the coffee machine, and others walked past Leslie to go outside while rummaging for their own cigarettes. Leslie cocked his head to the side when he heard the announcement, stood up, and made his way to the front desk. When he arrived, he reached for the bell that had been placed back onto the counter, had not even put his hand down before it was snatched away again, but this time Leslie jumped forward to grab the bell snatcher and tugged her ontop of the counter. The woman stared with surprise as she was now face to face with Leslie and his firey brown eyes)

(Leslie with one eye slightly squinted in anger)- "Put the fucking bell down and do NOT touch it again...or it WILL be embedded in your skull..*tilts his head and smiles * are we clear?"

(The woman smiles and nods nervously, then is allowed to drop off the counter onto the floor. Leslie puts the bell in its proper space and begins to ring it. *Ding Ding* . The woman on the floor looks around and Leslie begins to tap his foot. *ding ding*. The woman slowly stands up to her feet, looks around once more then stares at Leslie in fear)- "C.c.can I help you sir?"


(Leslie picks up the bell and hurls it at the woman who just misses it by an inch as she tumbles back onto the floor. He walks furiously towards the ICU door and the woman scrambles after him)- "Sir...SirR!!!...Visiting hours are ov..."

(Leslie pulls out his colt with his left hand and aims it as the woman stops cold right in front of it. Leslie pulls down the hammer with a click)- "Visiting hours start NOW"

(The woman faints, Leslie uncocks the hammer, and walks through the swinging double doors into the ICU area)

[IN THE CAR]

(The guard and Ted finally reach the outskirts of Quintance which greet them immediately with a diner lined with trucks and four airbikes. Ted sits up promptly in his seat, reaches into the glove compartment of the van, pulls out a semi-auto Viker snub nose revolver and places it into a holster under his left arm. The guard pulls up to the diner's parking lot and creeps into a parking space between to big haulers. Ted takes off his seat belt and opens the van door. The guard followed suit, both walk towards the door and head inside. They are met barstool patrons who were in less than modern clothing that of which resembled a brigand's. The smells of searing chops, hash, eggs, and all other various warm foods you can think of filled the air as well as the sounds of idle chatter, shouts of orders and utensils scraping and flipping in the back area. The guard's mouth watered as he looked towards the kitchen, and he wanders off. Ted frowned as he looked both right and left, then right again as he sees a hand fly up motioning for him)

(Ghloria hurriedly finishes off a plate of corn hash and glass of ale, then grabs her weathered leather jacket and meets half-way with Ted. She smiles and nods her head in an upwards motion)- "Hey!....Long time no see...Didn't think you would actually come after what Leslie told me...."

(Ted folds his arms and walks towards the doorway and Ghloria follows him)- "What ..you deaf or somethin?..I just greeted you and you aint gonna give me a Hi how ya doing?....*Ted continues out the door* ...Punk"

(The guard sees the two leave through the door and quickly catches up to them. Ghloria stares at Ted and finally kicks him in the back of the leg. He stumbles slightly and turns around so fast you would think a gust of wind rolled by)- "What did you do that for?"

(Ghloria puts her coat on as she speaks)- "You're acting like a punk..Can't even say hi to me?..What did I do to you?"

(Ted reaches up to tighten his tie and once again remembers he didn't wear one)- "You know damn well what you did!....*Watches Ghloria forcefully open the door to the back seat of the van* ....Don't pretend you don't know!"

(The guard Looks at them both and tells Ghloria to be quiet. Ghloria tosses a rude gesture and the guard kicks the door leaving a slight dent. Ted shakes his fist in the sky as he sees the damage and sits in the passenger seat. The guard runs to the other side, enters the car and backs out of the diner parking lot. Ghloria slaps Ted on the back of the head and the two begin arguing back and forth furiously)

[AT HILIFAX]

(Leslie pushed past dozens of staff and scrambling doctors, two of which were brave enough to try and tackle him but got a boot to the face and shot in the leg. He stops and grabs one of the orderlies and grits his teeth)- "Where did they put Nessa? *shakes him* Where is SHE!!?"

(The orderly points down towards bed number ten and smiles weakly. Leslie drops him, promptly walks over to bed ten and throws back the curtain. What he saw or what he didn't see surprised him)- "What in the hell...*turns around* You liar! Where is my sister!!?"

(He storms over to the orderly and kicks him in th ribs repeatedly)- "Where *kick* is *kick* my *kick* SISTER?!!"

(Leslie continues to kick and yell at the orderly as other staff look over each other to see what's going on while others shuffle and hide behind furniture. A tall man in a long white coat standing at 6'5" walks hurriedly but confidently towards a mere 5'5" Leslie. The staff see him, start to relax and look on as he arrives directly behind him. He finishes kicking the orderly and backs up, bumping into the towering male. Leslie looks him over and smiles while adjusting his hair)- "Well..Hello there...*stands on his toes to look up at the male's badge* Dr. Hule"

(Dr. Hule smiles and gives a quaint wave)- "Hello there Madame...?"

(Leslie looks at the floor shyly and contiues preening his hair)- "Leslie....Madame Leslie Alanna Triandaj...How can I help you? *chuckle*"

(Dr Hule's face flushes a slight pink and he gets a few accusing stares from the ICU desk staff. He casts a stern glance at them all to which they promptly return to their duties. He flashes a quick smile and kneels down so that he is face to face with Leslie)- "Actually I'd love to know how I may help you...You are looking for a Neesssa....*checks his clipboard* Nessa Triandaj am I correct?"

(Leslie)- "Yes I am..*his eyes narrow slightly with seriousness*...Where is she?"

(Dr. Hule)- "She just came from the CAT room and is being taken up to the 8th floor coma patient area....*stands up to his full height*...Uh...she isn't doing too well I'm afraid....test shows the damage is pretty extensive. *Leslie's face goes pale as he hears the news*...HOWEVER....There is no bleeding or bruising on her skull or brain...And that we can't quite figure out..Heh...But..um..your Nessa is in good hands...and if not..I'll see to it personally that she is..I will also check on her progress often. You are more than welcome to head up to see her on the 8th floor...But the elevator is temporarily out of service..So..*looks at Leslie's boots and cringes slightly*..You'll have to take the stairs..I am very sorry about this whole ordeal and will deal with the staff accordingly"

(Leslie stands there stunned at what he just heard. He couldn't figure out how he was going to reach the 8th floor in heels. He watched as the doctor smiled and walked away then looked at his boots)- "Oooooh boy....here we go..."

(As Leslie walked out of the ICU he glanced at the wall clock and read the time alloud)- "10:30......hmmm"

(The double doors flung open and in entered Ghloria and Ted arguing with the guard trailing behind swallowing down a mouthful of aspirin and rubbing his temple. Leslie walks into the waiting area and makes an annoyed face as he hears the loud argument. Ted throws his hands around as Ghloria belts his ear with words)- "What was I supposed to do? It wasn't my fault you were weak for me!...Besides you had Leslie didnt you?"

(Ted rolling his eyes and getting louder)- "Leslie is different....you of all people should know that. *Leslie is taken aback when he hears his name and speed walks over to them*.....Besides that isn't the point...."

(Leslie walks close to Ghloria and Ted, looks between them, then slaps both of them on the back of the head simultaneously)- "WILL YOU TWO BE QUIET?!...You don't just come into a hospital raising all kinds of hell!!"

(The woman behind the counter chuckles heartily at the irony and everyone casts a cold gaze at her. She looks around nervously and slowly slinks underneath the counter to hide. Leslie stares at Ted, Ted stares at Ghloria, and Ghloria stares at the passed out guard)- "Look what you did !! I think you killed him with all your nagging!"

(Ted)- "MY nagging?!!...You're the one doing all the whining and complaining. All i did was state a point.."

(Leslie throws up his hands and walks away towards the doorway to the stairs leaving their fading arguement behind him)

(Sounds of idle chatter surrounded the Xias Facility. Eyes tried to stray away from the direction of my position. Breathing in the sorry for an excuse souls that lingered around, taking in life as they breathe and not even knowing that as they are standing around with only a limited amount of time. They are slowly rotting away. All I can do is enjoy their sweet sorrow for now. The Xias are as weak as the people outside)

(Xias staff member) - "S..sir, Mr. Falson is waiting for you in his office."

(Without word, I cared not for saying thank you in reply to this weak cancer that was just speaking to me. Walking along the white and grey hallway towards the casual silver elevator. Floor 88 is all I wanted right now. I don't care for Merick, he can wait. Tatiana, You and I are the only ones that can carry on. We both are the only ones to take on this great task. To travel this planet as our own vessel. Exiting the elevator and walking to Tatiana's room. Four guards stood in front of the door. Each one had the same look on their pitiful faces as I have seen almost every day here. Scared and pathetic)

- "What is the problem?"

(Guard 1) -"Sir, The girl is not in her room, or in the labs for tests."

- "So you stand here, waiting for someone to guide you? To let you know what to do next? Maybe A lecture?"

(Each guard took caution and made a couple steps back away from the guard that had reported to me. That same reaction comes clear in front of me. Sweat streams down the left and right side of the man's face. He trembles as I stare at him. I have no reason to stain the large blade upon my back on this already dying man. I do pull out the large blade. It's heavy tip hits hard upon the linoleum hallway floor. A swing over the man's head and planted into the door frame of Tatiana's room. The other guards feel the wind of the blade. Ever so quick, ever so silently until you hear the sound of the blade making contact into the metal and wooded frame. Passing the first guard and then the other guards. Weak souls as they stand there. They couldn't even avoid the whispering wind of the blade. As I was fully into the room looking for clues, the guards that had backed away from the first guard quickly felt a slight pitch at their necks. A very thin layer of blood escapes and decapitation is the last feeling to their fate. The first guard feels for his neck and falls back against the hallway wall in shock. His eyes close in relief to knowing that he was spared)

- "How long has she been gone?"

(Guard 1) - "T...t...two hours ago sir."

- "Who noticed her disappearance?"

(Guard 1) - "P..p...p..professor Kendri, George Kendri, sir."

(Without further word, I walked out of that empty room. I knew I should have brought her with me. I can't let her mind be tainted by this world. It needs to be cleansed and fortified by knowledge, knowledge of the great move we must make. The labs were cold and filled with failed experiments. Most working on the Black Liquid, others on bio-technology within what use to be humans. I could care less for their work. Only that my real goal is far beyond what this place could ever hope to achieve. Entering the lab that Tatiana would be receiving her regular tests)

(Professor George) - "V..v. -Cough!- Victor! I didn't know you were back!"

- "Where is Tatiana?"

(Professor George) - "We are looking for her, I had sent my."

- "Where is Tatiana!!!?"

(Professor George) - "Nn..N...now Victor, c..c..calm.. d..down."

(Walking towards the terrified man and reaching out to grab his neck. The grip surrounds him and nearly cuts off his breathing. I watched him for a couple of seconds as he gasps constantly for air. My finger tips were long and could reach all the way around to the back of his neck. I surely could either break every single bone just in his neck alone. I also could just rip this man's head right off of his body. He must be losing all his air, for his eyes start to go up into his head. Is he changing colors? It's very interesting to see how these weak men die)

(Voice of Merick at the lab door) - "Victor, Release him!"

- "This is not your concern."

(Merick) - "He is part of the Xias and a great asset to our corporation. So it is my concern! Now release him!"

(The grip slowly loosens around his neck. The dark blue and near purple hand mark is left behind. He falls to his knees, gagging and coughing his lungs out)

- "Where is Tatiana!?!?"

(Merick) - "Lets talk in my office, now!"

(Removing myself from this place before I soon changed my mind to make another attack again on the one that should have taken even closer attention to Tatiana on my absence. Within Merick's office, he first walked to his so-called throne of the Xias Corp. Staring at him with eyes of the darkest shadows. We both know that we can't trust each other. To use each other was just the beginning, the beginning of his and my plans. Merick was a coward behind his power of controlling the Xias. He has that now after I had eliminated the council members. I have placed Merick in a position that I could use to my advantage. With the council members of the Judging law and former side of the Xias gone, Merick can control almost all the technology of the Xias. I can use that technology to find the my greatest goal. To achieve ultimate liberation to this planet)

(Merick) - "Did you find the mountain?"

- "No, I was pulled into a ruse. The mountain was not at the location."

(Merick) - "Fucking beautiful Victor. Now we are behind schedule and I can't deal with it right now. I can't get a hold of my two best sharpshooters and word just came in, Grim is dead!"

- "Your two men are most likely dead as well."

(Merick) - "What did you say?"

- "Grim was a failed hybrid. A sham to that professor of yours. Your two men are dead. Your two sons are gone."

(Merick) - "You shut the fuck up!"

- "Take the denial then, what do I care?"

(Merick) - "I don't have time for your bullshit Victor! You need to get Tatiana back. All I know is that it was an inside job. We don't know where exactly these people that took her are going, but we do know which direction. You go and get her back. Bring her here and as quickly as possible! Like I said, I don't have the fucking time to deal with it myself. The Xias have found the Garden we have been looking for. Their technology could well put us at the top and we won't need that damn mountain."

- "Merick, not even that Garden will help you in this case. That temple within that mountain is the ultimate answer."

(Merick) - "Then you go and chase your fantasy Victor! I will go for mine, which will be a great reality! Just get Tatiana back here! I could have used her to get all this shit over with!"

(Merick was a mad man. He was slowly dying himself, and I was watching him decay day by day. His precious Xias was going to fall and die with him. I needed to get Tatiana back)

[the garden was amazing and enormous. i absolutely could not believe how beautiful it was. this student named Trigger was a great help. every room I had seen was just as spectacular as the last]

[Trigger] "whew. when you want to see everything, you're not kidding around."

"see, i told you so."

[Garden intercom] "students of the Crimson Garden, curfew will be in effect in approximately one hour. please be sure to make your way to your dorms before that time."

[Trigger] "well you heard them. we got about a good hour or so. you know we could always continue this tomorrow if you'd like. say maybe around lunch?"

"are you asking me out?"

[Trigger] "it's kinda hard not to."

[i had never really blushed in years, but this feeling over powered me. it started from my knees to my stomach. this Trigger fellow was nice, but i had to remember that i was on a mission. Dokuno would probably never forgive me anyways if i let someone stray me away from my assistance to him. than again, it would be only lunch right?]

"sure, we can continue this tomorrow at lunch, but i must tell you that it is just a friendly lunch okay?"

[Trigger] "alright, you got a deal."

"now, before we end this, you have got to show me where i can find a weapon specialist."

[Trigger] "no problem there, i can show you, but you'd still have to wait until tomorrow since they are closed for now."

"that's just fine, as long as i know where they are."

[i followed Trigger past a bunch of stairs and hallways. it almost seemed like this weapon specialist was underground. i guess for a place like this you'd need to have some quiet space to work. when we arrived, as much as it seemed like a huge dungeon, it was well made and clean. there were very nice machines for sharpening and making weapons all over the place. i would have gotten a better look, but it was caged at the entrance. i knew where it was and i would come back for a visit the next day. every now and then Trigger would try and step closer to me. it's a shame that he and i are from different worlds. i walked back up to where we both came from and Trigger followed. we came back to where we first started, where we first met, back at the lobby]

[Trigger] "i guess this is good bye for now right?"

"Trigger, you almost sound really sad."

[Trigger] "it's just that i have never really..."

"what? met a girl like me before? as soon as i walked into this garden, i spotted like a thousand girls. how can you not be interested in them?"

[Trigger] "don't get me wrong, i mean i find almost all of them attractive... i mean not as attractive as you... i mean they seem to not have what you have, do you get what i am saying?"

"Trigger, you don't know where i come from. my world is completely different from yours."

[Trigger] "then give me a chance to get to know you."

"you don't even know my name."

[Trigger] "..............that's right, what is your name."

"it's Lenn."

[Trigger] "Lenn, that's a really beautiful name."

"good night Trigger"

[i had to end that conversation before it may have gotten deeper than it could have been. i still had time to make my way to the cafeteria. at least i can't get lost finding that since there are signs to it almost everywhere you go. must be the most popular place here. hope i can make it there in time. i could hear the pulsing tone of the intercom go off to let you know that the curfew was eventually going to come. there were some students walking around, but these students had a large, wide silver band on their left arm. one walked right up to me]

[Student with a silver band] "young miss, are you a student.... oh my apologies to you. you are one of the special guests of Mr. Okami's. here, you should carry this with you. it'll prevent you from being constantly checked as a student."

[i was handed an ID pass that had the symbol of the garden and it had SP on it. i'm guessing that it stood for special personnel or something like that. kinda like my very own VIP pass]

"Thankyou."

[i continued to the path towards the cafeteria. it was way over sized then it should have been. how many people come here? how many cooks are there? who are the janitors of this place? what is that wonderful smell. after picking up on a just delicious aroma, it made me forget what questions i had just asked myself. i pretty much power walked closer to it where one single chef was standing behind the long serving table]

[cook] "oh ho ho, i zee zat we 'avh another person to enjoy moi cooking. su vu plait, tell moi what you would like!"

[Kai] "his food is the best Lenn!"

[Kai ran up from behind with a plate and asked the cook to make another round of what he had before. it was some kind of pasta dish that was given to Kai]

"i'll take the same please."

[the dish was so delicious. i had to go for more. i was eating like i hadn't eaten for days. after i had finished the 2nd dish, time had just swung by. the students with the silver band were going from room to room looking for anyone out of their dorms unless getting a snack. it was empty in the cafeteria though. just Kai and i were there. we both walked back to the cook with our cleaned off plates for the cook to collect and clean]

"thankyou again Mr."

[cook] "oh ho ho, su vu plait, no no. it is moi pleazure to cook for ze. and you may call moi Alphonse."

[we both had said good night to him and left the cafeteria. back to the special dorm rooms we headed]

"hey, that girl was cute you know, the one that guided you to the cafeteria."

[Kai] "she was... Harmony."

"Kai, are you blushing?"

[Kai] "no, not at all... maybe a little bit."

[we both shared a laugh or two]

[Kai] "Hey, where is Dokuno?"

"i'm not sure. i think he may have gone and done his own thing like what we did."

[Kai] "yeah. i'm really tired after that delicious meal. i'll go to bed now."

"yeah, same here. i'm really really full from that dish."

[Kai] "good night Lenn."

"good night Kai, see you tomorrow."

[waving good night to Kai and walking into my dorm room. i went to quickly take a hot shower and then jumped into the large, over sized bed. i practically sank deep into the bed. faster than i could think, i had fallen asleep]

(TIME-LINE) - December the 10th / 11:55pm

(Leslie stops halfway up the spiraling stairs to rest. Once done he would begin to climb when he heard a voices arguing louder and louder as they came close. Ghloria was the first around the corner, somehow, walking up the stairs while arguing with Ted over her shoulder. Ted finally rounded the corner and you see a few beads of sweat across his forehead. Ghloria stops walking once she sees Leslie on the step above her, but never ceases the arguement)

(Ghloria with her right hand on the rail looking down at Ted)- "Well quite frankly don't give a damn what she said about my services...She can go straight to hell...In fact she can go s.."

(Leslie stomps his foot on the stair, with the sound on his heel reverberating up the tall walls, and both Ted and Ghloria look up at him)- "If YOU two don't get the hell outta my ear with your nonsense arguing...I will have my guards escort you out to a playground where you can bitch and carry on all you want like toddlers...Because I am NOT having it...*he looks at the both of them*......And where the hell is the food?!"

(Ghloria and Ted look at each other with pale faces and recite in unison)- "Ehhhh.........."

(Leslie looks at the tall ceiling and seems to recite an inaudible prayer. Ghloria looks at her low heel, worn leather boots and sighs, but quickly remembers why she was even made the trip there in the first place. She fumbles desperately through the pockets of her jeans, then through the pockets of her jacket to which she finds the small chip Okami had handed to her)- "Leslie!!. Wait...wait...Here...*hands Leslie the chip and quickly retrieves her hands to put them nervously in her jeans pocket*....Okami wanted you to have this thing.....*looks over at the chip curiously*...What is it exactly? I've never seen anything like it before..."

(Leslie carefully held the chip between his middle finger and thumb, looks it over with confused expression, then motions for Ted to come closer)- "Sweetie give me your Citec scanner...*Ted hands it to him and Leslie slides the chip into the side and waits*....Did he tell you wh...*the number comes up on the screen*....Oh my damn...*he sits down on the step and crosses his leg*...H...hhoow...WHy?...What is this for?"

(Ghloria leaned on the rail and shrugged)- "Dunno...just said..You earned it and you'll know what it's for..and nothing else..*peeks over again)..So ....what is it?"

(Leslie looks at the Citec read-out, moves his mouth for a moment but nothing comes out. Finally he takes out the chip and hands back the scanner)- "This ...is....*slips the chip into a pouch located next to his cell*.....a deku cred chip....and on it there is 20,000dekus...If I am...correct this is for repairs...as I see no other reason for such a large amount....*flicks his brow at a thought*...Hmm.. By the way Ghloria..I need you to do a huge favour for me"

(Ghloria folds her arms and nods her head)- "Alright..What ya got for me?"

(Leslie stands and is quickly helped by Ted)- "Hmm... Not too long before you arrived, Mr. Okami phoned me a request....

(Ghloria interrupts)- "And...."

(Leslie throws a look and continues)- "AND...I need you to hightail it back to my bar and ask Laura to escort you to my mansion. When you arrive you are to promptly ask for Oiji and tell him the code "Apoch"....He'll know what to do..."

(Ghloria interrupts)- "Sounds easy enough..I'll..."

(Leslie frowns at her impatience)- "Ghloria......I'm not through yet....*watches her turn around*...I want you to wait until everything is completely set-up..then I will need you to escort the chosen guard to Okami's present location...*pulls out a hollo-dec map and uses his finger to set the destination point*...There.....and I know it looks like a big empty space...but there indeed is where him and the others are....*Waches as Ghloria starts to open her mouth and he gives the no shared words sign*.....Hurry now. I'm not sure how much time currently have..."

(Ghloria runs back down the huge flight of stairs while Leslie sits back down to pull off his boots. Ted reaches over to quickly nabb the left boot, but is immediately scratched by Leslie's nails, which draws a bit of blood, and huffs in pain)- "I'm going to clip those in your sleep....Gaahh...You're going to kill someone with those....those..claws!"

(Leslie smiles in his victory, grabs his boots and heads the rest of the way up with Ted trailing behind and rubbing his arm)

(Leslie finally reaches the eighth floor and opens the door unto an empty hall. He shuffles over to a chair where he puts on his boots. He then gets up and starts looking at a plaque on the wall with a list of doctors, rooms, and restrooms. Ted follows close behind as Leslie is en route towards the west wing patient area. Ted would prepare to stop by a nearby water fountain to drink, but is quickly dragged away before even getting a drop on his tongue)

(Ted as he is dragged along)- "He..Heeey!!..Don't pull so hard...Come on"

(Leslie looks at him a split second, "hmphs", and continues toting Ted along unto they reach a set of automatic double doors which open immediately to a long room of rooms on one side and split from the other by a waiting room and patient help desk. He walks towards the desk and is greeted by a nurse who he promptly pushes away. Ted scrambles over to grab the nurse before she lands on the floor, Leslie walks to the desk, snatches the patient list and walks off while reading for Nessa's name)

(Leslie mumbles while reading)- "Kenneth....Iune...Rfle....J'Dar....Claraa....Wow what odd names........Hiolea?...Ha...Nessa....hmm..Wait Nessa.....*reads* "

(Ted rushes to Leslie's side and tries to snatch away the clipboard patient list but Leslie hangs on)- "Le...Les...*jerks the board* Leslie let the board go...It doesn't belong to you....*gets kicked in the leg* OW...."

(Leslie tugs on the board but is quickly lifted off the floor and Ted raises the board as tall as his arm reahes)- "Fool!..I found her name ...Dammit...Let me down!"

(Ted locks his arms in place as he suspends Leslie off the floor by the clipboard)- "Now....Look.. You behave and I'll let you down...*dodges a two kicks* and harming me isn't going to help things at all...Plus...If you continue on like this, we're going to get kicked out....Now how is that going to look when we're here to make sure she's ok?......."

(Leslie's face goes neutral at the stinging words and promptly let's go and drops with a click on the check titled floor. He turned his back and begins hugging himself with tears rising in his eyes. Ted takes a few steps forward and speaks in a worried tone)- "Now..come on ..no need to start crying...we just have to be patient.."


(Leslie's eyes draw the tears back inside)- "Does it look like I'm crying to you?"

(Ted looks at his face)- "No...but I can hear it in your voice......"

(They stood there silently with only the noise of the desk staff gossiping and staring at them. Ted looks at Leslie's hand beckoning for the clipboard and instead gives him a low five and returns the the board to the help desk)- "Here you guys go...*catches a mean glare from the nurse who got pushed down*.....Which room is Nessa in..?"

(Desk ladie 1)- "Room 812"

(Ted nods, looks at Leslie, then they both head down the narrow hall to Room 812)

(TIME-LINE) - December the 11th / 7:03am

*A man was walking to an old barn. Few minutes had passed and then he walked out. Something was in his right hand. It looked like a long pipe, no... it was something else. It was a gun. He walked back into the house. I was walking through a forest to cut through to a small town nearby. It was raining hard, you could hardly see anything in front of you. Lightning flashed throughout the midnight, stormy sky. The loud bangs of the thunderous anger roaming high above. They sounded so close like cannons firing all together. Making my way to the closest window and peering into the window. The man with the gun raised it up to the bed, pointing it. I caught a glimpse of a small girl within the flash of lightning*

*Man with gun* "Forgive me baby."

*As a flash of lightning came once again, and another roar of the thunder, the man was levitated off the ground. Trying to breathe as he was against the hard wood wall of the room. Remembering that my hand grasped his throat. What I was about to witness, I could not allow. It disgusted me with so much anger that I couldn't even remember how I got into that room to stop him*

*Man* "W...who are you? W...what do you want?"

"You are pathetic to hand life over so quickly."

*Man* "W...what are you talking about?"

"Look at her. She may be different, but has the same thing as you and I, maybe more. She has a heart and would like to live a life without people such as you."

*Man* "S...she wasn't suppose to end up like this. T...that bitch left and had an affair behind me... I...I thought I could treat her as my own, but all I can see is the creature that laid his foul seed in her."

*The man was brought outside into the heavy blanket of rain. Thrown into the mud. The gun, his weapon of choice was destroyed by my blade. I watched him beg for his life as he slowly picked himself up to his knees and looked right at me. The lightning was brighter than ever before. He saw the glow of my eyes. There and then he knew what I was. The silver blade came to his neck and he closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes, I was gone. Left there in the storm. He ran back into the house and slammed the door. He went back to the room where he was going to commit his biggest sin to only find that the bed was now empty*

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


*Waking up to the bright beam of light peering through the window of the room. I was deep in thought of this memory. Some would say that is was a good thing. You did well to save a life. This was different, no man or woman should make the fate of another. I would be contradicting myself if I kept that saying though. I removed myself from the bed and could just barely hear the sounds of the students outside beginning their day. I felt something nearby, like I wasn't alone. I walked over to the lounging chair at the corner of the room. Someone was sleeping under some covers in it. As I removed it slowly, I saw that same face as that dark and stormy night, just a bit grown up*

"You'll live a life of your own, that's what I promised you. Rest up now Kagome."

*I placed on my jacket and the double-edge silver blade. Leaving out the room and seeing all the students run pass and going to their classes. Each that spotted me stopped to salute and greet. I made my way to the elevator and up the the headmaster's office. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, a young girl stepped up and greeted me*

*Young girl* "Aah, Mr. Okmai, you are expected! I hope that you were comfortable in your room."

"I was, thankyou."

*Young girl* "Please, right this way Mr. Okami."

*The young girl leaded the way into the office where Issac was waiting with Dr. Rasmus and some of the other teachers*

*Issac* "Good! I trust that you received a good rest Dokuno."

"Yes."

*Dr. Rasmus* "I received your message. I will get on it as soon as possible."

"Issac, I sent out a signal and assistance to one of my companions. They will be sending out a special delivery for us."

*Issac* "Good to hear. We are going to need all the help we can get. Dokuno, this is just some of the teachers here that may be of great help to us. Mrs. Melbrooks, Mr. Tokins, Mr. Kovich, and Professor Ludus."

"Each of you are of the art of defense."

*Mr Tokins* "That's right, we are just waiting for the last one."

"She's resting right now."

*Mrs. Melbrooks* "We shall let her rest then. She has been one of the greatest defense instructors this Garden has ever known."

*Professor Ludus* "And that shouldn't be such as a suprise, after all she was trained by Mr. Okami here."

"Be as that may, we still have the Xias to worry about. They are getting stronger by the day."

*Issac* "More like by the minute at this rate. We still need to take care of the most important thing before we can even plan anything."

*Dr. Rasmus* "Yes, I do believe we still have the issue of our little spy somewhere on this Garden."

*Mrs. Melbrooks* "Then let us be on our way and find this spy. Mr. Okami, we'll take our leave and it is an honor to be assisted by you."

*All the teachers took their leave and Dr. Rasmus, Issac, and I were left. I soon stood in thought before making my exit out*

*Issac* "Dokuno, what will you do?"

"What I do best, seek out my targets."

*Leaving out the office and into the elevator. I had reached the bottom and looked around. It had been quite awhile, but had not completely forgotten everything. With a normal paste to my walk, I made way to the old weapon smith of the Garden. I was stopped by a voice from behind as I was traveling there*

*Voice of a young male student* "HEY!"

*I turned to see where this voice may be. Come to find out it was an old student that I even knew. He wore his uniform differently than the rest of the Garden. It was open and not buttoned up, his pants were a bit baggy over his uniform boots. His hair was short with a blonde to near gold color. He had a mark of a leviathan on the back of his long, white and grey trench coat*

"Makado."

*Makado* "I'm honored that you remembered my name! I also remembered that you owe my a one on one battle. Just a friendly fight to see who's the best. Your little apprentice won't give me the chance to see her real skills, the skills you had taught her. Since she hasn't accepted, I pretty much won by default. Now, you will give me the chance to prove that I am the strongest of this Garden. Let's see if everyone in the Garden was right about you in those stories."

"You'll never learn. I don't have time to play with you right now Makado."

*Makado* "So, you're afraid!"

*Turning around and continuing to my destination, ignoring the sounds of the lonely banter of a boy that still has not learned. Thinking to myself as I walked out, yes... I am afraid. Afraid of sinking that low and what might happen if I make you submit*

"i slept so well last night. i can't remember the last time i ever slept like that. i should go and see that weapon smith before it's too late. i wonder if Dokuno and Kai are awake."

[walking over to the wardrobe and placing pants on. next goes the jacket. grabs just the gun of madame Leslie. relocating to the door of the room and opening it]

"whoa! there's alot of students already heading to their classes and breakfast. how amazing that i couldn't really hear anything from inside my room. is that a good thing?"

[the male and female students looked so well made in their uniforms. it was almost like this place was something more than a school. maybe it is, but i won't get into that right now]

"now where could that Trigger fellow be? guess i'll have to make it on my own for now."

[walking through the steps that was remembered from last night. some students would kindly help along the way, as well as to greet me. there was this one strange guy though. he was dressed differently than the rest of the students. not that well mannered either. he and some other students were picking on a smaller student down the hall. before i could get the chance to reach them, they had taken off to class. guess this place even has bullies and creeps. i had almost forgotten what i was doing. i finally made it to the place that Trigger had taken me. the place was much more lit up than last night. kinda figured it was open now. down at the bottom of the steps that led to the weapon shop i spotted Dokuno]

"Dokuno!"

[he turned to me and at that moment i saw something in his eyes. i don't know why i hadn't noticed it until now. his eyes were glowing a warm blue before it would change to a deep purple]

[Dokuno] "Lenn, you're up. i'm impressed that you found your way here."

"don't read too much into it, i had help last night by a guy named Trigger. what are you doing here?"

[Dokuno] "i could ask you the same question."

"i needed to find someone that could work with this damn gun that madame Leslie handed me for the time being."

[Dokuno] "let me see that weapon, please."

[handing over the gun to Dokuno. he examined it up and down. his hand grasp the handle and he pulled the slide chamber all the way back. i handed him the clip to it since i couldn't really get it in myself. Dokuno gently placed the top of the clip to the bottom of the gun and than tilted it in a strange angle. it wasn't really vertical to the gun, but as soon as he waited for what sounded like a click and than an alignment sound, the clip fully slid all the way into the gun]

"h..h..how did you do that? i've been at it ever since i got the damn thing!"

[Dokuno] "the gun has to have an almost soft and trusting relationship with the handler. you aren't being rough with it as you take the clip and place it in the gun. the gun almost has to accept you and the clip. angle, sound, and softness. like a flowing river."

"i guess my reasons of being here are cleared up. now, what about you?"

[Dokuno] "remember the sword that i collected from Leslie's mansion? it has something deep within it. something sleeping and waiting for the right time to be awaken. i'm hoping that the weapon smith will know about it."

[Following close behind Dokuno to the weapon smith. when we arrived, the large steel gate that was shut tight last night was now open wide. the sound of buzzing and clanging could be heard in the back]

"helloooooo!"

[Weapon smith] "you should be in class who ever both of you are! did you hear me! don't make me kick your asses all the way to the disciplinary office!"

[the weapon smith was a very tall and wide man. he had to be at a high 6foot, 11inches. he wielded a large metal hammer and a goatee that would hang down to his stomach]

[Weapon smith] "blast it all! i said to leave and get to cla... M...Mr. Okami! W...w...when did you get here?"

[Dokuno] "greetings Gregory."

[now i'm no big scientist or anything, but i'm pretty sure that this big guy of a weapon smith looked almost like he was worshiping Dokuno in his very own way. they looked like they were pretty close. i went to look around the shop to see what kind of weapons he had in stock. rifles, rifles, and hey... what do you know, more rifles. there wasn't a single hand gun. guess i had to check. the weapons there did seem to be in great shape. after awhile, Dokuno called to me to let me know his business there was finished]

"did you find out how to use it?"

[Dokuno] "unfortunately, no. we'll have to wait until it awakes it's self for now. right now we have to prepare for the Xias!"

"Wait, the Xias?!?! i thought this place couldn't be found."

[Dokuno] "the garden has a spy within it. the garden will be at war. hopefully if everything goes well tonight, we'll be prepared for them tomorrow."

"does the students know?"

[Dokuno] "not yet. the garden facility will be ready to give an announcement to the students later today. i've given word to Leslie and he is aiding us with equipment."

"Kai should get word of this."

[Dokuno] "Alright, but remember Lenn, don't let any other student know until the school gives the announcement. look out for any student or staff member that may seem to be suspicious as well."

"got it! where will you be?"

[Dokuno] "I'll be at the headmaster office. just take the elevator up there and seek me or Issac."

"okay!"

[Dokuno and i had parted and i made my way back to the dorms in a normal way, not to create any attention to myself. i can't believe that even the garden, this beautiful place is at war with the Xias. i'll protect this place with everything i got]

(The bed was warm... that's what kept running through my mind, but not as much as the thought of Harmony. The girl from last night that guided me to the cafeteria. I remember her scent as I followed her there. It was like being surrounded by a million flowers within a spring morning)

(Alphonse) "Ey! Exscusee moi!"

"Oh, sorry."

(The world came back to me and I was standing in the front of the line in the cafeteria. Everyone behind was looking at me oddly. I grabbed my breakfast and took off to the farthest table. Unfortunately, there was nothing but the female students at the far tables. Then... there she was, within the group of girls eating and chatting to each other. I stood there, blank.

(Harmony) "Would you like to sit down with us?"

(Of course it took forever to reply, so I just slowly made my way to the table and sat down between Harmony and another girl. I never felt this way before. and just to top it off, I was surrounded by a dozen other girls. I didn't know what they were talking about amongst themselves, I hoped that it wasn't anything horrible about me)

(Harmony) "How was your first night here?"

"I..I..It was great! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it that loud! Oh did I just do it again?"

(Harmony giggled for a moment. Her friends seemed to follow her giggle soon after. I was a bit embarrass after that)

(Friend of Harmony) "He is just too cute."

"Harmony, how long have you been here?"

(Harmony) "I've been here since I was fourteen."

(Friend of Harmony) "Yeah, right after the founder had left. I'll tell you, it's just not the same with this one we have now. I can't even remember what the previous one looked like."

"He must have been a one of a kind person."

(Harmony) "He took alot of kids in. Changed their lives, changed mine."

(I didn't want to intrude and ask. I just sat there staring down at my plate)

(Harmony) "Hey, your breakfast is getting cold."

(Friend of Harmony) "Come on Harmony, we're going to be late for class if we don't take off now."

(Harmony) "Go on, I'll catch up with all of you."

(As her friends were leaving, I was even more nervous that she wanted to stay behind, to stay there with me, at least I hope it was for me)

(Harmony) "How long have you known Mr. Okami?"

"Ever since our paths crossed in my town of Tiana. It was a place on the outer part of the main city. He came to seek out a very rare artifact. My master had told me that I must follow him to achieve my very own path."

(Harmony) "That's incredible, you must have went through quite of bit of trouble."

"I did, we all did. We had lost a friend and one that is still recovering."

(Harmony) "I'm sorry and hope that they recover soon."

"I'm sure that they will."

(The intercom sent out a final chime)

"I'm sorry, I've kept you here, you should get to your class."

(Harmony) "It's alright, after class I'll make it up. We can meet again if you'd like."

"O..Of course!"

(Harmony) "Then would like to go to the Garden dance this evening?"

(Just then, my voice would not give. I was stunned. This girl had asked me to a dance with her)

(Harmony) "I take it that's a yes?"

(All I could do was nod back and watch her walk away in a fast paste to her class. My heart pumped so fast that it felt like it was going to burst from my chest. A familiar voice came fast from behind)

(Lenn) "Hey Kai! I'm happy I found you! Why are you so red? Anyways I need to talk with you, something that Dokuno needs you to know. Lets go back to the dorms so that no one hears us."

(I followed Lenn, still thinking about Harmony. She was the first girl that has ever really talked to me. Even in school and the temple there was no girl like her. The Garden dance, but I had to listen into the news that Lenn had brought. Anything from Dokuno was a serious one)

{Out of all the places that I had visited in my life, I never felt the true comfort of being surrounded by people with such great hearts. Only the man with the promise had shown me what that was like. Since I was taken to this city, they had given me more than I could ever want. The scientist from the Xias and the others shared so much stories to me that I didn't want to go to sleep until 5am this morning. The warmth of the sun welcomed my eyes while I laid in bed, staring at the large chrome-finished ceiling fan. Last night was still running throughout my mind. The excitement of taking a risk of leaving. I couldn't tell you why I did it if you asked, I just felt like I needed to see the world for what it may be. Scientist Wei and the others have shared a lot of negative things about the Xias and their work. I had shared my reasons. They still haven't shared why they had taken me away from that place. I will hope to hear their reasons today. I still have not learned much about them. All they did was share how they had joined into this group of saviors. My mind was filled with questions and thoughts. The room was warm and casual looking. The walls were a beige color and the bathroom looked about the same size with blue ceramic tiles on the walls. I walked into it to splash some water on my face. After that I walked over to the door and opened it. Outside I had been greeted by a woman}

{Woman} "Good morning there Tatiana."

"Hello to you."

{I gave a short bow to the woman. She was a bit tall, long black hair that would just cover her left eye. She wore a short black skirt and a white tanktop. Her black leather jacket would finish it off. She had a tattoo of a blue bird on the right side of her neck. She was very kind, at least to me}

{Woman} "Please, stop with the formalities and all. Call me Jinx."

"Jinx?"

{Scientist Wei} "Don't ask, just don't."

"Scientist Wei!"

{Wei} "Please, just call me Wei, Scientist title is just for the Xias. We are beyond that now. I never formally introduced you to the team since we were just so happy to get you out and not get caught last night. We'll start with this one right here. This is..."

{Jinx} "Remember, I had just introduced myself."

{Wei} "Right, right. This is Jinx, but her real name is Melody. Prolly the reason why she goes with Jinx."

{Jinx} "Hardy ha ha ha. Very funny."

{Wei} "My apologies Jinx. With all that out of the way, you'll be surprise to know that this is the woman in the gas mask that you saw last night. She is our demolitions expert. Let us go down and meet the rest of crew, plus you must be hungry right?"

"A little."

{jinx} I'll go and tell the cook to not burn the food this time... hey Wei, don't burn the food this time."

{Wei} "Touche Jinx, touche."

{I tried not to share a laugh and be rude to Jinx's comment. We had to walk down some stairs and enter a large room and almost looked like the inside of a mansion. We came to a kitchen to living room-like area where there were a couple of other people, some that I had seen from last night}

{Wei} "Tatiana, this is just some of the crew from last night. The youngest is Python, our gunman. He may look like he is 12, but he can make any gun work. Next is Ice, our mechanic, best that can make any heap drivable. Last but not least out of this little bunch is KC, our insider for the Xias."

"Wait, I know you, don't I?"

{KC} "Well I hope so, I've been the one that make sure that your powers and healing abilities are working just fine. A bit of a scientist here and there, but mainly an insider that keeps tabs on the Xias. Make sure they aren't doing anything... bad-wise."

{KC looked completely different from before. She was a girl that looked like she went from age 39 to 21 after coming back to this place.}

{Wei} "Okay then. Lets all of us head to the kitchen and talk about everything that we have learned after last night and let our newest group member in on everything."

"Newest group member?"

{KC} "Come on Wei, don't jump the gun just yet."

{Wei} "You're right. I'll see to it that she makes her own decision. Lets go and grab something nice and warm."

{Ice} "More like nice and black."

{Wei} "What was that Ice?"

{Ice} "I said nice and fat."

{Wei} "Hhmmmmmm."

{My cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling and giggling. I would still hope to hear much more about them. They were so nice to me. I still felt something, it came from deep within. What was this feeling, it couldn't be. I can only hope to be wrong}

*I was making my way to the headmaster office once again to check in with Issac. Something had caught my eye. It was a couple of posters down a long hallway. There was a large banner at the entrance of it as well. ~Today is the annual Garden dance!!!~. They still celebrate that? I can't remember the last time I was at one. Years had changed me and racked my memories all over the place. I had to take that into consideration when I speak with Issac*

*Kagome* "Dokuno!"

*I turned to face her. Her eyes had fire behind them. The poker-like expression upon her face was without a doubt, a bit frightening.*

"Kagome, have you been looking for me?"

*Kagome* "Funny you should ask. Please let me follow you."

*She bowed down to the ground. My breathing had stopped for a mere second or two*

"Kagome, you have your own life. You need not seek me anymore. Please, do not bow to me again."

*She replied with a quick nod, but runs up to my side as she was my very own personal guard. She stays quiet and then looks up to me*

*Kagome* "Just like before, right?"

*I tried to ignore her last comment and carried on to the elevator. We were stopped. Three men and a girl stood before us*

*Makado* "No more stalling, Dokuno Okami! This time, you pay the toll. You can't just come in here and think you're all big and bad!"

*Kagome* "How dare you!"

*Kagome placed a fast defensive argument towards Makado. I raised my left arm to the air and halted for her to stop. Silence. The students up on the balconies and surrounding us stopped in shock. Makado, and his three other friends awaited in suspense. I slowly took off my jacket and handed it to Kagome. I unsheathed my sword and the tip of it gently touched the ground*

"You are far from ready to accept your limits, but you are also far from ready to accept your defeat."

*My eyes had a slight illumination to them. Makado requested his sword from his friend that was standing on his right. His weapon was a katana-like sword. A S-curve design to it. The steel was all blue with a red sharp edge to it*

*Makado* "Sure you're ready?!"

*Makado without hesitation or regret, lunges towards me. Standing my ground, all I could do at that moment was stare down at the tip of my blade. He was just a few steps away when I lifted the sword and made a counter spin out of his blade's path. We had our backs to each other. He was breathing hard from the running and screaming towards me. The top part of Makado's sword falls to the ground. His necktie falls to the ground soon after*

*Makado's friends* "Makado, Makado!"

*Makado's friends run to his somewhat aid and checks to see if he is alright*

*Makado* "......................I...I never saw it. I never saw him raise his sword."

*There was never a real threat to him. He just needed to know what it was like to come close to that feeling. The feeling of losing your life for what? Nothing, right? Kagome and I had taken our leave before Makado and his friends could turn around to see the one that didn't even have to break a sweat*

*Kagome* "Why did you leave him be?"

"............................."

*Kagome* "I see, you truly do have a heart, Dokuno."

*We made it to the office. Issac was in there alone*

*Issac* "Ahhhhh Dokuno, Kagome! It's wonderful to see you again and hope that you received the best support from everyone."

*Issac, we should prepare for the Garden dance today."

*Issac* ".........................Did you just say what I think you just said?"

"If we set up the Dance, we'll most likely be able to bring out the spy."

*Issac* "That's actually not a bad idea. I like it. As everyone dances, that will give the spy the opportunity to go freely about. He'll gather all he can before taking off and leaving us to the Xias. It still concerns me on how long he has been with us. He is obliviously a student, that much we know."

"Then he'll be at the dance as well, but only for a short time. Kagome, he must not be a student that you've taught. We will post you near the entrance, but out of sight to seek out anyone out of the ordinary. We don't want this one to know that we have caught on."

*Kagome* "Understood."

*Issac* "You two are a hell of a team you know that? No one could ever get passed you. Now, I'll set everything for tonight. Until we capture this spy, we can not let the students of the Garden know that we are going to war with the Xias tomorrow. They know that we are indeed in a war with them, but not tomorrow. They have the training Dokuno, all we need is the extra weapons and equipment."

"Everything we'll be here before nightfall, hopfully."

*Issac* "Well... we still have enough time before that and the party, but we can't stall anymore beyond that."

*Kagome and I had given Issac a soft salute before we walked out. I had to get in contact to Leslie again*

(TIME-LINE) - December the 11th / 9:00am

"This is really delicious!"

{Wei} "Thanks, I make a mean sausage and eggs when I get the chance."

{Jinx} "Hah, that's a laugh... or two... maybe three."

{Wei} "Will you stop busting my ass!"

{Jinx} "Fine, fine."

"I thankyou all for your hospitality."

{KC} "Don't you ever mention it."

{A loud sound comes from the far back of the underground-like building. A young man with a beige-colored suit runs in, trying to catch his breath. He had a device around his neck. It was long and attached to a strap. At the bottom of it was a small, black metal item. He looked no more than 15 years old. After catching his breath, he stared at me for awhile and then looked back to the kitchen ground. KC walked up to him and placed her hand on his back and helped him to the table, right next to me. Wei handed him a plate and a glass of water}

{Jinx} "I told you not to run like that in your condition."

{Young man} "Sorry, I had to show you guys something."

{Wei} "Tatiana, this is young Fredrick, also known as the deep-eye. He is our photographer. He can sneak any picture past almost anyone. Fredrick, what do you have for us. Not another collection of girls right?"

{Fredrick} "No, no, no! I got something that all of you might be interested in."

{Fredrick took out a large, flat, brown envelope. He unwrapped the thin string on top of it. A couple of pictures slid out onto the middle of the table}

{Fredrick} "I took these while picking up some things in Daia Dadu Da."

{One of the pictures had a group of people in it. A young boy that resembled a monk, two girls... one with very long hair and another with medium length hair. Following them was a feminine, and at the same time masculine man. He seemed just a bit tall, but only because of the boots that he was wearing. There was one more person standing at the head of the group, but I couldn't see his face}

"Who are they?"

{Fredrick} "I'm not too sure at this moment."

{KC} "Nice man, you got pictures that don't do jack for us. You know how much film cost today?"

{Fredrick} "I know, but look close at this one."

{Another photograph was shown. This one had a better view of the person that I could not see the face. He seemed strangely familiar, like I've known him from somewhere}

{Fredrick} "Do you see what he has on his side? Look closer!"

{Fredrick pointed out that this one person in the group was holding something silver. A blade?}

{Jinx} "That's a Zodiac weapon. Only those that have been with the final generation of the Zodiac empire can use it."

{Fredrick} "Which plainly means..."

{Wei} "He's the last of the Zodiacs. Fredrick, do you know where they went after taking these photos?"

{Fredrick} "No, They split up for a bit and then I lost them. I finished up my gathering and then headed back here. Undetected of course."

{I had heard about the Zodiacs from the books I read. They were a race of people that were chosen at times to save the world. Thousands of years ago they were either wiped out, or just perished away. No one really knew what happened to them. Only what was carried in their blood could save the world. This one in the photo must be a descendant of the Zodiacs since there can't be any way they all survived}

{Wei} "Tatiana, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm just full right now. I think I might go walk around for a bit."

{Wei} "Alright, would you like us to accompany you?"

"No, it's fine, thankyou."

{Wei} "Very well, I'll be here, or in the library if you need me."

{I nodded my head to Wei and thanked everyone as I backed out slowly from the kitchen area. My thoughts were scattered all over. Questions still flooded from place to place. Who exactly are these people? What was their goal? Why is a Zodiac still around and how could he have survived? What was Victor up to at this moment? These are the questions I needed to know. After I walked back and forth from one room to the next, I finally came back to the kitchen. Wei and the others had left already. I searched the nearby rooms, but no one was around. I tried to find the library that Wei had mentioned he would be in. Music was playing throughout the halls of the underground-like building. I followed the sound of the melody to a large room filled with magazines, newspapers, and books. This must be the library that Wei had mentioned. I could hear him sing along up on one of the high staircases}

"That is a lovely song"

{Wei} "Really, you like it? My mother use to sing it to me when I was little. This is all I have to remember her by."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

{Wei} "Nah, never mind that. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thankyou for asking. Wei, what is this place? What exactly are all of you?"

{Wei} "I thought you'd never ask. This is the Jenova-Cloud. We are a group of people that are against the Xias."

"Against the Xias?"

{Wei} "Yes. That is why we had to get you out of there. Ever since KC knew about you, she had to take you out of their hands. Tatiana, you are a great threat and weapon against this planet. As long as we keep you away from them, the planet is saved for the time being."

"I don't understand."

{KC} "Do not worry about that for now. Everything will be cleared up in time. For now, we just need to make sure that you are not feeling the fluid that was given to you. You probably do not remember right now."

{Alot of things were confusing at that very moment, but I had to trust their word. I was scared to find out that I was a threat, a weapon to the world. I can only hope not to fall into the wrong hands again. Does that mean that Victor knew as well?}

{Ice} "Hey! I just picked up a funky radio signal. I think it's the Xias!"

{KC} "What's the word?"

{Ice} "Looks like they're preparing for something, something huge!"

{Wei} "Maybe an attack?"

{KC} "Maybe, but with what, or who?"

{I sensed a great pain in the pit of my stomach. I felt like someone just reached into my gut and was pulling at my lower ribs. The pain soon eased up and then a vision of a place flashed in my mind. It was unclear as to what it was. I felt a heavy weight on my back and fell to my knees. My vision started to fade and then my eyes finally closed}

(In room 812, Leslie and Ted slouched back in surprisingly comfortable chairs. Leslie leaned on the arm and stared at Nessa who seemed to be frozen in time. Ted would be turned with his attention on picking his nose with his jacket thrown over his head. Leslie lifted his head, reached a hand out, snatched away the jacket, and makes a disgusted face)- "................................Eeeew.....*slaps him with a box of tissue*....And don't touch me until you've washed....your filthy hands"

(Ted, filled with embarrassment, would frown)- "I only used one hand...."

(Leslie scoffs and looks away while Ted groans as he gets up and walked towards the restroom to wash his hands. A nurse rounds the corner into the room and calls out timidly)- "V.v.vitals.....*Sees Leslie*..Uh......Hello..Sir...*catches a glare and she cowers*..Madame?..heh I'm just here to make sure things are ok with the patient..heh...hmm"

(Ted leaves the restroom patting his hand dry with a brown paper towel)- "There..you happy now?"

(Leslie quirks a brow and sits extremely still. The nurse starts to sweat and fumble around with pressure cuff)- "O...shoot...oh dear...*picks up the stethoscope*..S..s..sorry.. Sir...MADAME....or Sir oooooo..*cowers more*.."

(Leslie, finally breaking his gaze, looks on as the clumsy nurse tries to insert a needle, in Nessa's arm, to take a blood sample. He braces his hands on the arms of the chair and fumes)- "You have got to be fucking kidding me!.....If you can't even hold a blood pressure cuff...You sure as hell aren't going to try and stab her to death with that needle...*points to the door* Take your items and get the hell out of here!"

(The nurse looks to Leslie then to Ted who shrugs his shoulders and motions her out as well. She frowns as she gathers up her items and heads out the doorway hunched over in fear. Leslie folds his arms and crosses his left leg furiously. Ted smirks as he watches Leslie, then decides to copy him. Leslie huffs, Ted huffs. Leslie places a hand under his chin, Ted does the same. Leslie looks slowly towards the right at Ted and Ted looks towards him with a grin. Leslie wrinkles his nose with a smile and sticks out his tongue to which they both share a good laugh then all goes quiet again. Ted was about to say something until a neatly pressed male orderly walks in with a medium sized bag coloured black with red and green trim. He walks towards Leslie and stops with a small skid as he turned sharply into a polite bow)- "Greetings..I believe you are Madame Leslie?"

(Turns his head to the left and looks at him from the corner of his eye cautiously)- "I might be...Why do you want to know?"

(The male stood up straight and smiled)- "I am to give this gift to you Madame Leslie as requested by Dr. Hule"

(Leslie looks at him with surprise as he is handed the bag which felt heavy in his grip. He nods to the male who smiles once more and leaves the room. Ted leans over, they both peak into the bag, and say with awe in unison)- "WOW...It's Goliciano."

(Leslie reaches into the bag, pulls out a semi-sheer black blouse, skirt and a scarf. Ted pulls out a pair of 10" black snake-skin Velenshis', Goli shades and apack of Red Vert extra long cigarettes. Leslie sees the pack and instantly snatches it out his hand and starts to smell the top part of the pack)- ".....Mmm cinan, cloies' and taba.....I've only glanced at these once before but...*smells it again*...It is a great pleasure to have a taste of the finest cigarettes in all of Validia.. Almost makes me not want to smoke them *Ted would start to smile but it gets crushed*..But I'm going to."

(Ted shifted as Leslie grabbed the items and walked into the restroom, then rests his head on the wall)- "You really don't need that strong of a cigarette....Those Blacks are bad enough as it is..."

(Leslie rubs his hand on the restroom wall, which happened to be thin drywall and not titled, finds a not so hollow spot and pounds it with a fist. He hears Ted cry out as his head is hit from the other side)- "Shut up Ted...I didn't see you complaining when you needed one...hmm?"

(Ted)- OW....That's dangerous...you'll end up having me in a coma along with Nessa....."

(Leslie cringed, walked out of the restroom shirtless, with the blouse gripped tightly in his hand, and stood there frozen while staring at Ted with various emotions surging through his mind and body)- "....Insensitive.......cur..."

(Ted realizes what he said too late, leans forward and cups his hands on the top of his head. He brushed the hair nervously with his fingers and sighed)- "i..I..I'm sorry...I didn't..mean....*Leslie walks away silently*........I...*sigh* damn..."

*As Kagome and I left the headmaster's office, we walked into the elevator and headed to the bottom floor. Kagome looked troubled as I was thinking to myself about the events that had to be prepared for this evening*

"Is there something on your mind Kagome?"

*Kagome* "What have you planned for?"

"We lure out the spy to the dance. Either he'll be free to roam the Garden, or he'll attend the dance. You will look closely upon each student and staff that enters through the front. I will be within the dance until I summon you. Do you understand?"

"Yes Dokuno, I understand. I must say, this person must be quite the cunning spy, for I have never noticed anything out of the ordinary."

"They just haven't dropped the ball yet. We look sharp and do not let them out of our sight."

*Dr Rasmus had walked up to us and greeted us with a salute. He seemed out of breath at first, but then gathered it in time to give us some news*

*Dr. Rasmus* "Dokuno, I have gone through all of the staff's official backgrounds and medical records as you have requested. Nothing was found, which would have to mean that..."

*Kagome* "That our spy is definitely a student. He must be one that hasn't attended my class."

"Thank you Dr. Rasmus, we just narrowed our search. Any word from communications?"

*Dr. Rasmus* "Not so far. The crew above will send word through secret intel as soon as they hear anything new."

"Leslie must still be in the process of getting to the mansion."

*We had departed from Dr. Rasmus for the time being and made way to the south part of the Garden. There was still more than enough time to prepare and I needed to know something. At the same time of having thoughts floating around my mind, I did keep a certain line of curiosity of the status of both Lenn and Kai*

*Kagome* "Dokuno? What are we doing here at the south wing of the Garden. There is only the training facility here."

"Exactly!"

*Kagome* "you think I have become rusty, don't you?"

"Now Kagome, why would I think that? Has this been upgraded as well?"

*Kagome* "Affirmative. Issac and some of the other defense class teachers have replaced the actual creatures with hologram creatures. Each suited with a very fine AI program."

"Then lets see what I have taught you."

*We fully stepped within the training facility. It was developed to be complex, but at the same time simple if you got the gist of what had to be done. The training room was gigantic and the most advanced. It used to be a large habitat for creatures to grow in and go on the offensive, but now was replaced by millions of very small beads located on the walls and ceiling. Hologram eyes to bring out the image of the creatures. Holograms they may be, but as deadly as the real thing. It was about time that we moved on from harming real creatures, even if they were very hostile. They were still part of this world. I walked over to the nearest control console and programed it*

"Are you ready?"

*Kagome didn't say a word. She knew that I already had the feel that she was more than ready*

"Let us see what they got."

*I had created a small warm up. A group of men with long swords dropped down and surrounded her. Kagome slowly stretched out her arms from her sides and crouched down low. Her arms crossed her chest and as she balled up her fists, a long, black, straight blade ejected from her right arm sleeve. The other arm followed soon afterwords. I gave the program the go ahead and unleashed the men upon her. There were eight men at first, but Kagome handled them without hesitation. The first and second was impaled by her blades. The fourth, fifth, and sixth was taken down by her combination of CQC and blades to their backs. The seventh one was attacking by air and coming in fast. Kagome side stepped out of way and was close enough to break his neck. The eighth and last man ran towards her with two swords. She charged at him as well. She made a small leap towards him and landed just past his body. Let's just say that he should have quite while he was a head. Kagome looked at me with knowing eyes and knew that I might have slightly insulted her and her skills*

"Very good. Now that I know your speed, lets see what you have against this."

*Kagome still facing me, heard something behind her. The sound of drooling. The saliva of the creature behind her slapping down to the ground. The heavy growl of it echoed the training area. The blowing heat of it's breath passing her body. She turned around and looked the creature right in it's large left eye as it stared at her. Kagome tilted her neck slightly to the right and popped a couple of snaps before sharing something to the creature*

*Kagome* "Come foul creature."

(After Lenn had filled me in on the situation, we parted and I tried to look for Dokuno. I wanted to do something to protect this place. The Students, the staff, and the Garden itself. I had asked around, but no one had seen Dokuno recently. I made my way to the elevator to see if he would be in the office that he had mentioned)

"That's strange, the elevator only went to the fifth floor."

(The fifth floor was not the top floor. I kept pushing the button, but no good)

(Garden hall's security) "May I help you sir?"

"Yes, please. Could you tell me how to get to the headmaster's office? I am seeking Dokuno."

(Garden hall's security) "I'm sorry, but right now the headmaster's office is temporarily inaccessible right now. I'm afraid that no one is up there at this time, or very busy."

"Okay, I can come back later than."

(I had no other choice, but to return to where I came. I returned to the bottom floor and walked around. I spotted that Dr. Rasmus walking around one floor above me. He waved and I reply with a wave back. I was thinking about Harmony again. I felt that funny feeling down in my stomach, like butterflies fluttering about. I had to find something to wear for this evening)

"I wonder where Dokuno is."

[i had to get to Dokuno to see if he had planned anything new for tonight. the problem was that i couldn't find him. i had asked around, but no one had seen him for the past hour or so. my name was suddenly called out of the blue from the left side of me]

[Trigger] "Hey little lady, did you miss me?"

"ummmm"

[Trigger] "hehe, i'm just kidding. how are you doing?"

"i'm doing alright, how are you?"

[Trigger] "well i just got out of class, i on the other hand have been missing you."

"okay then."

[Trigger] "where are you off to?"

"i'm looking for Dokuno, i can't seem to find him anywhere, but i guess that shouldn't be too much of a surprised since this place is enormous."

[Trigger] "i can help if you'd like, i mean i'm not having another class until another hour. if that's alright with you that is."

"turning down a handsom guide, i am in your debt sir."

[we both shared a brief laugh and then headed down to the west wing to search around for Dokuno. Trigger seemed like an odd person, but he has shared alot with me on his life. he has been here for about a year now. he did seem to be a nervous kind of guy at times, but maybe it was just because of me. as we looked around the west wing, he was looking forward to the dance that was going to be held this evening. Dokuno said that i wasn't suppose to let anyone else know that we were to be on the look out of a spy. Trigger should at least be let in on the scoop. Dokuno would be too mad right? Then again Trigger could share it to his friends. for the sake of Dokuno's secrecy, i better keep it to myself]

[Trigger] "hey there, Gaia to Lenn, hello?"

'i'm sorry, what?"

[Trigger] "you zoned off, are you okay?"

"of course, anyways i don't think he is down here. we should check out another wing."

[Trigger] "okay, we'll check out the east next. he can't be too far away right?"

"you obliviously have not been around Dokuno. he is someone that doesn't stay in one place for long."

[Trigger] "you still haven't told me fully yet how you two came to cross paths."

"it's a long story, a very long story."

[as we walked down the red and beige-colored halls, i ended up telling Trigger how my journey was like. he was amazed and of course, blown by the story. i changed the subject and told him about my brother and i.]

[Trigger] "so your brother and you aren't that tight?"

"well it's complicated. i was very little, but remember the day he left my village. he sadly joined the Xias. only to help the planet, but they must have sucked him into something against his will."

[Trigger] "what was his name?"

"i use to call him Falcon, that was his proud name in our village. he took care of me every single day. his name outside the village is Victor. he is very tall and has long hair."

[Trigger] "your brother is Victor!?"

"yes, how do you know him?"

[Trigger] "umm well he has been on the news and i heard about what had happened to a village miles and miles from here. he sounds scary and a man not to be messed with."

[Trigger seemed off as he spoke of Victor. like he had faced him straight on and lost. a scared expression on his face like never before. i had to keep an eye on him for now]

[Trigger] "damn look at that, the bell is about to ring. i'll see ya tonight right?"

[i couldn't even reply to his last question. strange that he took off way before the hour was up. it had only been about twenty-five minutes that we had been walking around]

"great, i guess i'll just find him myself."

*The large, reptilian creature fell before Kagome as soon as she made the last blow to it's face. Her skill had indeed improved since the last I had trained her. She showed no fear in the field of real danger. If she has put this much effort into the students here, then I can be a little more comfortable about tomorrow. Her breathing slowed down and she stood straight up and looked around, waiting for the next challenge*

"Think fast!"

*From her left, a medium-sized orb with the entity of pure frost came to her, but misses. It flies past her and then makes a vertical loop, returning back towards her. Kagome leaps into the air and tries to strike it down with her wrist blades. As soon as the orb comes just near her face, it dissipates into the air. The room slowly changes into a battle ground. The surroundings were of a wasteland. Dried up, a small chilling wind lingering. I was no where to be seen within it. The sickly smell of death roamed throughout the atmosphere*

"The battleground is something you need to adapt to. Learn from certain points of advantages as well as disadvantages. Wind, temperature, visual, smell, feel, timing, clearance... all to be used by you, and against you."

*Kagome took small steps around the environment. She knew that she was at a point of this training that was going to be her biggest challenge. Training against the one person that taught her the ways of the zodiacs. She is the only one that has taken on this challenge. She has sworn never to share it to anyone else. I had taught her the ways of the zodiac even though she is not one, because I had seen how she thinks and moves. She had adapted her skills to make perfect form of the the technique and power*

"The mind can play tricks on you. Your breathing is steady, your heart is at it's own rhythm. Your eyes can never be fully used, yet you remain to use them to your will. Meditate on the surroundings, both near and far."

*My voice was reaching into her head. Talking to her, whispering to her. No tricks, but like this, I can slowly reach into her soul to see if she can make that one move that will forever change the outcome of the battle*

"A battle field can not be underestimated. Time will set it's course against you."

*Kagome retracts the blades and starts to form an orb between her hands. The same kind of entity that I created. She starts to do something differently with it as I observe. The blood-stained corpses around her shrivel up and turn to dust and then come to her. The blood, still wet upon the ground around her collects and hovers to her as well. The orb containing all that was collected, forms larger between her arms and an entity of electricity gathers within it. I form an orb myself and with the power of my bloodline and sword. The power of my bloodline, meaning my very own blood and the power of my blade's energy would create a new kind of power. I just needed to keep it weak, for it could be catastrophic if focused deep enough. I create an orb of an entity of a dark, deep-blue cloud. Kagome's orb soon divides into four and lifts up above her head, rotating horizontally in a circle. I had mine lift up as well, but not divide. Kagome released her orbs and soon seeks me out to my position. My orb stays where it is. Her orbs soon draw near and come at me with much speed. My orb forms into a minor shield to block her incoming orbs, but just enough to bounce them away, as they would return again soon after. My orb suddenly takes in all of her orbs and then returns them to her. She tries to evade each incoming attack. The blue orb slams into the ground, creating a dense fog around her. Now she would have to evade while at the same time, know when the next attack would come. She sensed something coming, but from where?*

"This can only end in a way you would know."

*From the dense blue fog, a silver blade cuts through and attacks. She evades and strikes back. When the silver blade came back for another deadly strike, it would come and try to attack from behind her as well*

"Well-made form. Try to sense when the next attack will be, do not assume."

*She was quick, she was wise, and she never assumed when and where the next strike would be. I lunged at her left with my blade. She parried and attacked. She would leave open spots, but why? Kagome was not the one to make a careless move without reason. As I went for one of the open spots, she quickly evaded and engaged one of her wrist blades towards me. Thinking a couple steps ahead was something to always consider. She made the attack, but left one thing out... the point of attack after she made the left wrist blade towards me. Kagome was right handed and she would not be able to strike quickly enough afterwords with that right one*

*Kagome* "Damn it!"

*With the silver blade placed right under her throat, she had no other choice but to submit. Then again, I could have jumped the gun on the victory after realizing that even knowing the right wrist blade would never catch up on time to make a precise attack... it did make it to a lower target that I care not to explain*

"I never taught that one, but you did well."

*The training was over and the area was shutting down before we both walked out*

*Kagome* "We have been training for awhile now. Just like before you left."

"Glad we haven't slowed down then. We'll need that for tomorrow."

[the halls were always filled with a hundred students at every moment. they should be in their classes but nope, they are just roaming around for now. i'm guessing that it must be the big event happening later today. finding myself back at square one, what do you know, i spot Dokuno and that girl. i think her name was Kagome, yeah that's what he said earlier]

"hey! Dokuno!"

[my voice couldn't quite reach him past all these students, but luckily he spotted me looking crazy]

[Dokuno] "is everything alright Lenn?"

"yeah, i was just looking for you to figure out everything for this evening. i have nothing else to occupy myself with."

[Dokuno] "we have the setup for tonight. we'll just need to wait and see this person that will reveal themselves."

"okay then. as soon as we are done with that, we can focus on the real deal right?"

[Dokuno] "that is correct. where is Kai? we shall go and see Dr. Rasmus."

"oh i think he is looking for this female student for last night. he has a definite crush for her too."

[i followed Dokuno as soon as he stayed silent like he always does. the loud chime of the garden echos through out the halls. this dr. Rasmus was located in his office within the east wing. the infirmary was what he controlled. Kagome mentioned that alot of the students end up here for practicing over the limit that they should]

"where is this guy?"

[it was really creepy to see both this Kagome girl and Dokuno just walk and not say a word often. they just walk and here i am talking to myself]

"so Kagome, how long have you been here?"

[Kagome] "......................."

"okay then. hey i heard that you're not a student, but an intructor here, that's really impressive i say."

[Kagome] "........................"

"you two have got to find a new outlook on life."

[we made it to dr. Rasmus and his office. there was a male student laying on one of the beds there. he was recovering from a magi-attack. a special mage ability that is concentrated by someone that knows the backgrounds of magic and summoning. i've never really met one before, but it looks painful]

[dr. Rasmus] "who is there!? one moment please!"

[i could just see past him and he was placing this blue and red herb on his face which healed most his burns and cuts, but it seemed to create much more pain for the student]

[dr. Rasmus] "now stop sparring with that student and stop coming back here!]

[the student bowed to him and limped out the door]

[dr. Rasmus] "these kids now just don't harness what they need. oh well. Dokuno, Kagome, and Lenn am i crrect?"

"yes"

[dr. Rasmus] "oh boy, thank goodness i remembered. what can i do for you...oh wait, that's right. here is what you needed Dokuno."

[he handed Dokuno a flat handsized CD. it was red on one side and green on the other. dr. Rasmus soon nodded to Dokuno and turned back to his work]

[Dokuno] "thankyou, come Lenn."

[i bowed once again to the dr. before leaving. as we left out the infirmary, i didn't ask Dokuno what the item was. i kinda figured that he would let me know sooner or later]

(Ghloria arrived in front of Les Miserables by way of Ted's drugged up guard. She leaned over and thanked him with a kiss on the cheek and watched as he mumbled "No problem" as she exited the big van. Once outside it the van pulled out in a weave hitting the side gate of the bar, reversing then speeding off towards who knows where.)

(Ghloria shook her head with a smile, brushes off her coat, then searches her pockets for a cigarette and lighter. Searching the inside pocket, she pulls out a medium sized cigarette tin, opens it and places it in her mouth. But she still couldn't find a lighter and mumbled obscenities until she gave up and headed towards the door. Ghloria remembered on the way here that the Xias security seemed to be beefed up more than usual, and gave her a mere cause for concern especially now.)

(The doorway to the bar opened, and unfortunately fell off, causing the people at the nearby table to turn and stare with brews in their hands, then they eventually went back to their conversations. Ghloria smiled nervously, then hop-skip-walked to the bar. She tapped her hand on the bar twice and got an angry glare from the bar mistress leaning on the countertop. She stopped her leaning and stood in front of Ghloria with folded arms, a cigarette in her right hand and a crooked smile on her face.)

(The woman was a lightly tanned asian with long dark red pigtails which draped down her chest neatly and were tied with pink ribbons. Her face was an average shape, her eyes were oval with rich brown iris', but hidden behind longer than needed fake lashes. Her cheeks were plump, her lips covered neatly in ruby red lipstick were pouty which revealed a beauty mark in the right corner, and her waist was deathly slender as it was being restricted by a tightly bound corset underneath her gray suit jacket. Her hips were being hugged by a matching skirt, which stopped just below her behind, and exposed two garter clips holding up white hosiery at her mid-thigh. Her feet were highly arched in 11in heels that were made for working and not walking, but she seemed to prove otherwise.)

(Ghloria looked her over a moment then titled her head)- "Hey....Laura here?"

(The asian woman smiled while fluttering her long glittered lashes. She then spoke in her natural tone which was slow, low and seductive)- "Mmmmmm.....Maaaybe...Whyy?"

(Ghloria's eyes widen in surprise at her voice then laughed nervously)- "Leslie sent me....*stands up straighter* Emergency type stuff....*Looks around with her hands in her pockets*....Soo.....she here?"

(The asian woman smiled and reached out her hand to shake Ghloria's)- "Hii.....Nice to meet you.....I am Laura...*shakes Ghloria's stretched out hand now*..Mmmmm..Follow me to the back..."

(As Laura walked away, the bar became silent as everyone stood up to watch her go through the curtain. Once she did the bar patrons let out a collective sigh)- "Aahhhhhhhh..."

(Ghloria looked at everyone and shook her head as she ran after her. Laura had waited for her and once there they continued towards the back exit where she would grab her coat and open the door to stand outside. She leaned against the wall resting one heel behind her and looked over at Ghloria)- "Weeellll....Mmm.....What is it then hmmm?"

(Ghloria paced lightly as she tried to remember then stopped when she did.)- "Leslie needs me to go to the mansion...For whatever reason he didn't wanted me to go there directly...So I'm supposed to ask you to take me...So...you gonna take me or what?"

(Laura scrunched her brow for a moment then laughed as smoke drifted out of her mouth)- "He didn't want you to go directly probaaably..becauuse Ted's shit for guards brought you heeree..MMmmm...I'm right...?"

(Ghloria nodded and flicked a brow in agreement)- "..Yea he hit the gate and knocked it over on the way wherever......Oh..hey...what's up with the beef around here?... Never seen it this bad before"

(Laura looked at her puzzled and drug out her words)- "Beeeeeeef?...What do you meeeeean?"

(Ghloria)- "You know...the guard...Xias...the bucketheads...They're packing the streets...*Walks up to Laura snatches her cigarette to light her own then paces* Went through 9 checkpoints to get here...Sup with that?"

(Laura looked pissed at Ghloria taking away her light and mumbled "bitch" under her breath as she went up, snatched away Ghloria's cigarette and smoked it)- "Hmm.....I dunno......Sounds like something goin doooooown....Mmmmm....I bet our usual route is blocked.....Hmm shit........."

(Ghloria)- "He doesn't have a shortcut or anything..... Emergency road somethin...?"

(Laura didn't hesitate to pull out her phone to dial Leslie but was quickly stopped by Ghloria's hand)- "Hmmm Whaaaat?"

(Ghloria shook her head no)- "Leslie's out of range you'll have to either do com link or satellite the phone signal..."

(Laura made a ugh face as she searched for her com device)- "Mmm...shit...of allllll tiiimes...Where is he anyway then?"

(Ghloria let out a soft ha)- "....He's in Hilifax..."

(Laura looked up with her lashes barely shielding her eyes)- "Fuuuuuuck?....Why there?...What...What the hell is going oooon? Oh....shit...hold on."

(Laura finds her com device and makeshift links it to her phone. She looks at the sky while trying to remember the number, but Ghloria types it in for her. Laura slowly looked down at the phone then Ghloria and smiled crookedly)- "Thaaaankssss..."

(A few minutes later the signal goes through and the com shows an image of Leslie's chest in the dark. The darkness is quickly lifted as the com is taken out of his blouse and into his hand.)- "And who the hell might this be?"

(Laura)- "Daaaaamn like that Madame Leslie?...It's me Laura"

(Leslie fines tunes the image on the screen and laughs)- "Ha...Laura...wait..why are you calling me...? Ghloria made it I suppose?"

(Laura nods and smiles)- "Yeaaaahhh...She's here and fine.....she's a real....peach *Ghloria makes rude gestures behind Laura's head but Leslie sees them*.....We have a problem......"

(Leslie slips off his glasses and glares at the screen)- "We sure as hell do.....Throw your left fist over your shoulder please..*Laura does this which decks Ghloria in the face causing her to fall over*...Good...that's settled...Now...what's the REAL problem Hmmm...?"

(Laura would be looking down at Ghloria and prods her a few times with her heel)- "Mmm haha....Oh...wait...whaaaat?...Oh....Ghloria told me Xias is beefy right now and certain street-side roads are blocked...It's got me worried that the usually route to the mansion is cut off too...."

(Leslie would start to speak, but Ted pesters him trying to get a look at the screen)- "Ted...go away *Swats him with his right hand*...Dammit...this is business....*Ted backs off*...Good...*looks at the screen*...Now...hmph.....That is really not what I want to hear right now.....I have four routes....the main, and two alternates....and the 2 I take as a last resort are...*shudders* Sewer bound...the one you can try to take is......."

(Leslie pulls out a Holodec map and searches for the alternate route. Ted tries to playfully sit in Leslie's lap but is met with a knee that floors him. Lesie looks down and scoffs as he returns to the map)- "Serves you right...*rest his heels into Ted's side comfortably*..Now..Laura.....There's the boat trail...You can take that boat behind the bar on the water and get halfway to the mansion at a nearby dock...once you reach that you'll have to get there by foot...and that should take 5minutes.....Go that?"

(Laura tilts her head causing her pigtails to slide, and makes a pissed facial expression)- "Fuuuuck....You want me to get out...in the waaaatterr?"

(Leslie rolls his eyes)- "You're not going swimming dammit...If you don't like it...you're welcome to take the sewers....Hmmm So what say you?"

(Laura stands there with the same expression)- "..........Fuuuuuck...Alriiight fine...I'll take the boat....but IF I scuff a heel you're arm candy is buying me a new pair..And by the waaay...Nice blouse.."

(Leslie smiles while fluttering his lashes. He gives Ted a prod and giggles softly)- "He says that's fine with him price isn't a limit...And thank you...Now hurry and get to the mansion...this situation isn't sitting well with me"

(Ghloria stands up behind Laura while rubbing her nose in pain. Laura sticks out her tongue then remembers something)- "Leeeeslie....waiiiit...*Leslie's brow raises*....What the hell is going oooooon?..Why you at Hilifaaax?..."

(Leslie's face goes sullen and he looks towards the floor at Ted while he squirms)- "I'll tell you when you reach the mansion...So hurry and get your ass up there....Safely"

(Leslie terminates the connection and Laura places the com-device back in her pocket. She looks back at Ghloria and nods)- "Coooome oooon...Let's get this over with....Thinking about that boat ride already has me droooowningg..."

(Laura clicks off in the direction of the boat with Ghloria holding her nose and stumbling after her.)