Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mimi had made her way back to her dorm room late the night before. Just waking, she stretched her arms above her head and felt her back crack in several spots. Wincing, she rolled her shoulders as she sat up and glanced out her window. Balamb was still drifting lazily on the waters, which were currently a clear blue. The sun shone brightly, nearly blinding her as it reached through the blinds.

Standing up, she changed into a pair of jean shorts and a tank top before making sure that the ring was still around her neck. Checking the drawers, she noted that there wasn't much to take with her. Most of her clothes she had sent to the transport unit they'd be using once they reached land.

Slowly, her mind drifted to the conversation she had shared with Alistar the night before. Deciding not to think too much on it, she grabbed her sword, hung it over her back, made her bed, and left the room, shutting it behind her. She wouldn't be back to see it anytime soon - of that fact she was almost sure.

She made her way to the infirmary, hoping to catch Rainer. There was no need to say good-bye to Alistar anymore. Passing a few windows, she noted that Balamb had drifted close to land, perhaps waiting for them to leave for Esthar before drifting out back to sea where Alistar most likely thought it would be safer.

Standing in front of the infirmary, Mimi asked a nurse if Rainer was awake. Hearing that James was inside with her, she waited outside of the room patiently to let them finish whatever conversation they may have started. They would have to leave soon - hopefully without any delay or trouble.

((OoC: Just a thought. If bluangeltoh isn't coming back, should we just assume that she was one of the fallen SeeD members who passed on when Galbadia attacked?))

Rainer shifted uncomfortably at the mention of forgetting what she had called him. She stood uncertainly as James talked, trying to recall his voice and image in her mind. She gave a mental sigh as nothing came up.

"My choice?" Rainer asked exasperatedly. "I hate making choices for everyone. Too much pressure!" She shook head stubbornly and crossed her arms. "But if that's the way it's going to be, then I say we go to Esthar. If anything, the libraries and professors there may have something to say about this whole Sorceress thing."

Rainer let her eyes wander back to James' bandages.

"Why did you let yourself get so injured?" she asked softly, frowning slightly at the bandages. "I'm sure grats couldn't have done that; were you fighting a T-Rexaur?" Rainer's frown deepened as she looked back into his eyes. "You shouldn't have done that, James." Again, the name came strangely to her mouth. Irritated, Rainer asked, "I know at least I never called you James. What did I call you before...?"

(I've actually been waiting for you to post. While I waited I repeatedly watched the video in your profile that doesn't make sense to me... biggrin )

Isaac rubbed his eyes, mumbling several incoherent things. He thought he was saying, "You didn't have to tell us that, I'm sure we could have figured that out if we didn't already know. What is that? What's that look?" He suddenly realized that his grumbling couldn't be understood, after hearing himself, so he shrugged his shoulders and moved aside so that the two could move a little more. He didn't know where anything was, despite his exploring. He resolved to start visiting places after he was mission free for a while, to learn about the places.

James was second into the transport. Looking around, he was quite impressed by how roomy it was. Four bunks, more than enough for their group. He inspected the windows; all of them were bullet proof glass, which was good, should they be attacked. And there were also several secret compartments that he took note of, various handles opening things that didn't look openable. Some contained food and water; some contained extra weapons supplied by the Balamb SeeD; some were empty so that the group's own weapons could be placed in them.

He made his way up to the Driver's Area and slid into the seat next to Mimi. His movements were slow courtesy of the damage he had received the night before, but still enough for him to get around quickly. Balamb was slowly coming to a stop; he could feel it and assumed she could as well.

"You sure you can get us there?" James asked in a joking manner, "The Garden's likely stop will be Tear's Point. From there, we'd be able to travel about half way via car. Then, the rest will have to be on foot."

Rainer's eyebrows furrowed as she frowned. Bossman? No recollection of that, either. Rainer sighed as she followed James out of the infirmary. A nurse approached Rainer, so she stopped. The nurse smiled and procured Rainer's gunblade from behind her back, and Rainer took it hesitantly. The power coursing through her did not like the gunblade, and Rainer felt a sudden violent urge to throw the gunblade into the sea. However, she supressed this feeling and strapped it to her belt. It hung by with its familiar weight at her side. Rainer nodded in thanks to the nurse who then turned back and strode back in to the infirmary.

Rainer arrived in time to hear James' orders and instructions. She bit her lip, slightly uncomfortable. Despite her life-long wish to be in command of others, to have the privelege suddenly given to her made her unsure. The power surged through Rainer again, making her feel more confident, though more than a bit nauseated.

She followed along after everyone, slipping into the back with Isaac. A small smile came to her mouth as she saw him immediately make for the beds. Rainer wasn't tired, having slept well, so she merely sat back in the back seat and waited for the Garden to come to a stop.

Finally, the Garden came to a last, shuddering halt with much vibrating. Rainer clutched at her already nauseous stomach as the heavy vibration reverberated through her. But the feeling was stomped down as a large portion of the wall lifted and revealed Tear's Point to the SeeDs. Rainer grinned, excited at last, and leaned forward between the two front seats.

"So we go, eh, Bossman?" Rainer said, smiling at James. Sure enough, the nickname sounded more natural to her and Rainer was filled with hope that perhaps her memory would come back and she wouldn't have to hurt James any longer.

Rainer then turned to Mimi, smile still in place.

"Step on the gas, Mimi! Esthar is waiting for us!"

"I have complete faith in your ability to drive, Mimi." James's gaze drifted to the side mirrors, watching Balamb Garden drift back out to see, "I just know the road. Esthar has been my home for thirty, long years."

When his voice settled, the pleasant hum of the engine was all that could be heard. Occasionally a monster flew by, roaring as it past overhead. Some ran with the vehicle, keeping in toe for a short distance before eventually falling back. It was an interesting sight, really. Fascinating, as well.

A myriad of thoughts passed through his mind as Mimi drove them in the direction of Esthar. Many he would never share with those around him. Others, though, he considered. It would be on a need to know basis, though. They were all safer that way. The longer they were kept out of harm's way on James's part, the better.

(My biggest post so far! And it's still smaller than all of your's! crying )

As Isaac fell out of the bunk, and hit the floor of the transport. He rubbed his sore face as he got up to get his pouch. He simply stood outside the transport, hardly thinking about what was being said at the time. Though he was amazingly groggy, his mind was working overtime as he thought of his puzzle.

"What possessed Rainer to agree to that? Or was she forced? She must of been forced by that Sorceress... But then how did they reach her? It can't be easy to sneak into a garden... Was anything said in that battle?"

Isaac thought back to the fight between Rainer and the two men. The barrier had muffled the conversation inside and the sound of Isaac's pounding on the barrier with his fists filled his ears most of the time.

"They must have had help, but from who? Not Rainer, me, Alistar, or James. That leaves Mimi or Beatriz from our group... Mimi so far has been a help and is very unlikely... And Beatriz was killed... They wouldn't kill a successful spy..." He started at a low grumble that slowly progressed to, "UUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Isaac yelled aloud. "It's maken' my head hurt!"