"Careful, Maduin. Humans can be idiots, at times."

The lord of all that is flame and fire stands just outside the gates in one of his many forms, armored arms crossed over his ashen-plated chest.

"They fear what they do not fully comprehend."

It's not like any other day and the only reason that Leonhart has a rather quickness to his walk is the fact that he was rather paged. "Sir," the message said. "There appears to be an esper, the same one that was here the night before, the men are on standby but..." and that's the end of it really. The man strides through the halls, wandering through the atriums and awaiting the time until his eyes - those cloud of gray that appear to be always calculative, always contemplative - can look at the espers for himself. "Commander," and Squall seems to just nod to anyone here that resembles a SeeD, "Everyone just stay here..." he says, though he seems to do a few things in order of how they appear. Apparently this is a time that the Lionheart is to come out, though what its intents are clearly unavailable. Another is the fact that he needs to show his charisma, the stuff that's locked away behind the icebox labelled (clearly and over his heart) 'Emotions.' At this though, the gunblade is drawn, however, immediately put on the ground, with a rather smooth one-knee kneel towards said ground. After that his voice cuts through the air as soon as it can:

"Everyone else do the same..." and he looks at the espers, now expecting that said order can be followed.

Ellone is sitting near the gate, leaning against a wall. Her sketchbook is open on her lap, and facing up is a blank page... It doesn't seem like she's been drawing, or that she's making any effort to draw. Her eyes - both sable now, are staring directly down at the book... At least until she hears the voices behind her... Turning slowly, she spies not one, but two of the creatures. One was the lionish creature from last time, and... there's another. Suddenly... well. She feels a bit threatened. o.o

She has no weapon to set down, but as Squall sets his gunblade on the floor, she does likewise with her sketchbook. Hell, paper could be a dangerous thing... And then? She just sits as still as possible, hardly even bothering to breathe.

Trotting across Garden at her normal pace, Fuujin's jog was nearing it's last leg as she nears the gates...and so she's rather surprised to see the visitors that are at Garden's door. Slowing to a brisk, almost frightened walk, the albino arrives in time to hear Squall's last words...

Stopping near Ellone, sparing a quick glance at her friend, Fuujin drops to a kneel haltingly, her pinwheel clattering slightly as she places it on the ground.

The recently returned Major was one of the men guarding that gate.. he volunteered as soon as the opporotunity came to do so..- he'd never seen one of those before in his lifetime, but once.. and -twice-, even? That's downright amazing and makes up for it completely.. and as far as the Commander's order? Well, the Outlander draws, and kneels to lay his kris upon the ground..- and just plain -stays- down. It's habitual for the Ivalician that is Cary Castlien to do so as a sign of respect.. and if even half the stories that he's been told about Guardian Forces are true.. then they deserve that respect and -more-.

Leaning against the wall in this lovely place we call the hall resides an obviously tired young woman dressed simply in her labcoats. There is a significant mess of papers littering the surrounding area, most of them old reports, withered scraps, photographs, plans, theories, drawings, confidential files, profiles, historical records, and even a small chemistry set sitting by her feet. Lucrecia is obviously strained due to the lack of sleep, her hair in an untidy mess, her lips pursed together in light contemplation, serious milky jade eyes narrowed as the woman peers at the writing scribbled incoherently over the drawn documents through her glasses. Lovely little accounts of a dwindling future gone mad..... rather hilarious, truly, really, honestly... The woman purses her lips together and lets a few contemplations slide into her mind and simply numb her thoughts for the time being.

This is before Ifrit and Maduin interfere Lucrecia's rounded calculations.

She blinks up at these massive monsters standing only so just very far where she is resting now..... The woman blinks once... twice... mouth lightly gapes..... Then she THROWS her papers to the side, sending a hurricane of pages over the hall. The scientist swims through those papers now, searching for some sort of book or item that has just now sparked her interest due to the entrance of Ifrit and Maduin. "...Oh oh oh oh oh oh .... Uhmm.. I know these.. I know this... Dear god, where is it..." Lucrecia holds one finger out to Ifrit and Maduin "JUST STAY RIGHT THERE GO NO WHERE I WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU!!!!" The woman is suddenly giggling madly. "...This is perfect.. wonderful! I never thought I'd get to see one... Oh.. just... aaaaaaieeeee! Now where is that bloody book.." Lucrecia looks up as Squall steps upon her papers like no problemo at all and straight for the door. "......Nice to see you too, Commander..." She says calmly, watching Mr. Leonhart march over there like no trouble in the world.. and the guests are like... totally okay to be there! No shocked surprise or anything. Lucrecia clears her throat. "...... Aaaah..... I guess you have visits from supernatural otherworldly sources quite often...... I better get some tea ready!!!" The woman is up and off, rushing down the hall to get some TEA!!! "TELL THEM TO STAY RIGHT THERE! I've so many questions to ask....!!!! OH this is a DREAM!"

Maduin peers over the gathered crowd, nodding in acknowledgement to Ifrit's comments. "However, my firey-tempered friend, humans aren't all that bad even in this world. Though that foul Emporer still resides." Maduin speaks as if he is spitting out a rather nasty taste. As Squall steps forward from the whispering individuals and sets down his impressive blade . o O (Hmm....this is a unique weapon. I must learn of it's origin and how it works). Maduin is HIGHLY impressed by this, to him, very noble act. After all, he is strictly honourable himself, and seeks this trait in others as a positive sign. He watches Ellone, nodding in acknowledgement and rememberance, before turning to Ifrit "See? You cannot fault a human who willingly devests themself of weapons while still in fear and awe, now can you?" He winds his way around the gate opening, taking care not to brush against Fuujin or Ellone, and approaches Squall. "The stars shine brightly in the night sky, do they not?" He blinks after the highly excited Lucrecia. "Your resident maiden, sir, seems touched tonight..."

Ifrit shakes his armored head at the hooved Esper, keeping his arms crossed where they are.

"Removing their weapons shows respect, yes, Maduin, but remember to be..." Of course, his sentence is cut off short as the strange human woman begins to scream and yell, shouting words in his direction while pointing, running off with her tiny body filled in joy. After this display, the Esper of flame simply narrows his eyes of heated coal.

"Your admiration for these creatures is most admirable, Maduin. I don't see how you manage to love and respect nearly all of them, when nearly all of them are insane."

And the sign of respect is given. Perhaps if there were peasents, there would be rejoicing, but for the time being there is nothing but the commander and a bunch of people giving this respect to the Espers of the world. Espers that he has come home with, junctioned to himself on many occasions. He knows Ifrit, or at least he has seen him before. Then you'd figure that a man which just commanded an entire Garden of people to lay their weapons at their feet to be subtle, to be nice and kind though with the words before in which they were easy and calm, there comes a residue of cold. It's as if that voice is the dew from a morning's worth of humidity, a rather sore spot for all to see. In that voice he seems to give a seemingly harmless question in a tone that can chill. Perhaps the very sun hides from it, sometimes one must figure that it does. "..." his lips part, not hesitante to ask, just gathering up what he is going to say. Within that mind there is calculation and within that there is a commander. A position that was he was voted into without second thought, or even a choice.

"Why did you leave," he says, a little resentment, but more or less he is looking right at Ifrit. Perhaps he is the target of another Leonhart escapade. "This is an establishment that fights for the very same ideals that you fight for," and he takes a step forward, a lion's heart in his own heart (in spirit of course). This is a speech he will rarely deliver. The very meaning of Balamb Garden, be it a secret or not is delivered right here. "We strive to make the world at peace, and we made an entire facility of people devoted to the exact same things you are devoted for," and that gaze shifts to Maduin. "Why...." he asks slower, a little angry, though not even showing it. Anger is within sometimes. "Did you leave?" Picture a mature kid asking his father why he went on vacation from mommy and didn't say anything.

A deep breath, that's all Ellone can do do keep from crying. Was that a... A Guardian Force? She'd heard of them before. Knew her siblings used them even. Knew they caused people to lose their memories... She licks her dry lips, moving them slowly, trying to greet Fuujin, but as usual (At least, as of late,) she can't find any sort of formal greeting to offer her. She settles on a brief, wide-eyes nod and a slow expulsion of that breath she took, before turning her attention back to the...

Hyne, it moved. -_- Her eyes close, and she actually trembles, hands clenching at the floor. Scared? Yeah. She doesn't have the ability to defend herself right now, doesn't have the will to do so. And yet, at the same time, she doesn't have the desire to die...; If the creatures attacked, she'd likely not make it out alive. "Sq.... Squall..." Ellone says, her voice raspy and quiet from disuse. It doesn't seem like she can get anything else out.

She pushes herself to her feet, leaving the sketchbook on the floor. /Were/ these GFs? Soft-soled shoes tap lightly on the floor as she follows Maduin toward her brother. What was it called when someone took a summon? Whatever it was, she couldn't let it happen. Not again.

Lucrecia has suddenly re-arrived, a tray of steaming tea and many appetizers in her arms as she scampers up as quickly as her poor legs can carry her, her labcoat whipping behind her in this crazed haze. The woman slows down, brushing stray hairs away with one hand and tidying her messy appearance up through the simple brush of a hand and flick of the wrist. She clears her throat and steadies herself upon the short-pumps of her high heels. Lucrecia finds her balance... peace of mind... says a few prayers... then takes a series of bold steps FORWARD.

"..Oh this is absolutely wonderful....." Lucrecia mutters to herself, balancing the tray with one hand so the other can slip quickly into her pocket and pull out from its contents a thin remote control device. She hits one button from the control device then slips the item back into her pocket, hand re-asserting itself onto the tray. ".... supernatural beings with ancient knowledge of magic, science, powers..... exceeding even our most startling fantasies concerning the evolution of mankind! A society based on an extra dimensional turf with the ability to tranverse between worlds with little energy.... one must question /why/ they are so interested in tangling into the affairs of creatures who are below their obvious power, wisdom, and knowledge."

Soon about ten little vinnybots buzz in on their adoreable little coptor heads, lego arms rotating and red eyes glimmering as they await an order.. simply following Lucrecia towards the gate. "Your orders - Retrieve Esper Reports number 2.35, log data 678.899.00, confidential research on Esper, and some sugar for the tea." The little Vinnybots beep booop bop and buzz away to gather these items.

"Maybe they are interfering and mingling with those below their notice simply because of the desire to play god. How wonderful it is to interfere with the habitat and world of others who hold such low power compared to you.. in an effort to guide, help, teach, and create what you would consider the perfect society... only, in turn, to create a world of anarchy, chaos, and insanity since such a species is not able to adapt to such advanced teachings. Or maybe they just like tea ^^"

Lucrecia is now at the gate, just behind Squall, grinning madly at these two individuals.... she then notes Squall's obvious.. ah... really aggitated aura and steps back. "I guess its not a good time for tea.."

Awe and amazement is obvious on Fuujin's face. They have returned. The Guardian Forces, the Espers, the things, the beings, the creatures, the powers that used to be so closely intertwined with SeeD. And they are once again at Garden. For a moment a smile cracks Fuujin's face, and she starts to turn towards Ellone.

And then her single eyed gaze shoots back to the Espers at Squall's words. Words that uncover a mountain of emotion. They did leave...they exited from the SeeDs and the Garden. They left them alone...bereft. Almost naked, to a fierce, angry world. And, the worse sin in Fuujin's eyes, they left -her- alone. Alone with her memories. Alone with thoughts of pain and anguish and lost hope that sometimes threatens to envelop her. Alone with the past that comes flooding back, without their numbing presence. Staggering to her feet, smile melting off her face and turning into a grimace, Fuujin takes a step forward. "WHY?"

"WHY DID YOU LEAVE?"

"WHY DID YOU GO?"

"WHY DID YOU TAKE IT ALL AWAY!?!"

He tries to show respect to the Espers, why, the whole Garden tried.. and Lucrecia ruins everything with her ramblings.. or does she? To be honest, he's not completely sure of it... it may be a salvagable situation. Just so long as they lock the Mad Scientist in some room where these wonderous creatures will never ever have to deal with her insane ramblings and carefree testing again. Why, Cary would offer himself to lock her up personally.. but, as it is, he's still down on one knee, and he will stay there until -both- of the incredible visitors pass the gate and enter.

It's just.. wow. They're really here. They walk, they talk, they drink cappuchinos while reading the latest romance novels! Well... not really, but the initial thought of the pair makes him think that they could if they wanted to. Is he going to speak, though? Heh.. he couldn't part those pale lips and make words come out if St. Ajora himself commanded it. Shock, awe.. those are the emotions running through his mind. No fear, though.. his faith in God keeps him steady.

Leave it to the regular SeeD to ask them why.. this little Outlander's just going to watch and learn.

Maduin rears up on his hind hooves, his front claws raking the air as he lets out a roar, a cry, before his body slowly begins to change. His fur darkens to a dull autumn brown, and he shrinks down so that he stands on two feet, human sized. His thick, long horns curve around his head and flare several inches past the back of his skull. A backpack had fallen from his form during this shrinking procedure, and Maduin proceeds to lift a pair of grubby, homespun wool pants, very rough, very worn, and a cloak in the same fleabitten material. He steps into the pants, taking care that his hooves do not rip the fabric, then picks the cloak up in his claws, slowly donning it over his head. The fact he clearly covers his eyes during this exchange is a sign of the trust of the individuals around him, were they so in tune to such mannerisms. He looks up, to Ifrit's form, now two feet taller than himself, whereas it was two shorter previously. He calmly asks the Armoured Esper "Is the weather fine up there? Any rain?" He turns to Squall, now seriously contemplating Squall's forcefully uttered words. He cocks his head, a confused look crossing his face. He spreads his arms wide, his claws flashing slightly in the light of the moon.

Maduin says, "I'm sorry...I do not understand what you're telling me. I could not have left, for I was not here before. This place, it's people...they are foreign to me. No land I have visited, no land where I have been Summoned, has had any such designs. Therefore, I am arriving. Not returning." He flinches at Fuujin's harsh words "I am sorry! I do not know what caused your misery, but I'm here to see how I can help! I seek peace amongst the humans! This is not my world! I am as much lost as you. Although..." He pauses as Ellone approaches, "You do appear to have Summoners in your midst."

The ashen-armored Esper simply uncrosses his arms, featureless visage staring plainly at Maduin with narrowed eyes of charcoal.

"It is just fine. Why you choose to take the form of them, I do not know. I worry of you at times." Squall's agitated question and Fuujin's demands are taken in by the Lord of Flame, simply staring down at them both from his comfortable height of seven feet. Of course, Lucrecia's ramblings are not noted, and it appears that the Esper of Inferno is rather irritated by her ceaseless babble.

"Even we are not immune to forces above us. This... combination of worlds has thrown us out of our element. I am not the same being you knew as Ifrit. I am the nexus of all that has existed in every world and dimension. You may blame us as much as you want, but your anger and irritation is wrongly centered."

She'd been so close to just taking a back seat and letting Squall and Fuujin berate the GFs. It would have been easy! After all, she had /nothing/ to do with them. She'd never... Uh... What was that word? Ironic, that she was forgetting the word that caused people to forget. >_< Junction. Yes, Ellone had never junctioned a Guardian Force, and if she had her say, she never would! After all, /someone/ had to remember. Someone had to tell stories of the Orphanage, of the childhoods that no one but her and Irvine truely remembered. It would be so easy to just be a spectator, and watch the scene unfolding before her, just standing there as another of the curious crowd.

But she couldn't.

Because as much as she'd like to think she wasn't involved, she really was. It could have been a vendetta against the forgotten memories, and all the hurt it caused to not only her but her siblings, too. Squall's and Fuujin's words only fuel the anger... Why did they go?? finally, Ellone speaks, her voice rusty. "You can just stay aw...!"

The girl is cut off by Maduin's words, and her eyes, narrowed in anger mere seconds ago, are now... widened in surprise. "....." The first attempt to speak ends in a short coughing fit, as she looks at Squall for support. "...Summoner? What...?"

Squall looks from one esper to another. He gets a hold of himself. It's right, the Esper known as Maduin is correct. "You're right, I never did meet you or become aquainted with yourself." And in that, he seems to look towards Cary. Then the rest, Fuujin gets a hand in th emotion of 'stop' shown in her direction. Squall erred, but not for the worse. "We're still fighting for those very same beliefs..." and he doesn't quite answer their question. Perhaps all those hours in politics has taught him how to deal with this sort of situation. Though it's about time he introduced himself and thoser within the immediate vicinity. "I'm Commander Squall Leonhart, and this is Balamb Garden." Surely if they were watching they'd see that the wars he was involved in, stopped right after he was involved with them. He motions to Fuujin, the person that stood with him in anger. Amazing he can go from one extreme to the other. "This is Fuujin, a SeeD."

Note: During Maduin's transformation, Squall merely watched, just observed and didn't offer a chuckle at the joke. Chuckling is positive emotion.

"This is Major Cary," he says, showing off the man that is kneeling. "Ellone Loire-Leonhart," and then he looks for anyone else. Oh yes, Lucrecia. "This is Professor Lucrecia... she's..." and he trails off. No he doesn't. He doesn't, because there needs to be a filler word there, just one word that can fill the entire situation, one that can alt wars, one that can -- oh alright already.

"...Whatever."

The soft rhythmic thud of boots echoes in the hall... a light, fast step that would ordinarily be noiseless if the boy running were wearing his usual sneakers. But he's not, and so people get a little bit of warning before Zell barges into the scene. A flash of movement, a whirl of scarlet as his sash catches the wind of his passing, and those boots come to rest on top of the turnstyle as the punk monk makes his tidy landing there. Hey...he's short, ya gotta be resourceful in this world, yaknow? Given his better vantage, he blinks over the heads of the group, noting... a couple of unusual individuals. Nope, it's not the envoy from Igros this time, and perforce, the usually loquacious blond just kind of gawks. ".....?"

Spending most of the night so totally drunk that for safety's sake, he'd locked himself in his hotel room to avoid doing or saying anything that'd get him kicked out of Balamb for good, and then the morning getting over one hell of a painful hangover hiding from light and sudden noises, Irvine has finally recovered (somewhat) from yesterday's humiliation with his positivity intact. So, taking the trail by foot across Balamb Plains towards the entrance of Balamb Garden, Irvine Kinneas, hat's brim shading his cerulean eyes, auburn hair and long, tan coat stirred by the breeze and rifle slung at his back, sets foot at the area near the gate.

Humming. You read it right. Humming not just any song, but that Hyne-damned "Cowboy in Me" song he'd once inflicted in 'Mourne's' voice over SeeD military frequency. Except, upon seeing the group gathered (and the strangers on HIS side of the meeting), Irvine silences with a blank stare. Tugging a hand out of his pocket, he tips the brim of his hat for a better look. "......"

Lucrecia places the tea tray carefully to the side, observing the reactions of Fuujin, Ellone, and Squall /very/ carefully and deciding not to interfere with this argument..... she watches Maduin shift himself...... then Luc finds herself blushing and turning away as she speaks outloud. "...Amazing.. They have the ability to shapeshift, change form, alter their physical appearance.. or perhaps it is simply a manipulation of mind, a magic hologram, a vision that isn't there in an effort to make the humans feel more at comfort...." Lucrecia blinks up at one of the Vinnyboys pitpitpittering up in the air and giving her a happy smiley face ^-^ "..Vinnybot, are you recording this?" Vinnybotnodnods! "Good."

The woman turns to consider Ifrit's choice of words..... "So, I suppose the Esper did /not/ have the power to skip the dimensions and were probably not responsible for these converged worlds, as..." The Vinnybot who fetched her documents comes up. Luc picks them up and quickly flips through, recieving a massive picture and profile written document of.. "....Ifrit's comment holds some unsurity. Perhaps he's as confused as we are of this convergeance. Possible dimensional collision, is my guess. Where parallyled realities meld into one based on a certain catastrophic magical event that occured at an exact same time, shifting and ripping a hole into the universe that would open something even greater than a portal.. no.. not a portal.. but possibly reality itself!!!!!"

Lucrecia begins to walk up and down the hall, discomforted by this because, quite frankly, it doesn't add up. "..... The bigger picture we'll look at later. Right now small details, small details.. Ifrit and his friend there are combinations of their multi-dimensional selves. Is it possible that some people from other worlds could also have been combined with their parallyl? Uhmmmm.. hmmm. Regardless, these espers have knowledge of these worlds we do not.... the combined knowledge of their paralyll selves, and what they already previously possessed...."

Lucrecia spins around to face Maduin, chewing on her lip for a moment of contemplation before considering him since he's obviously the more levelheaded and friendly of the two. Vinnybot returns to recording all Luc says and does. ".......Oh I've so many questions to ask you, such as your interferences with humanity, your true purpose, and why the hell you all look like animals on drugs an-..."

Then Squall says it.

He... says it.

Lucrecia turns, face pale as she simply /gazes/ at Squall in the epitome of shock.... this shock shifts into pure unadultered anger... rage... hatred... loathing... disgust... detest... pain... agony.... and finally, first and foremost, repulsion. The woman's mind has already drowned into a pit of despair............ The women's left eye flenches, as a string of events happens there and then. First Lucrecia steps up to Squall and whips a hand across his face. Then another. And another! Then she locks him into her arms and slams her knee against his gut!!! Lucrecia picks Squall up and flips him upside-down, powerbombing him on the floor good ol' professional wrestling style. SeeD goes wild!!!! Lights flash all over the place, cameras are CLICKY CLICKING everywhere!!! HEAVY METAL MUSIC IS STRUNG OUT IN THE BACKGROUND! Everyone screams out in rejoicing 'STONE COLD LUCRECIA! GO STONE COLD LUCRECIA! KNOCK THE SHIZNETS OUTTA THAT DUMB SQUALLIE THE BLIMP!' And Stone Cold Lucrecia does! DOES SHE EVER! And Squall is down! And Lucrecia has him in a lock! And the referee hits the floor three times! AND SHE WINS!!!!!

Thus Squall is reduced to a career as a hotdogstand guy, and Lucrecia becomes the governer of Missouri.

Well... Until she snaps out of it, only to realize Squall is still there, Lucrecia is still standing a distance away from him.... Squall is still untouched, standing there, and having still Whatever'd her.

Luc merely smiles and turns to Maduin and Ifrit. "Obviously words can't describe me. I am SeeD's scientist, instructor, engineer, weapon designer, inventor, and professor in the subjects of science, magic, mathematics, and physics....... And you two are espers, extra-dimensional creatures with the ability to manipulate magic and possibly reality - advanced knowledge /of/ magics and sciences, that even I may not be able to comperehend o.o" Lucrecia whips out the tray! "CARE FOR SOME TEA?! :D"

So.. a gathering. Interesting. Gatherings, while not necessarily bad, can always turn out that way.. as such, here comes everyone's favorite gunblade-wielding knight, coming into view just after the slight hiss of the turbolift doors opening. The knight pauses there for a moment, jade eyes sweeping across what bits of the Atrium he can see. And with a slight arching of a golden brow, he steps forward, steel-toed boots thumping softly and soundly against the floor tile. As he reaches the back of the crowd, the Captain begins to gently push his way through. It doesn't take much, most people aren't too inclined to get in his way. As such, it only takes a few seconds to get through the gawking crowd, coming out relatively close to Squall and Ellone. However, Seifer hardly even spares them a glance; his eyes are immediately focused upon one of the two newcomers.. not the human-looking one, either. He recognizes this one, or at least who he's supposed to be, and would seem more or less dumbstruck. "..." A glance is finally given toward Squall, one full of questioning, but none come forth verbally. Nah. Instead, let's just turn back around and stare at Ifrit. That's always a good plan.

(Seifer's odd @emit, which I couldn't not include in the log. It was retconned.) And after staring at Ifrit, Seifer takes a step forward, turns around, and breaks into song and dance about the wonder that is Fuujin.

Not their fault, eh? To the albino SeeD, that sounds suspicously like a phony denial! ...But it also rings true. Still, it hurts. "...COMING BACK?" They had better be. She's starting to remember to much, and the past should stay where it is, darn it!

Perhaps the others were going to blame them.. but the poster boy was going to do what he could to make things right. These weren't the same ones that his 'family'.. that being SeeD.. but that didn't mean that he wasn't going to try and bring them into these new creatures' favor. If they're similiar, they might be able to work like GFs.. and if he can be any assistance in bringing them back to the people who've done so much for him.. then you'd better believe he was gonna.

As the Commander makes introductions, the once-kneeling man raises back to his feet.. offering a respectful nod to him first, and then a full-fledged bow to the espers. "Sirs." he states.. voice soft as ever. The honored guests of Garden weren't getting the eclat they might deserve on the outside (with the exception of Luc, but the looney scientist is always an exception.), but they were recieving it on the inside, from some at the very least, he's sure.

So, what's he do? He takes steps over towards the further esper.. that being Ifrit. "Sir.. Ifrit, is it? An honor to meet you, as well as your comrade.." ..motioning with a hand towards Maduin. "Forgive my brethren.. they have been without the Guardian Forces of their world for so very long, and were given no reason for their departure. You Sirs seem.. in appearance, in nothing else, so very much like our missing comrades, and it is only human to be emotional about such things." Pause. "It is one of our downfalls as a race, to act so without full knowledge. The way we were born.. something that we cannot eliminate completely from our beings."

"..however, welcome to Balamb Garden." Another bow.

Maybe Irvine might have noticed he had company on the trek back to Garden? Or not...the plains weren't all that well lit, and while the girl was aware of the troubled cowboy heading on 'home', it was mainly due to the animal that roamed closeby to keep a watch on his Mistress. She'd heard about the 'rowdy' boy from people in town when she'd gone for her days 'work', watching over the kids when their parents went out to fish and other such 'adult' things...Much to her suprise, she'd listened with some amusement. Rinoa promised herself to find out more, details on the 'incident' that had sparked off this kind of, reaction, certain it would be a wonderous tale that would delight any in need of a good story. As such, a frown found her lips as she entered the millitary establishment, the guards were just...and then she blinked. "Crowede--" silenced. Yes! Rinoa silenced. She came up right behind Irvine to stare openly. One looked kind of, familiar...but not...quite human? Angelo meanwhile, growled once then whined, tail low between his legs. Maybe the animal knew...more, okay, the dog did, atleast than Rinoa. "Uhm..." Looking to Cary, then the pair of strangers. "Wow." So eloquent tonight aren't we...give her a break! She had a long day as the paint stains on her robe show.

Maduin smiles in his serene fashion up at Ifrit "Because were I not in their form, I could not love them." Leaving that comment open for interpretation in any form, he turns towards Squall once again. "The hound Cerberus did try to explain to me once this form, this... 'Junction'. He said it was an immense power to your SeeD soldiers. I had not realized you were stripped of their presence when...when...when this new world emerged." Maduin stumbles over it slightly, as at the time, he was in a tube at the Magitek factory, being sucked of his pure life essence, and thinking back to the time pains him. He returns to the present time and shakes off the memories as best he can. He turns slightly, bowing his head to Lucrecia "My apologies, but this...tea? I, to be honest, have not heard of it before. What does it taste like?" He flashes a brief smile, encouraging Lucrecia to speak up more, and turns his head left and right, to see whom else has arrived. Okay, gawking person to Ifrit (Seifer), lump of gawking tattoos (Zell). Maduin then turns his head towards the gate, and his eyes light up, and a little jump in his stomach. Yes, yes, the people arriving from outside, one of them may have powerful magic, but the /other /....yes, could HE be the worthy one? Maduin has only felt such excitement a few times before, when in the presence of his daughter, or being summoned forth to protect that flirt king Edward. But it's been a long time since Maduin felt a strong connection with a human, and in truth, he feels relieved. For a while there, he feared he was losing his touch with the humans. His self -confidence restored, he tosses his cloak back so that his furred body, clawed fingers, and long horns are evident. "Welcome, newcomers. I am Maduin, the Esper. You may known my kind as the name... 'Guardian Force'. He rushes forward to the two at the gate, grabbing Irvine's hands up in his claws "Oh, this is so great! Another Summoner and a KINDRED! Who knew coming here would be met with such a great success!" He dances Irvine around "Ifrit, Firebrand, look, he's compatible! It's so exciting!"

Zell just sort of watches the scene for a bit, in silence, standing on one leg while he scratches the back of his calf with the top of his other boot. Uh. Yeah. So...um, and stuff. He catches enough of the conversation to catch up on what's going on, pale brows furrowing a bit, but he doesn't (perhaps surprisingly) go and fly off the handle. He already did once, upon finding out Jecht was an Aeon, and proceeded to confuse the guy horribly with his tirade about why the hell did they all leave them. It was then that he got his first lesson in 'other sorts of GFs' and that he can't be upset at all of them.

And then, Maduin has his little show, holding Irvine's hands and dancing around. Okay, if he was gawking before, now he's REALLY ogling. Cowboy? Big...furry white horned guy. Cowboy? Big...furry... "...Aw /man/...." A gloved hand comes up to scrub at the scar creasing his cheek, his latest nervous habit, and the blond punk just sniggers. At least only the amusement is audible, not the thoughtbubble, or else he'd likely get jumped again. (... Compatible? Damn, can that freaky Lucy chick call them or what... Fruity, the both of them, they deserve each other...) Big...big...fang-framed grin. Hooboy.

Ifrit merely shakes his head at Maduin once more, uncrossing his arms.

"I'm glad you found one to your liking, Maduin. Yet if all are like him, I'm sure there will be no one worthy for me. -If- I decide to take an avatar." The Esper of Inferno turns his burning eyes on the crowd once more, scanning the crowded group of humans for someone kindred to his own temper and style. Destruction and chaos.

Ceasing his gawking with a faint click of his teeth, Irvine flickers a quick sidelong glance to Rinoa, quirking a slightly uneasy grin. "Uh... looks like a party, huh?" He's not upset - this whole meeting is something between almost comical (what with everyone gawking... look at Zell's expression!) and Pretty Damn Strange (Is that Seifer? Wow, so he DOES live away from his office!). This is one really weird day. A sliver of light slipping across the various metal surfaces adorning his attire; the round stubs on his hat, the butt of his rifle in it's sheath at his back, the buckle of his belt, the reddish beads of that necklace dangling down his chest.

The cowboy shrugs - hey, seems they're not attacking, so why get all spastic? Raising a hand to tip his hat to Rinoa, he's late in realizing he couldn't reach his hat when furry, hoofed and clawed Esper guy makes his dramatic welcome/introduction and snatches his hands. Color Irvine startled. Kindred? Huh? Summoner? WHAT? Blinking several times with a stoically bewildered expression, the sharpshooter originally from Galbadia Garden turns his head one way, then another, watching the Guardian Force victory dance. "...Wait... wait a minute..! Compatible?" Sorry - but he never seen any GF like THIS guy before. *Smack* He'd facepalmed. His reputation is totally, utterly, completely pulverised.

Lets try to sum up what the commander sees since he decided to fade back and stare. Yes he too is human from time to time, even though his heart is made of lion. Though that's about what is amount to. Seifer seems to have arrived and did his gazing look, his cold ways, not much unlike this commander. Zell showed up, did a little gawking and his thing, Lucrecia and her VinnyBots (which irritate Squall to no end, but at least he doesn't fantasize about her and possible ways to hurt her) as well as Irvine and at last Rinoa. The last seems to hold Squall's gaze, because when you are in love, you are in love. All he does know for sure is that the Guardian Forces have arrived and they seem to be interacting with the people within Garden. And it seems that there is pride upon him, for he looks at the way that they all interact. From the jumping (rather... odd) around with them to formally introducing the rest. By now though the way he is has changed. Instead of being that firm man that stood in the foreground of everything he has faded to leaning against one of the booths in which you must speak to in order to come into Garden. Beacuse she is special she gets a "Hey Rinoa..." and the other add ons, including Zell and Irvine get nothing. So that's just the way Squall is afterall.

However, Seifer does get a long gaze, as if he's curious to what the Captain has been doing. No doubt running the place into the ground on security. Arms crossed over his chest, Lionheart still at his feet. The hands are gloved, the belts come off of him in a manner that shows how unsymmetrical he can be (a skew to one side). His legs are crossed at the ankles and his eyes are half-narrowed in a hawk-like observing fashion. The espers are back? Though for how long. Perhaps sooner or later he'd need to speak to them, or perhaps this is is forma as it gets. Maybe, just maybe for once in his life he has successfully faded to the background of it all. Look at how happy they seem to be even if there is a sense of nervousness in the air.

Destruction and chaos, eh? So, the Fire God searches someone with the same personality as him. One who, in battle, knows no limitations, no mercy. Nothing but absolute rage. Right, who could he pick? The choices are limitless. But then again, there's really only one true choice. Throughout the exchange between Espers, Seifer stands quietly, watching and listening with great interest. And then, the.. other one goes and calls Ifrit by name, as if to solidify his identity to all those present. And as the Fire being turns his attention back to the still growing crowd, the knight takes a step forward, staring up toward the demonic face almost defiantly. He says nothing for the moment, as if waiting to be spoken to, all the while feeling that old fire inside, rekindling an uninvited but very, very welcome anger, a feeling that could almost be described as lust for destruction. It's only then that a tiny, unnoticable grin begins to spread across one corner of his mouth, tugging it outward ever so slightly. "..Ifrit.."

Lucrecia blinks between Ifrit... Maduin....... then all these other strange different people here. The woman notes Maduin's odd happy nature... and his sudden dancing with Irvine.. Luc turns to Vinnybot. "Apparently, like humans, espers harbor within themselves sexual preference or orientation....... Observe." Lucrecia steps aside, allowing the mini-cam within the Vinnybot to record the action between Maduin and Irvine. "This could potentially be a mating dance between two individuals of the same sex as followed by Espers. Is it possible they take delight in breeding with those of another species, just as most humans and other varieties of animals do..? Regardless, as it shows, the Espers are obviously very open to preference and this individual.. named.. ah.. Maduin.. has decided to take upon himself his choice. That being, Irvine Kinneas, student of SeeD. May they have many wonderful children together, if same-sex marriages between humans and espers can have children.. but of course they can! Their anatomy is probably advanced beyond my understanding!!! If this Esper can reduce his size... its possible he can... ah... alter.. other... uhm..... things."

Lucrecia turns about to regard Squall briefly, before blinking at Ifrit. "Perhaps the reason they are here is to choose a mate..... in their bizarre religious practices. Whatever communicated between this world where SeeD once came from and the Esper Realm is, doubtless, exciting... interesting... and quite frankly, I don't want to know.... Who will Ifrit choose as his combatitant? Perhaps another of the same sex if... IF Espers are really a homosexual clan who uses their females for breeding stock.. if they don't already have the ability to breed WITHOUT females."

The woman nods sagely and wanders over to Zell who looks unoccupied and maybe a voice of reason. "Sooooo... Ah.... yooooou..... Have you ever been involved in a mating situation between Espers and those of SeeD for some bizarre religious practice...... OH WAIT!" Luc turns to note Seifer! "It appears one of the commanders has offered himself to the last remaining Esper.. the question is... will Ifrit accept?!"

Ellone has been quiet for a while now, though it's not that she hasn't been paying attention. Ever since her (almost) outburst a few minutes ago, she's been gathering her courage to speak again. She approaches, a little closer to Maduin, and narrows her eyes - Not out of spite. Not anymore. Lightly, almost fearfully, almost as if mere contact will make her memories fade away... she touches his shoulder.

"Sir... Will you please tell me what you meant...?" Her voice is quiet, reserved... Not quite there all the way. "When you said I was a summoner?"

One of the burning eyes of Ifrit catches the necklace around Squall's neck, the emblem reaching a memory locked within the Esper's mind immediately.

"Griever, is it. Perhaps, human, you should visit Crescent Island." The presence of Seifer causes the Esper to turn about, charcoal eyes staring down at the human with rage.

"So here is one with chaos on his mind. A temper and spirit that flares like the infernos found within my cave. Perhaps you -are- worthy enough." However, Ifrit turns about again, arms crossing over his chest as he peers down at Lucrecia.

"It's been known that Espers have mingled with human blood, however, this is not a mating ritual. I dislike the human herd, unless, of course, you are willing to consent." It seems that the lord of all flame and fire has shown sarcasm.

...well, he went basically unnoticed. But.. judging by.. Maduin, was it? Judging by his reaction to Irvine, the job had been done. So.. with the momentary mission accomplished, the Outlander steps back into the crowd of SeeD, at the place where he left his kris. Now, though.. the Holy Knight's wearing a smile on his face. Garden had it's GFs back, and he.. incredibly enough and thanks in full to Rinoa, had a date with an angel. All was right with the world once more.

Perhaps even more so than ever before, mm?

"Not any kind of party I've seen before..." Murmuring quietly to the man by her side, Rinoa continues to watch, a passive onlooker till ofcourse, their presence would be noticed quickly and surely enough by one of the strangers who'd be revealed as, a Guardian Force the kind or kin that hailed from their world before the convergence. Amazing...speechless. And, the brown one was coming their way! "...!" Stepping to the side to give the other room to get in on Irvine, she blinked once and brushed her hair from her eyes. Angelo skirts around, still hanging close to his Mistress as if he could really do much if this turned nasty. There was no fear, she had her friends close, just, amazed, and then, warming to the idea-- "This is just, great! You're lucky Irvine..." a smile finding her lips. That smile, transfered over to Squall, and if possible, both softening to a tenderness and intensity that was special, reserved for the Commander alone. "Squall." Not spoken loudly, he'd see her lips move, ducking her head to the rest. It was a most interesting scene, and Lucrecia would forever make it all the more...memorable. If she hadn't gwaked before, she did now, lifting a hand to cover her mouth in suprise, was she, serious? Tensing, almost as if she expected a nice hurling ball of fire...not coming, he had the good graces. 'He' It seemed that they were choosing people, this time her role more the silent onlooker in these events...everyone had their spotlights, though mentioning seeking out Griever, she glanced to her ring, then the man she'd claim as her -only-...

Yes the Lord of all Fire and Flame and everything else seems to gather the attention of Squall Leonhart. "I'll..." he stops to say, though he seems to think for a moment. He looks down at the Griever symbol that hangs around his neck, then he seems to look at th esymbol etched on the gunblade.

--Flashback--

All his life, even as a boy he seemed to look up to something, to have some sort of symbol. He heard of this 'esper' stuff. Sooner or later his life became consumed with the knowledge of learning how to function with them. Sure, he seemed to have lost his memory and all of that because of it, though... regardless, he wanted an esper that nobody else wanted. Nobody wanted Griever, perhaps because they just didn't believe. He didn't even know if Griever existed. Though right now he is confronted with the possibility that he can meet the thing face to face.

Anyone that is looking at Squall, for that split second that /it/ happens, can see that his face has transformed into a speechless sort. He takes the gunblade and sheaths it. "I'll go right now," he says, not wanting to wait. Think about it, seeing the idol or seeing that thing you used to draw all of your combat expertise from. Seifer can have his chaos, Squall wanted something with a little more style. He wanted something with courage and he wanted something with wisdom. He wanted the Griever, and if he could choose anything... Well he looks at Rinoa, hoping she can understand his need to go (alone). Sorry, he won' tbe home tonight. With that though, the warrior turns his back and leaves. He heads inwards. Nobody salutes him, as his eyes are cast downwards. That and everyone's just... relaxed for once. It's about time.

Maduin tears himself away from Irvine "Be right back to explain." and grins at Lucrecia. "I am afraid that you have mistaken my glee. This person, he isn't a suitable mate, for I really do prefer females, and he strikes me as masculine. You see, erm, Lucrecia? I have two beautiful children, though I have not seen them in a long, long time. More than a year since I've seen my youngest, the son, Madri. He was torn from me when I was...taken by the Empire and..." his voice cracks before continuing.."tortured for my magic. Ahem. My oldest, Terra, I saw once a little more than six months ago, when she bade me to find Golem. Before that, I had not seen her since she was 2. Again, the Empire...they invaded my home, my wife, Madonna, and our child, were stripped from me. He bows his head and his chest heaves. It's obvious the memories still tear at him somewhat, and he pauses there for a minute, gathering his thoughts and his emotions. "So, you see...while I have no mate currently, I seek not one here." He grins lopsidedly, chuckling. "You all must understand," he turns, encompassing the crowd now, "I am not the average Esper. Your kind has abused mine harshly, and many fear, and some hate. My two children are one of only half a dozen mixed-blood, and of the two, only Terra is of human stock. Just as humans breed with humans, Espers breed with Espers. Though we are adapted to be compatible with almost every life form that has emerged yet." Finally, he acknowledges Ellone, Rinoa, and Irvine, the three he's singled out with his comments.

Maduin says, "You two females, Ellone and..Rinoa, Squall said? Your magic surrounds you, like a comfortable mantle. There is definitely the talent to Summon, were you to take the many years to develop it. As for the ponytailed one here, that Lucrecia calls Irvine and thought was my mate...he is Compatible. Were I magicite, he would have quickly been able to absorb my essence, and call me at his whim. However, as I am not yet ready to pass into that state, I have full faith that SOMEONE can teach the great art of Junctioning to the pair of us, that we might become strong together." He winks, and switches mannerisms to ones he unfortunately picked up a bar "It could not hurt us to get down and have a little fun and relaxation!""

Oh, he's worthy. He's beyond worthy. Though often subdued and calm, should he ever be directly provoked by another, it's far from uncommon for the knight to fly into an uncontrollable destructive rage, destroying anything and everything in his path. Not that it happens all to often, granted, but it's well within the realm of possibility. Seifer tilts his head slightly to one side, apparently uncaring of what Squall may be up to for the moment. He's got other business to attend to. There would seem to be a glint in those eyes of his, as they shine with an even more pronounced shade of deep green than they usually do. "Ifrit," he promts once more. "..Junction to me," he says, most certainly not a command, but moreso an offer. "You won't be disappointed. I promise you that."

Lucrecia blinks at Ifrit for a moment then counts her fingers, narrowing her eyes as several thoughts crowd her mind at once. ".... Eh....." The woman blinks at Ifrit and grins madly. "SURE! Why not. My quarters at ten sound good? It would certainly answer so many questions I have! I'm glad you are SO willing to comply!!!!"

Then Luc is suddenly shutted UP when Maduin talks. She is very quiet and still.... her little Vinnybot recording the entire session, lips pursed while the esper speaks. "Fascinating... simply fascinating.. I am truly sorry for what happened to you in the past. I understand you now prefer females.... I certainly hope that doesn't disappoint Irvine, tho.. because.. uhm... he's.. ah... well... you know...... likes... company of the /male/ kind." Lucrecia nods sagely, and smiles at Irvine, waving at him delightfully ^^

The woman stuffs her hands into her pockets and blinks at Maduin since he's the only one sincerely answering her questions. "But I still don't understand why you are here... why you are picking out certain members of this Faction... is it something like a choice of Kindred Spirit or such? A permanent or temporary link to this reality, centered through one particular individual? And what makes you choose this character.... Is it their magical ability?" Lucrecia blinks at Squall stomps off...... "...huh.."

"..."

Ellone has been doing a lot of staring lately. Staring at the blank page of a sketchbook... staring at friends... family... wordlessly. Just... watching. She looks at Maduin for a long time, memories...

.oO(I'll be back for you someday...)

She'd come back, but had Squall remembered? No. He hadn't remembered what she'd promised so long ago. And Seifer... He hadn't remembered either. All the memories had vanished when they became SeeD. "Doesn't... Doesn't anyone care....?" Her voice is still almost inaudable, and it almost seems like it's unable to be raised above a whisper. If one were to look into the empath's eyes, though, they would say volumes. This was nigh impossible to believe!

Ifrit delivers the news about Griever... and Squall takes it to heart. Well, at least it seems he does. Elle watches as he calmly bows his head and walks away... "Squall...?" Her expression changes to one of irate confusion, and she focuses an accusing glance at both Ifrit and Maduin. "You can't do this... You don't... realize what you're doing..." That said, she quietly backs away, watching now from a distance. Crossing her arms across her chest, she simply... angsts. Then with a terrible realization, She slaps her forehead... Hyne, she's become her brother...!

"...Whatever." She breathes, a bit of humour evident therein. After all that's happened, she's almost pleased that she can still find humour.

Attention far too drawn to Maduin after he'd recovered from the initial mortification to take in everything else going on around him, Irvine turns around, hands at his sides, to listen intently to the hooved and clawed, furred Guardian Force's tale. Even then, his eyes narrow slightly - his own experiences with the Empire were the cause of shame, regret and a lot of bad memories. His own mistakes involving the Empire nearly shredded him from those he grew up with and those with which he counted as friends. But to hear this... His own wife and kid?! He turns his head quickly away, glaring, arms crossing over his chest. ("How could they?")

After a moment, Irvine looks up, turning his head back to regard Maduin, considerably calmer. He pauses, then uncrosses his arms, shoulders lifting in a shrug, carefree and carried with all the usual 'Kinneas swagger' he can muster after one heck of a couple of days, and gestures vaguely towards Maduin. "Hey, hey, hey, that's one hell of a good attitude to have. I like that. Junctioning's not -that- hard," So says the sniper who already knows how - he'd gone to school at a Garden, of course he'll claim it's easy.

He shoots Lucrecia a hard stare, and blinks at the wave. Then quirks a faint grin. And bursts out laughing. At the scientist. Last time he did that, he got the crap smacked outta him by Zell. And just as suddenly - he stops, and shouts, "You don't know ANYTHING! Shut up!" He coughs quietly, and adds, "Screw it - WHATever!" in a scathing tone. That word's flying around today.

The seven-foot Esper narrows his eyes at Lucrecia before turning about to face Seifer once more.

"I can see that, human. Perhaps you and the babbling female will be useful." The Esper's own eyes glow a bright red, flaring like fires formed from his own cavern. The eyes of Seifer may begin to glow in the same manner, fires flaring up in within. The symbol and mark of Ifrit engraves itself upon Seifer's right bicep, like a tattoo, an ashen and charcoal color.

"Very well, Seifer. And as for you." Ifrit turns about once more, eyeing Lucrecia. "Your intelligence is high for one so agitating. You will serve a purpose, I'm sure." The Esper does not junction the scientist, but instead puts his mark on the back of her neck, branding her as his own.

"You are now mine."

What's that yonder?

It's coming this way....

Oh you can see it. It's in the distance, but it's coming closer. It seems like the ground is churning up. As if something... is digging it and getting closer.

Wait a second, is this some sort of joke. Then its stops at Maduin's hoof. After that you can hear a rather annoyed "Oooooooooowwwwwwwwww!" Then it seems to happen. Rejoice for a head pops out of the ground. "Hey who the heck owns that?! That's a hazard ya know, it's a great big ol' hazard." The mouth never stops on this one. Yes Carbuncle has arrived, in all his cute bunny form. His eyes widen. "MADUIN!!!!" he says as he clampers up right onto the Esper's mighty shoulder. Of course anything that is taller and bulkier than Carbuncle is mighty. The Esper flung out of the ground and up the hoofed Esper's leg, then around its back like a squirrel then right on the other Esper's shoulder. "Heya, how are ya doin'? Whatcha doin' here? I learned new human speak. Neat huh? I like it, who likes it? Hey nice hat..." directed to Irvine. "Can I have it?" Eyes back to Maduin. His voice is just like that of a six-year-old. The flare, the hype, the excitedness. "Hey Maduin, whose yer new friends? Why's Lord Ifrit pissed off again? Was it 'cause I sat in his chair? He gets upset about that a lot. Hey Maduin... HEY HEY HEY! How are ya?" Yes and then /it/ happens. It being that the furry little esper snuzzle (whatever the hell that is) with Maduin, right on the cheek.

"Miss me?"

Then there's a wave over to Lord Charcoal-Up-His-Bum. "Hey Ifrit! I didn't mean to sit in you chair, it was a joke. I swear, hey who's your new friend? Let me see!" Then Carbuncle, in a whirl flings off of Maduin right to the ground and tugs on Seifer's jacket. Too many actions in a round? You should see this guy go when he's hyper. "Hey... can I have your jacket?" Looks like he asked for like three things all in one.

Maduin shrugs in the general direction of Lucrecia. "His soul speaks to mine; how this works, I have never delved myself. You would have to ask one of the great thinkers, such as Bahamut, or Zodiac. Perhaps even my brother Yura would know. The women's magic, well, that is easily identifiable to myself for one simple reason. I am /magic incarnate/. There is no known purer magic form than that of my kind. At least, there was not before..." Maduin is cut off by the flying fluffball that is the exciteable Carbuncle. Maduin breaks out into a slightly tolerating grin "Hey, there, little Buckle. No, no, you can't keep Irvine. You see, he's my Compatible, but you realize you shall have to give me more precise instructions on this Junction fusion you've mentioned to me before..." he trails off, sighing into a laugh, as the little critter is off and running again. He turns to Ellone, distressed at her attitude. "Please, believe me. I mean no harm. I care. I understand what I'm doing might be dangerous to myself or my Compatible, but the gain, I've been told, is something that just may be worth any risk." He takes the few steps to her, and mimicing Squall's motion earlier, bends to a knee, whipping his cape back, and grasps one of her hands lightly, letting her feel the warmth of his body, the truth shining in his eyes. "If you'd just believe..."

Rinoa would be one of those persons who'd looked at Squall's face right then, the way it had changed, her eyes widened slightly, confirming her hazzards before they'd even been formed properly. Squall? She took a step foward, as if she'd have placed a hand on his arm if he'd been right next to her, instead, hesitating...reading a face that was usually so unreadible to all...No, she couldn't stop him, she...couldn't join him. This was something he had to do for himself, and sighing within, she nodded once, a faint smile. He'd come back to her, fingering the ring about her neck, she let her hand fall, her attentions returning to catch part of Maduin's speech...sad...her thoughts obvious, even while she flicked a few glances down the way Squall had gone. And then she'd hear her name..."Me?" Suprised, "Summon?" Like Yuna? Well. That was interesting, she'd ask Lulu when next she saw her! If it would help out more...it couldn't hurt. She had a thoughtful expression on her face, as the GF known as Maduin continued to speak, it was, all so unexpected...Kinda like what happened between Ifrit and Lucrecia. Now, she could understand Seifer to a certain degree but, not understanding, not wanting to understand perhaps? "Hey Irvine, calm down...maybe if we explained it to her?" Now getting just why HE had been so trashed the night before in town! Poor thing. His poor...ego...and then...it would happen. Staring, stunned more than anything else, "How adorable!" Carbuncle! "He speaks now..." muttering, and how he spoke! Rinoa is a lot more into this than Ellone was...Squall never rubbed off on her, in that manner. Good? Or Bad?

Cary's still standing back.. soaking in all the words, especially those which come from the Espers. So much to do, now.. he'll have to do so very much, just in case. Write his life story before he forgets it.. or maybe not? Maybe it's better that way...- but at least his life story from the SeeD-era on.

..but he's snapped out of the pondering state by two things.. one,. the absolutely insane Esper that makes him think of Megumi and Lucrecia's lack of sanity -combined-.. but moreso by Luc's verbal assault of the fiery esper, and his.. acceptance.. of -her-? Captain Almasy he could see, but... -her-? There's only one word going through his mind, and it even slips through his lips in a soft mutter...

"...Whatever."

..this, you see, is what happens when Squall Leonhart becomes someone's rolemodel. Oh well.

Ifrit merely shakes his head at all the others, eyeing Seifer with burning red eyes.

"You now hold power. Fire will no longer harm you as it once did. Lucrecia..." Yes, he no knows her name. "Is merely for future usefulness. My symbol will keep her from being selected by another Esper for junction, but I haven't given her any gifts." And the rest of the stragglers, Ifrit merely looks about before eyeing Carbuncle with supressed agitation. It's clear that Ifrit dislikes the hyperactive rabbit, obviously preferring a lack of his presence. And to Carbuncle, Ifrit can say only one thing. What the hell, it's been passed around. Apparently Espers aren't immune to its effects either.

"...Whatever."

Several heartbeats pass... She's content, she's alone... She's even given herself a bit of a laugh... And then? The Memory-Stealer (For that's what she's calling them now) heads over in her direction. She tries to look inconspicuous, tries to back away more, but it seems she's backed herself right into a pillar. o.o Okay, she'd been interested at first, but the willingness of the others to just accept the imposing creatures tears at Ellone's mind. What if they forget... again?! No, they wouldn't. Because /she/ was going to be the one to make sure they didn't.

And then the Esper takes her hand, and she freezes. Maduin says something about acceptance... Whatever it was, she was far to irate to comprehend. She stares at the esper, eyes mad, widening in rage. "Get /AWAY!/ from me!" Voice is... considerably louder than it was, though it still doesn't carry. She first pushes against Maduin, then forcefully attempts to wrest her hand from his, while at the same time backing farther into the piller.

"Nobody. /Nobody/ is stealing my memories."

Lucrecia simply blinks at Ifrit.... And... ah... whatever it was he did. Whatever it was. The woman pauses to think about this.... aaaaah, right. Yeah. Whatever. She simply grins madly at Ifrit. "Oh right right right. Okay, gotcha, understood, suuuuuuure. Anyways, this is going to be tons of fun! Will this by any chance include camping and marshmellows and spooky tales involving ghosts and their mother in laws? Regardless, I've got sooooooo many questions to ask like..." Vinnybot buzzes up to Lucrecia with a little datapad. She punches in a few keys. "What kind of diet are you on? Do you even eat? Do you like to eat that of the human race? Vegetables? Maybe rocks? Where did you come from? Your history? How are you able to manipulate magic and distort reality? Is there a limit to your powers? To you exhibit personality? Are you a big fan of chocolate? Do you like Blitz Ball? Do you have a girlfriend? A boyfriend? Family? A pet? Where you picked on as a child? Where the hell did you get a name like Ifrit anyways? Did your dame used to refer you as 'Iffy Wiffy poo' when you were a child? Is there any significance to that name? How do you breed? What is your anatomical structure?"

Lucrecia coughs. "That's just about...... a very tiny fraction of the questions." She hands nearly one hundred pages of these filed questions to her Vinnybot who, so weighed down by the massive file, nearly falls flat on his face to the ground. "THIS REMINDS ME!" Lucrecia is suddenly out... then comes back in dragging a large back! She pulls out several bits of medical supplies, including a massive jar that is nearly half her size. "I'd like to run several tests. DNA test, blood test, magic test, psyche test, reflex test, sports test, and I'll need you to fill this jar up." Lucrecia drops the jar before Ifrit's feet.

Now.. the question is.... 'Fill this Jar up.. with WHAT!?!?!?'

Better not to ask it.

Lucrecia's attention is suddenly to Carbuncle, and she is right next to him. "ANOTHER ONE! Oh wow, they just keep popping up all over the place, don't they!? And what is with that weird jewel on his head...... Huh." Oh. And then Ifrit is suddenly gone... Damn him!

Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, Irvine absently smoothes his hand down the back of his head, then drags his fingertips over the white cloth and black ribbon that keep his hair tied back at his neck. "Carbuncle?" He shares a glance with Rinoa, and mutters, "They're poppin' up all over." At that thought, he breaks into a grin.

That smile fades as he looks towards Ellone... no, 'Sis'. He's kept a journal, jealously guarded with a passion that rivals his love of guns and women, and plans to continue to keep it, even on his own his memory may be the few untouched among those from the orphanage by the sea, but it's good to keep up a habit of writing things down. "Sis," he murmers, concern flashing across his normally confident features, and he takes a step towards Ellone, though with a faint jerk of his head and a shoving of his hands into the pockets of his coat, he stops. How can he really answer her? How can he even help? She's been alone too long, being the only one (to her knowledge) who knew, who remembered.

The knight's features twist into a dark smirk upon hearing verbal confirmation of his offer.. Ifrit would be his once more. Even as he readies himself to accept the Junction, his eyes begin to glow an etheral green, slowly fading into a white-hot flame as the connection is made. His right arm curls upward, a great heat eminating outward from it for a few brief seconds.. and Seifer would seem to be frozen in place. It's not until Ifrit speaks to him again that his arm falls back to his side and his eyes fall back to normal.. only they don't seem to normal anymore. There's something else there, something that hasn't been present for a long time. That destructive tendancy is most definately back, and this time with a vengeance. He doesn't respond to the Fire Beast's words, instead simply listening.. even as he vanishes from sight, the Captain does nothing. Carbuncle's tugging of his jacket, unfortunately, went unnoticed throughout the commotion. After a few more seconds, the gunblader finally makes a movement, turning partially back toward the entrance, his gaze falling upon Lucrecia. A grin once more spreads across his face, this one a mixture of pleasure and something.. devious, something dark.. and then it comes. A laugh, more or less, it begins as a low rumble from the back of Seifer's throat, growing only slightly in volume. And he finishes the turn, slowly starting off toward the inner areas of Garden once more, his laugh echoing behind him like the duster that billows in his wake. Oh yes. Today.. today has been a good day.

Carbuncle seems to scamper over to Ellone, looking right up at her with his charming eyes that are ever changing. Perhaps the hues are like that beause of his immense powers with Time Magic, or perhaps he's freaky like that. He seems to tug on Seifer's jacket. "Hey! You are Ifrit's special friend! Glad to meet you, my name is Carbuncle, whatever you do don't sit in his chair. And he likes it when you say thou and thee and tither! And he likes it when you announce," and he tries to announce in his grimmest, gloomiest of voices, "Something foul is afoot!" And then after Seifer is disposed of, he looks towards Lucrecia. He scampers through her legs, yes right through them until he tugs on her coat. "Hey lady, what's up? Wanna play? Lets play tag. TAG YOU'RE IT! TeeeHeee!" Then he seems to point to a VinnyBot, "Hey what's that? Are those your men? The square root of 704583936 is 26544 and the quare root of that is... guess what. GUESS!" Then he throws his foot in the air, yes right in the air. "My big toe!" And he giggles like an esper, making those picka sounds and stuff before he runs at full speed, flinging into the air and attaching himself right on Ellone's leg.

"Look Maduin! A human! It's so kaaaayyyooooote! Can I keep her? Please? Please Maduin?" He tugs on Ellone's pants or coat or whatever he can tug on in this case. "Can I keep you? Lets go home, we can play chutes and ladders. I stole that from the Empire all by myself, because Maduin was captured an' then I gots captured an' then..." he looks up with his pouty little eyes. "Don't get mad, Maduin loves you, he loves everyone. Please? Please? Come on...." Those poor little eyes on Ellone.

Vinnybot blinks at Carbuncle once.... then smoke begins to pump out of its poor little body..... and the bot simply explodes. Boom.

Maduin is hurt by the rebuffal, not because Ellone has physically punished him, but because there is so much pain, anger, hate, directed at him. Maduin becomes just as distress as Ellone, because he panics in his confusion. "No, no, you do not understand." Confused, he immediately releases her, almost flinging her hand back at her, and retreats. His eyes, wide with a mix of emotions, become very unfocused. Irvine steps forward, and Maduin takes a few steps back, coming up beside the cowboy. He leans towards him, grasping his shoulder so that he can look into Irvine's eyes, and somehow feels comforted by the concern there, as he imagines it extends to himself as well as Ellone, somehow feeling that Irvine just might understand. "Is this a time to merely speak the '...whatever' and -". He' interrupted by the motion of Carbuncle out of the corner of his eye, and fearing the worst reaction yet, he plucks up Carbuncle off of Ellone's leg "Come, little one...you would only cause her great pain." He turns back to Irvine, extending his hand in a manner in which invites the gunman to shake, holding the dangling Carbuncle loosely in the other fist. "It is time for us to return to the Realm. However, we shall return, when you wish us to. You need but close your eyes and dream of me, and as your Compatible, I shall return posthaste. Then again, I shall likely 'drop in' within a week's time as well."

Given everything that's happened, Irvine doesn't try to put any distance between he and the Esper in any show of surprise, but stares back at Maduin seriously. Blink. Blink. He glances at his shoulder, then towards Ellone. "Sis... let's talk later, alrighty?" That said, the cowboy turns his attention back to Maduin, quirking a smile at the condition of Carbuncle, dangling from one hand. Reaching out to grasp the other taloned hand, he gives it a firm shake. "Hey, travel safely. Hope y'all don't run into any trouble on the way ...uh... home." He winks goodnaturedly, and releases Maduin's hand, to take off his hat, press it to his chest and bow in parting.

A silent scream starts in Elle's throat as the little rodent attaches to her leg! She's about to kick it to Kingdom Come when Maduin comes back and... retrieves it. The panic stops... Okay... Okay. She's fine. There's no creatures in her head.... But perhaps... Perhaps Maduin /did/ understand. Maybe... No. She wouldn't let him. Out. Of. Her. Mind!

She does, however, give the Esper one last glance before she turns away. She's about to cry again, damnit. The only acknowledgement she gives that she even heard Irvine is a brief wave of her hand... And then she runs - almost sprints - toward the dorms. She needed a hug. -_-

"Hey! I want that hat. Can I have it Mister Irvine sir? Prithee may I have thine hat fair knight of Balambness? Look dude, jus' give me tha' hat K?" Carbuncle squirms, but Maduin's got a fierce lock on him. Though he stretches out his hand to Ellone. "Come on, please? I choose you! I choose you! Please? Please? Pleeeeeaaaaaaaasssssse?" Though his eyes catches on the tattooed figure of something, perhaps Zell, perhaps not. There's people that are Carbuncle's compatible, but he needs to find them. He starts to slurp on Maduin's finger. "Lemme go! I wanna go home underground, please? Maduin, come on, hey..." and he starts with the questions:

"Where do babies come from?"

"Why is the sky blue?"

"Why is Ifrit upset alla time?"

"How come humans look pretty?"

"Wanna play chess?"

"I love you Maduin!"

Lucrecia just.. kinda... blinks.......... then watches as Carbuncle manages to do the impossible.

....Carby just managed to completely baffle Lucrecia to the point of a blank mind. A blank mind that lasts for nearly two point five nanoseconds. However, her mind remains and the look of dumbfoundedness is wiped away once the sound of a harsh KABOOM and a mini-atomic mushroom cloud rolls just next to her. Lucrecia spins about to face this... and squeels "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Lucrecia is on her knees, gathering the pieces of Vinnybot that falls to the floor. "The tape.. the recording.. the... the.. everythi-.. GONE! GONE! ALL THAT WORK! NEARLY AN HOUR OF WORK! SESSION! THEORIES!!!!! TO WAAAAAASSSSSTTTTTEEEEE!" Lucrecia gazes to the heavens and raises her arms spread eagle style "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"

And she falls on the floor next to the broken body of Vinnybot.......

....and she knows.....

she knows....

....revenge is in order..