Time and Tides Archives

Rinoa chased after Selphie, her blue duster fluttering behind her. She didn't have a SeeD uniform, and hoped that wouldn't be a problem. She'd awoken that morning with a sudden feeling of loss for her pet dog Angelo, who would usually be there to greet her the moment she got out of bed. That made her feel simultaneously upset and half-guilty, because Quistis and Zell weren't around either.

So she was quieter than usual when she caught up with Selphie, out of breath, and smiled at her. "Well, if you are, I definitely am!"

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Ah, this was new. Parking the Garden and actually leaving on a mission afterwards. It made Nida somewhat nervous, actually. Squall was that guy who'd killed Ultimecia and stopped Time Compression, after all, and Nida was just that kid who flew the Garden. He was still a SeeD, though, and despite being nervous, he was also kind of excited to have a chance to really act on that title.

Like Selphie, he wore his SeeD uniform, but unlike Selphie, that wasn't actually anything new.

Also like Selphie, he was late. His excuse was that he couldn't go get ready to leave until the Garden was properly situated, but he didn't really think he'd be asked for an excuse. Nobody ever seemed to care enough for him to need one.

He ran up, slightly out of breath (Galbadia was a maze), and stopped to flash Squall a salute. "Reporting for duty."

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It was a good thing that Squall had told them to meet up a half hour earlier than they needed to, since he expected at least one of them to be late. What he didn't expected was all three of them to be running behind.

"Good you're all here." Squall decided not to mention that they were late, since his glare at all three of them should have told them that.

"I shouldn't have to tell you all to be as professional as possible. Riona...we're telling our clients that you're our..." He thought quickly as to what would be a good explanation for her not wearing a uniform. "Outside consultant." Squall finished.

"So everyone is ready to go?"

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Rinoa stuck her tongue out at Squall for glaring at her, but she nodded and did her best to imitate Selphie's salute.

"Got it!"

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"Roger, Sir," Nida replied, dropping his salute. Yeah, he wasn't going to have any problems remaining professional about this, Squall, rest assured.

"Also, seconding Selphie's request for a Garden directory. Whoever designed the layout for that thing was high on something." ...Okay, maybe a little unprofessional.

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"I'm sure we'll all get used to the layout eventually, as it'll be our home base from now on. But I'll put a directory for the Garden on our things of things to do."

He gave a sigh and turned fully towards the exit. "Now let's get moving. The client is waiting for us at the Eastern gate."

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Definitely cool~

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Vayne crossed the threshold of the inn where Larsa was staying. He suspected his brother was still less than pleased by these arrangements, but with good hope would eventually come to accept it. Vayne did not wish to turn the matter into a confrontation, however, he had no intention of accommodating the younger Solidor if he intended to play the wounded martyr or sulky child. Common for the age, unbecoming to his lineage.

Just inside the entrance he stood, shoulders squared, a practical fine sculpture waiting.

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For but a fleeting moment, Vayne was startled by Larsa's appearance. Despite his having seen his younger brother dramatically grown and matured in the matter of hours, it was still something that required getting used to.

"Good morning, Larsa. I trust you slept well?"

An innocent enough question, as if there were no tension on either party's part. He was aware that Larsa objected to their errand today, yet it must be so. Better to not broach the topic and do what must be done.

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"Quite well. You will forgive me for departing soon after. I find I have business that will take me away once more."

With that, he turned to the door, exiting into the street. They could speak while walking to the meeting place. "A most intriguing world in which we have found ourselves. There are curiosities I had not thought possible which seem to defy the logic of reality, yet so they are."

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Of course Larsa would be drawn to the common people rather than the leadership. It was just as well as it kept him out of harms way, by and large. These mercenaries would make up the difference in his safety.

They wound through the streets, Vayne doing so with an upright and regal posture. "I follow a potential lead as to the cause of what has brought us here. I hope to find a way to unravel what has been done."

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Larsa's statement put an even more somber look on Vayne's face. "I will not rest until I have done so. There can be no other alternative."

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"The eastern gate on the far side of the front square," Vayne replied, glancing ahead to the square which was coming into view. It was best to leave the conversation at that, before Larsa put in one more plea against this.

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After but a few moments, Vayne spotted a small group of people entering the city from the outside. Three of them were uniformed and the fourth was dressed in blue, although the style was unlike anything he had ever seen before. He placed a hand on Larsa's shoulder then strode forward, with a confident bearing.

"Mr. Leonhart?" he inquired of the group, as he attempted to ascertain the leader and primary contact.

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Squall stopped a two or three feet in front of the two people standing at the Eastern Gate and shifted into a quasi military stance.

"I am." He replied. "I assume you are Lords Vayne Solidor and Larsa Solidor." He gestured behind them. "This is my team. Nida, Selphie, and Rinoa."

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Vayne nodded politely to the others, and said, "It is a pleasure. Lady Rinoa, I must thank you again for this." He rested a hand on Larsa's shoulder. "This is my dear brother, Larsa. He is the most precious thing to me. I trust you will keep him safe and well."

He glanced down at his younger brother, hoping he was going to remain docile about the arrangement and not fly into a sudden fit of teen angst and rebellion.

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"You're welcome!" said Rinoa to Vayne, grinning at the pair of them. "It's great to meet you at last, Larsa. You'll be safe with us, we guarantee it!"

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As loathe as he was to take his leave after so short a time, Vayne had pressing matters to see to. He returned his attention to Squall after a polite nod to Rinoa. "As matters of payment and contract have been arranged, I must take my leave. Please keep me apprised of any issues that might arise."

Not that he expected any, but Larsa was known to go off on his own from time to time.

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Squall gave a nod to Vayne. "Of course, sir. Rest assured we will see to your brother's safety." He turned to Larsa and was about to ask him for his plans before changing his mind.

It was far better to let Larsa get used to Selphie and Rinoa first before planning for anything else.

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Rinoa threw an arm around Larsa, grinning. "So! Are you gonna stay with us in Garden? We'll give you a tour, right, Selphie?"

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Nida, who had stood silently through the entire introductory spiel mostly for the fact that he was used to hanging out in the background and had nothing to say, rolled his eyes at Selphie. He couldn't say anything about it, though. She was just being Selphie.

He leaned in to Larsa, hand held up beside his mouth as if he was trying to keep distant viewers from being able to read his lips, and said, "Don't let them give you the tour. They can't go two feet without getting lost."

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Squall almost groaned out loud in frustration as he watched the scene in front. What in the world happened to their professionalism? And after he's warned them too BEFORE they left the Garden.

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"Aw, that's too bad," said Rinoa, who thought Larsa's blushing was adorable. "I know - if you wanna stay in Alexandria, you could give us a tour! We could all go shopping!"

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Vayne glanced over to his brother and viewed the boy's consternation with an amused expression. He told Squall quietly, "I see that your group is quite lively. This should serve Larsa well. I fear he has been too much secluded and protected to his detriment." Privately, he thought if the boy was occupied dealing with the energetic females who were doting on him, that left him less time to find himself in the company of others which would not meet Vayne's approval.

After another moment spent diverted by the group, he bade both brother and guards farewell, taking his leave in the direction of the castle.

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The moment Vayne had gone, Rinoa punched the air. "Yes! Then shopping it is!" she crowed. "Let's go glance at those wares."

She laughed and gave Larsa a teasing smile. The way he spoke was adorable too. Then she looked at Squall, who didn't seem to share their happy mood.

"You'll carry our bags for us, right?"

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Nida barely restrained himself from openly facepalming at Selphie and Rinoa's behaviour. Wasn't this supposed to be a mission? They were bodyguards, not babysitters on holiday. Jeez.

He pulled Rinoa and Selphie aside, not far, mostly just diverting their attention from Larsa to him, which meant that Larsa could still hear everything despite Nida speaking in a low voice for attempted secrecy. "If he's somebody who actually needs bodyguards, don't you think a shopping trip that puts him out in the open is a bad idea?"

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At least Vayne seemed fairly understanding about Selphie and Rinoa's behaviour. And it looked like he'll have to remind them both about professionalism and how they're not allowed to bully the client. Again.

"A shopping trip should be alright." He put in and gave them two a glare. "As long as you don't get too distracted. And remember what I said about not bullying our client." They couldn't really keep Larsa in the Garden all the time, after all.

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Rinoa wagged her finger at Nida. "That's where you're wrong. We can't keep him cooped up, can we? He's not a prisoner. Anyway, the best way to keep him safe is to make it look like he doesn't need bodyguards! We'll just be a group of friends going out shopping! No-one will even look twice at us. See, it makes complete sense!"

When Squall agreed, Rinoa grinned triumphantly, feeling vindicated. "See?" she said again. "It'll be fine!"

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"Not me," said Rinoa, melting at once at the sight of that smile.

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