328 replies to this topic

[shadow_Uzumaki]

Cid went to the Bar's cockpit, still muttering about how horrible the day had gone out. He began the ship's (controlled, this time) descent down towards the park until it was about a few yards high. Still muttering obscenities, he went down to the emergency hatch and hopped onto the descending ladder. When he reached the ground, he walked towards the pond and screamed again, "YOU GIRLS ARE GONNA GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!!!!!!"

[krisk]

~Raven~

I sputtered and splashed as I stood up couching and hacking water, and then looked around to see if Jyu and that idiot cop were alright.

I'm dead.

I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead I'mdead I'mdead I'mdeadI'mdeadI'mdeadI'mdeadI'mdeadsodead and weightless and wet and dead and I wish I'd done that one thing with the pickles and the peanut butter. And I wish I'd told off my superiors back then and-- Man, it sucks to be dead, I was way too sexy to die this young and I didn't even get to share my DNA with the world. That's the most shameful thing possible really and--wait, wet? I furrowed my brow in confusion because really it didn't make sense. Nobody told me heaven would be WET! And who the heck ordered all this density? It feels like I'm back doing weight training, and I hated that so I pretty much want my money back because I know I donated (not really) when I was rich... okay fine I didn't since I've never been all that loaded, but you can bet your face I would if I ever did hit it big, so technically I want my down-payment refunds (they exist you damn goddesses) ...or a transfer! Transfer would be good y'know a position as a goddess or something okay fine, but I still want some kind of compensation because heaven is NOT supposed to be this wet and clammy and taste like salt and murky nastiness and I never got to go to Italy! And--

Oh wait.

I can breathe? And float and I CAN SEE? DEAR GOD I CAN SEE! Though wait-- not so well, wait, ow man ow wetness in the eye, I thunk when I pulled a Little Mermaid and bursted out of the water, but I really couldn't pull the FULL Little Mermaid move because the water came up to my collar bone so I was there, standing with my bangs plastered to my face, my legs wobbly from holding up an extra large man-child for longer than I wanted (1 billionth of a second was long right?) and soaked after falling from an amazingly convenient pond which I was thankful for so okay Goddesses I'll TRY to stop with the crap on a stick talk--

BUT.

I WAS ALIVE.

I CAN CLEANSE THE WORLD WITH MY DNA!

Anyway I just stood there and caught up with my thoughts. Thinking about how this situation and chain of events had turned out, how just being MYSELF landed me in some random pond and at the mercy of being thrown in JAIL FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T EVEN DO and how I really really owed someone a facelift, because I could only take so much. With a growl I jerked my head back and threw all that wet hair behind me and clenched a fist, because a) he started it b) he didn't climb me when I was trying to save his stupid life and c) I still hadn't had a thank-you.

I made to turn around and stalk (water-stalk) over to him but I stopped in mid-movement.

Suddenly I heard a loud cry, and looked over at one of the mothers clutching her son, as she pointed upwards and away in the direction of Cid's bar, and when my hazel-green eyes focused on the direction that the lady was pointing, I felt my blood literally run cold.

SHIN! What the hell was she doing?! Did she just take a giant leap off of the side of Cid's airship?! What the hell was wrong with these people, and taking random dives off of the side of a floating airship anyways?!

I looked around frantically, and saw Jyu sputter to the surface of the pond, still unfortunately handcuffed by the blond cop, and I waved desperately at her to get her attention, and then pointed in a panic upwards at Shin who was doing an amazing impersonation of a de-feathered bird, flapping around in the wind as she continued to tumble to certain doom, as she was just not close enough to the floating park and pond to make it.

I saw an equally soaked Raven wave frantically in my direction and my first reflex was to wave back (which would've been lamesauce, considering the situation and it really didn't work with that expression she wore) but then I noticed she was pointing so I just went ahead and followed where she was pointing and OH MY FRIGGEN GAWD SHIHNA, YOU'RE NOT A BIRD, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN! Why would she do that?! Was she dropped as a child and enjoyed it?! Aw man, aw man, aw freaking-man she probably saw me fall off the edge and just --snapped. Crapcrapcrapcrap, was my thought process and I had a knee-jerk reaction, I had to get out of the water and so I tried, I ran through water (which really SUCKED because it's water and not exactly a walk in the park) and tried to push myself forward with my arms but GUESS WHAT?

They're silver, made outta metal (psh stupid cops couldn't afford the cool lazer ones they had) and jingled.

Yeah, handcuffs-- COPS. So Unbridled hate for them right now. So yeah, I looked up and down and up and down and I panicked naturally and sort of, just-- hoped that Raven would do something again so I let out a small whine sound while shaking my wet chained wrists up in the air and I made it pretty apparent I couldn't do jack and sorta begged she would--

I had to do something.

I looked over at Jyu one last time, gave her a weak smile, then quickly dashed off to the side of the pond, tripping in the knee-deep water, as I desperately tried to make it to my destination.

--and she did.

Oh gawd I was so thankful for her and her joining us, I really really owed her a few drinks and if that wasn't her thing then I would grant her a bunch of favors no problem because now she was helping me out so much-- but now wasn't the time to let her know that, cause she was currently taking care of the bird-wannabe-fellow-employee as I stood there like a spazzy ex-prisoner or a hippie. Oh and that kamikaze wanna-be best friend enemy chick? I am totallygoing to have a talk with her later about her actions and how they should not be left alone with her when she's bored.

I nodded back, sending thanks through my smile and in my eyes and as relief drained my senses, I put my faith into her.

On my way up, I skidded the hoverboard past where the blond officer was standing, splashing him with a huge wake of water kicked up by the board, and with a smirk flashed by him, grabbing the keys to the handcuffs that I saw attached to the back of his pants, and tossed them to Jyu who caught them with a huge grin on her face.

Helping a new great friend escape from a rotten cop...priceless.

Oh yes did this chick know her stuff.

I quickly unlocked myself from those damnable handcuffs that totally clashed with anything and everything and as elated as I was to be rid of those accursed bracelets I didn't throw them away. No, no waaaaay-- because as I looked over my shoulder at the sputtering Officer, I decided that better things could be done with them. I grinned.

And hey, littering was bad, and I'm the best darn samaritan around!

That said, I shook the water out of my ears, cracked my knuckles and turned around only to DUCK THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY because Raven and Shihna the crazy came down full force into Officer Needs A ButtWhippin's head with some kinda flying contraption, I didn't know I was busy sputtering water out of my mouth--again. After that I looked up to see the force of the impact caused them to vault off their ...hoverboard (ooh was that mine? No, mine was RIP-ing...but wait that Power Rangers sticker looked familiar! It might've been mine!) and into the water ..again. I would've laughed if I wasn't suddenly like OH MY GAWD this stupid cop was getting beaten by everyone and their mom EXCEPT me and that was just really not gonna fly with me and my anger issues.

So, I decided to step in.

I marched over (as much as the water let me march, which wasn't alot so I just looked really intimidating with my arm muscles gleaming with water and sexy and grrr) to the stupid man-child's body with a glare so cold that it came out the other side of the spectrum and would've thawed things. Seriously I was surprised the pond wasn't suddenly frozen and I wasn't suddenly stealing a pair of skates. Anyway I glared and glared and glared and finally got to his almost-lifeless body, so I helped him up by reaching underneath the bluey surface and grabbed ahold of his wet collar and pulled my catch of the day up. He gasped and me? I smirked. A few tingles ran through me because I was finally getting my turn because really-- no guy EVER got to shove me against the counter without my consent -- and even then it was basically impossible.

He had a dazed but angryfais'd expression on his face as I lifted his face up to mine with my left and I was about to clock him when I suddenly decided something else, I thunked with a wickedtastic gleam in my eye.

"Well well well, looks like we meet again Mary. Oh what's that?" I replied like he'd said something, feigning the most awesome act ever (Jyuuki the A-List Movie Star, hee), "You think I'm pretty? Aww that's sweet of you! But sorry, I don't date guys like you, y'know ones that are totally dependent on their Mother for acceptance. That and you smell funny." I lifted my fingers to his mouth and made him reply back, moving his lips for him-- "But I love you, Jyuuki-sama! You're the sun above me, you make my stupid existance worthwhile! You're so awesome and a kickass ninja and you could defeat me by just looking at me you're so sexy! There's no one like you! You're so out of my league... so I know I can't have a girl like you. That does it! If I can't have you than nobody can!" Oh how bold of you, sir, someone would say because I snickered as I reached down, lifted his slimy hand and brushed it against my chest and gasped, "OH MY GAWD! I MUST NOW USE SELF-DEFENSE BECAUSE YOU JUST ATTEMPTED ....rape."

I smirked knowingly as I leaned back away from his confused, but slowly realizing face that held a 'oh snap I'm screwed' expression, but I explained it for him. "And whenever a young woman (or man, whatevs) is put into a position of being touched against their will they have the right to--" I paused to kitten my fist back as I gritted my teeth, whispering through my clenched toothy smirk, "--Self-defense" and I shifted all of my weight forward, all my strength into that one arm and I launched my fist completely breaking the sound barrier (I would tell you that later) into his already slightly mangled nose. He grunted and growled and howled in a painful moan as he shot back and into the water again, and I felt just so awesome and amazing and GAWD did I want that beef jerky now because seeing him fly back with blood shooting out of his nose like that totally beat the pants off a steamy cup of hot cocoa on a cold cold day a bazillion times over.

I glee'd, clapping my hands as if I'd won at Yahtzee or something and grinned and rubbed my fist (cause really even if that felt good at that moment, my fist would be hurting later like regretfully with a dull but pleasant warm pain). I breathed out a big sigh, letting the fact that I almost died twice that day creep into me and I wiped the imaginary sweat (which was pond water, ew) off my forehead and grinned, posing at the imaginary camera before I froze.

Wait-- Uh...oh. Isn't that dude a cop? Aw fudgemuffins, he's still a cop and I'm not his boss or have a liscense to punch authority figures legally-- so...

We had to get the frik outta there like an hour ago.

That reminds me, I should leave something for Raven in my will also...

"Uh, hi there Officer B?"

Greet him with a smile, and see where it leads you. It shouldn't be so bad... right? Right?!

I bit my lip and quietly wadded through the water. I grinned apologetically at them and whispered, "Less talky, more runny" cause my thief-coworker really needed to pick her conversations better and didn't wait for a reply because I grabbed Shihna and Raven (she was freaking out before, adrenaline did that) arms and pulled them along with me as I tiptoed through the water, towards the our ship hoping that it would drop down and our owner would digivolve his vein into SUPER PISSED OFF VEINAMON and--

Cid went to the Bar's cockpit, still muttering about how horrible the day had gone out. He began the ship's (controlled, this time) descent down towards the park until it was about a few yards high. Still muttering obscenities, he went down to the emergency hatch and hopped onto the descending ladder. When he reached the ground, he walked towards the pond and screamed again, "YOU GIRLS ARE GONNA GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!!!!!!"

He did.

Yup, always late but never not there.

All hail Old Man Cid who showed up just to yell about him almost dieing even though he SO should've been used to things like this cause really c'mon it was US.

I didn't stop tip-toeing though, I felt like my little kid self when I would accidently do something really really bad but not wanting to take the fall for it (like now hee) so all I did was try to sneak away. But what really got me miffed was our Smoker McBadWords boss wouldn't LOWER HIS VOICE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SNEAK AWAY GAWD SHUT UP.

"SHHHHH!!! HE'LL HEAR YOU YOU WRINKLY OLD CHIMNEY!" I shouted back, blaming him because really I wouldn't be yelling if he didn't! Finally wadding out of the water, still pulling along both Shihna and Raven, I dropped their hands when we got to Cid but I didn't stop tip-toeing. Can't blame a ninja for acting on reflex and so I turned around and meekly waved them in the direction of the ladder and whispered a small whiny request, "Psst... let's get outta here!"




(OOC: WHEE THANKS! the cards look pretty bamfy if i DO say so myself xDDDD SHAD-KUN I'M NOT GONNA LEAVE YOU ALONE ABOUT THE PROMOTION-- JYUUKI WILL VOUCH FOR ME I PROMISE! GR.)

[shadow_Uzumaki]

"...AND JYU-" he looked around because of the disappeared ninja and looked back to the ladder, "JYUUKI! I DIDN'T TEACH YOU TO PUNCH LIKE THAT!!!" He stomped over to the stunned cop and lifted him by collar, "HIS NOSE ISN'T BROKEN!!" He then turned to the cop and gave him a Death-Glare-Over-9000! (patented of course) "If you so much step within one inch over my ship, I swear, I'll shove my spears, yes plural spears, up where the sun don't shine after I beat the corruption out of you. I've dealt with your kind before, and I tell you, I. Will. Win. No one treats my girls like that and gets away with it. You're....relatively lucky she got to you before me." He then dropped the cop back to the pond and went back to the ladder, "C'mon, let's see if my spy cameras can save you brats again..."


(OOC: Is that ok?)

[Denim88]

List of events for the day:

-Travel to some remote Airship Bar
-Meet girl you formerly (and possibly still) had relations with, and have a huge heart-to-heart talk
-Get threatened by a girl with knives
-Have corrupt officers come to arrest thugs while practically messing said girl you formerly had relations with
-Watch girl you had relations with fall with said corrupt officer off the airship
-Watch one girl go off the edge of airship with a hoverscooter, only to land with the other three into a random floating park
-Watch girl with knives jump off to (I'm going to guess) save said girl and officer
-Attempt to save falling girl who had knives
-Watch girl who you saved with your transport jump off...again

Next on list:

-Pop a few aspirin and pray the incoming migraine won't be too severe as you check on said stunt-devils to make sure they're alive

I landed the transport near the pond where I had seen the others fall. I walked out of the ship, towels in hand, and let out a sigh of relief as I saw them leaving the pond area, sopping wet, and rather disheveled. Alive though...thankfully. Looks like Cid got here before me though...

"Figures..." I grumbled. I had done next to nothing to help the situation. Attempting to saving Jyuuki's hide did nothing but coax the cop into being a jerk. I did save that Shihna girl...but then she jumped off the transport...why, I don't even want to know.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked in a, throwing the towels to the wet girls, "...and where's that cop? If he's dead...we're in trouble..." I saw the man floating in the water, and groaned, "...go on and get back to the bar. I can handle this..."

I walked towards the pond before stopping before looking to the girl who was named Raven, "Thanks...for saving Jyuuki..." I then looked to Jyuuki, "...please try not to scare me like that again...you're a handful as it is without the life and death perils." I gave her a hug, ignoring the water that soaked into my clothes, and then continued towards the pond, "I suggest you all get out of here unless you want to see a demonstration of what I do with people who endanger my friends..." I gave them a grin as I stepped into the water, walking towards the cop, who appeared unconscious.

"...this will be just like the interrogation with that Bangaa soldier...good times..." I spoke, cracking my knuckles. I wanted to get the point across to this Police Captain about upholding the law...not abusing it...and why it's bad to be a perverted bastard.

It appeared the group

[shadow_Uzumaki]

He saw the kid that had hugged Jyu earlier approach the pervert. He turned to Jyuuki and said, "Hey, if he asks, I approve."

[krisk]

"...AND JYU-" he looked around because of the disappeared ninja and looked back to the ladder, "JYUUKI! I DIDN'T TEACH YOU TO PUNCH LIKE THAT!!!" He stomped over to the stunned cop and lifted him by collar, "HIS NOSE ISN'T BROKEN!!" He then turned to the cop and gave him a Death-Glare-Over-9000! (patented of course) "If you so much step within one inch over my ship, I swear, I'll shove my spears, yes plural spears, up where the sun don't shine after I beat the corruption out of you. I've dealt with your kind before, and I tell you, I. Will. Win. No one treats my girls like that and gets away with it. You're....relatively lucky she got to you before me." He then dropped the cop back to the pond and went back to the ladder, "C'mon, let's see if my spy cameras can save you brats again..."

"Oi boy..." I murmured, as I watched with a pout and my curvy brows furrowed. The Old Man really was protective when he wants to be-- and even when he misses his chance to act, he'll always make it up someway somehow, which made me kinda grateful that he was how he was. I watched as he walked back from the pond, tired and probably thinking in an old raspy slur, he's too old for this, and probably wanting a good rock in a rocking chair -- or knowing him none of the above and just wanting to have a smoke and lay back in his happy place (I'd seen him, he really doesn't blocks everything out even when Shihna and I would change coordinates which was twice as great because his reaction was something to talk about for like a week running, it was that good).

He passed by me and made his way back to the ladder and I nodded, shivering with a "Y-yeah, h-hooray for technology. And sh-shut up! You know th-that wasn't our fault in the first place! P-psh." I argued back, slightly stuttery because it'd gotten REALLY chilly with the ship's engines acting as a ginormous smelly fan. Oh well, that ship served as getting us the frik outta there, so I wasn't complaining so much-- but that reminded me of something, and I looked around us to see if anybody had noticed and why hello the general public! I hope they didn't mind us being their highlight of the day. I waved back (actually in a shoo-ing motion) before I tried to ignore their stares and whispers, while I squeezed the water out of my hair.

I sighed in relief though, as I glanced at the blond-haired officer floating in the water, coming to his senses from Cid shaking him abit. I was hoping that Cid wouldn't have made a bigger scene out of everything, if he had then he would be getting in trouble too.

Ugh, that cop is so gonna mark us.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked in a, throwing the towels to the wet girls, "...and where's that cop? If he's dead...we're in trouble..." I saw the man floating in the water, and groaned, "...go on and get back to the bar. I can handle this..."

I walked towards the pond before stopping before looking to the girl who was named Raven, "Thanks...for saving Jyuuki..." I then looked to Jyuuki, "...please try not to scare me like that again...you're a handful as it is without the life and death perils." I gave her a hug, ignoring the water that soaked into my clothes,

"Hmph, idiot, y'know it wasn't my fault..." I mumbled as I wrapped the shoulders around my shoulders and leaned into Vitty while he provided me with a tight hug. It was always nice to have a dry hug when you were soaking wet, introuble with the cops, and wanting to leave when being the center of attention was probably not the best thing in the world at that moment. I expected him to just go back to the ship but I was suprised and like Aw man.. when I noticed him walking towards the pond.

Aw crap.

and then continued towards the pond, "I suggest you all get out of here unless you want to see a demonstration of what I do with people who endanger my friends..." I gave them a grin as I stepped into the water, walking towards the cop, who appeared unconscious.

"...this will be just like the interrogation with that Bangaa soldier...good times..." I spoke, cracking my knuckles. I wanted to get the point across to this Police Captain about upholding the law...not abusing it...and why it's bad to be a perverted bastard.

It appeared the group

My ears picked up his slurred words (which did things to me, even still today) but I ignored the shiver to get back to the situation. If he did anything he'd-- Aw double crap--

I growled before wrapping the towel around my shoulders even tighter, leaving Cid's side and starting to follow him--

He saw the kid that had hugged Jyu earlier approach the pervert. He turned to Jyuuki and said, "Hey, if he asks, I approve."

Before I took after Mister Warrior man that I'd just that day gotten back at that point with, I stopped to quirk a brow in confusion at the old man. "Wha--? Old man you and your confuscionism-wannabe sayings. Tell me later, I'll be right back." I replied before turning towards Vitty, who was now making his way towards the pond, having that 'Oh man, I'm gonna enjoy this' shashay to his walk.

Awwww craaaap.

I quickly followed him into the pond (damn you murky water, why can't you get cleaner or warmer or UGH whatever), reaching for his arm or the back of his shirt or something to hold him back. "Hey Vitty, c'mon no! You're still in the clear with this guy! And remember what he said back on the deck-- he's a Captain. And y'know what that means! You could still get introuble if you do something to him... C'mon." I growled in a gentle but firm tone. I couldn't let anymore people get involved with something like this!

[Sakura Blossoms]

(OOC: Is that ok?)

(OOC - It was great :thumbs: )

"...AND JYU-" he looked around because of the disappeared ninja and looked back to the ladder, "JYUUKI! I DIDN'T TEACH YOU TO PUNCH LIKE THAT!!!" He stomped over to the stunned cop and lifted him by collar, "HIS NOSE ISN'T BROKEN!!" He then turned to the cop and gave him a Death-Glare-Over-9000! (patented of course) "If you so much step within one inch over my ship, I swear, I'll shove my spears, yes plural spears, up where the sun don't shine after I beat the corruption out of you. I've dealt with your kind before, and I tell you, I. Will. Win. No one treats my girls like that and gets away with it. You're....relatively lucky she got to you before me." He then dropped the cop back to the pond and went back to the ladder, "C'mon, let's see if my spy cameras can save you brats again..."


(OOC: Is that ok?)

"Is everyone okay?" I asked in a, throwing the towels to the wet girls, "...and where's that cop? If he's dead...we're in trouble..." I saw the man floating in the water, and groaned, "...go on and get back to the bar. I can handle this..."

I walked towards the pond before stopping before looking to the girl who was named Raven, "Thanks...for saving Jyuuki..."

~Raven~

I climbed out of the pond, grabbed the towel that Jyu's guy tossed my way, nodded to him with a small smile when he thanked for saving Jyu, and then walked shivering over to Cid.

Once I stood beside him, I looked shyly up at him, as I still didn't really know him as we had only met today, though with everything that had happened today, it felt like I had known all of them for ages.

I guess life and death situations will do that to you.

"Uh...mr. Cid...sorry for all the tr-trouble I've caused you to-today, from the de-destruction of your bar, to a-all of this trouble with the cops," I said through chattering teeth, as I tried to wrap the towel around my shivering form even tighter. Us Elves weren't really known for our especially strong constitution in cold situations, and right now with the ship engines blowing the air on my wet skin and clothes, it was a very cold situation.

[Sakura~Kitsune]

"...AND JYU-" he looked around because of the disappeared ninja and looked back to the ladder, "JYUUKI! I DIDN'T TEACH YOU TO PUNCH LIKE THAT!!!" He stomped over to the stunned cop and lifted him by collar, "HIS NOSE ISN'T BROKEN!!" He then turned to the cop and gave him a Death-Glare-Over-9000! (patented of course) "If you so much step within one inch over my ship, I swear, I'll shove my spears, yes plural spears, up where the sun don't shine after I beat the corruption out of you. I've dealt with your kind before, and I tell you, I. Will. Win. No one treats my girls like that and gets away with it. You're....relatively lucky she got to you before me." He then dropped the cop back to the pond and went back to the ladder, "C'mon, let's see if my spy cameras can save you brats again..."

I flinched as realization suddenly hit me. However, I still couldn't remember a thing in which had taken place just earlier before... the only thing that was truly functioning was how I was actually relieved to be alive right now. Although I couldn't say the same for Officer B; I just know I shouldn't be feeling sorry for that poor excuse for a man, but for some reason after crossing paths with me... his life converted to that of a living hell. From anyone who glanced at me, they would easily be able to seem my wincing yet scruntched up features as I hurried over to the poor guy. Towel wrapped around me (when did this happen again?), my hands reached out to stop Vitty from whatever he was planning to do. Couldn't the idiot just listen to Jyuuki? Not only had this guy avoided getting in any trouble in the past few minutes -or so I remember- but now he was putting himself at risk just attempting to teach this Captain a lesson! Good God!

And this is why I couldn't stand men like this. Funny, how I continued to insult this guy and have only known him for a few hours, he simply felt like the relative that wouldn't leave you alone after a family get-together. Weird, huh? Deep down, I was already used to Cid's actions whenever me and Jyuuki had anything to do with it, simply because we were a family but GODDESS! I could swear that I was being driven up the wall!

Worse than usual! And after being randomly thrown behind bars (our first week on the job), chased down my a band of rabid Chocobos (ever wonder exactly how Jyuuki got Jyon?) and forced to give up some of my most valuable weapons (the average bail has gone up! it was either that or... you get the picture.), you wouldn't expect anything to cause just a slight wave of insanity to break out from my supposedly strong subconscience. Buddy, would you be mistakened. And maybe that's the reason why I was literally freezing to the bone. And maybe that's the reason why I was pushing Vitty away from the unconscious officer...captain...whatever he was now! Jeez, that man has to stop changing his freakin' titles! I keep forgetting, and my memories hasn't been the best as you can see...!

"You should listen to Jyu... let the poor guy be." My voice had softened after everything in which had taken place, but it was still sharp, just to make sure that everyone knew that I was actually serious about this. "We all may have a grudge against this guy but you cannot forget the reality of it all... he's still a Captain. And that still puts us all in jepoardy for even trying to go against him..." I don't know exactly why this nonsense was coming out of my mouth, but I was simply telling the honest truth. If I was careful enough, those blows to the head would have Officer B so delirious that he (and his blonde hairpiece *teehee*) would totally forget exactly who I was and what had happened those years ago. And then we would be free to go, and continue on with our simple lives on Cid's airship - as it was for months and months and months.

...

In my dreams. I sound like one of those fangirls who came shrieking into the bar (so early in the morning), proclaiming that the love of their life had stopped by for a drink once. So they wanted to sit at that exact stool, and drink that exact drink and even brush their fingers over the place where his glass resided; did those clueless valley girls even realize that the two employees were still asleep? Well I was... at the roof of the ship as usual. A great place to catch some Z's once in awhile, you should try it.

Argh. I was reminscing again. Did that mean that something was going to happen to me soon enough? From what I remembered, constant flashbacks about peaceful things and yet possessing the feeling that you were going mad weren't the best of combinations. But I would brush it aside until later, whatever did happen could wait. There were more important things taking place as of now, and I couldn't let any damnable case of foreshadowing, missing time, or whatever you wanted to call it to get in the way! As the supposedly cool winds targeted my exposed skin, I carefully pulled the unconscious officer out of the pond and onto the ground. Not one of the best of landings but it would do until then, or whatever we ended up doing to him. As of now, I couldn't help but blame myself for most of this mess - well the stuff that revolved around the officers.

Damn me for deciding that becoming a thief would be an adventure. Damn me for thinking that leaving officers in the most embarrassing / difficult situations during an escape was fun... and damn me for even deciding to come to this airship! GODS. Why was I even here in the first place?!

All of this, basically everything around us at the moment, was simply craaaazzzy!

One of those hairpulling stress moments that you see on those commercials from time to time, and now I could actually understand what Cid was going through. Well not fully. Atleast there wasn't any vein of the sort... that thing was still weird no matter how dangerous the predicament was at the moment. And for some reason, I couldn't look away from it. Was it just me, or was it actually bigger than usual? Oooohh, maybe it would evolve into something else?! Like one of those television shows I used to watch as a kid, before I was forced to turn the channel... ah, a girl can dream can't she?

"Uh...mr. Cid...sorry for all the tr-trouble I've caused you to-today, from the de-destruction of your bar, to a-all of this trouble with the cops," I said through chattering teeth, as I tried to wrap the towel around my shivering form even tighter. Us Elves weren't really known for our especially strong constitution in cold situations, and right now with the ship engines blowing the air on my wet skin and clothes, it was a very cold situation.

And yet again, guilt hit me like a stabwound to the shoulder. At the moment, not only could I feel ashamed for whatever I did but my head shook in disapproval at Raven's apology. "R-Raven... y-you're not t-the only o-one who s-should be apologizing..." I murmured whilst pushing my overly heavy hair out of my face (and basically my entire front), features began to flush up and I felt a bit warm. No, it didn't feel like a fever or even embarrassment - but something else. My insides were actually boiling like a Hot Pot during the Winter Season; I didn't want to believe it but there was really something going on with me. Hazy eyes noticing a certain light not so far away, I kept a mental note to go hurry up and retrieve my dagger. So luck was actually on my side!

"T-this is m-my f-fault too. I-I know I c-can't fully e-e-explain what I'm trying t-to get at... but I-I'm a cause of this certain dilemma"

I don't know why my words were all shakey when I was this feverish... it wasn't even that cold anymore.

"But c-can someone t-tell me exactly what I did... to cause Raven to have to save me?"

Edited by Sakura~Kitsune, 08 January 2009 - 03:02 AM.

[Denim88]

I quickly followed him into the pond (damn you murky water, why can't you get cleaner or warmer or UGH whatever), reaching for his arm or the back of his shirt or something to hold him back. "Hey Vitty, c'mon no! You're still in the clear with this guy! And remember what he said back on the deck-- he's a Captain. And y'know what that means! You could still get introuble if you do something to him... C'mon." I growled in a gentle but firm tone. I couldn't let anymore people get involved with something like this!

"...fine..."I grumbled, taking a good look at the 'Captain'. Friggin' bastard...hopefully he'd remember this a bit, "Jyu-chan...I could make this guy sing and dance if I wanted...it's not fair. I can't stand corruption in law. It's an oxymoron. It shouldn't be possible." I took a deep breath and exhaled.

I looked to Jyuuki, and smiled, "...if you really want me to stop, then I will. I was kind of looking forward to scaring the guy..." I gave her wet hair ruffle before going on, "...although, I have to admit, if anyone is likely to survive all this crap, including falling from an airship...it'd be you. You've got more luck than anyone else I know."

"You should listen to Jyu... let the poor guy be." My voice had softened after everything in which had taken place, but it was still sharp, just to make sure that everyone knew that I was actually serious about this. "We all may have a grudge against this guy but you cannot forget the reality of it all... he's still a Captain. And that still puts us all in jepoardy for even trying to go against him..." I don't know exactly why this nonsense was coming out of my mouth, but I was simply telling the honest truth. If I was careful enough, those blows to the head would have Officer B so delirious that he (and his blonde hairpiece *teehee*) would totally forget exactly who I was and what had happened those years ago. And then we would be free to go, and continue on with our simple lives on Cid's airship - as it was for months and months and months.

I gave a nod to Shihna, "Point made..." I folded my arms, and decided glaring at the dazed cop would be best, "Though...being in the military does have it's perks as well. I could pull a few cards on him if I wanted to. I do have a right to 'uphold' peace when circumstances call for it."

"But c-can someone t-tell me exactly what I did... to cause Raven to have to save me?"

I blinked, "...you don't remember?" I scratched my head; maybe it was stress. Happened with people all the time in the battle field. They just went into auto-pilot, having no recollection of what happened in battle, "Shihna...you jumped off the bar, and did a free-falling act for all of us. I had tried to catch you on my transport, which had been in the air already, but..." I looked to the side, avoiding eye contact, "...you jumped off the ship as well...which reminds me..." I cleared my throat, "...why would you go and do that in the first place. You can't fly on your own..."

[shadow_Uzumaki]

"Oh jeez...." Cid muttered as he tried not to look all pathetically soft in front of the Elvaan girl. "It's ok, kid, it's not the first time this happened. The world's not a safe place and the girls and I've been through a lot. Doesn't stop me from worrying though." Honestly, with all the hair pulling over the years, it's a miracle he wasn't bald. He told himself 'You're tool old for her, you're too old for her...."

Edited by shadow_Uzumaki, 08 January 2009 - 05:37 AM.

[Sakura Blossoms]

Officers Red and Brown had watched all of the drama taking place before, including seeing their Captain being taken over the edge by the handcuffed, bratty girl after she had knocked him in the face with her head. Then they had watched as he had been punched by the same girl, when they had landed in the distant pond on the floating park.

They had seen quite enough now.

"Calling all flying squad cars, calling all flying squad cars. We have an officer down. I repeat. We have an officer down. Send back-up. Immediately. Over and out."

Then officers Red and Brown got into their flying squad car, turned on the flashing lights, took off, and zoomed down to the floating park. Once they got their, they both quickly jumped out of the flying squad car, pulled out their guns, and took aim at the girl who had injured their Captain so badly, the so-called 'Major', the Elvaan girl, the bar owner, and the crazy girl who had taken a random nosedive right off of the edge of the airship, which now hovered near the park.

"This is the Sky Police. All of you put your hands up. You are all under arrest for assault and battery, and aiding and abetting an arrested individual. No one make any sudden moves, or their will be some serious trouble."

[shadow_Uzumaki]

He rolled his eyes at the two cops, "Alright, alright...geez. I don't care. It was your 'Captain's' own fault anyways." He raised his right hand while he kept his left on his pocket.

[krisk]

"...fine..."I grumbled, taking a good look at the 'Captain'. Friggin' bastard...hopefully he'd remember this a bit, "Jyu-chan...I could make this guy sing and dance if I wanted...it's not fair. I can't stand corruption in law. It's an oxymoron. It shouldn't be possible." I took a deep breath and exhaled.

I grinned slightly, knowing full well that Vitty was a man that upheld justice to it's highest degree-- so it wasn't a surprise that he'd reacted all pissed off and frustrated to having experienced a day with these corrupt officers, I mean failures, I mean man-children, I mean prepubescent mommy's boys-- yeah there we go.

"...I know ya can't, Vitty, and neither can I. But what're you gonna do when these men are like this? The only thing you can do is punch a few of 'em and hope karma finishes the rest." I agreed as I squeezed one of his forearms with one of my damp hands the other holding the towel around my shoulders. "'Sides, I already got this idiot of a Captain back for treating me like dirt. So there's no need for you to get introuble too, I handled it." I finished, relieved that I'd stopped him into landing into the same crap I was.

I directed my attention back infront of us and glared at Officer Can't Handle a Punch, hoping that Karma would be one hellava b*tch to him. Maybe in the form of a dying alone or something? Eh, who knew! But only if I could get so lucky, only if.

I looked to Jyuuki, and smiled, "...if you really want me to stop, then I will. I was kind of looking forward to scaring the guy..." I gave her wet hair ruffle before going on, "...although, I have to admit, if anyone is likely to survive all this crap, including falling from an airship...it'd be you. You've got more luck than anyone else I know."

I smiled cheekily up at him, proud of myself (because he was and I was only helping him of course).

"Pshhhh!" I snickered waving a hand before playfully punching him in the chest, "It's all skill, baby, there's no luck involved! For example, you didn't see me hang onto that stupid pole upside down, with that fatass hanging onto my COLLAR! Yanno what that does to my shirt? It stretches and stretches and streeetches. I think I'm gonna make him pay for another one of these shirts-- but yeah anyway, ya missed out, guy-- next time probably." I winked up at him before getting serious again, slightly leaning against him for support. The day really really was playing out to be friggen exhausting.

Though, it beat a day at the bar-- for sure, just don't tell the old man hur.

I gave a nod to Shihna, "Point made..." I folded my arms, and decided glaring at the dazed cop would be best, "Though...being in the military does have it's perks as well. I could pull a few cards on him if I wanted to. I do have a right to 'uphold' peace when circumstances call for it."

I quirked a brow before cocking my head slightly. He did have a point, our levels from the army really could overrule the regular police sectors in different areas but, there was this glaring problem-- our officer said he was a 'Captain'.

Which I wasn't so sure of.

"Hmm, yeah sure but didn't he say he was a Captain of some kind of precinct? I forget which one, so I don't wanna have you do something you'd regret, seriously." I nodded to myself, feeling thick apprehension rise in my veins like bile. Something didn't feel right, I wasn't looking forward to how things were turning out.

What would happen now? We just risked this guys life, saved it then sort of manipulated self-defense. This reaaaaally wasn't good, I thunked.

"But c-can someone t-tell me exactly what I did... to cause Raven to have to save me?"

I blinked, "...you don't remember?" I scratched my head; maybe it was stress. Happened with people all the time in the battle field. They just went into auto-pilot, having no recollection of what happened in battle, "Shihna...you jumped off the bar, and did a free-falling act for all of us. I had tried to catch you on my transport, which had been in the air already, but..." I looked to the side, avoiding eye contact, "...you jumped off the ship as well...which reminds me..." I cleared my throat, "...why would you go and do that in the first place. You can't fly on your own..."

I blinked as well, but kept my thoughts to myself. Really what was up with Shihna? I thought-- I thought that'd had ended with her. She-- she only acted this unrationally and crazy when we were both either having competitions or when I'd caught her a few times, just... having these weird senarios. Like, okay really freaky times, I remembered. Sometimes she'd sleepwalk and be a totally different person. And then there were nights where I would come in late and catch her talking in her sleep. First I thought it was pretty much hilarious and planned blackmail but then--

Then she'd started speaking in the 3rd person, like there was someone else in the room.

Totally freaked me out.

Out like, sleeping in Cid's room out.

Yeah, that bad.

But as suddenly it came, it suddenly stopped-- one day I'd be all wary of her doing that, but I promised myself I would figure it out-- for her sake especially. She was a special girl, and whatever was happening-- just, didn't sit well with me, because really, when it was happening to her I wanted to just-- fix it. So I tried, hoping to get some clues when she was sleeping-- but when I was ready to decipher whatever she said with my straight up amazing psychological deduction skills--

Nothing.

Nothing came, just her regular soft snoring and a few murmurs here and there.

That was it.

Shihna... what's happening with you.., I thought silently, looking at her as she looked as confused as the day she was born (when I wasn't there but I'd picture her looking like that, plus gross-- don't get me wrong, I love kids, but bah, seriously ew). I bit my lip ready to make my way over there to pull her aside and just try to help. Somehow. "Shihn--"

"This is the Sky Police. All of you put your hands up. You are all under arrest for assault and battery, and aiding and abetting an arrested individual. No one make any sudden moves, or their will be some serious trouble."

He rolled his eyes at the two cops, "Alright, alright...geez. I don't care. It was your 'Captain's' own fault anyways." He raised his right hand while he kept his left on his pocket.

Rain-check plz?

"Well goddamnit!" I groaned out, frustrated, their stiff authoritative tones making my hands itch. Seriously, like they couldn't NOT have saved their beloved 'Captain Pain in the Ass''s life themselves with their shiny (not really) po-po hovercars. Really what had stopped them? OH RIGHT.

We saved him.

I growled in frustration before pointing at one of the cops, "Hell NO I'm gonna put these gorgeous hands up! WE SAVED YOUR CAPTAIN'S LIFE. You freaking owe us." I stood by my claim as I crossed my arms, awaiting their stupid stiff tones that wold totally make things die voluntarily.

[Sakura Blossoms]

Admiral Ro stepped out of his hover squad car once he got to the scene of the pond standoff, and stood tall and distinguished as he looked around at the scene.

He saw his Captain sitting on the edge of the pond, holding what looked to be a bloodied nose, looking damp and disheveled in his uniform.

Admiral Ro shook his head slightly in disapproval, before slowly making his way over to the young man and woman, who his officers had all of their guns trained on.

"All of you officers stand down. Put down your guns, and report back to the station...all of you except Officer B here. I'll handle everything else from here on out. You're all dismissed."

And without a single word, all of the officers except Officer B put down and away their guns, smartly saluted the man before them all, then they all climbed into their squad cars, and headed back to the police station.

Admiral Ro nodded once in satisfaction, before a frown once again overtook his usual smiling face, and he walked over to where Officer B was fidgeting and looking highly uncomfortable, as he stood and tried to make himself look more presentable.

"Officer Bernard. You're looking a bit...wet right now. I've just watched live-feed security tapes of all that has happened, once the call came in that there was a major incident out in these parts of the Sky Empire. You do remember that the Emperor has set up hidden cameras in strategic locations all over his Sky Kingdom, so that he can make sure that order is kept throughout his entire kingdom, don't you? Well, it seems as if you had somehow forgotten. I've been watching your conduct with these people, and you and to a lesser extent Officers Reggie and Bradford, have been performing in a manner that have put our entire Sky Police force to shame. This is not how the Sky Police operate. I will be having a long talk with the 3 of you once we get back to the station, but in the meantime I need to talk with these people. You are dismissed, Officer Bernard."

Looking like he wanted to say something, but was trying to swallow it as his face had turned red and pinched, Officer B saluted the man who had just reprimanded him, before he turned around and walked stiffly over to one of two squad cars that had stayed behind, when the rest of the police officers had left. He climbed in, still looking as if he had just swallowed something nasty, then the officer flying the squad car started the engine, and they both took off and headed back to the station.

Admiral Ro nodded once to himself in satisfaction, before he turned sharp slate-gray eyes towards the young man and woman standing near the ponds edge, near a grizzled-looking man who stood beside a young Elvaan girl, and another young lady who just looked confused to be where she was.

Admiral Ro walked with slow precise steps over to them all, and stopped when he was only a couple of feet away, and just stood and looked at them all in silence for a few minutes.

"My name is Admiral Ro, and I am the one in charge of the Sky Police unit in this part of the Sky Empire. I will cut to the chase as I have a very busy schedule to keep, and some...unruly...police officers back at the precinct to discipline. I have watched the security tapes, and while my officers conducted themselves in a manner *completely* unbefitting of officers of the law, you young lady have also behaved in a manner that even I, as lenient as I can sometimes be when certain situations present themselves before me, have to shake my head in disapproval at the way that you reacted, even though the situation was a bit...trying," Admiral Ro said in a low yet firm voice, as he addressed the young girl who had twice hit one of his officers. Even if that officer was one who had been spoken to by higher authorities in the past, about his...hands-on...behaviour with female civilians.

This was the final straw, and someone would probably be losing his Captain's rank very soon.

But now Admiral Ro continued to look at the young lady before him, and waited to hear what she had to say in defense for not once, but twice assaulting an officer of the law, no matter how rudely and dishonorably that officer had acted.

[Denim88]

"My name is Admiral Ro, and I am the one in charge of the Sky Police unit in this part of the Sky Empire. I will cut to the chase as I have a very busy schedule to keep, and some...unruly...police officers back at the precinct to discipline. I have watched the security tapes, and while my officers conducted themselves in a manner *completely* unbefitting of officers of the law, you young lady have also behaved in a manner that even I, as lenient as I can sometimes be when certain situations present themselves before me, have to shake my head in disapproval at the way that you reacted, even though the situation was a bit...trying," Admiral Ro said in a low yet firm voice, as he addressed the young girl who had twice hit one of his officers. Even if that officer was one who had been spoken to by higher authorities in the past, about his...hands-on...behaviour with female civilians.

Dang...it was Admiral Ro. A familiar face known among the higher ups of the Republic...and as such, I was in a pickle. Technically, I was considered an outlaw by default. I still worked for the 'Rebellion forces' as the Sky Empire always put it.

I remained calm and collected as he gave us assurance that the Police Captain would be dealt with, which I was glad to hear. However...he was also a bit miffed with Jyuuki, which I guess was somewhat understandable.

'Worse comes to worse, deny any affiliation with the Republic, and say you're just a traveling Bounty Hunter. That line usually is good enough with people of high authority with little time...' I thought.

This was the final straw, and someone would probably be losing his Captain's rank very soon.

But now Admiral Ro continued to look at the young lady before him, and waited to hear what she had to say in defense for not once, but twice assaulting an officer of the law, no matter how rudely and dishonorably that officer had acted.

I took a quick glance to Jyuuki, and could see it. She wasn't responding...which meant she was either thinking of an explanation, or she was not sure what to think.

'Careful what you say, Jyuuki...'

Well, worse comes to worse...let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[shadow_Uzumaki]

"Please, Jyu, of all times to act silly and bratty, not today.... I'll give you a pay raise, even a promotion! PLEASE!" Cid thought to himself. He didn't know if Jyuuki would behave, but he did know that he could trust the girl to do the right thing. However, that still didn't stop him from worrying.

Still, he hoped that a certain 'someone' will lose his Captain rank soon.

[krisk]

Admiral Ro nodded once to himself in satisfaction, before he turned sharp slate-gray eyes towards the young man and woman standing near the ponds edge, near a grizzled-looking man who stood beside a young Elvaan girl, and another young lady who just looked confused to be where she was.

Admiral Ro walked with slow precise steps over to them all, and stopped when he was only a couple of feet away, and just stood and looked at them all in silence for a few minutes.

I know I should've reacted the same way, the same way I did with every other cop, the same way when I looked at those uniforms and those eyes that broke you down, suspected you even before you moved-- the kind of eyes that made you tense up because suddenly the floor is theres and everytime I hated it. But, for some strange comforting reason (it really shouldn't have been, it was supposed to be the same like always) the dude infront of me was just-- not that.

I couldn't help but bite my lip slightly, keeping myself from crying out, crying out a name or something from the past-- so I just kept it to myself. I flinched slightly when he turned in our direction, walked closer, slow and calm and proud. So different from the cops that we'd just shared half the day with, like a safe-zone-- like he was a person first, a man second, and a cop last.

This fact made me relax the tendons in my back, relax because I felt like a highly-strung coil, ready to burst but--

I just couldn't let all my defenses down.

I really had built up walls against these guys, I had never dropped my prejudice for them-- I don't think I ever would because they always reminded me of that one night and those nights after-- with us, and my mother and sister-- and them and how they just-- let it happen.

I shook my head, my resolve building up again like a sheet of ice forming during the end of the world-- it was predicted but it happened all together, what to do? So really, I couldn't loosen all entirely because he was still in uniform and he still represented his officers and he still judged. It was impossible for him to not too-- he'd said he'd seen the videos, he'd seen what had happened, he'd watched everything. I reminded myself of that.

And that kept me safe, so with challenging eyes and that all that scene, I looked back. Not stepping down but at the same time, not stepping up.

I was just safe.

"My name is Admiral Ro, and I am the one in charge of the Sky Police unit in this part of the Sky Empire. I will cut to the chase as I have a very busy schedule to keep, and some...unruly...police officers back at the precinct to discipline. I have watched the security tapes, and while my officers conducted themselves in a manner *completely* unbefitting of officers of the law, you young lady have also behaved in a manner that even I, as lenient as I can sometimes be when certain situations present themselves before me, have to shake my head in disapproval at the way that you reacted, even though the situation was a bit...trying," Admiral Ro said in a low yet firm voice, as he addressed the young girl who had twice hit one of his officers. Even if that officer was one who had been spoken to by higher authorities in the past, about his...hands-on...behaviour with female civilians.

This was the final straw, and someone would probably be losing his Captain's rank very soon.

But now Admiral Ro continued to look at the young lady before him, and waited to hear what she had to say in defense for not once, but twice assaulting an officer of the law, no matter how rudely and dishonorably that officer had acted.

Ah so there it was. I knew it would be brought up, I knew it couldn't be avoided, I sure as kitten knew that even if his grey stormy eyes reminded me so much of that one man, that one symbol in my life that kept it going, probably even kept it from going astray -- it wouldn't change the fact that this man was not my him. So I couldn't really just go up to him and apologize, blubbering, how I didn't know what to do but run away, ask for his forgiveness, like it was him because it wasn't him. Sure as kitten knew that, cause Grampa was dead and this man wasn't.

He was very much alive, Admiral Ro.

A man that I'd only heard of, saw speckles and flashes of if I could recollect that much-- a man that wasn't the one I owed my life too, no matter how much he'd reminded me of him--

which wasn't alot now that I think about it, squinting at him. He's there in uniform (which glared in itself), standing before me, disappointed before even knowing me. The man that that gray color personified always... didn't scream who I was hoping for, who made me bite my lip to fight back the reflex. I had to cling to that fact and besides, he was talking to me as if he knew me.

And I had 'disappointed him with my behavior.' Well, oh-freaking-no. One thing, he was lucky I had long-learned to hold back and second off) he brought it up, seriously--

Grampa would never bring up why I'd done what I did. I doubt this Admiral Ro had had his daughter nor his granddaughter treated like how my mother and sister had been. I doubt he'd known that I watched and did nothing. I doubt he knew that that little girl-- who had tracked down the people who'd come into her home, trespassed and basically were just blood-thirsty with revenge on mind; who was trapped and useless and numb and thought-less and kittening rabid after that incident, her mother and older sister gone, taken, stolen from the same people while kneeling beside (on top of, clinging to something lost but long before found) a shell of her grandfather--was me.

I doubt he knew I watched useless, rabid, angry, taunted ('I swear, I'll remember this forever') as officers that were sent to rescue, help, save them because we really couldn't do anything in our state and we were frozen (suddenly outlaws in a bigger world, I didn't know-- until help arrived, irony couldn't get any bitter than then). My brothers and I still followed our lessons and followed them, our 'saviors' to the home of the people who'd claimed revenge and bloodshed. And watched, watched useless and unnerved and boneless as the Officers had done even worse with my mother and older sister before throwing them, finished, like ragged leftovers in jail for execution.

I really really doubt he knew.

I felt like I was at a standstill-- ignorant disappointment ahead of me and my family that didn't know of my past, and I just couldn't leave. Time continued; the wind blew for us, the people still watched, silently ('audience is to play as routine is to escape') and I could practically feel their thoughts, hoping I wouldn't screw this up. Well I sure as hell didn't know what to say to them, because I didn't know how things were gonna turn out-- I'm far from psychic. Too late for that, woopdie-freaking-do.

Nevertheless, even if the trip down memory-hell caused me to be on the razor-tip edge at everything right then, even if I wanted to cry and yell at the Admiral for not knowing something he couldn't have possibly known-- I couldn't. Locking eyes, hazy hazel against slate-gray, I walked closer to the Admiral, stopping just close enough so I looked as if I was being scolded, like I was learning a lesson the hard way from Grandpa but not really and I couldn't breathe normally, damnit. I kept my head down, playing out the act, and replied, voice accusing and cold. "Do you have a family, Admiral? Wife 'n kids? Grandchildren? Parents or siblings? I ...have a feeling you do-- the way you treated all those man-children of yours, it proves you probably do. I'll just say you do-- and now that you're picturing them as I speak-- picture your mom, and your sis-- picture them. Now picture yourself, watching them with officers just like your officers...now-- picture them doin' something bad. You expected them to save the day, but all the do happily is the complete freaking opposite. Something that would be one of your worst fears, realized, living out right before your unflinching unblinking eyes-- imagine yourself boneless, sweating, in denial, worthless, picture all of it. If ya need help... picture something like you saw earlier today."

I paused, the thoughts of Why am I even telling him this? I should just tell him to mind his own stupid business or take me on and force it out of me if he'd had such a problem with it were far in the back of my mind, I didn't know why. Maybe I was just too caught up, maybe I was just filled to the brim and not caring anymore.

My eyes traveled up to his, the swirls in my eyes hurting, they felt like they were spiraling faster and faster and faster, sucking up my entire eye, sure sign of crying...whatever. Fine, just-- it wouldn't stop me from this, cause really this just wasn't a punch in the face, or a bodyslam off a ship-- not to me anyway. And that's all I needed, so it hardened my resolve and I kept still, letting the salty musky scent of the pond bask us in a sort of a ironic slap in the face because this smell was one of them, back then. I breathed it in, welcoming it. I cocked my head to the side, looking up at him, waiting in kind of a Let's see what we get way--

"...Whatcha seein', Admiral?"

[Sakura Blossoms]

I kept my head down, playing out the act, and replied, voice accusing and cold. "Do you have a family, Admiral? Wife 'n kids? Grandchildren? Parents or siblings? I ...have a feeling you do-- the way you treated all those man-children of yours, it proves you probably do. I'll just say you do-- and now that you're picturing them as I speak-- picture your mom, and your sis-- picture them. Now picture yourself, watching them with officers just like your officers...now-- picture them doin' something bad. You expected them to save the day, but all the do happily is the complete freaking opposite. Something that would be one of your worst fears, realized, living out right before your unflinching unblinking eyes-- imagine yourself boneless, sweating, in denial, worthless, picture all of it. If ya need help... picture something like you saw earlier today."

I cocked my head to the side, looking up at him, waiting in kind of a Let's see what we get way--

"I wonder... what do ya see, Admiral?"

Admiral Ro looked deep into the troubled, hurt-filled hazel eyes of the young woman before him, as he listened to what she was describing and an old ghost of a memory came floating back into his mind.

It couldn't be, Admiral Ro thought to himself. It couldn't be the same girl who had been the only survivor of that terrible time in the police force's history. A time when another man...a harder, crueler man had been Admiral...Admiral Jag...a man who had allowed the worst atrocities to happen under his command involving his officers, and a man who Admiral Ro had sworn to erase the memory of from all the citizens of this Empire, who had had to live through his reign.

Admiral Ro saw clearly before him now, that some memories would never be erased.

Releasing a sigh full of regret and sadness for the young girl who stood so tall, proud, and defiant before him, Admiral Ro felt a deep sorrow within him for what he knew had so cruelly happened to this girl's family. He had read the reports on the entire mess, after Admiral Jag had been exposed, tried, and sentenced to life in a maximum security prison.

It had caused a tear to slip down his slowly aging face, and he had had to go home to his wife and 3 kids right after, and just...hold them...tightly against his strong form, as his heart wept for the poor girl who had lost her family, because of corrupt officers.

Admiral Ro let out a sad sigh, closed his gray eyes briefly, re-opened them, stood a step forward, and rested a warm hand on the young girl's shoulder.

"I am terribly sorry for the deep hurt, and pain that you have carried with you all of these years. If it's any consolation every one of those officers involved in that horrific incident, including the Admiral who was in charge during it all, have all been tried and convicted to life in prison, with no possibility of parole. I hope that you will one day find peace, my dear. You're still a young woman with much life left to live before you, and to live that life happy and free of burden and pain," Admiral Ro said, as he squeezed the young girl's shoulder once kindly, then stepped back and straightened back up his shoulders.

"I'm going to let what happened today between you and my officers slide, young lady. They were clearly at fault in this incident, and I can understand why you reacted the way that you did, though I'm going to ask you to do me the favour of not punching out anymore of my officers. I may not be able to let it slide again if you do," Admiral Ro said sternly, though he gave the girl a ghost of a wink before he turned around, and began making his way back to the lone waiting hover squad car.

"Oh, and I'll also see to it that those men who broke into your bar, and started this whole trouble will be dealt with accordingly. They've all already been taken away by some of my other officers, so you don't need to worry about that anymore," Admiral Ro called back over his shoulder, as he raised his hand in a slow wave, climbed into his hover car, nodded once at his young officer at the wheel of the hover car to go, and they both took off, and flew off into the rosy-pink sky, as the sun began setting on the horizon.

[Yoko]

Echo sat on the edge of the ship that the Bar sat on, legs crossed and a drink in one hand. She watched this event unfold, glasses pushed atop her head, and bright green eyes narrowed slightly as she watched. That was the only sign of anything all that alert, as she was more or less lounging there.

Really, she'd left the last city to get AWAY from the drama, and this place looked relatively drama-free. Echo liked things drama-free. But ah well. Drama seemed to be everywhere, these days. At least the police weren't here for HER. Which had happened a few times, but Echo was very good about staying hidden nowadays.

As such, Echo took another sip of her drink. Might as well wait for things to blow over.

[krisk]

Admiral Ro looked deep into the troubled, hurt-filled hazel eyes of the young woman before him, as he listened to what she was describing and an old ghost of a memory came floating back into his mind.

It couldn't be, Admiral Ro thought to himself. It couldn't be the same girl who had been the only survivor of that terrible time in the police force's history. A time when another man...a harder, crueler man had been Admiral...Admiral Jag...a man who had allowed the worst atrocities to happen under his command involving his officers, and a man who Admiral Ro had sworn to erase the memory of from all the citizens of this Empire, who had had to live through his reign.

Admiral Ro saw clearly before him now, that some memories would never be erased.

Releasing a sigh full of regret and sadness for the young girl who stood so tall, proud, and defiant before him, Admiral Ro felt a deep sorrow within him for what he knew had so cruelly happened to this girl's family. He had read the reports on the entire mess, after Admiral Jag had been exposed, tried, and sentenced to life in a maximum security prison.

It had caused a tear to slip down his slowly aging face, and he had had to go home to his wife and 3 kids right after, and just...hold them...tightly against his strong form, as his heart wept for the poor girl who had lost her family, because of corrupt officers.

I... kinda regretted asking.

Well, before I wasn't that worried about my actions (couldn't say much about that) when I'd started, but as soon as that pause, the pause to wait for his answer started and drawled on and I noticed in numb-surprise, he'd actually thought about it. I didn't know what to do, what to say. Should I have told him to forget it because obviously I wasn't being any better than those bastards back then, I'd let those stupid damned memories swarm around in my mind, and I'd been able to not bottle it up so much, I got to face it with someone that was related--but not really. He'd just.. heard me out. Openly, patiently, actually holding back placing his all-mighty Admiral judgement upon my shoulders, cuffing me before I uttered a breath. And I-- it had-- that had felt really good because I didn't have to worry about the what-would-he-think-of-me-now's or the would-he-take-me-seriously's or even the did-he-believe-me's.

After seeing his eyes widen as the seconds went by, then watching as his body language just scream to me that he was ever-so slowly breaking down, like I'd reached down, hammer and carver in hands, and broken him down myself. And I couldn't help the feeling of wanting to reach out and try to help him because he really has a family. That tear had basically said everything to me. I could tell he was deathly scared of what I'd asked him to do. I could tell-- he had let me go.

I bit my lip, silently apologizing, hoping I would never do that someone again as a way to dignify myself because nobody deserved what I'd went through-- and stood there, not expecting an answer anymore-- I didn't want it anymore.

Admiral Ro let out a sad sigh, closed his gray eyes briefly, re-opened them, stood a step forward, and rested a warm hand on the young girl's shoulder.

"I am terribly sorry for the deep hurt, and pain that you have carried with you all of these years. If it's any consolation every one of those officers involved in that horrific incident, including the Admiral who was in charge during it all, have all been tried and convicted to life in prison, with no possibility of parole. I hope that you will one day find peace, my dear. You're still a young woman with much life left to live before you, and to live that life happy and free of burden and pain," Admiral Ro said, as he squeezed the young girl's shoulder once kindly, then stepped back and straightened back up his shoulders.

"R-really? I.. They...?" All of them. My eyes looked up into his, surprised on the edge of not believing him because it might have been something just to quell how I felt, something like reassurance or something. But, the way he'd said it sounded from the bottom of his heart and real and sincere. I was hoping something had happened to them, I prayed (my wrapped bloody-knuckled hands held together) for penance, somehow someway anyway. And it had happened.

I smiled, thankful-- reassured-- the weight lifted slightly, the prejudice felt like it was melting away with each second that passed talking with this man in uniform. The smile grew as I noticed he probably felt all kinds of sympathy (this girl was too young, developing, too shielded to go through something like that) and embarrassment (those men, were a disgrace, unyielding effort is going into making sure no more are born with black hearts again) and something like a fatherly-safety (this girl, was like a daughter).

His hand squeezed slightly, letting me borrow his safety and warmth because I had a feeling he ...maybe knew and I thought, he believed me..., before lifting off and taking that of duty, promising me that he'd become the physical help in my hopes that what I went through would never ever happened to anyone else. I nodded, muttering a "T-Thank you, sir..." past the clog in my throat. After he smiled that fatherly smile (my dad would sometimes just smile and it made me giggle and call him 'silly' but take it with me) I couldn't stop my hand from lifting on it's own. It itched so bad. It neared, hesitantly out for his sleeve. No... it's still not him, I thought as I stopped it from grasping out and clenching the cloth that was the Admiral's uniform jacket-sleeve (Grampa always wore long sleeves, he'd hide me in them sometimes). It fell and so did our trip down memory lane.

Back to reality.

"I'm going to let what happened today between you and my officers slide, young lady. They were clearly at fault in this incident, and I can understand why you reacted the way that you did, though I'm going to ask you to do me the favour of not punching out anymore of my officers. I may not be able to let it slide again if you do," Admiral Ro said sternly, though he gave the girl a ghost of a wink before he turned around, and began making his way back to the lone waiting hover squad car.

"Oh, and I'll also see to it that those men who broke into your bar, and started this whole trouble will be dealt with accordingly. They've all already been taken away by some of my other officers, so you don't need to worry about that anymore," Admiral Ro called back over his shoulder, as he raised his hand in a slow wave, climbed into his hover car, nodded once at his young officer at the wheel of the hover car to go, and they both took off, and flew off into the rosy-pink sky, as the sun began setting on the horizon.

And then he was gone.

The man that had represented the former uniformed soldiers that sparked and completely blew up that dam I'd formed against a few things from my past, trying to repress the memories to smithereens, the man-- who had also begun the process of me accepting that terrors of my past ...weren't terrors in the present.

I grinned, my watery eyes drying, the swirls not pulsing anymore, feeling just way better as I watched Admiral Ro take off into the sky.

It was over and by the ache in my right hand, I could tell at that moment, I decided-- punching cops was kind of boring anyway.

A few moments passed as reality sat in, time continued, the wind blew with a colder whisper, and I couldn't help the shiver that suddenly stomped all over my back. "Oh goddesses-- CRAP, it's friggen chilly out here," I murmured letting that whole scene pass by as I turned around and faced everyone, grinning, feeling alot like myself and something more, something better suddenly. They all stood, weary and I didn't blame them and I didn't wanna worry them so another day then for that, I thought as I suddenly hopped and turned facing Vitty, ignoring the deathly cold chilly thought of what if he asked? I still couldn't-- not entirely, I didn't want to-- so I wasn't going too but still.... Lookit him, he really looked like he was some kind of caged animal, kind of holding back for someone's sake, on the edge, I really did needed to help him with that. I leaned closer to him, whispered a "I know ya wanted to-- but, that only made one of us. I'll make it up to ya, promise." I tugged his sleeve a tiny bit (sealing the letter) before leaving him there, leaving him with a p.s.-- like I usually did, knowing that he'd be content with it, and totally took off towards the ship because it was freaking freezing out there and a freaking bath would feel freaking amazing right about then cause goddess, I was tired of all the emo (but hey, I was still thankful).

I reached the end of the ladder, didn't bother on waiting anymore and just started climbing while shouting over my shoulder, getting a few things with each lifted foot. "C'mon guys what the HELL? What're you people waiting for, a friggen DIAGRAM on how to climb a ladder? A step-by-step program explaining why we needed to get the flip out of there and get inside? I'm hungry! And sleepy! I missed my nap-time and GODDESSES SERIOUSLY DON'T MAKE ME GO ALL CRAZY-FACED NINJA ON YOUR ASSES, COS I WILL, NO JOKE. SO LESGO, FREAKING--!" I mumbled the rest as I got further up the ladder, dripping pond water on the way up.



(OOC: FINALLY the sad panda has bailed for now-- xDD and OMGEEEE Echo's so cooooll, waaaaah )