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It had only been a few days since his return to Balamb, and, honestly, this was the only real time, except for training, and running with Luna, who was currently out in the field, since he left his bedroom, let alone the Garden. He needed some time to clear his head, and, he wished Luna could be there with him, however, he felt that, a Dire Wolf might cause alarm, if people saw Luna walking through the streets of the town.
He had been standing near the centre of town, thinking about things, mainly his fight with Lich. Karrl, up to that point, thought himself one of the stronger fighters out there, however, seeing how easily Lich had defeated him, made him realise that was not true. It was one of the reasons why he only left to spend time training or being with Luna, he needed to find ways to make himself stronger. There was also the fact that he had one more thing on his mind, magic.
Karrl did not admit it to anyone, because, well, he could barely admit it to himself, he used magic. It was not only that, but, casting those spells, using the dark arts against Lich, which, for some reason, was the only thing that really hurt him, it felt good, natural, like, he was truly meant to use magic. He thought about, well, starting to train in the magical arts, since, using it, he craved for more of it. However, he want to continue his training in energy manipulation as well, take it to the next level.
As he stood there he heard someone call out, and he turned around to see a street performer in the middle of the square, and he was holding a torch, and by the performer’s side was a bottle. He watched on with interest as the street performer, who called himself the Fire eater, began to do his act. As he watched the fire eater do his stuff he gave him ideas about learn the technique and putting it towards fighting. So, he thought about it, he watched on.
It had been forever since she had been around any direct form of civilization, having spent a month or two out on the beach enjoying the relaxation away from everything. Although the side stop before the wonderful little beach out in spira was a fun little bout.
Her airship had just landed somewhere close to what was called balamb as far as she could tell, something about an academy and Seeds and whatnot from the information she'd pulled.
Heh.. Balamb gardens... Seeds.. wonder if they have some interesting fauna here...
As it happened she was wandering directly towards this so called academy and garden, mostly to sate her own curiosity. Her tails swaying as foot paws fell silently to the ground, she sniffed at the air a bit when she'd smell food that held an interesting aroma. Passing people by she didn't pay attention to if the was getting odd or strange looks. She didn't really care anymore which by happenstance, tended to get her into more trouble then it was worth.
She heard people and saw them mingling in what looked like the local town center, her ears flicking as she headed onward ignoring the call outs which seemed to be getting others attentions.
mmm peddlers... such a simplistic lifestyle...
her eyes following some of the entertainers before she looked on ahead, seeing what had to be this so called academy in the nearby distance. She had been slightly curious, their had been no call to her airship about registration or the like, let alone any requests for allowing her to land in the area. She had paused in step while she thought about that for a few seconds, her tails going still and almost touching the ground while she pondered on this. Another few moments past before she merely shrugged her shoulders, lifting her hand she would brush out her shirt and shorts somewhat before continuing on and vanishing around a corner, still heading in the direction of the academy.
As Karrl stood there thinking on things a scent he had not caught in a while hit his nose. It was faint, because of the mixtures of smells from both the town and the sea, plus, the, from the strength of the scent, the distance. He was unsure, he was not familiar with it, well, not overly so, he could only remember smelling it once before. The thing that was bugging him, he could not remember where.
Trying to remember he closed his eyes and tilted his head up and sniffed a bit more. His eyes furrowed as he did this a few more times. As he got annoyed since he seemed to forget, he thought he was try one more time. When the scent hit him it suddenly struck him. His eyes opened as he remembered. How could he had forgotten, it was the day he had returned to Balamb, after… the events in Alexandria.
He tilted his head and wondered what she was doing here. His curiosity got the better and he looked around sniffing the air to try and pick up the scent. He looked around and then followed where she, from where the scent was leading him, was. He moved with swift and agile movements. As he continued he sniffed one more time, and, his eyes gained even more focus.
It seemed, from her movements, she seemed to be moving in the directions of the Garden, well, the exit nearest the Garden, If she was going to the Garden that only rose more questions. What would she want with SeeD, maybe she was hiring them, it bugged him not to know this. So, with even more questions in his mind he picked up the pace and followed the woman’s scent, who he just remembered was called Rena.
She would nudge past people as the square was getting busier, her tails swaying somewhat in agitation as she was truly curious about this *Garden* as it was called. She used her tails, and her hands, nudging people aside but their was quite a group gathered at the fire eater, at one point as she'd push some people aside probably doing so a bit harder then she should have and sending a few to stumble into the fire eater himself. This started a whole chain reaction of events as the Fire Eater stumbled, exhaling prematurely and spouting fire on other pedestrians all of whom for lack of a better word Freaked out.
Renari on the other hand ignored the new commotion as some people rushed to help others, and some ran screaming in fear. Her ears twitching at the higher pitched sound as she ducked around the side of a building and started up the path to the gardens as she intended.
Noisy bunch of people.. was just a little fire...
She mumbled a little but re perked up as she saw what could only be an entrance to these gardens ahead, Herself to preoccupied with where she was going to notice that she was being followed. The scent he may recall is she were paying attention, but the airhead in her had taken hold and curiosity was getting the better of her.
Karrl continued to follow her as she made her way out of the Town, annoyed by the fact she would be that blatant to the citizens he grew up with. However, he was sure, due to the years of attacks and abuse by bigger, badder things than her, the citizens could handle it.
Making his way through the fields he looked around, wondering if his dear friend had smelt him exit the town. He was sure she had so he kept to a slow pace, but not so much as he could keep with striking distance of the other one, just in case she tried anything.
He may have been one of the lower ranking members of SeeD but, still, becoming a full member meant he was chosen to be a part of the Elite Mercenary force of Balamb Garden, and he had a duty to protect it against all comers.
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Luna was batting around one of the ocean side fiends, toying with it before she made it her midday meal when all of a sudden, as she clamped her teeth into it she smelt something. He head tilted up and, as she sniff her head turned to one side. She smelt Karrl, but, he was not alone.
Looking around she saw Karrl leaving the town but he was looking at something, following his gaze she saw another person walking in the same direction. So, with the fish like fiend still in her mouth she bounded forward but, it was not towards Karrl, but, the other person.
As she reached the other female Luna slowed down and started to walk so she was in front of the strange looking woman. When she was relatively in front Luna stopped and looked at her with the fish still in her mouth. As she looked at the other female she tilted her head.
The wind wasn't with her that she could pick out Karrl's scent, or the other animal coming upon herself. Her ears wiggling a bit though as she caught light steps of paws approaching, she would turn to look and see who or what it may be. Her eyes falling to the creature as she walked along for a few moments then paused looking back at it, her tails swaying slowly as she stood their. Sniffing lightly but not saying anything she studied the animal, Seeing it sitting their with a fish or maybe some other seaworthy beast still within it's muzzle. Tilting her head a bit she would finish studying the animal a bit, flicking her tails idly still before moving onward and around the beast. After all it hadn't come out and attacked her, if anything it seemed curious about her.
Pressing onward though, she ignored the creature as she grew ever nearer the Academy, still not quite seeing any Garden that would distract her in the way she was hoping it to at this time. Her foot paws falling almost silently with each step, she did find it very odd that she hadn't seen hardly anyone else coming or going from the establishment. This occurance to her caused to her begin sneaking along, ducking down and keeping her tails curled closer as she sniffed at the air more.
Hrmm.. you'd think lots of of people would be comming and going from a public garden.
She obviously didn't realize it wasn't nearly as public as she thought or expected it to be.
Karrl kept his distance, making sure he kept downwind. He did not know why, but, from the looks of her, he assumed, like him, she had keen senses, like her smell. He kept, thanks to his training, fast, yet silent, barely making a sound with each footstep. He wanted to make sure she was not planning anything dodgy, and, he thought the best way to see that was to make it like he was not there.
When Luna saw him, she tilted her head. Karrl looked at her and signalled with his head to move around, as she did. Karrl moved in a little closer. He was a short way away when he heard her say, thanks to his hearing, what she had said, and he could not help but smile. She assumed that it was some kind of botanical garden and not the home of one of the greatest armed forces in Gaia.
As she was ducking down he stopped for a moment and, almost impersonating Luna, tilted his head. His eyes gazed at her for a moment or two before untilting his head. He smiled and moved in closer and closer until he was right behind her. He got down to a point so his lips were by her ear with a mischievous smile on his face, “What y’a up to?”
She sniffed at the air again, glancing around somewhat as she inched ever nearer, still she watched for someone... anyone at all to enter or exit along the path she was beside. So far Karrl had done well enough getting in closer and closer to her. Her ears twitching, swiveling a little as she thought she heard something but shrugged it from her thoughts quickly enough. It was when she was about to make a move to stand and head on inside that she tensed up, the fur on her tails poofing up as she almost instantly coated herself with water and turned. Pushing it off of herself like an over sized water gun with about as much force as a fire hose, just enough force to send who or whatever had just asked her a question in such close proximity to her ears more then a few yards away.
Don't Do that!!! What is wrong with you! Sneaking up on someone like that!!
She had not bothered to dry herself off after soaking him down like that, her clothes wet, as well as her fur and hair. Standing their fists clenched as she huffed a little.
Don't you know it's Dangerous to scare a Kitsune like that!! Your lucky I didn't thump you!!!!
Still huffing softly as she slowly started to collect herself looking at Karrl it registering in her mind that she'd met him before.
Karrl could have dodged the attack, but, he did not want to give away what he could do. It was strange really, he found it more satisfying to show people his abilities when they were in the heat of battle. There was also the fact that it was only just water. So, he took the strike and got knocked back a few inches from the force of the water. Lucky for his cloths he had managed to pull his trench-coat closed so the water hit the leather.
When she had a go at him he could not help but smile. It was the same smile he usually hade, confident, some may say cocky, but, it was slight as well, almost subtle. He stood there in silence, however, he noticed Luna looking a bit agitated by the fact that Karrl was attacks, he glanced over at her and shook his head to pretty much say, it’s ok. He then turned to the Kitsune and smiled once more before speaking, “Sorry, I couldn’t resist, plus, you do know you shouldn’t be here.”
Standingthere still soaked and having collected herself more, she would sigh standing up strait and looking at him still. Her ears flicking a little as droplets of water were thrown to the side, she would raise her hands running them through her hair before stretching. Concentrating a moment as she pulled all of the water from off of her body, herself visibly drying within seconds.
mmm And why not, it's a garden.. and in reality no one owns any of the land.. thats all a government facad and money mongering.
She glanced him over again a bit, noting the white hair as she sniffed in his direction while she smoothed the fur on her tails back out.
Mmm we have met before haven't we?
Asking more to make sure she wasn't imagining that she'd met him, although she had been a fair bit tipsy herself that night. Special udon noodles before she'd arrived and what not.
Karrl stood there soaked, and even though it did not dry him he shook his head like a dog, the silver strange flaying in the wind water pouring from it. Once he had done his hair was not dripping anymore, but, he was still wet. He did not like being wet, but, he could cope with it until he could get hold of a towel or some other drying device.
When she asked about why she was not allowed he smirked since she actually thought Garden was some kind of place for plants. He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair before speaking, “Well, the land may not be owned, but the building is owned by Headmaster Cid. He run the Elite Mercenary Force known as SeeD.”
He stopped speaking for a moment or two before continuing, “If you enter there with just cause you will be taken as an intruder and then, well, have you ever faced a group that could be considered one of the most power military forces in all of Gaia. If I was you I’d suggest that, if you do not have business with Garden, you’d steer clear.”
She then asked if they had met before and he smiled a bit as well. He looked at her for a moment or two before speaking, “Well, we met once before, a while back. Actually it was in Balamb, down a tavern. It’s understandable you don’t remember me, you seemed to be pretty drunk, of course I was not exactly stone cold sober myself.”
She watched him a little with his shaking and throwing of water, her ears wiggling a bit as she was for all purposes dry now. She would let out a sigh lifting a hand and pulling the water that was soaking him from off his body so he too would end up dry.
mmm Cid... wonder if he's any relation to the Reagent Cid of Lindbluim... oh well.
Shrugging somewhat she glanced around a bit as he continued on, telling her of this Elite mercenary force and what have you. As well something about entering with just cause.
mmm entering with Just cause to see a garden, that may or may not have special herbs and plants that are rarer but more easily found.. I think it's just cause to enter just because I wanna see inside.
Grinning a bit her tails flicking idly still, she wiggled her foot-paws to the ground a little. Looking down to them then back to him and glancing to the wolf that seemed to be following her now.
As for elite military forces, those are usually meant for controlling populations, less for containing individuals of specific skill sets...... AH!
She made a fist and smacked it down in the palm of her other hand as she made the rather Loud AH, lifting the fist with a pointed finger at him.
Snowball!! now I remember you, I was a bit off.. had to much udon that night before I made it there... didn't even realize it was the same area that i'm in now..
Karrl raised an eyebrow; she seemed to be adamant about going into Garden. However, she was wrongly assuming that it was the type of Garden that kept plants and herbs, even though he did say it was the home of an elite mercenary force, “There are no plants or herbs in Garden, it’s not that type of place, I mean, there might be some, for medicinal reasons, but, not grown here.”
He suddenly realised that she had dried him off, which gave him the knowledge, that she had the ability to control water, and interesting skill, and might come in useful, if it came down to a fight between the two of them, well, the three of them. However, he knew it would be impolite to just simply not acknowledge it so, “Thanks.”
When she went onto go on about not realising the fact she was in the same area as before, and, reminding him of that annoying nickname she gave him he gave a grim smile, “Look, if you’re so adamant about going into Garden, I suppose, I could speak to someone, see if you would be allowed a guest pass.”
With that he pulled out his phone and, after flicking it open he dialled the Garden, “Yes, this is Rank 10 SeeD Karrl Garm, I have someone out here that wants to enter, but, as you’re aware I do not have the clearance to let them enter. If you could send someone out here to help rectify the situation, I would be grateful, thanks.” With that he closed the phone and looked at Rena, “Someone should be about soon.”
Her ears wiggled, twitching somewhat as he pulled out a phone like device and called into the garden as far as she could tell. She did smile somewhat when he had acknowledged that she dried him off, her tails curling around one another and seeming far poofier because of it.
Hrmm... and escort into the gardens huh.. but you just said to them your a level 10? was it? mmm Why can't you allow me in?
Her eyes watching him a bit she'd grin a bit mischievously, peeking in the direction of the entrance as they stood there a moment still.
I Think.. their must still be some pretty fantastic plants in this garden if I have to be Escorted into the facility...
She would move a bit, back onto the main path leading to the entrance just nearby where they were, Herself giving side glances in the direction of the establishment then back to Karrl.
Or maybe your not capable of showing me around hrmmmm Snowflake?
