playable (playable) wrote in drawpoints, @ 2016-02-23 10:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | npc |
WHAT: Meanwhile in Esthar
WHEN: February 25, evening
Birthdays inside the Esthar Presidential Palace were an exercise of politeness, not unless the president can help it. In the morning of February 25, the president would call the daily briefing to a pause so he can lead a birthday song for the celebrant and bring what Estharians would say was a three-tiered cake that was so excessive, gaudy, cavity-inducing it should be illegal, complete with sparkling candles. They comfort themselves with the knowledge that President Loire did not do it often, he tried to but his usual exuberance was met with cold silence. So he only did it for his most trusted advisers in various gaiety. One time there were jugglers, and another time a Moomba came over...
As such, Kiros Seagull and Ward Zabac pleaded with the president not to dispense with this show which obviously puts them in an awkward position to which Laguna would shake his head and exclaim with a grand sweep of his arm, "DUDE CHILL! I'm president, it's all good!"
It remained uncertain if Laguna was serious with these acts or he simply enjoyed embarrassing his friends on their birthdays, as though he needed a special event to do so. So they are cursed with these miserable mornings for the rest of their Estharian service. In the case of that one February morning though, there were no special effects. Laguna did call for a pause so he could bring in the cake and honor Ward with a round of applause, only breaking this uncharacteristically solemn behavior to say, "Hey, he couldn't talk but he ain't deaf. We can do better than that!" And so the applause resurged for the 7 footer man in the corner who wanted very much to disappear.
What the advisers did look forward to were the actual birthday celebrations usually hosted by the president in his impossibly large apartments, where Laguna would turn on the TV to watch whatever sports Galbadia had at the moment, then bring in Galbadian cuisine specially ordered from the Deling Hotel. Alas they had to settle with some pizza and burgers that time around given Deling's limited resources. Something they only knew too well. The president had been adamant to send help, only to be discouraged and shot down by the Estharian officials who were concerned that they were not having their luxurious vacations in private Costa del Sol villas (as Laguna once accused them), even as he argued that they could work it out within the budget. "This isn't a loyalty thing." He fumed in one such meeting, "Our girls were lost once or did you forget that? It's happening again and we can't just sit here!"
Which was why the celebration in that Esthar apartment were for two things, for Ward's birthday and for Laguna's temporary departure from Esthar. Laguna was visiting Deling himself, a rare and bold decision that they intended to keep under wraps for as long as they could. Officially it wouldn't be more than a friendly visit of the Galbadia-born president, with assistance extended to the once beleaguered capital, straight from his pockets. But this was Laguna after all, his real intentions went beyond politics and business. But whether he had the stamina required for his personal agenda was a big question mark. Laguna had not traveled in a while and the world was not as safe as it was from years ago and he was not getting younger. It didn't help that he was fussy about his security detail.
"No Estharian bot is gonna follow me around. That's just going to keep me from doing anything." The 50 year old president declared with legs crossed, one arm at the couch, a glass of rum dangling in one hand. Dangling foot bouncing. "I just can't trust them."
"He IS going to have escorts from Balamb." Kiros assured, "We already talked to Headmaster Kramer so it's all under--"
"But how many?" Ellone Loire interjected, in an unusual curt and agitated fashion with eyes shot at Laguna's advisers and closest friends. Ward squirmed which took some edge out of Ellone's tone. "Who are they? Is Squall involved?"
Kiros himself was taken aback by her hard line of questioning. The little girl was usually calm and peaceable, "As a matter of fact we do...The commander couldn't make it but..."
"Are any of them women?"
"Woa woa there, Ellie...." Laguna's foot was not bouncing anymore.
"Two girls." Kiros replied, still not fully understanding what was going on. It seemed impossible that Laguna would be dating again and Ellone was suspicious of anyone who would try to take place of her adoptive mother.
Ellone stared back at Kiros, dark circles under her eyes revealing that she had not had much sleep that late. Laguna teased her if she was suddenly seasick in the White SeeD ship. Her eyes did soften, "I'm not sure that is wise...Uncle Kiros, Uncle Ward." She nodded at them. "Could we request Garden to change the line-up?"
Ward blinked at Ellone and raised an eyebrow.
"Ward is right. What is the problem with girls, Elle? The plans are already final and I understand the cadets are already training..."
Ellone stutttered, "Sorry, cadets?!"
"...Candidates for graduation!" Kiros amended, still the cool mediator that he was known for, "Elle, this isn't like you. You know more than we do that this is the best arrangement. Balamb is our friend..."
"But even the closest people can be made to turn against us!" Ellone argued, shocking the men who have never heard her raise her voice. "Remember what happened in Winhill?"
Kiros and Ward exchanged baffled looks, whirring heads which all ended at Laguna who was now in a weird fetal position, probably willing the couch to swallow him whole.
Ellone's brows were as stitched in confusion until she realized, "They don't know, Uncle Laguna?"
Laguna winced, "Uh yeah about that..." He was hesitant to part with his pillow shield.
"Let me guess." Kiros directed a stern glare at the president of Esthar, "You've forgotten?"
Ellone's hands formed fists, "Uncle, you promised!"
"I was getting to that!" Was Laguna's feeble defense, much to Ward's headshaking disapproval, "But you know! Stuff happens! Something gets in the way and I..."
"You said 'things went spiffy'" The candour of that quote was lost in Kiros's tightened jaw.
"It did! There was just...a few...complications..."
"Such as??" Kiros was nearing exasperation, Ward stood at full height behind him as though ready to beat a certain secretive president.
"We were attacked." The revelation from Ellone fell down heavily. "Tell them, Uncle Laguna..."
"Aaaaaa so...there was this weird lady"
"Who??"
"Cut me some sack, guys!" It was no use bluffing his way out, finding he was cornered by the people most important to him. That and Ellone was not her usual smiley self, he couldn't stand to see her on a schoolteacher demeanor. In fact, not very unlike Raine...
Laguna's shoulders slumped in defeat, a hand going through his tied up hair. "Raine... but not Raine. It was an impostor, like the Deling decoy ages ago. She looked like Raine, but there was something...off about her. We thought it's just coz of some magical mumbo jumbo but Ellie has been having a bad feeling. When we confronted her, she just..." Words would fail him as his hand swirled, pain etched in his wrinkly features as he recounted the exact moment it all went to hell. Eventually his green eyes sought for Ellone's help.
"She transformed." Ellone continued, "It was a ghastly thing. If Uncle Laguna didn't have his gun on time he would be done for."
"Hold on one moment..." Kiros held up a hand, the other massaging his forehead. "So this was a setup all along? Someone, who claimed to be Raine and copied her lured you both in Winhill with an intent to..."
"Yes." Ellone nodded, head lowered as she frowned at her grimacing father-figure. She went to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "To end him. We don't know who she really is or what she really was in the first place. I was hoping Uncle Laguna already said something."
"Ow!" Laguna flinched from Ellone's smack. "You're really starting to be like your Auntie Raine y'know?...And I really tried alright? I just don't want you guys to get worried."
Ward shifted eyes in alarm. Kiros voiced out, "But where was the real Raine?"
"She never came back." Ellone replied, "I know, I checked." It was enough to bring the room in reverent silence, apart from the hockey game taking place. The Galbadian team's scored a goal.
"HYNE Laguna." Kiros burst out at the sound of applause. "When are you planning to tell us, when you're dead?!"
Ward mumbled something under his breath that only Kiros and to an extent Ellone could pick up.
"Exactly," Kiros agreed emphatically, "What's the point of making us advisers if we don't know these things? This is an assassination attempt!"
"Dudes, just!" Laguna jumped up on the couch. "RELAX. Spend it on experience alright? Besides, I can still do it. I kicked its butt, didn't I? It wasn’t the other way around. This one isn't going down without a fight!"
"Don't push your luck, Laguna..." Kiros sighed, turning to Ward in a murmur, "Maybe we have to postpone the trip..."
"What?!" Laguna's jaw dropped, charging the dreadlocked adviser "No! Kiros, someone has to find these girls and there's no one else more qualified for that. I gotta know who wants me deal me in. I can't go on hiding. BESIDES, I'm protected. Balamb won't let us down. When did it ever? Ellie, tell them!"
"Uncle Laguna, I'm worried..." Ellone rested a hand on his shoulder. "You're safe here..." Then a deep exhale as she looked up at Kiros and Ward, "But I know I shouldn't keep you. You saved me once. All of you. If you can do something to find them when the police couldn't..."
"We're too old for this." Kiros glared at Ward, "What do you mean just me??"
"Like it or not, I will go to Deling and find out what I can." Laguna spoke with finality. "I won't be a sitting hen."
"Duck."
"…WHATEVER. That's my decision."
"I hate him sometimes..." Kiros muttered. "Most of the times." Which usually meant he was giving into his crazy loon of a friend.
"Now you understand why I'm so worried about his escorts." With the truth out in the open, Ellone relaxed enough to help herself with a glass of water.
"And you see why I agreed on SeeD candidates." Laguna rebutted, "They'd be in close watch and they'll give it their 105%."
Kiros tipped his head to his fellow adviser. "Well, that IS true. They do have a SeeD supervisor."
"I'll talk to the Headmaster." Ellone spoke her authoritative Raine-like voice, one that wouldn't take no for an answer. "I might join you too."
Trust Laguna to still protest. "Ellie! You're just as much as a target as I am! Stay with the ship."
"Former missing girl, remember?" Was Ellone's smooth response, "If you're going with your argument of past experience, Uncle Laguna, then I can use that too."
Kiros shook his head, "I don't understand why you're both adamant with this death wish of yours, like you are out to get me and Ward jobless. But believe me when I say I'm going to fight for a proper retirement even if I have to send a tank after you. If that's not clear enough, don't you two dare die on us."
Ellone smiled, "I love you too, Uncle Kiros and Ward."
"Me Three!" Laguna enthused with a hand raised up, only to be shot down by dagger glares. They were not letting him off for withdrawing crucial information about his wellbeing that easily.
Kiros turned to Ward, "We'll review security procedures tomorrow and contact the Headmaster about these 'unexpected developments'" Another side-eye at Laguna. "Then we'll get an update about the candidates."
"You've seen how Squall and his friends work, they'd be awesome I'm sure!" Laguna defended.
"I doubt there's another generation of fated children and I hope to Hyne and we don't have to have one again." Kiros crossed his arms. "But I do hope they'll be good enough for the task and be ready to cut someone down if it comes down to it. Preferably not you." Eyes at Laguna.