"Ah I see..." Xerox nodded in reply to Charlotte, hearing the announcement. As Charlotte spoke, he replied "Isn't it fine, as long as you pass? Even if you don't get a high grade? You can always advance to higher grades. Better than failing in the first place." trying to cheer her up. Charlotte decided to excuse herself, after nodding seriously at Xerox. "Alright then." he nodded back, having calmed himself down a bit. With Charlotte leaving the room, he looked up to the ceiling for a moment and mentally sighed. Man, I have only been around for about a month and a half. I don't exactly talk to everyone or anything, and only get attention due to either my creations or Rue, with none directed actually at me. And suddenly I am butt-naked in front of a female classmate. Jeez, who would of thought?

Finishing putting on his clothes, he sighed aloud this time. "I am still stuck in this damn uniform, huh? Don't even got my lab coat here." He got out of the bed and went outside. On the way, he bowed his head and thanked Dr. Kadowaki before finding Charlotte. Lifting his left hand and calling out, "Yo" he approached her. "Well, let's go." he said to her, appearing calm. Xerox started to walk towards the elevator which would take them to the second floor. Inside, he was a mental train wreck. ACK!!! I was just naked in front of her, can I still really act like nothing happened?

---

Hearing the announcement, Rue was unsure if Xerox was awake yet. He decided he would head to the second floor landing in Xerox's stead, thinking it was the least he could do for him.

One by one, each SeeD candidate would eventually reach the second floor hallway, the anticipation of receiving their results dawning on each and every one of them as they stood around nervously for further instruction. The feeling of excitement and dread was synonymous amongst them all, and as the minutes passed on, the tension grew ever thicker. Finally, they would be relieved of their growing paranoia as a Garden Faculty member emerged to greet them all with a formal wave of his hand and a clipboard tucked under his arm. "The following students will follow me to the third floor, where they will receive their results from Head Instructor Corvo and the Headmaster," the Faculty Member announced in a stern, authoratative tone, clearing his throat before glancing down at the sheet in his hands.

"Syrus Cromwell."

"Charlotte Aurum."

"Eika Munashii."

"Xerox Craft."

"Kein Marx."

He cleared his throat again before tearing his eyes from the clipboard and meeting every announced student's gaze with a lukewarm smile. "Congratulations. You have all passed the field exam. Please follow me." Without a moment longer, he turned around and headed back towards the elevator, expecting the students to follow close behind.

Before the students could move to join him however, the hallway broke into resounding applause, as students and staff alike gathered to see the new SeeD graduates off. Some would appear to be familiar faces for the students; from the likes of Eika's fortune-telling customers, Kein's committed girlfriend Yoko, and the fellow students of Instructor Lerwick's class who had not passed the written test that semester. Hollers, cheers, and choruses of praise followed the group of five as they uniformly followed the faculty staff not long after.

---

Each student was assembled side by side in the Headmaster's Office, assuming the practised stance of a SeeD Cadet as they awaited their results. The tension was palpable, and the large, dominating presence of Head Instructor Corvo served no less in contributing to this fact. The gruff, bearded ex-officer glanced at each student coolly, his eyes resting on Syrus for a moment longer than necessary before starting his announcement. "You might expect me to begin by congratulating each of you on passing the exam and dressing up your success with pretty compliments and well-wishes. But let's just get straight to the point." He folded his arms, his gaze cold and unyielding. "You're not children anymore. There will be no more fretting about being late for classes, or running in hallways, or meeting deadlines. You are members of SeeD now." He pronounced the term with a sense of deep-rooted arrogance and pride. "You will see, and partake in the deaths of many. You will go out there, and you will fight, and you will bleed, and you will be changed. You may not believe it, but what occurred in Dollet is merely a taster of what you have yet to experience." His eyes lingered to Eika for a moment, a rare emotion akin to pity flittering across his features before his face returned to stony indifference. "As SeeD, you will each be representatives of the military force of Balamb Garden. And as long as I live and breathe, I will see to it that you do it well." Appearing to near the end of his speech, he extended a hand outward towards another figure, perched on a seat before them and listening silently to Corvo's words. "I would like to introduce the most powerful man in all of Balamb. The Garden Headmaster." His eyes roved meaningfully to Syrus as he spoke his next line. "You will show him courtesy and the utmost respect, or I will not hesitate to have you thrown to the T-Rexaurs and explained as an unfortunate accident."

"Maithwaite, please," The mysterious figure let out a quiet chuckle, drawing the attention of everyone in the room as he rose from his chair. On laying their eyes on the enigmatic Headmaster, one thing was certainly clear; the man was old. With skin that was crinkled and sagged, sparsely thin hair as white as driven snow, and eyes as blue as the ocean, the Headmaster instilled awe and disbelief to all who met him. "Forgive Instructor Corvo's humour. Please, do not look so glum." He cracked a wide, encouraging smile. "Look at you all. Our new, upstanding members of SeeD! I couldn't be more proud." He took a step forward, his eyes boring into each and every one of the graduates, as if he was reading them like open books. "Now, Corvo's words do bear an important message. Still! You must remember the reasons why you fought so hard to stand here today. Was it your desire to travel all over the world? To master the art of combat? Perhaps to define your place in this world?" His words sounded whimsical as he watched the graduates with a warm and almost fatherly expression. "Whatever the reason, I am sure you can stand here with your heads held high at your achievements. As the Headmaster of this Garden, I congratulate you all."

With the formalities out of the way, the introductions swiftly moved onto the heart of the matter; the SeeD reports. With a set of envelopes tucked under his arm, the Headmaster approached each student and handed them their individual Ranks.

The first to receive them was the flame haired Gunblade Specialist, Syrus.



"It is good to see you again, Syrus," The wizened Headmaster whispered in his ear as he gave his hand a warm squeeze. "You've done me proud."

Next in line was the beautiful blonde haired Red Mage, Charlotte.



"I'm sure your parents will be very proud, Miss Aurum," The Headmaster murmured kindly, pressing the envelope gently into her hands. "Well done."

His eyes fell to the next graduate in line, the notorious fortune teller Eika.



"Miss Munashii...I am truly sorry to hear about what happened to Dollet." The old man's tone was sorrowful as he shook her hand with a comforting grip, meeting her red-rimmed gaze with a sympathetic one of his own. "You will always have a home with us."

Once he had given the girl her report, he turned to the bespectacled male waiting his turn; the reckless inventor Xerox.



"Duncan spoke quite highly of your leadership qualities," the Headmaster spoke softly, giving his outstretched hand a firm shake. "And I must say, we were partially tempted to award your furry little friend a rank as well," he added with a playful wink, before moving on to the last fledgling SeeD waiting his turn.

Ah, the utterly unremarkable student with the penchant for misfortune, Kein.



"Sometimes, it's the ones we don't expect that surprise us the most," the old man spoke encouragingly into his ear, also clasping his hand in a fatherly handshake as he divested himself of the last report. "Congratulations, Mr Marx."

And with that, the award ceremony was complete. "Now, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours," the Headmaster spoke warmly as he looked at each of them one more time with a small nod. "I hope you enjoy the inauguration party tonight, and good luck, members of SeeD!"

Jericho had been standing amongst the crowd of students and instructors and fellow SeeD members as the students that he'd assisted in Dollet were told they graduated, but he didn't applaud as they moved down the hall towards the Headmaster's office. He always thought there was just a touch too much pomp and circumstance surrounding the addition of more people to SeeD's ranks. Jericho didn't make the rules though, so he wasn't about to speak out against it. As cheers and shouts rang out, any of the graduates paying attention to more than the SeeD in front of them with the clipboard would see his tattered cloak disappearing back into the halls.

As he walked, he picked up on the sound of at least two other pairs of footsteps joining his behind him. It wasn't difficult to discern James' heavy step and the even heavier step of his second in command, Kai. The pair were near inseparable whether it was a mission or down time and they had a tendency to jump people they didn't like as a team. Too bad for them Jericho had decided to pay attention for them. Keeping his pace, he turned a corner, stopped, and turned around, hearing them pick up their pace when he got out of their sight. Predictable. The first around the corner was the heavy-set Kai, a man who Jericho was almost made up of entirely muscle, who got a quick punch in the throat before having his legs swept out from underneath him. Landing with a heavy thud, Kai gasped for air as James lept over him to try and hit the swiftly moving Jericho in the face. Catching the blow, Jericho flips him over his shoulder and onto the ground, leaving him groaning.

"You know, James, you could have just left me the hell alone." James, who had recovered from his jarring meeting with the floor, stood up with a snarl on his face.

"First you pull some poorly thought out stunt to get Dollet wiped out, then you transfer from my unit, then you don't even applaud your fellow SeeD when they graduate? Why would I leave you alone when you're such a piece of shit." Kai had stopped gasping for air, breathing normally, but he didn't look like he'd be getting up soon, since his head had hit the floor pretty hard, so Jericho could focus on James, at least for the time being.

As the pair circled each other, Jericho chuckled to himself. "You really expect me to think this isn't entirely about me leaving the unit? That you aren't pissed at the fact that I called you a bigoted twit? That this isn't entirely personal? You're a lot dumber than you look." James growled and lunged forward, taking Jericho's bait. Jumping over the lunging SeeD, Jericho kicked off his head, flipped mid-air and landed facing James once more. With a groan, Kai started to get back up and Jericho mentally cursed. This would only be more difficult with two on one. Growling again, James lunged forward with a punch, which Jericho ducked under and then countered with quick series of punches to his abdomen before kicking him away. This resulted in taking a punch to the side from the now recovered Kai that send Jericho sliding into the wall.

"Shut up, Joranis. Even if this is personal for James, you've had it coming. Never taking part as a member of the team, going so far as telling us to go away. I can't understand how you ever became SeeD." Kai swung with a heavy left uppercut, but Jericho dodged inside the big man's guard and slammed his palm into his jaw, sending the big guy stumbling backwards and then blocked a jab from James, countering with a roundhouse kick to the side of his head.

The three exchanged blows like this for several minutes, Jericho earning several more bruises and he was certain another cracked rib, before Jericho had once more knocked out the large, muscle bound Kai and pinned the hot-headed James. "I'll say it again, James. Just leave me the hell alone and you and I will get along fine. Now back. OFF." Pushing the pinned man's head into the floor and standing up, Jericho continued on towards the dance hall. He could never pass up free food.

Syrus took the paper and nodded to the headmaster. Smiling as he did because it had mostly been just business with the headmaster for a good long while now. He had said he was proud of Syrus and that meant the world to Syrus right now. He had so may questions to ask him but decided to let it be and let things run their course. After the little ceremony was over and they were told to go enjoy the party he decided to go put on his finery, like he was supposed to.

Going to the elevator he wondered where the girl he met earlier had gone to. Shrugging it off he got down to the right floor and went to his dorm, got dressed and went to the party. Standing off to himself eating a bite and sipping on some champagne he looked out into the crowd where people were dancing and moving about. He knew no one there besides his team and class mates. It seemed that people from all over had came, even mothers and fathers had come to see their sons and daughters. Syrus...didn't really have anyone which didn't bother him much due to the fact that people around him that he got close to got hurt. Listening to the music he began to talk to Phoenix in his head. She was congratulating him and he was acting all bashful about it in his thoughts. Finally she decided to go rest and he stood there gazing out over the crowd sipping his champagne.

Arriving at the second floor without word from Charlotte, Xerox's clothes were still tattered and dirty. Well, it was not like he had a chance to change or anything. The trip from the infirmary to the second floor was deadly silent, leaving him anxious, and wondering about what he should do, worried about the incident earlier. Once on the second floor, it was time for the ceremony. The ceremony was no big deal, but he could not find Rue. Shaking the Headmaster's hand, he bowed in thanks for his rank, and for the idea of giving Rue one as well. With that, it was time for the last person, Keith, to receive his envelope with his grade. With the ceremony over, it was time to head back and change for the ball.

---

When arriving at the second floor, Rue could not get passed the people to see the ceremony. Trying his best to see and get through, he noticed that Xerox was awake, and he was glad. With that said and done, he went back down and waited for Xerox at their dorm.

---

Heading off, Xerox took the elevator and went to the dorm and found Rue. "Hey, how you been bud?" he ruffled the top of Rue's mane. Rue cried a high pitch, sounding a little annoyed. "Sorry, for making you worry. Don't worry, I am fine. Anyway, we've got a ball to attend now, so let's go," Xerox smiled, changing his clothes. Leaving his tattered clothes on a hanger, he changed into the official SeeD uniform, something more suitable for the ball. Rue groomed himself, but was not exactly appearing more presentable. Still, he held himself proud. The two then started to head to the inauguration party/ball.

Unsure of whether the Headmaster's words were compliment or insult, Kein nevertheless saluted crisply. His rank was higher than expected and much higher than Instructor Lerwick had predicted; Kein would have felt justified in a little smugness had he not known that Duncan was the one who awarded the grades. It was with a mixture of pride and trepidation that he headed back down to where his classma... to where the students awaited, eager for them to give their little speeches and shake hands. Then again, looking at the others, he doubted that any of them would bother, except perhaps Charlotte. Instead he hung back a bit, waiting for the others to distract the thronging students. If he just snuck through here he could reach... There, he was through. His lack of presence in the classroom may have helped Kein escape the limelight a litt- A sharp pain arced up his back, a familiar jolting sensation that he had long since became accustomed to. He fell into soft yet strong arms that carried him down the elevator and back to his room. Yoko was quite looking forward to dressing her favourite doll up in his new SeeD uniform; she had bought a brand new tazer and expensive camera just for the occasion. Kein would be lucky to reach the ball late, if at all...

---

With the familiar notes of Garden's orchestral anthem in the background, Duncan found it almost relaxing out on the balcony, away from the dance floor and the hubbub of the guests. With slow, weary movements he bit off the end of a fat cigar, lighting it with a small flash of paramagic. His 'victory' cigar had a bitter taste, as if the souls of a thousand dead Dollet civilians had soiled the tobacco... Duncan couldn't bring himself to call the operation a success, despite Corvo's best attempts to console him. The only bright point of the day was also a great irony for him... His first class to graduate would also be his last. The Head Instructor's blunt but sympathetic words echoed in his mind as Duncan slowly puffed away. 'Civilian casualties are not acceptable, Duncan. Someone has to take responsibility.' Never mind that the situation had been out of their hands, SeeD was supposed to be the best, able to weather any odds. Its failure to protect Dollet was a massive blow to Garden's reputation and a scapegoat was needed. 'But rest assured... I do not abandon my men. You cannot be seen to be a member of SeeD by the public, but nevertheless you will continue to serve elsewhere.' The details of his new assignment were almost as depressing as the mission's outcome. Almost.

With one final deep drag, Duncan finished the cigar and disintegrated the stub with another flash of magic. He took a moment to regain his composure, burying the stress for another few hours. Tonight was about his newly graduated students and now that he was able, Duncan intended to sit down and have a proper booze up with them. Striding back inside the building, he grabbed a bottle of wine from a passing waiter, pulling the cork with his teeth. Spotting the first of his kids, Duncan set his smile as congratulatory as he could and stalked over to Syrus. 'So... how's it feel to be one of the best warriors in the world? You got a good rank, higher than I did during my test.' Disgusted by the forced cheeriness in his own voice, Duncan sighed deeply and when he spoke again, it was with an edge of weariness. 'You did well mate. As your instructor and now as a fellow comrade, I'm proud of you.' He didn't mention future work together; Duncan had yet to put his team together for his new assignment, but Syrus was one of his preferred candidates. Better the devil you know.

Arriving at the ball, with the Garden's orchestral anthem playing, Xerox and Rue arrive. As expected, numerous people came to crowd the two, or more correctly, Rue, the moomba. Unable to stay connected, Rue was caught in the crowd, while Xerox was left alone. Well, they expected as much. *Sigh* All they really care about is Rue. They don't even want to hear what he has to say, they can't understand him and they translate into however they want. *Sigh* Xerox's thoughts wondered. Although he likes talking with everyone, he wasn't good with formal things. In his uniform, he walked to the balcony. He could smell Duncan's cigar. He leaned against the balcony edge, looking out across the scenery. While he was out, it seemed that Dollet was blown up. He couldn't believe it. Earlier in the day, in the air, flying towards Dollet, and escaping by the sea, letting it be blown up. They succeeded in their mission, and the secondary mission, but they did not all succeed. It was a battle that was won and a war that was lost. If only I could of done something. He heaved a heavy sigh.

"I wonder if anyone else is here" he mumbled to himself, taking out his toolbox. He fiddled with some materials, but nothing was really being made. "These aren't good enough. I probably need other things and a furnace." Xerox was making a mental note aloud, unaware if anyone was around. Looking up, he could see the moon. For some reason, he could feel some sort of strange feeling coming from the moon. It was beautiful, the half moon, and it felt like it was luring him in. Almost like it wanted to take him away.

"Hmm..."

A familiar young girl stood perched against one of the pillars of the ballroom, her manicured nails tapping on her champagne glass in tune with the music as her eyes sweeped over the dancing crowd. The meeting with the Head Instructor had fared well for both parties, and despite the fact that that her objective for the day was complete, Mei wasn't the type to turn away a party.

The party in question was the SeeD Inauguration Ball. A celebration in honour of the new graduates joining the ranks of the famed mercenary force. Mei couldn't deny that she was just a little bit curious to see what kind of people they were. Young, of course; that appeared to be a requirement from all of the Gardens based around the world. Still, in the space of their young lives, would they be battle-hardened? Or bright and idealistic?

Sighing, Mei took another sip of her fizzy champagne, her eyes glancing down at her attire approvingly. It was a good thing she had been so conscientious of every potential situation when she left home, despite her parents' initial protests. The dress she wore certainly suited the occasion; a sheer, sequined smokey grey ball gown that feathered down to her ankles, with wispy sleeves that rippled like water with every arm movement she made. Her long hair was also braided into a perfectly neat bun, and adorned with a silver jewel encrusted clasp. It wasn't normally Mei's style, but formal events called for a touch of sophistication, and so that was the impression she sought out to make.

Mei gave a little sigh as she looked over to the dancefloor once more. She had already danced with a couple of boys, but none of them had actually been members of SeeD. It was a little disheartening.

And then...out of the corner, of her eye, Mei spotted a familiar flash of red. The boy at the school gates! Mei's eyebrows shot up as she recognised the young male that had helped her find Instructor Corvo's office. Syrus, wasn't it...? And he was wearing a SeeD uniform...

A sly smile pressed her lips as Mei slipped into the crowds, eyeing her prey carefully as she stealthily crept up behind him. Suddenly, her hands clapped in front of his eyes, her voice ringing out in melodic, mischievous song. "Guess who~!"

Seeing Duncan coming over to him he rolled his shoulders back and leaned on the wall. Syrus listened to the man but all he could think was...he got the same score as Kein. "Yeah I don't know about us being the best." He said knowing that what his instructor said was dripping with sarcasm. " I may have done better than you Duncan but I scored the same as the guy who was unconscious for most of the mission. I am a little pissed about that but what ever shit happens." Syrus didn't have to hold back anymore, not like he did before but he could let anything roll of his tongue now. "I am glad to be a comrade now though. I was getting tired of class." He started to say something else about how he had almost bailed before the ball but was interrupted.

"Guess who~!" A voice rang out. A voice he had only heard once today. Syrus was stuck on his words now and couldn't think because of the young woman's appearance. " Umm hey Mei. You look great. Here to celebrate with us tonight I guess?" He asked since she wasn't wearing a uniform meant that she wasn't a SeeD transfer but maybe a student that didn't have to wear the uniform. "Oh umm Mei this is my former instructor Ducan, Duncan this is Mei. I meet her ummm while I was hanging out by the front gate. She needed know where Corvo's office was so I took here there." He finished and took a sip of champagne.

Gracelyn tossed her hair back. Or at least he would have, if she had any hair. She was starting his march to the ballroom. She had no one to dance with, of course. It really didn't bother her that much, she didn't prefer to dance anyhow. She was just content to sit around. Boring night, boring life. She got around near the ballroom when she saw a little scuffle break out.

"Oh my." She remarked watching the fight. it was always fun to watch people beat each other up for no reason, it gave her a little pleasure watching them hurt each other. They beat each other up and it went on and on. It seemed to be two versus one, which made it always more fun to root for the underdog. The larger one had been knocked out, and the guy had pinned the remaining one down to the ground. He seemed to be talking to the one he had pinned down, and he looked rather angry at him. The one on top looked rather familiar, now that she looked at him. "Well. This is rather interesting now isn't it?" She gave a small cackle, that only she herself could hear. "Guess I better go help out him out then. Wouldn't want to be a bad friend, now would I?"

Gracelyn walked over to the now wounded Jericho. In her way was the muscle bound brute. Giving him a quick kick in the head, she sauntered over to Jericho. Her body moved like a snake, wriggling and writhing in an almost S-shape. "Hey hey hey now buddy, easy there my red haired comrade. You look rather injured, don't want you getting hurt more now would we? Here. Let me help." Gracelyn made sure to quickly cover him, helping him out to walk.

Mei's smile widened as Syrus stumbled on his words at the sight of her, a light blush dusting her cheeks at his compliment as she self-consciously hugged her arms across her chest. "Oh, this old thing? It's nothing special," she shrugged with a sheepish grin. Syrus proceeded to assume that she was here to celebrate with the rest of the SeeD graduates, and before she could follow through with an answer, she felt the presence of another man standing nearby. She turned her head slightly and took in the sight of an older, bespectacled male with grey hair and a faint, unwavering smile. He also carried a distinct aroma of cigars and alcohol, Mei noted as she resisted the urge to scrunch up her nose in response to the smell.

Syrus soon followed his awkward greeting with a formal introduction of his former Instructor, and Mei couldn't help but feel a spark of interest flash within her. Former, hmm? "Ahh, I see. So sorry for interrupting your chat, Mister Duncan!" She chirped brightly with an embarrassed smile, her eyes regarding him with a genuinely apologetic expression. "It's just that I don't know anyone here, so when I spotted Syrus, I had to come and say hi."

With that, she turned her attention back to Syrus with a bright grin. "It's really great to see you Syrus. I was really worried you did...umm...uhh..." She quickly sealed her lips shut as she recalled the presence of the instructor nearby, making it incredibly awkward to bring up the subject of Syrus's near-departure from the Garden. She really needed a way to speak to him alone...

Oh!

"That you didn't like formal gatherings, ahahaha!" She quickly finished her words with a forced laugh, before focusing on Syrus intently with a playful gleam in her eyes. "Say Syrus....do you wanna dance with me? Your Instructor won't mind if I steal you for a bit, will he?" She added with a questioning look in Duncan's direction.

Jericho, still walking away from the position of the fight, waved off Gracelyn's help and instead beckoned her to follow. "Just a few bruises is all. Kinda surprised you're down here, what with booze and food in the ballroom by now." He could hear the sound of the ball's music as he got closer to it and he stopped and turned around. "Don't tell me you were waiting on me to start partying." While he waited for a reply, Jericho watched the flow of people in and out of the ball room, noting when the red head who had been part of Duncan's students went in. He had to laugh quietly inside and wonder what his rank was. My own was six, I'm hoping I get bumped up to seven in the next few months. He did way to well to earn a six though.

If anyone paid close enough attention, they'd notice Jericho wasn't in his formal clothing, or not anything overly formal, with him wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans, his combat boots, but his cleaner, nicer ones, and his cloak, tattered as it was. He couldn't help but wonder why the fuss over a few new SeeD, like he had at his own graduation, but once more, free food beckoned and encouraged attending the ball.

Nodding sagely, Duncan tried not to chuckle at Syrus' description of his least fortunate student; true, Kein had something of an affinity for unconsciousness, but the SeeD test was ranked on more than just combat ability. 'Can't say I was there for most of it, so just between you and me... I bullshitted my way through a lot of it. Wasn't about to let my kids fail just 'cause I got captured, now was I?' He would have continued, but the appearance of a pair of small hands over Syrus' eyes drew his attention and eyebrows upward. Duncan raised his bottle in a joking salute as he was introduced, grinning over his glasses. Well well well, Syrus old boy... She seemed pretty nice too, in a bouncy squirrel kind of way; not his cup of tea, but different strokes. He was under no illusions that the two were just... friends. 'Of course not, my dear. On the contrary, I shall take my leave.' Bowing with exaggerated care, Duncan gave the girl a sly wink as he turned away, well aware that he was going over the top. As he wandered off, he shot the odd surreptitious glance back toward them, searching for that telltale blush on Syrus' cheeks.

These dances didn't usually hold much interest for Duncan and with the exception of his students, he felt the same about tonight. Sometimes he wished that he was a social butterfly, flitting between gaggles of students and guests to swap war stories and flirt with beautiful women. Fat chance, he thought derisively. He couldn't even enjoy a drink with his former instructor colleagues, given that most would be too busy kissing Corvo's arse, trying to fill the vacancy left by Duncan's dismissal. Fortunately, another opportunity presented itself. 'Oi Ginge, where's Xerox?' Increasingly tipsy as he emptied the bottle, Duncan had thrust his head into a group of female students, correctly guessing that they had mobbed little Rue. The Moomba's mimed response was confusing to say at the least, but after a bit of arguing, Rue pointed out toward the same balcony that Duncan had relaxed on earlier. Waving his thanks, the SeeD meandered over, swapping out his empty bottle of wine for a fresh one of port on the way. By the time he stepped out into the crisp evening air, he had rolled another cigarette and was a bit more composed, if still drunk. 'Sup Xerox. Figures that you'd be out here, alone.' He sat down opposite the new SeeD, a paternal smile creeping across his face. 'I wish I could get into something like you get into mechanics. You never look as... focussed as when you have a spanner in your hands... Want a drink? You only graduate once, you know.'

With a feeling of unease still taking him, Xerox was shocked into reality a bit when his ex-instructor greeted him. Turning around he replied, "Not much, but you know, I'm only here alone cause most people are being all fancy, and all of that. Then there's the fact that Rue gets everyone's attention." he chuckled a little. As Duncan suggested a drink, Xerox grabbed a nearby unused wine glass. "Sure, sounds good to me." extending his arm for Duncan, who had a bottle of port, to pour a drink. "Anyway, sure I am good with mechanics, but still, I tend to go overboard. I mean, there was that automatic wall painting bot that ended up painting half of Garden. Oh wait, that was when I was in Trabia Garden. The first thing that happened here was ... that's right, the super vacuum cleaner that imploded due to it's suction power being too great. Luckily no-one was in the classroom, but the shrapnel took out most of the desks." Xerox ended up reminiscing a little to Duncan.

Assuming that Duncan had filled Xerox's glass, Xerox would swirl it a little and drink about a third of it. His face would tell that this port was not a good one in his own opinion, before drinking the rest. "Anyway, where's Eika? I would of imagined she would be clinging to you and grabbing you to dance for most of the night." He asked Duncan, before reaching out over the balcony, into his ESS and taking out a different bottle of wine. Taking the cork off, he grabbed another glass, pouring one for Duncan and then himself. "Try this, it is so much better." He leaned back against the balcony railing and looked up to the moon. "I really don't like this feeling I am getting from the moon. I wonder why."

Gracelyn backed away from Jericho and gave a small laugh.

"Hey hey hey now, I can't go drinking and get possibly drunk without my favorite red headed drinking buddy now can I? What fun would that be?"

She shrugged her shoulders and pointed inwards towards the ballroom hall.

"Hey, if you wanna chitchat, shouldn't we do it under the influence a little bit?"

Gracelyn walked besides Jericho, swaying her hips side to side, still moving like a snake. Her hips bounced side to side and his head had a slight tilt. She grabbed a small wineglass and raised it to Jericho. "Cheers now eh?"

As Xerox talked, Duncan's expression slowly turned stony. '... I can't say I much liked your brand of ingenuity. For one, those desks are fucking expensive and they came out of my annual bonus. I won't argue with your results though; whatever you did at the second tower, taking down alone went above and beyond what you'd expect from a candidate..' With a little shake, Duncan concluded that his bottle was near empty after filling Xerox's glass and repeated chugs. In one last effort, he downed the remaining contents and cast the bottle off the balcony, eliciting a shocked gasp from a passing guest. '... it's not as though they can fire me for littering.', Duncan muttered dryly.

'She... isn't taking things well. Understandable. I did try to get her to come enjoy the ball but I think she wanted to be alone.' Even he had noticed Eika's emotional attachment and vulnerability, and would have preferred to keep her in sight for her own sake. Duncan doubted that she would do anything unwise, but... He accepted the glass from Xerox with a grateful smile, trying to dispel his concerns. 'I'm sure she'll be fine. The girl just needs time and support.' Which, coincidently, I will not be able to give. Duncan's report had recommended extra psychological support for Eika once he left, but breaking his promise to keep her with him wasn't easy. The wine was sweet, if a bit dry... Duncan didn't immediately reply, gazing up at the moon instead. He imagined the monsters that swarmed over the lunar surface, pictured their faces, superimposing the image of a Galbadian helmet over the top... 'Aye. You could say... that a blue moon rises. And whatever happens in the coming weeks, we'll be the ones to put it in it's place.' After a moment of introspection, he downed his wine and thrust the glass out to Xerox. 'Landlord, another round. By the way, you spent most of the mission with Charlotte, right..?' In stark contrast to his previously serious expression, Duncan's eyebrows rose and a lopsided grin crept across his face. 'So tell me... Did you have any R rated events out in the woods? C'mon, I can keep a secret, lay all dem juicy details on me!'

"Hahaha!" Laughing off Duncan's stony look, Xerox replied, "And again, thanks for paying it for me." Before continuing to laugh. "Oh, about the tower/substation, you wouldn't believe what the soldiers were doing at that tower/substation. Most of the soldiers were having fun in a pool. A freaking pool at a substation!? Like what is wrong with them. They could get electrocuted if not careful, and the fact they for some reason had a merry-go-round there is also weird. They were even using mechas for robot matches and having bets. Well, there were still a lot of soldiers on guard." he sighed lightly, watching Duncan throw the bottle off the balcony.

Listening to Duncan, Xerox had a concerned look about Eika as Duncan spoke. "I do hope she will be fine." There was not much that he could do for Eika, if anyone could it was Duncan, but it seemed like he also did felt that there was much he could do. I wonder what I would feel ... Anger? Fear? Sadness? To lose someone precious, and close .... I can't really imagine it. His thoughts in wonder until Duncan asked for more wine. "Sure" Xerox replied, pouring some wine for Duncan. Duncan had asked about Charlotte, "Hm?" Xerox lifted an eyebrow in curiosity as to why he asked. "Yeah, that's right, why?" Starting to take a sip, Duncan's grin made Xerox feel like he should run from this conversation, however, without the time to, he was asked about "R rated events" Immediately spitting and choking on his drink, Xerox coughed and hacked.

"Where did that question come from? Jeez, nothing like that happened ...." Speaking in a flustered manner, Xerox's words started to trail off as he remembered the fact he was on top of her after going through his Teleportation Gates and also what happened earlier in the infirmary .... flashing himself accidentally. His face became red. "It's not like anything happened, and it's not like I have those kind of feelings towards her." He continued afterwards. Taking a deep breath, his face's flush had disappeared as he downed his drink. He breathed out a heavy sigh, "Anyway, this has been one long and exhausting day."

Jericho chuckled at her response and followed her into the ballroom, watching all the people dancing and the various foods at the table, including some he hadn't had the pleasure of trying yet. Still, Gracelyn insisted on starting things like they normally do, with a drink. Grabbing his own glass of wine, he clinked it lightly against hers and nodded. "Cheers for a job well done and another night of free food and drink." Downing the wine, he sets the glass down and grabs one more, carrying it with him as he looks over the food. "Speaking of the mission, how'd things go for you? Any mechs reinforcing the infantry after I left?"

Gracelyn quickly downed her drink, grabbing another and finishing it off as well. Many may have not thought it, but she was a heavyweight when it came to drinking. It would take many glasses just for a buzz. She reached for her third glass and started downing it. Jericho quickly sprung the strange question on her as they were looking over the choice selections of foods that she wouldn't normally eat. Looking over them a second time, she finally responded to his question.

"Well you know, it was the same as always, with the things and such and the happenings... actually, I have a confession to make." She leaned in close to Jericho so no one else could hear her dirty secret. "I didn't actually pay attention to any of what was happening around me. I was rather enjoying myself too much to pay attention to it. Sorry for the lack of info."

She flared out her emerald green dress, and would have flung her hair back, if she would've had any. She smirked at the main part of the floor where the attraction was going on.

"Looks kind of boring eh? All the dancing and such. Just spinning in circles over and over again. No interesting bits in it. What do you think?"

Syrus laughed for a sec and then took Mei's hand. He nodded to Duncan and as a song began lead into it putting his arm around Mei's waste. The room was in a synchronized waltz and Syrus joined in like it was nothing. "Well then I bet your surprised to see me here. I don't normally do the ball but since I was in the graduating class I thought I better make an appearance." He said with a smile and a wink. "So what does bring you here Mei? I kinda figured you would be getting settled in or something." He thought for a second. "Well come to think about it I don't think I quite figured out why you are here. Transfer student? New instructor?" He asked inquisitively as they danced.