witchesreign | [ action - monday ] ϟ [ 07 ]

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[ action - monday ] ϟ [ 07 ]

[ Well, here's a somebody that hasn't been seen around at Balamb Garden itself in a while! Anyone out and about this early Monday morning is potentially witness to a rather unusual sight in context: it's Claire Farron alright, carrying with her the exact same things she had when she left some months ago- same gunblades, same bag, same neutral-colored manner of dress...

Albeit she's coming in rather than going out - a flouncing in reverse - and is noticeably less tidy, this time around. In fact, she has a distinctly travel-worn look to her, from her not-quite-as-tailored clothing down to the dark circles under her eyes and rather obvious fact that her pale pink hair was dyed brown up until a short time ago... and yet is now half-washed out at best, sporting a wavy quality the woman is usually so sure to keep straightened out.

Unfortunately, she doesn't have time to detour to her room before heading straight up to the headmaster's office, meaning she'll likely be not that mentally open to distractions. However, she can be caught should anyone prove brave enough... or at least be seen in passing, to what's sure to be her eternal annoyance as well. She even ducks into the cafeteria after her impromptu meeting for an apple or three left over from the cadets' breakfast--

Before promptly disappearing again, of course.

It's not until she's showered and slept in for a while that she's back... and looking deliberately stoic as ever as she watches cadets, SeeDs, and these strange intruders alike as she wanders the halls and leans against walls pointedly, half-devoured peach in hand or folded laptop under-arm. ]

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[Speaking of leaning against walls, there's a tall figure waiting for her in her wanderings doing just that. Arms crossed, head down, eyes closed. He doesn't exactly want to deliver the message, but he has to. Better him than anyone else.]

Serah's gone.

[ It was sure to be inevitable, but that definitely doesn't mean that Claire's at all happy to see the other l'Cie when it eventually happens. Immediately there's a flare of wariness inside of her, making her limbs feel stiff and hand instinctively itch for a weapon's handle. And yet--

Serah's gone.

She stops, without looking at him, eyes narrowing as her gaze fixes on a point on the ground several steps in front of her. ]

... Her name isn't on the roster any more.

[ Her voice is flat, entirely devoid of any sort of emotional undertone. Yeah, she already suspected, but hadn't yet had it completely confirmed, didn't bother to ask anyone who would really know-

What she thought of the matter when she first noticed, what she thinks now... isn't all that easy to put words to. Curiously, even though she's an emotional woman, what it feels like... is nothing. No relief or happiness, no sadness, no anger... her emotions are as blank as her voice and the emptiness that abruptly feels lodged in her chest.

She doesn't know how to react. ]

It wasn't long ago when she... She was in the infirmary for a few days. Unconscious. Something related to Time Compression. She had memories... her outfit changed... I suppose that was the first warning.

[None of that matters any more though. Why belabor the details?]

Things are crazy here. Don't know what you've heard, but all sorts of people are showing up and then vanishing. Some of them are even from places we'd know... Probably the ones I know, because it's in the future I know. I figured you ought to know.

[ She knew that, too - or part of it, at least. It happened at right about the same time Claire had finally hit her limit and decided to get out... although this extended mention of memories changing? She thinks about the conversation she'd had with the younger woman right before she left, but she doesn't remember any indication of something like that.

But beyond that... she's already seen someone from her version of their world, so she doesn't take much stock in him claiming that 'probably.' It's what he says last that warrants a response from her, her voice quiet and low. ]

Why?

Didn't think you'd want to just find out suddenly. Letting you know is better all around.

[Sparing everyone the potential trouble of an on-edge Claire snapping at someone or being set off -- or somehow setting someone else off -- is good enough cause in Snow's mind, but this time, not the only one.]

...One of them was Hope. An older Hope.

[ Well of course he's just running damage control... though to be honest that's not really something she would have expected out of man like him- even if she had believed for so long that he (or 'her' version of him, at least) had deliberately turned her own sister against her and into her enemy.

In any case ... that second part doesn't exactly sink in. ]

Estheim?

[Maybe he wouldn't have if 'his' Lightning, or Serah, or anyone else, was still around. Maybe it's just who she is. But Snow feels like he has to look out for Claire. And that feeling disturbs him.]

Yeah. No promises he's from my timeline, but odds are for it.

[Of course... he has no idea exactly what Claire's relation to 'her' Hope is...]

[ Not good. She tried to kill him and just about succeeded. And then he tries to kill her in the same way Hope from the "Lightning is a Pulse l'Cie" verse goes after Snow. Family? Only in the same sense some people actually aspire to murder their relations.

Of course, it's not like she'd even try to touch Hope here, even if he was still around- for reasons that are gradually becoming more and more separate from potential pointlessness or the wariness of retaliation that had kept her away before.

Right not her thoughts are... eclectic. Her gaze finally fixes on Snow as her arms cross loosely. ]

Okay.

[ ... And that's all she apparently has to say. However, there's now an edge rapidly growing in her demeanor, the longer this deceptively uninvolved conversation continues. Her timeline... she's not optimistic about it. She doesn't really expect an older version of anyone to show up at all, ever.

If they existed, wouldn't they have shown up already? Rosch and his unhappy attitude towards her doesn't count. He certainly hasn't helped her outlook any. ]

[She's alone here. And, as much as he hates to admit it... he understands that. He empathizes. He can't help it.]

You going to pick up your classes again, now that you're back?

I've been offered the positions.

[ Still distracted, her voice is automatic... her expression, conflicted and just on the edge of bewildered- like she can't comprehend the idea at all that this conversation is happening and that she's actually one of the people participating in it.

Suffice to say, she's not sure yet. ~~Mentioning that fact alone isn't an answer to that kind of question, Claire!~~ ]

If you take them back, it's up to you if you let some of the people not officially registered sit in or not. A lot of people have been popping in and out, so not everyone's getting registered, but you don't have a 'secure' sort of class.

[He's pretty sure what her decision would be if she took the positions back, but frankly he wouldn't blame her for waiting till after this whole mess is done.]

[ Snow. What the hell are you talking about? This is Claire-- ]

They don't pay me to teach just anyone who wanders in the door.

[ And besides, 'her' classes are all ones strongly dependent on having been there for a while, anyway-- or at least requiring some playing catch-up on the weekends to work right, for those cadets enrolled late in the quarter.

Regardless, she's not exactly one with a reputation for being academically easy. If she does take the classes back, you can bet that it'll be under agreement that she doesn't have to go anywhere near those not currently enrolled. ]

[Not surprised, Snow shrugs.]

I figured as much, but this way you at least know you have the option.

[Better she be annoyed that he gave her too much information, than furious because he didn't give her enough. It might be a weird form of looking out for her, but it's looking out for himself and everyone else she might come into contact with, too.]

We could use you back. We need a few tough Instructors to balance out the easygoing ones. [And his wry smile indicates he knows exactly where he in on that scale.]

[ ... Okay, surprise civility is one thing, but this is quickly becoming way too much. Claire's expression twists, her eyes wide in a kind of silent, agitated, bewildered overload.

He's not just talking to her, but saying things just short of outright compliments.

And regardless of being broken a few times and hastily being glued back together, this is still very much the same woman at her core... and she really, really doesn't understand why Snow is still talking to her like this.

Doesn't matter whether or not he tried to insist even back when they'd first met up here that they weren't enemies... can he just not take a hint? Or is he completely unfamiliar with the concept of not rushing into things headlong?

... Stupid questions. To be fair though, it's not like Claire knows him very well at all. The proof is in the reaction. ]

[Thinks he's everyone's friend, remember? Even Claire, even now. Though would he be talking to her like this if Serah was still here? That question would never have an answer...]

[And he is being honest. For a school intending to train mercenaries, they really didn't have many people who hit the code-and-discipline angle too hard.]

[He glances off into the distance after he finishes speaking, though, intentionally or otherwise not looking at her expression. She has a chance to compose herself while his thoughts are elsewhere.]

[ Composing oneself is easier said than done- after a moment or two Claire has smoothed things down enough to keep from lashing out, but her irritation is still very much present and remains obvious in her expression and demeanor. ]

Are you done?

[ Her voice is flat rather than sharp, however, a frown pressed into the curve of her lips as she looks away. ]

I think that's everything really important right now.

[Somehow he doesn't think 'a wedding' is really high up on her priority list, for example. Then again, Snow assumes she doesn't have any personal investment in anyone here. Outside of Serah, Claire had done an excellent job convincing him that she had managed to shut down that sort of feeling.]

[ There's a difference between "shut down" and "broken." It goes without saying that Claire's emotional health isn't exactly the highest, so guessing which one actually applies to her isn't all that necessary.

At his response, with the word that there's nothing more he has to offer, the woman just... goes right back into walking past like she was originally planning, her boots sounding on the hard floor beneath them the only thing breaking her silence otherwise. ]

[Cid has his own matters to attend to, so it's actually not until Claire's showered and slept that he does eventually spot her. Even then, it's not as if he's actively searching for her, but again, it's a bit difficult to ignore the woman who is all but glaring at those around her as they walk past.

Though, the image is ruined a touch by the fact that she's eating a peach.

She looks different from how he remembers her, in a way that goes beyond the difference in her hair. With some bitter amusement, Cid wonders if she's managed to do any soul-searching while she was out. After a moment's consideration, he opts to approach her.]

I see you've returned safe and sound, Lieutenant.

[After their rather odd parting, he wonders: has she changed at all?]

[ Perhaps she seems different because, while she's still tense, still prone to glaring, an enormous part of the raw emotion that's defined her presence for so long - starting shortly after she became an Instructor and convinced herself she needed to keep an eye on the Pulse l'Cie here... is gone. That sense of franticness and distinct air of about to explode at any moment is majorly reduced... even if she might not realize it herself.

When she'd left, she'd been nothing short of wounded- with a fiery, jagged presence not at all like the intense but calm demeanor she'd built up over years and years beforehand. But now...

Well, it seems like most of the Pulse l'Cie are gone anyway - ironic, considering she would have probably liked that a whole lot more half a year ago or so.

Yet she doesn't tense up further when Raines approaches her this time, and doesn't yet avert her eyes in the way that had been so usual up to that last time they'd 'spoken.' ]

More or less.

[ And funnily enough, she doesn't sound all that sarcastic, either... although she does nearly tack on a sorry at the end.

... Considering how frighteningly high her belief that nobody would actually want her around here still is, perhaps she subconsciously feared it would have come out sounding sincere rather than dry. ]

[How very unusual.

Considering how the last few months of their interactions had involved them subtly and not so subtly being at each other's throats, it feels almost wrong that there isn't that air of anger, hate, and all around unpleasantness when she speaks to him this time. Strange as it may be, though, Cid's not going to throw it back in her face by making a snide remark.

He'd long since given up on trying to convince her to change, but this new outlook is something he can work with--well, deal with, for starters. Civility is something he'll treat with respect and give in turn.]

I trust you have had no further encounters with your former superior?

[It's an event long past now, but hey, the woman had been shipped off for her mission shortly after. They hadn't had time to converse--if their interactions could even be called as such--since then.]

[ And then Claire tenses up, practically flinching at the sudden referral to that particular incident and the disastrous aftermath. It's been several months since then, and while she hasn't gotten over it, it's still jarring to abruptly hear someone else aside from her own thoughts bring it up.

But she swallows, determined to keep her composure; for a second her gaze almost - almost - falters, but in the end she's too stubborn to let it drop away even when confronted with what, after the results yielded from almost every other interaction with this man, she has little other option than to assume is some sort of verbal stab.

She refuses to let it work as well as it might have once, if so. ]

No. Why?

[ ... She knew even back then that there was a possibility Rosch would then come after those at Garden, if he wasn't able to find her. Is something like that why Raines is bringing it up? ]

Because it shook you.

[--shook her enough to make her leave Garden.

Certainly, he'll probably never be privy to whatever Claire and Rosch had discussed, but Cid is happy to simply assume in this case. In any case, the point here is that she's back on some plane of normality again. He'd caught the slight shift in her demeanor when he mentioned the other man, but the stiffness that had occurred the last time they spoke of the matter wasn't there anymore.

No, he inquires about the PSICOM director simply because she is no longer a ball of nerves. How she's managed to get that and whatever else seems to have been haunting her out of her system, he doesn't know nor particularly care. There is nothing especially high-minded about his comment at all.

Really, this is probably the closest he'll come to asking about her mental state.]

[ True. Very, very true, although Claire's not sure how to react to him pointing that out- a fact that is clear on the woman's face as her lips press together and brows do something that suggests they can't decide whether they like each other or not.

Her inclination towards dissecting every little thing he does too much, looking for things that aren't there but she's certain have to be, hasn't gone away; the paranoia that PSICOM so carefully cultured inside of her makes sure of that.

So is he amused by that utter shattering of her peace of mind or... what? Last she knew, he was still being venomous towards her, so this unreadable act is... does she even dare to consider trying to figure it out? ]

But he's gone now. Right?

[ Which is what it boils down to when it comes to importance... not just for her own safety and whatnot, but.... ]

[The brief influx of individuals from other worlds had long since ended, but this new flood of people does bring new opportunity. As it stands, though, he has not seen the silver-haired officer--neither from his timeline nor hers.]

I have heard no reports of his presence being seen around the Garden.

[Though, he wonders: can the man alone be such a threat? Rosch commanded many back in Cocoon, but here, is he not but a human? He finds it most curious--darkly amusing, if he's honest with himself--that Claire seems strangely bothered by even the slightest chance that he remains here still. His words, he figures, must have been pure poison to cause such a strong and such a lingering reaction.

All the same, Cid remains unreadable--certainly not as pleasant as he could be, but still, he remains stiffly formal with her, careful to keep any barbs out of his tone and choice of words. He will endeavor to remain that way so long as she returns the favor.]

[ Well, having a blade pointed at her heart isn't something that Claire is capable of just swallowing without upset. Especially since that had been the second time the hand on the end of the weapon belonged to someone she had never expected to ever try to hurt her.

And is it really so hard to believe in general, for a woman who was already off-centered from being misplaced, constantly surrounded by unusually-behaving enemies she could do little about, that she became so upset by what was obviously a very bad encounter- with a man's whose opinions she'd more or less always trusted? It probably wouldn't have taken that much, accusations of treachery and implied betrayal of the fal'Cie that had branded her, to thoroughly upset her.

At Raines' answer, finally she glances down, pale eyes fixed on but not really looking at the fruit enclosed in her fingers. Not hearing anything about Rosch doesn't guarantee he's actually gone, but there's also little reason to assume he's stayed too, after everyone else who had appeared and caused havoc around that time had gone away as well. It isn't his style to stay low and isolated, either, and while there's the chance that he could go and install himself in some other country here or something... it's remote enough that Claire doesn't feel she's wrong in experiencing a bit of relief. ]

... Very well.

[He merely observes her quietly and how she finally turns her gaze away from him. Cid, too, briefly averts his gaze, taking in the flow of people moving around and past them. The silence between them is awkward, but thankfully, the idle chatter of others fills in the spaces--making it more comfortable than it could be.

And then finally:]

Do you intend to resume teaching?

[It's hardly the most interesting or important thing he could bring up right now. Really, the item of note to her would likely be the news of her sister (or rather, her other self's sister) leaving Garden. Still, he'd rather play it safe than bring up something that could potentially have her flying off the handle again.

Besides, if she intends to just leave again, would it really make a difference that the girl is gone? Change in behavior or not, Cid's not that interested in talking about something that may or may not have consequence. At least in asking this question, he can determine, to some degree, if he needs to keep an eye out for her again.]

[ Honestly, and to probably nobody's surprise, Claire has to wonder exactly why Raines is even still standing there. It seems off- most likely because the silence is more awkward than angry for once, lacking the air of something about to suddenly snap in an explosive way. She's been through a lot of thinking the last few months, but still she's not sure what to make of this.

Before she can address it, however, the man's speaking up again, and Claire's vague frown deepens slightly. Raines definitely isn't the first person to ask her that question, yet she really wishes that she didn't have to hear it at all right now- that she could just get through meeting up again with anyone she knew from before she ran off without it coming up. ]

... I've been offered the positions.

[ Which isn't a yes or a no, of course... but in Claire's head it sounds better than "I don't know." ]

[Ah. Not exactly the response he'd been hoping for.

It's neither here nor there, and as such, it doesn't clue him in as to whether he needs to be on the lookout for a fellow Sanctum l'Cie glaring daggers into his back at every given opportunity. Oh, certainly, it doesn't feel like she wants to kill him right off the bat--not in the way it had felt previously--but he's of the belief that it could still change in a heartbeat.]

I see. [A pause.] Should you choose to stay, then I hope your reintegration goes smoothly.

[With the right tone of voice, that could be a kind comment, but Cid says it with a cool and stiff air. It's a simple matter of formality, really.]

Thank you.

[ Claire's gaze remains focused downward, and the words might as well been cut from wood and hastily pasted together, but... as crazy as it seems, her goal here isn't to cause trouble, regardless of her uneasiness at this conversation in general.

Her shakily reconstructed presence is far too fragile to risk being shattered again. ]

Good day, Lieutenant.

[He nods curtly before turning away. There's little reason for him to linger.

It's still not the answer he's looking for, but it doesn't seem like the woman is all that sure herself. Cid will simply have to wait and see in that case. He'll treat her return as permanent for the time being; it's better to be safe than sorry.]

[Whenever Claire heads up for her meeting, Cid's waiting in his office. As usual, he's distracted by paperwork, but he manages to set them aside the moment he notices her arrival.]

Ah, SeeD Farron. I trust your mission went well?

[ Claire is... distinctly bedraggled, in her personal opinion. Enough that while she sketches out the routine of meeting with a superior as Up To Code as ever... she also feels rather self-conscious at the same time. There's a frown right on the cusp of turning the corners of her mouth down as she's addressed, the urge to smooth down her hair or clothing one more time forcefully pressed down inside her.

It's not helping that the news she has to deliver isn't exactly the best. ]

It was terminated early, sir.

[ ... Probably not what he expected to hear from a woman who is creatively and almost obsessively good about... well, doing her job as best as she can get away with. She shifts her weight just slightly and drops her gaze to the bag slung over her shoulder, expression serious as she pulls the thing forward to slip her hand into the front pocket. ]

[Ah.

Cid presses his lips together, but he motions for her to take a seat.] That's... unfortunate. Any reason as to why she cancelled your contract?

[ Claire gives a quick glance to the chair, mildly uncomfortable with the idea of sitting... but then moves to do it anyway-- and in the process takes the effort to wrestle out a bound folder from her bag to set carefully on the man's desk... and then a PDA that looks like it might have smacked into a hard floor one or two many times beside it. She might not like having to do things on paper much, but that doesn't mean she won't- she's had time on her way back to make sure her documentation is as complete as she could make it, right down to marked-up maps and receipts for everything she obtained while away.

Now just comes the part where she attempts to explain. ]

Several weeks ago Dr. Gold requested an addendum to our contract. She asked that I assist her in infiltrating the presidential residence, with the agreement that I could bring back whatever information we learned to Garden.

... She also made me agree that if we were caught and they attempted to arrest her, that I would make out with what we had obtained without her.

[Cid glances down at the folder, but it's the PDA that gives him more concern. He's more than sure that Ms. Farron's given adequate documentation, but the nature of this cancelled contract seems a lot darker than he anticipated.]

... I see.

[He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he opens the bound folder and looks down at the first document.]

Not that you haven't documented everything you discovered during your time with the doctor, but is there anything I should specifically know about this information?

[ Claire continues sitting straight and attentive, though at the same time, regardless of her unbroken gaze, somehow she manages to half-hide her eyes with her lashes too, a frown tugging at the corners of her lips. She resists the urge to look around as if she doesn't want to be overheard. Where does she start? ]

You'll have to get into the PDA to be certain, but... while she was accessing the files being copied over, Dr Gold became convinced that the computers that were recently provided to Balamb Garden may have been altered without her knowledge.

[If she worries about being overheard, she shouldn't fret; Cid turned off all communications prior to her arrival. Still, he can't help looking worried as he lets the information sink in.]

In other words, some of her colleagues still believe that off-worlders are more harm than help. I see. [He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, but he certainly looks more worried than anything.]

Thank you for your hard work. If there's anything else that looks unclear, I'll be sure to alert you later. For now... [He shrugs, feeling more like a grandfather than a Headmaster.] Would you like anything to eat or drink while you're here?

[ Claire's head inclines... although she then blinks at the offer. She's certainly played that sort of game before, but here it never seems to have quite the same underlying 'rules' that it would have in interacting with higher-classed individuals in Eden or on-board a PSICOM ship. It throws her off, a little... inadvertently reminds her of an old saying about sword-fighting being different than averting the need for it with words. ]

Water. [ Never mind the hollowness in her stomach she's been trying to ignore for some time now. She's here for a reason, and immediately attempts to jump right back into it. ] There was something else-

Munitions in Timber and recruitment... it sounds like Galbadia is attempting to strengthen the arms of their military force.

[He nods, rising to his feet and moving to the water pitcher and glasses set aside for such an occasion.

Gently pouring her a glass of water, Cid hands it over once he's finished, though his frown only deepens as he listens to her. That doesn't sound good in the least.]

I see.

[He shakes his head before going ahead and pouring himself a glass as well.] It was only a matter of time, I suppose.

[ "I suppose" is what Claire thinks, though she remains silent, a slight crease in her brow. She resists the urge to touch her lips after she's had a short drink- they're dry and feel odd without her normal layer of gloss over them, but she's conflicted between her desire to not seem rude and her inherent stiffness.

Her eyes follow the man without a word, now just hoping she receives a dismissal soon. ]

[The dismissal comes pretty soon - right after Cid takes a sip from his own glass.]

You're free to go, Ms. Farron. Thank you again for your report.

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[ action - monday ] ϟ [ 07 ]

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/we apologize for our huge delay!!

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GOD, I am sorry for being slow... sort of derped out completely all of april

Only if you'll forgive us for being just as slow :(

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