bart12

Starring: Squall Leonhart, Irvine Kinneas, Bart Fatima (and a few NPCs).
Location: Balamb Garden
Date of Log: May 13th, 2001

There has been so much trouble on the Isle lately that you haven't had much time to realize that both your husband and brother in law are very very absent. Yes, Sigurd disappeared, though he left a note and Bart did too, and then the creatures came and before you knew it, the entire town was afraid. Huge 'X's were painted on doors that contained familes sick and dying from the plague. The doctors themselves fell victim to it, and then those strange and misshapen beasties tried to enter the town, infecting anyone who got too close. You have not been made sick, your junction prevents it other than maybe mild symptoms that you recover from within a day, should you have gotten too close.
Then, there are rumors of men in pearly uniforms seen about the Isle, attacking those SeeDs sent out to destroy the creatures who are causing the disease... and then word comes down to you. Cid is ill too. And he has asked you to come to his office. When you arrive, he is bed ridden, looking deathly pale, barely able to speak to you. And what he tells you will likely stun you, shake the foundations of your world.

He is making you Commander of Garden.

Getting sick made him worry, just as it would every one else, but instead of thinking of himself Squall is actually maturing to think of others before himself... so when those symptoms start all he can think about is that he can't die for Sigurd needs him. Sigurd isn't good at being alone, holding his own, no matter how he might appear. That intructor needs someone, and he refuses to let Sigurd live alone. No thoughts of himself beyond he shouldn't die because of the other man. Maybe not the best of thoughts, but it's better than how focused on himself he used to be.
As the monsters appear Squall is out there fighting right along side everyone else. His endurance junction helps loads since he can work for longer than most others. The more you can do during such times the better. With all of this the teen hasn't had much time at all to think about his missing husband. Bart who? Sorry, blondie, but his thoughts are on your brother when they happen, and not at all you. Maybe later. u.u;
When he hears about Cid being sick a mote of fear strikes the young man. Sure he doesn't much like Cid, but that man pretty much raised him. You can't go away! Q.Q Immature that fear, and he fights with himself over it, but there it is all the same. Why do people always go away? *sniff* There are no arguments about going to see Cid, but once that command is given, Squall is struck dumb for a time. ......What?!? No, you can't! He's not ready for that! "You have to give it to someone else!" Is the first thing he blurts as his thoughts run in a tight spiral of chaos.

Cid is insistant about it, his voice very quiet, but firm. He really is very ill, his skin pasty white and his voice, "You are... the one. The one for this." Quistis is standing off to the side but she isn't looking at you lustfully, no, sadly. She understands this is going to be rough on you, "Squall... we'll all support you." But it looks like you are quite stuck. The others in the room were already informed of what was to be done and are there to advise you on the current situations going on in Garden and on the Isle, but not in here. Unless you really raise a stink, you are taken to your... office. An office for the Commander of Garden. Quistis hovers in the background, mostly there for moral support. Xu is present, and others who have responsibilities and higher ranking posts in Garden. They are waiting for you to speak, to say something... anything. There are uncomfortable shifts, furtive glances, uncertain stances. No one really knows how you are going to handle this. Some have their doubts, others look at you like you are their only hope.
(As for blondie, didn't he curse you with something like this once?)

The tone of Cid's voice tells Squall everything that he needs to know. You are stuck, boy, and royally. Fucked, and no one was nice enough to even kissed you first. u.u; His jaw works for a moment, before the teen plants a hand on a hip, grits his teeth, and looks away from the bed and the man within it. Oh yes, he knows this is final. Been around these people too long not to figure that one out. How could you have done this to him?!? It's like a betrayal.
A million things spring to mind as to what to say, and all of them cruel to Cid. How Squall should have expected to be abused like this. After everything else, just one more way to make him miserable. Why did you go through so much effort to make him unhappy? Wasn't he enough already? On and on that list goes, but none of it reaches the air. He bites back saying anything at all, swallowing the words along with the very bitter pill that is being forced down his throat. Quistis gets a dirty look through roan bangs for her words. "Whatever." Nothing else is said however and he gets herded to his office. Man, this sucks. Why is he putting up with it? All the same he just does.
Sad part about it all is that Squall will flounder a good deal at first. He shouldn't have been given this job, and really.. the only one who believes in him is Cid. Well, Quistis maybe too, but very few others. Once there he just glowers at everyone, and only makes the situation worse. What? Did you all think he has any damn clue about what is really going on? He just got this job dumped in his lap. -.-
(Yes, and Blondie is going to die.. painfully. -.-)

Quistis is the one who shoos everyone out. "Not yet, go, get out. Later." She turns as the door is shut, leaning against it. "I know this is sudden, Squall..." biting her lip, she fully expects you to snap at her. But, if you do or don't, she sighs quietly, adjusting her glasses and pushing aside an errant lock of hair. "There is much to learn, I'll help you wade through it. Xu and I both." Xu was shooed too, however, you're left alone with the blonde. She is worried, obviously, and willing to try to help you adjust to this even though you're just dropped right into it.
Quietly, she begins to inform you on situations. So far, things are at least in hand at Garden. Sick Cadets are confined to the Quad, leaving the infirmary open for other injuries. There are ten patrols of SeeDs with vitality junctions deployed to destroy the infestation of diseased creatures. Irvine is leading one of them, she notes, but that's just idly added for some odd reason.
But, before she can get much further there is an urgent knock on the door.

A SeeD is trained not to question... right? Then why after all of that is he suppose to be the one to do all of the questioning? And without any training at all? @.@ At least as far as he's aware. Actually Squall has had leadership training. Doesn't mean he's ready for this, but he's not as bad off as he believes he is. Just give him time to flail about and things will smooth over in the long run. If you all live through it. 9.9
No, there is no reply to the young woman. He can't think of anything nice to say and so keeps his thoughts to himself. Maybe she should mark this down for the first it is. Hey, Sigurd has been a GOOD influence on the teen whether or not Cid believed it. (Cid was posed being against it, and even tried to get the wto to split up before they moved out...) As she starts taking him through things, Squall really does try to listen and learn. Not easy while his thoughts are going a million miles a second, but he's at least being it his best. Okay.. Sick here, patrols out, a knock at the door... Eh? Looking up from the paper work, he frowns at the portal before calling out, "Come in." It's a monotone quality if ever there was one. Someone isn't remotely happy.

The door opens and it's a small Cadet, actually, followed by Xu. "Excuse me, Commander, but I felt you need to hear this." She doesn't looked pleased at all, but is ever cool and professional, as always. The youth is very nervous, and isn't at all relaxing to see that you're not happy. Xu pats his shoulder and encourages him to speak, but the youth's voice nearly breaks as he begins, "I um... I was out on patrol under Seifer's command, Sir..." He shifts a little, and tries hard not to fidget but this isn't easy for him. "Lyia and I were told to stand aside by him. He's been taken prisoner. It was a huge battle, and he was beaten in the end." Seifer must've hated that.
Quistis and Xu exchange glances briefly and when Xu realizes the boy stopped, she clears her own throat, "It appears that the Sorceress Adel is here, if what this Cadet says is true. He has back up from Cadet Lyia. Seifer is missing, but this isn't unusual." She never did like Seifer, after all. "However, it is the description of the woman seen that disturbs me, Cadet Zander, please report what you saw, all of it, to the Commander."
The Cadet shuffles a little and describes all of it to you. How he and Lyia watched as Seifer battled some tall youth with golden hair and angel wings and in the end was knocked out briefly, and then he describes what Adel looks like (like a man, but yet a woman, adrogenous) and how she walked up to Seifer and made him stand up and follow her into a portal like thing. When he finishes, he looks sheepish, as if he expects you not to believe him.

As the cadet comes in and Squall realizes he's glaring, the teen struggles with himself and then sits himself down to see less threatening. Does it work? Damned if he knows. Through all of that the teen doesn't say a word, and instead listens and frowns darkly. Shit. Adel has both Bart and Seifer. There is this HUGE urge to start swearing; to stomp off somewhere and destroy something.. what happens? He sits there and fumes. Squall knows what Adel means, and he knows some of the things she does thanks to Sigurd.
After a long time of silence the young man lifts his head and looks to Quistis. "We've just been invaded." He says deadpan. "Put us on a war footing. I know it means cutting us off, but I want the patrols pulled back to within sight of the walls. We can't afford to lose anyone else. Send messangers to the city letting them know of the danger. With the plague people have gone to ground anyway. Hold off on giving anyone sanctuary for that might allow in elements we can't afford, but prepare for it. We might have to hold the whole of the town if something occurs." Squall pauses for a moment and just adds, "And whatever other shit I don't know about, but Cid has in place." -.- Jerk.

Xu salutes and taps the Cadet on the shoulder to follow her out to carry out your orders. As the door closes, Quistis stays behind again to continue debriefing you on what's going on. However, she does give you a moment or two to chew on the recent events. "I can have Irvine brought up to you, if you want." Why does she offer this? Because it's rather well known now that he's one of the few people here you apparently get along with. And she's attempting to do something to ease your new responsibilities. Should you agree or disagree, she shows you where everything is in your office, answers any questions you have and then, stands there a moment before letting you know she's going to go, unless you need her further.
Outside the doors you can hear talk, boots on the tile floors, people are moving, apparently Xu is rather good at motivating the troops, so to speak. You ordered it, and she's seeing to it.

Have Irvine brought up? As if Irvine would want to deal with him now. c.c; "Whatever." Is muttered as the young man rises from his desk, pushing away from it almost violently, and then walking to one side to lean against a wall and brood. Before Quistis can get out of the door he adds, "If he wants to." Meaning? If Irvine wants to come up he's welcome, but otherwise just leave him be. Now if Quistis orders Irvine, Squall is going to kick her lily white ass, but otherwise.. he won't know about that unless he's told.
Finally left alone for a moment, he lowers his face into a hand and struggles with his emotions. Sigurd went to look for Bart, and if Bart is with Adel.. that means... ;.; The one thing Sigurd was utterly terrified of, and here it is come to pass. No tears are spilled, but he comes damn close, needed that time alone to gather himself. Mostly he just listens to the babble and movement outside, and tries very hard not to think of anything.

You are left to your solitude for about a half an hour. Occasionally someone knocks on the door, but they're all quick questions or someone letting you know something trivial and then you're left alone again. Garden is mobilizing, as you wanted, and so everyone is rather busy. Xu, though you might not have liked her much in the past, is rather efficient and has given orders not to disturb you. That -she- will speak to you if it is that urgent. So those few interruptions were not actually supposed to happen, but she can't control everything.
Eventually there is a knock at the door, but it's no messenger this time, it's Irvine. Quistis didn't order, she 'requested' that he come see you. The hat is lost, red hair free from the usual ponytail and quite frankly he looks like hell. But, he's been out scouring the countryside with a pair of brand spanking new SeeDs and hasn't really had much time to breathe let alone see to himself. "Hey... I um, heard." What else can he say? He doesn't ask about Sigurd. Somehow he is afraid to ask.

It's a half an hour he desperately needs too. u.u; By the time Irvine gets there, he's seated in one of the seats that isn't behind the desk, slouched down terribly. The gunblade is laying on the desk, and otherwise he actually seems very out of place in his chainmail, leather and white fur. This place is clean and modern, and there he is.. looking antique. Not to mention incredibly unhappy. Squall lifts his head from resting on a fist as you enter, and storm colored eyes settle on you and look you over. His expression only turns more sour as you speak, but you get no snide remarks about it. At least not yet.
Instead of snide Squall's expression sudden shifts to tired. He hasn't had much more time than you have.. just a GF that makes it all easier. "This is your rest time, isn't it?" Making him feel totally guilty about wanting you here. "...Sorry." Not an easy thing to admit, but there it is all the same. Squall motions to the chair across from him and leaves you to figure out whether or not you want to take it. "Don't even know why Quistis came up with the idea to ask you here." He should, but he's stupid and doesn't.

"Christ, Squall, you're far more important than that. And don't you go feeling guilty about it either," Irvine replies rather flippantly. "Xu's got everyone moving out there anyway. Rest ain't an option at the moment." He'll be surprised later that you apologized to him and instead just snorts at you, leaning against the edge of the desk, the shot gun balanced next to him, hand on the barrel. "She asked me up here because you look like hell and you're going through hell, that's why. You think I'd leave you to here to drown? Hell with that, brother." You are a brother to him, after all, orphanage mates and all that. "'Sides, I'm fine, got Fenrir to help with that."
Falling thoughtful for a moment, he rubs at his chin and sighs, "I heard Seifer's gone. Rumors are flying about him and some dark angel and Adel." And that's about the time that Xu enters yet again, pausing to look between you and el cowboy briefly. She doesn't approve of Irvine, but doesn't say so. So long as he keeps you happy, she'll deal. "Mobilization is underway, Commander. Seven teams are pulled in already. We are trying to make contact with the last three."

Don't feel guilty? Too late. Squall just looks away from you as that is said and has nothing to say in return. Shutting him up should prove to be easy over the next few days. Instead all he does is start rubbing at the bridge of his nose with his fingers. He feels like hell. Nice to know he looks it too. *sigh* Actually, for all of that Squall is grateful you weren't willing to leave him here alone. Just think of it, Irvine.. the teen who always wanted to be left alone is finding out that he doesn't want to be right now. Just don't laugh at him for it, okay? u.u Only when you start voicing rumors does he say, "Adel has Seifer, and probably both Sigurd and Bart as well." The teen pointedly doesn't look down to the Fatima ring he wears on his left hand. His voice holds nothing in way of emotion for it's about the only means he has of not breaking down right now. "There is a plague on the island, mosters are appearing where there weren't monsters before, and Adel's troopers are showing up too. We're under seige and I've not one damn idea of what to do about it, or how to handle it. Do the rumors say that too?" My, bitter today, isn't he? "Xu, thanks, but get the fuck out. Oh, and have someone block off the training center. There's a breach in security there and I don't want to deal with it at a bad time. Better off no one gets to go there until this is over."

Cornflower blue eyes widen just a touch as you admit to Adel having Sigurd. He doesn't know Bart that well, just what you've told him, so the worry isn't quite there for him. Sigurd, however, he does actually know and is now rather worried about. "What the hell is she doing? Collecting SeeDs?" And kin, apparently. He doesn't know about Sigurd's past with the Sorceress, however. He falls silent after Xu's arrival, grinning at her and then waggling his eyebrows in a comical fashion. Sorry, can't take her seriously even now. She frowns mostly at him and not you, "Yes, Sir." And then she leaves through the doors again to see to this latest command. Damned irreverant cowboy! >.<
When she's gone, Irvine sobers considerably. "No, I haven't heard that rumor. I've heard you were made Commander, but not that you're incompetent." He frowns at you thoughtfully, not at all liking what he's hearing from you, beating yourself up so bitterly. "Sigurd's strong, Squall. Somehow... shit, I don't know. We'll get through."

"No. Collecting knights." Comes the bitter reply. It brings Squall to rise from his chair, glad that Xu is gone, and he starts wandering around in a manner that could be pacing. Almost, but not quite. "No, he's not." Meaning Sigurd is strong. "Not against her. ...SHIT!" Stopping he forces himself to relax some, breathing in and out. Stressing? Oh, more than a little. Squall wraps his arms around himself as if cold. "Sigurd can't fight her, Irvine. She made him her knight a long time ago no matter he didn't want it, and she nearly drove him mad. Now.. now she's got him all over again and I'm fucking chained down to the place I just about hate most in the world! How am I suppose to deal with this?!? HOW? I'm not ready for this! I'm not even rank six in SeeD!" Why does Cid have to make him this miserable? ;.; Yuo'd better stop him before he starts getting worse.

"Hey... hey, hey!" Irvine says, quite at first and getting louder each time as he tries to get your attention. The shotgun is set on the desk right next to your gunblade and he's crossing the room to grasp your shoulders and hold onto you while you swim through the whirlwind of your worries and fears, "The last thing that's going to help Sigurd right now is you losing it, man." Now, the cowboy isn't at all used to being anyone's rock or pillar, but he sees right now that is what you need, and so that is what he will be. "You might not be ready for it, but it's here whether you like it or not. Is it fair? Hell no. Is it right? I can't answer that, but the fact remains that you're in charge now. You're the King of the castle, man and you're gonna have to pull out of this and take over and fly straight cause if you crash, we all crash." He pauses then, taking a deep breath, "And I will always be here for you, thick and thin, do or die. Xu, even if she's a frosty wench, knows what she's doing. She's taking care of things out there. Quistis knows her way around the political side of things. Use them, Squall. No matter how much we may dislike them they are reliable. Now come on, pull yourself together. You can fall apart later when we've got Sigurd back."

Oh, you get his attention all right; grabbing his shoulders and all but shouting at him for the last hey, Squall stares up at you with wide eyes and doesn't move for a time. Being four inches shorter than you, he's loomed over rather well. However, it's not intimidated that the teen feels, and after only a few words he's looking down and away, hearing what you are saying. Hearing indeed, and you are totally right. He can't lose it. Not now when there are so many people counting on him and him alone. This isn't anything he's wanted, but then again when did this place give him anything he's ever wanted? Beyond Sigurd. Then again Cid didn't want him to be with Sigurd. Jerk.
A hand settles on your own shoulder, and Squall lowers his head down until his brow is resting against that shoulder as well. Yes, he really is using you for comfort, and taking what was offered. Eyes are closed and he forces himself to take deep breaths and calm down. Sure it's not something that happens easily, but at least with someone he trusts this can be done. Quistis knew him better than he's willing to admit she does. Then again she always has. "I'm sorry." Is said there, not caring a wit if you are dirty and probably haven't had a shower in a couple of days. Okay, Leonheart.. what are you going to do? What else is there to do? Try your best and hope everything comes out right in the end, just like always.
Finally the roan head lifts and you find a much calmer Squall before you. His eyes are tired thing, but there are no tears there. Just resolve. "Thanks."

To be honest, Irvine is rightly pissed at Cid for passing the buck like this onto the shoulders of a teenager. He knew that you were being watched and possibly groomed for something, but he never thought it would happen so quickly or so abruptly. He wasn't trying to intimidate you either, even if he does stand several inches taller than you and isn't quite so slender either. All he wanted was to get through that flurry of doubts and force you to ground yourself. So when you lean in against him, he lets you, continuing to be that rock that refuses to break down under your feet and drag you into the undertow below. You need that, after all, just one thing that's not going to suddenly change on you. He hasn't had a chance to clean up lately, but if you don't care he's not going to worry about it. "Don't be sorry, Squall. S'not like I'm gonna run around and tell anyone about this. S'okay to be afraid, just don't let Adel see anything but that lion in you."
Looks like someone's been doing his own growing up lately. When you look up finally, he nods, then shrugs his shoulders, nothing to say to that thank you. It was instinctive, the more serious side of himself that you're one of the few who are privvy to.

Everyone has to grow up eventually, and it looks like you two get tossed into the fire to do it. Squall would have much rather taken the long road to such things, and had time to goof off. He's only just discovered that he's missed a childhood, and was having a lot of fun learning how to play from Sigurd. And I don't mean only the nauty kind either. ;) The teen had been learning to joke and truly relax. One wonders if all of that has been ruined now. Everything he holds dear is in danger and it's on his shoulders to protect it all. Not fun. Looking up into Irvine's eyes, Squall actually smiles a little, more of a smirk than anything else. "I promise." he says quietly, seriously. "Go get some rest. I'm okay now. Really." Thanks to you, and the grip to your shoulder says that. Even if you don't leave, Squall calls for a meal (Two if you stay), and starts working towards moving forward. There is a lot of read and a lot to learn, and he's little time. Might as well start while he has the chance.

"I think I will," Irvine replies, grabbing the shotgun off the desk before turning toward the doors. He pauses to rub at his face, for he hasn't slept very well lately, nor has he had much time for sleep. Looking back at you, his expression is serious, "Call me if you need me... or I'll sick Quistis on you. If you can't find me um... I might be at Rinoa's room." That, of course, makes him grin and head out the door before you can ask him anything about that. You'll have to wonder if he's being himself again and hitting on the wemmens or if he's actually in a relationship with the dark haired girl.
So, you call for a meal and it is eventually brought up to you. Xu leaves you alone, Garden is mobilized while you read and things eventually get quiet outside your door. Though eventually there is a knock, Xu again. The peace couldn't last forever, you know. "Adel has sent a representative to speak with you, Commander. We... we have him in custody. If you want to see him."

Nodding to Irvine, having expected him to want to leave, Squall just arches his brows as the other claims to be in Rinoa's room, but doesn't comment on it. Later, when things are well again, he will give you shit for your relationship. Not now though. Getting his meal, Squall eats and reads, taking notes on some things that he feels he should ask about when he has the chance, or just ideas that spring up from other things. Chewing on the last mouthful he frowns at Xu as she speaks, but it's one of his curious frowns and not an angry one. Irvine made it so that he could work through this, deal with it. Now there is only forward to go as he won't allow himself to fall backwards again. What he wouldn't give to do that though. Swallowing he says, "Sure." Rising from his chair, leaving things scattered about as they are, Squall buckles on his gunblade and fallows the woman from the room.

Xu leads you down to the second floor, past the classrooms and toward one of the small conference rooms. Garden doesn't have a 'brig' persay. Prisoners aren't all that common. SeeDs don't take prisoners and if they do, it's the client's responsibility, not Garden's. So, without this, the representative has been taken to this room because it's separate from everything else, and it's small and there is little chance of escape. As you pass through the halls, you'd note that Xu has set things up nicely. There are a few patrols of SeeDs passing by, students are confined to their dorms for the evening, a curfew in place. The Training Center is blocked off and in general there is no chaos going on, now. Everything is finally organized. Whatever you can't see she informs you of so that you know things are in hand.
The door swings open with a hiss of escaping air and inside there are a pair of SeeD guards, and... Bart. Head hung low, gold hair unfurled from the usual braid to cascade down his shoulders like liquid sunshine, he looks up and freezes as you enter the room. Xu told him she was going to fetch the Commander. Last he knew, you were not the Commander. He looks all right, no bruises or marks on him. He's dressed in his usual get up with one change, a silver collar around his throat.

On the way down, jangling softly with every step, Squall notes the organization and is glad for it. Irvine was totally right, and trusting Xu and Quistis to do their jobs was a good idea. At least there is something he doesn't have worry about. In getting to that room he stops in the doorway and just inwardly sighs at who is here. Figures. Adel is trying to get him where it hurts most. Setting his jaw against it, the teen walks into the room and does his normal pose of hips to one side, hand propped on one, and frowns at his blonde brother-in-law. The collar speaks a lot to him, even though he's never seen anything like it before. Adel wouldn't send Bart here if he weren't controlled in some manner. Sure you look surprised, but the young commander only says in his deadpan voice, "Yes?" There is nothing here to show sympathy for Bart even though Squall wishes he could give it. This can't be easy for Bart, and he knows he sure as hell wouldn't want to be in the same situation.

Fatima eyes narrow just a bit, for even without the collar, she is there in his mind, whispering to him over a distance with her wants and desires. But of course she'd never send a Fatima out without some kind of additional control. Sigurd is defying her, after all, and she doesn't trust his baby brother as far as she can throw him. Besides, she wants him back. How else is she going to lure her wayward Knight? "Adel wants the Fire Cavern. She is willing to stop the plague if you relinquish it to her." Straight to the point, since that's what you appear to want. No, none of this is easy for him, though seeing you does at least assure him you're all right. Sigurd told him Adel wanted to do horrid things to you, too. These thoughts are fleeting, however, as he doesn't want Adel to be aware of them. Better to let her believe he is totally loyal to her rather than have anything sent through that collar. Bet you and Sigurd never thought to try shock therapy to get him to behave himself.

Squall's first thoughts are on Badb. Just where is she now that you are controlled? Not like he's going to ask you, but he does most certainly wonder about her. Hmmm. Standing there, frowning in his dark manner, the young man listens to the 'offer' and then says quite simply, "No." The word is quiet and very firm. "I will not give you anything you want, and will defend this place to the last person I have to defend it with. If I can't do it with that I will give my life to destory the very thing you want." A hand lifts and lowers, "And don't bother with the threats. I know who and what you have, and that won't sway me." Yes, he really is speaking to Adel and not to Bart. As far as he's concered Bart isn't even here right now. "Like my father before me I will destroy you, witch." Stick that in your craw and chew it. Of course Squall is worried sick about Sigurd, and about Bart, and about Seifer as well, but he's been trained that there are times when you have to look at the big picture. It's more important than anything you hold dear, so he's sticking to that now. She wants the Fire Cave, then she isn't going to have it.

Badb is a bit strangled at the moment. She comes and goes, but it is painful for her to stay with Bart for long, the collar sees to that. Multi-purposed. In combat she is allowed to aid him, but that's about it. The crow, of course, is seriously ruffled by this and does not like Adel one little bit. But there was the threat of ripping her out of Bart at one point that has her largely silenced against the Sorceress. Bart merely glares at you while you go on, until he rises to his feet rather quickly, hands slamming down against the table. The SeeD guards take on battle stances, but there is no attempt to attack you, just those beautiful Fatima eyes glaring at you balefully. "You pathetic little fool." The voice is Bart's, but the words are Adel's, using her Knight as a conduit. "Speak your pretty words, just like your poetic father, but when I am through with you, you will beg me for death long before I grant it. Son of Loire, abandoned and left to be broken on the rocks of a cosmically ignorant little man. Prepare as best you can. You will be crushed." And then she lets go, Bart blinking and shuddering at the filthy taint of her touch as it releases him, sinking back into the chair. No matter how long he lives, he will never forget that dirty feeling.

Squall the poet. What is his reply? As she reaches the point of Loire he gives her the finger. Quite calmly too. Only after Bart comes back to himself does Squall look to the guards here. "Anyone got a sleep spell?" If not he sends one of them out for someone who has one. "I want him kept asleep and bound until we can find a way to remove the collar. He's got Badb, and her file is on record, so be careful. He's also got wings and some other abilities I don't know how to explain. I've seen him use fire and stone spell effects through his hands." Not that the teen leaves until after Bart is both asleep and bound in metal shackles, but someone else is going to have to do the running. There are no apologies, nothing said to comfort Bart.. for he doesn't want Adel thinking he cares about the blonde in any manner. However, he is going to try and make sure that Adel doesn't get back the use of one of her knights.
After Bart is taken care of, he tells Xu and Quistis about the 'meeting'. Squall knows that Adel wouldn't have sent Bart if she were as strong as she claims to be, and so knows they have a little time. Time to guard the Fire Cave. Take volunteers, for they are sure to get cut off at some point, and have them camp out there. Make sure they have enough food, water, and other supplies for a long, long stay. Just in case. Baracade the enterance if they have to. After that he makes sure that Garden is ready for an assault.

That blonde head lifts very quickly as you suddenly ask about sleep spells, "No, Squall, I have to go back." There is an urgency in his voice, fear coloring his words. The color glows very faintly as he says this, it's a disobedient action on his part, he was not supposed to speak to you unless given permission, as well as the words given to him by Adel. He is silenced soon after that, eyes downcast in a manner you've never seen on him before, obedience. One SeeD guard nods at your question, "I do, Sir." She then turns toward the boy to cast. That's when all hell breaks loose.
Badb would never aid him in attacking anyone in this room. And so even though she is allowed to rejunction, she does not. It is with the ether inside of him that he strikes. He may not have control over it, but Adel does. A gout of fire first, sent toward the girl about to cast on him. She counts on you and the other SeeD guard to defend her and probably heal her and casts anyway. "Sleep." Just as the fire reaches her, the sleep spell reaches Bart and the teen just drops back in the chair, drowsy for a moment, blue eyes staring at you for a second in confusion and terror and then he's asleep, head lolling to the side.
At the rest of your explanation, both SeeD guards stare at you, the boy pausing to heal a minor burn on his compatriot even if you also try to heal her. "What the hell is he?" They don't really know him, and just assume he's some kind of monster sent here by the witch. "Shouldn't we just destroy him now?" Sure, he's as beautiful as an angel, but in their eyes it's deceptive, o.O Adel sent him, for crying out loud. But after that no one argues with you and the blonde is shackled and then drugged on top of the spell to make sure he's going to take a very long nap. Let Adel try to latch onto that.
Xu and Quistis exchange glances and Quistis herself offers to stay with the group and head up protection efforts there. Should you agree with this, she and Xu dash off to set together a team and get out there pronto.

Ah, gotta love SeeD training. 'Fire is raining from the heavens!' '....so? >.> <.<' Squall does plan on leaping to her defense, but doesn't draw his gunblade. Instead he moves before her, hoping to take anything else Bart is going to give off. Luckily the sleep spell works and Bart sleeps, for Squall didn't want to have to start beating the blonde senseless. u.u; When that one asks about destroying Bart, he is given a glare and the teen actually growls at him using Alpha Male all unconsciously. Squall doesn't like that idea? Get the point?
It doesn't really matter what Bart has been told, even if it means someone's life. While he doesn't much like the idea, there are too many other lives here at stake. Oy. Rubbing at his brow a little in the aftermath of all of this, Squall remembers to have someone take word to Konan and Dollet about the plague and the attack. He's not asking for aid, for he already knows neither one has it to give, but at least they can be forewarned of the upcoming assault and what it will mean if Balamb falls. So much to do, and so little time.
Now, for the first time since meeting Laguna, he's wishing he had the means to contact his father.

The male guard sweatdrops and doesn't say another word. Yeah, he gets the idea you don't like that at all and decides it far wiser not to argue with you. >.>;; The girl notices this too and is wisely silent for all of it, not even speaking to thank the other SeeD for healing her. Later, after they're away from you and that scary Alpha Male stuff. Actually, thanks to that aura around you, things are done faster and Bart is handled very gently. They don't understand it, but that doesn't matter. They're not about to piss you off.
Good luck getting that collar off, by the way. There doesn't even appear to be a latch on it and it's snuggly fit against his throat with just enough room not to be too terribly uncomfortable or cut off breathing. Esthar technology, gotta love it.
If you give orders for letters to be carried to Konan and Dollet, it is done, messangers chosen to deliver said letters soon after, teams of three just in case, chosen and deployed by Xu. As for contacting your father, well, that might be a little difficult. Esthar hasn't been in contact here much.
And so, the battle seems to be just beginning, though everyone has so far neglected to mention Sephiroth to you, thus far. Where will things go? Well... stay tuned for the next chapter of... As The Garden Spins!