Who: Irvine Kinneas, Dragonclaw, Kail Nurah, Terra Branford, Ace.
Where: Garden's Northern Atrium.
Why:  An apology, of sorts, to Terra.
Date of Log:  8/23/00

Watching Selphie trot off to return the borrowed scarf, Irvine seems as smitten as ever by her. Good grief, who'd a thunk it, that the infamous flirt would finally get collared by a goil. Glancing back toward Kail and Dragonclaw, he's about to say something when he spots Terra shuffling off in the distance. "Hey, Terra!" he shouts. A few passers-by even jump at the volume.

Dragonclaw considers. "That is fine with me," he says, the grins. "Thank you. And now I am going to bed," he says, starting to walk away. "Have a nice day."

Kail waves. "See you around, Dragonclaw. 'Night." Wait, he's walking towards the...oh, right. Training Grounds.

Terra is one of those people who jumped. Oh poopie. She turns around, smiling brittley and saying, "Yes...?" Her lips are maybe just a little -too- tightly pressed together, but then, she's not exactly delighted to see Irvy right now. ~_~

Irvine drifts away from the group he'd been hanging out with, though they're mostly dispersing so it seems. He doesn't saunter along at his normal pace, but doesn't rush toward Terra either. When he's close enough to actually talk to her without yelling, he says, "I wanted to... apologize to you for the other night."

Terra has been pinned by this. Aie. She stands there, posture rather nervous, watching the incoming Irvine. Certain individuals whisper and mutter from a distance, pointing at that - which they heard quite clearly, oh yes - and Terra backs up slightly, butt up against the retaining wall of the path. Aie.

Irvine blinks at Terra's reaction. That's not precisely what he thought an apology would garner... so, what does she want? No way he's gonna go out of his way to embarass himself to be convincing. This isn't Selphie, after all. "Um, ok... nevermind then..." Sheesh, if she's gonna react like -that-.

Terra now feels guilty. "I... um, I mean, ah," she says quite clearly and uncertainly, biting her lower lip and looking, well, confused. "I'm sorry too," she says, giggling nervously for a moment. After all, she was -sort of- doing wrong there too. Or at least, she could have reacted better.

Irvine didn't really like being beaten about the head and shoulders with a stack of papers, but it could have been worse. She could have been -armed-. That woulda been slightly... bloody. He grins suddenly, shrugging his shoulders, "Just... don't aim for the hat next time, eh?" Assuming there will be a second time, anyway, the gunman plans to make sure the doors are locked from now on.

Terra says, cluelessly, "All right." She doesn't know about the symbolic, spiritual link between the Hat and such things as the phases of the moon, the level of Irvylove there is to be extracted and used by the populace, or other such things. She... just nods quietly. "And, ah, I - it - um..." She stops, with another nervous little giggle.

There's no secret of Irvylove in the hat, it's just something he prizes. However, Terra's stammering confuses him yet again and he lifts an eyebrow, "What?" Of course, he has no idea that Terra is rather clueless in the ways of love and such and that seeing a couple kissing made her think he as -attacking- Selphie.

The kissing she'd seen, that wasn't the problem. It was the... erm... positioning of the two of them, and the... sounds... that were being made that set off Terra's Attack Alarms. "Nothing," she says, paling slightly and smiling feebly. "It just, um, I didn't know you - ah - that you and Selphie -" Stammer, prevaricate. Puritanism and innocence combine to make her look really, really stupid now.

Irvine chuckles softly, really not trying to set off anymore embarassment cues in Terra, but he's a clueless male who is so experienced he's forgotten what it means to be -inexperienced-. "Didn't know we were dating? That's almost scary, Terra. Just about everyone else here seems to know our business. That's almost refreshing to hear." Toldja, clueless.

Terra says, voice getting a slight bit more anxious now, "Oh? Dating?" She understands the idea academically, but still. She's known exactly one healthy couple, and they were like.. seventeen. Hm. Wait. Well, hopefully Terra won't have to be Miss Midwife to Selphie. o_o Thank God for Dr. Kadowaki. "Um.. well.. that's good," she finally concludes, since she feels the need to say -something-. "Ah, are you-" She cuts off there, turning an interesting shade of red. Damned mouth!

This is beyond confusing. Irvine is beginning to wonder what planet Terra came from. Feeling slightly awkward, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his duster, wondering what in the world she's blushing and stammering for. However, as she cuts off, he just -has- to prod her into finishing, his head tilting forward, eyebrow raised in askance. A hand even gestures for her to keep going. "Am I...?" The Puppet Mistress resists going into a Tank Girl skit. 'Mad? Glad? Sad?'

Terra says, with another feeble grin, "It, uhm, not -you- I meant, you know, the both-" She makes a vague and utterly enigmatic hand gesture, red tint to her cheeks going a shade deeper. "I, I don't mean-" She turns partway away and buries her face in her hands, the Embarrasement Level passing a critical point. What planet is she from? Well... she wonders herself at times c.c

Irvine ers... straightens up again and scratches at the side of his head under the hat. Ok, Terra is embarassed and he has -no- idea why. "Terra... you ok?" This information, as strange as it is, is tucked away for later consideration and psychoanalysis. He takes another step toward the blush-stricken girl, actually kinda worried about her.

Cue the gossip crew, true to form, who've been watching this the whole time and pointing and whispering and snickering. Cathy herself is at the forefront, as usual, having recovered from her last embarassing moment. But that was all Kail's fault. Irvine's -alone- right now, and she still wants revenge. "She wants to know if you two are having -sex-, Irvine Kinneas. But, we all know the truth on that situation, don't we." A chorus of giggles cascade around her.

Terra has an internal reaction something along the lines of 'aie' and sort of tries to back up, which doesn't really work since she's up against the retaining wall. So, instead, she sidles slightly away, averting her eyes, turning another level of red at this august frankness. "N-not, I mean, it-" Argh! The young whippersnappers! She ought to bite out their throats. Well, no, that would be too complex a solution - but it is a tempting thought.

Cathy's really not concentrating all that much on Terra, she's merely a vessel for the gossip Queen's own hatred. After Sivael's death, she only got meaner, somehow misconstruing his demise with Kail, thereby blaming him, and with him anyone Kail calls a friend, now that she didn't already dislike Irvine immensely. Don't ask, it's some weird psychosis with the girl. She's even got her whip with her today, holding the pommel. She grins back at her 'crew', a horseshoe of five girls who follow her with semi-loyalty. So long as she's on top, they're with her.

Irvine glances up and blinks at Cathy, then frowns, suddenly sullen. "It's none of your damn business, Cathaera Rinnan." Oooh, the whole name even. Really, this is over the top, especially as Irvine notices Terra's reaction to the question. And to her, he mutters, "Ignore them, don't let her get to you, Terra."

Terra is just utterly flustered right now, and makes a little squeaking sound in acknowledgement of Irvine's statement. Otherwise, she just tries to hide her face, in the instinctive feeling that if no one can see that, she's invisible! Meanwhile, she kind of stands there, the yawing sick feeling in her stomach from all of this attention, embarrasement, and other forms of humiliation not making her feel much better or coordinated.

Irvine is really getting used to this kind of thing. Cathy's been on his case for a month now at least, ever since he started really chasing after Selphie. Why she's got it in for him is beyond his understanding. He's not about to fight her though, she's a -girl- for crying out loud. So what that she could probably kill him if given the chance and impetus, she's still a -girl-. Besides, he's still more concerned about Terra, "Come on, let's get out of here. No need to stand here and give her targets, eh?"

Cathy, in all her now typical viciousness... smirks at the comment, "Oh come on now, Irvine -Kinneas-," the caustic pronunciation of his last name is a shot back at her own name being spat out, "You're the ladies man, not gonna tell us how she cries your name out at night? Oh and by the way, how's the engagement going? The picture's all over the place now."

Terra looks over at Cathy now, spreading two fingers enough to peer out of, it being more of a sideways glance than a direct look. Well, how fortunate for her, someone else to try to yell out and get outwitted by. And with a whip, no less! She's like an evil Quistis, only more loudmouthed. "....you ought to shut up," she says, probably not loud enough to be heard by Ms. Domme over there, but it may just be the first practice volley.

Indeed, Cathy hasn't noticed, but Irvine did. He seems a little surprised, since Terra's been trying to avoid the situation so far. He reaches over to nudge the green haired lady, blatantly ignoring Cathy's jibes. It's pointless to try talking back to her, he's discovered. She just keeps coming up with something new and equally vicious to distract you. He almost wishes Kail were here, as he seems to be able to fend her off. However... the engagement comment -does- get his attention. He looks up, eyes wide. "You.... bitch." Seems we have a winner here, folks. The cowboy just figured out -who- printed the photo.

Smirking with her own vicious pride, Cathy glances over her shoulder at the girls behind her. "Mr. Kinneas seems to have just realized who stole the little photo from his precious little screwtoy." Another chorus of giggles and snickers. Playing with the pommel coyly, she looks so utterly smug at the moment that it's harder to imagine her getting worse. But she does. In a mock falsetto voice, she obviously is trying to imitate Selphie. "Ooooh Irrrvy~"

This is gonna get ugly real fast here.

Terra doesn't know what photo this is that's being talked about - yes, she DOES live under a rock, in fact - but she does consider Selphie to be a friend. And she doesn't have very many, nor does she make them easily. And while she's often something of a doormat, she's pretty sure that 'screwtoy' is not a good thing to be called. Sure, Selphie is flighty at times, and certainly is close to Irvine, but 'screwtoy'? So. She steps forwards, deliberately, towards Ms. Bitch, eyes narrowing and the irises blossoming into a dark red from their usual violet. "What did you call her?" she says, voice high, clear, and rather angry. Uh oh.

Terra's not the only one who's doubly pissed off about the 'screwtoy' comment. Irvine's face starts turning red, but not from embarassment, nuh uh. He clenches and unclenches his fists, frustrated since really, he can't do anything to Cathy though he really would love to give her a good slap across the face. "You know, Cathy, I think you're just damn jealous. Selphie's the sweetest, most innocent and popular person around here and that really bugs you doesn't it. Because, besides your groupies back there, no one gives a damn about you. And honestly, they're all too shallow to give a care about you either, unless you're behaving like a raving bitch... which you're doing nicely now."

Cathy lifts her chin at Irvine's comment, about to respond when she notices Terra coming forward. She's a bit warier now, not really knowing this person, except that someone mentioned her being a councellor or something along those lines. She's an unknown however, a tool Cathy used to get in a few slams on Irvine publically. She took quite a beating the last time one of Irvine's friends came to his rescue, and she's not about to lose face again, dammit. So, instead of engaging Terra, she 'hrmphs' and turns back toward the girls. "Let's go."

Terra says, in the same clear and quite melodic - if... unhappy - tone, "You aren't going to go anywhere." She continues to stride forwards, gazing balefully at the sycophantic tribe of hangers-on that Cathy has instead of the woman herself - due, of course, to her turning away. "You are going to apologize for insulting somebody who has done you NO HARM, and you're going to do it NOW!" Yes, she got a touch shrill on the last part, but what the hell. She doesn't want this to pass - yes, she's rising to the defense of Selphie. Wouldn't she be proud?

Walking in from the Dormitories, wet hair edging over his eyes from under a his hat, his cane under his arm and a small handheld book in his hand. Trying to study from the little booklet to the best of his ability, dispite the comotion he seems to have walked into, he watches from afar. That girl from the infirmary is there, and not looking all to happy. Irvine at her side, looking a little discouraged mixed with a bit of anger. On the opposite side of them, they appear to be outnumbered by a horde of girls, giggling. The ring leader, a deviant smile on her face and a whip in hand. oO(Whip...... Mother told me to stay away from girls like her.....)Oo Ace was heading for Irvine and Terra, but as the girl makes a strategic retreat, Ace whisks past Terra and Irvine, bowing his head as a sign of respect and greeting. Moving to Irvine's side, seemingly taking a side in a matter which he is not involved in, "Problem, Irvine?" The older SeeD Cadet says with a grimness in his tone.

More then likely Selphie would be here cheering Terra on, if not joining in. Irvine, on the other hand, is kinda worried about a fight breaking out and he steps forward, "Terra..." This is the problem with being a guy, the cowboy would love to let Terra rip Cathy a new one (hell, he'd love to), but it may also get her into trouble. "Come on, she's not worth it, it won't change anything." As Ace appears at his side, he nods to him grimly, gesturing toward Cathy, "Local trouble, ask Kail sometime."

Indeed, it probably wouldn't change anything, Cathy's downright mean, and probably is on her way out the Garden door with all her recent baloney (it's not like it's gone unnoticed by staff and instructors, after all). So, to her, she's got nothing to lose right now, and may as well enjoy her time here while it lasts. Hearing Terra, she smirks, "Pardon, but I don't -think- so. Let's go girls. Ta!" And she starts bounding off down the atrium tiles, the gaggle of girls nervously watching Terra as the attempt to follow. They've never gotten in trouble before, just Cathy. So this is an eye opener.

Terra puts her hands on her hips and just glowers at those girls. Yes, her eyes are an unpleasant congealed-blood red right now, as distinct from the reflexive orange-red of surprise. (Yes, chromatophores in one's eyes are fun.) Then she lifts up one hand and points at Cathy, before saying, ringingly, "Why do you want to associate with such a..." She pauses momentarily to assemble her vocabulary. And then continues, "A cruel, mean-spirited, hate-filled.. cow," she finishes, not anywhere near the level of anger to use anything stronger.

Ace shakes his head and nods to Irvine, he begins walking away quickly. Past Terra, and past the pack. He comes to a halt, turning around and standing behind the ladies who were making such a mockery of Irvine and Terra. Who enraged Terra so. If the girls do decide to leave, he'll see what difference to request an apology of the calmly and politely. Not really knowing what he's going to do when she refuses, he stands in the middle of the pathway. oO(... See what happens when you get friends? .... Oh well, this person is in the wrong anyhow. MOther and Father wouldn't stand for it, I won't either.)Oo.

Watching Ace walk away with a sense of 'what now?', Irvine blinks, then glances back at Terra, suddenly grinning at her correct (in his opinion) assessment of the whole charade. Of course, the grin fades when he sees how angry she is, realizing she's not taking it in stride as he's gotten used to doing. She's really honestly angry for Selphie. He backs off, figuring she'll do what she's gonna do. It just irritates him to have to stand back and take this crap. If Cathy was a guy, we'd probably have had a knock down, drag out fight by now.

Cathy has gotten a good enough distance away now that Ace's approach is merely scoffed at. Terra is ignored entirely. Several of the girls nearly jump as the angered green haired lady addresses them so sharply. Then they all scramble forward, nearly bowling Cathy over in their rush to get away from the situation.

Terra blinkblinks and looks at the girls' retreat with surprise. They're.. cowards? She was asking them to account for their scumsucking behavior, though, which was something of a loaded question - it'd be like asking, oh, Raijin and Fuujin why they hang around with Seifer. (Although Fuujin's motive has seemed to become clear, now.) So she turns and looks over at Irvine, blinking, eyes returned to their normal light violet. o_o "....." She's been taken aback by this. Quick! Smooch her!

Irvine is not about to smooch Terra and get -more- of this lame gossip started up, though he does approach her to reach over and pat her shoulder, "Thanks, I'm sure Sefie will appreciate that too. You've managed to do something I never have." He's smiling, not smirking with that usual irritating little grin either. Glancing up, he sees Cathy flailing her hands at Ace's attempt to help her to her feet, cursing and muttering and threatening the very girls who are normally her back up. Show's over for now, it seems.

Dissapearing, following after Cathy to question her about the previous events and what she did to enrage Terra so, he heads off to the West Atrium. He dissapeares for a good three minutes before resurfacing from the East Atrium, coming up empty handed. He throws his left hand behind his back, and walks with his cane in hand as he approaches the Northern Atrium once more. An expression of neutrallity on his face as he approaches Irvine. Standing a distanec away from Terra and Irvine, he sighs and shrugs. Not really knowing what to do in this situation. He's relatively new to the concept of 'friends', and doesn't know exactly how he should've acted or what he should've done.

Terra had been -planning- on eating some supper, but now? She can live without food. Instead, she turns and heads off towards the dorms, shaking her head slowly at the folly of humanity and their inherent contradictions and other such nasty stuff, and planning to practice her violin and then maybe take a nap.