Who:  Issei, Irvine Kinneas, Seifer Almasy, Squall Leonhart.
Where: Dollet City, The Mountain.
Why:  Final chapter in getting Seifer back.
Date of Log:  October 5th, 2000.




Well, Bael and Issei, if you though you'd had a harrying enough experience out there with the caravan, guess what you get to return to! Yes, it appears something paticularly nasty happened in Dollet. In the actual -city- itself. The square is nearly emptied, Dollet troops having taken over and sent home witnesses after getting their stories from them. Those who'd been hurt in the fray have been removed from the scene already and taken into the hotel itself to be tended to in the meanwhile. Thankfully there appeared to be no casualties in this. A few people burned, one badly, the others superficially for being too close to the spell blast zone. The chaos in the aftermath has been reigned in. If you'd returned a few hours previously, things would have been much worse. There's a very large charmark around the hotel area, just past the square, if one chooses to notice. It's below the balcony of the room that'd bee Squall's. But, at any rate, there are plenty of soldiers still milling about if anyone feels like inquiring as to what occured.

Daaaaaamn.. o.o;; Guess it's pretty obvious where Seifer went after the caravan raid, eh? When Issei and Bael reach town once more, the cadet's blood runs cold at seeing the state of things. When he and Bael reach the hotel once more, Issei lagging behind a little to to inspect the damage outside, he parts from his SeeD supervisor's company and heads out the door again with assurances that he'll be right back (which he might or might not be. heh) as he heads outside to corner one of the soldiers still around. Once he's found one who looks about as pleasant as they can look, he taps on a shoulder to gain attention. "Excuse me.. What happened here? Did the.. Demon attack? Was anyone hurt?" If that bastard slashed through this town to get his kicks after being denied the caravan... grrrr...... >.<;

"Huh?" the soldier says as he turns slightly to look at Issei. He doesn't recognize the other and says rather blandly, "This place is closed off for now, if you're staying at the hotel, well, go on to your room, but we'd like folks to steer clear of here till we're done." Then, after a pause, he finally answers the actually question asked of him. "We had a visit from whatever that demon creature is, swept right outta the air and snatched some kid off the balcony of the hotel. So, if you have a room with one, we suggest not walking out onto it for now." A bland, wry smile after that and then he gestures toward the scene of the attack, and the nice char mark left behind thanks to a lobbed Firaga spell. "No casulaties, for once. Some injuries, another kid's in the hotel right now, burned badly, dunno if we can do anything for him."

He.. took someone? Issei blinks and peeeers around the Soldier, furrowing his brow. Hm.. Char mark. Balcony.. .... Oh shit.. Isn't that.. "Squall's room." Issei murmurs to himself, eyes widening. "You said there's another? Burned? Where in the hotel did they put him?" His gaze turns back to the soldier with a bit of urgency, and just so he's not hassled about this, he adds "I'm one of the SeeDs sent to help against the demon, and I have spells that can help the injured man." Now hopfully he won't be told again how he needs to go hide under his bed.. Feh. Damn soldiers.

An eyebrow lifts at that. SeeD. Yes, the soldier had heard of them being dispatched. "Oh, well then you'll be happy to know it was two of your own involved in this." He had neglected to mention this, because, well, he didn't feel a civilian needed to know. But, in light of this, he gestures back toward the hotel. "The kid's in the main lobby, with the others who got hit by that fireball." Well, he's not well versed in spells, so how would he know it was Firaga anyway? Turning back toward another soldier to finish the conversation Issei had interrupted, he ends up pausing and turning again, "Oh, yeah, we heard about that caravan incident." Word sure does travel fast, doesn't it. He actually smiles kinda ruefully, "Sorry about your friends... hope you got a lotta spells or what have you, the kid in there really don't look good, but hey, we tried, you know?"

Issei nods his head as the information on the 'kid' is given, and considering Squall is gone and Sigurd could never be considered a 'kid', he has to assume the burned one is either Hansi or Irvine. "Thank you." he says before turning, about to leave when the soldier's next words stop him again. Eh? The caravan? ... Blinkblink. Wow. News DOES travel fast! Issei looks a little sheepish and smiles lightly. "You did, huh? I hope they got back to the city in one piece. Uh.. It's okay. I think I probably have something up my sleeve that will help him." Even if he's dead! n.nb With this and a parting not, Issei heads back into the hotel and promptly goes about tracking down.. who ever it is that got hurt - be it Hansi or Irvine, mentally trying to coax Erato out of her foul mood (she's still pissed over the bet, you know) so she'll be more inclined to generousity. .. And maybe to help him with this headache which she no doubt caused. x.x Wimmen. Feh.

No kidding. Having Guardian Forces with feminine attributes and emotions can be killer, especially if she's bonded to a guy. But, anyway... No, the soldier's information was a wee bit incorrect. The wounded were moved out of the lobby and into another room on the first floor. There'd been a mass exodus of people staying at the hotel (afraid of demons grabbing at them too, no doubt), so they had to be moved. But, if they're inquired on, the staff will point Issei toward the room without argument. There are three wounded, apparently, the two who are superficially so are awake and talking to one another, somewhat stunned still that all of this happened so quickly. Both are bandaged, burns already tended to.
The third has been laid out over a couch and it's fairly clear that it's Irvine. Who else wears the cowboy getup? Not Hansi, certainly. He's been stripped down to just his jeans for now though, most of his clothing piled off to the side with the hat on top of it. The duster's ruined, charred to hell and back. That'll piss off the redhead later, when he's coherant enough to realize it. He -does- look bad, as if someone left him out in the sun to bake for hours and hours without respite. Skin's an angry red color, spots blackened in places where he'd had no clothing as protection, namely his chest, part of his throat. It's almost a wonder he's alive. At the moment, however, he's arguing with someone, voice hoarse but desperate.
"No, you are not going anywhere, young man, I doubt you can even walk."

"I have to find Issei and Bael or someone, dammit."

See what you get to walk in on Issei? What a grand day, isn't it?

Oh yeah, today is just turning out to be peachy. A grand ol' Welcome Home affair. Issei would indeed inquire to anyone who will stop a moment to listen about where the injured have been taken, and he heads to the room pointed out without delay, surveying the damage. Well, those two other guys look okay.. As he gets farther into the room however, and see's Irvine, hearing him talking to someone else, he frowns and approaches with quick steps. "No need to worry about Bael and I, Irvine. We're both here and fine. You, on the other hand.. You look like hell." He smiles a little wanly at his own joke as he spies the cowboy, and nods to who ever it is the boy is talking to. "Lets see what we can do about that, eh?" The cadet cracks his knuckles for no apparent reason before closing his eyes and consentrating, a little poke given to Erato. You gunna abandon him just because he's a stupid testosterone-y male, and leave this poor cowboy who never did you any harm to suffer and possibly die from his burns?? The answer, thankfullyf or Irvy, is no, a soon a blue glow forms around the cadet's hands. Said glowing hands are then moved towards Irvine with palms out, and the Curaga spell is pushed out to him, sinking in and going about it's business to heal him. Of course, just because Erato was nice enough to not cut Issei off, doesn't mean she's not pissed at him still, and he's going to be subjected to many a rain-storm and poem very soon, you can bet on it. x.x "How do you feel now?"

As soon as Irvine realizes Issei is there, he tries to sit up, groans and ends up collapsing back onto the sofa. The 'healer', who hasn't really identified herself or anything, just kinda backs up, folding arms over her chest as it seems that the cowboy knows whoever this person is. Good, Issei can deal with this unruly cowboy. Hrmph. But, she watches in fascination as the Curaga spell is created and sent toward said unruly cowboy. Irvine just closes his eyes, inhaling slightly at the strangeness of it. It's always odd to feel your body suddenly and rapidly start knitting itself back together. The light of the spell starts off sort of purple-ish, against that angry red skin until slowly it fades back toward blue as the burns heal, the blackish areas fading, scabbing, breaking away. In the aftermath, as the spell finishes its course, cornflower blue eyes flutter open again and the redhead slowly starts to sit up, testing his body that had previously gotten angry with him for even attempting to move. No pain. No sign that he'd even been greiviously injured just five minutes ago. The only remnants of it or the spell is a sheen of dampness on him, as if he'd just broken a fever or something and his body had sweated it out. "Thank you, Issei..." he says quietly, genuinely. But, that doesn't last long before he launches into, "Seifer! Dammit, he was here, he's got Squall."

Issei smiles slightly and nods his head to the thanks, replying simply with "No problem." He reaches out to rest a hand on the cowboy's shoulder as Irvine begins to work himself up again, trying to get him to take it easy atleast for the moment. "I know, a solider outside told me what happened. Bael and I fought Seifer off earlier when he was attacking a caravan. I guess after that, he came here. I didn't see Sigurd or Hansi anywhere.. and Bael seems to have gone off too." He frowns slightly, wondering what could have drawn the trio away, and glancing about to the other injured. Well, might as well take care of the two other guys too before Erato gets even more pissy. Even as he heads over to ask the two men if they would mind if he treated them, and then casts whatever spell is needed on them should they accept the offer, he continues to speak to Irvine. "Did anyone see which way he went when he took Squall? I know where I /think/ he went, and would bet any money on it, but it'd help if we had a way to be sure.." He sighs and frowns slightly, wondering aloud "Why the hell would he take Squall and nobody else? And why not just.. kill him?" This is all rather puzzling.. He always thought Squall and Seifer hated eachother! Especially after the cold-shoulder Seif gave Squall while they where unpacking that truck...

Well, Irvine knows the answers to that one, having been told by Squall what the devil was going on. But, the redhead is loathe to just blurt these things out, thinking as he's again made to lay back and not push himself too soon. He doesn't do that, not when someone tells him secrets, or things he perceives as being secret. So, he opts for something more... generic. "Squall's all he's ever really known. The only constant in his life. Yeah, they seem to hate one another, but we all came from that orphanage, I guess neither of them were adopted, so they both ended up at Balamb together. Does that make any sense?" It does to Irvine, but he has certain details to clarify it, ones he hasn't provided, and a few he just hasn't thought of. He rolls over slightly to watch Issei helping out the other two injured, flexing one hand, his gun hand, over and over. He really wants to get up and get going. "I think he took him up to the mountain. We ran into Seifer at the orphanage. He told us not to go there, said the demon was too much."
As for the two others injured, they had seen what Issei had done for Irvine and both gratefully accept his aid, murmuring several thank yous and even trying to offer the Cadet a gift of some sort of pendant after the casting. A thank you from them.

Anything offered in payment after the spells are cast is politely refused by the smiling and all too happy to help cadet, assuring both people that their thanks is more then good enough. Issei does listen to Irvine as the man speaks, and returns to him as soon as his business with the other two is done, furrowing his brow. "I.. Suppose it does." he says, speaking in a lowered tone now that their lack of much distance allows for it. "Still, it seems odd. Then again, Seifer doesn't strike me as a horribly together kinda guy, so I suppose that could explain it." He sighs softly and lifts a hand to brush fingers through his black hair, eyes briefly closing. He's tiiiiired.. x.x He wants to go back to his room! He doesn't wanna fight anymore! Can't we all just get along?! u.u; "We should go after Squall. Very soon. ... But I don't know where Bael and the others are." He frowns slightly and bites on his lower lip, obviously battling between the idea of wasting time to track the SeeDs down, or just.. going it alone, with his fellow cadet.. "You know.." Issei's voice lowers to a near murmur, though still audible to the cowboy. "We could get into alot of shit if we go to get Seifer and Squall alone..." But he's not excluding the possiblity of doing it.. He would just rather Irvine join in the decision to go. Better they both either fry together when Cid finds out - provided they make it back alive - or both stick around to look for the supervisors, then for one to drag the other along to their very possible deaths.

"My SeeD partner has been captured, Issei, all bets are off far as I'm concerned," Irvine says, sitting up now without any regard to what his body might think of it. Luckily, nothing happens, whew. "I knew Squall when we were little, and I'm not gonna leave him to whatever fate Seifer... or that demon might have for him." Waitaminute, Squall and Irvine can't stand each other... when the hell did that change? Well, the redhead doesn't bother contemplating it. For the pile of clothing he then reaches, though not much of it is salvagable, just the hat, for it got knocked off. The ruined duster gets a definate, frustrated frown. Dammit Seifer, you ruined his -duster-. Argh! "I gotta get stuff out of my room. Where'd they put my shotgun?" He suddenly panicks for a moment, realizing he'd dropped it when the spell had knocked him out. It's under the smokey clothing pile, and once he realizes that, he sighs in relief, pulling it out. It certainly looks like the cowboy is more then willing to trek out on their own. When did he ever follow every rule to the letter anyway?

Watching Irvine getting ready to head out after Squall, and listening to his words, Issei nods his head and mutters "Well I can't very well let you go out alone.. Besides, you might need healing again." So, count Issei in! He's just successfully rationalized this to himself. n.nb And hey, maybe if they bring in Seifer and rescue Squall without SeeD intervention... they'll be.. like.. commended! ... Yeah, whatever. u.u Anyhow.. Issei pats the sai at his hips just to insure they are there, and then stands back to allow Irvine to go abot his business. "You get whatever you need to, and I'll meet you in the lobby." With that, the cadet heads out of the room and returns to the lobby to await Irvine, Erato blissfully silent on his decision. After all, despite the lack of reguard for orders, it /is/ a rescue mission. What is she gunna say - Leave Squall to hang? I think not.

Irvine doesn't expect to be commended. He fully expects to be slapped for going against orders and running out after Squall recklessly with another Cadet. Let them. The ends is worth the means. And Golden Boy better appreciate this later too. Provided he's still alive, anyway, which is why the redhead is hurrying. He has no idea what Seifer, or the demon, has in mind for Squall and the fact that so much time has passed already worries him. After rifling through his room to find something proper to wear, at least a shirt, the second pair of boots he'd brought, he gets down to the lobby again, already feeling Badb start to flutter in his mind, anxious to get out there and kick Seifer's ass. She never has liked the blonde, and really likes the fact that Squall said not to worry about killing him. *No, we can't do that now, Squall be dead himself or incapacitated.* The Crow's feathers are now ruffled, sullenly protesting that one. So guess what, both Guardian Forces are going to be upset as the two Cadets set off to rescue one poor SeeD. "Ready to go?" he asks Issei, checking to make sure he has what he needs on him. He misses the duster, but, it'll just be replaced later.

With a nod and a pat to one of his sai, Issei answers "As ready as I'll ever be." before turning to head out of the lobby with his fellow cadet, glancing around quickly to get his barings and figure which way is towards the mountains. Not knowing the state of the road up into the mountains, Issei suggests, "If we could get a transport it would save us alot of time getting up there.. But going on foot gives us the element of suprise. You saw Seifer last.. Spoke to him, I'm assuming, from what you said about him telling you to stay out of the mountains. You think he's in in a paranoid frame of mind, or more preoccupied with Squall and whatever the hell is going on up there?"

Irvine has to think about this for a moment, though he does at least head out of the hotel, glancing up at the empty skies above. "I wouldn't have a problem getting there in due speed." But he'd waste energy that way, which likely he would later need. With a glance back at Issei, he says, "It's hard to say, Squall and I were even wondering if it might just be a trap, telling us not to go there when he damn well knew we would. And it's been awhile since he nabbed Squall too... I don't know if he'd still be busy with him or not." Let's just not think about the Golden Boy being dead. No. Hmmm. Thinkthinkthink. Must not waste more time. "We might want to get transport at least to get in closer, go on foot from there. That sound like a good starting plan?" And then, as an afterthought he asks, "Do you drive?" Seeing as he most definately -doesn't-.
      
Can he drive? "I can drive the transports in Garden.. Sorta." Issei sighs a little and glances around, looking for the one they drove here in the first place, pondering taking it rather then seeking out some other mode of transportation. .. provided Sue or Zoo or whatever the hell her name is isn't lurking around it. And he can drive the thing! .. well, he knows how to make it go forward, backward, and turn.. But don't ask much more then that of him. He doesn't know what half the dials and gauges mean on the damn thing. But is that really important? No! n.nb "Sounds good to me. Alright, lets go hunt down the one we brought here." With that, he heads off in the direction he thinks he recalls seeing the big car thingy parked at.. Oh, what a lovely pair these two make. x.x Sorry, Squall.

Irvine doesn't question it. And honestly, after riding with Squall, he probably won't notice too much if Issei jerks the vehicle around or anything. Ok... maybe that's stretching it just a wee bit, but there you go. So, obdiently he follows after the other Cadet. It's not like he can argue. He doesn't even know the beginnings of being able to operate a transport, or any other vehicle. But, he's a latecomer to Garden, no one had the time to teach him that yet and before that he rode horses. Still, there's the risk that the transport is guarded or something. Are they gonna have to be sneaky about this? There's also the possibility that this is something else gonna get the two into trouble. Well, they're breaking the rules already just dashing off on their own to get Squall. How much more mired can they get? He sure hopes Squall's somehow doing better. Eesh.

Irvine doesn't question it. And honestly, after riding with Squall, he probably won't notice too much if Issei jerks the vehicle around or anything. Ok... maybe that's stretching it just a wee bit, but there you go. So, obdiently he follows after the other Cadet. It's not like he can argue. He doesn't even know the beginnings of being able to operate a transport, or any other vehicle. But, he's a latecomer to Garden, no one had the time to teach him that yet and before that he rode horses. Still, there's the risk that the transport is guarded or something. Are they gonna have to be sneaky about this? There's also the possibility that this is something else gonna get the two into trouble. Well, they're breaking the rules already just dashing off on their own to get Squall. How much more mired can they get? He sure hopes Squall's somehow doing better. Eesh.

The transport is unguarded, yes. La-dee-da, lookie there! IT's just sitting there, and the driver's trying to get the scoop on things, y' know, and find out what the hell happened here. And he's also sorta hitting on one of the distraught women. Hey, some guys /never/ learn. >.>;;

But that isn't really the problem. It's the clatter of hooves, and the procession of Galbadian Holy Knights that have just entered the scene demanding to know what the hell happened and where the demon went RIGHT NOW that's going to be the problem. Are you SURE you can get to that car, off toward the mountain, and outta here before they start something up?

Oh great. Just great! This day just went from Okay to Bad to Worse to I'd-Rather-Be-In-Bed-With-A-GIRL caliber! >.<;;; Life sucks. And whatever superior force is out there - be it Genbu, or Hyne, or Taiitsukun, or Johnny-Freakin'-Carson - HATES SeeD cadets. Issei in particular. x.x;; "This is really not good." drones the cadet, moving in close to the building they are near in the hopes that shadow from an overhang will keep them out of notice for the moment. ".. I think our best bet is to make a go for the transport and just avoid conflict with the Knights, and if we have to.. We can just go on foot. We need to avoid confrontation with them. Besides.." He wrinkles his nose slightly and glances to Irvine. "I don't think my water spell will do much more then piss them off." So what's it gunna be, cowboy?

What's it gonna be? Get the -hell- out of dodge, that's what it's going to be. Cornflower blue eyes widen a moment as Irvine realizes the Holy Knights are entering the city. Talk about your heart jumping up in your throat out of the blue! "Fuck," he murmurs aloud, immediately reaching down to grab the holy symbol and tuck it under his shirt. He used to shove it into the pocket of his duster, but he can't do that now, dammit. Drawing back as Issei does, he mutters to the other Cadet, "If they see me, chances are we'll have trouble so, avoid them at all costs. Even if we do end up hoofing it." Well, at least if these are the same idiots he and Squall ran into back at the orphanage. Otherwise, hopefully they wouldn't recognize him either. Thing is, as much as he hates Galabadian Holy Knights, he knows what they're capable of. And they've got much more pressing details to see to, you know, like -Squall- possibly being dead or maimed or something by the Seifer Demon.

Maimed. Mmm, yuppy, Maimed Squall. Right on the menu. >.> Thankfully, Sigurd, Bael, and Hansi go out for crowd control, blah blah blah, yakkity-smackety, they ain't here, let's move on. They're gonna handle the knights to allow you time to kill. And so you are indeed able to get to the transport. >.> Look! You gotta car. Now what the hell are you doing to do with it? Drive it to the mountain and up? That'll involve getting it out of the square, and then dealing with guards--while your friends run interferance and play 'tag' with holy knights. This will shortly get ugly, so why don't you hurry?

Yay for Sigurd, Bael, and Hansi! "Okay, here's what we should do then.." Just watch the wheels turning in Issei's head as he furrows his brow. "To hell with the transport. If we need to avoid being seen, we need to leave it behind. The SeeDs will keep the Knights busy while we slip out and go up to the moutains, and I doubt they'll be in a big rush to follow if they don't see a huge transport heading out. Sound good?" He waits only a moment to get Irvine's confirmation before, keeping close to buildings and going behind this or that whenever possible, Issei leads the cowboy out of the market and town, the pair heading for the mountains and hopefully going uninterrupted from there on.. Hopefully. u.u;; Much hoofing insues. Unless, of course, Irvine had a problem with the plan.. in which case.. much debating insues. Which ever! n.nb

No, Irvine has no problem with this. Anything that gets distance, preferably a -lot- of distance, between him and the much hated/dreaded Holy Knights is fine. "Great, let's just get out of here." And with that said, Irvine allows Issei to lead the pair out of the town, since he's the one far more familiar with the city and its surroundings then the cowboy is. Thing is, even as they start off on foot, Irvine has to keep himself in check, so he doesn't start racing ahead of Issei, leaving him behind. If ever he is caught doing this, he does apologize and force himself to be a little slower. Speed junctions are fun, unless you have to make sure you're not going too fast without realizing it. Still, off to the mountain the pair go, however long it may take them to reach it.
      
Well, there's the guards to deal with. Since you're 'SeeDs', you're able to get past, but only with a bit of arguement. Of course, then comes the problem:

The mountain is CRAWLING with monsters. Mostly Anacondaurs, this place is still very much infested with the giant, poisonous bastards and two you are going to get into at least a few scraps along the way. However, we want to skip this part. You get into a few scrapes, and you get slowly up the mountain... and then down into a bowl of greenery, held in it's crags. There's a power here--both GFS can feel it, a place where the life of the planet springs forth. Sacred stones are raised, an ancient table with runes carved into in the center. And it's quiet here, too--no sounds, no rush of wings, no flames or rage... just this little area, in the middle of the trees.

Many scraps and healing spells later, Issei enters into the.. 'bowl' with Irvine, looking around from their vantage point at a top edge with widened eyes. "Wow.." is all he says, a slight shiver caused by Erato's sudden unease shooting up his spine. "I can feel two minds down there.. Somewhere. Squall and Seifer, I'm guessing. ... Well.. Only one thing to do, I guess." So, Issei heads down into the area as quickly and quietly as he can, sliding his sai out of their loops at his belt, and gripping each handle firmly, the spikes pointed down his arms. All those various battle-training excercises he was forced to endure begin to slowly come back to mind, and it shows in his shift of demeanor and expression, eyes darting around, ever ready.. Or so he hopes, anyhow. His lil' metal sai ain't gunna do him much good against Seifer, and he knows it. Let us just hope that Water has the same nifty effect on him now as it did at the caravan!

Badb is just as nervous as Erato, shifting back and forth in Irvine's thoughts. She's morphed again, Battle Maiden regalia, even though this strange place has her curious, wary. But, she's aware, and fully expects that Irvine follow Issei, and so he does. Though he's not sure how much the shotgun will be effective against Seifer, there's always a chance of one of Badb's more interesting gifts, her status attacks, of taking hold. It might be worth trying, if elemental spells alone don't seem to be effective enough. Besides, not many people really like being shot. Between water and air spells, however, the Demon -should- have a hard time dealing with the Cadets. Should being the operative word here. >.> He holds the shotgun at the ready anyway, regardless of how useful it'll end up being, cornflower blue eyes scanning around with a keen eyesight a sniper must possess. "Squall's alive then." That brings a flood of relief. They're not too late... are they?
      
And as you walk through here, there, on the ground, besides the alter, is a /lovely/ pool of blood, outlining the form of a body--or at least, a torso. Bits of cloth and some of Squall's fur collar are on the ground near it, as what loks to be peeled away layers of flesh...

And the place is still quiet. In the distance, one /can/ hear running water.
      
Spying the blood and what-not, Issei frowns deeply and shifts his grip on his sai somewhat. Looking up and around, he furrows his brow as if concentrating, his gaze eventually resting on a path through some trees. Rather then speak at this point, Issei simply taps Irvine on the arm lightly with one of the metal sai and then, with the other, points to the path. Shifting his weapons back against his arms and out of the way once more, the cadet mentally readies his one offensive spell and heads off towards the path with careful steps, taking on the lead as he is the only one with any idea where Seifer and Squall could be without need to see them. Empathy really rocks sometimes. n.nb
Spying the blood and what-not, Issei frowns deeply and shifts his grip on his sai somewhat. Looking up and around, he furrows his brow as if concentrating, his gaze eventually resting on a path through some trees. Rather then speak at this point, Issei simply taps Irvine on the arm lightly with one of the metal sai and then, with the other, points to the path. Shifting his weapons back against his arms and out of the way once more, the cadet mentally readies his one offensive spell and heads off towards the path with careful steps, taking on the lead as he is the only one with any idea where Seifer and Squall could be without need to see them. Empathy really rocks sometimes. n.nb

Glancing at Issei, Irvine merely nods, turning course with the Empathetic individual. Yes, empathy is great, so always keep an Empath nearby! Hee. He keeps his shotgun at the ready, seeing as the gun is actually also a focus for any spells he casts. It doesn't have to be, but it works in a pinch, and makes it so he doesn't have to put it away to do anything spell related. He saw the blood and noted the outline, the fur, all of it. Squall's alive... Issei said so. But, what will the two find left of him? Oooooh that just pisses the gunman off more, gaze narrowing on the path ahead of them now. Try not to think about it, concentrate on finding them. Right.

If you head down the path, there is the soft, rough voice of a very tired Seifer. "--ll you NOT to come here? Didn't I?" he rasps softly. He stands near a small pool that glows, of all things, green--which happens to have a Squall sitting in it. IT pours out of the mountain and probably tricks down through an underground pipe, and then vanishes down to the river below. Seifer is tired enough that he does not note any approach. His hands and legs are quite litterally /coated/ in Squall's blood... And as for Squall... He can very well pose himself. n/-
      
There is a pool of glowing water here that is fed by a tiny waterfall at the far back. Over all the thing isn't too big being roughly ten feet across and the fall itself perhaps eight or so. However the glowing water is really noteworthy, ain't it? Even glows green just like Seifer said. n.nV Sitting in that pool, soaked to the skin, is Squall. He's not too far from the waters edge, knees drawn up to chest and legs hugged tightly as he visibly shivers. There is a strange expression on the young man's features... somehow a combination of frown, confusion, and anger all in one. The strangest part about it is how he somehow manages to look all of four while doing it. Probably the fact his eyes are wide and haunted. Hair hangs all in face, no longer that feathery mussed look he normally sports, Squall seems to be looking at the shore. He's still wearing his jacket, and his leather pants from all appearances (He really is, but sitting in water kinda hides details at times.), and even seems to be physically fine. There isn't a mark on him. There on the shore rests Hyperion. Well, and Seifer too, but the blade is there along with the Blonde's metal choker necklace. Squall isn't looking at the necklace. Seeming unaware of anything else the teen starts moving. It's like he's in slow motion, but he uncurls and gets to hands and knees in the water, reaching for the gunblade. Weapon! Not that he looks to be in any condition to use it, but hey...

Hearing the voice, Issei crouches low and begins to move with extra special care not to make any noise or do anything which would gain him more notice then he needs right now. He moves a bit to the side to let Irvine come up to his side rather then lag behind, and by the time they reach a point where they can see what is going on, Issei has moved himself as low as possible and watches with narrowed eyes.. What the hell is that pool?? What kind of water glows /green/, and why is Seifer leaving Squall in there..? And why is Seifer covered in blood when Squall dunna look too beaten up!? (Or does he?) ANSWERS, damnit! Sigh. Well, aside from slam Seifer with water, there isn't much Issei can do.. And he's not exactly the best tactician, so, he looks to Irvine for instructions, motioning with his head to Seifer, expression questioning. Do we just jump in, guns blazing? Or do you have a better, less suicidal idea?

God. Irvine has to actually pause as he sees Seifer, and Squall. What the hell happened? No sense in trying to hide, Issei, the blonde's aware of their presence. Or maybe not... so he makes a brief hand motion, 'stay down, hidden', toward Issei and he puts himself out in the forefront. Still a chance for some surprise element later, maybe. "You didn't really give Squall a chance to make that decision, since you took him up here. Did you think I'd leave him, and you, to this fate?" the redhead replies simply enough. Yeah, so Seifer warned them, well, him and Golden Boy over there at least. He shoulda known no one would listen to it. Not this bunch. Especially after getting that rather powerful fire spell chucked at him. Irvine wasn't real happy about that, Seifer, Demon, whatever was in control then. Cornflower blue eyes glance over Squall as he sits in that strange glowing pool. What's in there? He doesn't look harmed, not at first glance, but his attention doesn't stay on Golden Boy for long, back to the blonde wonder again. For the moment he refrains from attack, waiting to see if perhaps the demon's worn itself out, or if this is just a very tired Seifer.
      
Seifer is just very tired. And it shows. He jumps--tearing his eyes away from Squall--turning his head. This means he misses ol' golden boy groping for Hyperion, and turns and just looks, slack jawed, at Irvine. "You!" o/o; He blinks his pale eyes--coming complete with baggage beneath them--and just looks at the cowboy. He blinks quietly, and then shakes his head. "I can't believe you made it up hte mountain." Sorry, he just can't. It's one of those 'amazing' things, y' know? But he laughs roughly, and spreads his hands. "So, Cowboy... whatcha gonna do, huh? You can't get this fucking thing outta me, so how you gonna get me back to Garden?" He asks--and then his jade eyes light. Escape. Lips spread in a mockery of a grin, and Issei can feel the wave of hope-nausea-nervousness that pours from the youth as he advances on Irvine with that rather disquieting look. "S'only way I can go back is in a body bag, Kinneas. You gonna pull the trigger?" Ut-oh... >/> You know, Issei--seems almost like Seifer /wants/ him too.

Voices? There are people around? He'll notice in a moment, but right now Squall's fixated on the blade there on the damp stone. Wet finger slide over the grip and seek purchas so that the whole of the weapon can be dragged closer. It makes a scraping noise clear as day, so it's not like the teen is being at all stealthy about it. Once fingers are wrapped around the grip, pointer finger finding a familiar trigger, Squall's eyes widen slightly with interest. He can't remember where his own gunblade is at the moment, but he knows that he should have one... and this one will do nicely. Sure it's not silver and it's lighter than he's used to, but beggers can'tbe choosers at times like these. The young man's coat hangs open, soaked through with blood that the green water couldn't wash away. It's turned the white ruff a dark shade of pink that clearly runs off in places. No, that isn't a pretty sight at all.

This is.. beyond weird. Issei remains hidden as wide cobalt eyes watch the scene unfold before him. His empathic senses especially are recieving much attention, for the odd feedback they are giving him from Seifer.. Yes, it does indeed seem as if Seifer /wants/ Irvine to attack him. To kill him, even! Could it be that he see's it as his only way out of this posession? Out of being used as a tool by.. whatever it is that's using him? Quite possibly, Issei thinks. Okay.. So how do they banish this demon from Seifer? .. /Besides/ killing him. x.x; Issei doesn't think he has any 'banish evil spirit' or 'cure posession' spells. u.u; So... what...... .... Okay.. half-baked idea forming.. o.o Eyes dart over to Squall, and then Irvine, and finally back to Seifer.. Well.. what has he got to loose? Besides his life, that is. .. Look on the bright side, Issei - it works, and you're a hero! It fails, you die, Seifer and Squall hopefully get out okay.. and you don't have to deal with being a SeeD anymore and only hope that the /next/ reincarnation has an easier time of it! n.n;b Groan. Mustering up a final bit of determination, Issei rounds to a point at the other side of Seifer, comes out of is hiding place.. and /throws/ a sai point-first at the blond terror. If his aim holds and Seifer doesn't move too much at the last moment, it should snag him in the arm. If not.. it'll prolly hit the ground. And no, this isn't the plan. But this is part of it!

"Yeah me. Didn't think I'd survive being crispified?" Irvine says in response to Seifer's surprised 'You!' The mountain comment earns an arched eyebrow, a look in askance. Not that he expects an answer. Yeah, he got up the mountain. Alone... right. The gun is lifted to firing height. He can shoot from the hip when he's got to be quick, but Seifer's not advancing that fast and he gets a bit of time for a good aim from the shoulder. Heh, kill him? "Don't tempt me, Almasy." Target locked. Chest area. Where he remembers the scar was. Would it work to get that paticular area? Who knows, but it's worth a shot. Pun intended. Of course, Issei's actions aren't yet noticed, but it may change his targetting rather suddenly when Seifer's sure to jerk at the tossed sai, whether it strikes him or not.
      
"I told you to stay away. You didn't fucking listen. It's not my fault!" Yeah, and if he keeps telling himself that, maybe he'll believe it some day. But for now, Seifer does not infact notice Issei's throw, and encourages Irvin'e aim That's it. Square in the chest. It'll be a slow death, if the bullet hits a lung, a quick one if it bursts the heart. Either way, hey, he's dead. But he goes to lunge--and then the sai goes right by >.> Whoops! He blinks, stumbling, and whirls. Hey, no one said Seifer was alert, sane, or too on the ball here. Fuck! "Issei?" He's out there! He knows that skinny ass pansy is. Fuck! >/<; Can't let that bleeding heart keep him alive! "Fucking pull the trigger, Kinneas!" He roars, and then leaps with an adrenaline boosted motion.

Why is the world moving in slow time? u\u Squall pulls the hilt of the gunblade over to the edge, shifts his hand for a better hold, and then sloooowly starts hauling himself out of the water. The faintly glowing green stuff slothes off, leaving him soaked and very much dripping. The teen climbs laborously out of the pond, somehow gains his feet... only to find out his head doesn't agree with this actions and he drops down down onto his knees. Shit. Would someone make the world stop spinning? This just isn't fair! By the time he manages to stand upright the fight will be over! ;\; (Which is kinda the point, duh. ;) Losing hold of the gunblade as kenes painfully strike stone, Squall looks down and in his shock realizes his jacket is hanging open. Shit! Gotta cover it up... gotta cover it up.. And for some reason the young man starts struggling to zipper his jacket closed. Yes, let's all give the fumble fingered one a big hand for totally forgetting there was a fight starting. Hey, you pretty much get killed, not be allowed to die thanks to the magic of this place, and then get physically healed in minutes.. then try and think straight.
      
Now standing quite clearly out in the open, Issei curses under his breath as the sai misses and Seifer just keeps on Irvine, gripping his second and last weapon. He's not going to be tossing it away as quickly, and instead yells out immediatly after Seifer, "Don't shoot him, Irvine!!" Pplleeeaaaasssseeee, trust the empath here! With that said, Issei brings his empty hand back as a ball of blue, swirling energy forms inside and around it, and hurls it at Seifer, the water spell heading straight for the cadet. Is he planning on it having the same effect as last time? Hell no. No big fire for steam now. But it doesn't matter - his aim here is not to hurt Seifer alot. Yet. Eyes dart to the... all too weird Squall as he first struggles out of the pond, and then drops and tries to zip up his jacket, and then back to Irvine quickly. "You have to get Squall out of here!" Looking back to Seifer, cobalt eyes narrow and the cadet adds "I can take care fo this." Or, he thinks he can, anyhow! .. Or maybe 'hopes' is a better word? Oh, hell, just get Squall to a nice safe place, eh? Where he can just... be at one with his clothing in peace. o.O

Irvine isn't paying any attention to Squall right now, his attention rather occupied by the individual suddenly coming at him. Badb's speed comes in handy as Seifer lunges toward him. The redhead, not being empathic, has no idea what's going through the blonde's head, but this doesn't seem right to him. Asking, no, demanding for him to shoot? What the hell? It's like he -wants- to die to a bullet. Sensing this, the gunman instinctively changes tactics, using the Crow's gifts to get out of the coming blondeboy's way. He's not out to attack, the gun even swings down to his side, attempting merely to step aside and around. So, no need to warn him, Issei. He's already come to that conclusion without the empathy traits. Problem is, with Salamander junctioned, the blonde wonder is just as fast as the redheaded gunman. So, it'll be interesting to see who manages to complete the desired act. Maybe Seifer's too tired to get to Irvine. At any rate, if he does manage to get away without any further scuffle, he heads straight for Squall and Haste is immediately cast by the gunman on himself. Get Squall outta here? You got it...

Issei? He's ignored--Seifer's going after Irvine. Irvine's the deadly one. "You're the fucking sniper! You were TRAINED to kill! SO KILL ME ALREADY!" The blone, hoewver, is not up to par; he's tired, he's slow, and the demon itself is gnawing at the back of his mind, leaving him off kilter. However, he's still faster, stronger, and toughter then the average psychopath, and so while Irvine is just one step ahead of him, it's not a very big step. However, when he's soaked, he's left slipped through mud and falls flat on his face. Oh, yes, humilate him before he dies. /That/ will go over well later. -/-; Graceful, isn't he? Lunge, pounce--slip, splat. "Fuuuuuck!" >/<

Gee... in the time that the Sai was thrown, Seifer started assaulting Irvine, and all of the shouting was going on Squall has managed to get the bottom halves of his jacket together and the zipper in place. It's not easy when your hands are shaking and wet to boot. It doesn't help that his hair is also plastered to his face and getting in the way of his vision. Fight? What fight? >\>;; Yep, just skip Squall until one of you actually try and touch the boy.
      
Goddamnit, TURN AROUND!! >.<;;; Well, atleast he gave Irvine a clear out to grab Squall, eh? Issei quickly moves to retrieve his fallen sai, flipping it about in his hand to put the spike against his forearm as he has with it's mate. He watches only for a moment as Irvine goes about his Haste business, and then approaches the fallen Seifer, eyes narrowed. "Get up, asshole." the cadet hisses, holding his weapons so tight his knuckles are stark white. "I've got a bet riding on you. One I don't intend to loose. You want a fight, Seifer? Want someone to kill you? Come get it, because I'm all too happy to oblige." The sai are twirled in Issei's hands and then returned to their prior position, Issei standing just out of arms reach of the blond man. Here's hoping he'll accept the chance to go down fighting, rather then with his face in the dirt.

Yes, he's the sniperboy, he's trained to kill without remorse (and it's questionable that he'll ever be able to really do that anyway), but no, Seifer, Irvine isn't going to kill you today. Not unless he absolutely has to. Glancing back just long enough to see the blonde wonder go down in a muddy splat, the Haste spell is completed and he's rushing toward Squall. Zip. Point A to Point B (that being where Squall is). Of course, Squall's wet, and trying to get that damn zipper closed, though why Irvine has no idea. He doesn't know what's there, nor is he worried about it. He's got his objective, and it's sitting right in front of him. "Squall, we gotta get you outta here." He reaches down to touch Golden Boy's shoulder, rouse him from whatever lethargic state he's in, if possible.

And look at Seifer peer up, mud splattered, covered in blood, and /peer/ at Issei. o/o "You have to be kidding me," he grunts, as he begins to crawl out of the muds. Irvine is gone in a flash; Seifer recognizes a haste spell (He can cast, it to, but doesn't dare shift his concentration to try an cast any of his own. But he /laughs/ at Issei--loudly, breathlessly. "You cocky shit. You fucking, cocky shit. My god, if this weren't painfully funny, I'd congradulate you for finally growing a pair." His lips split in a grin, fists form. "Think you can kill me, you fucking pansy? Lets see you /try/." Pleasepleaseplease kill him. Before he loses it and all hell breaks loose. He has no idea he cannot /die/ in this place (THe demon does, though, but it doesn't much care.)

Someone looming over him shifts Squall's attention from the zipper (Which he'd actually gotten the bottom section together and the zipper in working order. You should all be amazed now.) and the teen lifts his face to blink up at Irvine. A pause, a blink, and then he's cringing away from that touch. He's not going to act violently at all, but he is going to protest about it. "Leave me alone!" Comes first and right on its heels is, "Don't touch me!" Limbs react sluggishly and although he tries to get up, he only ends up tripping over the gunblade he left there on the stone some minutes before. This is going to make it really damn easy for anyone, even someone not hasted, to do whatever they like with the boy.
      
Gripping his sai a little harder, Issei's expression firms with each insult flung at him, from the taunting to the laughter. Man, he's gunna enjoy this.. .. Argh! No he's not! He's got a task here and it's /not/ beating up Seifer! FOCUS. "Oh, calling me a pansy, are we? Take a fuckin' look in a mirror some time, Seifer. Look at yourself! You're covered in dirt, just like always. You know why you hold the record for most times trying and /failing/ to pass the SeeD exam? Well.. C'mon. Do I really have to spell it out for you?" He smirks harshly and moves a foot back to brace himself for a moment, getting himself into a proper position for what he plans next. "And you know what the sad part is? When I bring your body in, /I/ will become a SeeD. On my first try at the test! Pretty damn good, for a pansy ass cocky shit, eh?" With that, Issei shifts his weight and launches his first attack, kubudo style - a leg is hoisted up, around and aims to slam into Seifer's side. He could do alot worse, aim a little higher, but he isn't. He's not aiming to really bang the guy up alot, if he makes contact at all. If luck holds, he won't! The move was kinda predictable, anyhow, what with the shift and all..

"God," Irvine mutters. The confrontation between Issei and Seifer is relatively ignored, though he does hear the challenge and the taunts being bandied back and forth. Quietly wishing Issei luck, and wondering what the devil the other Cadet is up to, he sticks to whatever the plan is, even though he doesn't know what it is. >.> As for the cringing Squall, the gunman shakes his head, "Sorry, Squally," even back to childhood nicknames, tch, "I don't got much of a choice here and neither do you." Grabbing at the other teen's arm, he attempts to pull Squall to his feet forcefully and start dragging him away from here. A strength junction he has not, but he's not going to worry about it right now, adrenaline carrying him through with what needs to be done. He'll wonder what the devil was done to the Golden Boy later. *pleaseplease, don't fight me Squall, let me get you out of here.* Badb even seems concerned, though her feelings toward the other had so far been ambivilant.

"Fuck you! Just fuck you, you stupid piece of shit!" Seifer howls--and looses control. Is this what you wanted, Issei-- to get him angry, to snap his mind and let the demon take over. Enraged to distraction, flames burst up along his skin, and dance out a good foot and a half as he gives a shrill scream as whatever it is residing in his body takes over, and begins to fight anew. That, Issei, was simply not smart. Especially when he has a full command of Seifer's magic. A hand lifts, to cast a Haste of his own. He's just going to run up and HUG you once the spell has gone off, trying to hold the water-boy to his fiery chest and consume him.

I guess Irvine is lucky that Squall is as slender as he is. The teen barely manages to weigh in at one hundred and forty.. and that's including all of his muscle. Not that this is ever easy to be carried around, but just think, it could be the two hundred something bulk of Seifer. Anyway, Grabbing his arm is easy and hauling Squall up only takes the effort of muscles. He is pulled to his feet and all but falls against the taller teen thanks to the abruptness of the motion. (At least it was abrupt for him anyway.) Squall gasps softly with it all, but doesn't actually fight. "Leave me alone." He mumbles, hand hanging and over all kind of walking. Kinda, sorta, not really, but it beats carrying all of his weight walking. >.>; Thanks to the water he's been in, the young man smells of fresh earth and other nature things that people shouldn't smell of. "Seifer!" The name is a protest. Not a loud one, but Irvine will be able to hear it. And no, it's not because of what's going on. Squall's been saying that name on infinit repeat for a while now.

Um... In a sick kinda way? .. Yeah, this was the plan. Of course, it wasn't a very well thought out plan, but.. it was a plan! n.nb See, if Issei had stopped to think how /painful/ the plan was potentially gunna be.. he wouldn't have done it. But too late for that now! This either works, or the cadet dies in the attempt. Let's hope they remember to send his stuff back to his family. u.u; "Yeah, that's right. Come on, asshole.." mutters Issei, trying to keep his 'flight' reflex from just screaming at him.. Though it is, blissfully, the /only/ thing screaming at Issei. Erato has been quite silent, knowing from the boy's thoughts just what it is he plans on doing. And to say she finds it vallient would be an understatement. Believe me, if he survives this, he will be subjected to many a poem about his heroic, if stupid, deeds on this day. Oh joy. u.ub So what is the cadet, impending firey doom stairing him in the face, doing to avoid it? .. Not a damn thing. He's just standing there, ready to drop his sai when Seifer launches himself, rather then let the metal weapons become /one/ with his arms. x.x Here's hoping Irvine doesn't decide to drop in and save him!

Trying to pull Squall away from the scene, it's that cry of Seifer's name that makes the gunman actually look back suddenly, eyes widening as he realizes what's happened. "Shit." Well, this is lovely. He's got Squall propped up against him, and now Issei's in trouble. Or at least he -thinks- Issei is in trouble. Sorry, but the boy isn't a mind-reader or even empathic beyond being slightly empathetic. Haste still activated, he sets the other teen down again and turns, the gun becoming a focus, but he's not aiming it or preparing to fire. Nope, launching a spell, Tornado. The Aero spell had disoriented the Demon earlier, and if he reacts similiarly to a higher level of air elemental magic, then a Reaping might be in order if things get desperate enough for it. Blue eyes momentarily glowing, a breeze mysteriously floating through his hair, yet not bothering the hat nor touching anything or anyone near him, he pushes outward with the gun, the spell sent straight toward the Demon rampaging toward Issei.

Seifer LOVES you, Issei! He loves you, cuddles you, and he will you name you GEORGE! n.nV The SeeD cadet turned demon grabs and HUGS Issei in a great bear hug, fire burning through clothes, and burning skin, turning it pink, red, blackening slowly... He's going for a slow, painful cook, even as strong arms begin to constrict, as if he intends to kill the boy from breaking him in two before he has any chance to be burned to death. However, the demon, hasted, does in fact reach Issei just before the spell hits--and so BOTH Go swirling into the air in a bizarre sort of dance. It dims the flames, cools tortured skin, but the demon clings tighter if just out of confusion and terror, for the fact that the bastard didn't realize the earth was going to abruptly vanish from beneath him. WHEEEEEE!!

Squall actually sighs as Irvine lowers him down to the ground, and there on the stone he curls into near fetal postion and just hugs himself for the duration of the battle. The physical wounds are gone to be sure, but he's not even begun to deal with their emotional effects, much less the effects of the blood loss on top of the stun. That magical water works even still to replace the blood, so at least that won't be an issue for much longer, but really now.. Squall's just going to lay here a while. Maybe by the time you two are done dancing with Seifer he will have some high brain function available. n.n

The scream let out by the cadet as he's yanked up into the firey embrace is blood-curtling, because it hurts just THAT DAMN MUCH! This was a BAD PLAN!! No more plans like this one in the future!! Luckily, Issei did drop his sai in time, and so they won't be melting into his flesh. Cold comfort, but comfort none the less. He struggles, but only out of instinct, trying to keep himself from attempting to get away too much.. Not yet. Just a little longer.. It's just around the time that Seifer and Issei are both swept up into the spell Irvine cast that Issei finally hits his breaking point, where the pain has just become too much, the wounds too sevear.. and something has to give. So, something does. As the young man screams, energy begins to crackle about his form and a sphere of blue light appears, just touching his forehead. In a matter of seconds, the glow of the sphere has intensified and the blue color has shifted to red, reflecting all the emotions he's dredging up from his own mind. Once a sufficent amount of energy is gathered - a process that takes hardly any time at all - the sphere of light and energy shoots out and /SLAMS/ into Seifer's forehead, sinking in and fordging a momentarily link between the two minds. But it's all Issei needs, as the rapid-fire assult on the second cadet's mind begins, feeding off both Issei /and/ Seifer's emotions. In short: Dis is gunna huuuuuuuuurt.

"Holy God and the Angel Host above," Irvine mutters without realizing what the hell he'd just said. That's a curse he hasn't muttered in years. He watches the spell carry the two upwards in the spiraling wind attack, and Issei's breaking point is something he never thought he'd see, at least not yet. But, what do you expect when a demon wraps its arms around someone and starts to squeeze? This is obviously the other Cadet's ballgame now, however, there's nothing the gunman can do to aid him further. So he crouches next to Squall's fetal positioned body and waits, the gun tucked over his legs. If somehow this doesn't work... well, he's waiting in the wings.

That is no holy chorus of angels, Irvine, and Issei is hardly holding God. The animal noise of pain and anguish ripped from Seifer's raw throat burns the ears and reverberates against the mountain, creeating an echo that is probably heard all the way down in the city below. He /SCREAMS/, even as he tumbles through the air. He /SCREAMS/, an incoherent, horrifying sound that threatens to ruin his vocal cords. HE screams, and it just /does/ /not/ /STOP!/ One has to wonder about how long his lungs can hold out... even as the spell fades and the pair begins to plummet.

Flames go out.

The scream dies off in a pained, choked gurgle.

And then there's a soft crack of Seifer's body against the earth. His form cushions Issei's landing, his body providing a somewhat softer spot to impact. And then there's nothing except the trickle of water from the font in the rock.
      
He didn't much respond during the arguing, or the being dragged around, or the fight even, but the moment that screaming starts Squall whimpers and shifts somewhat so that he can cover his head with his arms. Yep, soon there is just this little figure huddled there on the stone, wanting everything to make sense again. Squall is murmuring something to himself in there, beneath his arms, but it totally gets lost in everything else that is going on around him. Right now he's not too important anyway. n.n Guess Irvine gets to carry everyone home, eh?

Issei's own screams mingle with Seifers, though they die out long before the blond cadet's do. There is a sudden falling, a feeling of flight and tumbling and... impact. Harsh, made even more so by the hyper-sensitivity of raw flesh, and the burning sensation which still permiates the young man's body. The world goes fuzzy, lights grow dim... and Issei fades from consciousness without so much as briefly stirring from his position tossed over Seifer. Well.. that worked pretty well if I do say so myself! Vn.nV Ahem. >.>;;;

It's odd. You would think a man screaming like that would bother Irvine, make him at least want to cover his ears. But no, he watches, wincing as they both cascade back down to the cold earth again. Squall gets his attention briefly, but the gunman doesn't do anything to attempt to comfort him. He sees where this is going already and sighs. Guess who gets to make sure everyone gets down the damn mountain again. Deciding Squall will be ok here for a moment, he sighs and rises to his feet. The haste spell wears off as the adrenaline of combat ends and he merely walks over toward the two, boots occasionally clicking off a harder surface in his path. "Issei?" It's said softly, as if checking to make sure the other is awake. Nope, out cold. Well. This is gonna be fun. Badb doesn't grant any of the healing spells. He at least rolls Issei off of Seifer, checking for a pulse in the meanwhile and gently lowering him against the ground again, careful the Cadet's head doesn't strike on anything hard. Guess who also gets to stand guard until folks start waking up.

Seifer is out like a light. Tears have escaped from beneath his eyes, from shared pain, imprinted emtions, and anguish of body and soul. He doesn't move, and probably won't for a looooooooong time. Hoepfully, Issei will rouse sooner then he will, and the pair can get him down the mountain... oh, and Squall too. >/>

Maybe it was the scream that made him come around a little, but Squall actually has something helpful to say. After Irvine went to check on Issei and Seifer, the teen noted that everything seemed to have calmed down a little and uncurled from his shell. Sorry, but he's not going to be much of any help at all, but information he can give. Softly he points out, "The pool is one of healing." Starting to push himself up, the young man manages to sit. Sure he looks like crap, but at least he's under his own power. Kinda. Sitting here, he wraps the halves of his jacket close and hugs himself tightly. Come on, Squall! Get a grip! He knows he shouldn't be this bad. Or at least he believes he shouldn't be this bad, and struggles with it. Didn't Graden teach you better?
Issei is all cripsy on the ground and drifting in la la land still! Woo! Fried Cadet! Not much to see. u.u

You know, Magic is a wonderful thing. Sure, it'd be a bitch to drag Issei over to that pool over this rocky earth and the Cadet is really rather large for Irvine to be attempting to pick up. He could do it, but it's be difficult and unwieldy and one wrong step... Ker-ash. Ouchies. And it wouldn't help Issei out at all in his current condition. So, casting Float on the other, Irvine cheats a little, grabbing at his jacket to slowly pull the unconcious body toward the pool. He has to adjust the grip a few times, since the jacket's a wee bit crispy and tries to pull apart once or twice. And with little effort, seeing as the spell renders the Cadet easy to move around, he pulls him into the pool, hoping Squall knows what the hell he's talking about.

As Irvine is busy, Squall seems to have something of his own in mind. All but crawling over to where Seifer is, the young man is shaking pretty badly, but all the same moves to hunch over the other teen. Trust me, this has nothing to do with feelings or hated or any of the other things that could have been going on. Instead Squall uses the same tool that the demon had before and begins to dig with purpose into Seifer's chest, roughly over the area of his heart. No, he doesn't want to mark Seifer in return. Sorry, but he doesn't get his kicks out of things like that. Instead he's digging for that damn item that did this in the first place. Something is inside of Seifer and he wants it out... now. He felt first hand one of the abilities of this place, and he knows about the healing pool, and there is also the fact he has the life spell. Nope, Seifer isn't going to die, or remain dead for long, so he's gonna get that damn thing out. Now. -\- Now, the tool in question? His own lionheart pendant. The demon had sharpened part of it to the point where it could cut flesh, and it does a wonderful job of it again. Oh come out, come out where ever you are little demon thingie!

Oh man. I'm SO glad Issei can't see what Squall is doing.. That is just NASTY, dude. o.o; Seriously. As it is, Issei is floated around, pushed about, and then sunken down into the water.. Aahhh.. Healing waters. *.* Much as Irvine had been healed by Issei's spell, Issei is now healed by the waters of the spring, and once his wounds are healed up, his body decides it's time for wakey wakey! Cobalt blue eyes sloooowly open, and Issei looks around, wondering if this is Heaven... Eh... Not unless Heaven is a tired cowboy. o.o No, he's fairly sure it's not. A wide-awake and lustful cowboy, maybe, but not a tired one. ;) "Irvine..?" Why.. Yes! It is! Slowly, Issei pulls himself up in the water to a sitting position, looking down at his now soaked self in his charred clothing with a frown. .. A frown which quickly turns into a weak, tired grin. "I guess the plan worked, eh?" Feel free to drown him now.

Having been too busy dragging Issei over to the pool, Irvine didn't notice Squall crawling toward Seifer. And just as the teen started digging in was when *splash* Issei had been finally doused in the strange green stuff. And no, it'll be a cold day in hell before this cowboy is looking down at Issei with lust in his eyes. Well, unless someone starts having fun with their empathy powers. Lips quirking to the left in a wry half smile he nods, "Yeah, I'd say so, Seifer's out cold still, Squall... I dunno. He's at least awake." Right about that moment is when the gunman glances around to find the Golden Boy again and... no way. He's not seeing this. "Squall, what the fuck are you doing?" Boots crunching along the ground again, he races back over to try to stop him. He's probably too late, but then, he doesn't realize that this may actually save Seifer.

And watch Squall go to work! Soon, again, both men are covered in blood--this time, Seifer's. The SeeD Cadet wakes after a few stabes and gouges, choking on the blood and bile in his throat and turning his head to try and scream, whimper and vomit all at the same time. THis is not pretty sight, to say the least--but something is /there/. Black metal, a thin blade perilously close to his heart. You're going to have to get past bone--which means ripping his ribcage open, because you can't get through the narrow spaces between the bones to get the blade. You're going to have to either risk killing him, or leave him as he is till someone can surgically remove the damn thing.

What? He's not worried about killing Seifer, as right now he's not in the frame of mind to even be able to consider that what he's doing might not be the best way to go about it. And yes, this is a VERY poor way to go about it indeed. Someone sleep spell poor Seifer or something? Sadly Squall is more than strong enough to be able to pull open those ribs and he's going about breaking one as Irvine gets over there. All the while Squall is nearly chanting to himself, "Get it out... Get it out.. Get it out.." There you are you bastard piece of metal! Blood slick fingers seek out that dark thing, and damn it, he IS going to get it out of there. Even if it kills Seifer, no matter that it hurts the two of them to no end to do this. Serves the demon right for pretty much killing Squall in a place where he wouldn't be allowed to die, and then healing him of all the wounds. Jerk.

As Irvine turns his head to look at Squall, so does Issei, and.. the cadet's jaw /drops/, face turning a nice shade of green. What the hell?!?! Scrambling as well as he can, Issei pulls himself out of the water and quickly heads over to Seifer and Squall, right behind Irvine, eyes wide. "You're going to kill hi-!" Eh? .. "What the hell is /that/??" Issei, holding back his lunch and forbidding his stomach from rejecting it's contents, peers into the wound created by Squall and frowns deeply at the sight of the.. the.. /thing/. "Is that.. what did all this? Can't.. Ugh. Can't this wait until after the guy has something to /numb/ it??" He may be /Seifer/, but he's still human! And that can NOT feel very good. x.x;;;

As mesmorized as Issei is by the sight, Irvine can't quite help it, it's gross and he has to fight back the need to evacuate his lunch. He grabs at Squall's shoulder trying to pull him back and away from this disgusting act of butchery, "Come on Squall you might kill him." Seeing as the golden boy hasn't been operating with any sort of lucidity, except telling him about the pool, the gunman isn't convinced that this is the best thing to do. He's breaking Seifer's ribs for God's sake! And the blonde is apparently awake for this. No sleep spells to cast, or Irvine would be merciful enough to use one. Yes, Squall has Life and could cast it if anything happens to Seifer to snuff him out, but, that chanting voice, he's -not- in his right mind. "God... stop it Squall!"

WEll, there's not alot here that Seifer can do other then gag on his own vomit, choke, and bleed. He twitches and jerks, eyes rolling back in his head as he spasms and jerks. Stop! Stop! There's the slight crack of bone, and then a louder, more final one, as it simply breaks at it's connection to his sternum--and Seifer tries to scream, only to bubble and gurgle instead, gagging and choking all over again. He's /NOT/ happy.

"NO!" Comes the immediate protest when Irvine grips Squall's shoulder and attempts to pull him away. He twists about his torso, swinging an arm at the area where the cowboy has been standing. It's a blow that can easily be dodged as he's no where near his normal fighting ability, and Irvine is faster to begin with. The teen's eyes are strange though. Well, perhaps not strange as it is something people at Garden have seen before. Squall is junctioned right now and his eyes flare red and orange; the colors of fire. Ifrit is there in the back of his head, watching and waiting to see what will happens and whether or not he will be needed. Truth he told the GF doesn't much like Salamander, but the fire lizard didn't at all deserve the abuse its gone through so he's willing to lend his aid in this. It's what gives the teen the strength to break the bones effortlessly, and what before enabled Squall to ignore the fire that surrounded Seifer. "Have to get it out!" No, he's not terrible rational, and he's barely holding on by a thread, but he knows this is important. "He can't die here! He can't... and I've got Life.. and the pool is over there..." Hunching over again, not caring whether the blow hits or not, the teen pants softly as his voice fades dwon to a murmur. "Gotta get it out... There!" It's a sliver of black metal that Squall snatches at, slender fingers dark with blood, but strong enough to hold onto the thing in spite of all of that. With a jerk he pulls the thing out. There is no truimph in the action, and he throws it away from either of you towards the center of the circle. "Pool..." Gears have shifted obviously.

Well, if this gore isn't making Seifer pass out, a punch probably wouldn't work either.. And Issei has no sleep spells or the like to use to help him.. Argh. This is gross. x.x When the cadet starts grugling, Issei puts a hand on either side of his head and carefully turns it off to the side, ever mindful of what he's doing, so that Seifer doesn't drown himself. While Squall works, Issei also very obviously is readying a spell, wanting to get Seifer healed as /soon/ as the situation allows, for it wouldn't be wise to move him at all. Provided the poor guy isn not now /dead/ - which, if the SeeD is right, he won't be - Issei releases his Curaga spell into Seifer the /moment/ Squall is finished, letting it sink into his fellow cadet and go about it's work. This done, he looks up towards where the thing was thrown and asks, "Shouldn't we.. take it with us? So Garden can.. lock it up or whatever? So no one else finds it? Or atleast destory it?" /Something/ so they don't have to deal with this /ever again/?? Cuz Issei dunna want to be burned alive again. That wasn't fun. x.x;; Issei just wants a nap.. two curaga's and lots of fighting and nearly dying and Limit Break really take it out of you. x.x

Sorry, Squall, but this time Irvine does see the blow coming and though he's standing beside you one moment, he's on the other side in the next. So it's dodged, this time, but the gunman no longer attempts to stop Golden Boy's activities, he's going to do what he's going to do. Seeing the peice of metal, or whatever it is, get lobbed, he lets Issei and Squall deal with what to do with Seifer next, heading over to where he knows it landed. He stares at it a moment, crouching down as he decides what to do. Thinking much the same way as Issei, surely this thing should be taken below and... destroyed or something. By someone far more knowledgeable then any of them. Thing is... he doesn't want to -touch- it. After what he knew it had done to Seifer. Removing one of the fingerless gloves, and then the other, he reaches toward it, as if it were some sort of serpent that might strike him if he wasn't careful, wrapping the glove material around it to pick it up finally.

And as soon as the blade is removed, Seifer's eyes flicker and widen he holds very, very still. He should be dead. But beneath the gore, one can see his heart still beating, his lung still drawing gurgling, strained breaths, his eyes fixing on a point very far away.

His body undergoes a strange transformation; cheeks hollow, and he slims some. The demon provided power and life force, and without it to sustain him in the manner the demon wished, the month long ordeal catches up with him. Then he just sighs softly, and closes his eyes and does not move, or speak. HE just slips away and dances on the edge of death, his soul unable to escape.

Not that it's a /bad/ thing.

But the magic sinks into his skin, and slowly, slowly, muscles knit, bones snap into place, and skin reforms. Curagas, however, leave no scars--so where there will always be a Cross Sword across Squall's chest, Seifer's skin smoothes, reforms without mar or disfigurement. He takes a breath, throat finally cleared, and gives a tiny sound of total relief, and then simply slips away into sleep.

The blade--for that's what it is, a thin, stylized blade of blackest metal--is warm to the touch with Seifer's stolen heat. And the blood that was on it? It's sucked into the blade and not a trace is left on it.

Get the feeling he's running on only one track tonight? >.>; Squall's thoughts are scattered and strange, and not wholely his own right now so he almost misses the fact that Issei is there and casting curaga on Seifer. It's a wonderful thing for Issei to do, and certainly helping! Staggering to his feet, the sliver and Irvine already pushed out of his focus, the young man grabs one of Seifer's bloody arms in his equally blood hands and hefts him off the stone to be able to drag him over to where the pool is. There are benefits for a strength junction and he shows one of them right now. If he were thinking right Squall wouldn't be dragging the poor Blonde, but we've covered this before so it won't be explained again. n.n Regardless of how well the Curaga heals Seifer, he's going to get a glowy bath. Squall stumbles into the water, splashing about, and joins the bigger teen right there in the green liquid. Got to keep Seifer's head above the water line so he can breath you know. Somehow he manages to remember to do this, even after tearing open the man's ribcage. He'll be really apologetic later, let me tell you. The water doesn't do anything more for Squall as there is nothing physically wrong with him.

"OKay.." Issei begins as he stands up and dusts himself off, not that it does much good, since now the dirt on him is a thin layer of mud because of how soaked he was - not that you can see it on his largely charred and ruined outfit, mind you. A little more of the cloth falls away each time it's rubbed against something, it seems. Poor guy is gunna get back to the hotel and just be in his briefs! O.O;; "I think it's obvious that Squall has totally lost it." he says to Irvine, voice low enough to not be overheard. "Which leaves it to you and me to get these two down there.. And I'm dead tired, and you don't seem to have any kind of strength augmentation.. So, I say I convince mister I Must Tear Open Seifer's Chest over there to pick up Demon Boy and haul him back down the mountain with us. What do you think?"

Curiousity killed the cat, or the Irvine, whatever. He opens the glove material to look at the strange sliver. No blood on it... that's fucking odd. It should be smothered with it, considering where it just came from. The implications just make him shudder. Note to self, do not let this thing come in contact with skin, period. Also, do not impale yourself on it or stab anyone else with it. So what does he do with it? Bundles it up and holds onto it. What else is he gonna do with it? Surely if it were gonna get him, it woulda done something by now, so hopefully it'll be ok for transport down the mountain. Right about now is when he wishes he -really- had his duster, the pockets would have been lovely for storage.
Issei distracts him from his thoughts, the redhead looking up suddenly, "Hmm?" Uh... he looks over at Squall dragging Seifer around. God. What a day. "Christ. Yeah. Think your empathy skills can help him at all?" He's not exactly untired either, he did most of the getting up the mountain stuff, letting Issei save his strength for the near sacrifice with Seifer. Oh yes, and then there's getting back -down- the mountain. Better check ammunition stores.