Raine never realizes how the lighting system of the future works. It seems that there are these tiny holes from the ceiling that disperse the light equally well over a wide area.
Furthermore, the light is so soft and comfortable to the eyes, as if it’s a chemically induced fluorescence instead of light being generated by conventional heat like she is used to from her time. She wonders if they harvest the skin of squids and cuttlefish from the deep ocean and somehow glued it to the ceiling in the future.
Nonsensical thoughts are somehow floating inside Raine’s mind, but she can’t fault herself as she did just GOT SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD!
“I am so going to kill the bastard who shot me through the head…” Said Raine with venom before her view is filled with Kaidan’s faceplate.
“Ms. Raine! Are you okay?” Said Kaidan with panic over Raine’s prone body.
“Do you always ask that question when someone got shot in the head?” Replied Raine sarcastically as she shoved Kaidan’s faceplate away and got up from the floor before dusting off the broken window glass she was blasted with earlier.
“Not usually no, but this is you we are talking about. And I did saw you cut open your stomach to suck a giant frickin slime that was about to kill us yesterday.” Answered Kaidan sheepishly as he backed away from Raine.
“Touche, anyway give me that mirror on Master Yu’s desk. I want to see the damage the bastard did to my face. But before I did, tell me honestly. Do I still look pretty?” Asked Raine as she looks at Kaidan expectantly.
“No offense Ms. Raine, but you look horrifying. I can see the bookcase behind you through your head. I honestly have no idea how you are still functioning and are talking to me currently.” Answered Kaidan with uncertainty while he rubbed the back of his helmet.
“MOTHER…” Cursed Raine before something threatened to make whatever it is equivalent to a heart jumped out of her chest.
KABOOOOMMMM!
“FUCK!!!” Said Raine before she held her mouth with both of her hands in horror.
In response, Kaidan acted like the veteran he is and decided to quickly take cover beside the window the moment he heard the loud explosion before slowly peeking out from the windowsill side. He spotted the clock tower across from him, in ruins and burning fiercely. Although, this paled in comparison when he spotted someone that made him pause.
In all his years, Kaidan never thought to see one of the Gallente Federation Elves Commando brazenly infiltrating the Galbadia Garden and attempted assassination as well as executing a terrorist activity on their turf. He has to revise his opinion of the long-haired, pasty, self-righteous, pompous assholes.
Once again Kaidan has to emphasize that he never thought that they would have the balls to do so, as he stands at the center of the window to glare at the figure stepping away from the burning clock tower.
The figure in question is equipped with a Balamb Garden “Dragonfly’ Light Scout drop suit armor, normally worn by members of elite Balamb Garden SeeD Mercenary. Kaidan would like to believe that his glare and hatred reached this figure as the figure turned around and stared straight at him.
Kaidan’s rage spiked when the figure provoked him by motioning its hand as if it’s shooting him and then turning it’s back on him before engaging it’s cloaking device. Although not before parting the last shot by waving his hand as the figure continued to walk away even as it disappears with a cloaking device.
“Damned elves, I’d recognize that armor anywhere. I’d never thought I’d see one within Galbadia Garden. Have our security measures fallen that low that we could let pass an unidentified elf into the Garden interior?” Said Kaidan as he gritted his teeth in irritation.
Raine ignores Kaidan’s rambling as she let go of her mouth and approach Master Yu’s desk to take the handheld mirror. She raised the handheld mirror to her face level to see the damage.
Unfortunately, Raine became assaulted with a deep chill, as she really could see the other side of her head through the mirror, yet it is not healing or closing, and she still feels fine. She has a complicated feeling when she considers that inside her head turns out to be filled with black soil instead of grey matter.
Would it made Raine literally have a dirty mind? However, since she is still alive and well, she supposes she could appreciate the convenience of not having to worry about a headshot in the future from now on.
A dryad’s body could be so mysterious, having leaves as hairs, barks as the skin on her limbs, breathing through her leaves, having no brain or heart, having tentacle coming out of the back of her hand to feed, and breasts as practically a camel’s hump. She wonder what else would she found out about her body in the future and whether she should try spanking the monkey soon?
“Forget about that elf Kaidan, more importantly, could you go meet up with Ron and the others? I would like to hide this damn hole in my head by wearing my gear again. So go ask them to pick up my gear before you ask them to meet up here.” Said Raine as she complains from Master Yu’s desk while looking at her forehead with the aforementioned handheld mirror.
“But Ms. Raine! This incident is a serious matter! Don’t you realize that having one of the Gallente Federation Commandos attacking the Galbadia Garden is a serious diplomatic issue?” Replied Kaidan hotly as he turns to reply to Raine’s request.
“Ladida. Hello! I am talking here literally with a hole in my head! Don’t talk to me about priority when I have a hole on my mind! Besides, either you help me clean up this place or look for Ron and the others! Your Choice!” Shouted Raine fiercely as she dropped the handheld mirror and glared at Kaidan.
“If you think that I would leave you alone after what just happen to you, you have another thing coming young lady!” Replied Kaidan sternly as he approaches Raine, grabbed her and took a closer look at the hole in Raine’s forehead.
“Tch, then help me clean up the place and scoop up the black soil. I would like to keep my insides where they belong, by being actually inside of me.” Tsked Raine as she tries to wiggle out of Kaidan’s grip.
“Hmmm, did you realize that roots are coming down from the top of the inside of your skull? It’s fascinating, where there should be a brain there is a network of roots instead. And some are even exposed to the air, and some are severed and broken yet you are still talking smack to me so you should be fine.” Asked Kaidan as he commented on Raine’s state of health.
“Yeah, I breathe through my leaves. I don’t have lungs you know, and it’s still fine to have the roots exposed and severed as they can grow back as long as I fill the space with the black soil again for them to recover. At least I hope they do.” Answered Raine as she stays still, giving up on the struggle as she doesn’t want to hurt Kaidan with her enhanced strength while struggling.
“You hope? That means you don’t know how your own body function?” Asked Kaidan incredulously.
“When I found a manual for this body I would let you know. Now could you let go of me and call Ron and the others? While I may have given up going to the mech match today, I still have an appointment with Miss Iden to crack open a frigate you know?” Said Raine with resignation.
Kaidan let go of Raine immediately and decided to scoop up the black soil scattered on the floor from the assassination attempt. With a handful of black soils in his hand, he approached Raine and pour it into the cavity manually.
Raine decided to help Kaidan as well, but when she bent over to do the scooping up, the black soil decided to spill over to the floor again.
“I believe it would be prudent for you to take a seat on the sofa and wait for me to fill in the cavity for you Ms. Raine.” Said Kaidan with a mild statement, much to Raine’s disappointment.
Raine returns to the sofa before sitting there and sulking in disappointment as she watch Kaidan gather all the black soil in his pockets.
Once Kaidan is sure that he did not miss any of the soil and avoiding most of the broken fragment of glass to the best of his ability, he sealed his pockets to make sure none of the black soils drop to the ground.
“Well, Ms. Raine looks like that’s everything. Now we could follow your advice on calling Ron and everyone else here, but I think it would be better if we immediately leave the Garden together after meeting up with them in the parking lot. That way we don’t have to take two trips going back and forth.” Offered Kaidan as he approached the sulking Raine, sitting on the sofa.
Raine look at Kaidan with an ‘Are you an idiot face?’ while pointing at the hole in her head.
“Oh come on, I am sure the guy who owns this office have something we could use.” Said Kaidan as he walks to the office desk and starts opening the cabinet one by one before exclaiming in joy.
“Oh! I found the perfect thing for you to use!” Said Kaidan happily as he shows a hat to Raine, who take a look at the hat before coldly refusing Kaidan.
“No, there is no way you could make me wear that hat.” Refused Raine coldly as she imagines throttling Kaidan's neck.
“Oh come on, the faster you agree, the faster we could go home?” Begged Kaidan as he approached Raine and offered the hat on his hand.
“What is in it for me?” Asked Raine as she still considers the pro and con of wearing the hat.
“I’d play the console game with you for an hour?” Offered Kaidan hopefully.
“Make it three hours, and we have a deal.” Counter offered Raine.
“Deal, now quickly wear the hat, and I would make a call to Ron so we could meet up in the parking lot.” Sighed Kaidan with relief, wasting three hours playing games would be a small price to pay if he could bring Raine to Commander Iden without any issue.
Raine swiped the damn hat from Kaidan’s hand before glaring at the offensive thing with malice.
[http://cdn.quotesgram.com/img/61/29/701783330-funny_sayings_baseball_hat.jpg]
“Oh God, the irony of wearing the hat when I was a man in my last life and the fact that I am now a Dryad is not lost on me. I just have one question. WHY?!” Lamented Raine who recently felt that her whole life is just a string of tragedy masquerading as comedy.
“Now, now a deal’s a deal. Don't back out on me now.” Said Kaidan as he tries hard to suppress a laugh.
“I’ll remember that when I ask you to play the game with me if you ever said you are busy at the moment.” Said Raine coldly as she wears the hat to cover up the hole on her forehead from other people's view.
“Meh, it’s a problem for future me to sort out. Anyway, I have contacted Ron and the others when you are glaring at the hat forlornly. Wear the hat and let’s go already.” Said Kaidan positively.
“Fine, let’s get it over with.” Said Raine with resignation as she wore the damned hat.
“Oooh, surprisingly adorable and cute. I am glad I am recording this in my helmet now.” Said Kaidan happily.
Raine is about to curse Kaidan before she realizes a critical point in Kaidan’s words.
“Kaidan! You are an idiot! If you have a recording device in your helmet, you could have recorded the guy who did this whole thing as well!” Scolded Raine angrily.
Kaidan was at a loss for a moment before he slapped his head in realization.
“Oh yeah! I do have the recording in my helmet. Thanks for reminding me Ms. Raine, the best part of all is that my helmet recorded the image of a whole day before being backed up to the server in the Normandy Mk.II. So we definitely have proof of the Gallente Federation Commando involvement in the Garden's terrorist incident.” Said Kaidan with wonder at himself for failing to remember the camera in his helmet.
“So you are saying that you did not, in fact, missed the chance to record the evidence of the guy who did this to my head?” Asked Raine tensely to confirm the recording's existence.
“Yes, I have it all in my helmet.” Confirmed Kaidan lightly as he tapped the side of his helmet.
“You have just escaped a terrible fate, and I hope you realize that if you did not record it, I would impose on you a torture that I am now just realizing no longer subjected to.” Said Raine with an evil grin.
“Yeah? What’s that?” Gulped Kaidan with fear and trepidation from seeing Raine's evil grin.
“A kick to the balls.” Answered Raine bluntly.
“Oh, you evil evil girl you!” Shrieked Kaidan as he goes pale with Raine’s threat to kick his balls.
“Silence minion, your princess demands that you carry her to her carriage.” Said Raine in mock seriousness as she offered her hand while looking away like a stereotypical princess.
“Seriously? I always thought it was supposed to be the princess which carry the guy and fight for his honor.” Commented Kaidan with confusion.
“... I bet Disney would be rolling in their grave right about now.” Remarked Raine in humor before jumping onto Kaidan’s back and holding on for dear life.
“Argh, careful with where you’re touching. I just clean the blood of my gear this morning, and I don’t want you to smudge it already.” Complained Kaidan even as he holds Raine’s leg in place.
“Nope, I am blocking what this hat said with your head. So if you would be so kind start walking minion.” Said Raine as she milked her childish appearance for all her worth.
“Sigh, the things I do for a paycheck.” Said Kaidan with resignation as he gets ready to carry Raine to the car.
Raine smirked at Kaidan’s reluctance yet resigning himself to carry her to the car. She could get used to being a small child if people keep entertaining what she wants and ignore her selfishness. She hums happily while being carried by Kaidan, that is, until she hit her head hard on the top rail of the door frame.
“Oh my Gosh Ms. Raine I am sorry.” Said Kaidan as he sincerely apologized for causing Raine another injury on top of the horrible wound in her head.
Raine hissed in pain. Honestly, she has no idea why bumping her head is more painful than having a bullet pierce through it.
“Never mind, I see karma is still a bitch. At least that is something that remains the same from my time.” Said Raine with a small whimper as she rubbed her hand over her forehead.
Thankfully that was the last hiccup that Raine experienced while in the Garden. The trip to the carpark was smooth, as the security personnel and droids allow both Kaidan and her, passage through the security blockage due to his status as an adamantine ranked Mercenary team.
Once both of them have exit the Garden building and appropriating an Aerial platform, Raine found herself whooping once again during their flight on the aerial platform from the Garden entrance to the ground level parking lot. She was disappointed that the aerial ride was over, but it is balanced by the fact that she is about to leave this place for good.
Before she knows it, after leaving the aerial platform and a short distance walking from the station, both Kaidan and her have arrived at the car where Ron, Tanya, Master Yu, and Mi are already waiting.
“There she is, our little firecracker! I have no idea how you did it, but the scene at the Guild Office would surely become an urban legend among the Garden’s Student Cadets. You may have made yourself a part of one of the seven mysteries of the Garden from what I have heard.” Said Ron with a teasing undertone when he sees Kaidan and Ron close approaching.
“Oh put a sock in your mouth Ron. I could have used the backup. How could you leave me behind? I thought we’re BFF’s.” Said Raine in mock sadness as she pulls back her arm to punch Ron in playfulness.
“Whoa! Easy there! I don’t plan on flying without an aerial platform after I just spent the time riding one to get here.” Said Ron with a protest as he raised both hands in surrender.
“Oh you’re right, sorry I’m new to this super strength thing.” Acknowledged Raine of Ron’s fear and concern of being hit by the equivalent of a truck speeding at 80km/hour.
“Miss Raine, I am sorry about the commotion during your time in the Garden. Usually, they limit themselves to brawling with fellow mercenary instead of an obviously still minor guest.” Apologized Master Yu in shame.
“I can’t believe you did not realize why. Did you not see the way Raine punched the ass flying into the distance?” Said Ron dubiously, which made everyone just stared at Ron awkwardly while the blind Master Yu deliberately cough.
“Oh, right. Forget I said anything.” Said Ron in shame.
“Anyway, it’s about time we leave this place. Sad to say I won’t miss this place, but sorry being a mercenary is not my thing you know?” Said Raine lightly trying to move on from Ron’s obliviousness.
So Raine hops onto one of the car, followed by Kaidan in the driver seat beside her. Curiously, Ron took the driver seat on the other car yet Tanya still stay beside Master Yu and Mi.
“Tanya? Aren’t you coming?” Asked Raine with curiosity.
“No, I am a student cadet in the Garden now. So I have to stay behind actually to enroll in their program.” Admitted Tanya, the reason she stays silent is because she is sad that it is time for them to go their separate ways.
“Your friend is in good hands, Ms. Raine.” Said the blind Master Yu as she kindly put both hands on Tanya’s shoulder while Mi just grunted neither agreeing or disagreeing.
Raine became sad after hearing Tanya’s answer, yet she did realize that this is what Tanya want and need. So who was she to stop her from following her dream?
“Is that so? Alright, I changed my mind. Now I am sad to leave this place.” Said Raine as she exits the car again and stands while facing Tanya, Master Yu and Mi.
“It won’t be so bad, you could visit me when you are at the station, and besides we just met yesterday, but I feel that you have already done so much for me. This time I will study to make something out of myself, and maybe I will be a help to you in the future when I graduated as a mercenary.” Said Tanya while looking lonely and feeling abandoned.
“Sigh, open the trunk Ron.” Said Raine as she walk to the other car driven by Ron and open the car trunk.
Raine is rummaging through the junk and random items before she found her gears stored in Ron's car trunk on their way to the Garden. Holding the pile of drop suit armour, helmet, nova knifes and Car-9 Scrambler pistol on both hands, she closed the car trunk with her elbow before she walks to where Tanya, Master Yu and Mi are standing. She then dropped all the things she is carrying on the ground before she bent down and pick the Car-9 Scrambler Pistols as well as the three spare ammunition cartridges from the pile.
“Here Tanya, take the Amarrian Scrambler Pistol. Something to remember me by while you are here.” Offered Raine as she extend her hand holding the Car-9 Scrambler pistol and the corresponding ammunition cartridges.
Tanya accepted the sidearms firmly and finally smiled at Raine’s farewell gift.
“Besides maybe by the time you graduated and became a Mercenary, I would be a successful trader or merchant by then. I could even hire you as a personal bodyguard. Heaven knows I need someone to watch over me sometimes, and I don’t want these two goons following me to the bathroom now, never mind having to tolerate it until you graduated.” Explained Raine mildly as she pointed a thumb at Kaidan.
"I resent that." Complained Kaidan while mumbling under his breath.
“I will treasure the gift, and would remember your offer… Senpai.” Said Tanya as she gripped the Car-9 Scrambler Pistol tightly while ignoring Kaidan's grumbling.
“Well, it has been fun meeting you I suppose, see you next time I’m at this station then.” Said Raine as she picked up her gears and return to Kaidan’s car.
Raine sits on the passenger side and holds her things with one hand before she used the free hand to equip the seatbelt.
Kaidan felt at that point that it is a good time to turn on the vehicle and leave the Garden proper, with Ron following suit.
Raine waved goodbye at Tanya and her entourage, in which they waved goodbye in return before they left the Garden entrance gate behind and entered the highway.
“If you miss her so much we could cancel Tanya's Garden enrolment and bring her with us instead Miss Raine.” Offered Kaidan, as he try to be supportive of Raine's feeling.
“No, it is something she decided to do. I won’t force her to follow us. Besides, it's a small universe. Who knows we may meet again down the road sooner than we think.” Declined Raine with a bit of leftover sadness and an undertone of hope clouding her mind as she fiddled with her gears on her lap.
“Words to live by Ms. Raine.” Praised Kaidan as he watch Raine stares at the Garden getting smaller before disappearing altogether in the distance.
"Oh shit, I forgot the Scrambler Pistol I gave Tanya is jammed because I forcibly shoot it from within a giant slime! I gave Tanya a broken sidearm as a gift!" Said Raine in horror as she whiped her head back to the Garden.
"Whelp, its's their problem now, but not to worry Ms. Raine the Garden's weapon technicians are quite capable. I am sure they can resolve whatever problem the Scrambler Pistol may have." Remarked Kaidan reassuringly.
Raine sighed, cursed, and complained all the way until they met up with Iden, much to Kaidan's suffering.