[[This is set AFTER the return of Shinu]]

Shinu's return hadn't been as glorious as Cid might have hoped for. He was in terrible shape. Even his mother refused to see him in the state he was in. She gave Cid a suggestion though... one last attempt to make Shinu the man he used to be. His best friend as a child... Oogie.

Crysta I take it from the time you sent the letter, Oogie should be arriving any moment now right? I hope Shinu likes this surprise... but his mother warns... Oogie, well he's a unique man.

Cid looked over at Crysta. His secretary, student, and good friend. He cared greatly for her, she was sort of like the granddaughter he'd never have the chance to have. She'd been close by his side, and even stuck with him since Shinu's return. He always figured she only helped rescue him since she cared for Cid so much. At any rate, he could only hope bringing Oogie to the Garden on scholarship would pay off.

Oogie tossed his long hair back, the deep blue of his eyes soaking in
his surroundings, this place was classy, just like Shinu to have stayed
in this kind of establishment rather than sailing with Oogie. Oogies
mind strayed to his ship, and small crew, on the beach not far away,
and then across the strands of memory connecting his childhood with
Shinu's. Something big had to be wrong, he wouldn't call for Oogie
unless something terrible had happened, much less have someone else
call for him. His fist clenched around the letter he had received, the
change in pressure made his scars shine white. Who the hell was he
meant to be meeting here. The circumstances concerned him and he wanted
more information.

Cid's eyes lifted to his door. Shinu's mother did warn him. At any rate, the place was a total bust since Shinu's return. He needed to liven it up and this guy certainly looked lively.

Welcome Oogie. I see you've arrived here without harm, that's always good news. Take a seat good man.

Nodding his head towards Crysta, he gave Oogie a smile.

This is Crysta. She's one of my top students here at the Garden and doubles as my secretary. You should recognize her name from the letter.

Oogies eyes flitted between the two people, the man was old, had a look of wisdom, but also the look of sensibility Oogie had grown to hate. The girl looked young, not too young of course, but young enough.
"Crysta, yeah was on the letter" Oogie let his eyes bore into her for a moment, testing her esolve. When she hadn't looked away after several seconds he spoke again, "I got your... summons. This better be god damn important" Oogie didn't want to show his playful side to these people. He didn't know or trust them yet, and their lack of forthcoming with information regarding Shinu was discomforting. He normally associated these sorts of scenarios with traps, he hated sodding traps. He let his hand stray to the handle of his revolver, "where's Shinu?"

She speaks the truth. After eight long months we have Shinu back in good hands. You can find him down in the infirmary. Please, he may not be the Shinu you remember though, so do be careful.

Cid realized his last sentence my be taken wrong. It was partially true though, Shinu had changed some. He was a bit more... free than usual. Coming back from the dead can do that to a man.

Crysta, would you please escort him to see Shinu?

There was nothing we could do I'm afraid. You know as well as anyone that when Shinu makes up his mind, he's gone. He decided to join the army, but I'm sure his words can tell it better than my own.

Cid calmly looked over to Crysta and gave her a reassuring nod. He felt that the emotion coming from Oogie was out of genuine care for Shinu, the likes of which he felt too.

Oogie felt the care in the mans voice, he could tell that this man was almost as concerned as he was about Shinu's well being. Suddenly he felt foolish for his outbursts. The best course of action would be to go with the girl and make sure Shinu was fine, whether she wanted to give him that disdainful look or not.

Yes please, take me.