Cid got the report from Erk who was also sitting behind the desk to his left. Now wasn't the time for him to be punishing the students for being teenagers and young adults, they were indeed about to go on a mission. An intelligence report had just came in and Cid was ensured max priority status. He watched for the door as the students started filing in, starting with Shinu.

Shinu walked in, a little embarrassed that he wasn't up to his usual standards that he was held to. He looked back to see Kira behind him, who had been dragged along against his will by Shinu. He knew that Kira would be important if this was indeed a mission. He took a seat in the conference room, and Kira and Nioelle sat next to him. Behind him the others began to be seated. Raven, Nia, Cyrus, Kairi, Kryst, Faina, Corenian, and Lucien all took their seats. All were dressed in their uniforms, and unlike the last mission briefing there were no smiles. The last thing Shinu noticed was that there was a new guy in the room. He never saw him before, but it was inevitable they would have new members coming along missions.

Hello everyone, sorry to summon you at this hour, though I was told you weren't exactly sleeping. At any rate, there are some matters of business. First, I want everyone to know this is Asuma here. He is new to the Garden, but should prove beneficial should this meeting call for action. There will be time for getting acquainted later however.

Cid paused to look around the room. He felt he had a good batch of students, much larger than the first mission however. Should be interesting.

First, Erk will be joining you. He is to give the orders in case things change. There better be no hard feelings for how you all met him. He is the acting counselman of the Garden, and you will listen to his orders.

His eyes never left Shinu when he said that. He'd become quite popular at the Garden, and no doubt some of the students had counted on him to provide leadership as they learned about one another. He did not want that standing in the way of completing a mission Shinu was not qualified to lead.

Our intelligence has reported that there is movement in the mountain range to our east. This could be a planned attack, or a seperate event altogether. This will be a STEALTH mission. If you are seen, there will be consequences. You are to report what you see, and you must see what is going on at all costs. We can not allow for such a great position to be given away to whatever enemies we may have made. Does everyone understand?

Recognizing it was a rhetorical question, Shinu stood up and gave a nod. He confidently smiled and turn to the group.

Let's do it.

With the headmaster's orders given, the aged wizard stood from his seat, and looked to him for dismissal. Seeing consent in his eyes, he turned back to the students. "Take whatever preparations you deem necessary to complete this task. My suggestion: pack light, dress dark. And get something to eat before we leave. You'll need your energy. Once you've prepared yourselves, meet me at the back entrance of the library wing."

Without a further word or glance at the students, he turned, and drew aside a tapestry behind the desk he sat at, revealing bare wall. He stepped forward, and seemingly vanished into the wood paneling, as the tapestry fell back into place.

Her eyes followed the wizard and stared after the tapestry looking as if untouched. A sigh of wonder escaped her. Kryst uncrossed her legs and pushed herself out of her seat. She flipped her auburn waterfall of hair over her shoulder once she straightened up. The mission briefing was short and sweet, the way she liked it. Slowly, Kryst glanced around the room to catch glimpses of her teammates. Some of who were not familiar to her.

"Perhaps some of you care to join me in a quick lunch? I would like the pleasure of knowing my teammates on a name basis at the very least."

Although her invitation seemed proper and businesslike, one could not help but notice the alluring curl of her lip that made the entire gesture itself, questionable in many ways.

simply standing there and taking in everyone as they walked in, Asuma made no gestures, no acknowledgments to anyone, nor did he speak when Cid introduced him. He was here to help in the gathering of the Guardian Forces, not to play around with those who thought this was just a game. Cid had asked for him directly, and he would treat it as such. He did not move, until the commanding officer, Erk, the old Elf in this case, vanished through a wall. Taking it as a dismissal, Asuma quickly unclasped his hands from behind him, breathing a sigh of relief that he could leave. He knew no one other than Cid in the room, and it was more than a little uncomfortable to be standing there while everyone could just stare at him. The scar over his left eye didn't help any.

Sighing once more, Asuma simply looked around the room, noticing the one who seemed to be the center of Cid's attention. His name escaped him for a moment...but nonetheless, he would have to learn it sooner or later. First, however, he needed to make sure he was still ok. The long trip from his own home always threw his magic abilities out of control in some way, and he needed to practice before he was ready. Moving once more, Asuma started to make his way out of the room. "I shall be in the training area. Notify me when we move out for the mission." He said it as he passed Shinu, making it loud enough for those around him to hear, but quiet enough for Shinu to know that it was meant for him. Disappearing through the doorway, Asuma headed towards his destination.

"So we have to follow the orders of some jerk ass gezzer now eh?"

Raven sighed and straightened up his gave on Cid.

"I don't like it a bit. But then again how could I like someone who comes and disrespects everyone at the little celebration we were throwing for ourselves. Sure some of it was against the garden's policies and regulations, but i think we deserved a little R and R."

Raven stated, the tone in his voice getting a little more pissed off and stern than before. His temper had already been blown when the old man barged in.

"Some of us almost got killed there, i don't give a crap if that old man is older than us and maybe more experienced. He had no damn right to come in a disrespect every fucking person. Espically some of those that just came cause they were our dates!"

Raven finished and then got up and made his way to the doors of Cid's office before stopping

"I'll go along and i will follow his orders cause its your wish, but if he makes one move that will compramise the life of my friends, i will kill him on the spot," and with that Raven left the office

Though tipsy, Lucien was still able to understand the situation. He waited until Asuma had left before he relaxed.

"Hey, thanks for the ride over here, I think I'll go sober up now." Lucien whispered to Corenian.

Lucien got up and balanced himself, before walking out with a slight lopsidedness in his steps.

After the old guy destroyed the afterparty Nia went to her dorm to change, she was a bit embarassed that at that time she was hugging Raven. In her dorm she changed into Seed Uniform and went to Cid's office. There she sat next to Raven, but Cid started talking about the mission just after they took their seats so she couldn't talk with him. She was a bit annoyed that it all had to happen just after the Ball, but she couldn't do anything about it. That's what they were meant to do in the Garden. The only problem was that she didn't choose swords yet.It would be really dangerous to go on a mission with a weapon she's not used too.

Her thoughts were broken by Raven that was mad that old man would lead their team. When he left the room she wasn't sure what to do, she waited till Asuma left and then walked out the room, when she was out she took off her heels and ran after Raven. She wasn't sure where he would go, but she was hoping that he went to his dorm.

(Mission Two has started in the Missions sub-forum. Don't post here anymore.)