Midnight Visitor (Lady Shade)

Finally.... the day was finally over. Shade Leonhart didn't dare go over the blasted issues that she dealt with in her mind for fear of her mood growing more sower as it already did by each passing moment. She just wanted in her room. She needed solitude. She needed a damn shower.


Once inside, she slammed the door behind her and flipped on the lights, before stripping off her tattered bomber jacket and tossing it aside. The small apartment was quaint and barely furbished. What was the point? She maybe spent 2 hours awake in the place if she was even lucky. The remainder of her time here was sorely for sleep, and peace and quiet if she was fortunate to achieve it. It was close to eleven in the evening now, so she had an hour to spare before crashing for the night, only to get up at the butt crack of dawn and go straight back to work.


With a weary sigh, she rubbed at her eyes while venturing to the refrigerator for any possible scrap of food to appease her grumbling stomach before diving into a relaxing shower. Just as she opened the door and leaned down to peer inside and shuffle through the contents, her earcom bleeped into her eardrum, startling her to the point that Shade jerked and banged her head against the inside of the fridge. After hissing profanity, she straightened herself and slapped the device to answer the call. "What now??"


The voice at the other end was timid, yet urgent. "Uhh..um...Headmaster Shade? We've detected an unexpected... um.... well, something's heading toward the Garden at quite an alarming speed? And at such a late hour with the entrance shut down for the night, I was informed to contact you regarding the matter?"


She was sure the growl within her throat could be heard before she replied with a deathly calm voice. "I'll handle it. Shade out." She disconnected the call before the SeeD cadet could utter a reply.


After snatching up her coat from the floor, once again, Shade was storming out of her apartment and down the bare corridor for the entrance. Who in the hell had Garden issues this late at night? And why didn't they contact the Garden first? Something felt off about the situation, which increased her pace. There was virtually no one about. Of course there wouldn't be. The smart people were all cozy and snug in their beds. But not Shade Leonhart. Shade Leonhart didn't know the meaning of sleep. And so, as her duty of over seer to Balamb, she stood at the entrance with her arms crossed, but her weapons at the ready should she need them. She waited.... for whomever it was that found good reason to be showing up at such an hour. For whatever reason? It had better be a good one for the sake of whomever was about to face her sour mood....

Her steel hues remained fixed on the solitary beam of light streaming through the darkness along the only road that lead to the Garden. One light.... not two. Now her gaze narrowed a bit in thought. She only knew a handful of people who drove some form of powered cycles, but her guard still remained tense and ready should this be a complete foreigner. When the drifter grew closer, something reflected off the security lights from the Garden and flickered over Shade's face. A weapon perhaps, or something the rider was wearing. Still, she waited with a patient, yet authoritative stance until the cycle emerged from the shadows to present Shade a shocking surprise.


She knew that bike, as well as the rider, before his face and striking hair slowly emerged into the subtle light. Although bewildered, her expression relieved more of confusion and unspoken annoyance. Michael Paladin? Of all people, he was one of last she ever expected to see venture into Balamb. And why at such an ungodly hour? Then she recalled his delivery occupation and a sudden assumption flashed across her mind that Brix ordered some last minute, outrageous lingerie. Shaking off the the thought as quickly as it came, Shade unfolded her arms and slowly approached the curb to the walkway just as Michael was pulling up.


Her gaze immediately took notice of his Faux Arme weapon, now knowing what it was that previously shined the bright reflection against her face. It reminded Shade of that day in Spira where she witnessed it in action, as Michael wielded the Scythe with such skill and ease, as if the weapon were a part of him. Few fought with such passion and fluid precision, but Michael proved he had a knack for lethal expertise to which Shade highly respected. She knew he was more of a solitary individual, such as herself, as well as reclusive, which really drew on her curiosity as to why Michael was here at all. As she slowly approached with a stalking step to her gait, Shade struggled to sound passive in order to keep her irritation at bay. Surely, this was no courier service at her door, and she knew damn well Esthar and the Gardens forked out their share to his outrageous bill of service for handling that child summoner.


"Mr. Paladin.... a rather unexpected surprise. Has your previous parcel stolen your wallet and you need assistance in tracking it down? Or have you come to charge me even more gil for yet another portion of your fees?"


Her head tilted in scrutiny for a moment for any clue across his face to reveal the slightest hint as to why he was here, but she found none, save for a slight weariness across his crimson eyes. Although it could very well be due to the late hour, Shade found it difficult to believe that simple fatigue would be the cause. Nor could she conceive that he would would come knocking at her door at such an hour just to ask assistance for yet another unique delivery.

Michael chuckled softly and stepped off his bike, his coat sliding off with him. “The answer just so happens to be 'none of the above'.” he said as he stepped towards her, willing Faux Arme back into its necklace form and setting it around his neck. He made sure it was securely fastened before speaking again. “Actually, I'm here to talk. Here to learn, ironic though it sounds.” He launched into an explanation on how the mention of Balamb's school system had gave him a headache. “Every time I think about the way Balamb works, an excruciating pain makes its way there along with a strange sense of familiarity.” He sighed softly and removed his coat, turning it around to show the emblem to Shade. “It also happens every time I look at this, only a hell of a lot stronger.” He looked into her eyes before sliding his coat back on.

“Don't ask me why it happens. I'm not too sure of it, honestly.” He sighed and leaned against his bike. “Matter of fact, I was hoping you had some answers.” Once again, Michael retreated into his thoughts. Just being near this Goddamn place was making his head throb and hurt. One word managed to pop up out of the painful mayhem, though: Mirage. What the hell? I go through all this pain and the only thing I get out of it is “Mirage”? What does that even mean?! He resisted the urge to grab his head in pain, trying to keep his composure in front of Shade. If he lost it here, he'd lose any chance of getting some nice, decent answers. He didn't want that to happen, not by a longshot. Of course, the reality of the situation was that Michael's head was aching and that ache was getting worse by the second, quickly turning into a full-blown migraine-and-a-half.

Alanna would just ask him what was wrong and offer up some aspirin. Her magic capabilities were slowly coming into focus, although if she lost control she sometimes blasted out with enough force to blow out the friggin' wall. Made poor Michael glad he made her practice outside. He did not want to replace any walls. That would cost too much, and he wanted to make that 100,000 Gil last a good, long while. So far they'd only spent about a couple thousand Gil's worth on living expenses for little Alanna (Michael sometimes wondered just how he managed to live with a bed-wetting little girl as a roommate) and food, but that was quickly filled in by the side jobs Michael took.

Speaking of side jobs, though, he'd almost accepted a particularly odd request to deliver some lingerie to one of the Gardens. The sheer oddity of the request had made him think twice and another, more perverted courier had taken up the job in the hopes of seeing the girl who had ordered the lingerie. Michael pitied the poor fool who had to meet up with any of the women from Balamb just to deliver lingerie. He pitied him, indeed.

Seeing Michael's lighthearted reaction to her words set Shade's nerves at ease a bit, but again, she was rather shocked to hear the truth for his unexpected visit. It definitely caught her attention as she crossed her arms again, but this time, not to appear hostile, but to listen intently about Michael's odd predicament. When he showed her the emblem within his coat, Shade could barely make out the markings under such limited light, but what little she could see was foreign to her eyes, nor could she find anything of it to be a connection to the Garden itself. Her piercing hues shot back to his own when he looked to her, and whether Michael meant for it to show or not, Shade caught a brief glimpse to the pain he mentioned. ...he's holding back, I can see it. He doesn't wasn't to reveal what he's describing... A sense of pride Shade could relate to all too well, being the same herself.


She watched him lean against his bike and finally hear him ask for her aid. This was no small favor, nor was she going to turn him away. Something in his mind was lost to him, which Shade suffered the very same long ago due to Garland tearing out every single one of her memories in hopes to gain control of her. A fatal mistake on the cyborg's part, for his efforts led to his death by her own hand, and her powers controlling her hand she would rather never think about again. Relating to his plight, Shade nodded before motioning with her hand for Michael to follow her into the Garden. "Why don't go inside and see about finding something to remedy this pain, so you can think with a clear a head, and hopefully, we can find you some answers."


Her suggestion wasn't meant to point out his headache pain as any form of weakness. She too suffered much when loosing her own memories, as well as when she got them back. The nightmares were never ending, which led Shade to broach yet another aspect of his request. "I'm sure you've given this a lot of thought, Michael...." She spared a quick intense gaze into his own as they walked side by side into the facility. "...but if we do find you any answers, are you prepared for whatever they may be? Be it good or bad?" There were often times Shade wished she never knew what all she had done by her own hand when not in her control. Sins she could never release, nor forgive herself for. "Sometimes.... the unknowing can be gift..."


Whatever answer Michael would give, she would respect without judgement. If she, or Balamb in itself could be of any of help, he had it for the asking. But what Shade didn't know was how to be of help. Once they reached the medical bay, she hoped for more details one they tried a serum to knock out these migraines plaguing him.

Michael followed Shade into the Garden, his headache reliving slightly as more bits and pieces came back to him. "An aspirin would be nice." he commented as they walked. "I may be remembering bits and pieces, but the majority is a blank slate. Besides," he said with a smirk. "I doubt this 'Mirage Academy' can be such a bad place if I was there." With that, he followed the signs to a nearby vacant room and plopped down on the sofa. "Obviously, Mirage Academy is a school. That emblem on the inside of my coat is probably the logo." He pauses for a moment to grasp his head. "Before I go any further," he starts, grimacing softly at the still-present-but-no-longer-amplifying pain. His next words are mixed in with a slight growl that makes his voice deeper than normal. "Painkillers, plesae."



With that said and done, Michael can focus on the facts of what he's remembered so far. He has remembered the full name of the Court as well as the names and titles of all its members. Let's see. First come the Monarchs. Hamor and Alanna. The Witch-King and Witch-Queen. The come the Nobles. Pharistole and Lestenna. The Silenced Duke and the Assassin Duchess. After them are the Warriors. Azazel and Astaroth. Both male. The Warmaster and the Alchemyst Knight. Finally, the Loners, as I like--liked, actually--to call them. Asmodeus, Lazaros, Ophelia, and Stellzoch. The Collector, the High-Mystic, the Seductress--must be a hottie (MORON, STOP THAT!)--and the Spellmaster. All ten members of the Court of High Magic, named and titled, for lack of a better word.

The Court of High Magic were essentially sorcerers and sorceresses with such high magical capability that they had gained immortality and access to an alternate dimension. They "managed" the way magic was used and essentially founded Mirage Academy. Beyond that, Michael knew nothing more about them. When he thought about it, tough, he assumed that that was pretty much all there was to know about them, since he didn't feel any tingling feeling of missing something whenever he thought about them. That was a good thing, meant that his memories of the Court were all there.

While he waited for the painkillers, his thoughts drifted to Alanna and how she was faring. Despite the different skies, time tended to be the same between worlds. As long as he was back before morning, he could make it look like he'd never left Midgar. The plan was clever enough, but Alanna was smart. She tended to "smell" different worlds. Every time Michael left Midgar--which was a thankfully rare occurence--she would say "You smell like Ivalice." or "You smell like Vana'Diel." When it came to worlds like Vana'Diel, though, she would often mispronounce it, saying "Vana Dile" instead of "Vana'Diel". Michael couldn't think of any other worlds she mispronounced frequently, but somehow he knew that Vana'Diel wasn't the only one.

The whole time he thought, though, he never once considered the fact that one of Balamb's younger students might have a curious streak a mile wide.

Shade listened closely as she led the way down the corridor and past the directory console to make a left toward the infirmary. She was still scowling when she found the term "Mirage Academy" unfamiliar to her ears, nor did add her personal thoughts over his assumption to whether it was beneficial to regain his memories or not. One had to follow their own gut instincts when it came to personal missions, such as she had to do, as well as Raven following his own. But the fact that Michael mentioned what pieces of his puzzle he could grasp regarding this so called Academy being a school did make Balamb Garden as a connection sensible.


Once they reached the infirmary and Michael collapsed upon one of the waiting room sofas, Shade continued on in search for something to relieve his head. Asprin? She scoffed as such meager means for the pain he described. She knew just what to go for within the general cabinet, having suffered a multitude of bothersome headaches herself. When she returned, she silently plopped the pills into his hand and offered him a small glass of water. The medication in hand should knock out his annoyance within minutes, having a metabolism boost added to the medicine so it would kick into the system much faster than asprin. Then she returned to the matter at hand with her fingers rubbing her temples to help think straight at such a late hour.


"I can understand the possibility of Balamb being a familiarity to what you remember, or assume. I've traveled much of these worlds, as I'm sure you have being a courier, and I've found no other world with facilities such as ours that bare similarities to an academy, as you mentioned."


Shade leaned back against the receptionist desk in the room while mentally delving further into the matter. While watching him take the medicine she offered, she spoke her thoughts loud. "Even if Balamb isn't the key to any answers, perhaps something here will offer you more to seek next. There are other Gardens as well, if you think looking into those as well would prove helpful to your search."


She straightened again with her hands now resting on her hips and a motion of her head toward the door. Her expression was more of a calm tolerance now, since she wasn't one to show any form of outwardly friendship. Simply sticking to what business was at hand was Shade's only way to express courtesy. "But you may want to take advantage of this place being quiet right now so you can better concentrate. All the students are sound asleep and the majority of the faculty won't be checking in until early morning. Did you have any questions about the Garden? Or would you rather just have a look around and see if the feel of the place alone helps jog your mind for something." For now, she wanted Michael to follow that gut feeling of his, rather than taking the lead herself. If she did, it may risk Michael missing an important clue along the way.

Within moments of speaking a few words, Michael was suddenly out. Shade blinked a few times by the unexpected occurrence, but she quickly assumed it was due to Michael's fatigue as well as this personal search driving him to constant pain. But she couldn't very well leave him there. With a heavy sigh, he shoulders slumped in defeat. There would be no late dinner, no shower, and no sleep for her...again. So Shade figured she might as well make herself comfortable and slowly rounded the desk to sit at the chair and prop up her feet to cross them at the ankles. For now, all she could do was stare at the ceiling.


She tried pondering over Michael's predicament, but since Shade didn't know anything of what little he conveyed, those thoughts ran into a wall within minutes. When her mind started drifting to her own memories, she jerked and shook her head quickly to put a stop to that as well. Now desperate to keep her mind distracted, Shade straightened herself and began to fumble through the drawers for a note pad and pen. At least she could jot down the more pressing matters on tomorrow's agenda she had to attend to when morning approached. When Michael's breathing grew deeper during his sound sleep, Shade could only slide her narrowed gaze upon him with her brows drawn down in annoyance. "Must be nice...." She muttered under her breath before diving back into her notes.


The silence of the evening was rather welcoming, so long as Shade didn't allow her thoughts to drift off to unwelcomed issues. What she didn't expect was a frail voice breaking the serenity from the doorway. "...Miss Shade?"


Her head turned abruptly with a startled, yet confused look in her gaze to see one of the first years peeking around the door frame wearing only a nightgown. Shade didn't recognize the girl, but was none too surprised to hear the child speak her name. But why was she up and wandering the Garden at this hour? Just as Shade was about to question her, the young girl slipped around the doorway and shuffled clumsily into the waiting room while rubbing at one of her eyes. "Miss Shade? I don't feel good.... my stomach hurts...."


Shade felt the worst case of dread wash over her. She was no nurse... No Instructor.... nor did children like her very much. What in the hell was she supposed to do? After a blink of shock, Shade jotted in her note pad, "Find out why in the hell we don't have a 24 HOUR NURSE!!" After slapping down the pen, Shade looked up again to now find the little blond girl right at the edge of the desk staring right back at her with sleepy brown eyes. Shade stared right back for several seconds of awkwardness as if the kid herself would present a solution to the problem. Only a sniff came from the child's nose.


UGH! Why me!? Shade released a sigh of frustration as she stood up from the chair and marched for the cabinet she previously found medicine for Michael. Now standing there with both doors open, Shade crossed her eyes and studied the contents as if making a major military decision. Without even knowing the little girl moved, the child spoke up from right beside her. "That one..." Glancing down at her, Shade found her little finger pointing at a bottle of nasty looking liquid. "Dr. gives me that one for my tummy..." Without a word, Shade grabbed the bottle and slowly handed it to the girl, who in turn gave her a weary smile. After taking the medicine, the child gave her a one armed hug around the waist. "Thank you, Miss Shade...." Her little feet shuffled back to the doorway, when she paused to look over Michael with a curious gaze. After a few moments of silent study, her face turned back with another smile. "He got pretty hair..." And then she was gone just before Michael awoke so aburtly and collapsed on the floor.

Shade opened her mouth about to say something, but thought better of it. Best to let the exhausted man regain his bearings first. But once he did, she was surprised to hear his unexpected announcement about regaining what all he forgot. So possibly just being within the presence of the Garden was helpful? Before she could question it, Michael was already into action, explaining what he could along the way. She didn't dare interrupt him during his unexpected drawing process on the floor, but she knew there was going to be questions by the staff in the morning when they came upon all these strange markings on the infirmary floor. But Shade knew, when someone was in the heat of the moment with something? It was best to just let them go rather than stall them with questions. She didn't want to risk Michael forgetting anything valuable he just discovered.


She had witnessed drawing magic before, but not like this. And this was no simple casting for a spell, she wagered, due to the length of time and intricate designs Michael so carefully drew out. By the looks of it, nothing he drew was familiar to Shade at all. Her watchful gaze also took notice of the intense concentration across his brow as he continued his work. The moment his palm pressed onto the floor, Shade's brows lifted slightly by the remarkable glow that illuminated from his touch. Within seconds, Shade now witnessed a rather young blond girl slowly materializing within the rune designs right before her eyes. And wearing the strangest get up Shade had ever seen. And she thought Brix wore some outrageous outfits...


Now slowly straightening her spine, Shade kept her calm composure while crossing her arms and raising a single dark brow at Michael. Her steel hues drifted from him, to the girl, then back to him again with impatient expectations. "Care to explain why I have a ballerina chic in combat boots lying across my floor?" At this point, she was really struggling to get through this late night ordeal with her sanity still intact. Perhaps she needed to visit the medicine cabinet for her own personal needs.... The idea was beginning to sound better and better by each passing moment.


Just when Shade thought she had seen everything this universe had to show, something new and ridiculously astounding always slapped her across the face and left her dumbfounded. But at this hour, Shade was by far too tired for the unexpected to be mocking her. And by the looks of this girl's wild attire, Shade was praying beyond hope that this strange girl didn't act like a wildfire. Her steps carried her casually around the girl to study her at all angles, and also taking note that she worse the very same necklace as Michael. So it was obvious that she was tied to him somehow, even if he himself wasn't so sure. She glanced back at his face again awaiting for some answers.

Shade raised a single brow at the girl as she started to awaken, and rather surprised to hear that this stranger already knew her name. Yet, why should she be surprised after everything Shade bore witness to in these realms. The casual lift of her brow rose a bit higher at the 'girlfriend' remark, which led Shade to slowly blink and revert her unamused gaze back to Michael as the conversation continued on. Most of it made a good bit of sense to Shade though, being a summoner herself, and so she nodded to the explanation Michael had given. Still, as the girl chattered on, Shade tilted her head noticing a similarity the girl had with two of her own team mates already. She obviously stuck her foot on her mouth without thinking, much like Brix. But she also had a sweet demeanor about her when she noticed her own attire, much like Jayda.



"Well.... Amy.... welcome to Balamb. More specifically, the medical infirmary." She spared another glance at Michael to see him muddling over his thoughts before she addressed the girl again. "And no need for apologies. Such assumptions do not concern me in the slightest." She turned a bit to close and lock up the medicine cabinet before facing her company again in her usual professional manner. "Now... as for your attire, I'm sure we can come up with something temporary for you until Michael can provide you with more permanent clothes to your liking."


With a curt nod to them both, Shade headed for the doorway wanting to get started. The sooner she helped them get what they needed, the sooner her own routine could get back on track, even if she didn't get any sleep this night. She paused at the doorway to give what time Amy needed to stand and gain her bearings before Shade nodded her head at the two of them for them to follow her. After sizing Amy up, she appeared the same build as Jayda herself, and so Shade headed back out to the Main Lobby to then turn and head to the dormitory section of the facility. She hated having to wake her gunner friend at such an hour, but Shade wasn't about to knock on Brix's door. Besides, Amy sure didn't look as if her bust size would fit into any of Brix's wild attire anyway....


While thinking ahead, Shade turned to question Michael about his plans now that he mentioned he regained his memories. "You two are more than welcome to rest up here before you need to set off again. We can either stop by the cafeteria to get you something to eat, or I can set you up with sleeping arrangements if you're ready to turn in for the night." If they wanted separate rooms, Shade would address that particular situation when the time came. For now, she came upon one of many identical doors to stop and give a sound knocking to it. It took a few more times before the lock clicked and the door slowly opened for one sleeping looking Jayda to peek out and slowly blink her sleepy hazel eyes. "Shadey? Y'all rite? Whuts gawt yew up so late?" She opened the door fully to stand there in sweat shorts and a tank top, with her waist long auburn hair all tussled around her head.


"Got some late night visitors, Jayda. Can I borrow some clothes for the girl here?"

While Shade explained the situation as simply and quickly as she could to Jayda, she heard a crashing noise echo down the hall from somewhere in the Garden. She bit her tongue and scowled in the direction, knowing full well it must be connected to her unexpected company of the evening. Thing was.... Shade really didn't want want to know what led to that crash, knowing it would simply add to the pressure of her current headache. Instead, she awaited outside of Jayda's dorm apartment until she eventually returned with some clothes as Shade requested. "Ya sure ya don' need mah heylp with anythin' else?" The concern in her voice matched the compassion in her eyes, which Shade was always silently thankful for. But she shook her head instead with a weary smile.


"No Jayda. This is enough, and I thank you. Now get some rest and I'll brief you on everything in the morning." With a final nod, Shade set off before Jayda could reply or close her door. By the time she got to the end of the hall and into the Main Lobby again, Shade heard distinct voices in the distance, as well as more noises of things fallen or crashing. With a pause in step, she shook her head and collected her patience before heading off toward the cafeteria where the sounds were obviously coming from, but never expected to walk in on such a site when it wasn't Brix Dincht herself diving for the last damn hot dog in the Garden.


Seeing Michael struggle with this girl, Shade decided to simply sit down at one of the countless tables spread across the floor and prop her feet up upon the seat of the chair beside her. Since this was obviously going to be an entertaining scene, she simply decided to get comfortable and allow Michael to handle the girl all on his own. She obviously had a sound determination, having taken what action needed to appease her stomach, as well as a bold nature for such tactics in going about it. Where Shade was previously reminded of Jayda when first hearing the girl speak, now she couldn't help but see a glimpse of Brix in the mix with this girls legs and boots sticking straight in the air without a care of modesty. And as Shade propped her elbow on the table to rest her chin upon the palm of her hand, her fingers pressed hard against her lips to keep them from curving into a grin and hold back the mirth she found in Michael's awkward and unfortunate situation.


Still, Shade figured it would still be polite to let Michael know she arrived with the spare clothes in waiting. "When you're friend there is done feasting to her heart's content, she can change her clothes when she's ready." For now, Shade sat and let out a yawn while waiting for the young girl to finish her meal while practically hanging upside down.

Shade simply raised an amused brow at Michael's attempts to free this girl, and even for someone as unemotional as Shade, being so exhausted and half asleep at such a late hour, she blamed the fatigue for her momentary lapse of having humor. But when she heard Michael's words, Shade nearly fell out of her chair. Now... she was wide awake and on her feet to approach them, and already declining this outrageous suggestion. "What in the world gives you that idea? You can't leave her here, Paladin! She doesn't have the faintest idea what world she's even in, let alone know what the SeeD program is all about."


She threw the set of clothes at him for the shirt and pants to slap against Michael's chest with a threatening scowl on her face. Her tone became even more serious than before to be sure he took her seriously this time. "I'm telling you right now, Michael, you are not leaving this girl here. You summoned her, you deal with her. I have enough babysitting to do in this joint as it is."


But it was if Michael were purposely ignoring her, and possibly finding humor in doing so, as well saluting to Shade and suddenly he turned to be on his way! He was serious! He was seriously going to leave this summons whatever girl in her care!? Was he mad!? With widened eyes of disbelief, Shade took the Amy girl by the wrist and drug her along while following Michael hot on his heels. "Now you hold up just one minute, Paladin! You show up without notice in the middle of the night on my doorstep, asking for help, which I completely obliged you with! Then.... THEN, you summon this human form of your weapon into my Infirmary only to dump her on my lap? Have you lost your damn mind?"


But then Shade found herself outside of the Garden once again, only to stop dead in her tracks at the sight of the child now sitting on his motorcycle. The very same girl who came to Shade with an upset stomach.... Her glare went to Michael, then the girl, then back to Michael again. Just how insane was this night going to get? "And now you're trying to sneak off with one of my SeeD students!? What in the hell do you think this is, Paladin? Some sort of gift exchange?!" Without further argument, Shade took Michael's hand and placed Amy's wrist in his hold before marching straight to the little girl sitting on the seat of his bike. It was obvious the child never expected to get busted by the Headmaster and the look of guilt across her face sent a pang of the same through Shade's heart. Still, she remained firm when lifting the child up and then situate her at the hip while holding her and marching straight back to Michael and kept her firm gaze locked with his the entire time she had her say. "Apparently you found the answers you were searching for, and that's just oh so fabulous for you, Paladin. Now if you want this little summons, or whatever she is to be enrolled here, that's fine too. But you will enroll her properly as her legal guardian, or I'll have that bike of yours impounded here and slap your hide in the SeeD program along side this Amy here with the rowdiest group of first years we got in this place."


She leaned in close, nearly bringing their nose to touch as her steel hues narrowed against his. "You got that, Mr. Courier?"

If it hadn't been for the young child in Shade's arms, Michael would've found himself lying flat on the ground unconscious for daring to lay a hand on her. And one less reproductive organ as well.


But as it was, she had the first year student in her arms, as well as this Amy watching on, so Shade's usual reaction had to be curbed along with her rising irritation. "As far as you're concerned, I can keep both of them? YOU are responsible for your own, Michael. YOU summoned this girl just ten minutes ago, and now you're trying to dump her off?" Even with his meager explanation as to wanting the girl to 'learn', Shade was still seething over the situation. But it seemed Michael wisely decided to take Shade seriously and turned about to discuss the matter over a bit.


Stowaway squirt..... This guy really did like to push buttons, even in the wee hours of the morning. Thankfully for him, Shade was beyond exhausted and there were children present. She slowly shook her head at his orders, and spoke her own. "I'm not stupid, Mr. Paladin. I know damn well the second I return inside, you're going to be high tailing it out of here and leaving this poor girl on my doorstep. Not having it on my watch.." She tossed her head to nod in the direction of the Garden behind her before speaking again while adjusting the girl in her arms. "You're coming back in with me to fill out these forms before you go anywhere."


She looked to the poor girl in the middle of it all, who was never even given the chance to change her clothing before this whole discussion erupted. Now she had to stand there and listen about herself being thrown back and forth between two people who sounded like neither wanted her around. Whether she be a summons, or some other form of creation, it wasn't right to be doing this to someone so young. And he flat out called her weakling right in front of her face.


Again, Shade's seething glare returned back to the courier who started this whole fiasco when he mentioned another. "No one's forcing you, Michael. It's called a threat, that's followed by a promise. And as for this Alanna girl? If she truly struggles with these powers of hers like you say she does? Then believe me, Balamb is the best place for her right now. Or have you never heard of the women of this world with their remarkable powers?"


Her gaze bore deeply into his, allowing the steel gray colors of her own eyes to flicker over with illuminating gold for him to momentarily see her own powers within. Within moments, it was gone, and Shade turned to take Amy's wrist with her other hand to return the girls back inside. Michael would return if he knew what was good for this Amy and Alanna, or she would personally hunt him down