SeeD Mission 2: Protect Ms. Loveguard and Gather Intel

[wrnpcs]

Character(s): Mission SeeD Party (Cid, Pinkie Pie), Damian Razem, Nina Loveguard, various citizens of Deling
Location: Deling
Rating: PG
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed
Summary: The Mission Team is sent out to protect Ms. Loveguard from any imminent threats and to gather additional information on the Gaibaldian military. The mission team is also in deep cover; once they reach Ms. Loveguard, they will be shut off from contact with Garden until their mission is complete.

The Mission Party had disembarked at 1400 hours that afternoon via train. It was a rather smooth and speedy journey; the train may have not been as speedy as the Ragnarok, but as the party had traveled first-class to their destination, they needn't have worried about the journey to Deling.

Once they reached town, they were then escorted to Colonel Loveguard's home by a couple of SeeDs. The minute they reached her estate, the SeeDs stop and hold out their hands for any possible rogue technology the SeeDs (and the young cadet accompanying them) might have possessed.

"Sorry, but as you're going undercover, we don't want your technology to give your identities away. Although we regret to inform you that we cannot contact you until you finish, we do have indirect contact through Colonel Loveguard. If any problems arise, speak to her on our behalf and we'll get you squared away."

They then open the gates for the SeeDs and Mr. Razem. "Good luck on your mission!"

And, with that, the mission begins.

Comments

[fallacies]

There really wasn't much for Cid to do in preparation for this mission. He'd picked a new name (James Iverson--how do you do?) and obtained some brown contact lenses, but beyond that, he had no technology to hide and no absurd hair color to conceal. A pair of gloves hid just about the only abnormal thing about him.

As for his team, well, he was... a bit unsure about them, in all truth and honesty, and as Pinkie Pie fished out her rather, ah, interesting assortment of items, Cid couldn't help but briefly wonder if it would be okay for her to come along for the ride. Damian, young though he may be, seemed to have a better grasp on the situation at hand, which was a little more reassuring. All the same, they were a team, and they'd have to operate as one, whether he liked it or not.

"Then let us be off then," he murmured after a quiet sigh. Cid started for the doors, pausing only long enough to look over his shoulder to make sure that the others were following. Pinkie Pie wasn't the only person who didn't want to make a bad first impression.

[bratbeyond]

At this moment, Damian wanted nothing more than to scream. Headmaster had bended the rules to allow him on this mission, so Day knew that he had to make an excellent first impression... or risk not only Garden's reputation but Headmaster's as well. In preparation for the mission, Damian'd also worn brown contact lenses and chosen to accompany the two as Noah Iverson, James's younger brother. (If only his Noah could've witnessed it; Day was sure Allah_(swt) was laughing somewhere.)

The moment the SeeDs expectantly held out their hands, Damian grumbled and fished out his iPhone and a handheld video game device. "You'd better send that back to my dorm in one piece." If he willingly obeyed with some of his gear, they probably wouldn't suspect that he'd smuggled some of his other tech into his things.

Folding his arms, he nodded at Cid's words and followed him into the lobby. First impressions were the most important, and if they goofed that up? ... Then even he knew that this mission probably wouldn't start on a good note.

[laughafterme]

Pinkie was definitely following, giving those SeeD a Fluttershy Stare™ so they would return Damian's things in one piece. They seemed to wither and salute them before trotting away.

The Lovegood home was pretty nice, at least to Pinkie. A bit too large for her, but since the person they were protecting had a pretty high status, it was expected. She tried her best not to gawk at everything before approaching the door.

"After you!" Pinkie gestures for someone other than her to knock or ring the bell. She wouldn't trust herself to not do either until there was an answer. Plus, in trying to act out of character, it was best for her to not take the initiative.

[fallacies]

After ringing the doorbell, Cid glanced over at his team once more, sweeping a brief but critical look over them. Of course, even if he found some fault that he'd want to speak up about either of them, he was left with little time to do so, as the door swung open to reveal a neatly dressed butler and a glorious entrance hall.

"Good evening, I'm James Iverson. I believe the Colonel is expecting us?" he said with a brief smile. The man in the doorway looked from one face to the other, as if determining whether they were worthy of passing through the threshold, but a moment later, he stepped aside and waved them inside. The door was closed behind them with a soft click, and then he headed toward the back of the room, gesturing for them to follow him into the hallway.

"Ms. Loveguard is waiting for you in the sitting room. This way," the butler said, glancing briefly over his shoulder. Cid followed after the man, glancing around the mansion as they wound through its many hallways.

/don't mind me being lazy and NPCing in the same post

[bratbeyond]

This wasn't any different than meeting some generous donator or one of Dad's friends from work. Day observed his surroundings with interest as he followed Cid and Pinkie Pie into the sitting room. Most of the decor smelled of old money... and while Day didn't recognize the style, he'd seen enough of it back home to assume it was Baroque; in other words, more elaborate and intricate than any home should reasonably have.

The moment they arrived in the sitting room, Ms. Loveguard greeted them warmly with an outstretched hand for Cid. Although she was dressed in civilian clothes (the military uniform would've looked ridiculous on her at this hour), she still had her long, black hair pinned in a bun and carried herself with as much decorum as someone of her age would.

"James!" She smiled, looking more like a mother and less like a military general in that instant. "It's so good to see you..."

To the butler, she gave him a nod of acknowledgement. "Could you grab our guests some drinks?" The butler gave her a quick nod before he then left, gently shutting the door behind him.

Ms. Loveguard waited until he was out of range before she motioned for them to sit. "... I presume Headmaster's briefed you on everything?"

/doesn't mind!!

[laughafterme]

OH HOW MUCH PINKIE WANTED TO EXPLORE AND TOUCH EVERYTHING OH GOSH. But she refrained, keeping in mind her mission, and her previous teachings. Look with your eyes and not your hands. The room would surely be a sight to see for Rarity, though.

Ms. Loveguard appeared, and she seemed quite nice. Was that all a show, too?

Pinkie sat on the couch with the others. "Briefed is the right word to use. He probably believed it was better for us to get more info when we got here."

[fallacies]

"The headmaster had, unfortunately, left out a fair amount of information, as my colleague said," Cid added, glancing briefly over at Pinkie. "Was there nothing more you could share regarding the exact nature of the secrets the Gaibaldian forces?"

Certainly, the very definition of secret implied just this sort of problem, but perhaps there was something that the colonel was still holding out on. Getting the information and SeeD request for this mission in itself had likely been a risky affair, so to put too much information on the table at once probably would have made the situation all that much worse.

Cid leaned back against the back of the couch, folding his hands carefully in his lap.

"If there is nothing else, then we will make do, but whatever additional information you could give us would be appreciated."

[wrnpcs]

Ms. Loveguard pressed her lips together. As she'd suspected, Headmaster didn't know as much on the situation as she did - which was perfectly alright, but not ideal for her.

"I'm inclined to believe that Gaibaldia wishes to fight SeeD sometime in the near future," she confessed. "I don't know if you remember the off-worlder attacks back in December, but it gave the higher-ups an awful fright... and so I've heard rumors they plan to attack Balamb Garden as well as Esthar."

Here, she hesitated. "However, I'm not too sure how true this rumor is... which is why I've hired you three. I suspect you'll have an easier time of confirming the truth behind this - and if it is true, you'll be able to pinpoint how they plan on attacking Garden."

[bratbeyond]

Fragging zifts! Damian wanted to punch the wall. Those slags weren't even there for that long, and yet Gaibaldia was still afraid of them enough to want an attack? Just what did this world have against them anyways?

He should've said something to protest, but considering his role and status at Garden, he settled for folding his arms and looking as sullen as possible.

"So how're we going about this?" He asked. "I get that Ci--my older brother and Diane're adults and can mingle with them, but... I'm just a kid."

[laughafterme]

Oh, she remembered that. Chocolate. Rain. IT WAS SO AWESOME! Pinkie was kind of salivating a bit but she composed herself a moment later.

"It's awful that Garden is still getting blame for some bad apples." They were obviously chocolate milk haters. She looked over to Damian, thinking over his question. "Hmmm...we could use a distraction? Everyone pays attention to kids, and no one would blink twice at us."

[fallacies]

To be completely honest, Cid had a feeling that it'd be easier for Damian to blend than Pinkie--even with the wig. With a slight nod, he acknowledged her suggestion, despite not really agreeing with it. Turning his focus back to the colonel, he offered his own suggestion.

"Or perhaps there is an event that all three of us could attend--something where new faces would be welcomed without a second thought?" he inquired. Far from Garden, it was likely best for them to not separate too much, right? "Idle chatter can often lead to more interesting topics of conversation."

[wrnpcs]

The young boy didn't seem like he was capable of the kind of diversion Diane was suggesting, so Ms. Loveguard politely agreed with Cid on this matter.

"There's a fundraiser tomorrow night, as a matter of fact," she said after a moment, though she was struggling to recall the exact details. "The Theater District'll be sponsoring a formal dinner for various charities around the world, so that would be a good time to wine and dine with various big names in the city..."

Now, she looked closely at Damian and gave him a polite nod, "As for the young boy, perhaps he should be enrolled in the local academy as an exchange student of some kind? He might be able to find out something you can't there."

[bratbeyond]

Oh thank god. Day was more than capable of creating a distraction, but he didn't want to risk being arrested or even worse, his cover being blown for the sake of getting more information.

He winced a little at the thought of being enrolled at yet another school, but... he'd also had enough education on this world to pass for a native of some kind, so it was semi-feasible. He returned her nod and managed a polite smile.

"I'll go along with it if you make the preparations, ma'am."

[laughafterme]

Gosh, there was a serious lack of faith in this room! Pinkie did think the woman's idea was good, though. Can't complain much.

"Is there a dress code for this event?" Pinkie didn't bring any fancy clothes. Probably because she didn't own any fancy clothes.

[fallacies]

"That sounds like an excellent idea, Colonel." If nothing else, it wouldn't be too hard to stretch his own personal experiences of fancy gatherings to something like this. Cid could mingle with the very best of them: charming smiles, the right word inserted here or there, a few small favors...

Yep. This would be no problem at all.

Still, he'd pay heed to what Ms. Loveguard said in response to Pinkie's question. After all, there is a small chance that this gathering isn't quite like what he's used to--not that he could adapt, of course.

[wrnpcs]

"Then I'll go ahead and make them." Ms. Loveguard smiled.

"As for your outfits, I'll have my men drive you down to the stores tonight or tomorrow morning to find something suitable. It is a formal, black-tie affair, but it shouldn't be too hard to find something."

Honestly, she hadn't expected them to bring fancy clothes, just their expertise and know-how. "Is there anything else I can arrange for you? Or shall I show you to your rooms and let you make your plans for the duration of your stay?"

[bratbeyond]

He couldn't think of anything off the top of his head. Privacy was a given, concerning their mission, and he was to be enrolled in school the next morning...

"I don't have any problems." He bowed his head politely. "It sounds fine to me."

[laughafterme]

At least the worry over attire would be covered. Pinkie would know she'd blow her cover with anything she would have worn. Formal attire was too confining!

"Seeing our rooms would be a good idea." It could give them a chance to look things over along the way. Exits, alarms, cameras, and the like could be taken into account to their mission. Otherwise it would look too suspicious for them to just roam about.

[fallacies]

"I agree with the others and have nothing else further to add," he said with a slight dip of the head. "If you would be so kind as to show us to our rooms, we would appreciate it."

Cid could use the remaining hours of the evening to do some additional preparations for the gala tomorrow. And rest? Well, there was that as well.

skipping Damian!

[wrnpcs]

The butler had eerily good timing. The second Ms. Loveguard rose to leave, he came back with glasses of water for everyone (and a couple of sodas for whoever wanted some). Graciously, she offered the drinks to them before she headed out and led them to their rooms.

The mansion had the standard features, with a security system that included trip wires, cameras, alarms, and a couple of guards stationed outside the place. Ms. Loveguard had certainly gone to no expense - including the location of their guest rooms.

Damian and Cid were to share a room (with separate beds) as they were brothers, while Pinkie would have her own across the hall. Both were conveniently located mere steps away from Ms. Loveguard's master suite.

"If you have any questions," she said, smiling once she stepped out and turned towards her room. "Let me know. Otherwise, you're free to do whatever you want until dinnertime."