[Action in Balamb Garden]

[lastesper]

[ Mid-Afternoon in Balamb, and Terra is almost going out of her way to avoid people. Well, if she's spotted before reaching her destination, she'll chat someone up, but ultimately, the girl is heading into the Training Center.

Not to fight, no sir, just for a little quiet time. Why she chooses her quiet spots in there who can say? Nonetheless,

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[willnotsubmit]

[After the near miss that happened in Dollet, Mitsuru is taking her own advice and restricting her Persona training to the Garden. And since she wasn't about to risk a reprimand for practicing anywhere else, that only left the Training Center as an option.

And she was getting close to an area where Mitsuru thought she could drill without any disturbance, when she hears a familiar voice, and turns to try and locate the speaker.]

"Bradford...? Who are you talking to-"

[That's when she notices the other...Thing next to Terra. Her thoughts don't exactly freeze when she spots it, but there as a sudden chill that settles in her mind, although it feels as far removed from that sensation in the fire cavern as using an ice pack compared to standing in a blizzard.

There's also a little comfort in the fact that nothing so far has burst into flames, frozen over, or caused anyone to violently react. It would be ideal if they could keep it that way.]

"...Bradford. I don't suppose you could...Explain what is going on, precisely?"

[lastesper]

[ Thing? How RUDE, that happens to be her auntie --sorta-- you're talking about! *sniff*

Terra glances up, tense at first, but relaxing immediately when she realizes who's speaking. Hi Not!Celes! ]

"Mitsuru?" [ She ...glances at Shiva curiously, and then back to the redhead. ] "I'm just going over the course list for this quarter."

[ The best part? She says it in this voice that makes it seem like it's the most natural thing in the world to consult with GFs. ]

[willnotsubmit]

[If it LOOKS like something that can't be conventionally classified, floats like something that can't be conventionally classified, and behaves like something that can't-

Well. One catches the idea.]

"While you have...That manifesting?"

[Mitsuru keeps her voice level, but doesn't break eye contact with the GF. Blessedly, Artemisia isn't trying to push her way out of Mitsuru's head, although she can still hear a low hum in the back of her thoughts.]

"May I request an explanation on why?"

[lastesper]

[ There is a slight tensing of her shoulders at Mitsuru's phrasing; Terra's response is defensive, with a small frown. ]

"Her name is Shiva. Not That."

[ For her part, Shiva stares back at Mitsuru, quite levelly, not perturbed in the least, as opposed to her young companion. ]

"As for why... well... I wanted someone to talk to about my schedule, so... why not?"

[willnotsubmit]

"Very well then. Shiva."

[Mitsuru doesn't allow herself to falter anymore then that; she keeps her expression fixed in a neutral look, as she keeps Artemisia calm. And slowly, she transfers her attention from the GF over to the girl sitting next to it.]

"So you can communicate with her."

[For some reason, the notion strikes Mitsuru as odd. There have been a few occasions when Artemisia has whispered a few words as she is summoned, or in the depths of her dreams, but that is the limit.]

"I'll commend you on having the good sense to only do so in the Training Center, though."

[You know. Compared to the prep student who studied herself into unconsciousness in the Quad, and half-summoned her Persona.]

[lastesper]

[ Terra relaxes, and ... blinks in surprise at the question. ]

"Of course I can. You can't communicate with Artemisia?"

[ Huh. Y'know she had talked to Squall about that but he couldn't tell her if the GFs normally spoke with the people who junctioned them. As for the latter-- y.. yeah, she's... so not going to bring that up again. *cough* Silly Mitsuru! ]

"I didn't want to cause another panic like what happened with the waterbending girl." [ She was scared enough of these people who were ready to lynch anyone who demonstrated different abilities. What would they do to someone who was a GF? ]

[willnotsubmit]

"I can."

[Mitsuru is quick to state that, and might sound even a touch defensive.]

"Just...Rarely with words. It's more common to receive sensations or emotions from her."

[Mitsuru spares another glance at Shiva as she speaks. Somehow, this next bit is much harder to admit; maybe because it sounds too much like weakness, since Mitsuru still can't fully control it.]

"...She's almost reacting to her, as well."

[Right, subject change time.]

"Agreed. What happened was unfortunate, but people are at least learning from it."

[lastesper]

[ She wouldn't know why Mitsuru would sound defensive about it! Assuming Terra could differentiate the defensiveness from Mitsuru's usual voice pattern *koff* ]

"Shiva usually doesn't talk to me in words either - she says that it isn't that necessary."

[ Terra pauses at this too, worried. ] "Artemisia is...?" [ She glances at Shiva. ] "Shiva, would you mind?"

[ Shiva glances at Mitsuru, then Terra, nodding only once and letting her body fade into nothing as she is desummoned. Terra turns back to Mitsuru on this note. ]

"Is that better?" [ Or no difference? ]

"... I wish it hadn't happened at all. I wonder if we're really safe in this place..."

[willnotsubmit]

"There is a notable difference now, thank you."

[Once Shiva fades away, Artemisia becomes much more subdued; that cool fog at the edge of her thoughts clears up, and that low hum of background noise fades away. Which leaves her to focus on that other question. Mitsuru closes her eyes for a moment, mulling over the statement.]

"Safe? I would hardly think so; even discounting the surprising number of hostile creatures here, there seems to be a great deal of political unrest here...Which, as a school, we might be forced to intervene with. It is, however, all manageable."

[With that said, she opens her eyes again, to look at Terra; if there was any wavering in her expression from before, due to the GF, it's completely vanished now.]

"Which brings us to a more pressing concern. How did you fare, in terms of exams? I'm hoping that tutoring helped you, academically."

[lastesper]

[ One guesses two GFs are too much for Artemesia to resist. Terra looks relieved that it was better for Mitsuru though. ]

"I don't mind the monsters. They are at least, more familiar to me than an environment like this." [ She gestured in a manner to indicate Garden as a whole. There is a small frown. ]

"Another war. If it isn't the one within our own walls, then the one outside as well. You really think we will be asked to fight in it?"

[ Wait what? ... Oh Mitsuru, only you would consider academics more important than war XD ] "Um... I ... did well enough. A passing grade, at least." [ like the equivalent of a C+ or a B- ]

[willnotsubmit]

"While it is the opposite for me; I can deal with this environment...And enjoy it a bit, as well."

[There's a brief flicker of a smile as she says that; it's hard not to appreciate the aesthetic of the Garden, even if some of the customs (and people) still strike her as odd. But there's still something familiar about the customs, culture, and technology.]

"The monsters, on the other hand...Are not something I'm used to potentially dealing with twenty-four hours a day. And the war...For now, it would be prudent to keep it from happening inside the Garden, and dealing with the crises outside as it comes. For now, it seems like one can only hope Providence will help with the latter."

[And she nods at the other news. How could one possibly evaluate one's priorities any other way? Even if they are in a military academy, they are still students, first and foremost. B

[lastesper]

"I suppose that's the case for a lot of people... that the monsters are an unfamiliar factor around them, I mean." [ She pauses for a moment, a flicker of a memory - a young boy running with the beasts in her home. But when she tries to grasp the memory, it flits away like a startled butterfly, leaving her to heft a sigh. ]

[ Terra obviously doesn't think the same way. Mainly because she'd never been a student before and essentially lived as a human weapon, so there ya go. ] "You wouldn't mind?" [ Her voice is hopeful as she all but leaps at the chance for further tutoring. Also, Mitsuru is awesome, so she is happy to spend more time with !Celes. ]

[willnotsubmit]

"I wouldn't. I've decided on most of my classes already, and it looks like I should still have some free time available. Particularly once we depart from Dollet. Frankly, there won't be as many distractions once that happens."

[Although she hasn't been blind to the slightly different atmosphere the city took on since that incident. Some areas went unchanged, some didn't seem to mind as long as you were a customer, and others...It was simply more prudent to avoid those areas.]

"...Even if the mood has felt a little more tense lately. I admit, I'm not loathe to begin my studies again."

[lastesper]

[ And a long sigh of relief escapes terra at Mitsuru's response, quickly followed by a warm smile. ]

"Thank you Mitsuru. I don't think I'd be able to pass classes this quarter without your help." [ And mention of most of the classes decided already, she perks a bit curiously. ]

"So what classes will you be taking?"

[ She pauses, her smile fading to one of unease. Yeah, she actually kind of welcomes the pattern of classes and homework again. Even if she is jinxed to lose roommates as soon as she gets them, apparently :D ]

[willnotsubmit]

"First and foremost is Defensive Driving, and Economics, along with Para-Magic and Guardian Forces. I've been missing the subject matter in the first two, and need practice with the third."

[Mitsuru begins automatically. She really doesn't even need to think back, having memorized her classes several days ago.]

"I've also elected to brush up on Mathematics, so we may have some common ground with that. Along with Military Movement and Self Defense, since those are both required classes. Aside from Economics, my other electives will be Cultural Studies, International Law, and Languages for mental work. And Intermediate Weapons Training and Swimming to round out the physical classes."

[She nods as she finishes reciting all of those.]

"All told, it should be a manageable work load, with some time left for reading and study between classes."

[lastesper]

"I've already taken the magic classes... I could help you with the paramagic and guardian forces class, in return for you helping me with math class." [ Tentatively offered. She's silent about the remainder of the classes, thoughtful. ]

"I've already taken most of the classes - the self defense, military movement and cultural studies.. um..." [ Here she pauses to look at her notebook and see what she had picked. ] "I have math too - maybe we'll have the same class? When is it?" [ She can't help but be a little hopeful there. ] "Then there's Introduction to Beasts, survival training - advanced weapons training and magic classes...Oh, I have First Aid, Swimming and that ballroom dance class too."

[ She flips pages a few times, still baffled about why dancing would be a requirement. ] "It looks like I'll have a lot of free time too. That's good, I wouldn't want to neglect the Chocobo stables."