2F: Ballroom Balcony. The Rising Storm. ATN: Any

[Asher Devias]

It was late, well after hours and of course Asher wasn’t in his dormitory. The young man was restless, far to restless for sleep. The talk of an upcoming SeeD exam had most of the cadets one edge and nervous, Asher wasn’t nervous. He was ready. The last two times he had taken the exams he had failed. There wasn’t going to be a third time. Although in his opinion he deemed his actions of the last exam to be worthy of passing, the others saw it differently. The thought of those instructors looking down on him passing judgment and berating him made his blood boil. It had been a decision made in the heat of a combat situation, he’d made the decision and dealt with the consequences of it.

A soft sight slipped from his lips as he brought a knee up to his chest and let one of his arms wrap around it. The smell of rain permeated the air and in the distance he could see the flash of lighting behind clouds coming this way.
Asher was sitting on the railing of the balcony of the second floor ballroom, someplace he wasn’t supposed to be, but as usual he’d use those well developed skills of a former thief to evade the faculty and get past the locks, both electronic and pickable. He was pretty sure that nobody was going to find him here, even if they did he didn’t really care. The young man was down, he wanted to pass the exam and knew that he possessed the skills to do so, but if he couldn’t do it exactly as they wanted it then he wouldn’t pass. His chin rested on the top of his knee, midnight blue hair blowing gently around his pale face as Instructor Trepe’s words from the library days ago echoed loudly in his ears.

"Will you ever learn that your way is not always the right one? That rules are in place for the protection of everyone? That includes not only civilians, but other SeeD as well as the gardens.”

Shaking his head he let out another breath, trying to squash down the waves of anger that were rolling off him at the very moment. What did she know? She probably was to weak to make the decision that he had made, sometimes to save lives you had to take lives. He could remember the day as clear as any, the look on the surprised informant’s face when Asher had plunged one of those razor sharp daggers into his chest… He could remember the look in his eyes, his final words as blood seeped from his mouth…

“You… can’t… kill me.”

Asher almost chuckled at the time, oh yes I can he had thought. While instructors, SeeD, and cadets stared on in disbelief at the events that had transpired he had simply, calmly wiped the blood from his weapon and sheathed it. A cold blooded act, and ablatantt disregard for human life and the rules of engagement, that’s what they called it in the hearing. Pssht… what did they know? He shook his head again, maybe they were right, or maybe he just wasn’t cut out to be one of them. Gloved fingers curled around the cord wrapped hilt of one of those daggers and he slid it quietly from his sheathe staring at the blade, barely glinting in the darkness. The blade was tossed up in the air, spinning and rotating to be caught as it came down in Asher’s practice hands, only to be tossed again. A soft whisper slipped from his lips.

“Who cares what they think anyway… "

[Rylie Ellorna Sonaz]

"I think you care what they think." Familiar bold and alluring voice came from out of the shadows, just behind and to the right, as Rylie stepped into the light. This part of the garden was, generally, off-limits. Few were known to come visit this spot yet students when seeking solace somehow found a way to reach it.

Rylie came here when seeking peace. Sometimes chaos could become a bit much. Being a SeeD didn't change much. She had her own quarters, yes, and a bit more freedom- yet she was still learning and sometimes learning to work with people so vastly different from onself was a task. This was where Rylie came when she wanted to get away. Of course, finding Asher Devias here was definitely not part of the plan.

This man didn't know the meaning of the word peace. If anything all that he knew how to do was cause chaos. Hadn't that been why he'd failed the SeeD exam before? Rylie could remember now her own shock during that event. It'd taken months to get the image of the informant's face out of her mind as his life had been unexpectedly taken. They had never found his family either- at least not alive. Clearly they'd been killed when the informant had which made alot of higher rank SeeD members, especially those in charge, furious.

Why Asher hadn't been tossed out on his hind end, Rylie couldn't figure out. Someone in here was watching out for him. Yet it was obvious that he had learned nothing from those events. The boy didn't think rules applied where he was concerned. "Come here to get some insight? Or just breaking another rule to say you've broke it?"

Rylie was breaking a rule too, by being out at this hour and up on the second floor balcony, yet wasn't going to deny it. If she got caught then she'd take the fitting punishment. At least this rule breaking though wouldn't put in jeopardy the lives of innocents or compromise a mission. That was a situation she would never put herself in. One hand shoved through her strawberry colored hair, cobalt blue gaze moving toward the midnight blue-haired young man, as she leaned forearms against the balcony railing.

Having slipped out into the night meant that she was not wearing uniform. Instead her clothing consisted of a light blue tank top with a tan skirt, and jacket that covered the length of both garments though was left open down the middle. Her arms were left on view as were her legs- at least until coming to matching tan boots at mid-calf. Clothing for relaxation purposes was always necessary plus sometimes SeeD had to go in covertly- and a uniform was a dead giveaway.

Silent now, she stood there and wondered what snide comment would come from Asher now. There was something on his mind if he was here.

[Asher Devias]

It took some silent feet to get the drop on Asher Devias, perhaps maybe it was because of the thunder in the distance, the wind around his ears, or maybe it was just because he was lost in his own thoughts, whatever it was he didn’t hear Rylie until she spoke up. Those first words caught him by surprise and immediately that knife came up ready for a single, deadly throw. His eyes registered the face and as much as he would LOVE to throw the knife at this certain person he knew that wasn’t going to be a very good idea. Instead he scoffed at her words, that disrespectful sound coming from behind a mask of irritation even simply at her presence.

It was no secret that the two disliked each other, before he had failed the SeeD exam the two had been considered equals, but after when she got promoted to him it never seemed like a meeting went by when she didn’t rub that in his face. So high on herself... what a bitch... Even now she was making a comment about him breaking the rules, when she was in turn doing the same thing. That blade was tossed up and caught again, tossed and caught, those dark eyes attuned to the low light simply regarding her, analyzing her. They would never be equals in his opinion and he wouldn’t hesitate to test that behind the steel of one of his many children.

“Oi.”

That's all it was from Asher at the very moment, that accented term from pale lips that to him meant hello. Trademark smirk slipped to his lips before he turned his vision back to the approaching storm. If she only knew the things that were going through his head at the very moment. Those thoughts from that day, the look on her face, the fear in her eyes after he had killed that informant. The animosity he felt from her from every moment after that, even more then there already had been. The knife flew once more in the air, only to be caught again, before it tapped against the side of his face gently as he seemed to be thinking of a response to her snide comment. His eyes turned back to her that steady habitual tapping continued as he gently rotated the familiar blade in his palm.

“I came to watch the storm. Such beauty precipitated by such a strong, violent occurrence. Its breath taking. What about you Ms. Perfect? I see you’re hear, looking for insight or were you just dying to know how it felt to break a rule for once?”

That smirk once again followed his snide comment. Before the blade gently nicked his skin causing a small, almost invisible line of crimson to form across that white cheek. The pain felt good, kept him in check, it stung about the same as a paper cut. She was easy to irritate for him and he could take a small measure of pleasure from that. His eyes roamed her form, just waiting in rapt anticipation for her next comment.

[Rylie Ellorna Sonaz]

Lording position over someone of lower rank was not what Rylie was doing. Such actions only existed within Asher's mind. She didn't see a need for that kind of behavior. Instead all Rylie did was make herself proud by doing well as a SeeD. There wasn't anyone else out there to be proud for her. The only family had was those within this garden, and to be honest- she hadn't tried to make any close relationships. There was nothing in her that understood how to make them. Generally bonds formed in childhood taught one the complexities of bonding, but having never had one even as a child it left her inept. It was why Rylie was a person of solitude.

The comment made hadn't been meant to sound snide and so she didn't realize it had. Instead it was more a simple question. Generally Asher was always making rules. If he wasn't then people would likely think him ill. Around the garden there was one person that annoyed her to no end- and it was him. Successfully had he managed to get under her skin, and rile her temper into coming forth. Now Rylie strove not to let that happen again. Perusing the distant scenery with contemplative cobalt eyes, she hadn't even tensed before at the sight of his knife when almost thrown at her. Even now as he stood tossing it into the air and toying with it she barely paid attention.

"Cute little toy you have there." That comment had been meant to annoy him. Why not? They'd never pretended to like each other. Had Rylie known that Asher thought she was afraid of him...she'd have laughed, hard. No, it hadn't been fear of him that day in her gaze. It'd been fear of what would now happen after he'd compromised the mission. Sorrow was the only other emotion on display- and that had been for the man and his family.

No fear of Asher though. What was there to fear? The man was foolish. Even now while teachers stood in classrooms using him as a lesson of what not to do on the field during SeeD missions Asher stood playing games. Not a single lesson had been taken from it by him. Rolling those eyes at his words about the lightning and thunder, she murmured,"It is beautiful. Though your little game with the knife that you're trying to play here is a little lame. You don't scare me Asher Devias. Sorry if that upsets you."

Turning head to the side, having felt his eyes on her while looking away- as if sizing her up, she raised a brow,"I came up here to think and clear my head. And if you wish to address me then do it right. I know you're trying to rile my temper. It won't work."

Childish games were best left for children. That Rylie considered Asher one said alot. She couldn't figure out why he didn't want to just grow up.

[Asher Devias]

The only thing that instructors mentioned Asher about in their classes that was positive was his raw combat abilities. On a field of battle, in combat, Asher scored higher then anyone in his class. He could pick up almost any weapon he wanted and could best someone in a physical confortation. His body reacted quicker and more efficiently, his mind as well, but he lacked in other key areas. Diplomacy and leadership being two of those areas. He listened to those words about a toy come out of her mouth and that cocky smirk returned to his features that blade digging into his face before he tossed it up again, caught it and then the blade was thrown at her. It went directly over her left shoulder, maybe even clipping some of her hair as it went.

“We both know I don’t have to miss, Ry Ry. But oy, lets see whos afraid of whom. We both obviously don’t like each other, but I’ve just been literally dying to see who truly is better in a fight. Me or... you?”

Asher’s hands talked as he spoke before he turned around to complete face her. His eyes had changed color as they often did. That somewhat psychotic chuckle left his lips as he pressed back on his hands and lifted his bottom off the guard rail to stand on top of it. Booted feet pressed down against the rail and Asher stood their with perfect balance, his eyes not leaving her form. The bet on her fighting him, slim to none.

“If ye can hit me, and thats a big IF and knock me off this balcony then its all settled between you and I. Here... I’ll even fucking even the odds for ye.”

The last words were spit with so much venom that there was no doubt of the hate that laced the young man’s heart. He turned his back to her as graceful as any dancer on such a small surface. There wasn’t even a blade in his hand, not like he needed one. Everyone who ever saw Asher fight knew he could go from unarmed to armed in a matter of seconds. She couldn’t see his face, she would never know the sadistic look that his features took before his next statement slipped from his pale lips.

“C’mon Ry Ry, or are ye scared to die? Like our parents?”

[Leon Thornwood]

Over hearing a conversation on the balcony, after leaving Instructor Trepe's office late that evening, Leon decided to venture over to see what the ruckus was. As Leon peered through the doorway, a knife came hurdling over a slender womans shoulder and hitting the wall next to where he was peering. Deciding to take an observation post, Leon listened in more closely. "We both know I don’t have to miss, Ry Ry. But oy, lets see whos afraid of whom. We both obviously don’t like each other, but I’ve just been literally dying to see who truly is better in a fight. Me or... you?” Leon heard the male figure on the balcony said.
Leon wasn't sure if he should fetch an instructor or not considering the past these two seemed to have. Were they playing a sick joke? Or maybe just an arguement gone wrong. He decided not to run to Instructor Trepe's office and see what the relationship was. Suddenly it looked as if the male figure was going to jump off the balcony. Without thinking, Leon darted past the woman to try and grab the male before he jumped.

[Rylie Ellorna Sonaz]

It'd taken luck to dodge that knife. Asher had quite the skill at throwing even if he'd been aiming to miss in hopes to annoy her. Rylie's head had moved in the opposite direction quick enough to make hair fly with the movement, and luckily only a few strands had been frayed. They'd grow back though. Where the knife fell, if it hadn't embedded itself in the frame behind her, Rylie didn't know or care. Instead her gaze was focused on that insane laughter with its matching glow located in Asher's gaze. Some people it might frighten? Rylie though returned a calm smirk.

Threats and comments meant to egg on. That was what Rylie was facing at this exact moment. She couldn't stand Asher Devias. Someone who should have grown up by now yet still insisted upon behaving as a child. Why was it that anyone still let him walk these halls? Even the infamous Seifer had eventually grown up, become better than this immature little boy, and it seemed Asher never would. "No, I will not play these games with you. If you think that throwing your little knives at me will make me more interested, you'd be wrong."

There'd be no foolish behavior. Asher might be perfectly fine with getting his behind kicked out of Balamb, but she was not. This wasn't a game. It was her life. "Get the hell down from there, Cadet, before you break your scrawny neck. Perhaps if you live long enough you'll learn what it means to truly be a part of garden."

Asher didn't seem to realize that whoever kept him in garden after that incident wouldn't be able to forever. It was only the appearance of another form that distracted her from Asher's comment about parents. Rylie's temper had almost come to the fore then, those cadet blues seeming to become ice, and foot had taken one step forward with intent to knock him off. That was until another Cadet came into appearance. "Stop there. Don't go anywhere closer to him. If he falls it's his own foolish fault. No need to get yourself hurt for someone who doesn't care who he hurts." One hand reached out to grab the other Cadet's arm in a strong grip. It'd release it shortly after. Most people had to have human contact. They felt the need to touch another person, and feel as if they weren't alone. Rylie had never had that feeling before. She barely touched anyone outside of combat.

"You won't always have someone to protect you. On that day I'll be there to watch your downfall with pity in my eyes. Pity for a child who will never know what it is to be a SeeD or an adult." Those words were directed straight at Asher with a smirk, and cruel note that were part of what made people think her the cold-hearted bitch. She turned with intent to leave the balcony then.

[Asher Devias]

Always by the book, what a poor soul. She never looked like she ever was having any fun. Either when she was fighting or when she was having her down time. Always so serious. Asher would simply shake his head at her with an amused expression. Before slowly turning around and tiptoeing along the with his head turned upwards and his hands clasped behind his back.

"Oh Rylie you're so serious all the time... don't ye know how to have any fun? Jeez, you'd think somebody had shoved a gunblade up your ass with the way ye act. Why so serious love?"

He'd always had a flair for the dramatic and it showed in situations like this, over-dramatic sigh with his arms flopping, hanging limp at his sides. Maybe he truly wasn't all there, who knew but it was that dangerous gleam in his eye that put people on edge. Of course all his comments had been made to egg her on, that was what he lived for.

"Maybe you'll find out what being a part of garden really is..."

Those words of hers repeated softly, eyes following her every movement. He loved getting under peoples' skins, her skin in particular. She just didn't know how much easier it would be to get under her skin with something sharp. Asher snickered at that thought before his eyes caught another person coming into the picture. An eyebrow rose almost comically when Rylie stopped him, then those lips curled into that trademark grin again.

"Oi boyo, out for a stroll as well? Come to watch the show have ye? Well then, I shan't dissappoint."

Practiced fingers whipped out three blades and he started juggling them. Of course the only thing he liked doing more then messing with people, was messing with people in front of an audience. The juggling didn't last long, about as long as it took for Rylie to turn around and head toward the exit. That prompted Asher to leap of the balcony in mock desperation.

"Wait! WAAAAITT! I love you! Please don't leave me! I need you to teach me everything about being a SeeD!"

The look of pleading in his eyes was well acted, it last mere seconds before he burst out in hysterical laughter. Who was he kidding? They both knew they detested each other. Asher's butt hit the ground as he nearly doubled over with laughter, back resting against the balcony as the rain started to pour in. The laughter slowly subsided. His hands came up to rest over his head on the balcony rail, smirk still plastered across his pale lips.

"Oi, get the fuck outta here, the both of ye. I'm tired of lookin at ye."

The grin never left his lips as he motioned them off with a wave of his hand, but not before he blew Rylie a kiss and then a wink. Soft laughter still floating from his form in the low light.