Selphiechap1 Selphie bounced up the gangplank of the Ragnorak and into its cargo hold. Well it used to be its cargo hold, it had long since been converted into a passenger deck to transport SeeDs and SeeD candidates on missions. This mission had been a final SeeD exam for the current students, it was just a hunt for a band of brigands hiding in one of the forests around Obel Lake, nothing near as intense as her final had been. For that she was thankful, her own experience was relived in some of her worse nightmares. She could now tell which of the candidates was going to pass before Xu had even told her. She had been a backup SeeD on these missions for so long now Xu often came to her for her opinion on these matters even though Selphie had decided not to become an instructor.

The students should be back soon, the backup SeeDs were lounging around in the conference room, in a state that didn't befit a SeeD on duty. But of course, SeeDs got so little time to chill these days it was nice for them to relax. She took the lift up and wandered into the conference room. 'Look professional guys and head down to get the students strapped in. Xu should have them back in a bit.' Everyone knew Selphie's reputation, she was 'one of those people who went with Squall', it didn't bother her but it got her more respect from her subordinates than her otherwise happy go lucky attitude would have earned her. They slowly filed from the room and she shook her head.

'What's the matter Selphie?' Zell asked with a grin. She turned to him in surprise.

'Have you finished already? How many students passed?' She asked. He suppressed a grin.

'Four and that's not answering my question.' Selphie shook her head with a small smile playing on her lips.

'Don't, it makes me feel old, is it me or are SeeDs getting younger on every trip out?' Zell sniggered and shrugged.

'Come on Selphie, you are only Twenty-seven. You have years of active service yet.' He looked at her questioningly. 'Or is that the problem?'

'Don't start getting all psychological on me Zell. It's unnatural.' She walked past him as he threw an insulted hey at her receding back.

She walked into the cockpit of the Ragnorak and smelt the slight musky scent that had always made her feel at home here. She slid into the pilots seat and heard the leather creak under her. She ran her hands over the smooth controls and remembered that first moment of discovery when she learnt that she could actually fly this machine. She loved the Ragnorak and Squall had practically given it to her after the Ultimecia situation, she'd given the order for it to be resprayed it's original crimson red and now it looked like a proper ruby dragon. The comm unit buzzed to life beside her and Xu informed her that all the students were aboard and she could now head back to Balamb garden. She lovingly started the Ragnorak and revelled in the deep-throated thrum of the engines for a moment before she began the vertical takeoff that had so astounded her the first time she had flown. Then she sent it rocketing forwards and whooped with delight as the rough arms of G-force pressed her back in her seat.

'Whoa Selphie, are you trying to frighten those poor kids to death?' Zell asked her as he raced into the cockpit and took the co-pilots chair. She grinned apologetically; she was doing top speed right now. 'You do know some of them kids are travel sick.' Selphie turned to his indignant glare and laughed.

'Relax Zell. How long have I been flying this machine?'

'Too long obviously.' He looked outside the window. 'Balamb should be coming up soon.' Selphie gave him a long, flat stare. He saw it and grinned ruefully. 'Yeah, I know, how long have you been flying this machine?' Selphie was looking out for the air pad that had been built especially for the Ragnorak, she had to do a sharp u-turn as she flew past it. 'Flying an inexact science is it Seffie?' Selphie aimed a sharp kick at his leg as she engaged landing procedures.

'Think yourself lucky next time I'll clock you one with my shinobu.' Zell laughed at her hollow threat.

'Yeah, yeah, promises, promises.' She sighed and got up from her seat to stretch, Zell gave her a concerned look. 'But seriously Selphie are you okay? Work not getting you down?' At that she laughed out loud.

'No my work isn't the problem.' She shook her head. 'Zell please forget I said anything. It's not your problem. I'm not sure it will be mine for much longer.' She sighed and headed down to the landing pad.

*

Rinoa was waiting on the air pad for them holding her new baby in one arm. Brook gurgled happily and Selphie squealed in delight as she ran over to the baby and grabbed her out of Rinoa's arms. Selphie loved Squall's kids, Brook and his three year old girl, Ember, were the highlight of her day and the best bit was that their mum or dad took them away from her when they started crying.

'Good afternoon to you too Selphie.' Rinoa said with a smile, Selphie threw a grin at her over her shoulder. 'You two should really move ahead to Garden, Squall is going to announce the kids that passed the exam.' Selphie looked over her shoulder at Zell.

'I'm coming, I'm coming. You bringing the kids?' Zell asked Rinoa and she shook her head.

'You mother is going to look after them tonight so I can attend the ball this year.' She grinned at them. 'I'm just going to give her Brook as well if I can pry her out of Selphie's hands.' The three grinned and Selphie handed back the child. The pair saw Rinoa march off down the road towards Balamb and then trotted off across the grassy plains.