Legal Hoo-Ha: We don't own Final Fantasy VIII. So don't bother suing us, because I'm poor, and I don't think Aki wants to have to find a lawyer.
Keeper of Lies' Notes: This is a joint story that was thought up by the wonderful, talented, beautiful Aki Valek and...um, me. ^0^ We're making this story together, and its a Quiefer, before you ask. It's from two different perspectives-- Seifer and Quistis. Aki will be writing out the roll of Seifer, and I will be writing out the roll of Quistis. YAY! So just read and enjoy the work of two combined great authors! (Well... she's great anyway. ^^)
Keeper of Lies and Aki Valek Present:
Elysian
Dawn
I awoke to the sound of the intercom overhead.
"Quistis Trepe... please report to the Headmaster's Office."
Perhaps what intrigued me most was the fact that it was Squall who could be heard on the intercom, signaling for my presence. As I blinked out the sleep from my eyes, I could feel the instinctive flutter of butterflies in my stomach-- a feeling I had gotten used to. It was the feeling that occurred whenever I thought of Squall.
I quickly pulled my hair back into its usual bun in a hurry, slipping on my clothes as quickly as I could possibly muster. My usual salmon-colored dress was wrinkled in several places, which annoyed me greatly, but I tried my best to ignore it. Throwing on my boots with no socks, I barreled out of my dorm room, not to be one to keep Squall waiting.
***
I entered the Headmaster's Office some time later, winded. And sure enough, there was Squall, cool gray eyes searching from my messy hair to the wrinkles in my skirt. How unprofessional I must've looked. I went pink with embarrassment.
Squall was stationed next to the Headmaster, who was busy with some paperwork. A little rude of him, in my opinion, to be jotting down whatever it was while a SeeD was in the room. But who was I to tell a headmaster that?
After several minutes of avoiding eye contact with Squall, Squall gave up, and turned his attention to the headmaster. Lionheart still in its hostler, shining in the morning shine that poured through the window, he cleared his throat, as to gain attention.
Headmaster Cid nearly jumped ten feet in the air. Squall took a step back, eyes sparkling in amusement, although his mouth never gave the slightest hint of a smile. A true professional at what he did.
Cid sputtered, shooting Squall a look, and then turned his attention to me, mumbling an apology under his breath. I simply nodded and saluted him in a professional fashion.
"At ease," Headmaster said. My hand dropped lazily at my side as we made eye contact.
"Sir, I was summoned?" I asked quietly, hoping this could be over quickly so I could go back to bed. I felt as though I were to fall over on the spot.
"Ah! Oh, yes-- Squall, you do the honors..." Cid turned away uninterested, continuing with his paperwork.
Squall looked as though he would have rather kept quiet, but instead, cleared his throat before he began, the butterflies churning within my stomach once again.
"It appears that Galbadia is at it again," he said softly, but automatically got louder as he continued. "They believe that their sorceress--Matr--er, Edea--" it had been the first time he had ever faltered, and I couldn't help the huge smile that spread across my features. Like some sort of disease that spread, I found that Squall, too, had allowed a brief smile that graced his already gorgeous features.
"Ah--well, they believe Edea is coming back to power shortly, so they are..."preparing a place" for her, as if to fulfil some sort of prophecy untold."
"Preparing a place for her?" I blinked. "Meaning...?"
"Not exactly a place, mind you. It's more or less of like-- the world under her control. Preparing the place for her-- a rough translation is: preparing the world for her. They're going to conquer it."
I stifled a gasp, and Squall nodded. "Their base of operations is somewhere in the Tribia Mountain Range... and Headmaster Cid and I are sending out several SeeDs to stop what they are attempting to do."
So basically, save the world? Been there, done that.
"Quistis Trepe," Squall said, his voice quieting once again, "I am making you the Commanding Squad Leader of a squad of fifty SeeDs. I want you to find the base of operations in the mountains, and ultimately, destroy it. Is that understood?"
I nodded, saluting him. He just shook his head, never being the one for such formality.
"Your class will be substituted starting tomorrow until further notice-- or until you come back from your leave of absence from instructing. Basically-- when you complete the mission you'll begin teaching again."
I know.
"When do I leave?" I asked.
"This afternoon--meet out in the front gate at 3:00 PM sharp. Several vehicles will pull up to escort you and the rest of the mercenary SeeDs to the train location, where you will be taken to a stop by the Tribia Mountain Range. From there on out, you're on foot. Camp supplies will be provided and medical supplies as well. Bring your own weapon and ammo."
"I use a whip," I stated flatly, before I could stop myself.
Squall smirked. "I know, Quistis. But its what my sheet said to say." He shrugged helplessly, and then, not so formally, he said: "You want to see whom you're commanding?"
"Not unless it's anyone I know."
"So, you want to know the fact that Seifer Almasy is with you, right?"
"Who?" I asked, unable to believe what I was hearing.
"Seifer Almasy," Squall repeated, giving a little sigh with the horrified look on my features. "I know."
I felt like screaming. The worst possible student that ever existed. The hardheaded, strong-willed, most mean and foolish young man I have ever met. It was going to be an exceptionally long mission indeed.
***
When I exited the Headmaster's Office, it was none other then the hardheaded Seifer himself. He was leaning against the wall, as though he were expecting me.
"I guess we'll be working together," I said, trying to be cheery.
"Yeah," he said, fixing me with a gaze. "But," he got up from his position against the wall, leaning in closer to me, upper lip curling into a sneer. "I bet you'd like Squall to be working with you, better. So maybe you could hope that he'd do you in the rear." And with that, he turned on his heel, walking down the hallways swiftly to the elevator.
I felt like screaming at him at the top of my lungs, but it would only attract attention and make matters worse. Instead, I merely gave an exasperated sigh and walked around the other side to get to the elevator, but taking longer. Hopefully then, I wouldn't run into him.
I hate him.
Oh, this was going to be an interesting trip, indeed.