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AN: I first wrote this story on November 12, 2004. Five years later, I'm ready to continue it, but with major tweaks and rewrites. I've grown as a writer and some of the stuff written in the original make me cringe. This will be majorly improved on. So please read on and enjoy. My notes will be at the end of the chapter like always.
Alexandria Academy
Chapter 1
Welcome!
"We're ready, ma'am," said Cid Highwind. He tapped the recorder in his hand.
Principal Beatrix faced away from her school towards the man. She brushed her hair out of her face and nodded. Cid hit the record button and gave her a thumb up.
"Hello, and welcome to Alexandria Academy!" she said. She smiled softly. "I am Principal Beatrix and I will explain everything on campus. Here at the Academy, students from different countries join together to learn various subjects before going out into the world to create a new future. Please, come along with me and see why Alexandria Academy is the school for you."
Cid followed after his boss with the recorder in tow. Through the front gates was a spacious courtyard with lush green grass meeting against the stone path. Tall trees formed a circle. In the center of the path and the trees was a large fountain with two back to back statues rising above the water. The one facing the gates was Cosmos, the Goddess of Harmony. The one facing the north entrance was Chaos, the God of Destruction.
"The Academy is a twelve-year institution divided into three factions." Beatrix pointed to the entrance to her right. "The west gate leads the middle schoolers' faction. These are ones in first to fifth grade." She then pointed to the entrance to her left. "The east gate leads to the junior high. These are ones in sixth to eighth grade. And behind me past the statues is the north entrance for high schoolers."
Beatrix proceeded through the north gate and stood in front of a small building that was between the courtyard and the high school section.
"Each faction is complete with its own set of dorms, commons, and classrooms. The dorms have a recreation center, computer lab, and a master library that students may use. East and west of this building are living quarters for the teachers. These buildings are forbidden to all students. But this building behind me is Student Services. Here, we will answer any question and handle other problems that may arise."
She and Cid entered inside. There was a large desk near the entrance. It was very organized despite the stack of folders and papers piled up. File cabinets stood behind the desk. Behind the desk was a girl no older than eighteen wearing a pink suit. Her hair was blond and her eyes were a shade of brown hidden behind a pair of glasses.
"This here is Quistis Trepe. She handles all paperwork, appointments, and questions you may have. Quistis, say hello."
Quistis smiled. "Hello all." She went back to filing the cabinets behind her.
"To the right here," gestured Beatrix, "is where various offices are. If you ever get in trouble you will be sent to Dean Kefka Palazzo or Dean Sephiroth. This also leads to my office and Vice Principal Ed--"
A tall man emerged from the hallway. He spotted the camera and grinned. He put an arm around Beatrix and joyfully said, "Hey everyone! I'm the Academy's Vice Principal. The name's Edgar Roni Figaro! If you've decided to take the martial arts class, you'll be getting my brother Sabin as your teac--"
Beatrix brushed Edgar's hand from her shoulder and pushed him away back into the hallway. "That's enough out of you! Go back to work!"
Quistis smirked at the camera and shrugged. "Vice Principal Edgar tends to get like that. Don't worry. He's a pretty good guy overall."
Beatrix came back and sighed. She smoothed out the imaginary creases on her dress and said, "So let's continue shall we?"
She and Cid left Student Services and entered the north dormitory.
"Each dormitory is just about the same. There are ten floors. Most students room with another. If you pay a little extra, your student may have a private dorm, which are found on the ninth and tenth floor."
There was a little commotion as several students were climbing down the stairs. These were the students that had moved back into the dorm after their summer break. Beatrix looked over. She snapped her fingers at one of the students.
"Kinneas! Irvine! Come here!" She called.
The tall, dark haired boy wearing a cowboy hat approached the camera. His arm was wrapped around his girlfriend's shoulders. She was about a head shorter than him. Her dark brown hair flipped out to the side. She grinned as she eyed the camera with her green eyes.
"What's up, Miss Principal?" asked Irvine. He nodded towards the camera. "What's this all about?"
"Promotional video for the school. So, Irvine, what is your favorite part about living in the dorms?"
"It's fun with all the people you have on your floor. You get to see them even if you don't have a class with each other."
"What about you, Selphie? What do you like most about living in the dorms?"
"Best part is seeing your friends everyday! A lot happens in the dorms with all the kinds of people that live in the same building," the girl said. "Well, you'd just have to come down here and try it out for yourself."
"And are you happy with the food provided?"
"Oh yeah!" said Irvine. "Quina's food is awesome! Or as s/he says, 'yummy.'"
Selphie laughed. "What he said."
"Okay, thank you both."
Selphie waved at the camera with a huge grin on her face. Irvine winked and pointed his forefinger at the camera like a pistol. "Catch ya later!" drawled Irvine. The couple left.
"All middle school and junior high students must be back in the dorms by eight on weekdays and nine on weekends. High school students must be back in the dorms by ten on weekdays and by one on weekends. They will not be allowed to leave the dorm if it is after curfew. If a student is caught outside after hours they will have to face the wrath of the Deans."
She shuddered, but went to continue on with the visual tour. Cid took shots of the campus with the recorder.
"And this is Alexandria Academy! We hope that you will consider us for your child's education."
Cid pressed the stop button and ended the recording. "That's it."
Beatrix's smile faded and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god," said mumbled. She pinched her sore cheeks. "Thanks, Cid. You can go edit the footage now before getting it back to me."
"All right, Boss."
"Here comes another school year…"
TIME. FOR. NOTES. I had discontinued my original Alexandria Academy story because of lack of interest. But now I'm suddenly really interested to pick it back up again. The story will contain characters from the IV and VI-X-2. I was originally going to have characters from ALL of the games up until X-2, but then I've never played III and V. I also didn't get very far with I and II. And it's been a while since I've played a lot of the games. I almost feel guilty with going along with the story even though I'm not so familiar with the worlds anymore. I'm also kind of scared of messing up people's personalities and such. But no matter. I'll get in tune with it soon.
The statues at the front of the school is a reference to Dissidia: Final Fantasy. I really want to play it, but I don't have a PSP.
Ooh, one things I'm worried about (but still excited) is that there are A LOT of characters, but it isn't so surprising when you are dealing with so many characters from a lot of games. Right now I'm about at 41 Students and 24 Administration/Teachers. But for many of the students, I might just mention them and they'll appear every once in a while. For the record, many of the students are at about 17 so they are juniors. Few others are younger and older.
Well, I think that's it. See you for the next chapter!
(By the way, Kefka and Sephiroth as Deans? I'd be hella scared to be going to this school now...)
