"A Stab in the Dark" ~ by Allora Atwater
A/N: Well, this is sort of a little follow-up to "Whatever the Cat Drags In"... it's basically about how Seifer and Squall come to terms with their rivalry. *Shrugs* Hope ya like it... thanks to everyone who stuck with me through WTCDI, I appreciate all your reviews! I dunno if I should turn this into a series about Seifer being in the Garden or what, so you tell me if it's worth continuing.
Disclaimer: Don't you know by now that none of this is mine? None of it! All Squaresoft's!
It's been a long time since I graced these halls. Everything looks so familiar, and yet so vague at the same time. I guess some of the students recognize me too... I keep hearing these barely audible whispers circulating, keep getting these bastardizing glares. It takes every ounce of strength I've got not to glare right back or start swearing like a sailor for that matter. Quistis reaches for my hand reassuringly but I let it go. I can handle things on my own; the only way to get things done is if you do em by yourself.
I'm trying hard not to let this get to me cause I know I don't deserve any mercy from these people. I almost destroyed them all, on several accounts. I dunno how to atone for my actions, but the first step is proving that I can come back. From the looks on their faces, I think the students are shocked that I'm with the Instructor, and for once, we're not bickering. I let my arm slide around her shoulders for an extra boost of confidence, and she puts hers around my waist.
"I hope this doesn't start a bunch of rumors." I comment, seeing that most people's eyes are about to fall out of their sockets. Quistis looks up at me with a peculiar expression.
"Since when has Seifer Almasy cared what other people think of him?"
"Since he fell in love with you." I reply, trying not to put too much force into my words. I didn't wanna overdo it with the mush. She's already turned me into some kinda softie, and I'm not gonna start sending her teddy bears with balloons that say 'I Wuv You'. How cheesy is that? That's no way to show a girl you care. That's a way of showing a girl you have no taste and you regard her as an immature flake. It's lucky for me that Quistis understands me enough to know that I care, and I'll show it in my own way. Sometimes I get the feeling she wants little things like roses and chocolates, but how does that seal a relationship? Flowers die and candy makes you fat. How romantic. Right. Gag me with a spoon while you're at it.
I let go of her as we step onto the elevator and head for the third floor. She sees one of her students get off and waves at him. He's got a funny look on his face but waves back. The doors close and I lean on the railing, staring at the lit up buttons. Quistis puts a hand on my shoulder and I flinch.
"Calm down Seifer."
"I'm calm."
"You're tense."
"I am not."
"You're clutching that rail like it's the only thing keeping you on your feet."
I look down at my hands and my knuckles are draining color with the strain of my hold. I quickly let go.
"Relax." she says, squeezing my shoulder. "I believe in you."
"Thanks for the publice service announcement." I mutter, and she blushes. The doors slide open with an annoying little 'ding!' and I let her get off first.
"Alright, I told Headmeaster Cid and Squall --"
"Don'cha mean *Commander* Squall?" I sneer, and she gives me her warning look.
"You aren't going to make it very far with that kind of attitude. Now listen... they don't know you're here. Which is why I'm going to talk to them first. When you go in there, be on your best behavior."
I roll my eyes. "Yes mother, should I take out the trash while I'm at it?"
She raises her hand like she's gonna slap me, but I grab it and force it to her side.
"Now, now Instructor. That wouldn't be very nice." I whisper, raising my eyebrows suggestively.
Quisty smiles and wraps her arms around my neck.
"So sorry..." she trails off in mock apology, rising on her toes to kiss me. I seem to forget everything else at the moment as I return it with double the effort. And I thought the single life was fun. Damn was I wrong. She breaks the kiss just as I lean in for more, and I grunt. I hate when she holds out on me! But I always seem to obey her; I guess she has me wrapped around her finger now, even though that wasn't her intention.
"No time for this now." the Instructor breathes, collecting herself quickly. It's nice to know I have lingering effects.
"Alright. So I guess I'll be waitin' here till you get back. Don't keep me waiting too long."
She nods and turns to open the door to Headmeaster Cid's office. I give her a little pinch on her backside as she starts in, and she turns around and swats at my hand. I smile at her innocently from my place in the corridor.
"Instructor Trepe!" I hear Cid greet her as she walks in. "What a pleasure to see you my dear. What was it you wanted to speak with us about? Commander, say hello to the Instructor!"
"Please, just call me Squall." I hear Puberty Boy groan. I can see him saying something like that. He ain't used to the power he's been given just yet. "And hello Quistis."
"Hello yourselves." she replies, and I smile. That's my girl, straightforward and stubborn as a rusty nail. "I came in hopes that you would meet someone for me. Someone I think would be a great asset to Garden."
I wince; she's setting them up for a disappointment.
"Well Instructor Trepe, you've always had an eye for promising talent. Who is this person you're considering?"
She pauses. "Seifer, you can come in now."
I hesitate, forcing my legs to carry me into the room. Cid is sitting at the desk, Squall standing to his side, and Quistis moves to stand with me.
"Tell them what you told me Seifer." she encourages. I look to the Headmaster who seems startled. Squall's eyes flash with anger and spite. I cast my eyes to my feet. Quistis turns to leave, but I grab her hand, beckoning her to my side.
"Stay." I keep my voice low, but I know both Cid and Squall can hear me. She nods, relaxing into me.
"Seifer Almasy," Cid speaks up, peering at me from the rim of his glasses. "I never imagined the day when I would see you again."
The feeling's mutual buddy, I think, but I can't win anyone's trust with that kinda remark. I swallow my pride and resolve to meet his inquiring gaze.
"I stayed as far away from Garden as I could without leaving the shores of Balamb. I had enough sense to know that my reputation here has been sealed in the books, that I'm despised by many."
"Then why did you come back?" Squall asks, his temper flaring just a tad. I'm surprised he hasn't hounded me yet.
"A few reasons." I shrug. "Edea's orphanage and Balamb Garden were the only homes I ever knew. I wanted... I've been wanting the chance to come back, to take things seriously and reach my goals for once. I'm not a dock worker, I'm a warrior. My muscles ache to battle and my mind is craving stimulation. And now that I've got my heart in the right place, I'm asking for the chance to prove myself again."
Squall narrows his eyes; he doesn't believe me. Cid just stares pensively.
"I knew this was a bad idea." I mumble, turning to walk away. Quistis stops me.
"Seifer, I know you better than anyone and I know you're going to make a mistake if you walk out those doors."
I sigh. She's right as usual.
"You're right." I voice my thoughts, walking up to Cid's desk with strengthened resolve. "I know I'm not gonna win you guys over by being on my best behavior while I'm in here. But I want you to know that I mean everything I say. I want to start over, I want the chance to reach my real dream. I know my betrayal in the past will stain my record, but I wasn't fully myself as I'm sure you're aware of. And I've grown up and come to terms with everything that's important to me."
Cid's eyes reveal sympathy and compassion, which I loathe, but accept. Squall doesn't appear very moved.
"No one's stopping you from coming back."
"That's not really true." I say, walking towards him. "Our rivalry is one of the many things that's stopping me from coming back."
"Only because you let it rage on."
"But the look in your eyes tell me you haven't forgotten it either."
"If I may interrupt," Quistis blurts, stepping to the desk. "I don't think it should be a secret that Seifer and I are together. And I wouldn't be with him if I didn't have total trust and faith in him. I'm not saying you both need to forget about past mistakes, but I am saying you should forgive them."
I look at Squall, noting the scar between his eyes, reaching up to touch my own with a smirk.
"These marks will always be a symbol of our past." I murmur. "But there's no need for this to go on anymore. So maybe we'll never be friends, but for the good of everyone here, let's just agree on a truce, eh?"
I hold out my hand reluctantly, hoping he'll accept it. Truthfully, I'm not ready to end our rivalry. There's still so much resentment burning in my gut for him, but I gotta control it and do what's best. He glares hard at me, his eyes telling me that he won't forget our history either, but he knows it's for the best as well. Slowly, cautiously, he takes my hand firmly, giving it one pronounce shake before dropping it idly back to his side.
To Be Continued...??
A/N: Well, this is sort of a little follow-up to "Whatever the Cat Drags In"... it's basically about how Seifer and Squall come to terms with their rivalry. *Shrugs* Hope ya like it... thanks to everyone who stuck with me through WTCDI, I appreciate all your reviews! I dunno if I should turn this into a series about Seifer being in the Garden or what, so you tell me if it's worth continuing.
Disclaimer: Don't you know by now that none of this is mine? None of it! All Squaresoft's!
It's been a long time since I graced these halls. Everything looks so familiar, and yet so vague at the same time. I guess some of the students recognize me too... I keep hearing these barely audible whispers circulating, keep getting these bastardizing glares. It takes every ounce of strength I've got not to glare right back or start swearing like a sailor for that matter. Quistis reaches for my hand reassuringly but I let it go. I can handle things on my own; the only way to get things done is if you do em by yourself.
I'm trying hard not to let this get to me cause I know I don't deserve any mercy from these people. I almost destroyed them all, on several accounts. I dunno how to atone for my actions, but the first step is proving that I can come back. From the looks on their faces, I think the students are shocked that I'm with the Instructor, and for once, we're not bickering. I let my arm slide around her shoulders for an extra boost of confidence, and she puts hers around my waist.
"I hope this doesn't start a bunch of rumors." I comment, seeing that most people's eyes are about to fall out of their sockets. Quistis looks up at me with a peculiar expression.
"Since when has Seifer Almasy cared what other people think of him?"
"Since he fell in love with you." I reply, trying not to put too much force into my words. I didn't wanna overdo it with the mush. She's already turned me into some kinda softie, and I'm not gonna start sending her teddy bears with balloons that say 'I Wuv You'. How cheesy is that? That's no way to show a girl you care. That's a way of showing a girl you have no taste and you regard her as an immature flake. It's lucky for me that Quistis understands me enough to know that I care, and I'll show it in my own way. Sometimes I get the feeling she wants little things like roses and chocolates, but how does that seal a relationship? Flowers die and candy makes you fat. How romantic. Right. Gag me with a spoon while you're at it.
I let go of her as we step onto the elevator and head for the third floor. She sees one of her students get off and waves at him. He's got a funny look on his face but waves back. The doors close and I lean on the railing, staring at the lit up buttons. Quistis puts a hand on my shoulder and I flinch.
"Calm down Seifer."
"I'm calm."
"You're tense."
"I am not."
"You're clutching that rail like it's the only thing keeping you on your feet."
I look down at my hands and my knuckles are draining color with the strain of my hold. I quickly let go.
"Relax." she says, squeezing my shoulder. "I believe in you."
"Thanks for the publice service announcement." I mutter, and she blushes. The doors slide open with an annoying little 'ding!' and I let her get off first.
"Alright, I told Headmeaster Cid and Squall --"
"Don'cha mean *Commander* Squall?" I sneer, and she gives me her warning look.
"You aren't going to make it very far with that kind of attitude. Now listen... they don't know you're here. Which is why I'm going to talk to them first. When you go in there, be on your best behavior."
I roll my eyes. "Yes mother, should I take out the trash while I'm at it?"
She raises her hand like she's gonna slap me, but I grab it and force it to her side.
"Now, now Instructor. That wouldn't be very nice." I whisper, raising my eyebrows suggestively.
Quisty smiles and wraps her arms around my neck.
"So sorry..." she trails off in mock apology, rising on her toes to kiss me. I seem to forget everything else at the moment as I return it with double the effort. And I thought the single life was fun. Damn was I wrong. She breaks the kiss just as I lean in for more, and I grunt. I hate when she holds out on me! But I always seem to obey her; I guess she has me wrapped around her finger now, even though that wasn't her intention.
"No time for this now." the Instructor breathes, collecting herself quickly. It's nice to know I have lingering effects.
"Alright. So I guess I'll be waitin' here till you get back. Don't keep me waiting too long."
She nods and turns to open the door to Headmeaster Cid's office. I give her a little pinch on her backside as she starts in, and she turns around and swats at my hand. I smile at her innocently from my place in the corridor.
"Instructor Trepe!" I hear Cid greet her as she walks in. "What a pleasure to see you my dear. What was it you wanted to speak with us about? Commander, say hello to the Instructor!"
"Please, just call me Squall." I hear Puberty Boy groan. I can see him saying something like that. He ain't used to the power he's been given just yet. "And hello Quistis."
"Hello yourselves." she replies, and I smile. That's my girl, straightforward and stubborn as a rusty nail. "I came in hopes that you would meet someone for me. Someone I think would be a great asset to Garden."
I wince; she's setting them up for a disappointment.
"Well Instructor Trepe, you've always had an eye for promising talent. Who is this person you're considering?"
She pauses. "Seifer, you can come in now."
I hesitate, forcing my legs to carry me into the room. Cid is sitting at the desk, Squall standing to his side, and Quistis moves to stand with me.
"Tell them what you told me Seifer." she encourages. I look to the Headmaster who seems startled. Squall's eyes flash with anger and spite. I cast my eyes to my feet. Quistis turns to leave, but I grab her hand, beckoning her to my side.
"Stay." I keep my voice low, but I know both Cid and Squall can hear me. She nods, relaxing into me.
"Seifer Almasy," Cid speaks up, peering at me from the rim of his glasses. "I never imagined the day when I would see you again."
The feeling's mutual buddy, I think, but I can't win anyone's trust with that kinda remark. I swallow my pride and resolve to meet his inquiring gaze.
"I stayed as far away from Garden as I could without leaving the shores of Balamb. I had enough sense to know that my reputation here has been sealed in the books, that I'm despised by many."
"Then why did you come back?" Squall asks, his temper flaring just a tad. I'm surprised he hasn't hounded me yet.
"A few reasons." I shrug. "Edea's orphanage and Balamb Garden were the only homes I ever knew. I wanted... I've been wanting the chance to come back, to take things seriously and reach my goals for once. I'm not a dock worker, I'm a warrior. My muscles ache to battle and my mind is craving stimulation. And now that I've got my heart in the right place, I'm asking for the chance to prove myself again."
Squall narrows his eyes; he doesn't believe me. Cid just stares pensively.
"I knew this was a bad idea." I mumble, turning to walk away. Quistis stops me.
"Seifer, I know you better than anyone and I know you're going to make a mistake if you walk out those doors."
I sigh. She's right as usual.
"You're right." I voice my thoughts, walking up to Cid's desk with strengthened resolve. "I know I'm not gonna win you guys over by being on my best behavior while I'm in here. But I want you to know that I mean everything I say. I want to start over, I want the chance to reach my real dream. I know my betrayal in the past will stain my record, but I wasn't fully myself as I'm sure you're aware of. And I've grown up and come to terms with everything that's important to me."
Cid's eyes reveal sympathy and compassion, which I loathe, but accept. Squall doesn't appear very moved.
"No one's stopping you from coming back."
"That's not really true." I say, walking towards him. "Our rivalry is one of the many things that's stopping me from coming back."
"Only because you let it rage on."
"But the look in your eyes tell me you haven't forgotten it either."
"If I may interrupt," Quistis blurts, stepping to the desk. "I don't think it should be a secret that Seifer and I are together. And I wouldn't be with him if I didn't have total trust and faith in him. I'm not saying you both need to forget about past mistakes, but I am saying you should forgive them."
I look at Squall, noting the scar between his eyes, reaching up to touch my own with a smirk.
"These marks will always be a symbol of our past." I murmur. "But there's no need for this to go on anymore. So maybe we'll never be friends, but for the good of everyone here, let's just agree on a truce, eh?"
I hold out my hand reluctantly, hoping he'll accept it. Truthfully, I'm not ready to end our rivalry. There's still so much resentment burning in my gut for him, but I gotta control it and do what's best. He glares hard at me, his eyes telling me that he won't forget our history either, but he knows it's for the best as well. Slowly, cautiously, he takes my hand firmly, giving it one pronounce shake before dropping it idly back to his side.
To Be Continued...??