Chapter One: Recollections
It had been two years since Ultimecia's defeat. Two, golden years.
To the restless young man in the stuffy office, it was a little too perfect. Not that he was complaining. It was the fact that he had been used to living his life with a purpose-to kill the Sorceress. But now she was dead. Peace had come to Gaia at last, well, as peaceful as it could get with the occasional influx of monsters-especially in Esthar, due to the disastrous results of the Lunar Cry-not to mention the discontented grumbling of certain high-ranking Galbadians when they thought his back was turned. The new president, Vinzer Deling's son, Zerell, was doing very little to stop them, rather, he actually appeared to be fueling them. For now, though, the Galbadians were quiet, not wanting to risk taking direct action against Garden.
As well as they should, he thought with a smirk. We are growing stronger, and should Galbadia show the first signs of going on the offensive, SeeD could easily nip the plot in the bud, leaving the enemy to nurse their wounded egos. Part of him welcomed the war, another more rational part reminded him that the majority of the world's population in general might not be so eager. The fact was, he was bored. Much to his horror, when he had woken up after his little trip to Ultimecia's castle, he still retained the title of commander. While it sounded impressive, the rank also brought with it certain disadvantages, such as sitting at a desk in a little room on a sunny day going through a pile of paperwork the size of a Ruby Dragon's head. Which was precisely what he was doing now. Cid's old wounds, which he had gotten during the clash between Balamb and Galbadia Garden, were complaining a lot more recently, so he had gone to the rebuilt orphanage in Centra to spend a week with his wife. It also meant that he had to juggle two sets of documents, which would be no mean task, even with Xu's and Quistis' help.
Squall Leonheart had faced down Ruby Dragons, Marlboros, T-rexes, and even Ultimecia herself without batting an eyelid. But nothing compared to the horrors of being enclosed in a small space and signing documents. At least it felt that way to him.
Plus.his job was continually getting in the way of his personal time with his friends. They had been through a lot together, and the experiences had bonded them. Once upon a time he might have welcomed the opportunity to distance himself, but he now knew that that method was in no condition beneficial to his mental health. Rinoa had taught him that much. A sad smile lifted his lips at the thought of the black-haired girl. She was not in Balamb, having gone to Fisherman's Horizon on a holiday with a friend. Squall had wanted to come, but there had been an important board meeting that day, and of course he was expected to attend. Rinoa had accepted his apology with a calm, "I understand", but there was hurt in her eyes. He understood too. She felt unhappy being second to his job, but she knew he couldn't just neglect his duties like that. He hoped it would all work out in the end, though.
He shifted his attention back to the desk and attempted to concentrate. At the back of his mind, he wished that something would happen to remove him from this office and allow him to spend more time with his friends. It disturbed him more than a little to be thinking like this. Most people would have been content, but then he was not most people. He thrived on danger and risk, and with their primary purpose gone and his promotion, he felt as though he had gone stagnant. His thoughts were interrupted abruptly, a knock on the door bringing him back to reality. He gathered himself with a brisk, "Come in." Instructor Calden walked in, with Xu trotting along at his side. The three engaged in a discussion whether or not to bring in more dangerous monsters from the Island of Heaven/Hell for more high-level students to battle. By the time it was over, Squall had completely forgotten his earlier thoughts and set to work with a will.
Unfortunately for him, wishes, made either intentionally or not, had an annoying habit of coming true, and this one was no exception.
It had been two years since Ultimecia's defeat. Two, golden years.
To the restless young man in the stuffy office, it was a little too perfect. Not that he was complaining. It was the fact that he had been used to living his life with a purpose-to kill the Sorceress. But now she was dead. Peace had come to Gaia at last, well, as peaceful as it could get with the occasional influx of monsters-especially in Esthar, due to the disastrous results of the Lunar Cry-not to mention the discontented grumbling of certain high-ranking Galbadians when they thought his back was turned. The new president, Vinzer Deling's son, Zerell, was doing very little to stop them, rather, he actually appeared to be fueling them. For now, though, the Galbadians were quiet, not wanting to risk taking direct action against Garden.
As well as they should, he thought with a smirk. We are growing stronger, and should Galbadia show the first signs of going on the offensive, SeeD could easily nip the plot in the bud, leaving the enemy to nurse their wounded egos. Part of him welcomed the war, another more rational part reminded him that the majority of the world's population in general might not be so eager. The fact was, he was bored. Much to his horror, when he had woken up after his little trip to Ultimecia's castle, he still retained the title of commander. While it sounded impressive, the rank also brought with it certain disadvantages, such as sitting at a desk in a little room on a sunny day going through a pile of paperwork the size of a Ruby Dragon's head. Which was precisely what he was doing now. Cid's old wounds, which he had gotten during the clash between Balamb and Galbadia Garden, were complaining a lot more recently, so he had gone to the rebuilt orphanage in Centra to spend a week with his wife. It also meant that he had to juggle two sets of documents, which would be no mean task, even with Xu's and Quistis' help.
Squall Leonheart had faced down Ruby Dragons, Marlboros, T-rexes, and even Ultimecia herself without batting an eyelid. But nothing compared to the horrors of being enclosed in a small space and signing documents. At least it felt that way to him.
Plus.his job was continually getting in the way of his personal time with his friends. They had been through a lot together, and the experiences had bonded them. Once upon a time he might have welcomed the opportunity to distance himself, but he now knew that that method was in no condition beneficial to his mental health. Rinoa had taught him that much. A sad smile lifted his lips at the thought of the black-haired girl. She was not in Balamb, having gone to Fisherman's Horizon on a holiday with a friend. Squall had wanted to come, but there had been an important board meeting that day, and of course he was expected to attend. Rinoa had accepted his apology with a calm, "I understand", but there was hurt in her eyes. He understood too. She felt unhappy being second to his job, but she knew he couldn't just neglect his duties like that. He hoped it would all work out in the end, though.
He shifted his attention back to the desk and attempted to concentrate. At the back of his mind, he wished that something would happen to remove him from this office and allow him to spend more time with his friends. It disturbed him more than a little to be thinking like this. Most people would have been content, but then he was not most people. He thrived on danger and risk, and with their primary purpose gone and his promotion, he felt as though he had gone stagnant. His thoughts were interrupted abruptly, a knock on the door bringing him back to reality. He gathered himself with a brisk, "Come in." Instructor Calden walked in, with Xu trotting along at his side. The three engaged in a discussion whether or not to bring in more dangerous monsters from the Island of Heaven/Hell for more high-level students to battle. By the time it was over, Squall had completely forgotten his earlier thoughts and set to work with a will.
Unfortunately for him, wishes, made either intentionally or not, had an annoying habit of coming true, and this one was no exception.
