Squall polished the sharp edge of his favored weapon. Although it looked impressive, Gunblades were particularly difficult to wield. Squall, unfortunately, had taken interest when an old friend introduced the weapon to him.
He could still remember the first time he saw his weapon still encased. All silver and shine. From that day, he vowed to keep its sparkle and its razor edge sharp.
Squall usually preferred to clean his weapon in solitude, but for a peculiar reason, he sought the company of his friends.
Zell and Selphie weren't his idea of friends. They were too loud. Too happy. Totally not him.
If they could only have a fraction of his old friend's temperament...Well, no, they shouldn't, he thought. It was his old friend's temperament that broke their friendship apart.
He wouldn't want to break his current ties with Zell and Selphie, no matter how trigger-happy or annoying they could be.
Especially now.
Zell anchored an arm across his shoulder. "Hey, I just saw the new transfer students from Galbadia. There's this hot chick named Quistis—"
Selphie slapped a palm across Zell's face.
"Aw!" he yelped. "What did you do that for?"
Selphie crossed her arms, shaking her head. "I can't believe your head is preoccupied with women!"
"Deal with it."
"Men." She snorted, finally giving up.
Squall snickered while polishing his Gunblade. "So her name is Quistis?"
Selphie slapped a palm on her forehead. "You too?"
"What's bad about being interested in women?"
Selphie fumbled with her fingers, trying to find one reason. Unable to, she changed the topic. "What about the other transfer students?"
"Not interested in men." Zell said. "But you know," he paused, thinking. "I think I saw Seifer. Wasn't he transferred to Galbadia for good?"
Squall froze. "I thought he was already expelled."
Being a transfer student from Trabia, Selphie had no idea who they were talking about. "Who's Seifer?"
Zell waved a finger in front of her, "The reason why Squall," and he slashed his nose bridge for dramatic effect. "has that fancy scar on his face."
Squall inhaled. It was a long time since he heard his old friend's name. Unpleasant memories rushed to his mind, and he willed them to go away. They'd been good friends. Dorm mates for three years, after all. He thought Seifer was the coolest guy ever, until he slashed his face for some unknown reason.
Seifer wasn't expelled, but he was transferred to Galbadia Garden to continue his SeeD training. Squall remained in Balamb, nursing his wound and the pain of being betrayed.
Selphie softly gasped. "I'm sorry to hear that."
He waved a hand. "Nothing to be sorry about."
"Yeah," Zell agreed. "He gave Almasy a parting gift as well."
"What parting gift?" she asked.
"Just a little scar on the face."
Squall stood up, leaving his weapon on the bench. "I'll just buy myself a drink."
Zell's eyes lit with delight. "A cold can of coffee is nice." He took his wallet and handed Squall enough money to purchase drinks for three people. "It's on me."
He blinked. "Are you ordering me?"
Zell swatted his hand in the hair, as if knowing what he was thinking about. "We're buddies!"
He exhaled. The things you do for friends.
The nearest vending machine was twenty feet away. Fortunately, it only had three remaining cans of Zell's cold can of coffee. He placed his order and within seconds, his three cans dropped on the receiving box. The third can, however, fell and rolled several meters away from him.
Oh great, he thought. That damaged can was going to be his.
Just as he was about to retrieve the drink, he froze at the sight in front of him. The woman crouched, retrieving the can, cleaning it with a handkerchief. She wasn't wearing Galbadia Garden's uniform, but he would recognize she was new here. No SeeD should look like a super model, but she did.
"Thanks," the words slipped from his mouth, and then her head jerked up.
A flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes, and slowly, a bright smile crept into her face.
"You look quite different with that scar, Squall."
He blinked. He rummaged through his memories, trying to remember if he had remembered anyone attractive as her. His instructors had warned him of the side effect of using Guardian Forces. He didn't really give much thought about it, until he noticed certain memory gaps.
"Do I know you?"
Hyne, no. That wasn't the correct response, he chided himself.
The smile faded from her face and she returned the can to him. Squall never felt the intensity of guilt bubbling in his chest before.
"Memory loss is a side effect of using Guardian Forcers, but there are ways to make yourself remember." She sighed. "I'm disappointed." Without further explanation, she turned and walked away.
"W-wait," he stammered. "I remember you liked coffee!"
She turned around, mildly surprised.
It was a lie of course. But he wanted to save face.
He stretched his hand, offering a can that didn't fall on the ground. "Please have some."
"Thank you." She took the cold can from his hand.
"Quistis, right?"
She nodded. "There's no need to pretend. I know you can't remember me."
Squall averted his gaze. "Sorry."
Quistis' lip curled into a silly grin, and for an unknown reason, he felt uneasy, feeling he had seen that grin before.
"I hope you can still remember our promise." And with that, she walked away from him, leaving him speechless.
What promise?
His memories weren't the same ever since he started to access the Guardian Forces' Powers. He deduced nothing was worth remembering since he hadn't kept any traces of his childhood. Like a journal, for example. Perhaps Quistis was someone he wanted to forget about.
Or maybe not.
Rinoa noted the similarities and differences between Balamb and Galbadia Garden.
The concept of Garden came from Cid, the current Headmaster of Balamb Garden, but that didn't stop other regional powers from collaborating with Cid to create their own version of Garden.
Galbadia Garden, for instance, was established by Head Master Martin in coordination with the Galbadian Government. Trabia Garden was wholly established by the Trabian Government. Balamb was the only Garden privately funded by the mysterious NORG, who was said to living underneath the facility itself.
Perhaps she could ask NORG for a little space underground as well.
As long as she could hide from the people who wanted to kill her, then anywhere was a good hiding place.
Except Galbadia.
Those freaks had made it clear escape was inevitable if she lived in Galbadia soil.
Fine.
Her father sent her to Balamb then, and requested several Galbadia SeeDs to accompany her.
Not that her bodyguards were incompetent. But a dozen of her personal bodyguards were killed, and another dozed were gravely injured. General Caraway was a careful man, and he wanted his daughter's safety at best. Thus, her father coordinated with Headmaster Martin and sent her as far as Balamb Garden.
"He's giving you one of their best SeeDs." Caraway assured her.
"Just one?"
"Three," he corrected. "They're almost the same age as you."
"Are you sure they can protect me?"
"They can. You can always trust a SeeD."
A SeeD was a warrior developed by Garden to accomplish a variety of missions. One could say they were equivalent to professional mercenaries. Before one could call themselves a SeeD, they had to undergo years of training of being a cadet. After passing through grueling missions, trials and using their first Guardian Force, only then could they be awarded with the title SeeD.
You can always trust a SeeD, her father told her.
Headmaster Cid was still busy with an Executive meeting when she and her party had arrived. The Garden staff promptly advised them to stay put in Cid's office. As the minutes stretched to hours, Irvine Kinneas excused himself and disappeared. Quistis Trepe then excused herself for a breath of fresh air.
Seifer was the only one left behind.
"Seifer, if you can't wait for Quistis to come back, you should go after her."
He didn't even spare her a glance. The jerk.
"Well, if you really like Quistis—"
"I don't."
"Liar."
Seifer's lips twitched.
Rinoa was about to throw another tirade when a new voice entered their conversation. "What's with that face, Seifer?"
Seifer's eyes darted to the newcomer."What's that?" he asked, referring to the beverage in her hand.
"My favorite."
He frowned. "You hate coffee."
"People change." She paused and looked around. "Has Irvine returned?"
Seifer snorted. "Still chasing skirts."
"Really." Quistis placed a hand over her hip. "Can't believe he's doing that while we're on a mission. Speaking of which," she turned her head to the opposite direction. "Looks like someone's had a bad day."
Irvine Kinneas was tall, lean and boyish, with a slight tinge of arrogance in his features. With long brown curling hair, he looked like a prince charming. Not Rinoa's prince charming, of course. She didn't like pretty boys. Neither did she like playboys either.
"Some chick wouldn't give me her name." Irvine grumbled.
Quistis laughed. "Good for you."
Looking at their exchange, Rinoa found it difficult to believe they were Galbadia's elite SeeD operatives. In her eyes, they looked her contemporaries. So young, yet so accomplished, she mused.
Then a Balamb official appeared out of nowhere, creeping her. Why did these officials like Red Robes and oversized hats?
"Headmaster Cid will see you now."
Cid strolled inside the office, with a calm expression plastered on his face. Immediately, Quistis, Seifer and Irvine straightened their backs and saluted him. Rinoa remained in place, observing the scene unfold.
If Martin could make a hundred faces swoon, Cid could make a hundred faces laugh. In a good way, of course.
"Welcome to Balamb Garden!" he joyously greeted them. "I'm sorry if I'm late. I had an important meeting with NORG. You can't say no to your financer, after all."
He looked at her directly in the eye. "Sorceress Rinoa, I presume?"
"Rinoa" she answered. "Just Rinoa Caraway. And I'm not a real sorceress yet because I can't use my powers."
"Still a sorceress, nonetheless." He stroked his fat chin. "We can't have you using your real name here. General Caraway was quite strict when he asked me to take you in. We don't want those assassins running after you again."
"Do I get the choice for my new name?"
"Yes."
"I'd like to use my mother's maiden name." she answered. "Rinoa, Rinoa Heartilly."
"Lovely name." Cid remarked.
Then the Headmaster looked at the Galbadia SeeD operatives. "From this day, you are Balamb Garden's SeeD. I welcome all of you. Martin has already endorsed me your files, and I must say I'm impressed. I can't believe he's giving me some of his best operatives." He switched his gaze to Seifer. "Though I'm somewhat happy with how you turned out, Seifer."
Seifer merely nodded. "People change."
Cid laughed. "Have you?"
Then he walked towards Irvine. "I think the ladies will love you, young man."
"Except the one I met earlier."
Cid arched a brow. "Oh, really? Lucky girl then."
Rinoa tried to suppress a laughter.
Then the Headmaster turned to Quistis. "I'd say you'll break a couple of hearts here, young lady."
She smiled. "I'll do my best."
Cid even laughed harder.
