A/N: Hopefully things in this chapter are going to pick up a little; next chapter, especially, (at least with what I have planned). So far the reviews for the last chapter were pretty positive, which I am glad. Not that I mind constructive criticism, but it's always good to know that people are interested in the story and I got that feeling from the reviews I received, so that was good.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII belongs to SquareSoft/Enix, not me.

Set Me Free

EilayAdnayVolieay

Chapter III: Welcome To Garden

It seemed hardly believable that just under a week ago, she had agreed to transfer from Galbadia Garden to Balamb. Her father had been very pleased with her offer, and very happy that she was willing to do this. He probably considered it her following in his footsteps, at least partially — after all, she was doing something for her hometown, for Galbadia.

The train ride seemed to take forever, and when she found out it had gone underwater, she was terrified. Was that even safe?

"This is our final destination, at Balamb station. Please grab all of your belongings and exit the train in an orderly manner. Have a lovely afternoon." The engineer spoke over the intercom. Rinoa rolled her eyes as she reached up to grab her luggage. There really is such a thing as too pleasant.

She had only brought the most important part of her luggage, realizing she wouldn't be able to carry all of it from the train to Balamb Garden. Her father had told her he would have the rest delivered to her so she could settle in. Besides, she'd be wearing her uniform most of the time at Garden, so she wouldn't be in desperate need of any clothes just yet.

It felt strange being in Balamb again — it had been two years since she had last visited, and absolutely nothing had seemed to change. There were no new buildings, no new stores to be seen. The last time I was here, I was visiting Seifer. It feels so weird, being back here. I... wonder if he's still at Balamb Garden. He must be . . . father tried to use that against me, to make me want to come here.

Rinoa dragged her luggage behind her — glad not for the first time there were wheels on the bottom — and headed toward the exit.

She was walking toward Balamb Garden when a T-Rexaur stormed up to her. She sighed and dropped her luggage.

"I am really not in the mood — SLEEP!" She held her hand up to the T-Rexaur as the magic flowed through her. The large monster began swaying and Rinoa quickly grabbed her things and moved out of its way before it fell to the ground.

"Wow, that was pretty impressive." Rinoa turned around and saw a brunette girl who looked about her age. She was smiling pleasantly, and indicated the T-Rexaur with her hand. "Those things are pretty hard to take down, even with the sleep spell. Oh! Are you going to Balamb Garden?" The girl asked. Rinoa nodded, as the two started walking toward the Garden.

"Yeah, I just transferred. I'm Rinoa, by the way." She looked at the girl and wondered for a moment if she might be a SeeD.

"I'm Selphie. Where'd you transfer from? I actually just transferred here about two weeks ago from Trabia."

"I transferred from Galbadia Garden." Rinoa said vaguely. She didn't want to give away to anyone why she had really transferred, and realized she would have to come up with some kind of reason before anyone asked her.

"Oh, I hear they're very strict there." Selphie said. Rinoa shrugged. It was never really that bad for her — she had stayed out of trouble, and that was really all you had to do. Living with her father her entire life, nothing could be more difficult and strict than his rules.

"I never really noticed. My father is pretty strict." Rinoa added. "Maybe it's a Galbadia thing."

They continued talking until they had reached the front entrance of the Garden. Rinoa stared up at in, not being able to hide the fact that she was impressed. Though each of the Gardens were built in a similar fashion, they were each unique as well. Galbadia Garden had a very serious atmosphere when you first entered it — only the students knew it to ever be different. Yet Balamb Garden seemed much more welcoming, with its students coming and going, laughter being carried all the way from the gate. It was . . . almost nice.

There was an older man standing at the entrance, with two people who she could only assume to be staff members. They were dressed in long red and white robes with a strange yellow hat, and stood on either side of him. Upon seeing her, the older man walked up toward her smiling.

"You must be our new student, Miss Rinoa Heartilly." So father enrolled me under mom's name. I suppose that's to keep anyone from guessing I'm connected to him in any way. "I'm Balamb Garden's Headmaster, Cid Kramer."

Rinoa stared at him, trying to hide her surprise and shock. This man, who had come out of his way to greet her when she could have simply been sent to his office, was the infamous Cid Kramer? The one ordering attacks on all the neighboring countries, the one allowing the Sorceress to murder countless innocent people? She had pictured more of a strict dictator type, someone who was clearly hungry for power.

"Y-yes, I . . . I am." Rinoa turned and saw Selphie wave before she walked away.

"See you later, Rinoa!" She called. Rinoa waved back before turning to face the Headmaster again.

"Is it customary for you to greet new students personally?" She asked him.

"The Headmaster is a busy man." One of the staff members beside him told her. "He cannot go around —"

"I do try my hardest, when I have the time." Cid answered, cutting off the staff member. "If I am unable to, I always send someone to take the students to my office. Which is where we will be headed now — my staff will take your luggage to your dormitory." The staff members he indicated did not seem at all pleased with this thought. Rinoa let go of her luggage and followed the Headmaster to the front gate.

"Hello Cid!" An old man watching the gates called. The Headmaster waved, before they continued into the Garden.

They passed several students wearing their school uniforms, which looked a lot different from the uniforms they had been expected to wear at Galbadia Garden.

"This is a general map of the school — it can tell you where all the basic areas are. Some of the classrooms are shown, but unfortunately not all."

"Why's that?" Rinoa asked, glancing at the directory. Cid motioned for her to follow him up the stairs behind the directory.

"When the directory was first installed, there were not very many students at Garden yet, and only a few classrooms were required at any given time. Of course, the population of students at Garden has increased exponentially and more classrooms were added on. This is the elevator that will take you to the second floor, or the third floor, which is where my office is located. You can take it to lower levels as well, but not without permission." He pushed the elevator call button, and within moments they were taking the elevator up to the third floor.

A young woman was standing outside of his office, wearing a uniform that looked different from the other school uniforms Rinoa had seen so far since she had entered the Garden. The Headmaster walked up to her and nodded.

"Xu, is there something you needed to discuss with me?" He asked her. She shook her head.

"I only came to drop off my report on the SeeD exam in Dollet, Headmaster. We had four students pass this time around." She passed a file over to the Headmaster, who took it and read over it quickly.

"Rinoa, this is Xu. She is one of our many SeeD's here at Balamb Garden. Earlier this afternoon, we had our SeeD exam — there are many students who wish to have the honor of being a SeeD. Unfortunately, not many make it each time around, and the field exam changes each time."

"Today they were taken by vessel over to Dollet to —" Attack them. "— help them out. Galbadian Soldiers had positioned themselves there for the attack." Xu explained smiling. Rinoa smiled back faintly, but was confused. Vinzer Deling had said that Balamb Garden's SeeDs had attacked Dollet — yet this woman claimed it was the other way around. She must be lying. I'm not sure why she would feel the need to lie to me, since she knows absolutely nothing about me or where I am from, but . . . perhaps none of the students were allowed to know the true purpose. Galbadian Soldiers could have been stationed there, for their protection . . . and even the students taking the exam may not have realized they were the ones attacking.

"Sounds exciting." Rinoa said quietly. Xu gave her a strange look, but said nothing if she noticed anything wrong with how Rinoa was suddenly acting.

"Well, Headmaster, I'll leave you to your business. I need to go tell the Garden staff who passed the exam so they can inform the students." Xu nodded at Rinoa, and turned to walk past them into the elevator. The Headmaster opened his office doors and gestured for Rinoa to follow him inside.

His office is definitely unique. Rinoa thought, looking around. She sat down in a seat in front of his desk, as he grabbed a booklet and passed it across the desk to her.

"There's a list of all the courses available to you here at Balamb Garden. As it is the weekend, there are no courses going on currently so you'll have the weekend to decide which courses you would like. Perhaps you could come back here on Sunday? That gives you a little over two days to pick."

"Sure, thank you — sir." She added the formality at the end to seem polite.

"I think that will be nearly everything for now — here is your dorm key, the number of your dorm is on it. Your bags should already be in there, so you can just get settled in." He handed her the key and she took it, closing it tightly in her hand. "I suppose I'll see you at our meeting on Sunday." He added, as he got up to walk her out of his office. She gave him a confused look before she remembered about the courses.

"R-right. Thank you again, Headmaster."

Once she was out of his line of view in the elevator, she let out a sigh of relief and closed her eyes. She had felt uncomfortable the entire time she was in his presence — and it wasn't because of the reasons she had expected. Despite everything she had heard about him, she just couldn't see him as the cruel man her father had told her he was. Maybe father can explain to me — I have to contact him about sending the rest of my things, anyway. She thought tiredly.

The elevator arrived at the main floor, and as she walked down the stairs, she walked into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" She said, backing up to get out of their space. The person turned around, and smiled.

"Hello, Rinoa."

Though she knew that Seifer was at Balamb Garden, she hadn't expected to run into him so soon. They headed toward the Quad — where he was apparently going before she bumped into him.

"What are you doing here at Balamb Garden, Rinoa? Last I heard, you hated this place." Seifer finally asked her. They sat down on a bench, just at the first part of the Quad.

"I never said I hated it. I said my father wouldn't allow me here anymore. And that clearly doesn't matter to me now — I'm here, aren't I?" She couldn't tell him the real reason she was at Balamb Garden — and because he knew about her fathers dislike for the place, she had to make it seem convincing that she was here against his wishes. Otherwise, she'd constantly be afraid that Seifer would tell everyone the truth. "And I don't go by my father's name here — I . . . I'm on my own. I'm Rinoa Heartilly, now." It seemed strange, saying her mothers name after so many years. It had a certain ring to it that she liked.

"If you didn't hate it, why did you tell me our relationship was over?" Seifer asked her.

"I don't know." She whispered. How could she explain that to him? She hadn't wanted to tell him anything — but she couldn't take it back.

"Don't worry about it." He told her, smiling. "I got over it — I was just curious."

"I'm really sorry, Seifer." She said, getting up. "I wish things hadn't turned out the way they did, but I can't take it back now. I hope we can still . . . be friends." Seifer shrugged.

"Don't matter to me — I have nothing against you." He winked at her before walking back out of the Quad — whatever purpose he had in coming there clearly forgotten. Rinoa walked further in, enjoying the scenery and being outside.

Up ahead, she saw Selphie with a megaphone shouting at some students on ladders.

"No, move the banner a little higher! It's not straight!" Selphie shouted at them. Rinoa walked up to her, observing the activity going on. There was a large platform stage, and it was across the top of this that the students were trying to hang the banner. Written across the banner was "THE GARDEN FESTIVAL" in big fancy letters.

"What's the Garden Festival?" Rinoa asked suddenly. Selphie turned to her, an excited smile on her face.

"Only the coolest event ever! My last Garden didn't have anything like it, so I'm really excited to be planning it. It's like this huge celebration for all of the students, for all the hard work they've done here! There's concerts and games and challenges — it's a lot of fun. Hey, do you want to help?" Selphie asked suddenly. Rinoa bit her bottom lip, unsure. Do I really have time to dedicate myself to this? But . . . she's only asking for help, not for me to take over.

"Sure. You seem pretty enthusiastic about it! What can I do to help?" She looked around the area — there were paper and banners all over the place.

"Actually, we're almost done for today, but maybe tomorrow you can help me pick a band?" Selphie asked, her eyes silently begging. Rinoa laughed and shrugged.

"Sure, why not?"

"Hey, Rinoa?" Selphie asked suddenly, after yelling some more at the students hanging the banner. "Do you know where the training center is? — of course you don't, you just got here. What's your dorm?" For the first time since grabbing the key from the Headmaster, Rinoa looked down at the number engraved on it.

"Four-oh-four." Rinoa told her.

"Set your alarm for midnight — I'm coming to meet you. We'll go to the secret area in the training center — you HAVE to see it! It's gorgeous, it has a view of the Garden at night." Selphie gushed.

"Sure thing, Selphie. But if you expect me to be up at that time of night, I better head to bed early first. Though, joking aside, I should find my dorm room before I end up getting lost."

"Let me show you! We're done here anyway — that's as straight as they're going to get that banner." Selphie added, pointing at the two students hanging the banner.

I've just settled into Balamb Garden — I already have my dorm, and I'm supposed to pick out some courses on Sunday with the Headmaster. He doesn't seem like the power hungry tyrant I expected — is that just an act? I met one SeeD, named Xu. She seems to be fairly young — mid twenties, maybe. She was talking about a field exam the students wanting to be SeeD had — she said there were Galbadian Soldiers there. I thought President Deling didn't want to position soldiers out there?

I don't really know anything else yet, but I do need to ask you to send the rest of my things here for me so that I have them, as soon as you can. Thanks.

Love, Rinoa.

She sent the email to her father, unsure. She had left out the part about Xu telling her that Galbadia had attacked Dollet. Though she was sure it was a lie, she still hadn't told her father. For some reason, she hadn't wanted to. It was hard, being here surrounded by the people she thought she hated, and seeing them act normal. Act kind, and pleasant. Was she doubting her father?

No, Rinoa thought firmly. He wouldn't lie to me. But . . . that doesn't mean someone didn't lie to him. And I still don't know anything for sure — I wish they had sent someone else other than me. I'm not cut out for this kind of thing — I don't know how to set personal feelings aside and just believe what is really true.

A glance at the clock she had brought with her informed her that it was getting late. If she wanted to be fully awake by midnight to meet Selphie, she'd have to get some rest now.

In time, maybe things will make more sense. I have to remember that . . . these people are liars. Nothing they say can be taken too literally. She yawned and fell backwards onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. They may not have a reason to tell me a lie, but they have no reason to tell me the truth either.

Within minutes, she was curled up in a ball fast asleep.

A/N: Well, this chapter hopefully picked up a bit content-wise, but it's really the next chapter (and the one following it!) That I am looking forward to the MOST. It'll be very fun to write and FINALLY Squall will be introduced. (That's not exactly some huge revelation or plot twist, so I don't find it much of a spoiler.) R&R!

Next Chapter: "The Inauguration Ball"

Remember the famous scene where Rinoa and Squall first meet? Well, that Ball ( . . . or did they call it a party in the game? Can't remember!) is happening NEXT CHAPTER! So, whatever might happen . . . you can look forward to. Hopefully, it's something you would all look forward to, though I really don't know.