DISCLAIMER
I do NOT own any of these characters of Final Fantasy VIII. The only characters I DO own is Rose, Malshano, Zikomo, Ryu,&Cosmos.
Chapter III: Answers To Questions
3rd Person P.O.V.
" Squall! It's time to wake up!" Selphie said outside of Squall's door. It was already 9:00 am, and the leader has to be awake like everyone else.
" I'm up, I'm up," Squall responded as he sat up and sits on the side of the bed. He sighs as he hears Selphie walk away. ' Man, I barely got any sleep, thanks to some nightmare,' he thought.
' How can Selphie act so cheerful in the mornings?'
As Squall got up and gets dressed, everyone was already in the cafiteria eating hotdogs #You'd think they will get tired of the same thing everyday...#
" So, has anyone seen Rose? Or have she just stayed in her room?" Rinoa asked everyone.
" Most likely still in her room," Quistis said.
" Well, Headmaster Cid would like to meet her soon and maybe ask some questions."
" What's that about Rose?" Zell asked as he joined the table with a couple of hotdogs at hand.
" Nothing Chicken-wuss," Seifer said, shaking his head.
" Seifer, will you stop calling-"
" You two stop arguing," Squall said as he entered the cafiteria and sat down with Rinoa. " It's too early for that."
" Mornin' to you too," Rinoa said, laughing a bit. " Had a good sleep?"
" Not really, but it's nothing to cry over," he responded. " Any missions from Cid, Seifer?"
" Nah, nothin' for today right now, other than see if we could get any anwsers from Rose."
" I have a feeling that that's going to be a bit difficult..."
" One of us should go see if she's up," Rinoa said. " Any volinteers?"
" ... Ah, what the hell, I'll go," Seifer said. " It's better than me arguing with Chicken-wuss here," he said as he stands up, grabs his gunblade, and walks out of the cafiteria.
" Dammit Seifer, I told you to stop calling me Chicken-wuss," Seifer heard Zell say. Seifer just chuckles as he headed to the dorms.
Rose was listening to the CD player as she sits by the window. Listening to the group 'Drowning Pool' was better than thinking, in her opinion. She heard knocking on the door.
" Hey, you up?" she heard Seifer say on the other side of the door. She sighs as she stands up, CD player still in hand, and goes over to the door, opening it.
" Yes? What are you here for?"
" Well, aren't you Miss Sunshine in the mornings? I'm just here to make sure you were up," Seifer said. " What's that you have there?" he asked, indicating the CD player.
" It's called music..." Rose semi-snapped, then sighs. " It's a CD player," she then said, not as coldly.
" A CD player?"
' Oh yeah, CD players don't exist here...' Rose thought to herself. " Here, just listen to it," she said as she took her headphones off and handed to Seifer. He took it and put the headphones on. He hears nothing until Rose pushes the 'Play' button. The music 'Sinner' instintly began playing in his ears. At first surprised, he then relaxed and listens to it. Rose goes over to the bed and grabbed her bag that she left on it the whole night. She hadn't bothered even trying to sleep last night, so she had been looking out the window to outside. " So, what's the purpose of the building, other than house many people?"
" It's a place where students come and try to become SeeDs, which is basically a merchenary group," Seifer replied after realizing Rose just asked a question. " I thought everyone knew that."
" I don't listen to stuff like that. Plus because of how long I have been traveling, I rarely stay in one place to even bother asking directions."
" How long HAVE you been traveling?" Seifer asked.
" ... I think about seven years, if I remember correctly."
" SEVEN years? So you have been alone since you were, what, nine?"
" Yup." Rose pulled her bag onto her back.
" So you have been away from your hometown for seven years?"
" Yeah, I have." Rose sighs. " Well, I guess I'll go explore Balamb Garden, since I'm bored."
" Do you want your CD player back?"
" Nah, you can listen to it. When I want it back, I'll let you know," Rose said as she headed out of the room. Seifer stood there, then went after her.
" Hey, I'll show you around the place. That way, you won't get lost," he said. " That alright?"
" Sure. Thank you."
" No problem. I'll show you the library first..."
Seifer's P.O.V.
Giving Rose a tour around the Garden only took about an hour, which was actually surprising. She pretty much stayed quiet, though she did talk a little bit. Mostly asking questions about Balamb Garden and SeeDs. I even got answers to some questions I had.
" So NORG captured you by the orders of Sorceress Ultimecia? Why was she interested in you?"
" Probably because of some abilities I have," she replied. " I really don't know what the purpose was though. It's not like they can copy the powers."
" Don't underestimate those bastards of scientists.Dr. Odine was actually able to copy Ellone's power to go back in the past, though only to watch the event from somebody's point of view."
" It figures..." Rose said. " But anyway, thanks for showing me around."
" Your welcome Rose," I said, kinda surprised that she was thanking me. " By the way, Headmaster Cid would like to meet you sometime today."
" The guy that runs the place?"
" Yeah. He also wants to ask some questions."
Rose sighs in annoyance. " Great... I just can't wait to meet him..."
" Ah, don't worry too much. He'll ask few questions, and won't push you into answering. That's one of the reasons why everyone likes him being the Headmaster."
Rose nods, understanding. " Well, I guess I oughta go meet him and get it over with then."
" He should be in the cafiteria, meeting everyone else. Let's head on over there, since he needs to talk to you and needs to see me, too."
" Okay."
Arriving at the cafiteria about 5 minutes later, we heard people talking, one of which belonged to the Headmaster.
" - and then she actually stabbed right into the top and opening it that way, even though it has cut her hands up badly. But as soon as she removed her hands, which I could swear to you that had claws instead of nails, the substance came right out of the containers and first swirled around her hands. It healed her hands completly! And as soon as that was done, the stuff floated around her head, then disappeared. It was just plain-"
" Looks like we missed some of this party," I said outloud, intrupting what Quistis was saying. Rose, standing nearby, looked as though she was going to attack Quistis with duct tape or something if she kept talking. " I've been showing Rose around the Garden, so that's why we're late, sir."
" No problem Seifer," Cid said as he came over to us. " Hello, Rose, isn't it? I'd say welcome to Balamb Garden, but seeing you have been here for months without us ever knowing, I guess I'll just say it's great to meet you. I wish I've known that NORG was up to something, and I could've done something to help."
' Yeah, that sort of talking is working REAL well... Remind her where she have been for the last several months...' I thought as I looked at Rose. She didn't show any emotion on her face when Cid mentioned NORG, though her eyes gave it away. She had the look of anger. It disappeared as soon as it appeared.
" You probably couldn't have done anything, sir, even if you did knew. But it's a pleasure to meet you anyway, too," Rose responded after a few seconds of silence. Cid held out his hand, expecting Rose to shake hands. When Rose didn't shake his hand, Cid just lowered his hand down, though he looks like he expected that to happen.
" So Rose, I've heard from Rinoa that you have been traveling before NORG captured you. Do you have a hometown that maybe we could contact the people there and let them know you're okay?" Cid asked.
" No need to bother, sir, since they aren't expecting me to return for awhile longer. I'm sure they don't need to know that I've been experimented on for months," Rose said. " I don't want them to worry."
" Alright, if you really want that to be," Cid said. " You are welcome to stay as long as you like. Will you be willing to answer some of my questions, so I know what NORG was doing before we defeated him?"
Rose debated about it for a few seconds. " ... yes, I will give you answers."
" Thank you for saying yes. I'll let you come to my office once you feel ready to talk, if that's okay. I hope to see you soon, Rose," Cid said as he began to head out of the cafiteria.
" ... wait a moment please, Headmaster Cid," Rose suddenly said as she ran after him and talked to him for a few minutes. Cid looked very thoughtful for a little while, then said something to Rose.
" What do you think she is saying to him?" Selphie asked Rinoa. Rinoa just shrugged as she watched Cid nod his head and walked out of the cafiteria. Rose came back over and sat down at the table.
" So? What you asked him?" Rinoa asked.
Rose shooked her head. " You'll find out later, maybe," she said.
" Okay, fine, leave us in the dark. So what are you going to do now?"
" I guess I'll stay here until I find a reason to leave. Like maybe some certain info that I'm chasing, but until then, I'm staying."
" Sounds like we got a temporary new student," I joked.
" I'll be ignoring jokes like that," Rose said as she pulled out a thick book from her bag and began reading it.
" One without a sense of humor, well that's too bad," Zell said.
" Don't make me get up and beat your ass," was Rose's response.
" Oh, I'm SO scared," Zell said as he laughs. " Besides, you know I was just joking."
" You're only saying that because you know she would beat you in a small battle in less than a few minutes," I said. " Chicken-wuss."
" Dammit, how many times do I-"
" Guys, knock it off," Squall said. " Headmaster Cid did give us a mission for today."
" Oh great, a mission..." Zell said. " What is it?"
" There seems to be a small group of Galbadia soldiers who are trying to take over Timber again."
" What for this time?" I said.
" Who knows, probably just a place to sleep, or something. But we are to go to Timber and help the citizens out, and maybe make peace between us and Galbadia."
" Hell, let's go now," Zell said. " We taking the Ragnorok?"
" Of course. But first thing to clear up- only me, Rinoa, Zell, Selphie, and Irvine are going. Sorry Seifer, but you are to saty here."
" Fine, it'll just be another boring day for me then," I said grudgingly. " Don't enjoy yourselves too much without me."
" Don't worry, we won't," Irvine said as he hoisted his gun onto his shoulder. " C'mon Selphie, I'll race you, and whoever wins will get to pilot the ship," he said slyly before taking off.
" Hey! No fair, you have a head-start!" Selphie yelled as she ran desperatly to catch up. Everyone also left, leaving me and Rose in the cafiteria.
" Another day, where they have the fun and I'm stuck here..." I sighed, sitting down at the table with Rose.
" Eh. I don't blame you for feeling left out," Rose said as she continued reading her book. I didn't expect her to even listen to me.
" I'll get my fun soon, but it was probably best that I didn't go. I have used to be the one to control the army of Galbadia..."
" You?" Rose looked up at me. I certaintly gained her attention.
" Yeah... I have used to be a Sorceress Ultimecia's Knight, and being under her control, I controlled the force of the army."
" Under her control as in you weren't the one who had the free will to do what you want?"
" Yeah."
" Then it wasn't your fault," Rose said plainly.
" Your one of the few who just forgives me and let the past begone..." I said, kinda amazed that she didn't freak.
" For how I see it, if you didn't have any free will and yet it was you who did the worse things ever, it wasn't your fault, but the one who was controlling you. I'm just one of the few who do see that fact," she said. " Too bad that's about how many there is that sees that."
" ...for someone who is cold to people, you know how to make one feel better," I commented.
Rose just buries her head back into her book. I thought I have seen a hint of pink on her cheeks. " Your welcome."
" What are you reading anyway?" I asked as I looked at the title of it. " ' The History of Life & Its Protectors'? Who, in their right minds, would want to read a history book? And what kind of title is it?"
" It's not just any history book, it is my family's history that is in it," Rose said, a bit annoyed.
" Shouldn't you know your own family history by your parents, and not from a book?"
Rose narrows her eyes. " Maybe I found this in an attic, and decided to read it. What's it to you?"
" Whoa, chill Rose. Nothing against reading," I said in mock surrender. " I'm going to head to the Training Center and leave you to your reading. Catch you later," I said as I got up and headed over to the area.
After about 5 straight hours of fighting monsters, I finally decided to take a break. Shaking my gunblade of moster blood, I headed out of the arena and into the halls.
" I guess I'll head outside and sit somewhere out there," I said outloud as I headed for the exit. As I passed the old man that is stationed next to the small gates, I heard him say something that made me laugh.
" Those little hoodlims, they are always up to something. I know they are!"
' The old guy is a bit too paradoid,' I thought as I sat down next to the large tree that was fenced in with the Garden building. It was decided that the Garden become stationary, unless needed to move in defense, emergencies, or any other reasons that involves the need to move. It was better than having it moved time and again. I laid my head back against the tree and closed my eyes, sighing. With the sun blazing, and the cool light breeze, it was a day to just relax. And with the breeze, it almost sounded like someone was singing.
" You're giving me too many things
Lately you're all I need
You smiled at me and said
Don't get me wrong I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we are older you'll understand
What I meant when I said ' No,
I don't think life is quite that simple'
When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go"
' ...what a minute, someone IS singing,' I thought as I opened my eyes. It sounded very faint, like the song was being sung from the top of the building. I looked around to see if I could see who was singing the song. Whoever it was, she has quite a talent. It actually is a lovely voice.
" The daily thing that keeps us all busy
Are confusing me
That's when you came to me and said,
Wish I could prove I love you
But does that mean I have to walk on water?
When we are older you'll understand
It's enough when I say so
And maybe some things are that simple
When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go"
' Who is singing? I've haven't heard of this song before,' I wondered as I scanned the windows. There was only one that was open. And it belongs to Rose. ' Is Rose singing?' I continued to sit there, listening.
" Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warning the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warning the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warning the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before."
' Sounds like that's the end of the song,' I thought. I was actually hoping for hearing another song. For awhile there's nothing but silence, but then I started to hear humming a different song from Rose's room. Despite myself, I was humming along. The song was familiar, though I have no clue as of why. It was only then that I found myself nearly asleep when my communicator suddenly came to life. I found it somewhere in my pockets and flipped it open. " Seifer here."
" Seifer, this is Squall. We were able to take care of the trouble, but Zell, Selphie, and Irvine were seperated from us. They're going to take the train back to Balamb and be there tomorrow.. Can you meet them there with a vehicle?"
" Sure, no problem. See ya at the Garden then," I said as I flipped the communicator off. I got up and went back inside, heading towards the Parking area. Before I reached it though, I thought about if I should ask Rose if she wanted to tag along. Deciding to ask, I changed course and went to the dorms. Stopping in front of Rose's door, I knocked.
" That you Seifer?"
" Yeah, open up. I want to ask you something."
Rose poked her head out the door. " What is it?"
" I'm heading to Balamb to pick up Selphie, Irvine, and Zell. Though I'm staying at the hotal for the night, since they're arriving tomorrow afternoon. You wanna come?"
Rose cocked her head slightly, thinking. " ... sure."
" 'Kay, cool. Come with me to the Parking place so we can pick up a vehicle." And thus, we started heading to Balamb together.