Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII, or any of the characters…that's it.
The Imposter
Chapter 3
Return of Trepe
"She's back, she's back!" Zell, an energetic young man, ran down the corridor of the dorm area, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Who's…?" Many students' confused stares answered.
"Trepe, Quistis Trepe," Zell said, out of breath, "Where's Squall? He gotta hear about this?"
"What, Zell?"
Zell turned around abruptly, and Squall was standing there, looking at him in question.
"Squall, finally, you're out of your office," Zell said, rubbing his spiky blond hair as if fidgeting with excitement, "Quistis is back."
"What?" Squall asked.
"Yes," Zell nodded, then checking in his blue shorts' pockets for something, "Man, out of money, I was thinking of a big get-together somewhere today."
He turned to check his blue shirt's pockets but to no avail.
"Forget, where is she?" Squall asked, frowning.
"Speaking to the Headmaster as we speak," Zell said, "Rinoa is there to. And man, trust me, you won't recognize Quistis."
Squall turned, hurried to the elevator. His boots clicked on the marble surface of the floor, and as usual, students turned his way as he passed them. Finally reaching the elevator, he pressed the number for the 3rd floor, and waited patiently as the elevator hummed its way up.
As soon as he reached there, he quickly ran out and stepped into the Headmaster's office with haste, not caring for the traditional salute or upright stance in the presence of the Headmaster.
"Quistis, is she here?" he asked, eyeing around frantically.
"I'm here," a husky voice said from the far side of the room, and Squall's gaze averted to her suddenly.
There was Quistis, standing by the large window of the Headmaster's office that overlooked the ocean. Squall had to take a step back. Zell was right, he could hardly recognize Quistis. She had grown from a depressed young girl to a matured, striking young woman. Her blond hair was now no longer straight and smooth, but rather more wavy and funky. It had also grown to her knees, which proved she hadn't cut it once ever since she was away. Her eyes were still as blue as the day she left but now, they appeared more remarkable with a layer of dark makeup over them. Her bottom lip was painted blood-red. She was wearing a short orange shirt with matching wristbands. Finally, there was a large black belt that looped around her sagging orange skirt. It appeared the only things she did not change were her black boots.
"You can't be…Quistis…" Squall uttered out dumbly.
"Surprised to see me," Quistis spoke again, in the same husky voice.
"She changed quite a number, hasn't she?" an older voice spoke, and Squall turned his attention back to the middle of the room, where the Headmaster sat with his wife at a large wooden desk. On the desk, too, were pieces of papers scattered about.
"Headmaster, Sir," Squall saluted, but Cid dismissed the formality and smiled.
"Rinoa?" Squall turned as Rinoa began to approach him from behind the Headmaster's desk. Rinoa herself had changed quite a bit. The brown strand in her black hair did not fade, but her hair itself was now shorter. It wasn't layered, but cut in a funky style that resulted in some strands of the outer layer sticking out and the inner layer embracing her slender face. She also no longer favors the blue outfit she had worn before. What she wore now was a light blue spaghetti straps shirt and short black skirt that matched her high boots. Two armbands were strapped to the upper part of her arms.
"Hi, I see you're finally out of your office," Rinoa said, smiling, then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Nobody noticed, but Quistis' expression darkened for a short moment.
"Hey, still a bookworm?" Squall said.
"Oh, whatever," Rinoa said, rolling her eyes, "And what are you, paperworm?"
"Very funny, but…"
"Whatever," Rinoa interrupted, "Let's at least get together at some place. Talk about old times, I already called Irvine and Selphie."
With a pause, she continued.
"You can't recognize Quistis either, can't you?" Rinoa giggled.
"Yeah, I mean, Quisty, what did you do?" Squall asked.
Quistis blushed slightly at the use of the nickname that she never heard in so long.
"May we be excused, Headmaster?" Quistis turned and asked.
"Sure, of course," Cid said, "But Quistis, are you joining us for good?"
"No," Quistis' expression saddened, "No, unfortunately, I still wasn't able to understand myself. I'm just here because I've missed home terribly…"
"I see," Edea said, "Please let me know if I can help with anything."
"Of course," Quistis nodded.
"You coming with us, Squall?" Rinoa asked, already out the door with Quistis.
"Actually," he said, "I got something to ask the Headmaster, you guys go get Zell, then I'll meet you at the front gate, and we'll wait for Irvine and Selphie there."
"Yeah, and we can talk about old times," Rinoa said cheerfully, then turned to Quistis, "And what Quistis had been doing."
"Oh, I almost forgot," Quistis turned back, "I must speak to the SeeD Commander."
"No need to get formal on me, Quistis," Squall said.
"But this is a formal matter," Quistis said seriously, "On my journey, I've ran across Seifer, Raijin, and Fujin. It seems they're organizing a secret movement of their own in a town in the Trabia Continent."
"That's funny," Rinoa commented, "I don't remember there's any town in Trabia except for the Shumi Village."
"That's why, Sir," Quistis saluted, "I think this is a matter to be investigated."
"Seifer had been out of trouble for a while," Squall said thoughtfully, "I say let's just leave him for the time being. It's never Seifer to live a normal life, is it?"
"True, Sir," Quistis nodded, then looked to Rinoa, "I'd like to be dismissed, Sir."
"Go ahead," Squall said, "Quistis, stop with the formality."
Silent, Quistis followed Rinoa into the elevator, leaving Squall alone to discuss his matter with the Headmaster.
