Note: I have not enjoyed writing this chapter, but I thought it necessary to get the still-gooey-not-baked-yet plot going. I tried to keep it short. Personally, I think it's kind of boring, but I couldn't have Squall kick Quistis out unless there was a halfway decent reason for it. Plus, I like Xu. She needed some bitch time. Back to S and Q and the promised bloodshed very soon. Cheers!
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"That's the second time this month, Commander."
"……………."
"They're getting worse."
"……………."
"Are you just going to sit here and wait for the coup? It was amusing at first, but now they're actually causing damage. That T-Rexaur could have killed someone." Xu threw a thick folder on the desk, estimates and photographs escaping from their manila prison. She was angry. Very angry. Leonhart may have been able to inspire the hearts of soldiers and civilians alike, but he was shit when it came to management. Repairs to the three damaged wings of Garden soared over 600,000 gil and lawsuits were just around the corner. The parents that spent their money on an expensive military education were pulling their children from the formerly prestigious school, fearful that they might be the next to hear that it was their sons or daughters in the hospital wing. Xu laughed at that one. Train for the military and not expect injuries? Right. Eighteen had already been treated for injuries sustained by savage creatures released from the training center during class breaks.
"Damn it Xu, I know! But they're always smart enough to avoid detection. They sabotaged the surveillance system this time. What am I supposed to do?" Squall pressed his fingertips into his eyes, rubbing furiously. Garden was falling into chaos and he couldn't do a damn thing about it. He was trained to fight, not make decisions. The position of Commander had been forced on him, but he adapted, quickly learning that leading troops came naturally to him. Headmaster…now that posed a different set of challenges altogether.
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When Cid Kramer retired to care for his wife, a unanimous faculty vote found Squall Leonhart the new Headmaster. SeeD was dissolved that same day, fifty-three ballots to twenty-four. The most vocal opponents had been Quistis and Xu, on their feet instantly when the votes were counted, both shouting at the same time. SeeD was still very necessary, they said, even if Rinoa's powers had remained dormant after the war. So far.
Squall, normally stoic and collected, found himself bellowing down the length of the meeting hall table. He loudly proclaimed that if the time came to eliminate Rinoa, then he would be the one to do it. No other person was to touch her. She was his responsibility and his burden. "You love her Squall. She's blinded you. Please. When she can no longer contain herself, SeeD has to be prepared. I don't like it, but we have to be realistic. You may need our help." Quistis tried to reason with him, begging for his understanding. Some faculty nodded, adding their support, but too many agreed with their new Headmaster.
Leonhart snapped. He did not scream this time, but the coolness of his tone could not disguise the rage he felt for his old instructor. The bond between a Sorceress and her Knight could not be understood by anyone, least of all a jealous rival for his affections. Quistis, eyes burning with an icy fire, stormed out of the meeting, humiliated by this public revelation of her old crush. Xu, well aware that Quistis was sensitive about her image, followed her friend into the hall, hoping to console her. She already regretted her vote for Squall. For such an emotionless bastard, he sure was allowing personal feelings to cloud his judgment.
Later that afternoon, Squall called Quistis into his office. Fifteen minutes passed with Xu waiting outside the door, tapping her foot in impatience. She stilled her fidgeting when two burly cadets brushed past her, entering the office without knocking. They swiftly exited with a furious Quistis in their custody. Xu tried to ask her if she was okay, but the tallest cadet silenced Quistis, telling Xu that she was to be escorted from the premises or face arrest. Her position was terminated and she was no longer an asset to Garden.
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Xu smiled. She had yet to mention that the T-Rexaur released from the training center had been wearing a pink ribbon on her neck. On this wide ribbon, in bold blocky letters were found the words Vengeance of Quistis. The termination of their idol incensed some of the more fanatical Trepies. Petty vandalism and pranks were escalating into full-blown anarchy. Assigning Rinoa to teach a class on Sorceress theory and history had been the final straw. If it hadn't been for the injuries, Xu would have joined their cause, raising hell in the name of her best friend. She should not have been fired. And judging from the weary face of Squall Leonhart, he was beginning to realize that he made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Selfish, conceited fuck. She hasn't wanted you for years. And she was trying to help you, not hurt your fucking princess. But, she's right. You're blind when it comes to Heartilly. I hope the Trepies start a bloody revolution. This place is going to hell under your leadership, 'Commander'.
"Have you not heard from her? I thought you were her best friend."
Xu leaned over the desk, squarely facing Squall. She was pissed now. Leonhart had no right to mention Quistis. Propriety ignored, she said through clenched teeth, "You damned bastard. How can you even ask about her? You sent her out of here with no money, no means of support, and no goddamned concern at all. I don't know where she is, what she's doing, how she's surviving. I don't even know if she's still alive! She called me from a gas station miles from here, but that was over three months ago!" Squall blinked when her saliva hit him in the eye. As leader, he should punish her insubordination, but Xu's expression promised murder. He folded his hands, trying to maintain an air of authority. "For weeks, she did nothing but research ways to expel the Sorceress from Heartilly. Did she tell you that? She interviewed every single person she thought had the slightest connection with a sorceress. President Laguna, Dr. Odine, Edea Kramer, Rinoa her-fucking-self, anybody. Everybody. She was trying her hardest to help, you egotistical jerk. Rinoa is her friend, but you completely ignored that fact. She leaned closer, forcing Squall to push back from the desk. "No, you just think that she's still trying to fuck you. I've got news for you, sunshine. She can do a hell of a lot better than some emo twat with bad hair. Get the fuck over yourself." Xu abruptly stood, smartly saluting her Commander. "I mean, get the fuck over yourself, SIR!"
Squall shook his head. No. She had not mentioned any research at all. She had just been hanging out around him, asking him questions about his connection with Rinoa. How deeply do you love her? Are you willing to die for her? Are you sure? Could you kill for her? What does it feel like, knowing that she could have armies rallied against her? How are you linked? Do you feel this with other people? Have you ever felt a connection like this, with anyone else? Ever? Matron, Cid…me? I have to know, Squall. Please. He thought her questions were just attempts to worm her way into his bed. Research. Shit. And now there was no way to contact her. When Quistis Trepe followed orders, she followed them with an alarming precision. Even if the orders were to get lost and go to hell.