Disclaimer: Nuu, I don't own anything. Everything belongs to Squeenix. : )
a/n: Chapter Seven is here. I've nothing to say, except to thank my reviewers for reading this and encouraging me. It helps – a lot.
One Reviewer has suggested a Limit Break for Miss Kira Lanning. I quote, from Fuhrer Moogle:
I had an idea that Kira could multiply herself and make like a circle around the enemy, and each replica of herself could have her two guns, and all of them shoot at the enemy, and then as a finisher (like Renzokuken), have her do some kind of B.A. sword slash thing...
Please notify me if you vote for the idea, if you have your own, or if you don't like it. I will be posting my Limit Break idea when I get one. xD;
Italics – Past , Flashbacks , Thoughts , Other
Chapter Seven
In This Moonlit Night—
Part One
"As a SeeD, you will be dispatched all over the world to complete missions sent to us. Whether it be guarding, hit and run, or even assassination – you will finish it to the best of your abilities. Your salary will be added to your account depending on your rank." Cid pauses and his eyes shift to every one of us. "But that is not the true meaning of SeeD. When the time comes…"
"Headmaster," the nearby Garden Faculty who has been present throughout the whole thing interrupts. "The meeting will be starting soon." He turns to us stiffly. "What you do on your missions will affect Garden's status. Follow orders, do not question them, and complete your tasks. Is that what you wanted to say, Headmaster?" Cid looks oddly disgusted at the words of his subordinate, but nods his head and begins shuffling through various papers on his desk before pulling out five thin papers with our names written on them.
"Your battle reports," he explains as he walks forward and hands us one in turn, leaning over to whisper words of advice and such. "I am looking forward to the Garden Festival this year," I hear him whisper to Selphie who nods enthusiastically as she takes it. He finishes moving down the line, coming to me with only one paper left in his hands and smiles.
"You've made many friends here," he says quietly as so the others won't have a chance of hearing. "Try not to let your stubbornness and pride be the reasons to draw them away from you." I nod slightly, and Shiva agrees with his words in my head. I salute as the others do and Cid gives us another smile.
"That is all for your SeeD briefing. Enjoy your ingratiation party." My companions relax and head for the elevator to wait in the hall for the go-ahead to give the SeeD speech in front of our class while I stop at the doors and turn slightly to face my Headmaster, nothing how tired he looks sitting at his desk going over numerous papers with pen in hand.
"Headmaster," I call faintly and he gives me a curious look, the pen in his hand pausing in mid-air. "The true mission of SeeD…" I continue, starting to space out as Eriol's encouraging voice rebounds in my mind. "The true mission of SeeD is not to be the world's mercenary force, is it? It's made to fight one enemy…"
Cid gives me a calculating look and the Garden Faculty takes a threatening step forward. Seeing so, I smile a little sadly and shut the oak doors easily behind me.
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"That girl," the man's head turned at the cold tone of voice in his familiar, who was staring at the space where the blond newly-appointed SeeD had just been. "What does she know?"
The Headmaster shook his head. "No," he said in answer to the unspoken question. "Please go and inform NORG that I will be meeting with him in five minutes." The hooded man nodded and left the room quietly, the mechanism of the elevator sounding a few moments later.
Inside, Cid Kramer stared into space before heading over to a metal cabinet where he pulled out a tan file out of many more. Opening it, he stared at the picture of seventeen-year-old Kira smiling back at him pleasantly, her hair pulled into a high ponytail and side bangs tucked behind her ears in small braids. Grey eyes looked back at him happily, not a spark of betrayal in her eyes.
The bold letters on top read Kira Alexandra Lanning.
Cid continued leafing through the folder, eyes skimming the small text.
Name : Kira Alexandra Lanning
Age : Seventeen
DOB : 06/20/90
Height : 5'4
Weight : Undisclosed
Family : Unknown
Current Residence : Balamb Garden
The balding man frowned as the rather short bio came to an end, the next few pages deciphering her abilities with a weapon and class marks. Closing it with a sigh, he placed it back amongst other student records in frustration. Massaging his temples, he looked towards the sky outside of his window in confusion.
There was no information he already did knot know. But how did she understand and see so much, with only four years at Garden? Her eyes… when she left, her eyes held an insight too deep for his liking.
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Conduct : 70
Judgment : 95
Attack : 50
Spirit : 95
Attitude : 100
"Hm. I don't think you did too bad," remarks Shiva as I read over my Battle Report, the big '8' on the corner making my heart lift even more. "You could have upped the Attack one and tried more on Conduct, but overall this looks good."
Silently agreeing with her, I exit the trusty elevator that gets used way too many times every day and join the others SeeDs.
"SeeD, SeeD, SeeeeD!" Selphie's chants are contagious as I wait patiently for the faculty to let us in. She doesn't seem particularly in this world right now so deciding to let her be in her own fantasy for a while, I trod over to Zell, who's pacing up and down happily.
"SeeD, I made it onto SeeD…" he laughs to himself. "Wait 'til Ma hears about this! She'll be so proud!" Giggling to myself and deciding to not interrupt him either, I walk over to Squall who's leaning on the railing.
"I told you we'd have no problem getting into SeeD!" I tell him, not actually remembering whether I had done so before as I lean against the banister and stare down towards the lower level.
Squall shrugs and keeps quiet. "Well, you don't talk much, do you?" I say dryly, repeating the words I've told him many times before over the years. A hint of a smirk plays on his face and my smiles grows wider.
"Squally!" I announce, pumping a fist into the air in a Shiva fashion. "I am getting to you, aren't I? Finally, after all these years, huh?" Leonhart ignores me but I continue grinning, knowing that I am so right.
"You attention, please." The Garden man waits while we manage to calm ourselves down. "As a newly appointed SeeD, you are expected to present a speech in front of your classmates. Please proceed through to your classrooms." He leaves by Mr. Elevator and we shuffle our way forward.
The students clap as we enter, and Squall looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here while both Selphie and Zell stare at their feet in embarrassment. Nida and I both grin, a light pink coloring my cheeks at the attention.
"Congratulations!!" Raijin crushes me in a hug and I awkwardly pat his back while Fuujin just smiles at me. I notice that there is one member of their posse missing and frown when the burly teenager lets go of me.
"Where's Seifer?" I question when the students start to disperse one by one to their classrooms. Fuujin looks uncomfortably to Raijin, who just shrugs and scratches his head sheepishly in turn.
"He said he had to go, ya know?" He replies and I blink slightly for a few seconds. "Oh." The whisper escapes my mouth and I stare ahead blankly. "If you see him, tell him I'm still going to be waiting like we planned… you know, just in case." I smile at them and shake off the feeling of disappointment washing over me before I leave through the automatic doors nearby.
Squall's speech is barely a minute long where he just gives us a cold look before nodding and saying a curt "thank you" then leaving the small stage. Zell stares at the audience for a few minutes blankly, then starts rambling resulting in him having to be dragged off the podium. Selphie's is short as well since she doesn't really know anyone here, advertising the Garden Festival while she does so.
Nida talks for a few minutes before smiling and leaving the stage to me, where I just mention a few things before thanking the people who I've thought have helped me. When we are finished the students clap politely and congratulate us some more before turning back to their businesses.
Later than night, I get awakened by Zell from my short nap from where he is yelling at my door telling me to get up and get dressed for the party. I open the door grudgingly, giving him a glare to which he just replies with a "how do I look?".
"You look adorable!" I manage a squeal, awakening from my drowsiness by the sight of Zell dressed up in some nice black slacks and a black, red, gold and blue top with some medals dangling from chains.
Said blond grins proudly and does a 360 spin before turning to look back at me. "You should get dressed as well," he advises. "Your SeeD uniform should have been delivered to your room." I shrug and do so as he waits politely at my small living room/dining room. Karen had some huge test to study for in the library so when I first got here after my speech she gave me a huge glomp and a stock of spells she collected as a present before apologizing and rushing off downstairs.
I am not going to ask her where she got the spells, but I have a suspicion that she is uber-strong for someone a year younger me, if her spells are anything to go by. There are roughly ten of mid-level spells such as Blizzara and Cura, and a few third-level attack and life spells including some Thundagas and even a few Curagas.
She winked when she handed me a small stock of Aura and Holy spells, making me promise to never tell anyone where I got them due to the fact that everybody knew those spells were not on the Balamb continent but across the ocean. When I asked how the hell she managed to get over there, she just threw me a large smile and hurried off.
I find the Garden SeeD uniform very to my tastes, because one: the skirt is almost knee-length and even though it prevents much movement, I don't have to worry about it flying up or getting in the way and two: there are many sparkly chains hanging around on the top.
For example, there are these three chains of various lengths circling the collar, and then some hanging over my heart and going all the way down to my waist. I don't know why they're there or if it's just for decoration, but I love it.
I quickly get changed and after debating for a few seconds, strap my belt with my guns to my waist and untie my hair from its ponytails, letting it hang freely down. Smirking at my reflection, I hang my past Garden uniform in my closet and exit my bedroom.
"Weeeellll, what do you think of this?" I giggle as I come out, doing a copy of Zell from earlier as he lets out a mock whistle. I suddenly feel like this is some sort of prom I wanted back when I was little – minus the expensive limos and lacy dresses.
"As your adoptive brother, it will be my job to keep all they guys away from you," he says sternly but I detect the joking undertone his voice has. I raise my eyebrows and lock the dorm door behind me as we start to head down to the large gym our Garden houses.
"That includes Seifer," Zell continues and I laugh guiltily.
"Actually… I'm kind of supposed to meet him there…" My companion shoots me an accusing look.
"Is he your date?"
I feel heat rushing to my cheeks at the prospect. "No! Not quite...um, can we change the subject please?" I ask meekly. Zell inhales then exhales deeply.
"It's not my choice as to who you decide to like," he says, pausing to frown at me slightly as we make it to the doors of the decorated gym, where I can hear music seeping outside. "But I will warn you: be careful around Seifer. I know perfectly well that you've known him for as long as you have known me, but I still don't like the looks of him."
I smile gratefully. "Since when have you been so wise?" I tease and Zell flushes slightly. "But really – I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern, but the warning is not needed." He shrugs but opens the door by the golden handle and we step inside, immediately swept up by the flowing music and the sight before us.
Have you ever imagined yourself in a glorious castle, where a ball is taking place in the grand room? The women are dressed up in fancy dresses of all colors and shades, masks covering their faces as they smile at their partner, while the men are clad in black suits? There are musicians at the corner playing a lovely tune, and the sky overhead is shining brightly, full of a million twinkling stars?
This is what our gym-turned-ballroom looks like.
"Wow," I breathe, overwhelmed by the whole fairy-tale appearance of it all. A catchy tune is bouncing from wall to wall, and I vaguely recognize it as The Waltz of the Moon. The glass panels that serve as our roof open up to a dark night, where I know fireworks will soon light up the sky.
"Zell! Kira!" Selphie's voice yells to us and Zell dodges behind a nearby column, going pale in the face. I stare after him for a few seconds before looking at Selphie, who has just come up beside me, panting slightly.
"Do you want to join the Festival Committee?" She asks as soon as she regains her breath, eyes sparkling in hope. I mull it over in my thoughts for a few seconds before shrugging and grabbing a drink from a passing-by waitress.
"Sure!" I reply, smiling. "It'll be fun." Selphie's smile gets wider and she gives me a huge hug before grinning at me. "I'll inform you of the plans later!"
Zell steps back out into the open once she is gone, a weird look on his face. "You're dead, you know that?" He deadpans, staring after the curly-haired brunette and I laugh.
"Oh, be quiet. I'm sure I'll enjoy it." Waving him off, I nodded slyly at the direction of the dance floor. "Go and have some fun; dance and enjoy the night." Zell sighs and scratches his head before agreeing and running off, probably towards the buffet table.
"Or maybe stuff yourself with hot dogs…" I murmur at his retreating back, taking a sip from my drink. I quickly spit it back out and growl at it. "Ew, what the hell is this stuff?" Dumping it into a nearby unfortunate plant, I watch as a girl in a short dress sweeps Squall onto the dance floor, the latter stumbling like a fool.
A smile plays on my face as Rinoa places one of his hands on her waist and the other entwining with hers, trying to get him to dance correctly.
"Never thought he'd be the one to dance."
I jump at the voice to my right, but only find Seifer leaning against the same column Zell had been hiding behind. He gives me a small smirk as we continue watching the couple as they turn from looking idiotic to actually looking somewhat graceful.
"You weren't there for the speeches," I comment after a moment of silence. Seifer shrugs.
"Had to report to the disciplinary room." He explains and I shoot a curious look at him.
"What are you doing here, then?" I ask.
"Sneaked out."
"Oh."
He suddenly takes me by the hand and leads me to the dance floor, where we somehow manage to get through the already-dancing couples without many looks. Seifer isn't what I would call the best dancing partner, but I still enjoy the dance anyways. We sweep by Squall and Rinoa who don't notice us, probably too busy either trying to not to stumble or looking into each other's eyes. I catch Seifer's quick glance at the couple, mainly Rinoa, but he visibly shakes it off before turning his attention back to me.
The music echoes loudly across the room as I replay the steps I've been taught inside my head, somehow managing to keep up an appearance of me knowing what I'm doing. We stop once the music and lights dim, the fireworks appearing in beautiful shapes above us. I cast a quick glance at them but otherwise ignore them, opting to stare at the floor as Seifer does the same.
He leads me off after the display is over and we head back over to where we had been before, out of breath. "Thanks," I finally say after a few minutes of quiet between us, not exactly knowing for what I am grateful for but Seifer nods non-the-less.
There's more silence between us and Seifer finally sighs. "So you made it into SeeD," he states, bringing our conversation back into place, and I stare emotionlessly at the floor.
"Yeah." More silence. "I'm sorry you didn't. I know how much you wanted to." My blond companion shrugs at me.
"That Xu woman was ranting about me being a bad leader." His smirk is bittersweet. "She said that I'd never be a SeeD."
"You never will if you don't continue on trying." His eyebrows go up at my statement and I shift from one foot to the other, the awkwardness finally catching up with the both of us.
"…Don't get yourself killed out there." I tense at the words and hang my head slightly, now staring at my feet instead of the polished floor.
"You don't trust me?" I ask and I hear Seifer mutter something beside me before I notice him looking at the clock across of us out of the corners of my eyes.
"It's ten o'clock." He states and I look towards it with him, watching as the golden seconds hand moves forward.
"So it is." I reply blankly, feeling a strange calmness wash over me. Seeing as there is nothing left for me to do or see here even though this party was made for the SeeDs and I am one of those, I sigh and grab Seifer by the wrist. "Come on; it's too loud here."
And as we slowly move through the shadows of the ballroom dance floor, couples spinning obliviously at the center, and Seifer's fingers unclasp mine from his hand only to secure them with his, I realize with a churning feeling in my stomach that my feelings for the my blond companion go beyond what friends should ever feel for each other.
The 'calm before the storm' feeling does not disappear as we make our way towards the Training Center.
…
Tell me what you think, and please don't forget to vote and review. As a side-note, I decided I won't be doing the little 'next chapter' things due to the fact that they limit as to what I can write.
Until next time.
