Disclaimer: FF8 isn't mine, Squaresoft owns it. *sighs*
A/N: I'm sorry for the late update as usual! I'm taking my time in this story. Please don't leave me because of it ~_^ I'm very sorry! Oh, and if YOU are reading this and you happen to like it. Will you please review so that I will know. It kinda gives me more willpower to move on. Teehee ^_^
*swirls*
Please enjoy.
CHAPTER 9: Whatever will be will be
February 9
9:23 a.m
Commander's Office
Squall's grayish eyes scrutinized the small screen of the camcorder. A hesitant young Seed stood beside him. His russet spiked hair was in proportion to his slender body as he situates himself like a soldier next to the silent commander. Earlier, he claimed that he had spotted a mysterious shadow near the elevator and accidentally captured it in his cam.
'What do we have here?'
A spark of curiosity flashed upon Squall's eyes. After all this time, he finally got a solid lead against this weird issue that was taking shape here in Garden. If he's lucky enough, this hint might point him towards the cause of 'Food Shortage' in the Cafeteria.
Feeling a little bit tense, Squall suddenly stiffened when the black screen slowly faded giving way for the hazy image. Bit by bit, its blurry transmission began to focus revealing the crimson glow of the Main Lobby. The young Seed's footage was a little bit shaky and often out of focus. This made Squall's vision go giddying. But he didn't care, this deprived video possesses the missing link and he's willing to watch it even if his eyes began swirling in circles. Simply speaking, he can deal with it.
The focus shifted to the Lobby's huge floating banner. Cheerful Seeds cuddling and running around can be seen below it. Some were only passing by while some were jerking around as if it's their first time seeing a floating object. Squall examined the video carefully waiting for something to happen. Without a warning, an unusual fat freckled girl entered the picture blocking the Lobby's view.
"Hiya, Mart!! I got a mistle toe! KISS!!" the fat ginger-haired girl happily said in her most seducing tone. She sounded disturbing. The video became shaky once more as the holder tries to move away.
"Aaaaa....Er...I mean...B-Bertha?" the holder's voice was a little disgusted. "Uh, this isn't Christmas, come back next year!! Shoo!!" He swung the camera towards the heart-embedded benches where a voluptuous girl was reading.
"Oooh, Mama!" the holder exclaimed and zoomed the girl's fine legs. Bertha can be heard grumbling behind him.
Squall cocked an eyebrow and glanced at the young Seed warily. The Seed straightened his posture even more and quickly looked far ahead. Sweat began trickling upon his forehead. Seeing the Seed's subservient attitude, the commander just shook his head and went back to the small screen. Someone was protesting now.
"So, you like that pasty girl over there, huh! I bet if I strip naked here you'll see that I'm way better than her!!" The picture shook a little. It was obvious that the holder was bothered either by the nasty thought of her naked or the fact that she wasn't joking. The focus was transferred to the fat girl.
"Eew....In Hyne's name! I rebuke you!!" the holder pointed at Bertha showing the rest of his right hand in the picture. "Leave me alone, can't you see I'm on a roll?! I don't want to be disappointed today."
"But where will I go Marty, my love?" Bertha twitched her fat fingers and tried to look cute. She looked like Humpty Dumpy this time.
"....Go to Hog-wart or something," the holder's mumble was heard in the video.
"WHAT?! Hug Mart?!"
Suddenly Bertha lightened up and started licking her lips. "Whaa--Huh?" the holder exclaimed, baffled.
"I knew you can't resist me," the ginger fat girl smiled evilly as she prepares to lunge at him. Her eyes filled with passion and nothing but passion.
"Uh-oh!" The camera shook as the holder takes a step backward.
Squall pounded on his table. "Just what is this all about?!" his voice began to fume. This was supposed to be an expose not a stupid fat girl's delight.
"No Sir, just bear with it, I'm positively sure it's near, Sir!" the Seed replied with full prim as that of a soldier. He didn't budge an inch.
"Then why don't you forward it to that part?" Squall reluctantly said. The Seed lowered his gaze and replied.
"My apologies, Sir. But I don't remember what part it was," the holder's voice inside the cam screamed in revulsion. Squall turned to look at it. He was being chase now, almost bumping to his fellow Seeds with his camera. The video bobbled as the holder ran away. He yelped as he passed by the Cafeteria, Infirmary, Quad, Parking Lot and the Dormitory before he finally went back to the front of the Lobby.
"Did I.....finally lost..... that plump?" the camera turned to the ground as the holder stopped to pause for breath. Squall was definitely sure that fat girl had a breakdown. There's no way fat people can run that fast. He put his palms on his forehead and concluded that he has no choice but to wait.
'Oh Hyne,'
The camera finally lifted its focus. The shiny cords of the floating banner can be seen in it. "Gotta be careful this time...." the holder mumbled and began turning around to see if Bertha was still there. The camera, too, followed his gaze. After what seemed like a split second, a strange dark silhouette flashed upon the screen as the cam quickly passed by the elevator up to the holder's behind which was the pathway towards the Dorm.
"Wait--" Squall stood up in his seat. This was it!
"There it was!" Squall relieved the young Seed from his military stance. "Rewind it to that part."
"Yes, Sir!"
Hurriedly, the Seed pressed the icon with a double triangle pointing leftwards in it. The video began playing backwards.
"Stop!" Obeying his own command absentmindedly, Squall pressed the square icon and the picture froze exactly at the dark figure. He lifted the camcorder to his face trying to make out something with the frozen shadow. Struggling to distinguish its murky features, the commander leaned closer. The figure was, indeed, suspicious.
"Uhm...With all due respect Sir, you can just press the Zoom icon if you want to."
Squall turned to the Seed. He didn't thought of that.
"I know, are you saying I'm stupid?" Squall gave the Seed an annoyed look. Considering the commander's glare, the Seed quickly went back to his military stance. Squall set his eyes upon the camcorder once again to find the Zoom icon.
'That's it, show me who you are....'
Squall doubled his concentration as the image came in closer and closer. The dark shadow was beginning to unfold now, its physique was slowly unraveling. He creased his eyebrows upon the figure. One more zooming and the mysterious figure will be revealed. This was the final process of this expose, the said key to this mystery. In a slow motion movement, he lifted his index finger to press the icon when all of a sudden.....BOG!
"Oooooh, Squall!! Am I have a very good news to you!!" Squall was heavily startled when Rinoa suddenly jolted the door open with all her might. In an another slow motion movement, he accidentally dropped the camcorder to the ground. The impact shattered the poor cam into two pieces while the young Seed's jaw came crashing down in pure shock.
"No!" Squall exclaimed as he helplessly stared at the shattered evidence at the foot of his chair. There goes his 'missing link', he missed it.
'Why?!...No...'
he protested in his mind. Just when he thought he was so close some unknown opposite force had to interfere and ruin everything. The young Seed beside him hurriedly scampered towards his broken possession. His eyes filled with desolation."Squall! It's Seifer! We finally cured him!" Rinoa boomed as she hopped her way towards Squall's table. He was still looking down with the Seed at the broken camcorder. Both of them were silent.
'After all this time....'
Squall's temper was beginning to rise. He put a lot of effort in this case. Many of his sleepless night were spent thinking about it, putting whatever kind of information he had managed to grope together."We did it, Squall! We won't be demoted!! I'm so happy!!" she cheerfully announced not noticing the gloomy atmosphere in the room. "M-my camcorder..." the Seed muttered miserably. The raven-haired sorceress giggled in excitement.
'Does this mean...I'm back to step one....'
Rinoa continued saying heart out . Her happiness was oozing so much that she cannot contain it anymore. Perhaps it was the fact that she will not have to leave Squall in his office. Indeed, that fact alone was enough for her to keep going. To be with someone she loves was the only thing that matters in Rinoa's simple heart."Oh, Squall I'm so happy I won't have to leav--"
"Will you shut up already?!" In a voice loud and harsh, Squall suddenly snapped in her face. He was sick and tired of figuring out this case any longer. He was so close...If only she didn't barge in.
"Look what you've done!!" the doleful Seed beside him was stunned at his sudden outburst.
Those odious words struck Rinoa's vivacious spirit. Her jovial words rapidly escaped out of her lips. Her round ebony eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't believe what she's hearing. Squall actually shouted at her.
The room was dead silent as ever. No one was making any sound. Squall's begrudging eyes stared upon Rinoa's shaky ones. It was swathe with both daze and affront until finally, tears began to form in them.
"I'm sorry...." Rinoa tried her best to smile. "D-Did I ruined your work again...?" Upon seeing this, Squall's stern face softened into a guilty one. His lips slightly parched open as he realized what he'd just done. He tried to speak.
"I see...Don't worry. I won't bother you anymore," her words became faint as she took a step backwards. She was still smiling despite of her tears.
"No, Rinoa--" Squall stood up and choked in his words. However, it was no use, Rinoa darted out of the office in tears. The pressure was too much for Squall that he can't do anything about it. Feeling a little annoyed of himself, he let out a sigh and slapped his forehead in the usual manner.
He turned to look at the young Seed who was looking a little vague now.
"..My precious camcorder, what happened to you?"
'Oh Hyne...' Squall badgered in his thought. Certainly, it was another wretched day for Squall Lionheart.
**
12:08 p.m
Corridor 2nd floor
"Good afternoon, Instructor Trepe!" the unshakable Trepies were beginning to pop out one by one now when the news about Seifer's restoration had broke. Quistis fixed her wire-rimmed glasses and nodded at them as a sign of her greeting. She must get used to this now. Her small fun was over, the only thing that was left was the calling of her ever so humdrum duty.
Quistis held the books to her chest as she sauntered through the corridor with poise. Some members of the Decorations Committee were having an advance planning on the second floor now. She must admit that they were really quite serious about this beautification project. Not that it's too big of a deal. After all, it was only just Valentine's Day. The blonde instructor looked at every Seeds in her surroundings. Here it goes again, everybody has their special someone with them. Well, almost....
'Valentine's Day...To be with someone you..'
Seifer's endearing face kept flashing and flashing in her mind.'..Love.'
Quistis then casted and casted that thought out of her head. It was all over. She must forget everything about Seifer. It didn't have any meaning anyways. He was just like a drugged guy deliriously chanting gobbledygooks. He meant nothing. She kept telling that to herself.'I'm not affected...'
She snubbed the thought and proceeded to the elevator. Several Trepies and a few Seeds called and greeted her once more. Their eyes beaming with happiness and enthusiasm. Quistis just smiled sweetly, at least she's happy for them.'These are just fleeting things...You just have to act accordingly..'
She tucked her blonde locks to her ears and reached for the elevator's button. As soon as the elevator opened, Quistis pulled back when she saw Matron standing inside. The former sorceress swung back too when she noticed Quistis's sudden demeanor.
"Oh, it's you Matron. Good afternoon," Quistis greeted and heaved a sigh. "You startled me."
"I startled you?" Matron beamed a smile. "Why would I startle you when I'm just standing here?" Quistis lowered her gaze and gave out a meek smile. She was wrapped up in her own thoughts again that she didn't know what to say. Her blue eyes gawked at Matron's.
"So Matron, aren't we a busy one?" Quistis curtly changed the topic. "I heard the orphans will be coming again tomorrow, one day early," Matron stepped out of the elevator giggling gracefully.
"Oh Quisty," She tilted her head and placed a hand on her waist. "That's right and I'm really looking forward to it...those little angels," Matron's attention was already placed upon the kids, her love for children was truly undeniable. If she only knew what kind of angels those kids were. "But actually, I came from the Infirmary to check on Seifer."
Seifer?
That name made Quistis's heart beat a little faster. Her gaze shifted from Matron's customary face to the attention-grabbing ground. This was becoming out of hand. Selphie already told her about Seifer's successful recovery and was currently resting in the Infirmary. Somehow, she knew Edea came from it all along.
"Oh..."
Matron's golden-brown eyes studied Quistis's blue ones. It was obvious that something had struck the instructor. Seeing Edea looking intently at her, she looked back at her with uneasiness. Quistis was perfectly sure she's acting weird and if she keep doing it so, the former sorceress might see through her.
'I have nothing to hide...'
"H-How is he?" Quistis tensely smiled. It was true, she wanted to know how Seifer's doing but she didn't have to make it so obvious. Qustis didn't want people to think that she liked him or anything like that. She just can't let that happen.
"Oh, he's perfectly fine now," Matron stared at her for a few seconds. A soft smile gradually formed upon her lips.
"Do you wish to see him?" the former sorceress added in a tone that was implying something to her. For some bizarre reason, Edea's statement brought a strange fear upon Quistis. She held the books closer to her chest as she shifts her weight back. Those calm blue eyes of hers suddenly became worried. Was it just her or was her cheeks starting to feel a little hot.
"Well..." Quistis struggled for something to say. Some alibi for her excuse. She couldn't possibly see him. No, she can't. Can she?
Every Seed on the second floor was making a peep. The place was just so...so happy.
"Oh, look at the time," Matron caught a glimpse of her watch saving Quistis in the rim of her own humiliation. "I really need to get going now. I have to find Selphie to check up on things," she put a hand on Quistis's shoulder.
"Have a good lunch," she winked at her then made her way to the corridor. Seeds of all sorts naturally stopped and greeted her with full obeisance. Quistis stared at Edea as she strode the hall with perfect composure. The blonde instructor had to admit her deference upon Matron was unquestionable. She just hope that her early words to her didn't have any hidden meaning.
Taking another glance on the floor, she went in to the elevator.
**
12:15 p.m
Infirmary
"Do you think he's still mad? Ya know?" Raijin nervously muttered to Fujin as they waited outside Seifer's cubicle. Ever since the truth had struck Seifer's awareness, he kicked his two posses out of his partition and had been moping around all this time. Dr. Kadowaki, on the other hand, went back to her normal affairs not caring about the commotion between the three. As long as Seifer's fine, there's nothing that serious to worry about.
"SILENCE!" Fujin placed her fingers to her mouth motioning her stereotype friend to shut up. The place needed some quiet time.
"Ssshhh!!" Dr. Kadowaki demanded. "No shouting please," she gestured at the two posses. 'They can be so loud if they really wanted to, especially the eye-patched one,' the doctor shook her head and went back to her paper works.
"See what I told you, ya know!" the black Seed whispered then flippantly chuckled at her. Unfortunately, Fujin wasn't chuckling with him.
"OW!!" Raijin's shin almost shattered when Fujin kicked him with all of her might.
"Sssshhh!!" Dr. Kadowaki turned to them once more. Evidently, they've been at it for a while now and Hyne knows Dr. Kadowaki will have to blow up sometime soon.
"Oh, sorry doc! It's all Fuj's fault y'know?" The black Seed mumbled. "I'm always the one being abused here, ya know?" he folded his arms and turned away.
Without any notice, the cubicle's curtain swung open and out came Seifer. His austere features were back now. From his fierce emerald eyes down to the antagonistic manner he used to carry himself with. Everyone turned to look at him in deep silence.
"..................................."
So silent that it's testing the patience inside Seifer.
"What?" he snarled as his sculpted eyebrows gradually meet each other. His beginning to feel irritated again.
"Uh, looking good boss!" Raijin jested. The former ex-knight turned to him frowning as if he's going to take his head off. "Er..ya know?" he scratched his head. It's better to just play it safe. Seifer was in no mood for jokes again, as always.
"Good afternoon Seifer," Dr. Kadowaki temporarily stopped what she's doing in order address him. "Feeling a lot better now?"
Seifer didn't know if that question meant physically or emotionally. He can't help feeling it but it seemed that everything he see or hear today were against him. But who can blame him?
"Just fine doctor," he grumbled as he brushes his blonde hair back. After fixing his gray trench coat, he quickly turned to the two.
"We're leaving now," Seifer brusquely ordered then impatiently headed for the exit.
"Yay! Are we gonna take our lunch now? Y'know?!"
"SHUT UP! We're doing our rounds," the blonde barked as he opened the door of the Infirmary. Not bothering to give the posses the moment to catch up, he left with a loud thud. Dr. Kadowaki didn't pay attention to it and went back on her papers.
"But it's so soon, ya know?" Raijin protested and waved his hands. As if Seifer could still hear him. Fujin, on the other hand, started walking towards the exit without complaints. "And besides, you just got out?! And my hamburgers are all waiting for me, ya know?!"
"OBEY!" she dangerously scowled at Raijin as she continually proceeds to the door.
By hearing another belligerent response from Fujin, Raijin quickly shut up, hunched his shoulders forward and feebly agreed. "Okay, okay....Y'know?!" he noticed the complacent doctor on the corner.
"Uh...Bye doc! Duty calls ya know?!" he waved his hands on Dr. Kadowaki and proudly followed Fujin for the door.
"Good bye," Dr. Kadowaki passionately smiled at them. "Good luck to your 'duty'."
Raijin chuckled haughtily. "Yup, you can count on us, ya know?!" he pounded his chest and chuckled even more. He chuckled and chuckled until Fujin finally snapped and violently dragged his ears outside leaving Dr. Kadowaki in peace.
'I say, good riddance...'
Dr. Kadowaki happily thought to herself as she savor the precious tranquility in the Infirmary.**
Same time
Main Lobby
Quistis was astounded when she saw a shimmering statue of Aphrodite in the middle of the Lobby just before the main entrance. She didn't notice it until now. The blonde instructor knew the committee was really hyperactive and all that but this was getting too far. She couldn't believe that they will actually put a life-size statue in Balamb Garden, and to think that Valentine's Day will only happen once a year.
"Good afternoon, Instructor Trepe!" A tall girl about Quistis's height cheerfully approached her. The girl's short coffee colored hair matched her shining deep brown eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Good Morning, Silhou," she returned her greeting. Silhouette Gandalf was the trusty president of Balamb Garden's very own Decorations Committee. Quistis must confess that without her, Garden's holiday spirit simply won't exist. But then again, sometimes it better to lie low once in a while. However, such a saying didn't exist in Silhou's vocabulary.
"So? What do you think of the place?" she jovially asked Quistis.
"Uh," Quistis smiled and took a second glance all over the place. The decorations was nice, except for that big ol' statue on the entrance.
"It's perfect. Great job!" she hesitantly replied making sure she won't hurt Silhou's dedicated endeavor.
"Oooh, I knew it! Gosh, thank you Instructor," Silhou blushed and teasingly stuck her tongue out. "All right!! We have to work harder to please more expectant people like yourself, Instructor!" she raised her fist and became more determined than ever. It's kind of strange but Silhou reminded Quistis of Selphie. The only difference she could find between the two was the height.
"Now, now Silhou...Don't get too carrie--"
"Five days more before Valentine's Day! The decoration should be finished by the twelfth!!" the energetic leader cut Quistis off. Silhou was in her own world.
"Uhm.."
"Thank you again, Instructor Trepe! You really inspired me!" Silhou grabbed her free hand and shook it. Indeed, there were times that Quistis couldn't understand this nice girl.
"Uh..Y-you're welcome," Quistis decided to ride on instead. "See you around!" Silhou waved her hands and prepared to leave but stopped when she suddenly remembered something. She turned back at Quistis who was now proceeding to the Cafeteria's section.
"Uhm...Instructor!" she called out to Quistis. The blonde instructor swung her head back to look at her.
"Uh....hehe....Did you happened to see a silver chain necklace around here somewhere? It was supposed to go with the Goddess Statue." Silhou placed her hands behind her.
'A chain necklace?'
"W-What does it look like?" Quistis skeptically asked.
"Oh, it has tiny golden hearts engraved on it." Silhou simply replied.
"Will you please inform me if you saw one like that? The committee will be very thankful." the lively girl turned sour. "I swear that crook got some thick nerves to even mess with Aphrodite!"
Quistis just gave her a smile. A silver plated chain necklace with golden hearts engraved on it....The wonderful description sounds very familiar to Quistis. Funny how the depiction of the necklace resembled the one Seifer gave to her yesterday.
Wait!
"Well, that's about it! Have a good day, Instructor!!" After saying this, Silhou immediately bounced out of the Main Lobby and went on her way. Quistis was once again left standing in the Lobby unable to say her part. She was dumbstruck.
Even now, the 'odd' Seifer was still haunting her thoughts. How silly of her to believe that Seifer had actually managed to come up with a pretty jewelry in that state of his. She reached on her pocket and pulled out the lovely chain necklace. It twinkled elegantly in her hands as the small ray of light reflects upon it. She gave out a sigh.
'I think I should give this back...'
Quistis turned to the statue of Aphrodite standing near the entrance. However, she doesn't have the heart to put it back right now. At least not in public. Sliding the necklace back to her pocket, she decided to give it back on the perfect time."Wait boss?! Wait for me, ya know?!"
Quistis's heart almost jumped when she heard that vociferous voice over the Infirmary's section. Quistis was definitely sure it has got to be Raijin. There's no other bimbo in Balamb Garden that possesses a strange annoying accent other than him. And when Raijin was near, it meant only one thing, Seifer was near too.
She was standing from the other side of the Lobby when the 'newly recovered' Seifer grimly strode out of the hallway. His gray trench coat flung swiftly over the air as he paced like a tiger on his way out. Those fierce emerald eyes of his was once again filled with arrogance and irritation. He didn't have that gentle look in his good-looking face anymore. He was a different Seifer now. This man was the real Seifer Almasy.
Quistis stared at the man who was pacing away from her. She wanted to go and talk to him but she couldn't. She was afraid of something. Afraid that he will get angry at her. Afraid of being rejected. It was weird. There was nothing wrong in it. She was, after all, an instructor and wasn't it just right if she should go and check up on him?
Fujin and Raijin hurriedly sprung out of the hallway afterwards. Both were trying their best to catch up on Seifer. Fortunately, they did manage to catch up with him. And so the posses were once again back on their perpetual roll.
'I guess this really was it...'
Good thing Seifer didn't saw her or she will probably break. There's this one part of her that wanted to clear something despite of the blatant fact that was flaunting in front of her."Don't you mention that cursed drink in my presence!!" Seifer can be heard shouting from a distance. It must be something Raijin had said. It couldn't be Fujin since she was just silently walking beside Seifer.
Quistis's heart sank. Her ocean blue eyes lowered.
Or maybe there was really nothing in it in the first place.
Feeling a little down, she decided to leave Seifer alone and slowly headed towards the Cafeteria to finally have her lunch. She still has a long boring day to go.
A/N: No, this is not the end of Quistis's Valentine okay? I know the last paragraph kinda sucked. I'm sorry!! ~_^ I promise the next one gonna be interesting. *grins evilly* Till next chappie!! But for now, please tell me what you think ^_^
