/ 0 8 : p e r c e p t i o n s /

Boot heels clicked on the marble floors. Leather shuffled against cotton faintly.

In the stillness of the corridor, Quistis Trepe paced the length of the path and frowned. She heard a faint 'ding´ from the west and knew it was the elevator. Blue eyes focused on her feet as she rounded the corner, and in her peripheral vision she could see the vast view that the veranda-hallway gave of the floor below. But her attention was elsewhere - she zoned out, but was completely surprised when someone stopped in front of her and immediately held her shoulders. Quistis looked up and came face-to-face with a 6-foot-one tall man, blonde and with an already faint scar on his face, the white coat too recognizable.

Quistis sighed. "…I did it again."

Seifer Almasy's brow rose. "Did what again?"

"…Ah," Quistis said as she waved it off, "it's nothing. Don't mind it. Let's just say I'm stressed out with tons of things right now." Deciding to head downstairs later, she folded her arms and leaned them on the veranda-hallway's railing, peering below.

Seifer decided to keep her company. He was free, after the encounter with Headmaster Cid upstairs, and didn't feel like doing anything. Seifer watched the blonde lean against the metal railing, somberly looking at the view below, and did the same stance she was doing.

"Where were you about to head off to?"

"Ah. To the quad… actually…" Quistis replied. "Just didn't feel like… being around here."

"I see…" Seifer nodded. "…Well, since I blocked your way… you want to talk this stress out, then?" Seifer said, shrugging, "I'm game."

Quistis glanced at him. Sure, they were of the same age, but she wasn't so used to his demeanor. Then again, she never really took the time out to get to know him, although she was always impressed by his performance - that was, of course, ever since the war ended. She could still remember the day he left Squad B during the SeeD exam in Dollet, and tried to prove he was a hero. Then he was abducted somewhat by Edea - whose consciousness was overtaken by Ultimecia then - and was used for evil purposes. Seifer lived the dream of being a knight then, but was utterly lost eventually in the journey. Everyone seemed to forget Seifer, as he decided to part away from everything. But Quistis didn't forget who he was when he was still in the orphanage, although guardian forces held the responsibility for some lost memories, and neither did she ever doubt his capacity to become a better person. The instructor figured things just went a little too out of hand those days. It wasn't too late to repair friendships.

Quistis blinked, and turned her attention back to the fish statues that spouted water and listened to the faint sounds of people chattering, water rippling.

"I'm guessing it's because Squall isn't around to take care of things, and you feel like you're alone, and you can't do the load."

"That's right. Me again." Quistis scowled. "I'm merely disappointed because I'm expected to be better than how much I do, and I can't seem to do it right."

"Squall believes in you, y'know." Seifer said, a half-grin on his face. "….I guess he's making up for not seeing that you really cared about him."

Quistis' brow rose. "Well that's pretty nice of him. Giving me a responsibility I'm not so good at."

"Doesn't being the muse of The Trepies help?"

"You're not helping."

"I was only kidding, relax." Seifer laughed. "…But, like I said. Squall believes in you, sees potential in you. You think no one really gives a crap about how hard you push yourself with your work, do you?"

Quistis thought about his words. Did anyone really? She entered Garden at a young age. She then gained her license at 14, and became an instructor at 17… She was deemed a prodigy by Headmaster Cid and had a fanclub called The Trepies; she noticed the stares male cadets gave her, but many thought less of her. Many girls didn't like her because she seemed to be the apple of every eye - she was basically the envy of female students. Male cadets didn't like her because she was too strict (apparently?) and liked to test one's emotions by annoying them and making them nervous. Why she was still pushing hard to become better, she didn't know, and neither did she know what was motivating her.

"If you can give me a reason, I'd appreciate it," Quistis replied. "…Honestly. I'm 23 now and I'm still lost." She sighed quietly, wishing that a simple wave-off of the idea would work, but it had been bothering her for years. "Fine. You can tell me all I've heard before - separate emotions from my job and all, not bring my feelings into the workplace, la-di-da, blah-blah-blah… but if you were in my shoes you'd understand."

Seifer realized that Quistis was quite the opposite of him - she did less or was a natural at doing things and she was accepted and honored, while he pushed hard and was always striving to be the best he could be, but was never given recognition. What the hell, right? But, he really thought she deserved the honors - she was attractive and intelligent, after all. But if anything, he was envious of her. He just didn't want to admit it to anyone.

… Seifer sighed, breaking the abrupt silence. "I could help you, if you want." Quistis glanced over to him, but he continued, "Not command everyone to do this, to do that… but, I could start with paperwork. If you want me to, of course." He shrugged. "It's fine if no."

Quistis thought it over. Seifer was now part of the Research Department and was probably used to the mundane life of doing errands - having papers signed, reports and letters made, researches conducted, coordinates looked for… which, a second-in-command needed, or any leader in fact needed. Quistis smiled to herself and leaned her hip against the veranda-hallway's barrier.

"I'd like that," she replied. "How nice of you."

"Orphanage-mates." Seifer managed a small smile. "I may not be part of your little group with Squall and the others, but I can promise you I'll be around to help if you need me. It's… possibly the least I could do to make up for how much of an asshole I was before." Seifer frowned.

"You weren't so much of an asshole. Just an… annoying teenager," Quistis laughed upon seeing his face. Seifer shook his head and leaned back against the barrier, staring up at Balamb's dome-shaped ceiling. "Then again we were all annoying teenagers, weren't we…? Ultimecia would know," Quistis snorted.

Seifer chuckled. "I guess she won't be bothered and we won't be bothered anymore."

Their eyes met and Quistis cleared her throat, smiling. Seifer never really saw her like this, that she seemed somewhat vulnerable. Quistis had never seen Seifer this… real, if that was even the correct word to use for the situation.

"…I'm glad we got to talk like this," Quistis confirmed. "It's a start. Considering how we had all the time to get to know each other, and we never took it…"

"Mm." Seifer pushed himself off of the barrier, standing before her. "It's a start." He smiled. "I suppose in front of everyone else I should call you Instructor?"

Quistis chuckled. "I guess. Just for formalities…" Then she paused. "…But when it's just me, either Quistis… or if you want to be like Ellone, you can call me Quisty." Quistis shrugged. "Either way, I like it." She smiled back at him, and nodded.

The Garden's clock bell rang.

She sighed. She wasn't about to do anything for the day, but remembered something. "There are some terminals I have to assess in the classroom… if you like, you could help stay with Nida?"

"Sure," Seifer replied. "I'm not too busy anyway."

"Alright." Quistis walked off to the way she came from, but stopped halfway. She turned to him and nodded. "Oh, and… well… thanks for the talk."

Seifer nodded in response and watched Quistis disappear as she turned right, her boots clicking off to the distance.

…For the first time in his life, he didn't feel so invisible.

Rinoa and Zell lined up. Luckily, they seemed to be the only ones after the famous Balamb Garden cafeteria hotdogs.

Zell was a regular customer and everyone knew that. He wasn't too keen on rice as a staple - he had a diet all to himself. Bread was present, and as Rinoa watched Zell buy some hotdogs for the both of them she wondered if Zell ever knew hotdog was pretty much processed food, and if he was aware it would destroy his diet. But then again, Zell was an active guy - no matter how much he ate, with his lifestyle and sporty outlook he'd lose weight off pretty easily.

Zell and Rinoa stepped aside. He handed her one of the three - yes, three, because he bought two for himself - hotdogs that he purchased. Rinoa accepted it with a smile. "Here you go," Zell said, "enjoy while you can!" Opening his mouth wide enough, the martial artist chomped down on the hotdog, smothered with ketchup, mayo, mustard, and relish.

"Thanks, Zell." Rinoa's was the same, and daintily she quietly took a bite from her hotdog and its bun. In the corners of her eyes she could see students peer at her and Zell; Rinoa's initial thoughts were, that they were probably suspicious that she and Zell were dating - seen by the way Zell was trying to converse with her, though her attention was elsewhere. Rinoa sighed, wondering what Squall would think - words fly fast, after all.

Zell paused with a smile, but realized what the look on her face meant. He looked around; they were staring at him and her. Zell cleared his throat and shook his head. "Just ignore 'em, Rin," he encouraged, smiling. "Y'know it ain't true." As quick as he had finished the first, he started chomping on the second hotdog!

Rinoa bit her lip and nodded, continuing to eat. She tried to eat as fast but as quietly as she could, and when she finished she threw the paperbag her hotdog was in and walked away, leaving Zell there. Zell blinked, and went after her, choosing to stay by her side regardless whether a conversation would start or not.

Rinoa opted to stay in the quadrangle, to possibly try and help the Festival Committee in fixing up the stage for the Balamb Festival this year. "Is Selphie helping out with the festival this year?"

"Ahh…" Zell said with a muffled voice, and took the time to chew and swallow down. "…I'm not so sure. Haven't talked to her…"

Rinoa blinked. "Oh?"

"Yeah…" Zell threw his trash as they passed by a bin in the corner. The path to the quadrangle was up ahead. "Not in a very long time, actually."

"Something happened?"

"Eh…" Zell walked with his hands behind his head, looking up at the ceiling. "Let's just say I'm giving her space for a bit… let her be with the one she wants to spend time around with."

Rinoa pondered for a moment, trying to comprehend what he was saying, and just like any other when they understood, she felt a little imaginary light bulb begin to light up in her head. She smiled brightly and poked his side. "You're jealous of Irvine, aren't you?"

Zell blinked and blushed for just a bit, but cleared his throat and tried to retain a straight face. "No! 'Course not. I'm just saying. If Selphie wants to spend time with him, sure. I have nothing against it." He shrugged.

"I see…" Rinoa laughed. "Have you told her though? That you like her?"

"Eh?…" Zell rounded the corner with her, and off they were down the hallway, going to the quad. "…Not really… I don't think it's important. Besides, she'd do what she'd want to do anyway…"

Rinoa, found herself able to relate to Zell for the very first time. She was very much Zell's opposite and similar to him at the same time. Both were cheerful and haughty. Rinoa was outspoken and a bit direct and wanted to say what was on her mind even if she was hesitant about what people would think. Zell was pretty much the same, although he tried to keep his feelings in check.

Rinoa, upon analyzing Zell's words, realized that she thought the same of Squall - no matter what she said Squall would still go his own way. Was the distance actually an advantage? Most likely. The fact that they were together but 'apart' somewhat, she realized, was possibly why she and Squall fought so much - the most striking and common yet pleasant things about her, she knew, was also a danger to how she treated him. And it was the same with him. There weren't much things in common between her and Squall - even though they'd been together for 5 years she didn't see a stable future with him in all honesty. People deemed them perfect, but as always and like everything, it wasn't like that all the time, and if they had troubles they'd try to sort it out though sometimes they were too much. They always tried. Rinoa figured it was actually a good thing Zell and Selphie weren't together, because she could see they would be so much like herself and Squall if they were. But ultimately, she knew it was the choice of the two that mattered in the end.

"I guess she and Squall have quite some things in common, I suppose," Rinoa replied, nodding. "…You should tell her how you feel, though. Whether or not anything would happen, who knows? Let the wind take you and how you feel for her wherever it decides to go." She smiled. "That's how it was for me and Squall, at least."

"Yeah, but Selphie's very, very, VERY different, Rin." Zell shook his head, lowering his arms. They reached the quadrangle already and sat on one of the stone benches. The rushing of water was calming. "Her mind runs on a different course, y'know? Why she fell for a smooth-talking cowboy who looks like a pimp, I'll never understand. I'm just a regular guy wearing denim hip-hop shorts and Ehrgeiz gloves to make myself look cool." Zell's eyebrow rose.

"So you think you're nothing special, huh?" Rinoa folded her arms.

Zell blinked. He never really thought of himself as special - if anything to him was special, it was that he was aiming to be the best martial artist to ever roam the planet, just like his grandfather. "Low self-esteem: check!" he said as he sighed.

"You're being yourself, if you ask me, and there's nothing wrong with that. So what if Selphie doesn't get you, or even that pigtailed girl you've had a crush on for years now." Rinoa grinned. "There's always someone for everyone…"

"I think I'll just pass off the girls issue for a while…" Zell looked at the stage the committee was busy preparing. "Anyway, let's go help 'em out!"

… Headmaster Cid frowned as he listened to Xu reporting from the speakerphone on his desk. His mouth twisted into a gentle smile after.

"They're having a little reunion at the moment," Xu said. "Meanwhile I'm just… walking around Esthar, I suppose."

Cid laughed. "I suppose that's good for Squall, and President Loire as well. I see Kinneas and Tilmitt are driving the Ragnarok 05?"

"Eagerly." Xu smiled on the other line as she chuckled. "Best drivers, possibly."

Headmaster Cid blinked as he remembered the last time Selphie and Irvine tried to drive a vessel - most notably a car that crashed into Item Shop window in Balamb Town just some weeks ago. He sighed. "I sure hope they don't wreck the ship," he said. "…They may know Laguna, but he is still a president and a businessman."

Xu laughed. "Don't worry about it, sir. I check up on them every 3 hours."

"Ahh, good, good." Cid laughed again and peered through the wide windows of his room. "… Let's hope then that father and son negotiate fairly with each other. We've had enough of bloodbaths, don't you think?"

Xu, on the other end of the line, felt the somber mood that resonated from the headmaster. "… You mean the sudden attack of the Estharians?"

Cid frowned. "Makes me upset to think such a thing would ever happen. A treaty between nations was signed. How could Esthar break that?"

"Sir, I don't suppose it was Laguna that sent the soldiers. President Loire never breaks a serious promise, like a treaty." Cid could hear Xu sigh. "… I think everyone has learned from the Ultimecia incident."

"But however we learn from things, hypotheses form and we begin to scheme." Cid gazed at the gulls that flew overhead outside. "… I trust Laguna, do not get me wrong. But Esthar being Esthar, they have plans …"

"I think the time Squall is spending with his father will help, sir!" Xu encouraged quietly. "Although we've known President Loire for years, I think we'll see Laguna's true nature with how he acts around Squall and converses with him. But, thinking about what you've said, I suppose we'll just have to trust Squall then…"

Xu certainly had a point - Squall did, after all, somehow represent Balamb Garden. And he was quite the hero although Squall himself wasn't so keen on the idea.

"… Yes …" Cid replied. "…I suppose it's just him for now."