As the days at Balamb Garden went by, Sharon and Gina pushed the fact that they might not be able to go home to the back of their minds. Instead, they thought of the whole experience as an extended vacation. A vacation that included them having to go to class and study and all of that good mess, but still. The only ones that knew the real reason that they were there were Squall, Zell, and of course Seifer, but none of them told anyone else in the Garden. Both of them were indeed excited upon finding out that Quistis Trepe would be their professor, but they learned the hard way not to let themselves fall asleep during her class. A swift crack of the whip dangerously near their ears got them awake in no time, and ever since then they were always on time, forever attentive, and constantly asking questions even if they knew the answer. Even the Trepies were beginning to get annoyed with their sudden undying loyalty towards the professor.
That whip'll make people do the craziest things.
Even though they knew a lot of things in the FFVIII universe, there were a lot of things that were evidently different than what they previously thought. Guardian Forces were just that; they weren't required to be able to draw or use magic, even though they still played an important part otherwise. Once a GF knew of someone's presence, they were available for summoning in times of need. Of course, they were as fickle as always, being more partial towards some people rather than others. Gina was confused when she learned that there was basically no need for junctioning them to herself, and that all she had to do was either earn their trust by defeating them in battles or just sensing their presence from an enemy or elsewhere, but it made to be a little bit simpler. One could also build up their compatibility with a certain GF by simply calling on them more often than others, but it was said that the more one called on a GF, the more strain it put on the brain, which sometimes could cause memory lapses if overused.
The same concept was evidently applied to drawing and using magic. They were put through lots of exercises so their bodies would know what type of magic it was that they were drawing. Draws could fail if there were multiple magics available and the person that was doing the drawing wasn't sure of what to extract first, or if the person wasn't concentrating enough; which was mostly the problem in Sharon's case.
When it came to junctioning certain magic to weapons, it took a bit of practice in some sorts. It was possible to add magic to physical attacks, but to do it was difficult in that the user had to concentrate the magic on their weapons at the same time they attacked, so most just settled for using one or the other. To build a resistance to enemy elemental or status effect attacks, all one had to do was simply stock magic. For example, if someone was hit with a thunder spell, but they had multiple exposure to lightning magic at their disposal, then the damage from the spell would be less than if they didn't have any of that magic already drawn. Complete immunity was physically impossible to maintain, as the human body and brain are both limited as to how much magic it could compartmentalize and utilize. Generally speaking, the more elemental or status magic a person had, then that much more resistance they possessed... but loopholes were found despite the best of precautions. If someone was hit with a Fira spell and they only had experience working with first level fire spells, then the protection wouldn't be that great. Gina really didn't like being hit by spells, especially fire ones, so she tried to solve that problem by drawing as much magic as possible whenever given the opportunity.
In terms of recovery items, the way they were used was interesting. All of them came in bottles, and were identified by different colors. Almost all of them could be poured directly on an injury for automatic relief, but of course if one was to lose a limb or something else irreparable, then no recovery items would work in that instance. Phoenix Downs were the only exception in that they could either work in a way that was similar to a smelling salt, or if that didn't work then someone had to pour it into the unconscious person's mouth. The chemicals in the Phoenix Down gave the body a sort of adrenaline jump to get them moving again, but it didn't heal injuries or bring back the dead. But even with all of those great items at hand, it was still possible to die in a battle if one wasn't careful.
Needless to say, Gina and Sharon worked harder than they ever did at GVSU. Even though they still somehow found time for their trademark five hour conversations in Garden's cafeteria, they spent the rest of their time studying up for tests in class or training. Jenkson always kept that area near the Quad open and served as a secondary training ground if they didn't want to brave the Training Center just yet. Gina gradually got better in handling her katana, and Squall kept up his part of the deal and helped her train, even though Gina was still wary of possibly injuring him again.
Sharon also improved her accuracy with the gun, but she still couldn't make herself sit still long enough to be something like an effective sharpshooter. Instead, she just kept strengthening her ability to shoot multiple things at once, and fast. She even taught herself how to shoot with her left hand as well as her right, so she could fire a torrent of bullets in a trigger happy style that she admired about Yuna. In order to reduce kickback without losing firepower, Jenkson taught Sharon a little trick he apparently formulated during his time training Half-Pint that involved diverting a small bit of focus to maintain a miniature Protect spell around certain areas of the gun during use. Seeing as though she was determined to fire two-handed despite the impracticality of it, that spell ended up saving her a lot of wrist sprains and possible broken joints in her hands from all of the excessive practice it required. Jenkson also taught her a form of patience in another way with the disc exercise; he would load different color discs into the machine, and only tell her to fire down a specific color while avoiding the rest. In that way, she couldn't just run into everything with guns blazing and possibly end up shooting someone or something that she shouldn't have.
Both of them did take their chances in the Training Center at times, and it was there that they came up with a double team attack; Sharon would fire off a spray of bullets at the enemies, while Gina was in charge of picking a type of magic and surrounding the bullets as they fired out. It took some time for them to get it right, but after awhile it was like clockwork, and they both were happy in their accomplishment. Of course, they still ran like hell whenever a T-Rexaur made an appearance; both Gina and Sharon watched Jurassic Park enough times to have that fear of dinosaurs ingrained into them.
Zell helped out by becoming a sort of personal trainer to the girls, even though in most cases Sharon outlasted Gina in many of Zell's exercises. But they both needed it, so if the time came they'd be able to move quickly and keep moving if a situation demanded it without getting as tired. And besides; almost always afterwards Zell would treat them to ice cream for a job well done.
The days soon turned into months, and it became easy for Sharon and Gina to forget that they were actually in wait for the reappearance of the portal so they could go home. To them, the Garden was their home now, even if it was possible that it could be temporary. It was better for them, because if they spent most of their days worrying about whether or not they'd ever make it back, then they wouldn't be able to function, let alone train.
Sharon cursed as she once again pricked her finger with the sewing needle. "Just a little bit more left." She was trying her hand at stitching a string of tiny seashells around a plain black cowboy hat that she had bought in Balamb a while ago. She was determined to get them on there; she didn't brave countless waves of Fastitocalon-F's (or Goldfish from Hell, as Sharon liked put it) to get seashells that she couldn't do what she wanted after she got them. She was mostly doing it so that she could rock it with an interesting top she had found in the town as well. From the front, it looked like a fitted button-up tan vest with long snug sleeves that cuffed nicely at the ends, and a V-neckline that sported lapels like a coat. From the back, it looked like a long duster, since the sand-colored material was extended to almost brush the floor.
She heard the door unlock, and moments later Gina came bounding in, grinning like she had just won the lottery.
"SHARII-CHAN! I got two great things to tell you!" She whipped open the door to her friend's room, finding her still slaving over that damn cowboy hat she had left her sewing earlier.
Sharon blinked. "Dang, girl, what kinda sugar did you eat? The more you hang out with Zell, the more you start acting like him."
Gina just continued grinning. She was basically still the same girl that jumped through that portal five months ago, but there were some subtle changes. For one, Gina got up the courage to do what she'd always wanted but never was able to before because her parents would've killed her, and that was to streak her hair with red. Of course, they weren't conventional streaks; there were only two, one on each side of her head, and was pulled back with the rest of her hair in the usual ponytail habit that she never could break. And of course, she couldn't hang around Zell for long without being a little bit happy-go-lucky, so she had let herself be a bit more outgoing as well.
"Speaking of Zell, he got me a present!" Gina chirped, her eyes sparkling. Sharon put down the now finished cowboy hat and turned to look at her. "Well, let's see it! Better not be something cheap, or I'll kick his little hyperactive ass."
Gina took her arms from behind her back and held up a white hoodie, that sported a big yin-yang on the front, with a dragon poking its head and winding tail through the two dots. Red and orange flames licked out of its snout and added a nice touch to the otherwise colorless top. Then she turned it around and on the back was the exact same design, only the flames were shades of blue. "Isn't this just awesome?"
Sharon nodded her approval. "That's some pretty sweet shit right there. And tell me why you and Zell aren't dating yet?"
Gina's eyes got wide and she felt the familiar blush rise to her cheeks. "Because we're just friends." She saw her best friend raise a skeptical eyebrow. "Seriously!"
"Yeah, right. You have a crush on him, he obviously likes you if he's getting you stuff like this, and you both are too bashful to do anything about it. It's cute."
"Well, he got this for me for luck... in our very first mission today!"
Sharon nearly fell out of her chair. "Say what? We're technically not SeeDs yet. Isn't there supposed to be a field exam or something?"
"That's the second thing I was gonna tell you. This mission is gonna be like our field exam, and Squall, Zell and Selphie will be responsible for reporting our results back to Headmaster Cid. If the mission is a success, then we're SeeDs!" Gina practically squealed.
Standing up out of her seat, Sharon stretched. "Well, this is gonna be a trip. I wonder what it's gonna be like."
Gina turned to leave the room. "We get to see when we get our butts to the front gate in fifteen minutes. I'm gonna go change!" She skipped out to go to her own room.
Sharon blinked again. Man, that girl might inherit my nickname of Hypaa if I don't get on the ball. Well, at least I get to sport this outfit finally. She took the tan top off of the hanger, and pulled out a pair of black form fitting pants to go with it. After getting dressed and lacing up a bitching pair of combat boots, she took a look at herself in the tall mirror she had on the back of the door and was pleased with the final result. Grabbing the cowboy hat off of the table, she walked out just in time to catch Gina coming out of her own room, wearing the prized hoodie. She was also wearing white bondage pants along with her usual black and white sketcher sneakers. As surprising as it may seem, it wasn't that difficult to find the pants; they both figured that if Squall could dress like he does, then fashion in the FFVIII universe wasn't that bad.
"Alrighty, ready to go and possibly get our asses kicked by Galbadian Soldiers?" Sharon joked.
Gina picked up her katana that was leaning against the wall and placed it in a sheath that she wore strapped to her back. "Hell yeah."
Together, they made their way to the front gates of the Garden, where they spotted Selphie's bright yellow jumper almost immediately. She waved to them and ran forward. "You guys made it before Zell! That's pretty sad; he's supposed to be a role model for you guys!"
Sharon put a hand to her forehead. "For some reason, I'm not surprised."
Squall stood in his typical fashion, with a member of the Garden Faculty and Headmaster Cid. He looked up when Selphie rushed off to greet Gina and Sharon. He saw the hoodie that Gina was wearing and lifted an eyebrow slightly. That's one of Zell's favorite hoodies. I never thought he'd give it up. He then examined Sharon. I know she'd hate it if I said anything, but she kind of looks like a female Irvine in that getup. Squall gave a nod when they returned to the waiting spot, while the Garden Faculty tapped his foot impatiently. "One more minute..."
Gina and Sharon stepped up and saluted Headmaster Cid, who gave them a warm smile and a nod in return. He was proud of how fast they had adjusted to Garden and the training, and had decided at the last minute to put them in this mission. Not only did Cid think that Sharon and Gina would be able to handle themselves, he had great faith in Squall and the others.
At that moment, Zell came zooming in on a T-board, having fun with twists and turns as he approached the group. Gina grinned; Zell had offered to teach her how to ride one of those things, but Gina found it more entertaining watching people who knew how to do it already. Not to mention she didn't want to fall off of it and twist her ankle.
"Hey, looks like I got here just in time!" Zell cheesed and hopped off of the T-board.
The Garden Faculty shook his head. "How many times must we tell you? T-Boards are prohibited within Garden!"
"But... these are really cool! And they might come in handy on a mission one day," Zell pleaded.
The faculty just snatched up the T-board. "You may be a member of SeeD, but you still are a student at this Garden, and are responsible for setting an example for the rest of the students here... like the two cadets that will be accompanying you on your mission today."
Zell just pouted, and Headmaster Cid cleared his throat. "Well... anyway, about your mission. You are to catch a train in Balamb to Timber, where you will be supporting a resistance faction. A member of the faction will be contacting you upon your arrival at Timber Station."
Sharon and Gina traded glances. Is this what mission I think it is?
"The person will speak to you and say 'The forests of Timber sure have changed.' You must respond with the password phrase, 'But the owls are still around.'" The faculty further explained. "Following their orders is of utmost importance."
Cid nodded. "Squall, I am appointing you to be the squad leader. Use your best judgment based on the situation. Zell and Selphie, you are to support Squall and do your best to carry out his orders. Sharon and Regina, you are to support them as well, keeping in mind that you are being judged accordingly."
All of them gave a final nod and salute to the Headmaster, and they followed Squall down the steps and along the road to catch the next available train to Balamb. Sharon had to keep herself from laughing as they were being briefed; it was nothing like getting an exact mission from the video game. It would be a piece of cake, hopefully. Unless something went wrong.