Disclaimer: All FF8 characters are courtesy of Squaresoft Enix
Advent of the Necromancer: Book I
Chronicles of Past and Present
Chapter 24: I Won't Sympathize
Stand up
You've
got to manage
I won't
sympathize
Anymore
And if
you complain once more
You'll
meet an army of me
You're
all right
There's
nothing wrong
Self-sufficient
please!
And get
to work
–Bjork–
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry07.06.01 AU
…
…Blip! …Device On
"…AT DID SHE FUCKIN' SAY?"
" …told us to leave her here an' to take this other chick with us…"
"What could she be FUCKIN' thinkin'?"
"Dunno, man, beats me! Though I see her point, like if we take both of 'em we'll be like seriously handicapped …Aw, shit! There's no way we're leaving Quisty behind!"
"It's the sorta half-assed instruction Trepe would fucking give …Littl' Miss Perfect…!"
"So…like how 'bout we leave this girl, find our way outta here and then come back for her?"
"Nah… I've scouted that chamber…Trepe's right, there's nothin' in there, but somethin' tells me that it's gonna be a one way ticket out …If we leave, there's no way we're gonna be able to make it back here again."
"Hmm, don't sound too good… And, Seif, man! …I think Quisty needs immediate medical attention! I've tried fuck everything! Esuna, Dispel, Curaga! I fucking emptied her entire potion supply. Nothing's havin' an effect on her!"
…CRASH!… "She had to play the fucking hero! Listen up, Kinneas, we're gettin' outta here! Can you shoot one handed?"
"Like …does Zell-boy eat hot-dogs?"
"Ugh! We must be in deep shit when I'm thinkin' that havin' Chicken-Wuss here might actually be helpful!"
"So, what's your plan?"
"Kinneas, you grab sleepin' beauty over there, and I'll take care of Trepe…"
"Quisty might not like being carried over the shoulder…"
"Too fucking bad! Or how did'ya think we were gonna take 'em both and fight our way out at the same time?"
"But you said the place looked empty…"
" 'look' don't mean 'is'…Better be on the alert! From what Trepe said, she had no problems goin' but was ambushed on her way back…"
"Hey! She said like there're two doors…"
"Yeah …At the very back of the huge atrium, an' one of 'em gotta be the way outta this fuckin' hole. You take the left side and I'll take the right …Oh, and there's some kinda weird metal cup sittin' in the middle of an altar with a yellowish-brown smoke comin' out of it..."
"You mean kinda like when we found our new GF?"
"Fuck no! Nothin' like that! I could feel Tiamat go into defensive mode right in the back of my mind, if you catch my drift… No, we ignore the thing an' we concentrate in gettin' the hell out..."
…
…
…static…
…
"Ready?"
"Yeah! Let's do it!"
…
…
…static…
…
…
…Blip!
"…the fuck are you?"
"This is none of your concern! Give me the girl and your deaths shall be swift and painless…"
"No fucking way!"
"FOOLS! Do you really think you can defy me!"
"Listen, Pops! Apart from being on the cuckoo side, you're in serious need of fashion advice…"
"Hey, man! Don't those goons standin' over there look kinda familiar? I recognize the chick… Hey! That's Patric..."
"…INSOLENT WHELPS! …"
…static…
"…YOU have a Blue Witch?"
"Like, I think they're the other three we were lookin'…"
…static…
…
"…ook kinda pale…"
"Kinneas! Let's split up as agreed! RUN FOR IT!"
"Ditto that!"
"Young fools! Hand over the girl and the blue witch! …ATTACK THEM!"
Clang! "FIRE!" …Slash!
Bang!
BANG!
BANG! …"Shit! These guys just keep on movin'! …HOLY!"
…static…
"Ignore that one! CONCENTRATE ON THE ONE CARRYING THE BLUE WITCH!"
…static…
…
("…Seifer…")
"Fuck, Trepe!" …CLANG! CLANG! …SwooOOSH! "…no time for…" …SLASH! Clang! "…chit-chat!" CLANG! …Voosh!
Bang! Bang!
("…left door… left door…exit…")
"KINNEAS!" Swoosh! Clang! … "LEFT DOOR!" CLANG! …SLASH! "RUN FOR IT!"
Bang! Bang! …"COPY THAT!"
… … …
"FOOLS! You might have overcome my minions, but you shall not escape ME!"
("…Mighty Guard! …Ugh...")
"DAMMIT! QUISTIS!"
(…)
"LOWLIFES! WITNESS MY POWER! …CATASTROPHE!..."
…static…
…
…static…
…
…static…
…
…Unit malfunction…
…
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
11.06.01 AU
…Fully Charged…
…Initiating All Functions…
…Device Ready…
Hiya, Quisty! Selphie here! –giggles– I managed to fix your PD so that when you wake up you'll have it beside ya!
WOO! It's such a super-duper mega-bummer situation! You've been in a coma for like almost four days now! Even though Dr. Kadowaki managed to get that weird poison outta your system, everyone's sooo worried! The Trepies had set out a camp outside the infirmary but Seify threatened them with bodily harm, so they left!
Wake-up soon, okay? Seify's been acting up sooo much! Even Matron cannot seem to restrain him, and my Irvy's also been reeeally cranky.
You guys were away for such a long time that the Headmaster sent out Squall, Zell and me to get ya on the Ragnarok! Rina wanted to come with us too, but both Squall and Dr. Kadowaki said no! A few days ago she'd collapsed in the middle of the day! It was such a mega-bummer! We were sooo worried, like you guys hadn't reported back and then Rina faintin' for like NO reason! …Phew!
We went to Odin's ruins an' found your stuff but you guys were nowhere to be found! It's like you were swallowed up or somethin'! But we never gave up on ya, y'know? …We kept flyin' the Ragnarok over the area, lookin' for you guys …and it paid off! We saw Irvy and Seify dragging you and this girl around while climbing down some mountain path into the Serengetti plains!
HOW in Hyne's name did you guys end up there?
By the way, Seify and Irvy are now officially SeeD! Woo-HOO! But we won't be celebratin' anything until you get better!
WOW Quisty! I found out you KEEP A DIARY! (A super-duper encrypted diary!) How come you didn't tell me? Are we friends or what? There's gotta be some seriously juicy stuff in here! Awww! Promise you'll let me read it when you wake up, okay?
Just, please, please, pretty please wake up!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
12.06.01 AU
Hey, Quisty! Rinoa here!
I just wanted to report that the girl you brought back is finally awake! We confirmed her identity as being one Sasha Tavares. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that she's quite alert and doing well. From the excellent reports you filed on your PD, we proceeded to check on her BLISS addiction, but Quisty, Dr. Kadowaki couldn't find any traces of it on the girl's bloodstream, and she has not shown any signs of withdrawal …yet. In any case, we're keeping her under observation! Wow! your quick action saved that girl's life 'cause she was seriously drained! Y'know by givin' her the X-potion and stuff. Irv told us what you did!
We examined her and she was physically unharmed. No signs of molestation…just majorly dilated pupils! Dr. Kadowaki's really intrigued as to what they gave her 'cause our scans show nothing! But mentally…I dunno… Poor thing! She seems to be scared of us, and will only agree to do stuff if either Seifer or Irvine are around …Hmm, though now that I think 'bout it she seems to have more of a fixation on Seifer…
Oh yeah, The Headmaster contacted Sasha's parents and her mom's coming over to pick her up soon!
Also, your GFs have been acting up! Shiva won't allow me near her and this new GF you have is sooo powerful! It gave me quite a jolt! I'm okay, but remind me never to try and draw anything from ya!
Quisty, it's so weird to see ya like this, y'know? You look so peaceful, like you're just sleeping… Have I ever told you that you're like a sister to me? Squall hasn't said anything 'bout your condition, yet. You know how he is…but he comes to check on you everyday. I've learnt to read his moods better and I know that he's very worried, just like the rest of us!
Please! …Wake up, soon okay!
We all miss you!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
13.06.01 AU
Yo! S'up, Quisty?
Whoa! This room's startin' to look like a flower shop!
Man, you gotta get better soon or that asshole Seifer will kill everyone! D'ya know that he's stationed himself outside the door of your infirmary room? Asshole hasn't even been in t' see ya, but won't let anyone come in either!
Okay! Okay! So like he'll let us inside but the Trepies are banned from seein' ya, so they've been sendin' ya huge bunches of flowers everyday! Even that seems to piss the asshole!
I've been bringin' Ma over almost everyday to visit ya! I tell ya, she and Matron's been takin' turns keepin' ya company! Y'know Ma really likes ya! …And Matron…Matron's been lookin' pretty sad. Man! Why won't you wake up, Quisty?
Y-You know that us kids from the orphanage gang look up t' ya! Y'know? …E-Even hot-dogs don't taste the same these days!
I dunno who did this, but I wanna get revenge on the bastard! Irv tells me that you saved their asses by casting Mighty Guard before you passed out again! That bastard they were fightin' has this seriously evil mega spell! Matron and Rinoa too say that casting Mighty Guard plus that ugly poison took the last of your strength and that you're just resting now…
Both Matron and Rinoa are sorceresses right? So they've gotta be right… Right?
…
…
Quistis, my dear, I keep telling my boys you're just resting. Don't make a liar out of me! I've tried to talk some sense into Seifer to let those poor people in your fanclub in to see you but he wouldn't budge! –Sigh– Such a stubborn young man!
In any case I have every faith that you will wake up in your own good time. Tch, tch, the young nowadays are so impatient!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
14.06.01 AU
Quistis! What's your secret? I know I would be looking like a piece of shit if I were in your condition! But you? You look just like some sleeping beauty waiting for prince charming to give ya a wake up kiss… Hyne! I know you don't even use beauty products!
Too bad about the prince! All you've got out there is some heavily tarnished knight who needs some major lessons in charm! I had to threaten the bastard with castration before he would allow me inside! When I asked him why he was keeping guard outside your door, bastard tells me he had to carry ya all the way out and he didn't want to see his efforts go to waste! That's one big sarcastic asshole you've got out there, girlfriend!
On the physical side …There's no denying he's hot, if you can get over his major attitude problems! Someone should whisper that into that girl Sasha's ear, she's attached herself to him like a limpet and glares at anyone who talks to the bastard. She even glared at Fujin! Hah! Like we don't know who rules in the intimidation department!
I still can't get over the fact that those two managed to get you out of that place! Since you're out of commission, the Headmaster requested Almasy and Kinneas, separately, to give us an oral accounting of the mission. Of the four Centrans who disappeared, only Sasha Tavares was rescued… They claim to have seen the other three acting under the command of some masked guy. Almasy thinks they were fighting with undead since all three of them had a huge scar that run through their throat from ear to ear. No one can have that kind of wound and still be alive!
Irvine's account seems to corroborate Almasy's impressions…he described the three of them as being very pale looking, sunken cheeks, sunken eyes, the works. One of them tried to skewer Kinneas with a pole so he shot him on the leg to immobilize him, but his attacker did not seem to feel the shot… he just kept on advancing! Anyway, to cut a long story short, he shot his attacker through the head and the heart but it didn't seem to matter, because the guy kept on moving. Finally he cast Holy on him and the guy dissolved before his very eye!
Almasy had a similar experience …I'm still trying to imagine how it is that he fought one armed and with you hoisted on his shoulder! And the spell that strange figure used on ya! I mean… I've read about it in the old books about forbidden spells, but I thought it was just a myth! It's extremely disturbing to know that someone can actually cast it! I tell ya, this is BIG! It's just as well that you were able to protect everyone from being deep-fried with Magic Guard, but wow! Your blue magic must've grown pretty strong! I mean it managed to deflect that particular spell! In any case, it's taking you an awfully long time to recover!
And how is it that you guys ended up with a new GF that won't allow anyone to junction him? Rinoa tried to draw it out, but she got one huge jolt for her efforts! She wasn't harmed or anything… just a bit shaken. Poor thing! Specially after the collapse she suffered more than a week ago… Oh, and by the way, Shiva won't be drawn out either… and Diablos is sticking to Kinneas. What the flip's going on?
Well, enough for now! Except for Mrs. Dincht and Mrs. Kramer, Dr. Kadowaki's only allowing one visit per day! And only for half an hour! I know the bastard out there is enforcing it… Humph! It's probably the only rule he's ever obeyed!
Quistis, you've always been a fighter! We made SeeD together! You were the only fifteen-year-old to ever pass the SeeD Field Exam! Don't let this beat ya!
Wake up soon, Quistis!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
15.06.01 AU
Quisty! Man, beautiful, even like this!
I think the Trepies are plannin' to ambush Almasy if he doesn't allow at least the leader of their delegation t' come-in and see ya! Even Seif might be powerless against their sheer number! Man! You got some huge following!
That Seifer sure got some guts! Who would've thought we'd get outta there alive? And that girl we rescued? Like…she'd glued herself to him… Even now, she's outside bein' like his shadow. You'd think she would at least ask 'bout ya, but nada! She's also been told straight by Seif that he wants nothing to do with her… Man, he's one cold dude! I mean she's a cutie… (Ouch! My Selph just hit me!) But she still follows him around… It's startin' to piss him off…
Quisty! What Irvy means is that Seify's been ordered, yep, ordered by Dr. Kadowaki and by Matron to keep an eye on that girl 'cuz she won't pay any attention to anybody else! They think the girl might go nuts or somethin', so they don't want her to be by herself! They even gave her a room next to Seify's! WOO! You should've heard his cussing when he found out!
I'll tell ya lots more when you're awake, okay? Promise!
Quisty! Wake up! Pleeease!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
16.06.01 AU
…
Trepe! Dammit! This has been goin' on long enough. Never thought you'd be such a slacker! Whatever happened to that self-sufficiency you're so dammed proud of? Don't you think its 'bout FUCKING TIME you woke up?
…
Don't make me say it, Quistis…but we've got some unresolved issues here… So, fucking get-up!
…
Wake. The. Fuck. Up!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
17.06.01 AU
Quistis, my child! I've been so distraught these days with your condition that I haven't had the heart until now to say much of anything, but Dr. Kadowaki tells me that you woke up briefly today! I 'm so happy and so relieved to hear that!
Hazel Dincht was here when it happened! She called Dr. Kadowaki immediately! The good doctor examined you, and finally you're on your way towards a full recovery! She has also suspended all visitations until you're up and about! You are to get absolute rest, because you need to restore your energy which was almost completely depleted!
I'm afraid my entry shall be the last one until you're well enough to do your own!
Rest and get well, my child!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
20.06.01 AU
Oh, my! I can't believe I was out of commission for such a long time! I still feel a bit weak, but I'm slowly getting my strength back. I still need to write and submit a report about the mission to the Headmaster, although he's come over to tell me personally that I should take my time until I'm one hundred percent. He also wanted me to know that Instructor Aki has kindly agreed to take over my classes until the end of term…
Dr. Kadowaki tells me I can return to my room tomorrow!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
21.06.01 AU
It's so nice to wake up in my own room! I guess Dr. Kadowaki had me wheeled out of the infirmary yesterday night…
I'm feeling so much better today! I told Rinoa when she came over for a visit that I thought I was well enough to get out of bed. She just shook her head at me and told me that Dr. Kadowaki's strict orders were for me to stay in bed!
Hyne! Does she know how boring it is? There's absolutely nothing interesting to view on the screen! I've tried reading, but it makes me drowsy… I guess I'm just frustrated with my overall weakness!
I'm rather tired now. Even writing this much is tiring me out!
I wish to be better real soon!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
24.06.01 AU
The SeeD graduation party will be next Friday night! Since it coincides with almost the end of term they've also decided to make it into a Garden Festival too… I felt so guilty when Selph told me that they had it postponed until I got better… I know it'll mean a lot of work on Selphie's part to merge the two events, but if anyone can pull this through, I know Selph can! It's too bad that Ellone and Laguna had to cancel their visit, but it was very sweet of them to send me that huge floral arrangement …even if it does take up half of my room!
Everybody has been so nice to me! They've even taken turns to come and visit! (Selph comes quite a lot …mostly to nag me about letting her READ my journal! As if I would!) Even Raijin and Fujin have come over to say hi …but I haven't seen Seifer at all! (Oh, just as well!) I hear that Sasha Tavares follows him around like a puppy. I'm glad she's alright, but I've heard she's also not talking…and absolutely refuses to be returned to her family! Her mother has flown in to get her, but Sasha refuses to go back with her…
Mrs. Tavares has taken a suite at the Alcaud Palace Hotel nearby and the Headmaster has issued her a Guest Pass into Garden, since Sasha refuses to even leave Garden grounds to spend time with her mother! Apparently, her father, Centran Councilman Joseph Tavares, calls her everyday but she refuses to talk to him as well! What can the girl be thinking? She's lucky to have such a caring family that loves her so much…
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
25.06.01 AU
I was feeling so much better today that I decided to leave my bed and go for a walk around the Quad, this also being such a nice day! I noticed that the usually busy hallway interconnecting all the various areas in Garden was pretty quiet…until I remembered that most people would be in class or in training or in a mission! I guess I must've overtaxed my strength because by the time I descended the few steps past the fountain and into a deserted Quad, I was feeling exhausted! (It wasn't even a long walk!)
I was leaning with my eyes closed against the trunk of one of the many trees landscaped into the Quad area, when I felt myself being lifted up and Seifer's impatient voice saying, "Everywhere I fuckin' turn, Trepe!" I opened my eyes to glare at him and to demand that he put me down. To my relief, he did just that but kept an arm firmly around my waist. (Hyne! Does he have to be so controlling!)
I looked beyond Seifer and noticed that Sasha was standing quietly behind him staring at the floor. His posse was nowhere in sight. I tilted my head up to look at him questioningly. For once he didn't say anything, but he looked mostly annoyed. After a few seconds, he told me irritably, "C'mon! You're goin' back to your room!" and seizing my arm propelled me in that direction.
I was feeling tired, but I'll go to my grave before I admit to Seifer that he was right! I shook off his arm and told him that I could walk back without his help, thank you very much. He snorted but let me go. I turned to Sasha, who was following us, to see if I could engage her in conversation when she looked up and just shot me a look of such pure venom that it made me blink! Not knowing what else to do, I just looked straight ahead and kept on walking next to Seifer.
Halfway to my quarters, Seifer wrapped his arm around my waist again saying, "Dammit, Trepe! Don't you have any fuckin' sense!" I guess he knew I was about to collapse…
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
26.06.01 AU
I never thought that Seifer would be such a big mouth! I mean, him of all people! Yesterday, he went and told Dr. Kadowaki on me! Of course, she came over to check up on me and to tell me off! …with that jerk standing right there, behind the doctor and grinning evilly at me! I gave him a dirty look, but he just smirked right back at me!
I'm to stay in my room today, Doctor's orders…
I never thought to say this…but my room is one boring looking place! I guess I never really had to spend much time here! Maybe when I get better I'll do something about the plainness of the walls…a poster or a nice painting…
Today both Selph and Rinoa came over to have lunch with me! (Usually they take turns) And filled me in with all that's happening around Garden. Wow! Zell finally asked Susana out! They're going together to the Graduation party. After how many hot-dogs? But the greatest news is that Sasha Tavares finally spoke! Apparently she heard about the SeeD Graduation Party and demanded that her mother take her shopping into Balamb tomorrow! She wants to get something suitable for the party! It never ceases to amaze me! After everything fails, vanity comes forth to the rescue!
Now that her health has been completely restored, Sasha looks very pretty. She has long dark curly hair and very nice light blue eyes. I wonder if Seifer will fall for her? I mean, I remember he's into all this knight stuff …She would be hard to resist, specially when she clings to him the way she does. She's practically demanding that he protect her… And who would blame her after her horrendous experience?
There's one thing I don't understand, however… Wembley's report tags her as a BLISS addict… Could Wembley had erred in his assessment? Once I feel better, I need to check this with Dr. Kadowaki…
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
27.06.01 AU
Yay! I know I sound like a child but after spending the whole of yesterday confined in my room I can't help but jump with glee that Dr. Kadowaki has agreed to let me out and about! I don't even care she's asked Seifer to keep an eye on me! I'm out of here!
Hyne! Can anyone be as controlling as one Seifer Almasy? After he 'escorted' me to the Quad so I could get some fresh air, he made me (I didn't want to) sit on a bench; that is, after scaring away the people who were already sitting there! I was so annoyed, I wanted to know if it would've killed him to request the bench nicely! To which he replied with his usual smirk, "Nope, got a reputation to maintain here." I just sighed. As usual, he was being impossible! But of course, his large intimidating presence did serve a purpose, it kept everyone at a respectful distance. Although not all …I've noticed some people give him some very flirtatious looks…
I used the opportunity to thank him for getting me out, but all he replied was, "D'you know? I find that littl' schoolmarmish voice of yours quite annoying!" Trying not to let him needle me, I looked away from him and said stiffly, "Can't you just for once, accept my gratitude without making sarcastic comments? As squad leader I gave Irvine some very specific instructions to leave me behind, but you didn't. That deserves my thanks."
He seized my chin and forced me to look up into his glittering green eyes, "Don't worry, Instructor…" (Have I ever mentioned how I hate it when he calls me that?) "…When the time comes I'll make sure to collect my dues…" The ominous way he said that sent shivers coursing down my skin… Suddenly, I felt very tired. I pretended to ignore what he'd just said (Actually, 'threatened' would be a better word) and getting up from the bench, I told him, "I think it's lunchtime. I'm going to the cafeteria."
The cafeteria was packed as usual. Seifer or no Seifer some people came up to me (I did notice they came up in groups) and told me they were glad I was okay. That was so nice! I smiled and told them I was doing my best to get better and not to worry! To my relief Seifer didn't say anything; however, he just asserted his controlling self by clamping his hand firmly on my elbow and whispering tauntingly in my ear, "Schoolmarm…"
I was never so happy than when I saw Rinoa signal to us from a nearby table! Squall was there and Zell too. Once seated, I asked the rest about Irvine and Selphie. (Seifer left to get us lunch…Does that sound weird or what!) It seems that they escorted Sasha and her mother into town since Sasha threw a fit when Seifer flatly refused to go with them… It took Irvine's promise to go instead to calm her down, and of course if Irv went, so did Selph… My eyes unconsciously strayed to where Seifer was standing at the counter ordering our lunch, and thinking to myself, 'There goes my knight theory out the window!'
I wish I could say that lunch was incident free, but of course it wasn't. Seifer started to pick on Zell with his usual 'Chicken-Wuss' routine and Zell retaliated with his 'Asshole' rejoinder much to the amazement of the others. (I hope it was amazement and not amusement) Of course, I got so annoyed at both of them that I got up and left. (Hyne! When are they going to grow up?) I was already by the entrance to the Quad when I felt Seifer's familiar hand on my elbow and heard his voice asking, "Trepe, why are you so tight-assed?" I just stared daggers at him and kept on going to Dr. Kadowaki's office.
The doctor has declared me completely recovered! I can resume my normal routine. After I heard Dr. Kadowaki discharge me, I resisted the temptation of sticking my tongue out in Seifer's direction. Since the door was opened, I could see him standing outside the infirmary with his arms folded over his chest leaning lazily against the wall. I was a bit surprised to see him surrounded by a group of people (mostly girls), one of whom I overheard asking him flirtatiously, "Who're you taking to the party, Seifer?" Her tone implied 'I-am-available'… (Some people are quite shameless, I think…)
Curious as to how he would answer I cocked my ear and heard him reply, "I'm going stag," Did I just see him wink at the girl? "I wanna spread my charms around, y'know?" Hyne! He could give that flirt Irvine a run for his money!
- - - - - - - - - -
Quistis's Journal Entry
29.06.01 AU
I spent all of yesterday and today helping Selphie with last minute details of the party. It's like a madhouse around here! Since Selph's still under the impression that I should not be overexerting myself, she has signed me up to keep track of all the tasks that have been done and the ones that need to be done…in other words, I have a desk job! Which leaves a lot of idle time in my hands…
I'm still a bit upset with Seifer…Why is he being such a jerk?
The other day, after we left Dr. Kadowaki's office, I was feeling so happy at being discharged, that I teased Seifer about his 'fan-club', I must've caught him unawares because his eyes widened, but only for a second. He recovered immediately to quip, "Never as extensive nor as obsessive as your Trepies, Instructor."
I ignored him to continue in the same vein, "What would your fan-club call itself? 'Seiferers' or 'Almasies'?"
I laughed out loud when I saw him shudder at my suggestions.
"Fuck! I hope neither or I might have to kill some people!"
It felt good to be able to joke with him like this, he even smiled at me! (Hyne! I understood why those people out there were drooling all over him!) Feeling confident, I suggested that we go to the Training Centre and get some practice since it's been a while that I've wielded Save the Queen. I'd almost expected him to refuse, but he didn't! He just grabbed my arm (I was getting so used to this, I didn't even notice!) and back we went to my room so I could get my favourite whip and on again to the Training Centre.
I was beginning to feel tired after decimating a few Grats and a T-Rexaur, which normally wouldn't have even made me sweat! (All Seifer did was stand back and watch me!) I tried to mask my tiredness as best I could, but of course he noticed. Since the secret area was closer, he dragged me there and did his usual routine of intimidating everyone away.
I looked around me, nothing much had changed. During daylight the view of B-Garden's impressive rotor wings somehow seemed more mechanical than romantic looking. My last time here was when my teaching license was revoked by a very reluctant Cid. (I was unaware at the time that NORG was already trying to wrestle control of B-Garden from the Headmaster) It was here where I've tried to confess my sense of inadequacy to Squall in the hopes of gaining his sympathy… I was so hung up on my own problems I hadn't noticed that Squall had to deal with some serious issues of his own…
It feels as if those events occurred such a long time ago, but it's been only what? Two years? Much have changed… But here I was –again– standing on the same spot, but instead of facing a taciturn Squall, I'm looking at Seifer's chiselled features. Nowadays he's taken to wearing a plain t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Hyperion holstered to the side. Nothing very fancy, but then with a physique like his… He doesn't really need anything extra to draw attention to himself.
"Why aren't you wearing your grey trenchcoat?" I asked him curiously.
"What? You weren't there, fuckin' screaming my ears off yelling 'take-it-off' 'take-it-off' before it got dissolved?"
I grimaced at his sarcastic tone and how his pitch went higher, supposedly to imitate the way I spoke. Just to get back at him, I shrugged my shoulders and said.
"I thought you had a closet full of those garments. At one point I thought you slept with the thing on!"
He just snorted at my comment, leaned both his elbows against the balcony rail, and looked straight ahead into the horizon saying, "Maybe I've decided to move on."
I mimicked his move and told him, "You know? The last time I was here, it was with Squall."
I felt him stiffen beside me, but all he said was, "Oh…"
"Yeah… It was during his SeeD Graduation Party. That was also the first time he met Rinoa."
"Ha!… I saw the two of them dancing! Heh! Heh! Rinoa can be one pushy chick!"
I peered up at his face, "It didn't bother you? …Rinoa was your girlfriend…"
"Ex-girlfriend, Trepe, and nah…I had another date that night." Then he turned to look at me full in the face and said with a smirk, "As you well know."
I blushed at the hot memory that suddenly rushed into my mind. I was on my way to meet Squall so we could come here, to the secret area, when I heard the moaning. Thinking someone might be in trouble I hurried to the source of the noise only to find Seifer making out rather heavily with this girl… They were in front of his dorm, he had one of his hands under her skirt, but she didn't seem to be minding it since she had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck… She was so far gone she hadn't even noticed I was there, but he did!
"Ahem! Well…" Blushing at the memory, I continued looking away into the distance, "As I was saying, I was here with Squall hoping to get his support…"
Seifer interrupted my speech scoffing at the notion of Squall giving me support, "YOU wanted emotionally stunted 'Puberty-boy' to offer you support?" I could sense that he had turned his entire body to face mine.
I continued doggedly, "I realized at that moment how important it was to have a friend with whom you could share your feelings…" I had thought at the time that I was in love with Squall, but in the end I realized that I had confused fondness and affection with romance. Rinoa's appearance made that difference very clear to me… "Matron tells me that as children, when Ellone was taken away, I tried my best to be a sister to you all…"
Seifer grabbed my shoulders gently and made me turn to face him, "What're you trying to say, Trepe?" He was frowning.
I looked down at the floor, I needed to say it. I had failed him so many times in the past. I wanted to let him know that no matter how annoying or impossible I found him to be sometimes, that he would always have my support. We had grown up together. I looked at him straight in the eyes and said, "What I'm trying to say is that you …you can think of me as, family …You know, like a big sister… S-Seifer! …What're you doing?"
He'd tightened his grip on my shoulders to the point I knew that it would leave bruises, "Is this what that littl' prissy speech was all about?"
"Seifer! What's got into you?" I was thoroughly confused, I thought my offer was a valid one. Everyone else considered me as such! In reply, he bent until his nose was almost touching mine.
"I'll say it one more time, Trepe! Don't make me fuckin' repeat myself again! I. Do. Not. Want-slash-wish. To be. Your. Fucking. Brother! Cousin! Whatever fuck-all relative that comes into your prim littl' mind!"
He released me after saying that, then he turned and stomped to the entrance of the secret area. Once there he stopped and called out, "What? Are ya comin' or you think you can take on a couple more of T-Rexaurs in your condition, Instructor?" And without waiting to see if I followed him or not, he left.
Feeling incredibly hurt by his callous rebuff, I made to follow his retreating back. How did it end like this? The beginning had been so auspicious…
That incident was two days ago. I haven't seen him since…
§ § §
To be continued…
s/n:
Yeah!
I'm a huge Bjork fan! I'm so glad I was able to use her
lyrics here! Another is Public Enemy, maybe I'll find
something suitable in the second phase of my story.
Vale!