Chapter IV – Ruby Light
In the midst of obscurity…
A light of hope appeared…
All because of one rejection.
Quistis couldn't believe it. She never thought she would see him again. Not now, not this soon, not like this.
She didn't think that he had changed much. Quistis was annoyed that he kept calling her 'Instructor'. Maybe he doesn't know. She had considered telling him that she wasn't an Instructor anymore, but if he found out, he'd mock her persistently.
"What's that, Trepe? Not an Instructor anymore? Maybe they finally realized you were mediocre."
That was what he would say, Quistis was almost certain. She had gone to Cid's office for an elaboration of Seifer's sudden appearance, but Cid had stepped out and wouldn't be back until late afternoon.
There was nothing to do at Garden except eat, sleep, read, or train. Reading was out of the question, since she already spent hours reading and had finished her book. It seemed like everyone had left her behind. Selphie and Irvine were shopping in Deling, Zell was still away on a short mission, and Squall and Rinoa were likely occupied with wedding arrangements.
For the very first time in her life, Quistis Trepe was completely bored.
She would gladly admit to anyone that her current life was all too routine. It felt like a schedule to follow, not a life to live. But she was a mercenary; she wasn't supposed to have a life. Perhaps 'life' might become more exciting when she turns twenty. SeeDs at that age are usually dispatched all over the world or enlisted in armies, unless they were Garden staff, which Quistis once was. That triggered thoughts about her Instructor's License. She had lost all hope of ever getting it back, so it didn't hurt as much to think about it now. In fact, she really wasn't supposed to feel anything at all. You're a mercenary, remember?
Born to fight, raised to fight, fight to live, and live to die.
How did she start on this morbid subject anyway? Her mind was so tired from thinking too much lately. Besides, she couldn't afford to have doubts about her profession. It was the only life she had known and practically the only thing she was good for.
She felt a headache coming on. Too many things going on at once. Squall and Rinoa's wedding, my license, Seifer's return. I wonder where he is now. If he's in trouble already… She sighed loudly in frustration. But, Hyne, I wish something exciting would happen.
"What's with all the labored breathing, Instructor?"
Quistis spun around quickly and found herself face to face with Seifer. "You again?"
"You know, if you keep that up, people will get the impression that you don't want to see me."
She glared at him for a split second before breaking eye contact. "What makes you think I want to see you?"
"Thanks, I missed you, too, Trepe," Seifer replied sarcastically.
"What are you doing here? Did I not tell you to leave me alone?"
"You told me to go find someone else to bother. I couldn't find anyone else, so I'm back. Do you have any idea how boring it is around here?"
Quistis loosened up a little, slightly glad that someone felt the same way. "You're bored, too?"
"I'm starting to think 'bored' is an understatement." Seifer rolled his eyes. Quistis felt him hesitating before he spoke again, "Care to take a walk with me, Instructor?"
She was somewhat surprised by the suggestion. "Where to?"
Seifer shrugged. "Why don't we just walk and see where that takes us?"
"Fine." Quistis started walking and Seifer had to widen his stride to catch up. They walked in silence until they ended up outside of Garden on the Alcauld Plains by the shore. Seifer groaned. "What is it now, Seifer?"
"Of all places, we just had to end up outside."
"What's wrong with the outdoors? The weather is nice today."
"You don't understand, Instructor. I've got an undying hatred for Bite Bugs. They won't leave me alone."
"Maybe they're attracted to you."
"Trepe, don't even say that." Seifer bumped her arm lightly with his elbow as she tried to suppress a smile.
What's wrong with you? Her behavior scared her. You're joking around? With Seifer?
"Do you enjoy making fun of me, Instructor?"
Her light mood died and her face took on a distant expression. Seifer noticed the sudden change. He walked faster so he could stand in front of her. He tilted his head and bent down to look her straight in the face. "Was it something I said?" Quistis turned away, staring at a spot near Seifer's left boot.
"Actually, yes."
Seifer felt a twinge of shame rushing back again. "What now?" His voice was low.
"One 'Instructor' too many, Seifer. I'm not your Instructor anymore, nor am I an Instructor." She waited for his reaction.
Seifer exhaled and looked away. "I know."
Quistis tried to hide the shock in her eyes. "How did you know?"
"Did you talk to Cid yet?" he asked. Quistis shook her head. "I may as well start at the beginning. You better sit down for this." Quistis slowly lowered herself and sat down on the small stretch of sand with her knees propped up a few inches away from her chest. She wrapped her arms around her knees as Seifer took his place beside her.
"In case you haven't figured it out already, I'm back at Garden as a student again." Quistis stiffened and brought her knees closer. "After the War, I had pretty much given up all hope of ever becoming a SeeD, which was one of my dreams."
Dreams? He has…dreams?
"I know what you're thinking, Trepe. Yes, I have dreams, like everyone else. Just because I decided to pursue one of my dreams of being a Knight instead of sitting around doing nothing, people treated me differently."
"Seifer, being a Sorceress's Knight isn't exactly a good—"
"Let me finish," Seifer interrupted. "I know what I did – everything I did – was wrong. But it's too late to change any of that now. It wasn't all it was cracked up to be."
She stayed quiet, not knowing what to say.
"I never really had a home except for Garden," he went on. "A few days ago, Matron tracked me down somehow, no doubt using the eyes and ears of people in town. She made me promise to swing by, Cid arranged a meeting with the GET, and they all had this big discussion about my merits and value." He paused, adding an afterthought, "And the Galbadians were rude as usual."
"They're perfectly justified in their behavior. You did use them, after all."
"Don't remind me. Martine explicitly hates my guts, and then there was this Burke guy who wouldn't stop talking about you. If he worked here, he'd be a Trepie." The last word tasted like venom in his mouth.
"Why was he talking about me?"
"Because you were my last Instructor."
"What did he say?"
Seifer sneered. "You're better off not knowing, trust me."
She knew better than to force it out of him, especially based on his reaction. "All right. Go on."
"After several other insults from Martine, some Instructor Dolan guy managed to convince everyone to give me a second chance. Lo and behold, here I am."
Quistis perked up. "Instructor Dolan? Cedric Dolan from Trabia?"
"You know him?"
"Of course." Quistis sounded a tad excited. "One of the most outstanding Instructors I have ever met, a fine gentleman who knows his material. I met him at an Instructor Convention in Deling City last year." Seifer just nodded, staring at the ocean. "I think I told him about you."
"I know. He told me."
"He remembers me?" Quistis looked surprised. Seifer nodded again slowly. "I find that hard to believe. All this time, I thought I wasn't the kind of person people would remember."
"That's not true, Trepe. I remember you."
"You're different. We've known each other for a long time."
"Sure." For several lengthy moments, the two sat in silence and just watched the waves roll in, creating white bubbles on the ocean surface. Seifer reached into his trench coat pocket and fished something out. "Found this on the ground after you left. Looked important so I figured I should give it back to you." He handed her the wedding invitation.
"Oh." She was speechless. Seifer was being…nice? "Thank you, Seifer." She wasn't used to thanking Seifer for anything.
"No problem, In—Trepe." There was another pause.
"So I guess you know."
"Know what?"
"Didn't you open this?"
"I'm not some nosy woman. Who's it from, a Trepie?"
"It was from President Loire."
"What, is he asking you out to some fancy dinner party or something?" He sounded annoyed.
"Squall and Rinoa are getting married." Quistis expected Seifer to have some sort of surprised reaction, but he didn't. All he did was raise an eyebrow.
"What about it?"
"Don't you feel anything at all? Rinoa was your—"
"Not really," Seifer explained, "I think she may have liked me, but I wasn't really feeling it, to be honest. It just looked like we were 'together' because she's the clingy type." Seifer wanted to make sure she understood. "You know, Trepe…I should be the one asking you. How come you're not mad or disappointed? I know you had a thing for Puberty Boy."
"He has a name." Quistis felt her hair clip coming loose from the wind but left it alone. She pushed some loose strands of hair out of her face. "Fine, I admit I may have once had 'a thing', as you call it, for Squall. But I don't feel that way anymore. I realized those feelings were just a result of my over-protectiveness left over from our childhood. On the night of the SeeD Graduation Party, when he met Rinoa for the first time, I knew I had lost. I'm no match for her and not many people are." Quistis sighed and got to her feet. "I think I should go." She started to walk away but Seifer, still sitting on the sand, caught her wrist.
"Wait." He rose to his feet, released her wrist and dusted off the sand on his coat. "Don't bother comparing yourself to Rinoa, Trepe. She's just another privileged, sheltered brat. You're better than that."
Quistis searched for signs of mockery on his face and found nothing but a serious expression. She didn't say anything for a few seconds; she didn't know how to respond. But she couldn't let a rare compliment from Seifer go unanswered. "Seifer, I don't know why you're saying all of this, but…thank you."
"Before you go, I want to get something straight." He paused to search for the words, unsure if he wanted to know the answer. "Was I ever your favorite student?"
Quistis was surprised to hear that from him again. The last time he made mention of this topic was during the battle they were both in not too long ago, fighting on opposite sides.
Back then, she knew she had lied to him; she had lied to herself.
She stepped closer to him and looked into his eyes. "Seifer," she began. Seifer's expression remained unchanged. "You have so much potential. I so badly wanted others to see that, too, but you always got in your own way. You gave me the most trouble and you almost never listened, but you always were my favorite student."
With that final statement, she turned and walked back to Garden, unaware of the smug smile Seifer wore on his face. His grin faded when the familiar flapping of Bite Bug wings pounded in his ears.
Cid sat in front of his computer, tapping his chin. He looked over the messages once more before allowing a troubled sigh to escape his mouth.
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To Headmaster Cid Kramer:
I am writing to you regarding your decision to register Seifer Almasy into my "The Basics of Junctioning" class. I strongly feel the students would not get along well with him, and I do not want him in my class for my own personal reasons. Also, a few other Instructors have gotten wind of this and would like you to think twice before putting him in their classes. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
— Instructor No. 18 – J. Koltyn
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To Headmaster Cid Kramer:
I confirm that Cadet Seifer Almasy is accepted into "Understanding of Elements". I hope to see him in class promptly at 0900 hours on Thursday. However, his application for my "Guardian Forces and You" class has been rejected because the class is currently full. Sorry for this inconvenience.
— Instructor No. 22 – S. Brahne
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The best solution came to mind easily, but Cid needed buy-in from the decision makers. He made a quick call to Xu, thanking Hyne that she was back. "Xu, can you please help me schedule an emergency meeting with the GET as soon as everyone's schedules allow?"
Sunday morning came, as did the GET. Headmaster Cid filled everyone in on the situation at hand. "We don't have too many Instructors who are willing to teach him," he concluded, "and most of the Instructors with higher tolerance have their classes full."
"Can we make the classes bigger?" Burke suggested.
"That's impossible right now. Although we have a stable income, the expansion of the Infirmary a few months ago consumed a considerable amount of funds. If we were to develop the classrooms further, it'll take too much time and too much Gil."
"Look," Martine pounded on the table, "he's barely been here for two days and already he's giving us trouble. Why don't we just do what we should've done: flat-out reject him?"
"Think what you want of it, Martine," Cahira said, "but we already decided that we would allow it. Why must you insist on holding grudges?"
"He used Galbadia! Gardens and SeeDs are not to be toyed with!"
"Funny how you put it that way, Headmaster Martine," Instructor Dolan said. He had had enough of Martine's attitude. "According to several sources, you once deceived a few Balamb SeeDs during the War, and used them as a last resort for the assassination of Sorceress Edea when you discovered that she wanted to use Galbadia Garden as a base. They would not have obeyed as readily if you hadn't fibbed and told them it was an order from Balamb Garden."
At this, Martine was flabbergasted.
Everyone in the room could hear Cedric's voice rising as he continued, "Remember what happened shortly after? Galbadia Garden lost to the Sorceress. Where were you then? You were sitting at Fisherman's Horizon feeling ashamed of yourself because Galbadia Garden didn't want you there anymore. But when the War was over, what did they do? They took you back with open arms. Why? Because they learned to forgive. If they hadn't forgiven you, you wouldn't be sitting here right now. Surely what you felt back then is similar to what Seifer's going through. So you, Martine, of all people, should understand how he feels, and know that he too deserves a second chance if even you were granted one."
There was silence as Cedric's words sank into everyone's minds and hit a spot in Martine's conscience. In those mere moments, the Headmaster of Galbadia understood what the younger man was trying to tell him and knew that what Cedric said was sensible.
But Martine was never one to apologize. He cleared his throat. "Fine. But if anything unacceptable shows up during his probation, I will do something about it."
"Now that that's solved," Cid carried on, "back to the topic at hand."
"As you were saying, Cid," Cahira said, "you can't expand the classrooms?"
"No, we can't," Cid replied, "but we do have extra classrooms. What we really need are more Instructors, preferably ones who are capable and willing to teach students like Seifer Almasy. Of course, he should be less difficult to work with than before…hopefully."
Burke spoke up, "Well, it's enrollment season right now, isn't it? If we made a new class, everything could start together nicely."
"Good point," Cahira said. "Cid, I remember from an earlier update that Balamb received at least fourteen new applications. We could put Almasy in that class and make it a new class of fifteen." Everyone nodded. "As for the Instructor…"
"How about former Instructor No. 14?" Cid suggested. I believe she has what it takes to teach this class of new students."
"Quite possible," Cahira said, reaching for Quistis's records. "But she must've been demoted for one reason or another. 'Showed favoritism', her records say."
"I'm sure she has learned her lesson as well. She's one of Balamb's best. I hated to see her go just because she spent more time on some students than others. The students will be new this time, so it will be less likely for matters such as favoritism to arise again."
"Seems fair to me," Burke said, rubbing his chin. "Then I move we reinstate Rank A SeeD Quistis Trepe's Instructor's License."
Cedric raised a hand. "I second that motion."
"I guess that's that," Martine said. "Cid, why don't you call her down now?"
"Of course." Cid held down a button on the phone next to him. "Xu, please tell Quistis to come to the conference room."
"Quistis Trepe, please report to the conference room. Repeat: Quistis Trepe, please report to the conference room." Xu's voice rang loud in the Garden halls, and Quistis wondered why they would summon her to the conference room.
Quistis made her way to the elevator. Probably another mission. But she had never been debriefed in the conference room before. As far as she knew, no one had. Within seconds, she was out of the elevator and in the room. She walked to the front of the table where there was a vacant chair, and gave a well-practiced salute.
"At ease, Quistis. Have a seat." Cid gestured toward the chair. "We've called you down to tell you some news regarding your Instructor's License."