FFVIII: Betrayals at Peace

The news spread like wildfire the next morning. The whole of the Garden was abuzz with the recent development of events. For the first time since Balamb Garden history, a Trial by Pleading was going to take place. More controversial was the fact that the Pleadee was none other than Seifer Almasy, the token black sheep (or wolf, depending on who might look at it) of the whole of the Garden. The fact that it was Instructor Quistis Trepe herself who invoked the privilege seemed to fuel the rumor mill more. It was widely rumored that she had resigned the day before, but had come back specifically to represent Seifer. There were some whispers that she may be feeling something to the romantic nature for the former Sorceress' Knight.
If there was one thing that Quistis, at least, felt grateful for this day, it was the fact that she didn't have to wrench Seifer's arm for cooperation. Not that the insolent gunblader was any more cooperative than, say, a block of stone. She was rattling things off to him, telling him what would happen on the trial tomorrow. At least, what she thought would happen. After all, no Trial by Pleading had been done in Balamb Garden until now. Everything had been laid out in the Garden Instructor manual as to the procedure of the trial. She had memorized every important bit. Now, all she had to do was live it out. She had been preparing what pointers she had to say to Seifer the night before. But right now, all Seifer had to say was "Uh-huh" repeated every time she punctuated while he was sitting on his bed in the same position she found him yesterday. His face was as disinterested as a fisherman being explained the workings of a hydraulics engine.
"As the one pleading, the prosecutor will put you to the stand last," Quistis briefed. "You will be extensively questioned."
"Uh-huh."
"Devensor will do her best to get into you, Seifer," Quistis continued. "Whatever you do, don't let her, you understand?"
"Uh-huh."
"I know how hot-headed you can be, and that is your weakness," Quistis warned. "She will exploit that."
"Uh-huh."
"Remember that this trial is our only chance of getting you off the hook. It's a special case, a last resort all people charged with capital punishment can hope to be cleared," Quistis said. Her face showed a bit of exasperation now. "This is a privilege for you. A last one. If you botched this up, there can be no hope of pardon for you. Do you get that?"
"Uh-huh."
"Damn it Seifer! Are you even listening to me?"
"Uh-huh." Now, however, he also added in a bland look.
"Look! This is not a game, Seifer," Quistis said. It amazed her how she could be so patient with this blockheaded idiot. "This is serious. Your life hangs on this. Remember that if we lose, I won't be affected much. I may lose my job, but I was resigning anyway. You, however, will lose your life!"
Seifer looked at her strangely for a moment, as if she had grown an extra head. Then, he said, "Uh-huh."
Quistis rolled her eyes and threw back her hand in defeat.
Two hours later, she went out of his cell, tired and a little bit frustrated. Seifer did not say much during the three hours she had briefed him. Except for constant "Uh-huh"s and random bits of "I understand". There were instances where his eyes were raised in a look of skepticism at her. By what, she didn't know. And she did not bother to ask. She still had much to do today. The trial was going to be held tomorrow. And it will only last for one day. Trial by Pleadings were, by rule, supposed to last in one sitting. Both the Pleadee and the Prosecutor were given chances to present their witnesses, arguments and rebuttals. It was very different from a criminal trial. It seemed more to be a mixture of a common trial and a debate. Seifer's head hung on her powers of persuasion and eloquence, literally. There was only the decision of the headmaster.
In that case, she supposed that she should count herself lucky. A trial by jury would mean that it would be a selection from among Garden cadets and faculty. There should be an equal amount of both. Not that it would matter, anyway. Seifer wasn't exactly the most loved of the Garden cadets. She would wager that a jury of his peer or otherwise would be more than happy to see him meet his maker.
Headmaster Cid, at least, would be impartial. Or she hoped that he would be. As stated by the book, a headmaster should be unbiased when overseeing any trial on which he or she would be assigned to moderate. Quistis had trust on Cid. She knew that he was one to be fair. Although she knew that Cid would've approved on Seifer's execution yesterday if she hadn't barged in like that, she also knew that this wouldn't let him cloud his judgment tomorrow.
Hyne, she thought, Don't let him be biased tomorrow.

"Please Zell," Quistis pleaded. "Testify tomorrow. Seifer's life depends on it."
They were sitting on the cafeteria on a table apart from the rest. It was lunch, but Quistis barely touched her food of fried Balamb fish and fried potatoes. She could feel the gazes of some of the students gathered there, taking their lunch. She could hear their voices, audibly subdued; but couldn't make out what they were saying. But she did not care. They could talk about her and look at her for as long as they want, but she had no intention of leaving the table until the blond martial artist sitting across her would finally relent.
Zell, for his part, was heartilly eating his third batch of hotdogs, and milk shake. Half an hour ago, he saw Quistis approach her. And by the look on her face, he already knew that she wanted something from him. He already knew what those serious expressions mean. It was the same expression Iris usually wore whenever they're shopping at Deling City. Too often, he also knew that it'd be something he would not usually approve. He was tired of being right again.
"Quisty, I know how much you care for Seifer as your student," Zell whispered after putting a sliced bit of hotdog on his mouth. "Hell, he was an asshole but I don't want him to die myself. But the fact is I was there when he slashed Squall with his gunblade! If, for anything, I'm the last person you should ask to testify for him!"
"That's just it, Zell," Quisty said. Her voice was still begging. "You're the perfect person to say that Seifer wasn't his own self when he did that to Squall!"
"You're pleading insanity," Zell said. It was a statement, not a question.
"Temporary insanity," Quisty corrected. "And it's the truth. Seifer was too cropped up in his emotions that time that he snapped, in a sense."
"If this weren't so serious, I'd be laughing at that defense, Quisty," Zell said. "In my opinion, Seifer's already crazy, with or without emotional prodding."
Quistis did not reply.
"What did Seifer say about this?" Zell asked, drinking his shake. "Your idea for the defense, I mean."
"He doesn't have to know now," Quisty said. "Only tomorrow."
"I take it he doesn't like the idea?" Zell asked.
"Look," Quisty said. "I don't care if he'll hate me for the rest of my life for declaring him temporary insane, but it's about the only defense I could think of for what he did. That, and the fact that the charge is murder even when Squall's still alive. I'm still trying to see how I can get over that technicality."
"I don't know, Quisty," Zell said, letting out a pessimistic sigh. "I mean, what Seifer did was really serious this time. You've got really bleak chances of pulling this off."
"That's why I need your help," Quistis said again. The expression on her eyes was heart-tugging. "I can't pull this off if I can't have witnesses who will testify for Seifer. I have to get the sympathy of the people. Or the faculty. At least three of them."
"Whoa," Zell said. "I thought Trial by Pleading doesn't have a jury?"
"It doesn't," Quistis said. "The decision is solely based on the Headmaster."
"Then why try to get the people's sympathy if they don't have a say on the case?"
"There is an article on the Trial by Pleading manual which states that capital punishment can be discarded for a lesser punishment if three Garden faculty aside from the instructor-counsel will plead on his or her behalf," Quistis explained. "I am hoping that I could persuade three faculty members to vote on that."
"You're really not too optimistic on him getting scot-free, are you?" Zell asked.
"I'm just taking into account the worst case scenario, Zell," Quistis replied. "If Cid still decides on Seifer being guilty, at least he won't be killed for it."
Zell clasped his hands thoughtfully in front of him, his elbows placed rudely on the table. He twisted his mouth for a bit, thinking hard.
"I know how you can't stand being around Seifer," Quistis said.
"He's a pain in the ass, what do you expect?" Zell replied. "He's always so arrogant and he has a talent for getting into people's nerves."
"Then I'm asking you to do this for me," Quisty said. "Zell, please. Just do me this favor. Please?"
Zell went silent again, looking away for a while. He was obviously deep in thought.
"What do you want me to say?" Zell asked.
"Say yes," Quisty said.
"No, I mean, during the trial," Zell clarified. "I suppose I will be questioned by Instructor Devensor?"
Quistis' face brightened up. It was all she could do not to reach over the table and hug the life out of the martial artist. "Thank you Zell! Thank you!"
"You owe me big for this, Quisty," Zell muttered. "And no hugs. I don't think it'd be good, seeing as how you seemed to be attracting love triangles these days. I don't want anyone telling Iris we were locked in a passionate embrace."
Quistis, all relieved smiles, nodded. "I'm just glad you decided to help me. At least this lessens the chances of Seifer getting killed."
"Don't tell Rinoa about this, okay?" Zell muttered still. "Otherwise, I'll be the one getting killed."

The rest of Quistis' afternoon was spent trying to build up her case. So far, she only had one witness, and that was Zell. She spent an hour debriefing him for the trial. At least he was vastly more cooperative than Seifer had been. She supposed that she should count it a blessing that Zell even agreed. She could scarcely think of anyone who might be willing to testify for Seifer.
She spent about two hours more on the Faculty Records department, shuffling through various intsructors' papers and evaluations. She had no idea what she was looking for, but she did have a notion as to what she wanted to happen. She knew that if she was going to push through with this, she would be marked by the others. She came out of the room carrying fifteen folders and a brown manila envelope.
While she was on the way to her room, she happened to pass by the hallway that led to the Medical section. Her steps faltered for a few moments, a battle of decisions in her mind. Finally, one side won, and she turned towards the hall corner to the ICU room.
Hesitatingly at first, she opened the door and looked in.
She found Irvine lazily leafing through a stack of magazines. His cowboy hat was placed on the dresser beside him. When he saw Quistis come in, he gave her a small smile.
"Well, lookit what the cat dragged in."
"'lo Irvine," Quistis said. She turned to look at Squall. "How is he?"
"Still out cold," Irvine said. "Andrea came in a while ago, and said that he's completely okay now. All he needs is just rest."
"Andrea?" Quistis asked.
"Ehrm..the nurse, I mean," Irvine grinned, blushing. "Uhm, in any case, he'll be around anytime soon now."
Quistis walked towards the side of the bed, and softly brushed Squall's hair. His forehead was bandaged, and so were parts of his hands and arms. There were still traces of bluish-black on his face, but otherwise, he looked perfectly normal now.
"Where's Rinoa?" she suddenly asked.
"Selphie took her out for a bite to eat," Irvine said. "The poor girl's been lying awake almost all night trying to wait for our Squallie-boy here to wake up."
"I see," Quistis said. She loves him that much.
"By the way, I heard you're out to defend Seifer tomorrow," Irvine said. "A Trial by Pleading, eh?"
"Yes," Quistis answered.
Irvine was silent for a moment. "Why?"
"Why?" Quistis repeated. "I don't know. Maybe because I had to?"
"That's not an answer I'd expect from Quistis Trepe," Irvine said. "You went out of your way to take back your resignation just to plead for the life of someone who almost...no, who killed...someone you hold so dear?"
"I know it sounds illogical," Quistis said. "But I really don't know why I did it. At first, it was the natural instinct for a teacher to protect her student. And Seifer has always been a special student of mine..."
"At first?" Irvine asked.
"But then, I paid him a visit yesterday," Quistis continued. "And I saw in his eyes why he had to do it. Irvine, it was the pain mixed with love. It was something I knew all too well. If...if I'll be able to save him tomorrow, then, maybe, I'll feel better knowing I've helped a kindred soul. And he deserves something good after the pain I saw in his eyes."
Irvine chuckled. "You and Seifer are as different as water and fire. It's funny how you called him a kindred soul."
Quistis lovingly looked at Squall one more time, before turning around and walking towards the door. "Seifer and I are the same, Irvine. Made kindred by the same pain of betrayal by love. I don't know what happened between him and Rinoa, but I'm sure he felt betrayed. Betrayer and the betrayed. It's as kindred as anything else can be, don't you think?"
Irvine didn't say anything, watching her open the door and stepping out. He looked down and softly shook his head.

In all of Balamb Garden history, the courtroom had always been the prominent venue for controversial trials. It was there that a talented but brash SeeD commander was court-martialed when he decided to disobey a direct order and proceeded to command his squad to storm a suspected terrorist hideout when they were only tasked for reconnaisance, five years ago. It was also there that a respected instructor was found guilty of sexually harassing a young cadet, six years past. So many court trials, and so many dreams shattered in that one place. But this time, it was different. For the first time in B-Garden history, a murder trial will be carried out. And the figures of the case were as prominent as any in history.
Today, the courtroom was literally flooded with blue, and was a veritable marketplace of murmurs, talks and noise. Classes were cancelled for this day, just for this trial, and as a result, students and cadets lined the rows of benches which were built in a wide half-arc on the sides of the room. On the front part of the center arc were seated the faculty of the Garden. And on the special box portion on the side, on an elevated part of the arc, were the fifteen senior instructors which comprised the Board of Garden Directors. Most of the faces were etched in stone, and were looking at the Pleadee's table where Quistis and Seifer were seated. Their looks were as friendly as a chimera looking at its prey. All of the fifteen seats were occupied except for one. Its occupant was seated on the table a few meters alongside Quistis'. Senior Instructor Myriam Devensor's face was as contemptous as some of the members of the Board. A face of contempt, with a mixture of total confidence. She knew she was going to win this one. The pleading was only a delay for the inevitable.
Quistis, for her part, was a figure of cool composure as she arranged the papers she was going to use today. She was wearing her Garden uniform, and her hair was tied up in that familiar way of hers. With the cute wire-frame glasses that was always a fixture in her face, nobody could have guessed the extreme nervousness that's been waging inside her. If they would have looked closer, they would notice that the sheaf of papers she was holding was trembling.
Seifer, on the other hand, was anything but calm. His face marked that usual scowl and perpetual subtle frown that marred his otherwise handsome face. The scar only made it worse. His eyes kept shifting from one spot of the room in front of him to the next. His hands were crossed, and he kept subtly swinging his chair.
Finally, the court secretary stood up and announced the arrival of the Headmaster judge.
"All rise! The court is now in session for the trial of 1st class cadet Seifer Almasy versus the Balamb Garden. The presiding judge will be his honor Headmaster Cid Kramer."
Everyone stood up as the headmaster, dressed in the judge's garb of flowing black silken robe with a threaded red collar, walked up on the raised judge's desk. The moment he banged his gavel, everyone sat down. Silence enveloped the whole of the room after that.
"Let's get this over with so we can resume our normal Garden routine," Cid said. "Pleadee and Prosecutor, are you both ready for your opening statements?"
"We are, Your honor," Quistis and Devensor said, standing up.
"Then let's--" Cid said.
"Your Honor, before we gave out our respective statements, I move to ask for Section 10, of Article 92," Quistis said, interrupting Cid. Her face was cool and calm, but her voice betrayed a hint of a waver.
Cid blinked.
"Preposterous!" Devensor said, looking at Quistis incredously. "Your Honor, the prosecutor would object to that motion."
"Instructor Trepe," Cid said. "You do know the proceedings of a Garden trial, don't you?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Quistis said.
"Then you know that all motions or pleas concerning a trial outcome and sentences should be submitted before the trial itself?" Cid asked.
"Yes, Your Honor, but this is a Trial by Pleading," Quistis said.
"Your Honor, my colleague's motion is completely out of the rules of a Garden trial," Devensor said. "I move to strike it out."
Cid thought for a moment. "Both counsels please approach the bench."
Quistis and Devensor glared at each other as they approached the headmaster's desk.
"This is completely out of line, Instructor Trepe," Cid said in a low voice. "All motions and pleas should be brought to my attention a day before the trial! The Garden Manual states it clearly!"
"But only on normal trials and cases, headmaster," Quistis said. "The Trial by Pleading is a special case."
"It did not say that even if it's a special case, it's not bound by the same rules as that of a normal court proceeding!" Devensor hissed.
"It did not say that it is, either!" Quistis shot back. "Tell me a passage in the Manual that says it is, and I will retract my motion. If you may recall, Instructor, a Trial by Pleading has a section all its own! And with its own rules and procedures! And since a Trial by Pleading reserves the notion that the defendant has already been considered guilty until proven innocent, the Manual clearly states that a Pleadee counsel may invoke the right to have the capital punishment abetted if three or more Garden faculty staff will intervene on his behalf of their own free will!"
"This is stupidity!" Devensor said. "You're arguing a common technicality!"
"How convenient," Quistis said. "Isn't that why you're charging Seifer Almasy in the first place? By a 'technicality'?"
"Why you--!" Devensor said, getting angrier. "We asked for a capital punishment, and that is what we will have! I will not let a murderer get a sentence lesser than that just because the manual did not mention a rule that is common among all other trial proceedings!"
"I can't believe your personal hatred against him has gone this deep!" Quistis said. "Remember that I still have to prove him innocent!"
"Look, you two," Cid said, glaring at the two. "This is the first Trial by Pleading this Garden has ever had. If you're thinking of making a circus out of this, I'll be forced to charge you both with contempt! I suppose THAT is in the Manual?"
"Yes, Headmaster," the two mumbled.
"Very well," Cid said. "I will grant your motion, Instructor Trepe. But any more rule-twisting like that and I will have your defendant carry out the original sentence before pleading, understand?"
"Yes, headmaster," Quistis said. She felt a surge of joy inside her, and it was all she could do not to shout out loud. It was just a minor victory, she told herself. Don't get carried away.
"Now get back to your benches so we can finally get back to our daily Garden routine," Cid said.
Quistis and Devensor went back to their respective places.
"The Prosecutor may now start with her opening statement," Cid said. "The maximum time given per statement is only ten minutes, people. Remember that."
Devensor shuffled some papers for a few seconds before getting up. She casually walked towards the center of the courtroom, taking her time. Every eye on the room was on her.
Quistis let out a breathe. Great, she thought. Now she's building up the dramatic tension. Damn, why can't I be as confident as her?
Finally, Devensor looked at the audience in the room and spoke.
"Eversince its conception, Balamb Garden has stood tall against so many problems and hardships and has maintained its reputation as a respected and peaceful institution because of one thing: its set of rules. We have rules and regulations, and we follow them. Rules, ladies and gentlemen, are what keeps our daily life here in the Garden ordered and structured. They are what molds you into the future SeeDs whom people around the world look up in awe and respect. Without rules, we would be in utter chaos right now.
"Seifer Almasy is a man who spits at those rules. Let me be blunt and say that he is an arrogant bastard who disregards any and all rules his instructors lay for their classes. I should know. I was his instructor once. And I'm sure most of you already know of his infamous reputation here. He opposes any and all forms of authority and does his best to be a headache to any authoritative figure. He is hot-headed and is a troublemaker. In a nutshell, ladies and gentlemen, Seifer Almasy is a time bomb just waiting to blow up.
"Yesterday, that bomb finally exploded. Yesterday, he attacked and killed a Garden authority figure. A person who is known and respected by everyone in Balamb Garden. And a hero known the world over. Yesterday, I'm sure most of you have seen the bloody body of Commander Squall Leonheart being wheeled to the Intensive Care Unit. Seifer Almasy did that, ladies and gentleman. The same Seifer Almasy you see sitting on the defense bench right now.
"In all truths and purposes, we shouldn't have been here right now. It is plain as day that Seifer Almasy committed murder and treason, and that the facts are there for everyone to see. This trial is just delaying justice which could have been carried out already. Treason in the sense that he attacked and, dare I say, killed a respected and recognized Garden faculty, and thus, in a sense, attacked Balamb Garden itself. I tell you right now, ladies and gentlemen. An act like that should not go unpunished. And since my esteemed colleague here has invoked Section 10, you faculty of this prestigious Garden now have in your hands the power whether or not to let the transgressor be punished for what he had done. I hope that you do."
With that, Myriam Devensor went back to her bench. Quistis, who had been playing with her pen absentmindedly the whole time, stood up and took her place in front of the judge's bench. She clasped her hands behind her back and paused, just as Devensor had. She was hoping that maybe, the people inside the courtroom right now would take that brief pause as dramatic. In truth, she was trying to organize her thoughts.
Finally, she brought herself up straight, clearing her throat. That pristine and pretty face never belying the hundred thousand thoughts, impulses, and ideas swarming inside her head right now just begging to be organized into a logical and coherent speech. She looked at the faces in front of her. There was Selphie and Iris on the second row on the left section, looking smart and composed in their SeeD uniforms. Beside Iris sat Zell, and he was fidgeting every so often. Apparently, he still hadn't told them that he was going to testify for Seifer. Rinoa and Irvine were not in the room. She guessed that they probably were still with Squall in the ICU. And then, there were expectant nerdy students who some, she recalled, were her students in Esthar history. Xu's students in Law and Economics who, Xu told her, were so very critical in the way she taught things. There was Xu herself in front of the group, together with the Garden teachers and faculty. Right now, her friend was looking at her in a somewhat nervous manner. Last night, they had a long serious talk about her decision. Both in defending Seifer, and in her plan during the whole course of the trial. She was already fine with the former. She hoped she had explained to Xu, fully, her reasons (even though she knew that it sounded completely irrational to others). The latter, however, she wasn't really sure about. She knew that Xu was more knowledgable than her in the field of law. That was why the moment she told her about her plan of bringing up Section 10 during the court proceeding, Xu practically looked at her and asked her if she wanted to be cited for contempt in court. She knew her friend meant well. But she also knew that doing this would be a step further in assuring that Seifer wouldn't end up six feet under. Not that it would be an assurance. She knew Xu would vote for Seifer. That only leaves two more. She looked at the faces of the faculty in front of her now, and she only saw blankness and ice.
Finally, she let out a breath and started her speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, and esteemed colleagues. I am sure all of you here might be wondering why I'm standing here in front of you and the Headmaster Judge, pleading for the life of a certain first class cadet who is infamous for being a first-rate jerk and bastard to all cadets and personnel of the Garden, especially those who are figures of authority. I, myself, have often been at the receiving end of his brashness and crudeness. My respected colleague here has already stated to you what her personal thoughts about him are, and why he was being charged for such crimes. She had already stated why they thought of him as a traitor, and as a murderer.
"But there was one thing she didn't tell you. The whole truth. She only presented facts, cold hard ones. And those I do not deny. But what she didn't tell you was that Seifer fought Squall because of a personal matter, and therefore is not subject under the blanket of Garden visage. In that sense, he did not commit treason against the Garden. She had stated numerous times that Seifer killed Squall. But what she didn't tell you was that Squall is fine, although unconscious, in the Intensive Care Unit right now. He's alive."
Quistis paused again, partly to hold the suspense, and partly to collect her thoughts. She walked towards the front row of teachers and faculty, and placed her hands on the brown oaken railing. She looked at the eyes of her fellow instructors and continued.
"Ladies and gentlemen, before this day will end, I will attempt to show to you two things. One is that all this was caused by a personal vendetta by several Board members against Seifer Almasy. They never cared about whether Seifer committed murder or not. They only want to see him punished for what they thought was a sin he did more than a year ago, during the Sorceress war. That, and the fact that they hated Seifer because of how he was always defying them in front of their students and their classes. All this was only because of several senior instructors' bruised egos, and what they thought was a betrayal done in the past. A transgression, mind you, of which Seifer Almasy had already been pardoned.
"The second point I will attempt to prove is that when Seifer fought Squall which almost--mind you, almost--killed Squall Leonheart, he was not in control of his full senses at that time. In other words, he was temporarily insane--"
"Objection!" a voice suddenly rang out, clear and brisk, and visibly angry. Everyone turned to look at who had the audacity to interrupt Quistis' opening statement. Everyone's eyes were locked to Seifer, who had stood up, hands squarely placed at the table, and face bristling with anger and disbelief.
"Wow," Zell said, whispering to Iris. "He can do that???"
Cid, for his part, blinked in surprise. "You're objecting to your counsel's statement?!"
"Seifer--!" Quistis said, trying to recover from the momentary shock the recent developments gave her.
"Dammit Instructor!" Seifer growled. "I told you I do not plead temporary insanity! I thought you already got that inside that pretty head of yours?! Fuck!"
"Young man, you cease this outburst this instant or I swear this trial'll be over sooner than you expect and you'll find yourself either spending a lifetime in a dark prison cell or as fertilizer for the trees!" Cid said angrily.
"Then get this over with!" Seifer growled. "All I want is a chance to be put in the stand so I can tell Rinoa how sorry I am! Then you can feed my body to the Ruby Dragons for all I care, but I do not plead insanity!"
"That's it!" Cid said. "You, young man, are ci--!"
"Your Honor, please!" Quistis said, running towards Seifer and attempting to cover his mouth before he can dig himself in deeper. Not that it mattered. "He was just upset. I promise that there will be no more of this out of him!"
Seifer's brows furrowed in obvious disagreement. "Mmmmph! Mmmmph!"
Quistis, eyes blazing with anger, then turned to face Seifer. She growled, and whispered. "Now listen here you idiot! This is the only way I can save your sorry ass! Now, you either shut up willingly, or I will make you myself. And I swear by all I hold holy that you'll wish you'd been flayed alive and soaked in vinegar. Do I make myself clear?"
Seifer's eyes narrowed for a moment. He looked deep in her eyes, as if swimming in there for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, he nodded in agreement. Quistis took her hand off his mouth slowly. On the prosecutor's desk, Devensor was grinning broadly. Quistis gave her a piercing glare. The older woman just raised an eyebrow at her. However, she did stop her grinning.
Quistis turned around and looked at Cid. "I'm sorry, Your Honor, for that interruption. If I may continue?"
Cid glared at Seifer for a moment, before turning back to Quistis. "You have only one minute more, Instructor-counsel."
"Thank you, Your Honor," Quistis said. She turned around and faced the faculty again, smoothing her dark blue Instructor uniform, trying to regain her composure. She knew, however, that the momentum she held before was now gone by the outburst.
"As I said, my respected colleagues. During the time when Seifer dealt that injury to Squall, he was not in full control of himself. As such, he cannot be held fully responsible for his actions. Thank you."
Quistis let out a breath, and took one last look at the faces of the instructors and Garden faculty members. All she saw were doubt.
Hyne help us now, she thought.