Disclaimer: I don't own anything! (Except for Adan)
Untitled
Chapter 1
By Maureen
"For those folks who have just started watching, a brief recap. Balamb Garden Commander Squall Leonhart is in Timber assisting in the final formalities of Timber becoming independent from Galbadia. Newly elected Vice President of Timber Parliament, Rinoa Heartilly makes a statement."
"We'd like to thank everyone who gave us their support during the time of resistance. I'd also like to take the opportunity to announce the alliance of Timber Parliament with Balamb Garden." Rinoa's lovely head tilted to flash a beautiful smile at Squall. He returned it with a shy grin. "Today we also would like to-"
A perfectly chiseled finger hastily pushed the "off" button.
"Hey, Quistis! We were watching!" Zell complained.
"Fine," she huffed. She thrust the remote control at Zell and headed towards the door.
"Come on, Quisty!" Selphie exclaimed. "Why won't you stay?"
Quistis turned and stood motionless in the doorway, regarding her strange group of friends.
It had been 6 weeks since the defeat of Ultimecia. Everything was starting to go back to normal. They had no hero reputation because no one knew that they were the ones who had prevented time compression. Time compression was a distant memory. No one talked about it much; Squall acted like it had never happened. No, he wasn't in denial, it was just…Squall.
Squall. Quistis had realized that she had mistaken her sisterly love for him as true love. Quistis laughed silently at the thought.
It was true, though, that she wished Squall needed her. Needed her the way he had needed Ellone. But Squall had found his confidante in Rinoa.
Rinoa. Vice President in the Timber Parliament. Quisitis had no idea as to whether she would be a competent politician. Everyone loved her, though, so popularity would be no problem.
Zell. Zell had settled into a content routine of eating, sleeping, talking with his girlfriend, and occasionally training.
Selphie. Selphie was Selphie. What more can be said? Occupying herself with Irvine, Irvine, planning the Garden festival, Irvine, and Irvine.
Irvine. Irvine had transferred to Balamb Garden. He tried to maintain his mysterious loner sharpshooter personage, but everyone (every girl) well knew that he was taken. Even so, he had his flirtatious moods, which were retaliated to by Selphie's stealing his cowboy hat.
Balamb Garden had just reestablished itself in its rightful location. Missions had just begun to come in, which were complied to with the little SeeDs left. Galbadia Garden had also returned and was hesitantly restarting. The flow of new applicants was merely a trickle, but it was moving. Galbadia had been forgiven, only few held grudges. Trabia Garden was in the process of being rebuilt. Selphie had mentioned that her and Irvine may be volunteering.
And Quistis. Even with the great victory over Ultimecia, Quistis had never felt more of a failure then she did at this time in life. She had not yet been given back her Instructor title and she had not been a good "sissy". What's left? she thought to herself.
"Hello-oe!" Selphie's voice snapped Quistis out of her reflective reverie.
"I feel like a little run through the training center," Quistis said.
"Training? Again? Hey, Quisits, don't worry, your figure is fine. Actually, it's more then fine." Irvine grinned his grin and gave her a wink. Selphie whacked his head. "Ow! You're going to pay for that…toni-"
Qusitis didn't really want to hear this. She retreated from the doorway and went to retrieve her Save the Queen from her room.
She started to make her way to the training center.
"Quistis! Hey! Stop!" Quistis turned to see the approaching figure of Xu. "Hey, you've got a message waiting for you at the Headmaster's office."
Quistis heaved a sigh. She wasn't in the mood. But…"Alright, coming."
Quistis followed Xu down the hall and to the elevator. She tapped her toe impatiently and ignored Xu's questioning look.
"Something wrong?" Xu asked.
Quistis shook her head. Ding. The elevator announced their arrival. They walked to the door and Xu tentatively stuck her head in.
"Why, yes, that's completely understandable." Pause. "I don't see why not…"
"Excuse me, Headmaster," Xu interrupted. "Quistis is here."
"Yes, it is, now hold on," Cid said rushedly into the phone receiver. "Ah, thank you, Xu," he nodded and she departed. "Quistis! Please, take a seat!"
Quistis seated herself and asked nervously, "Is there something wrong, Headmaster?"
"Actually, I'm going to let Squall explain the situation to you. Here ya go." Quistis awkwardly accepted. "Umm…hello?"
"Quistis. Hi."
"Squall. Is something wrong?"
Well…are you feeling up to a mission yet?"
Quistis contemplated. Well…"Ok," she answered.
"Ok. We need some help in Timber. As you know, Timber is now independent,
but not everyone is being supportive. We need some assistance handling some resistance factions. I'd like to place you leader of the mission. Choose 3 or 4 people to come with you. Any problems?"
"We'll be at the train station tomorrow at 1:00 PM."
* * *
Adan Subai jogged down the hall. He was starving. Classes had ended late and the teacher decided to keep him behind to tell him what a good job he was doing. At the moment, he didn't care. He just wanted food and a good game of cards with his friends. He skidded to a halt at the cafeteria entrance as he noticed a pair of sapphire blue eyes piercing through his dull brown ones. Whoa, she's hot.
"Adan Subai?" Miss hot-blue-eyes asked.
"Oh…yeah, uh huh, that would be me." Crap. He scolded himself for sounding so cheerful.
"I believe you're new to Balamb Garden."
"I'm new to any Garden." Adan winced and reminded himself to be knocked on the head by a brick later.
"There is a situation at hand and we would like to take a trainee. You were recommended, so…you up for it?" Adan's stomach growled loudly, "-or would you like to eat first?" Adan felt his face grow hot and managed a slight nod.
Adan rushed to the line and bought himself dinner. He scanned the tables and noticed Miss blue eyes still waiting for him.
"Hey, Adan! Here!" yelled out his friend.
"Sorry, Rob, hafta talk with that lady over there, some mission thing."
"What lady? Quistis Trepe? Holy shit, since when were you so lucky? Damn…" Rob muttered.
"Yeah, well, talk to you later." Adan made his way over to the table where…Quistis…sat. Quistis. Nice name. He mustered up some courage. "S-so, what's this mission thing about?"
"Sort out a situation with a resistance group in Timber. Not much. You need to decide now…are you in or out?" Quisits stood up.
"I guess I'm in," Adan said.
"Be at the front gate tomorrow, 0700 hours, with your weapon."
* * *
"You three don't help at all! No regard for authority! Forget working here!"
"Yeah, well, we quit!" An angry blonde slammed the door shut in the shop owner's face.
"Ouch. That musta hurt, ya know?
Fujin stamped her foot. "YOUR FAULT!" She pointed at Seifer. "TEMPER!"
"Yeah, yeah," he responded. "I was getting sick of Timber anyways. Let's go to Dollet."
"There probably ain't no jobs there either. What're we gonna do, Seifer? We've already been kicked out of two cities, ya know?"
"Who care, god dammit. We got better stuff to do. Come on, let's go out to Obel Lake and go fishing." Seifer grinned and started strolling happily down the street. Forever imprinted was his horrible temper and tendency to be impulsive, but after Time compression, Seifer had been more…optimistic. He had been forgiven by most people, who were happy to just go back to their lives, no hate for the Sorceress' Knight.
Fujin couldn't help but smile. "FISHING."
* * *
The train gave a great lurch and came to a stop. Quistis heaved a great sigh. "Alright, Zell, Amie, Adan, come on."
"Quistis! Zell!" Quistis faced an ecstatic Rinoa, who ran up and gave Quistis a hug. Squall walked up slowly and gave Quistis a nod.
"How's everything?" Quistis inquired.
"We'll brief in the train."
Quistis looked behind Squall and recognized the old headquarters of Forest Owls. She let out a laugh.
Squall led everyone into the train, where they were ushered into their meeting room. Adan looked around incredulously. Not the most formal parliament…he thought.
"Ok," Squall started. "Our mission here is to just capture the resistance group. They call themselves the Owl Hunters and are made up of a few Timber citizens, some Galbadian soldiers, and the leader of it all is a former SeeD. You wouldn't know because we've demanded that the press keep it quiet, but they've been committing many terrorist acts. Your job is to hang around at the bar, where they supposedly frequent at, and try to catch anything, a hideout location or something. For now…just relax, I guess. Or practice."
Quistis gave a nod. "So how have things been besides that?"
"Oh, great!" Rinoa replied enthusiastically. She gestured to Squall, "He doesn't get moody that much anymore. We're working on the excessive use of 'whatever'."
"…whatever," Squall said with a small, goofy smile.
Rinoa threw her head back and laughed while Quistis chuckled helplessly. She was happy for them, she really was.
"Zell, you haven't introduced us to your lovely girlfriend yet!" Rinoa said.
"Oh. Everyone, this is Amie. Amie, this is everyone. She's head advisor in the library," he smiled proudly. Amie looked abashed and gave a little wave.
"Tell us a bit about yourself," Rinoa encouraged.
"Umm…ok. I'm 17, born in Shumi-" he was interrupted.
"Born in Shumi?! But you're…" Quistis drifted off. She hadn't bothered to ask him anything about himself; she was startled.
Adan smiled. "Human, yeah, I know. My mother didn't have anywhere to go and they took us in." His smile weighed down crookedly, like he didn't want to talk about it.
Amie saved him. "Oh yeah, I use daggers. What weapon do you use?"
"The swallow."
Quistis' head turned to face his. She felt so heartless for never attempting to make simple conversation with people besides the friends she already had. She had immediately assumed the only-leader-and-group-member relationship. That's my problem. That's why I'm a bad leader. That's why I'm not an instructor. She shook her head to herself.
Adan looked at her strangely. "What…you don't believe me?" He reached behind him and whipped out a beautiful weapon.
Quistis blushed. "No, I was just thinking to myself." She saw the swallow. "It's gorgeous."
Adan smiled. He has dimples, she noticed.
The two russet blades curved wickedly, but it had a certain antique-like grace to it.
Quistis' eyes met his. She smiled.
A/N: REVIEW AND I WILL KISS YOUR FEET!
