Oops forgot the disclaimer on the last chapter. No, I don't own FFVIII ot any of it's characters, I'm just playing with them for the moment.
***************
How do you know that you are in love? Is it church bells ringing and birds singing, or is it a certainty that when you look into someone's eyes that you can see eternity beckon? I think that the latter is true love; my love for Rinoa was a whirlwind of emotions conjured forth by our situation.
Foxhole love that's what it's called. We had lectures on it in training, and I received many sidelong glances from Quistis as she spoke.
*****
"Foxhole love is the term given to relationships between soldiers on the battlefield." Quistis' commanding tone rang out across the room, making the heads of students snap up as they were jerked from their reverie.
"Under extreme conditions of stress bonds form between comrades and they sometimes develop into intimate liaisons. Normally these are purely sexual affairs to release tension but they do have drawbacks. Emotional attachments can then ensue, this is why they are strictly prohibited between SeeD's who serve together.
These attachments lead to a priority being placed on the life of a partner instead of on the mission at hand. Indeed there are even cases of entire units being wiped out because a SeeD broke ranks to attempt the rescue of a lover, needless to say it is pointless." Quistis paused to rake her eyes across the classroom, settling for a brief moment on Squall.
Pushing a strand of her golden hair behind her ears she continued, "These rules may sound draconian and outdated to you but I am afraid that if you wish to become SeeD's they are ones which must be obeyed. Therefore those of you that are going to be taking the SeeD exam this year should remember these facts:
1. Sexual relationships are forbidden between SeeDs who serve on the same squad. They are also frowned upon between any SeeDs.
2. The mission is always the priority. Callous as it may sound personal safety is secondary to this.
3. Under no circumstances should a sexual relationship be undertaken between a Seed and his or her client. It is completely unprofessional and results in immediate expulsion from both SeeD and Garden.
Taking a breath Quistis stopped and glanced down at her watch, it was practically the end of the lesson and it hardly seemed worth beginning a written exercise. However Quistis Trepe had not become the youngest ever instructor by allowing her students to slack.
"Now if you will switch on your terminals I would like you to write a one thousand word essay on the reasons why SeeD and garden have these rules. On my desk by tomorrow morning if you please."
Stifling a groan Squall pushed the power button on his terminal and watched as the screen flickered to life..........
*****
It makes sense. A highly stressful time leads to people reaching out for others and trying to find some comfort in a seemingly hopeless situation. My isolation only made it worse, I never experienced anything that approached affection before, not that I could remember; and so the first person who persevered enough to break through my shell won my heart. Or my attention for a short while.
A crow erupted from the bush behind, black wings flailing and harsh voice shrieking its disapproval of my hesitation, my weakness. I had to make a decision. As the sun inched further over the horizon I watched the bird spiral towards the church spire. It settled down and began to preen its feathers and then turned unseen eyes towards me.
***************
How do you know that you are in love? Is it church bells ringing and birds singing, or is it a certainty that when you look into someone's eyes that you can see eternity beckon? I think that the latter is true love; my love for Rinoa was a whirlwind of emotions conjured forth by our situation.
Foxhole love that's what it's called. We had lectures on it in training, and I received many sidelong glances from Quistis as she spoke.
*****
"Foxhole love is the term given to relationships between soldiers on the battlefield." Quistis' commanding tone rang out across the room, making the heads of students snap up as they were jerked from their reverie.
"Under extreme conditions of stress bonds form between comrades and they sometimes develop into intimate liaisons. Normally these are purely sexual affairs to release tension but they do have drawbacks. Emotional attachments can then ensue, this is why they are strictly prohibited between SeeD's who serve together.
These attachments lead to a priority being placed on the life of a partner instead of on the mission at hand. Indeed there are even cases of entire units being wiped out because a SeeD broke ranks to attempt the rescue of a lover, needless to say it is pointless." Quistis paused to rake her eyes across the classroom, settling for a brief moment on Squall.
Pushing a strand of her golden hair behind her ears she continued, "These rules may sound draconian and outdated to you but I am afraid that if you wish to become SeeD's they are ones which must be obeyed. Therefore those of you that are going to be taking the SeeD exam this year should remember these facts:
1. Sexual relationships are forbidden between SeeDs who serve on the same squad. They are also frowned upon between any SeeDs.
2. The mission is always the priority. Callous as it may sound personal safety is secondary to this.
3. Under no circumstances should a sexual relationship be undertaken between a Seed and his or her client. It is completely unprofessional and results in immediate expulsion from both SeeD and Garden.
Taking a breath Quistis stopped and glanced down at her watch, it was practically the end of the lesson and it hardly seemed worth beginning a written exercise. However Quistis Trepe had not become the youngest ever instructor by allowing her students to slack.
"Now if you will switch on your terminals I would like you to write a one thousand word essay on the reasons why SeeD and garden have these rules. On my desk by tomorrow morning if you please."
Stifling a groan Squall pushed the power button on his terminal and watched as the screen flickered to life..........
*****
It makes sense. A highly stressful time leads to people reaching out for others and trying to find some comfort in a seemingly hopeless situation. My isolation only made it worse, I never experienced anything that approached affection before, not that I could remember; and so the first person who persevered enough to break through my shell won my heart. Or my attention for a short while.
A crow erupted from the bush behind, black wings flailing and harsh voice shrieking its disapproval of my hesitation, my weakness. I had to make a decision. As the sun inched further over the horizon I watched the bird spiral towards the church spire. It settled down and began to preen its feathers and then turned unseen eyes towards me.